by Sandra | August 10th, 2010
These are rather simple but tedious. Yes, I said the word…..tedious. I don’t love every single minute of what I am doing sometimes. I just know that without some of these important details, no matter how much I would like to avoid them, will leave the good parts of my work in vain. There are no shortcuts to success. Avoidance only undermines everything else and looks half baked in the end.
OK, so the leaflets as I call them. There are two ways to accomplish these. The plain old stem stitch as in red-work style or my favorite, the whipped (wrapped) stem stitch. The regular stem stitch is faster. On the central stem of the leaflet, I used two strands of six strand embroidery floss (Cosmo #684), the thinner branching stems I used one strand of the floss (Cosmo #684).
To make the central stems stand out more and give them some dimension, I added a row of stem stitch in sewing weight thread alongside the main stem in a darker green. I do not do this for the side branching stems.
The camera created a shadow on the right side of the stem unfortunately. There is embroidery only on the left side of "A".
You can see here the difference between the two main stems of the leaflets where “A” has the added row of sewing weight stem stitch and “B” does not. Notice how the sewing weight thread adds the high definition (Applique high-def/HD) without making the stem become clunky in scale? “B” looks like it needs some fertilizer IMO. So simple, but a huge difference when all is said and done.
The other thing that makes applique look dimensional is to make sure there is some “over and under” to give the design depth and realism. In the photo above, you can see how the delicate leaves intertwine with each other and the flower(s) as in nature. Use your imagination and look at these as if I had not done this, but embroidered the leaflets next to each and without the “over and under”. Yawn.
That is all there is to it for the delicate leaflets. They are more time consuming than complicated. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
it’s perfect !!! OH SOOO PRETTY !
I love the wispiness of the leaflets , it addas so much interest to the design,and the different ways you do the stems really make it interesting to look at, instaed of everything looking the same . I just can’t wait to get my hands on this one : )
This is absolutely beautiful!
Wow, this is really beautiful, and your attention to detail is tremendous. It really paid off with such a realistic and beautiful stitchery!
Wow, it is amazing how just a little extra makes such a big difference…it looks so lacey. And this is just another page of instructions that I will write in my book as I try to remember all
the information you have given us.
It really looks beautiful and the detail is wonderful!
Sandra,
Love the unders and overs ….. makes it all look so much more natural ….. almost need to pull them out before they drop the seeds for a giant crop of wispyness next year.
Judy B
Oh Sandra, I’m looooooving this. Your artistry is such an inspiration.
Wonderful detail, I just love it..I am looking at my applique in a whole different light now. I have 2 applique quilts that I am working on and wonder how I can add embroidery to them to jazz them up a little. hmmm, you have opened up a new path for me. I love waiting for you next blog entry to see what you have done.
The leaflets are even more beautiful than I imagined! Love the applique “high-def”. Thank you for not taking any “short cuts”, and so enriching the art of applique with amazing and creative embroidery. I cannot wait to start this one either!
This is growing more beautifull with every new touch!
I am so glad you all approve! This is a good example of where a little bit of attention to detail can make all the difference.
Ah stitches,
Music to my ears that you can’t look at your quilts the same way and I have enlightened you to a new path! I love it.
Judy, how funny. I was thinking the same thing as I was working on them. Wouldn’t it be a @#$%&@ to have to pull out all of these from the garden?
Gardeners are always focusing on weed control eh?
So will you be ready to publish this one when I am finished with the wren. I am enchanted by your work am inspired also. I love that you give the details and also your opinions.
Hi Tammy,
As soon as the block is finished, I will put it together and get it on the products section of the website. I am pushing for the end of August.
Glad I can inspire you!