Open Chain Stitch

The Open Chain Stitch is also known as Ladder Stitch, Square Stitch or Roman Chain Stitch. It is used in hand embroidery to outline straight and wavy lines as well as various shapes such as circles. The look of the stitch can be changed by varying the distance between each stitch either by spacing them closely or widely.

Work the Open Chain Stitch between equally spaced dots on two parallel lines with the help of stitch card or other. 

Come up at 'a' and go down at 'b' then angle the needle at 'c' on the lower line over the working thread. Before tightening the loop completely, place your needle at 'd' and pull through. 

Continue the pattern and at the end of the stitch anchor the loop at both at lower and upper end.

 

Backstitched Chain

First work a base of Chain stitch. Then add a line of Backstitch on the top of the row of chain for additional detail and color.

Chain Stitch

Chain stitch is an easy stitch which finds its application in various purposes such as bordering lines and shapes, lettering and filling in larger spaces. Chain stitch is also called Tambour Stitch or Point De Chainette and has many variations.

Bring the needle up at 'a' form a thread loop and go back down at 'a'.

Come up at 'b' placing the needle's point over the thread as you pull through to form a loop.

For the next loop, insert the needle at 'b' inside the first loop and bring up the needle at 'c' placing the needle's point over the thread as you pull through to form the second loop.

Continue the pattern with uniform spacing until the end of the row.

                                                       

                                                        

Medici Collar

The Medici collar is a large, high standing, fan shaped collar generally composed of lace, net, embroidered satin or any light material which is wired to stand up in the back and sloping to join a decolletage (usually a low square neckline) in the front. The Medici collar provided a large frame at the back and around the sides of women's head. It was worn by Marie De Medici, second wife of Henry IV of France and was much popular among the wealthy in the 16th century. The collar was revived and given this name in the 19th century.

Mandarin Collar

Mandarin collar is a small, stand-up collar that extends up on neck (about 3-4 cm) and not quite meeting at the center front. It is also called Chinese Collar or Nehru Collar. The collar can be done close-fitting or away from the neck. It can be blunted, curved, pointed or extended that can be turned down to form lapels.

Empire Line Silhouette

Any modern dress consisting of high waistline located just under the bosom. The waistline is characterized by an inserted piece of fabric or a seam. This style is derived from First Empire period in France (1804-1815) under the rule of Napolean Bonaparte. Other Characteristics of the silhouette includes low-cut neckline at the front and back, long and straight skirt.

Stem Stitch

Stem stitch is one of the easiest stitches used for outlines.

Start at 'a' then insert the needle at 'b' and bring the needle up in the centre at 'c'.

Insert the needle at 'd' and bring it up at the end of the previous stitch thst is 'b'.

Continue the pattern to make a row of overlapping stitches.

(Variation - the stitches are worked at an angle to produce more rope like effect).