Spotlight on Art: Hand-Stitching

I’m sure that many of us have added stitching to our artwork using a sewing machine in the past. It’s a fast and easy way to get that stitched look on our projects. But today’s featured artist from the Art Studio wanted to illustrate the greater control that comes with hand-stitching. All the stitches in today’s artwork were done by hand, and I think you’ll be impressed with the results.

The title stitching on this simple page is a great example of the control that hand stitching brings. The artist freehanded the word “happy” and then stitched over it using all six threads of a strand of Close To My Heart embroidery floss for some really substantial stitches. It is such a fun way to add a splash of color to the Grey Wool cardstock it is stitched into.

This card illustrates the precision you can achieve by hand stitching on your art work. Notice how that zigzag stitch goes only where the artist wants it to go. By using the piercing tool and Close To My Heart’s clear ruler, you can get precise stitches that will look uniform all the way around.

On this card, the artist added a double line of evenly spaced stitches, getting a look that you can’t get with your average sewing machine. Staggering the two lines really lends them greater weight as a design element.

Your sewing machine is a great tool for embellishing your projects, but don’t underestimate the great effect you can get out of a plain ol’ needle and thread!