Assembling the Heart
Gathering Backing Fabric
The assembly involved a lot of stages. I cut the backing fabric into a circle and gathered it up behind the design to provide an extra layer of protection against the hurly-burly of the stuffing.
Title Label
Then I had to make a stitched title label (it also has my Guild membership number, but I forgot to take that photo!) to attach to the back. I’m really not keen on lettering in stitch…
Morse Code Label
At this point, though, I thought, I simply cannot fail to have my Morse Code signature on the back too. Morse Code was a staple of communications until well after the Second World War, so it was very much in use during the First World War..
Dedication Stitched In
Having attached my title and signature labels to the back piece, I printed a photo of the finished roundel, the title and the dedication onto a piece of fine cotton, within a circle, to echo the circular shape of the roundel on the front. Then I attached the cotton circle to the inside of the back piece. When the piece is finished, a circle of backstitches on the back will be all that shows that this is there, but I will know.
And so will you!
Antwerp Stitch Edging
I made assurance doubly sure of the assembly by first using running stitch to assemble the two sides of the Heart, and to close it after stuffing it. Then once the Heart was stuffed and closed, I reinforced the edge by stitching around it using Antwerp Edging Stitch, which is a knotted variation of blanket stitch.
Final reveal next week…
Can’t wait to see it in all its glory1
I’m with Lady Fi–anticipating the reveal!
Looking forward to the big reveal. How do you print on fabric?
What did you use to print on the cotton? Looking forward to see the grand reveal :)!
How nice to have the dedication stitched in. One day in the far future someone, a relative or a curator in a museum, will find the innards of your heart and love the discovery!
I love the idea that you will have that dedication inside. That is so nice. A conservator will someday be thrilled to find that, too! I like the Antwerp stitch and will have to read up on that.
Nice touches Rachel
I’m looking forward to the big reveal! And like others, I’m interested to know how you print on fabric.
I love your Morse code signature too. What a great, personal addition!
The hidden message inside is a very special little secret. I hope nobody needs to pull the work to pieces and reveal it. Will a (paper) print accompany the heart on its journeys?
Love all the little details you have added like the dedication etc. Looking forward to the big reveal.
morse code…..an inspired idea. I also love that only you (and hundreds of us) will know it’s there….