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THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
STITCHES
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
STITCHES
Edited by Karen Hemingway
Contents
UK Terms List
For the convenience of the UK reader, below is a list of US terms used in this book and their UK equivalents.
| US Term | UK Term |
| allowance | turning |
| baste | tack |
| batting | wadding |
| cardboard | card |
| cotton blends | cotton mix |
| dishtowel | tea towel |
| embroidery floss / stranded floss | embroidery cotton / stranded cotton |
| flashlight | torch |
| grosgrain | Petersham |
| heavy Pellon interfacing | Pelmet Vilene |
| mat board / mat | mount board / mount |
| muslin | calico |
| overcast | oversew / overstitch |
| pearl cotton / pearl thread | coton perlé / perlé thread |
| pillow form | cushion pad |
| pinwale corduroy | fine needlecord |
| quilting thread | quilting cotton |
| scattered | powdered |
| sewing thread | sewing cotton |
| tapestry yarn | tapestry wools |
| tatting cotton | fil à dentelles |
| thumbtacks | drawing pins |
A Note About Colors
For the projects in this book, general colors are given along with brand-specific color numbers. These numbers are suggested colors only; the generic color names preceding them are a guide for what to look for if you are using a different brand or can’t find the specific suggested color, not the actual name associated with the color number given. Use what works for you!
General Techniques
Tempting as it may be to start stitching straightaway, it is well worth preparing and mounting the background fabric properly before you get down to work: time invested at the outset will always result in a professional finish. Almost all embroidery will benefit from being worked within a frame: the even tension prevents puckered fabric and distorted stitches, and you will quickly get used to sewing in this way. Protect your work in progress by pinning a clean handkerchief over the embroidery, then store the frame