Overstitching is, quite simply, putting an additional stitch over an area that has already been stitched, usually using a thinner thread.
Because it’s there mainly to act as a base for the overstitching, the lower label is usually stitched in Tent, Reverse Tent, or Skip Tent.
Overstitching allows you to create open stitches or to use techniques that would normally expose the canvas on an area that is solidly stitched. That can be useful because it can give you some nice effects and solve some problems. With overstitching you can:
- create the look of embroidered cloth by using Blackwork as overstitching.
- create complex layers of color by stitching a different color on a colored area.
- create a feeling of depth because you are looking into a stitch to see another stitch.
- correct inconsistencies in painting.
- create clean lines for embellishing or raised techniques, such as woven stitches or couching. These techniques often do not cover the lines on your canvas completely.
A common technique to use for overstitching is Blackwork. In the picture at the top of the post you see how the Blackwork snowflakes look so pretty against the background stitched with hand-dyed thread.
You can also use overstitching to give the feeling of items being covered by other items. In the Twinchy above, a second layer of slanted stitches creates pine needle partially hiding the ornaments.
Another great use for it is to do eyelets of any kind or Hilton Stitches over other stitching. These stitches have complex crossings and the finer threads used in overstitching really show them off.
Tips for Overstitching
- Use a slightly thinner thread for stitching the lower level. This will make it easier to make the top layer of stitches.
- Use a chenille needle. You may find it easier to do overstitching if you use a sharp-pointed tapestry needle, called a chenille needle.
- Threads for the upper layer should be significantly thinner than what is used for the canvas. Skip a size, so on 18-mesh canvas use #4 metallic and #12 pearl cotton for example.
- Do overstitching after your other stitching is complete. It is more delicate than other stitching.
- When stitching eyelets in overstitching, do not put astitch in the center of the eyelet. This will make it very easy to make the eyelets.
- When overstitching with Blackwork, treat the stitched area as if it were a piece of fabric (i.e. do Backstitch as if you were using cloth instead of canvas.
Overstitching isn’t hard to do, but I found it does take some courage to try it. Pick a place in a piece where some simple Blackwork or a lovely eyelet will fit and try it soon.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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