Welcome to a week of holiday–themed sewing fun at Stitch This!
This week we’ll be sharing Christmas gift-making ideas with you, courtesy of talented designers who’ve authored books on the topic.
We love Kathy Schmitz’s “Stitches” series of books based on the seasons—and with Christmas on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to dive in to a new project for decorating, for gift giving, or just to inspire a little holiday cheer.
Winter Glory Pillow from Stitches from the Yuletide
Today, we’ve got a great embroidery tip for making some of the projects in Kathy Schmitz’s latest book, Stitches from the Yuletide. In the photo on the right, you’ll see an example of Kathy’s perfectly round, satin-stitched winter berries. How does she get them to look flawless? Well, we recently found out Kathy’s trick—and it came from her mom! Take a look at the video below for the secret:
Viewing this post in email? Click here to view the video.
Kathy and her mom = satin-stitch smarts!
Of course, you can use this technique on any circle shape you embroider. Embroider berries on any of these winter-themed projects:
Winter Fest Table Runner from Stitches from the Yuletide
Turn your berries into cherries for the spring season:
Cheery Cherries Mini Tote from Stitches from the Garden
Or switch them up again for autumn—which is just a few weeks away!
Autumn Sheaf Needle Keeper from Stitches from the Harvest
Want more embroidery tips? Click here to watch our embroidery videos on Youtube.
Do you use satin stitches in your embroidery?
- Yes, and I use Kathy and her mom’s method for filling in—it’s a “berry” good trick!
- I’ve satin stitched, but not like this.
- Not yet—but I might have to give this “filler” tip a try!
Tell us in the comments!
P.S. Buy two or more of Kathy’s books and we’ll pay
your shipping in the USA—our little early holiday gift to you! 🎁
Kathy’s embroidery is so lovely, and I’ve always wondered how she achieved such perfect berries! Her mom had the perfect solution! Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this very helpful hint and please thank your mom. I will certainly use this technique in my future projects!
—Linda B. on August 27, 2018I would never have thought of this for doing circles in designs. Thanks so much for sharing this technique. I will be sharing this with my stitching friends.
—Maria L Zook on August 27, 2018I am unable to watch videos on my work computer and we don’t have access to the internet. I will try to get to watch the video in the near future. I love to learn new techniques.
—Joanne O'Neal on August 27, 2018I have learned something new today from Kathy and her Mom. What a perfect was to achieve those perfect round circles for the berries? I absolutely will keep this in mind and use this great tip the next time I need perfect round circles? Thanks!
—Ann West on August 27, 2018Can’t wait to try this!
—Ferne on August 27, 2018Not yet, but will be giving this way a try. Love the patterns too!
—Christy on August 27, 2018Why didn’t I think of that! I hate satin stitching. I can’t wait to give this little secret a try. Thank you!!
—Karen on August 27, 2018I always love watching videos! Great to learn something new and I can’t wait to give it a try!!!
—Geri on August 27, 2018Not yet. But I may try it. The books look great. Thanks for the inspiration.
—Gayle on August 27, 2018Will have to try this.
—Janet Flugum on August 27, 2018So incredibly clever…would never have thought of trying that. Love watching videos and learning new things…especially shortcuts!
—Geri Alper on August 27, 2018I’ve satin stitched, but not like this. I will definitely give it a try next time I embroider something.
—Christi Boggs on August 27, 2018I’ve avoided satin stitching because my stitches are imprecise, but I will give Kathy’s method a try. It should help with my shortcomings.
—SandyMay on August 27, 2018I am not good at hand embroidery, but that is a great tip. I have tried to hand embroider the faces on Raggady Ann dolls and I had trouble. I am going to borrow this idea next time and my dolls will look much better. Thanks for the tip. 🙂
—Phyllis on August 27, 2018What a smart Mom you have. I am definitely doing this ! Thank you so much. This will put the fun back in hand embroidery for me.
—Janice Park on August 27, 2018Thanks for the great idea! Satin stitching is not my favorite stitch to work on so this technique I am going to try.
—Wendy on August 27, 2018I love the idea. Thanks and I will definitely try it.
—barb on August 27, 2018I’ve done satin stitch, but not like this. It makes perfect sense and I don’t know why I didn’t ever think to do this before:-)
—Lena Truitt on August 27, 2018I haves satin stitched but definitely this is a tip that I want to try. Fantastic tip.
—carol on August 27, 2018I love mixing embroidery stitches. It really enhances a design
—Donna M on August 27, 2018Not yet, but I think I must try this. Looks like a great idea.
—Stephanie Woodward on August 28, 2018Great tip! It must also add some nice dimension to the berries.
I have satin stitched and it wasn’t my favourite thing but I’d definitely like to try it again using this method.
—Kelley on August 28, 2018What gorgeous projects! Yes, I do use satin stitches in my embroidery.
—Susan L. on August 28, 2018I have all ready tried this tip, and it works like a champ! And thank you for all the wonderful youtube videos!
—Barbara Snyder on August 28, 2018I’ve satin stitched, but not like this. Such an interesting method!
—Tatiana Kishchinskaya on August 28, 2018Love this tip! I can satin stitch, and think this might give the stitches more dimension.
—Sandy on August 28, 2018I’ve never done it this way but will certainly try it
—Mary-Paxton Colley on August 29, 2018Great hint. I just fill in the circle and then go around the outside.
—nancy on August 31, 2018Well, this will be my new favorite method! Thanks, Kathy!
—karen on August 31, 2018I haven’t had the chance to try Kathy’s technique foe satin stitching, but it’s definitely on my list
—Carol B on August 31, 2018Thank you for posting the tip. Love it!
—Cheri Bergeron on August 31, 2018What a great tip! I’ve often wished I could satin stitch better circles.
—Sue MacLeod on August 31, 2018I haven’t embroidered in a long time but would love to. I need this book to get started because I love everything Kathy does. That’s the neatest trick I’ve seen in a long time, thanks for sharing.
—debby on August 31, 2018Thank you for this tip. As a fairly new hand embroidery enthusiast I will certainly make use of it.
—sandra morris on August 31, 2018What a great idea! I might have to give this method a try.
—Linda Towers on August 31, 2018I have actually used Kathy’s satin stitch embroidery method for circles and it so totally makes sense. My circles actually look like circles!
—Judi Leventhal on August 31, 2018I have done satin stitches, but not this method. I must try this as I love the results.
—Elizabeth Dyer on August 31, 2018I have sewn satin stitched circles, but not the Way Kathy’s mother did. I have sewed stitches as a base layer running in the opposite direction from those that form the top layer. They’re puffy and no show through.
—Susan on August 31, 2018What a great idea, wish I had know this years ago. Will use this on future projects.
—Connie F on September 2, 2018I enjoy all of her designs I will definitely use her method for her circles thanks for the info
—ireneindelicato on September 4, 2018I love all of Kathy’s season books, I have made many of the designs and they are beautiful !! Looking forward to more of her books ( hopefully ).
—Arloene Morgan on December 11, 2018have not done this but sure am from now on. I have avoided round satin stitch many times because they are challenging. Very excited about this. Thank you for sharing.
—Krissy Butorac on November 17, 2019Not yet but I might give this filler tip a try.
—Luella on November 17, 2019