Make Like a Basket in Log Cabin Sampler

This week is another straight stitch. It has blocks of stitches running in both directions.

Stitches that change direction are fantastic in threads that have directional light. T
This quality means that the color looks different depending on the direction of the stitch. Pearl cotton, most silks and many other threads have this characteristic.

To find out if a thread has it, stitch a block of a stitch that changes direction. Do at least 3 repeats of each direction of the stitch. Look at it. If the stitches in one direction seem to be a different color, the thread has directional light.

It’s a great technique because it adds some additional values of the color. However if you want the color to be solid, be careful. You must choose a stitch where there are no changes in direction.

This patch is done in the second darkest shade of the major color. Instead of the stitched in the model, I’ve chosen a smaller and prettier version, called Patterned Threes, below.

In order to get a woven look, the first and last stitch of each block will cover the ends of the adjacent block.That means you will need to move stitches out of the way as you stitch along the row.

Where straight and diagonal stitches meet, you will need to make a decision. You can decide if you like the look of the stitches ending in the hole before the ending hole of the diagonal stitch or in the hole of the diagonal stitch. I did both in the model, but either is correct.

Follow the Series On-line!

• Introduction, materials and outlining
• Corner Block
• Genny’s Scotch
• Double Brick & Upright Milanese
• Scottish Checker
• Point de Tresse
• Giant Expanded Diagonal Cashmere
• Laidwork (Junipero)
• Montmartre Stitch
• Double Smyrna Cross block
• Ming Stitch
• Patterned Threes
• Diagonal Shingle

Come back next week for the last part of the sampler!