Leaf Tutorial

Over at one of my favorite groups, CQI, there has been discussion on how to make fly leaf and feather stitch leaves. I made a stitched sample of both and sent them off to a friend in need and then thought I would post a little graphic version of how to make these leaves for everyone here! Sooo, here we go!

First it is easier if you draw an approximation of the shape of the leaf that you would like to fill. It simply helps with locating your stitches more evenly. The first graphic is the fly stitch. You will bring your needle to the top of the fabric at A then down at B. Leaving the thread loose, come at C and catch the loop of thread, and go back down close to the same location you came up at, at C. I tend to work left to right with my fly stitch. If you work from right to left, please just flip flop the directions! Next, come up at D, just above A and repeat the stitch again. When you take the needle back down after catching the loop, try to place the straight stitch as close as possible in the joint of the previous stitch. Continue filling your leaf in the manner. Remember that as you draw closer to the tip, the stitches will be closer together. When you have filled the leaf with enough fly stitches, you can either complete the tip with a single long straight stitch as I have done in this example or you can place a small fly stitch with the two tips virtually side by side in the space. Totally up to you and the effect you would like to see! Another option is to place a bullion stitch at the tip for a bit of dimension!

Next, is the feather stitch leaf! Again, for an easier time, it is best to draw the shape of the leaf that you want to work in until you have become accustomed to creating the leaves. It actually is very similar to the fly stitch except the stitch that catches the loop is set at an angle and begins the next leg of the stitch. So, bring your needle up at A and down at B, being sure to leave the thread slack. Also, with this stitch, we are starting at the top of the leaf, not the bottom so place your two legs more closely together, making a smaller stitch and progressively grow your stitches as you reach the middle. Then you will reverse the process to complete the bottom. Come back up at C, catch your loop and proceed to the left to take your needle back down at D which will be parallel with the joint of the stitch, but set to the side enough to create a separate stitch. Leaving the thread slack, come back up at E, catching your loop and moving over to the right to place your thread just as you did for the previous stitch. Continue to fill the leaf until you are content with how it looks. If you prefer, you can place a small straight stitch on the bottom stitch to extend the stem and create a more life like appearance.

This is a fairly brief explanation. If any one has questions that I can answer,I would be more than happy to help at any time! Enjoy!!