More elements on The Little Jacket
I’m using a lot of variagated threads, of course, and leaving stranded threads un-separated. Furthermore, since all washability is clearly lost here, I’m picking thread for colour and texture, rathere than paying attention to the fibre or considering colourfastness. I can, after all, replace the stitching with something else if I need to!
Basque Stitch edges the brown petals here, and triple chain stitch forms the spine of the yellow one. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will see that the green calyx is held around the edge with coral stitch and then a blanket stitch which is highlighted with detached buttonhole in a pearl cotton.
I’m really very pleased with how this element has turned out, although I may choose to lighten the stems on the leaves at the top, once I have everything in place and know what I have to balance of the overall impression.
I’ve looked quickly through the posts for the Coat of Many Flowers, and I was much more definite about stitching all around almost every shape for that, except the small teal leaves. For this one, I seem to be stitching a lot more veins and spines, or edging only one side of a piece. If I become anxious about pieces coming away, I can always add some stitches!
This element was more floral in previous incarnations, but here, I think it has drifted more in the direction of a seedhead. The “seeds” are isolated oyster stitches in sock yarn!
I unified the brown petals by using the same thread to embellish each, but made them more interesting by using different sitches. I’m particularly taken with the feathered zigzag chain on the middle one. The other change, compared with the Coat of Many Flowers, is to have turned some of the edging stitches around: last time, when I used rosette chain stitch, it was more like blanket stitch, with the “vertical” stitches pointing in to the centre of the shape.
And now, Episode 68 of SlowTV Stitchery is live. In which I discuss the alarming adventure of a Watermill Stitchery, remind myself to include the slips when I finally assess the success of Swirl Stitch (not yet, alas), and note that the skill of choosing the order in which to experiment is unheralded and undervalued.
You’ve having fun with those stitches, and it shows. A joyful jacket! Having had the privilege of seeing it in the flesh (or fibre, I should say) last week, I can see how much work has gone into it already.
The rosette chain works very well with the petals outside, it softens the hard contrast of felt and fabric. And it shows off the interesting structure of the stitch itself.
It is lovely to see all the different stitch variations that you are using – and threads. Coming along beautifully. xx
I agree, the variety of stitches and the variegated threads add so much visual texture for those of us who can’t actually put fingertips to stitching. Eye candy!
Felt and embroidery go hand in hadn’t. Stitches can look very good when they seep out of the felt onto the background fabric, too. The fibres in the felt, do, in a small way, so why not the embroidery stitches. I love the Feathered Zig-zag Chain Stitch.
The variety of stitches you are using is making this piece very interesting.
This is looking very pretty and interesting with the variety of different stitches and threads.
I’m really enjoying the different textures and shapes the various stitches are creating in combination with the felt base shapes. I’m fascinated to know how and why your focus has changed from edging to ‘middling’ between the two projects.