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Wheatear stitch belongs to the chain stitch family. A combination of a chain stitch with two straight stitches repeated in a line, it resembles a stalk of wheat or barley. It is not particularly versatile but it can be combined with other stitches very effectively to create beautiful designs. Reminiscent of the wheatsheaf patterns that seemed to decorate all toasters in the 1970s, we used this simple to master style to make and decorate our very own cover.
Stitch a toaster cover
1 Cut a 21cm x 33cm rectangular template from card for the front and back of the toaster cover. Use a teacup as a guide to draw curved corners on the top edges. Draw around it on blue linen.
2 Draw the lines for the stalks of wheat freehand, using an erasable marker pen and referring to the picture for guidance. Begin each stalk just above the bottom edge. Place the fabric in an embroidery hoop.
3 Thread a crewel needle with four strands of embroidery thread. Starting at the top of one of the guidelines, begin the wheatear stitch, working downwards. When the ear is long enough, carry on stitching along the remainder of the line in back stitch. Repeat this process until you are happy with the design.
4 Remove the fabric from the hoop and cut out along the outline of the front section. Cut another piece, the same shape and size, from the remaining fabric for the back of the cover. Cut two more plus a 21cm x 72cm strip for the top and sides, from both the lining fabric and wadding.
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