Sunday Stitches — open stitch

  Working on a project in honor of your favorite four-legged fur baby? While there are many different threads that can be used to honor your pup, try the No Dog Days Stitch to tie in the theme of your canvas! This is an open stitch that can be used in many ways such as creating a border or adding a background. In this example the bones are spaced out both horizontally and vertically but you can mix and match with direction, size, and even the space in between! Need some canvas inspiration for this stitch? See the stitch and...

What better name for a stitch inspired by the Texas State Fair season than "Oh My Stars"?! This open background stitch is sure to razzle-dazzle your next large project such as a pillow, tray, or maybe even a stocking! Heidi's tip: A sparkley thread such as silk lame or kreinik floss would add the perfect amount of sparkle to the start stitch! See Heidi stitch the Oh My Stars stitch on Instagram!

In honor of the newest member of the Chaparral team, (puppy dog) Dolly Parton, this stitch is sugar and spice - perfect for Valentines day! Using a combination of satin sand oblique stitches, the pattern of hearts, bows, and stripes gives a wallpaper appearance, ideal for a background! Heidi's tip: This stitch is very forgiving, allowing for possibilities to make it shorter or longer to fit the need of your canvas.   See Heidi stitch the Dolly Parton stitch on Instagram!

Whether you're working on project that resembles a winter wonderland or you want to add a whimsy yet simple flair, the starry night stitch is a perfect background stitch! This stitch works particularly well for a sky but can also be used if you have a blank background that is begging for some extra dazzle! Perfect opportunity to combine a silk or wool thread with sparkly ribbon (pepper pot and silk lame anyone?!) Heidi's Tip: Use this stitch on a stocking! It's open but still has room for sparkle to give a simple but timeless touch, a perfect addition to...

The diagonal ladder stitch is a jack of all trades! This stitch could work for a background or even smaller areas that need just a tiny bit of detailIt also can be left open, without the tent stitch in between the vertical "ladder"-like stitches or you can fill it in with a sparkly thread for some added detail. If you are choosing to add the tent stitch you can do either a similar color thread to the vertical stitches or choose a contrasting color!  Heidi's Tip: use an over-dyed thread such as over-dyed kreinik, threadworx, or even dinky dyes for the...