 |
Fractional Stitches: Friends or Foes
Author: John Wigham  | Posted: 16-08-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 11 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
When you are just beginning your cross-stitch hobby, you may be confused by certain symbols and terminology. What are fractional stitches and how do they affect a design? If you need fractional stitches, how do you do them? Knowing how to do fractional stitches will help you create more ornate and smooth looking designs. Yet they can sometimes be a little more challenging in your designs.
What are Fractional Stitches?
Fractional stitches are basically half stitches, quarter stitches, and three-quarter stitches. They get the name "fractional stitches," because they break up a normal cross-stitch into its parts. They each have a purpose, whether it is to soften a background or create a more subtle curve in a design. As you become more advanced you will need to know how to use them effectively in your projects.
The Half Stitch
Half stitches are just how they sound. They are a half of one full stitch. They are usually used to soften the background in the project or they can even be helpful at shading. Here are the directions for completing a half-stitch:
· Step 1: Bring the needle up from the back in the bottom, left corner.
· Step 2: Bring the floss diagonally across the square.
· Step 3: Bring the needle down through the front in the top, right corner.
While this is a left to right half-stitch, you can also do it in a right to left fashion. A half stitch is often represented by a special symbol in a full square. You will need to search your key to find out what the symbol means.
The Quarter Stitch
Quarter stitches are often used to provide a smoother curve in a design, especially circular objects in your design. They are also like they sound in that the stitch represents one quarter of a full stitch. Here is how you complete a quarter stitch in your design:
· Step 1: Bring the needle up from the back in the bottom, left corner.
· Step 2: Bring the floss diagonally, half way across the square.
· Step 3: Bring the needle down through the center of the square.
Again, this is a left to right quarter stitch, but they can actually be stitched from any corner of the square. You should also use a smaller needle when stitching a quarter stitch, because there is a smaller "hole" to use in the center of the square. Finally, be careful not to shift the fibers in the fabric. They are woven so that there is a center hole through which you can pass the thread.
The quarter stitch is often represented in the key by a reduced symbol. On color charts it is represented by a half square. However, the three-quarter stitch can be represented by the same thing, so you will either have to consult your key or take a guess at what the designer wanted.
The Three-Quarter Stitch
Three-quarter stitches are also used to create curves in a design. The stitch is a combination of a quarter stitch and a half stitch. Here is how to complete a three-quarter stitch in your design:
· Step 1: Bring the needle up from the back in the bottom, left corner.
· Step 2: Bring the floss diagonally, half way across the square.
· Step 3: Bring the needle down through the center of the square.
· Step 4: Bring the needle up from the back in the bottom, right corner.
· Step 5: Bring the floss diagonally across the square.
· Step 6: Bring the needle down through the front in the top, left corner.
A three-quarter stitch can be done in any direction to enhance your project. Again, you will want to use a smaller needle and be careful of moving the fibers in the fabric. Remember that this stitch is often represented by a reduced symbol or half a square, so you will need to consult your key to figure out what the designer wants.
More than One Fractional Stitch
While you may have a detailed design that requires fractional stitches, you may also have them in your one square. For some people this creates quite a conundrum for some stitchers, because there are different ways to approach the stitches. You can do two three-quarter stitches, but some stitchers think it looks "lumpy." You can also do one three-quarter stitch and one quarter stitch, but you need to be careful about which objects you want to be more prominent so that you do the three-quarter stitch in that one.
Fractional stitches can make a design look much more refined, but you need to know how to use them effectively, especially as your designs become more ornate. As you grow more advanced in your stitching you will appreciate your skill in fractional stitching as the stitches enhance the look and feel of your designs.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/fractional-stitches-friends-or-foes-199198.html
About the Author:John Wigham has been a professional author and editor for 20 years and is a co-founder of http://www.patternspatch.com an online cross stitch club dedicated to counted cross stitch. The website has a small team of writers who are devoted to our cross stitch club and enjoy writing about their hobby.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
How to Celebrate Weddings and Anniversaries in Cross-Stitch
By: John Wigham | 08/01/2007 | Art and Entertainment
A wedding or anniversary is a time to celebrate and be joyful, but it can also be time to get creative and personal with your cross-stitch craft, so why not give something that comes from your heart so they can always have that special reminder...
Cross Stitch and Men - Crossing the Gender Barrier
By: John Wigham | 29/01/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Surprisingly, many men love to pull out those needles and threads to cross-stitch projects that they enjoy. It possibly starts out as a means of simply relieving stress. Since Cross Stitch is not considered "manly", it causes many people to wonder about the men who love to cross-stitch and leads to a number of interesting questions...
How To Create Your Very Own Cross-Stitch Sampler
By: John Wigham | 06/02/2007 | Art and Entertainment
A cross-stitch sampler is a decorative piece of work designed to showcase an eye catching variety of motifs, alphabets, and stitches, thereby displaying the stitcher's skill and creativity. Samplers are "busy" patterns with their variety of...
10 Good Reasons to Take Up Cross Stitch
By: John Wigham | 15/02/2007 | Art and Entertainment
There are a numerous reasons for taking up the beguiling, blue-collar craft of cross stitch, ten of which are shown below. So continue reading then pay a visit to your local craft shop and start your cross stitching career...
