Techniques d’ouvrages
Chicken scratch
par Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Also known as: chicken scratch embroidery, depression lace, snowflaking, amish embroidery, gingham lace, tic tac toe embroidery, hoover lace ABOUT CHICKEN SCRATCH Chicken scratch embroidery is a very simple form of embroidery done, traditionally, over gingham fabric. Gingham fabric is a checkered fabric, making the counting of stitch easy. This infusion of a few stitches over such a fabric gives a very sophisticated look. At the first go, it seems like a lot of time and energy was spent in bringing about such an ‘appliqued lace’ effect. This form of embroidery is used to decorate different household items like, pillows, cushions, aprons, jar lids, table cloths and mats, and even bookmarks. The cloth with smaller checks (8 squares per inch) are used for smaller projects like book marks and pin cushions. The bigger squares (4 squares to an inch) is used for bigger projects like table cloths.
HISTORY This embroidery is believed to have originated in America during the early years when the new settlers came in. This information, however, remains unclear. It is said that as the settlers moved to newer places, the embrodiery also got newer names. An interesting fact is that during the Depression, ladies made gowns from gingham fabric and declared their stitchery as hoover lace. With so many names that this embroidery is known with, it is also mistaken with Teneriffe Lace, which is a bit more complicated form of embroidery. CHICKEN SCRATCH TODAY These days, chicken scratch is taken up with new interest amongst the needle enthusiasts. A lot of experimenting with the color of threads used, the fabric, and even the stitches is happening, probably giving way to a new kind of chicken scratch embroidery altogether, than the traditional one. Gingham fabric is replaced with aida, or even weave
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fabric. The color of thread is not chosen to give only a lacy effect, but a different one. Even the stitches used have expanded. STITCHES USED Traditionally the following stitches are used on gingham fabric. But, these days, it is not confined to these alone. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Running stitch Cross stitch Double cross stitch Woven oval Woven circle
TRANSFERING DESIGNS The designs are first marked on a graph sheet. Usually each design would have its own key, decoding the type of stitch to be used. The design can then be directly stitched on to the gingham fabric, taking each square in the graph sheet as each square on the fabric. Thread, fabric and stitch tips A variety of looks can be created using a couple of stitches. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before beginning the lessons: