The Two Amarna Princesses – Drapery, stage 3
Second Drape – First Trial
For my next drapery experiment, I began by using the embellisher to add some of that divided felt onto another piece – do you see that the red is in patches, a dark pink (the background) and a rather brighter scarlet? That worked well, I think, as it has warmed up the colour, and made it more interesting.
I had decided that I would stitch a pattern and then use the embellisher to make it blend in a little more, but once I’d worked this pattern of herringbone stitch stripes, I sat back, stared at it, and said “No”.
Second Drape – Much Better
So the second pattern I tried was a little more complex. It’s still worked largely in herringbone stitch, and the colours are the same, but this time I’ve reversed the second row to create a series of lozenge shapes, which could then be filled in, after a fashion, with little upright cross stitches.
I liked this much more, so I decided to go with this pattern.
Although, of course, I was referring to the picture that was my original spacing, that red is very reminiscent of Persian carpets, and the combination with blue and yellow is one which we still find in widespread use.
Second Drape Needlfelted
The next stage was to use the embellisher again. To begin with, I covered the stitching with a layer of net, and worked an initial pass of small circling movements, up and down each stripe. Then I removed the net and kept going.
As you can see, the stitching is almost melting into the background. Certainly it’s a more convincing representation of a piece of fabric than my first piece of drapery, although I will be using both.
The needle felting make a tremendous difference to the piece – it looks much more like a piece of fabric now. I always enjoy seeing how you work through each element of a design.
The embellisher makes the embroidery sink into the felt beautifully – and I like the second set of Herringbone stitches with the upright crosses, too.
sinking…..soft, it looks so soft!
Very clever. I love your ‘sinking’ stitches – definitely give the idea if fabric!
The embellisher gives a great distressed look.
I do like the pattern of the second set of stitches.
Your embroidery stitches look great on this.
Yes, thats worked really well. Love the colours. xx
The two colour background fabric is very effective. I like the distressed stitching, too. It doesn’t scream ’embellisher’ at me. What would happen if you added just a few wisps of the palest undercolour over the stitches and hammered them in, to slightly obscure part of the embroidered threads? (Like adding a touch of cloud effect in Photoshop to subtly alter a photo.) Would you get a more worn-looking textile or just a mess?
Beautifully carpet-y!
Interesting experiments!
I love the vibrant red!
That’s a glorious red! I really like the way the embellisher has integrated the stitching.
It’s interesting how a little felting changes the look of it. I like this, and look forward to seeing it on the piece.