Satin stitch and detail . . .

satin stitch and some detail
left hand side show a little of the split stitch which the satin stitch is worked over

satin stitch and close detail

satin stitch and closer detail

Further work on Nicola Jarvis's crewel work design with the deadline now looming!  This time I have included more detail on the small red leaves with stem stitch and a blue vein. Satin stitch worked over split stitch, almost completing that section of the design using another autumnal colour.

Marsh Heritage Crafts Award finalist at HCA - 2013 Spring Conference

Back Row - Angela Brown (volunteer winner), Nick Carter (Marsh Christian Trust), Paul Martin (HCA Patron), Brian Hill (volunteer runner up)

Front row - Anna Atkins (volunteer runner up), Phil Barnes (trainer runner up), Tracy A Franklin (trainer runner up)

Absent - Cameron Maxfield (trainer winner)

Nick Carter (Marsh Christian Trust), Tracy A Franklin (trainer runner up), Paul Martin (HCA Patron)

HCA Spring Conference 2013 - Manifesto for Making - at the Victoria & Albert Museum - Saturday 23rd March 2013

crewel work progress . . .

more progress . . . 

working on more Bayeux stitch around the berries

After a heavy month or two of other work, I have now returned to the crewel work needed for Nicola Jarvis's exhibition at the William Morris Gallery - "The Art of Embroidery".  

I have worked further on the Bayeux stitch around the berries, but as yet, I have not put in the holding lines or stitches.

Bayeux stitch

 

Bayeux stitch is a form of couching where the crewel wool is laid down first of all to cover the ground fabric completely. Further lines of crewel wool are laid over the top spaced apart at right angles and then couched to hold everything into place.  

Tip - Draw parallel lines on your fabric to keep the laid work parallel as it is easy to stray.

symmetrical design . . .

progress so far

My working frame showing the symmetrical design, trying to balance every stitch on both the left and right hand sides.  It is really easy to have seeding on one side worked closer together or bigger than the other.  Difficult . . .

© 2012 Nicola Jarvis Studio

A section of Nicola's design from which I am working from and The Unbroken Thread blog ~ see Kathy's progress too . . .

long and short in crewel wool . . .

shading using one strand of crewel wool and stem stitch for the leaves

long and short shading detail

Working one colour into another by shading can be quite tricky as the shading can look 'banded'.  To over come this, which takes a little experience, the second colour is introduced gradually, and 'feathered' in, whilst the first colour gradually disappears as shading continues.  On top of this, there is direction to cope with, as the shape expands outwards then curves back in.  However, it is such a pleasure to be stitching on lovely Scottish woven linen twill.

Kathy 'The Unbroken Thread' Andrews - is working the same design for Nicola Jarvis for her forthcoming exhibition which will be later in the year at the William Morris Gallery.  Dates will be issued in future posts.

next stage . . .

long and short, seeding and fishbone stitch

Slowly coming together - showing V-seeding, ordinary seeding, fishbone stitch for the small leaves, and more long and short shading . . .