Expert: Angela - 4/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am stitching a Crossed Wing Collection Backyard Favorites No. 6 pair of Blue
Birds.  The oak flowers are stitched over the design and the instructions say
to stitch straight line stitches from dot to dot, with french knots at the x's.  
The illustrations I find for straight line stitches show bringing the needle up
at point 1 and down at point 2, but do not continue to make a long line.  The
design has long continuous lines with dots at every 3-4 square of fabric.  Is a
straight line stitch what would be used for this?

ANSWER: Hello, Jo Ella :)

Having never stitched a Crossed Wing Collection pattern before, I would think that the straight lines are meant to start from either dot and end at either dot.  A straight stitch is simply a long stitch.  I'm presuming that's what the instructions are suggesting that you should do.

I hope that helps.  Good luck, and happy stitching. :)

Sincerely,

Angela :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: That's what I would assume, but this is what the twigs look like:
.________._________.__________. only curving down like vines.  Each twig may
have 6-7 dots with lines between.  What I don't understand is if you come up
at A_______and down at______ B - which is what I understand a straight line
stitch to be - where do you come up at C________ and down at ________D, etc.
to the end of the twig - without making it a backstitch instead of a staight
line stitch?   Thank you, Angela, for your help.  If this doesn't help explain my
"dilemma" I'll just wing it and try to make it look good.

Answer
Hello, Jo Ella

Things that make you go.... Hmmmmm......  I pulled out mine (Gone Birding, as I don't have a copy similar to yours unfortunately), and I don't see anything in there that resembles what you're trying to describe to me.  It makes me wonder if these aren't really straight stitches, but back stitches...?

I would suggest you try and see what looks good to you, and then go from there.  I don't have any other suggestions other than that. :(

Feel free to send me another follow up and let me know it's working for you.

Sincerely,

Angela :)