Repeat Motifs 2

Another example of how working repeat motifs can be really effective.  This cushion is embroidered in variegated silk and embellished with beads and metallic thread.

Detail

A slightly different take on the technique.  I added a row of pockets to a plain kitchen cork board, each with the same motif.  Again, variegated silk embroidery.  Very handy for holding keys and other bits and pieces.

Detail

Variegated Threads

I originally posted my small gold cushion which I made using this pattern, a while ago.  But I thought I'd point out how using variegated embroidery threads can really add interest to a project like this  Also, I'm going to add a useful tip on coping with complicated and/or very detailed patterns.

For this sample, I chose a silk thread, from Oliver Twists, in blues.  (Cotton variegates by DMC and Anchor are widely available, though in fewer colour choices and I much prefer sewing with silk, anyway)  I think this thread gives an interesting 'chinese porcelain' effect.

The design itself is a form of counted thread work and consists solely of straight stitches.  That said, I found it a particularly challenging piece of work.  When I'm faced with something like that - complex, in one way or another, I resort to a technique I devised purely out of necessity.  If such patterns are presented in the form of a graph, then the threads are usually marked in tens by more heavy print.  I mark my piece of fabric in the centre, then mark out the same grid of tens, working from the centre marked on the pattern, using a very sharp 2B pencil.  It helps enormously in aiding concentration.  The pencil lines are easily removed by washing on completion.

If you click on the photograph to enlarge it, you can see on this, better than on the gold variation, how each 'flower' is different.  I embellished the centre of each with a tiny, opalescent sequin.

Repeat Motifs

It occurred to me only recently that something I do regularly is take an embroidery motif pattern and repeat it.

This example was made into a small cushion - with a 'dimpled' button in the centre - originally for Christmas.  That was several years ago and I never did put it away with the rest of the decorations.  I like it too much.

As always, the fabric is 28 count evenweave and the embroidery cotton is variegated red.  The photo doesn't show up the embellishment well, but it's metallic gold.

Of course, you're not restricted to making a 4-square like this: I've used the same technique for table runners and rectangular cushions.

All down to imagination, again.

Canvas Work Door Dangler

I haven't done a great deal of canvas work, partly because I'm not sure the technique, in general, gives the effects that I prefer.

However, I did come across a particular book I found very inspiring, because the authors incorporate a lot of metallic threads in their designs.

Link to book details here

This small practice piece of mine, above, will probably go in the centre of a small cushion (one day!).

Here are a couple of photos from the actual book:

Embellished Quilt Block

I found a basic version of this quilt block in a book quite a few years ago.  But, with my love of 'fine' work, I couldn't resist embellishing it.

Detail

The flowers are from various fabrics of similar colour tones and were appliquéd by hand. The stems and leaves are sewn in straight stitch.

What I decided to add were - beads, sequins and gold knots in the centres of the flowers,  and outlining of  the petals with gold metallic running stitch.  I also seed-stitched (with the same variegated thread as the stems) inside the leaves, but kept the stitching 'random'.

It shames me to say that I've had 12 of these blocks put away for years.  Just one of many unfinished projects patiently awaiting my attention.

I also think that this design would make a very nice cushion cover.

(Oh - and spot the deliberate mistake?  There will be those among you who are already aware of the ancient adage - that a handcrafted project should never be without a 'mistake' since only God makes perfect things.)

Mixed Media Wall Art

This was another technique I picked up at The Crafts House.

The idea (I think!), is to divide up your chosen piece into equal portions - in this case squares and 'treat' each individually.  Here, I'v'e gone a step further and incorporated rectangles, comprising 2 or 3 of the squares.
The materials I used range from wallpaper, through to plush velvet. I've also included a small piece of blackwork and the embellishment uses embroidery, scraps of thread and pumpkin seeds painted gold.  The 'punctum' is a brass ring covered in blanket stitch.

The world's your lobster with this, as it costs virtually nothing to produce and it can be made any size at all to suit your needs.

Mine sits happily on the porch wall.  I'm seriously considering doing something similar but on a grander scale, to go above my bed.

