Julia’s Diary

Fractional Stitch

The use of ¾ and ¼ stitch makes amazing difference on cross stitch result. This stitch results vault, detail, and mixed color which make the result looked more realistic. Besides ¾ and ¼ stitch, it often to be used ½ stitch which usually create detail of stitch background.

a. ¼ stitch

The method, pull needle from below of fabric on one point of box, then stitch on center part of hole. On strimin fabric, stitch on fabric part which in center box.

b. ½ stitch

The method, pull needle from below of fabric on one down point of box, then stitch needle on top point of box diagonally.

c. ¾ stitch

The method, make one of ¼ stitch and one of ½ stitch which crosses with ¼ stitch on contrary direction.

Backstitch

Backstitch is used to give border line on picture. It will add if all cross stitches are finished. Backstitch can be also used to give detail or highlight on cross stitch result.

The method:

Pull your needle up through hole 1, down through 2, up through 3, and so on.

French Knots

French Knots is used to make small details; such as strawberry points, eye, and flower powder which are shown with circle (dot) symbol on pattern.

The method:

a. Pull out needle from dot in place of making French knot.

b. Hold thread in left hand, and then turn two times on needle in clock’s needle direction.

c. Stitch needle to fabric near with place of thread out. On Aida cloth, you must make new hole; but on Evenweave, you must make hole beside it.

d. Pull needle holed perforated fabric. Becareful to pull thread when the length is only 5 cm to make sure that the knot is tidy and located in the true place.

backstitch fractional stitch French knots

Cross stitch is a kind of crafts which is easy to make. The equipments are simple and easy to find. It doesn’t need much money. The important thing is accuracy and patience. I buy cross stitch kit in Hobby Craft Citraland. A kit contains of pre- sorted DMC thread, 14 count Aida, clear pattern & instructions, and tapestry needles. The prices are starting from Rp. 7.500,00 until hundred thousands of rupiahs.

Cross stitch (Point de Croix) is one of stitch technique which is easy to do. The main principle is making two lines which crosses diagonally.

This craft will be made not only as a loved hobby, but also an effort to produce money and satisfaction. Housewives make it at rest time. It can be made as bags, hand phone pouches, greeting cards, baselines of dishes, ornament, etc.To start cross stitch; you can look picture from pattern of a magazine, or you can buy a cross stitch kit, completed with thread, pattern and the fabric. If you want to make cross stitch pattern by yourself; you will use computer software which is designed to make cross stitch, like cross stitch (http://www.ursasoftware.com/index.htm), win stitch (http://www.win-stitch.com), (http://www.pc-stitch.com) and so many. With the special software, moreover you can make cross stitch with pattern of your best photo.

Equipments:

1. Aida Fabric

2. Thread

3. Needle

How to Make Stitch:

1. Cross Stitch (Full)

Instructions:

a. Stitch needle from below the fabric on left down box, then stitch needle to below the fabric on right top box (the result is one part of stitch/ half stitch).

b. Stitch needle from below the fabric on right down box, then stitch needle to below the fabric on left top box (the result is one cross stitch).

c. Do every stitch on the same direction. If you do one line, you will make one line of half stitch and contradict the direction to complete cross stitch.

d. Slip thread points on threads on bad side (down) of fabric to stand stitch not free.

Every human are made in the world with different conditions. We must thank to God with all lacks and power. :* As religious people, humans who have power must help people in physically handicapped. We give help by funding money to social organizations or directly helping the handicapped people in activities. Humans’ position is always same in God’s sight. There are only some people who differentiate position of high or low. Then, handicapped people don’t need to be ashamed because of your weakness.

It is not true that handicapped people can’t do anything. Moreover; in fact, these people reach high achievement, compared with normal people. It is amazing, isn’t it? Yeah, success is not determined by good physic; but, it is determined by someone’s will, persistent, and hard work. A proverb says,” If there is a will, there is a way.”

We can see so many handicapped people who reach achievement without ashamed? Deaf people can be a model, singer, or engineer. Blind people can be a typewriter, or musician. A person without leg can be a painter or pianist. TRUST ME!!! We can be whatever we want. Don’t concentrate on the weakness we have, but concentrate on the power we have! Think about what you can do, so you are able to do.

PORTRAITS OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE:

1. Ester, A Foot Painter

(http://www.brangwetan.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/ester-sang-pelukis-kaki/)

2. Amanda Farliany Fhaisal, A Deaf Model of indonesia

(http://www.lamanday.wordpress.com/2007/11/17/)

3. Beethoven, A great Composer

(http://www.fookembugwordpress.com/2007/08/05/how-did-beethoven-become-deaf/)

4. Hee Ah Lee, A South- Korean Pianist

(http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/h/hee-ah-lee.htm)