MooshieStitch Monday: Goldwork Daisy Part 3

In case you missed it, check out Part One and Part Two of my Goldwork Daisy series.

Todays' post will be what I learned from the following video:

Part 5: Cutwork and Finished Piece

The cutwork technique is used to add veins on the leaves. In the video, Sarah uses both bright check purl and wire check purl for the veins, but I decided to just use wire check purl.

Wire check purl thread is very similar to the bright check purl - but it is less shiny. More on the different purl threads can be found here.

Then it was on to finishing the flower petals.

The remaining three petals are stitched with couched down Japanese thread (the same technique as the flower stem) and I used a purple thread for the couching stitches. I really like the way the different color thread looks with the gold.

I added one couched row of pearl purl in the very middle petal and then bright check purl chips  randomly within the other petals.

This is where I didn't follow the exact instruction Sarah gave in the video. She adds more couched Japanese thread rows in the petals, but I thought I would try something different and I wanted to practice couching more pearl purl.

I will say again that I really liked this goldwork kit and would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn goldwork.

Thanks so much for following along with this series!

One last time before you ... 

This goldwork kit is the Golden Daisy by Sarah Homfray.

Be sure to check out Sarah's Instagram , subscribe to her YouTube Channel for lots of video tutorials, and go to her website where you can shop all things embroidery, including kits and supplies.

MooshieStitch Monday: Goldwork Daisy Part 2

In case you missed it, check out Part One of my Goldwork Daisy series.

Next up will be couching the flower stem with gold Japanese thread and leaves with silver Rococco thread.

Todays' post will be what I learned from the following video:

Part 4: Couching Gold Threads

Here is a photo of the Japanese thread that was included in the daisy kit and the sewing thread I used to couch it.

The Japanese thread has a main thread core with a metal foil wrapped around it - which will unwrap at the ends if you are not too careful! Click here for more information on Japanese threads.

To stitch the stem of the flower, you couch down two gold Jap threads at a time. You want to cut them longer than the length you need because to finish off the ends, you will be "plunging" the thread through the fabric to the back....

See the photo below - I left a lot of length on my ends, which Sarah explains in the video is good for beginners until you get used to it.

Let me just say as a goldwork newbie, plunging the threads is so intimidating at first! I watched the video over and over again before I attempted it. Sarah shows the lasso technique on how to plunge the threads through the fabric - and I highly suggest watching the video to see it done if you are unfamiliar (skip to minute 12:30 to jump right to the plunging!)

Here are my first few threads of the stem after plunging on the front side...

My first thread I accidentally pulled through too far and it came out of the couching on the other end! After a mild panic attack - I very gently pulled it back through to the front - but it was no longer couched at the bottom. So when I eventually added my next rows of Jap threads, I added a couple couching stitches to fix the mistake.

Once you pull them through to the back of the fabric, you need to then stitch down the ends and trim them up. Here is so far what the back looked like.

I then needed to repeat those steps of couching down additional threads to fill the entire stem. You will see below I left very long end tails to plunge to the back.

Here is the stem complete and the ends plunged and finished!

Next was couching silver plated Rococco thread with a silver colored sewing thread for the leaves.

The Rococco thread is very different from the Japanese thread. It is like a thin metal wire wrapped around a main thread core, has a wavy appearance, and is more stiff. (More on Rococco threads here)

Again, I left long ends of thread for plunging. I found Rococco to be more difficult to plunge also - I am guessing since it is thicker and stiffer?? I actually used a larger crewel needle to poke a hole in the fabric to make it easier to plunge the Rococco thread through.

Here is the back of the fabric after all my ends have been sewn down. I will admit this is my least favorite part of goldwork so far! I thought it would be the plunging - it does get easier each time you do it - but then having to finish off the ends on the back of the fabric - it is very time consuming! I can't imagine doing this step on large goldwork pieces ... but I understand that it needs to be done.

There you have it - my golden daisy with my first couched gold threads!

To be continued.....see you next time for Part Three ... but before you go...

This goldwork kit is the Golden Daisy by Sarah Homfray.

Be sure to check out Sarah's Instagram , subscribe to her YouTube Channel for lots of video tutorials, and go to her website where you can shop all things embroidery, including kits and supplies.

Thanks for following along!

MooshieStitch Monday: Goldwork Daisy Part 1

My goal this year is to learn a new embroidery technique and one that has been on my mind for quite some time now is goldwork. I thought it would be fun to document my experience learning the new technique - so this post is Part One of my goldwork series.

I started to search online for beginners goldwork embroidery kits and came across Sarah Homfray's website. I decided to purchase her Golden Daisy kit because: a) it was affordable and included most of the materials I needed, b) it was a beginner level kit and c) she has YouTube instructional videos on how to stitch the daisy.

Getting started and gathering my materials:

I ordered the Goldwork Daisy Material Kit. It includes fabric with the design printed on it, backing fabric, gold threads, sewing thread, felt padding, and embroidery needles. (There are no written instructions since you will use her YouTube videos instead)

I also ordered her Goldwork Essentials Starter Set because I needed some of the tools in it like the beeswax, mellor laying tool, and scissors. Here is a photo of everything in the starter set (I forgot to include the scissors when I took the photo though).

