Stitch Archives – a Super-Raised Stem Stitch

Today, let’s revisit the Archive Netherworld of Needle ‘n Thread and explore a high relief embroidery technique!

Casalguidi stitch is technique can be adapted to different types of embroidery (especially dimensional and textured approaches), using all kinds of threads, including cottons, metallics, real metal threads, wools, synthetics, tightly twisted threads, softly twisted threads – you name it!

By revisiting these past tutorials, newcomers to Needle ‘n Thread might find some fun inspiration for stitch exploration, and those who have been around a while might enjoy a little nudge towards the vast archive of embroidery stitch tutorials available for you here on Needle ‘n Thread.

Casalguidi is a type of embroidery (Italian in origin – dating as far back as the 12th century) that involves high relief elements, usually stitched over a ground that is light and airy – often employing pulled thread techniques to open up the fabric a bit and give a lacier ground here and there.

Casalguidi is often monochrome – a form of whitework, really – but with the glorious range of threads and colors available today, it can be adapted and “modernized” in oh-so-many ways.

The nature of the raised part of the embroidery is basically a super-dee-duper padded stem stitch.

You’ll find a very thorough step-by-step photo tutorial for this ultra-raised stem stitch, or Casalguidi stitch, here.

If you like the look of Casalguidi, but you don’t want something quite so raised, you might enjoy raised stem stitch instead. The raised stem stitch gives you some dimension, lift, and texture, but not quite as much as Casalguidi.

If you’re looking for more ideas for adding texture and dimension to your embroidery projects, these tutorials for 16 different dimensional stitches will help you achieve that!

I hope you enjoy exploring some of those stitch tutorials and that they inspire to pick up your needle and thread and have a little stitch fun!

We’re Shipping!

We’ve shipped out hundreds of kits already for Harvest Hues, the stitch-along that starts here on Needle ‘n Thread next week. If you want to join in on the stitch-along, you can still pick up a kit here. You can read the details about the stitch-along here.

We have a lot more kits going out today – thank you so much for being patient with us! We can’t always ship on the same day you place your order, especially during the launch of a new product, but we do try our best to get your order out within 24 hours.

Fabric Play

I’m dabbling with some fabric right now. So shortly, we’ll be exploring a fabric that’s used for a very specific type of embroidery. I tracked down both a cotton and a linen version, so we’ll be looking at those up close.

Even though it’s up towards 100 degrees in Kansas today and tomorrow, I’m convinced autumn is right around the corner, so I’m desperately trying to find time to stitch on my autumn linen table runner. More updates on that soon!