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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!
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!
I spent the weekend at a stitching retreat everyone. Let me tell you, this was a real treat! Twenty-one women, two nights, all accommodation and meals provided, peace and quiet (well, except Saturday night when we practiced belly dancing), no interruptions. Yep. Heaven on earth! We were well fed. So well fed I figured my only defense was three walks a day, one after each main meal.
Projects worked on? I finished my "Leaves" project...except to find a hanger for it.
I finished stitching a second Christmas ornament. I have a few more to do before the end of October.
I finished stitching a Kissing Pillow for the Canadian military in Afghanistan. This link is for an American kissing pillow. The only difference between the Canadian and American ones is Canadians add some maple leafs instead of the stars. The pattern for a kissing pillow was featured in "Embroidery Canada" in the October issue. This magazine is available to members of the Embroidery Association of Canada only. I stitched this on a friend's cloth, so do not have a photo of it.
I worked more on my "Friends" cross-stitch. But will have to rip out the grass under the skirts, as I did it wrong. However, I was happy just to have those skirts done!
The next project to work on, aside from "Friends" and Christmas ornaments, is the guild sampler from three years ago that I haven't finished!
All this stitching has motivated me to finish off some projects. Having concentrated time to work on a project really helps. I think I may try setting aside large blocks of time at home to work on projects. I've been avoiding it for a variety of reasons. Time to get to work!
Projects worked on? I finished my "Leaves" project...except to find a hanger for it.
I finished stitching a second Christmas ornament. I have a few more to do before the end of October.
I finished stitching a Kissing Pillow for the Canadian military in Afghanistan. This link is for an American kissing pillow. The only difference between the Canadian and American ones is Canadians add some maple leafs instead of the stars. The pattern for a kissing pillow was featured in "Embroidery Canada" in the October issue. This magazine is available to members of the Embroidery Association of Canada only. I stitched this on a friend's cloth, so do not have a photo of it.
I worked more on my "Friends" cross-stitch. But will have to rip out the grass under the skirts, as I did it wrong. However, I was happy just to have those skirts done!
The next project to work on, aside from "Friends" and Christmas ornaments, is the guild sampler from three years ago that I haven't finished!
All this stitching has motivated me to finish off some projects. Having concentrated time to work on a project really helps. I think I may try setting aside large blocks of time at home to work on projects. I've been avoiding it for a variety of reasons. Time to get to work!
Aside from hardanger, I have also taken classes in Brazilian embroidery and goldwork. I especially enjoy goldwork and hope to do more of it in the future. It is very time consuming work though, and expensive. Here is a photo of my first goldwork piece. I started it at a Guild workshop.
A good place for supplies in Canada is Mrs. Twitchett's. In the US, try Nordic Needle.
To be continued...
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