Pulled Work Embroidery - Cushion

Apologies for the not-quite-up-to-it photograph and the fact that I haven't block-pressed this yet, so it's rather wonky.  To my shame, I did this in 2006 (if you zoom, you might be able to see the initials and date in the top left corner) and still haven't constructed it.

It's the work/technique I wanted to feature.  This was the first pulled work project I did (from a very old magazine; it would take me a year to find it amongst all its friends in my craft room) and I must say that I enjoyed it enormously, once I got the hang of it.  I discovered that the secret to a good result is using a very good embroidery frame.  The ones I use now are all from Needle Needs: they certainly aren't the cheapest on the market, but in my opinion are the best.  Because of their quality and the way they are constructed, they allow you to mount the fabric until it's drum-tight and it actually stays that way throughout.  Very important for this technique.

Detail

Firstly, the butterflies are drawn onto the fabric and these are worked individually, using satin stitch for the bodies, and stem stitch and eyelet stitch on the wings.  Then, all the background is worked in the 'step stitch' around them, pulling the threads of the fabric together really tightly with each straight stitch.  Borders, of course, last.  I decided not to embellish this because I feel that the work, in itself, is enough.

I've always loved self-coloured embroidery: this one is on linen and I used an ordinary DMC thread in the exact same colour for the design.

I also made an identical cushion - but white on white - which I did get constructed, before giving it as a gift.

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.

Alphabet Sampler

On 32 count linen, using various colours of embroidery thread.  One of my favourites.

Detail

Detail

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:

Door Danglers

"Door Dangler' is a term I came up with long ago, of necessity.  I couldn't think of anything else to describe the very small, sometimes tiny, 'cushions' I loved making and, since I hung mine on the handles of doors all over the house - from wardrobes to kitchen units - it seemed suitable.

I got the idea for the one above from an Inspirations magazine, in a design which featured many flowers, but I was taken by this rosebud in particular.  I decided to create a double running stitch grid and place one in each square.  The stitch used for the buds is padded satin stitch and the thread is pale pink, variegated.  There are tiny iridescent sequins at each intersection.

Detail

I've made others, using all sorts of embroidery techniques and have often given them as small gifts to those who particularly appreciate needlework.

Embroidery Knots

I've found that a lot of crafters seem afraid of embroidery knots.  I used to be exactly the same.  Personally, I think they're one of those things that you need to be shown how to do, rather than follow written/pictorial instructions.

Really, once you get the hang of them, they're just so easy that you can do them virtually blind-folded.  I use a method which you rarely see in embroidery books and yet it's foolproof.

I incorporate them regularly in my embellishments because I find there's no end to the wonderful effects they can give.

This was made as a small gift for a good friend.  Both she and I love old, antique effects, so I tea dyed the cotton fabric, making sure it left a few 'stains', and I 'shabby-chiqued' the frame.

I've no idea exactly how many colonial knots went into this; I wouldn't dream of counting, but it must run into the thousands.

The embroidery thread I used was a favourite (especially for Christmas projects) - DMC 115 - a wonderfully rich, variegated red.  Anchor do an equivalent, but is somewhat darker.

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.

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.

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