Needlework Leaves Continued

Tatted Leaf 

By Sherry Matthews

Abbreviations:

R - ring CH - chain
P - picot
RW - reverse work
DS - double stitch

FIRST HALF OF LEAF

Ring 1: R of 5 ds p 5 ds p 5 ds p 5 ds, close ring; encircle this ring with second row of stitches: 6 ds, join first p, p, 6 ds, join second p, p, 6 ds join third p, p, 6 ds, close ring.
Chain: C of 6ds p 6 ds
Ring 2: Ring of 5 ds p 5 ds p 5 ds p 5 ds, close ring: encircle with second row of stitches: 6 ds, join to p of this ring and to last p of last ring, 6 ds, join to second p of this ring, p, 6 ds, join to third p of this ring, p, 6 ds, close ring.
Chain: C of 6 ds p 6 ds
Ring 3: Repeat Ring 2
Chain: 6 ds

CLOVERLEAF:

#1; R of 5 ds p 5 ds p 5 ds p 5 ds, close ring;
#2; R of 5 ds, join last p of #1, 5 ds p 5 ds p 5ds, close ring;
#3; R of 5 ds, join last p of #2, 5 ds p 5 ds p 5ds, close ring. Encircle the cloverleaf with 6 ds, join last p of #3, p, 6 ds, join second p of #3, p, 6 ds, join already joined first p (#3) and last p (#2), 6 ds, join second p of #2, p, 6 ds, join already joined first p (#2) and last p (#1), 6 ds, join second p of #1, p, 6ds, join to first p of #1 and last p of Ring 3, 6 ds, close ring. (this was done encircling counter clockwise, but the option is yours to do either way or what is comfortable.)
Chain: 6 ds

Repeat the second half of the leaf in reverse order of instructions for the first half.

STEM:

After completing the 3 leaves on the second side:
Chain 5 ds p 6 ds p 2 ds, RW 8 ds, RW 2 ds, join p, 6 ds, join p, 5 ds, join to the beginning of Ring 1, close, tie off and hide ends of threads.

(Leaf was done with a needle, so there is shoelace tie (slt) after each ring, encircling, and chain.)

Note: This leaf was tatted with #10 thread to show detail and is about 2 in. wide by 4 in. long (50mm X 100mm). A much smaller leaf can be made using finer thread such as # 20, 30 or 40. Also, the shape may be varied by omitting the first and last rings.

This is a adaptation of a pattern for a tatted leaf in the Jan. 1880 Workbasket book

Ribbon Stitch Leaves with variations:

	A popular leaf for SRE is the Ribbon Stitch leaf. Depending on the width of the ribbon used and the tightness with which the ribbon is pulled, a number of different looks can be achieved using this stitch. Note the variation achieved by stitching into the side of the ribbon instead of the center. These leaves were made from 25mm dyers ribbon and dyed with Ozecraft dye.
	Extended Ribbon Stitch Leaf The extended ribbon stitch is used for flat blade leaves such as the Iris stitched by Dean Deerfield in the Language of Flowers article and the Marigold leaves in this design by Vikki Clayton. 4mm to 7mm ribbon is frequently used for this leaf depending on the size of the flowers. Taking 1 or more twists in the ribbon can vary this leaf. For longer leaves, or for bent leaves, it may be necessary to tack the ribbon to hold it in place.

Lazy Daisy Leaf

The Lazy Daisy or detached chain leaf is another commonly used stitch. It is frequently used in thread embroidery as well as silk ribbon embroidery.

• The size of the leaf may be varied by using different ribbon widths and by changing the length of the chain or catch stitch at the tip of the leaf.
• Another variation is achieved by adding a bullion stitch to the tip of the leaf.

Blade Leaf

The blade leaf is a surface application leaf using more narrow ribbon such as 4mm to 7mm for small flowers or 13 mm for larger flowers.

Use about 1 ½ “ (approximately 38 mm) of 7mm ribbon folded in half. Stitch a loose gathering line starting at the edge of the fold and angling across the ribbon as shown. Gather very slightly and tie off wrapping the thread around the base of the leaf. Turn over and spread the two sides apart. Then stitch in place under the edge of the flower or stem. Adjust the length of the ribbon according to the width needed.

Picot edge Ombre ribbon was used in the illustration above.

Resources:

Hand-Dyed Fibers for silk ribbon and threads

Lisa's Heaven for Ozecraft dye

Vintage Vogue for Picot edge ombre ribbon