My idea is to take it "off the linen" and make it 3 dimensional, and able to be shaped. This petal was my first attempt. I filled in a bit of blackwork, just to give an idea of what I want to do with it. A failure, but not epic. See the bits of white linen showing through the red edge of the petal?
If the petal were filled in with DBH stitch, or similar, it would be easy. The challenge is that the center must be linen... and linen frays and it must be able to be shaped to imitate the curve of flower petals.
The edge was worked in satin stitch to prevent fraying. Next I attached a piece of DMC Memory Thread to the edge, again using satin stitch. The petal was then attached to the linen by simply satin stitching through the petal and the base linen - which worked very nicely.
So back to the stitching frame. I'll try a buttonhole edge, and possibly heavier thread, to get better coverage. Has anyone else ever attempted this before?
No, I haven't but I think you're on to something. I'll think about the fraying linen today and see what comes up. Unless you leave the fraying linen longer and let it become part of the rose.
ReplyDeleteWhat is DMC Memory Thread?
Hi Karen,
DeleteHere's a link to DMC's page on Memory thread. It's really fun to work with, and as I've posted previously, although it's not an actual Elizabethan thread, it's similar to some of the threads used in that period. It has a copper core that's wrapped with a colored thread.
I just looked at the big picture of the petal. I'm guessing you stitched and then cut the linen. What if you cut the linen,fray checked it, ran a piece of matching yarn (worsted wt) along the edge of the linen to go under your edge stitching - whatever stitch that happens to be. Just a thought :)
ReplyDeleteI thought about doing something similar - there is Memory thread under the satin stitched edge of my petal. I attached it before cutting the petal from the linen, rather than after. I may have to go about it as you suggested. It would be more difficult to handle, which is why I tried to avoid it.
DeleteI have put your suggestion in my line up for methods to attempt. Thanks!
I've not tried it, but maybe split stitch around the edge before satin-stitching the Memory Thread - then you have stitching in two directions to help stabilise the edge...
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
DeleteI forgot about the split stitch technique. I backstitched first, but noticed my satin stitching wasn't very even looking (we're talking under a magnifying lens, not naked eye). That may help. As I mentioned I'm going to try a BH edge - I'll split stitch first around the outside.
Thanks!
Have you looked at Jane Nicholas' books? Except for the way you fill the center of the shape, your petal seems to me to be a main line stumpwork piece. When I cut out my pieces like this I try to minimize the white "dandruff" by cutting out the piece with a little margin of linen around it, then unraveling the linen thread by thread so I can cut off individual threads REALLY close to the wire. Even then, you'll get a little white. . . which can be dealt with with a dye marker or other non-acidic marker in a color similar to your thread outline. I'll look and see if I have any samples in my UFO pile that I can photograh and put on my blog.
ReplyDeleteHi SWK,
DeleteThis would be considered Stump Work, or as the Elizabethans termed it Raised Work. I never thought of checking a Jane Nicholas book. My Tudor Embroidery group meets this Saturday and one of the members has several of Jane's books. Hmmmm.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I have done this. you can overcast the edge with a thin thread not trying to cover the wire completely, cut out, then buttonhole over the edge. You need to be very careful with the buttonhole. sometimes this fails. The comment by Stitching with Kittens is sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input! I did consider this same method, initially. I think I would have great difficulty adding a buttonhole edge on the petal after cutting it out. I've lost a lot of dexterity in my hands these last few years that would limit my ability to do it.
Delete