The Art Journal

This time last year, I had no idea at all of the art journal process.

When I was at school, I somehow got the impression that I was rubbish at art and so for many years I accepted that and stayed as far away from it as possible.  I've heard many people say the same sort of thing about maths, for instance.  Maybe it's down to uninspired teaching - I don't know.

So it was purely by chance that I discovered The Crafts House and the lovely Sandra, some years ago.  I was so blown away by the wonderful stuff on display that, with Sandra's patient encouragement,  I determined that I was going to face my fears and get stuck in.  I really do wish I had more time to concentrate on art.

This is a journal I began last year.  I particularly like this kind of technique because I'm an 'itsy-bitsy' kind of crafter: I really enjoy working small-scale.

I started with an A4 spiral bound artist's book, then lay down a background treatment on the paper, with two pages for each month.  For June, I used blues and silvers, and 'shadow stamped' squares over it.  Each of the days is represented by a square piece of card, numbered for the date wherever possible, and is decorated and embellished individually.

Of course, my life isn't so exciting that I could think of dramatic happenings for each of the days, so some of them are 'empty' of content.

Since then, other things have overtaken my life, so that I haven't had anything like the time I'd love to devote to developing my art.  Oh, for 72 hours (at least) in the day!  So, I'm making myself a promise to devote several hours each week to the art journal, and practise and experiment with how I can transfer this kind of technique to other projects.  

Homemade Bag

I've made several different kinds of bags but this one is my favourite.

Detail

I had an old one and liked the style and shape of it, but wasn't fussy on the fabric it was made from.  So I made a paper pattern from it to use for my own homemade bag.

That determined the size and shape of the front flap, so I could go to work on creating a new one.  Firstly, I cut a piece of muslin a few inches larger all round than the pattern.  Then I simply stuck random pieces of fabric all over it.

Once covered, I machine zig-zagged across all the places where the pieces of fabric overlapped.  Now comes the fun bit...

Using a cutting mat, (big breath), I sliced the whole into 2" strips: then turned some of these round, top to bottom.  That done, I stuck these strips down closely together on another piece of muslin and zig-zagged down each row.

Back to the cutting mat - I turned the piece 90 degrees, and sliced 2" strips again and repeated the last step.  That leaves you with a square-patch effect, but each of the squares will be completely different and contain all sorts of shapes/bits from your original arrangement.

I trimmed it to fit the front-flap pattern and embellished it to within an inch of its new life, with different hand embroidery stitches, tiny metallic bits of things and even managed to fashion a butterfly and a spider's web.

For the rest of the bag, I chose a tan suede-effect fabric and used a magnetic catch for closing.

This is another technique that is not just fun, but very economical in using up all manner of scraps you might have hanging around.

Not just for a homemade bag, though.  It can also be used to make cushion covers, wall-hangings etc and I'm sure others will have lots of other great ideas for how to use it.

Small Gold Cushion

Detail

I'm always on the look out for unusual embroidery patterns and this one really appealed to me.  The original was published some years ago - I think in New Issues magazine, and the colours used were quite different to this.  Also, it was larger and rectangular in shape.

The design is geometrical, with both large and small repeated motifs, but the rest of it actually appears quite random.

It's basically counted-thread work and I have to admit it does take  some concentration.  Every one of the 'flowers' is different, and they're joined by straight stitch stems and leaves.

I fancied doing this one in shades of gold and I've embellished it with gold sequins in the centre of each of the 'flowers'.  This particular one is quite small - about 10" square.  Again, it's my favourite embroidery fabric - tea-dyed 28 count evenweave.

I did several others in the same pattern, but using greens and reds, and the effect was quite different.  It's amazing how you can bring your imagination to bear on a good pattern, to give such varied outcomes.

Wall hangings

If you're stuck for ideas/money to fill a wall space, wall hangings are a great idea.

I made this one from scraps of fabric, bonded them to a cotton backing, hand embroidered where the pieces met, then trimmed to make a square.  Each of these was bound, again by hand.  Then I simply stuck them firmly to thick scrap cardboard.

They're joined together with beads.  At the top, I added a curtain ring; at the bottom I attached larger beads and a tassel.  Voila!