Have Great Fun Teaching your Child How to Cross Stitch
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Cross stitching is a great hobby for children. It can help to develop hand to eye coordination, shape and colour recognition, as well as encourage cooperative behavior, patience and creativity. Most of all, it can be good fun for you and your child -- an interest to share together, and become a hobby that your child can enjoy without an adult being present, and a passion for life!
How to Create a Cross Stitched Heirloom
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Everybody would like to leave their loved ones something special when they pass away so cross stitchers and the companies that develop cross stitch designs are now, more than ever, turning to the classics in order to produce a unique and very personal heirloom.
Cross Stitch and the Healing Properties of Wild Flowers
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Wildflowers and herbs have been useful to mankind in many ways, ever since the beginning of our history, other than subject matter for art and needlepoint. Lately, alternative medicine has taken over part of the front seat for medicinal purposes, due to the each individual wanting some say-so in their medical choices.
An African Expression of Cross-stitch Communication
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
The designs of Africa have a totally unique look about them, and are not typical of other designs. Their patterns are not simply "another piece of material with art designed on it", but are made and designed with the love of Africa always in mind. The people of Africa trust in their inner knowledge and fundamental beliefs, and their history is never forgotten as is clearly shown by their fabulous designs.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
How can i get a manual for a westinghouse sewing ...MANUAL MOD. S L
By: dunitall | 09-09-2007
How can i get a manual for a westinghouse sewing machine mod. S l
Choosing a sewing machine
By: lilly | 21-05-2007
Well, I've been making some soft toys and purses over the past several month and now I'm a little tired of sewing everything by hand and I want to get a sewing machine. So doing some research I found good reviews about "brother" company that has pretty good money for value that are simple and easy to use. I expected to spend about 150$ on one of the beginner machines. Then today, going to visit my neighbors, they told me they are leaving and also said they are selling their industrial sewing machine for 350$. I can spend that money now, and I know the industrial one would last longer and would sew better - but it's very hard for me to decide which way to go.Is there anyone here who have sewing experience and know which path would be better?
How can I fix a tear in a nylon coat ? Can I sew ...
By: Alfi | 25-12-2006
How can I fix a tear in a nylon coat ? Can I sew it?
I need help with an old sewing machine
By: sophie | 11-07-2006
My parents cleaned their garage last weekend and found my mother's old sewing machine, and I decided to take it and try to play with it a bit. It seems to work fine, but I don't know exactly where the threads go and my mother can't remember either (she hardly ever used it). The problem is that I don't have the manual, and all I know about the model is that it's a Brother "De Luxe zig zag Machine" Any ideas about what to do? Is it supposed to be something universal that works the same in all models? Here's a picture of the machine, if it helps:
Q&A Powered by: 
More from John Wigham
An African Expression of Cross-stitch Communication
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
The designs of Africa have a totally unique look about them, and are not typical of other designs. Their patterns are not simply "another piece of material with art designed on it", but are made and designed with the love of Africa always in mind. The people of Africa trust in their inner knowledge and fundamental beliefs, and their history is never forgotten as is clearly shown by their fabulous designs.
Cross Stitch and the Healing Properties of Wild Flowers
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Wildflowers and herbs have been useful to mankind in many ways, ever since the beginning of our history, other than subject matter for art and needlepoint. Lately, alternative medicine has taken over part of the front seat for medicinal purposes, due to the each individual wanting some say-so in their medical choices.
How to Create a Cross Stitched Heirloom
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Everybody would like to leave their loved ones something special when they pass away so cross stitchers and the companies that develop cross stitch designs are now, more than ever, turning to the classics in order to produce a unique and very personal heirloom.
Have Great Fun Teaching your Child How to Cross Stitch
By: John Wigham | 16/08/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Cross stitching is a great hobby for children. It can help to develop hand to eye coordination, shape and colour recognition, as well as encourage cooperative behavior, patience and creativity. Most of all, it can be good fun for you and your child -- an interest to share together, and become a hobby that your child can enjoy without an adult being present, and a passion for life!
10 Good Reasons to Take Up Cross Stitch
By: John Wigham | 15/02/2007 | Art and Entertainment
There are a numerous reasons for taking up the beguiling, blue-collar craft of cross stitch, ten of which are shown below. So continue reading then pay a visit to your local craft shop and start your cross stitching career...
How To Create Your Very Own Cross-Stitch Sampler
By: John Wigham | 06/02/2007 | Art and Entertainment
A cross-stitch sampler is a decorative piece of work designed to showcase an eye catching variety of motifs, alphabets, and stitches, thereby displaying the stitcher's skill and creativity. Samplers are "busy" patterns with their variety of...
Cross Stitch and Men - Crossing the Gender Barrier
By: John Wigham | 29/01/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Surprisingly, many men love to pull out those needles and threads to cross-stitch projects that they enjoy. It possibly starts out as a means of simply relieving stress. Since Cross Stitch is not considered "manly", it causes many people to wonder about the men who love to cross-stitch and leads to a number of interesting questions...
How to Celebrate Weddings and Anniversaries in Cross-Stitch
By: John Wigham | 08/01/2007 | Art and Entertainment
A wedding or anniversary is a time to celebrate and be joyful, but it can also be time to get creative and personal with your cross-stitch craft, so why not give something that comes from your heart so they can always have that special reminder...
|
|
Art and Entertainment 
