by Sandra | January 31st, 2011
Do you remember the post about my seed-heads I came up with for Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt and then used again in the Naturalist’s Notebook Goldfinch block?
I thought the double bullion would work well again for the sprigs of lavender flowers in the Asilomar bouquet. I am very happy with how they turned out and for this scale, the stitch combo was perfecto.
I like the way small additions of fancy applique can add a lot of texture and it can also help lend some realism to the design as well. I always think of these as little “treasures” to be found by the viewer. I want you to discover these surprises as you take in the quilt so I keep them at a minimum.
I do not like appliqued butterflies. There, I have said it and no throwing your scissors and spools at me in protest either because I won’t change my mind. Butterflies are delicate and light and I just don’t feel that can be captured with heavy fabric applique. On a small scale like I prefer? A Horrendous effect visually.
I choose to embroider butterflies. I find it is much easier in the end and I can achieve much more detail than I ever could with fabric. Here is my “Painted Lady” that is hovering above the Asilomar bouquet. So much better than clunky fabric at a heavy and improper scale right? Painting or coloring the butterfly would make it flat and two dimensional so that is not something I would do.
The antennae is done using sewing weight thread (50wt. 2 ply cotton) and yes, even the bullions at the tips are sewing weight thread. The bottom portion of the wing is 3/4″ (1.9 cm) across so that should give you an idea of the scale.
The Asilomar block is almost finished and will be ready for the “completed” shot soon.
Sandra,
Perfect. I love butterflies, and don’t mind applique ones in large scale, but tended to leave them out when they get too small. From here on I have to practice my embroidery.
The lavender is great too! Perfecto!
Judy B
Thank you again for sharing. This is just too beautiful.
I love the butterfly! It really looks like it’s just hovering above the flower.
It’s good read that not all embroidery has to be done with embroidery weight thread. My Mom tried to teach me when I was a child but I rebelled. Now, she’s 92 and says she doesn’t want to do hand work at all anymore.
I bow in awe at your feet! Goddess of all things beautiful.
Gag, now that is over…. You keep teasing with the most wonderful pictures! And I still look at your book daily, carry it around like a bible. People are starting to tell me they are Christians.
t
Oh, my. The lavender is PERFECT. And the butterfly… As always, your work is breathtaking.
Your “Painted Lady” is stunning! Love the lavender flowers too. They truly are tiny treasures, thank you for sharing the glorious details. Now I am anxiously waiting for the completed shot!
Yea, Looking fowward to the class and can hardly wait to see completed “shot”. Question about the green leaves. Do you have a couple of ideas about batiks for the green for the goldfinch blocks? I don’t know if I missed a previous post about leaves. I’m always challenged with greens. For me that is one of the hardest colors to get right. Either too yellow or too blue etc…
Thanks!
Laura T
i agree with you about butterflies and applique (or any tiny insect). They are too delicate to be created with fabric. Your butterfly is a thing of beauty and I am so inspired by your embroidery.
Thank you again for sharing.
You are an amazing artist. Thank you again for sharing the wealth. If you can help me understand how to achieve Blackberries I would appreciate the help. I have your book and understand the strawberry embroidery and I was wondering if I should do the same “technique” with my blackberries just with different colors. Whatdayathink?
Oh? How beautiful the butterfly and lavender are. This is just the inspiration I need to embroider a very tiny ladybug on one of the leaves of the “Little Bird” block to balance a bumble bee (needed something to cover a small edge which had started to fray). Yes am going to get the block finished…… Can’t wait to see the finished Asilomar block.
Marty,
Check your inbox soon.