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I thought I'd add this photo of the completed "Leaves" needlework. I told you all how it was made in a previous post, but that was before I made the cording to hang it with. This has the handmade cording on the top too.
I was going to buy something to hang it from, but it was cheaper to make my own cording. I used embroidery floss and gold cord. I wrapped it about 4 lengths, and tied it around a chair. Then tied the other end to the beater of an electric mixer, turned the mixer on and let it ply the threads. When it seemed tight enough, I released the beater from the mixer and, with my other hand, found the center of the length of threads and kept tight tension as I brought the beater closer to the chair, plying the thread as it went. In the end I had this lovely cord!
I was going to buy something to hang it from, but it was cheaper to make my own cording. I used embroidery floss and gold cord. I wrapped it about 4 lengths, and tied it around a chair. Then tied the other end to the beater of an electric mixer, turned the mixer on and let it ply the threads. When it seemed tight enough, I released the beater from the mixer and, with my other hand, found the center of the length of threads and kept tight tension as I brought the beater closer to the chair, plying the thread as it went. In the end I had this lovely cord!
I wrapped the brown cord with gold cord about 2" from the ends and unraveled the ends to form long narrow tassels. It looks kind of classy. I wrote a letter explaining the process of making this piece of stitchwork, and enclosed it in the gift for my sister. I hope she likes it!
Well Market is over for another year. I sold all but one of my Christmas ornaments. I am constantly stimulated by the number of ideas I see every time I attend. I saw some small penny rugs while at the market. That had me looking at a book I ordered earlier this fall...specifically because it included small penny rug designs. The last few days I've been perusing this book - "Four Seasons in Flannel" by Jean Wells and Lawry Thorn.
It's an excellent book on working with flannel and wool felt. I walked to the store Saturday and bought some felt to try. Was greeted with the information the company who makes this wool felt is going out of business. Not good. I have no idea where to buy more if I need it. For now, I just hope I have enough to play around with.
So what did I do? I started this project...
They are called "Mug Rugs". So far I'd say I've put a couple of hours into them. I'm already bursting with ideas. I have a lot of my own templates and stencils I'd like to use. My thoughts are, whatever I do, can always be gifted away or put up for sale at next year's Market.
It's an excellent book on working with flannel and wool felt. I walked to the store Saturday and bought some felt to try. Was greeted with the information the company who makes this wool felt is going out of business. Not good. I have no idea where to buy more if I need it. For now, I just hope I have enough to play around with.
So what did I do? I started this project...
They are called "Mug Rugs". So far I'd say I've put a couple of hours into them. I'm already bursting with ideas. I have a lot of my own templates and stencils I'd like to use. My thoughts are, whatever I do, can always be gifted away or put up for sale at next year's Market.
This piece incorporates a number of different techniques.
- First, the leaf shapes in the squares were cut out of both background and green felt. The green felt was put into place with a sheer curtain fabric behind as a foundation to sew on. This is called inset applique.
- I sewed the two sections together with embroidery floss and then surface embroidered the veins.
- Then I applied Japan gold around the edges of the squares with couching stitch done in silk thread.
- Next it was time to do some quilting following the contours of the leaves. I did this in silk and rayon threads.
- Then it was time to add beads.
- After sewing on the beads I carefully cut the sheer backing apart. Up until that time, all four squares were on one piece of cloth. I cut the backing, folded the edges under and neatly stitched them in place.
- Then I connected the squares with a basic insertion stitch done in brown embroidery floss.
- Next I did the goldwork leaves on the top green bar. I used silk thread to couch the Japan gold.
- Then I picked up a twig off the ground, baked it in a low oven for an hour to kill anything on or in it, and painted it with gold fabric paint (it was the only gold paint I had).
- After that dried, I attached it to the piece using Kreinik gold cable done in insertion stitch as well.
While this will probably not be a show stopper, it was definitely a learning piece and a lot of fun to do. It was very time consuming though, and I imagine my technique won't impress 'professional' stitchers. Still, I like it and call it a success...though I'm not sure I'd hang it in my house!
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