You could, of course, with imagination, customise and vary the shape/size etc. of yours, and embellish to taste. With wall hangings, there's so much scope and little demand on your bank account.

Elaborated Embroidery

Since I devised this technique myself, it doesn't have an actual name, as yet.

Technically, it's not only cross stitch, but a combination of that and 'back' or 'straight' stitch, all based on counting the threads of the fabric.

A good number of years ago, I hit on the idea of designing geometrically based patterns, based loosely on traditional 'blackwork', but with crucial differences: while that technique invariably comprises straight stitches and only sometimes 'simple' cross stitches, I give greater definition to a pattern by combining the two in original ways; crucially, however, instead of a solid coloured embroidery thread, I use variegated.; and lastly, of course, comes my favourite bit - embellishment.  Here I've used gold metallic thread, which gives the finished cloth a rich and sumptuous effect: it also adds quite a lot of weight, so the finished product really does feel like 'cloth of gold'.

I often add tiny, tiny beads - coloured and/or metallic, always placed in keeping with the basic geometrical design.

I should, perhaps, mention that I always use evenweave fabric - 28 or 32 count, usually - which, I think, 'hides' the fact that it's all achieved by counting threads.

Very often I 'tea dye' the evenweave, before I start, because I adore the finished 'antique' effect to the whole.  I believe that this equals heirloom embroidery any day!

Detail

This work particularly lends itself to cushions and I've made many, of all different colours, sizes and shapes.

It does take time, and patience, but I find this kind of work nothing short of meditative.

Try it and I guarantee you'll come to love it.

Wallart

I devised this technique some years ago, while 'playing'.   Ideas for wallart are limitless.  This technique is fun: you don't quite know what you're going to end up with.  In this case, I've composed a selection of 'inchies' ie inch square card prints, and then embellished each individually.

Of course, the actual composition can be customised - size/colours of pieces and embellishment techniques, and the whole could be framed in many different ways.

I think this sort of thing would make a wonderful, personalised gift - designed specifically to commemorate an occasion, perhaps.  Though this one, unusually, is definitely staying at home.

Wallart is wonderful!

Cross-Stitched Cushion

As I explained in the 'My Background' page on here, I started my embroidery life with cross stitch.  As many do.  There came a time when I wanted to expand my repertoire and I have since enjoyed using many different embroidery stitches.

However, I'm regularly disappointed when I hear stitchers berate this technique, on the grounds, I assume, that, at best it's too simple and/or 'twee', at worst too restricting.

I don't agree: and I often come back to it.  I have seen some wonderful pieces of cross stitch work.  With imagination and just a bit of flair, not to mention embellishment (in this example - sequins -  it can give beautiful effects.

Heirloom Embroidery Cushion

Now, I have to admit that this technique is one of my very favourites.  I always use evenweave fabric when embroidering something like this: I think it gives a far nicer result than aida,  I also like the tone-on-tone effect - so subtle - yet really set off by the contrasting thread of the darker backstitch panels and centre motifs.


The design comprises quite a variety of stitches, including hardanger (cutwork) at the sides, and is embellished with beads and pearls.

Detail

This one belongs, again, to my daughter, Charis and, I believe, is one of her favourites.  Another one I made in slightly different colours now belongs to my good friend and neighbour, Sue.

Anyone recognising a theme here, yet?  No worry...I only ever give my stuff to people I know will really appreciate it. With love.

Mala's Tiny Teddy

This is a tiny teddy I embroidered some years ago, for my grand-daughter, Mala.  I found the pattern in an Inspirations magazine, see link below.  Unfortunately, the Australian producers don't retail in the UK any longer, which is a great shame, because the publication is exquisitely beautiful.  You can, however, subscribe for multiple copies.

The teddy is only about 5" high, so the actual embroidery and embellishment was extremely fiddly.  I was happy with it, though.  So, I think, was Mala, who insisted upon walking, well toddling, around with it in her mouth for hours.
Don't think I'd do another one!

http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/index.php?cPath=2_72&osCsid=g1vg5cjf9gt82mih3c4ole4d70