Here is a link to all of her Golden Daisy YouTube Videos for this kit.  I watched all the videos in entirety before I began stitching - and rewatched them many times while I was in the process of stitching.

Today's post will be what I learned from the following videos:

Part 1: Introduction and Felt Padding
Part 2: Applying Pearl Purl
Part 3: Applying Bright Check Purl Chips


Let's begin Stitching!

I traced and cut the middle of the flower with tracing paper and then used that as my pattern to cut the shape out of felt.

Here is the felt padding after it was sewn to the fabric.

Next will be couching the pearl purl - which I thought was awkward at first. I think just because it was not as "bendy" as I thought it would be. It is a wire that is wound into a coil and resembles a string of pearls.

(FYI: Being a complete #goldworknewbie I had no clue what to expect from the the metal threads until I was holding them in person. For a great online reference, check out this metal thread info page.)

Here is the outline of the middle and a few of the petals with couched pearl purl. At first I was not happy because I can see some of my couching stitches on the petals, but then again, I am new and just need lots more practice! :)

My next step was to fill in the middle flower felt shape with bright check purl "chips".

The bright check purl is a more flexible hollow tube shape that has a faceted (zig-zag) surface and is shiny. You cut the thread into "chips" and couch down onto the fabric. Below is a photo of a few of my cut chips for example. (Also the scissors that came in the Goldwork Essentials Kit - they have a serrated edge meant for cutting the metal threads)

Then start to randomly couch down the chips to fill in the felt shape...

This is so far my favorite process in goldwork. It is really satisfying and almost relaxing to stitch down each chip and fill in the space! Or maybe that's just me :)

Here it is completely filled in with the chip work.

Zoomed out - here is a look at what I have completed so far!

First thoughts on goldwork:

1. I am very happy I chose Sarah's daisy kit as my first goldwork project. Her videos are excellent for a beginner - not only are they high quality videos - she explains everything so thoroughly.

2. It takes getting used to working with the metal threads. Each are so different in feel and texture.

3. I am using tools and tricks that I have never used before in my embroidery - like beeswax to coat my sewing thread (protecting it when sewing your metal threads) and also the mellor (it is really helpful to use in nudging your metal threads into place).


To be continued.....see you next time for Part Two ... but before you go...


Be sure to check out Sarah's Instagram , subscribe to her YouTube Channel for lots of video tutorials, and go to her website where you can shop all things embroidery, including kits and supplies.

Friday Instagram Finds No. 27 with The Mason Bee

I hope you're having a spooktacular Friday today! Halloween is tomorrow, and here in the United States, it's a very popular holiday, right up there with Christmas and the Fourth of July. I've included some information at the end about an auction on Instagram I've donated two pieces to, the proceeds of which go to the Van Drie family.

@themasonbee

I've followed Laura for a while now, and just love her work. She's trained in hand embroidery, and her skill comes out in every piece she makes. Laura also has a blog called Mason Bee where she chronicles what she's making and posting on Instagram. Laura's work is intricate, and beautifully detailed.

She's one of those hand embroiderers whose work makes me want to be a better hand embroiderer! Remember to use #feelingstitchyig, like Laura did, to make sure I see what you're making. Let's take a look at Laura of @themasonbee!

Image by @themasonbee

Image by @themasonbee

Image by @themasonbee

Image by @themasonbee

Image by @themasonbee

That's it for this week's edition of Friday Instagram Finds! Join in the conversation by commenting below. While you're on Instagram checking out Laura's work at @themasonbee, and make sure you follow Feeling Stitchy! We'd love for you to stop by and say hello. You can find Feeling Stitchy on Instagram at the handle @feelingstitchyish. You can find Amy @randomactsofamy on Instagram.

Want to be featured in Friday Instagram Find? Tag your best stitch-related photos like Laura did with #feelingstitchyig!

I'm so sorry to have to tell you that the cutie in the picture above, 6 year old Kaylee, passed away suddenly and tragically early last week. Kaylee is the daughter of one of my stitchy friends, Kristen, who you know as @kaymaboutique on Instagram. As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult time for Kristen and her family. A group of us stitchy girls thought maybe an auction on Instagram would be a good idea to help raise money for Kristen's family, and Kayla, who you know as @knottydickens cleared it with Kristen and ran with the idea.

All I can say is, boy is our Maker Community a great one!! As of right now when I write this post, when you go to the official @candlesforkaylee Instagram page, you'll see there are over 150 posts. That means that there are over 150 items that makers from around the world have donated to be auctioned off. I don't know about you, but it makes my heart swell.

The auction officially starts this Sunday, November 1st at 7:30 pm EST. I hope that you will take a look, open your heart, and open your wallet to help out Kristen and her family in their time of need.

Diary of an Intern: Julia at Hand and Lock, week 3

During my work placement I have been consistently inspired and sometimes overwhelmed. From the environment to the array of exquisite samples and materials, there is continually something which whets my creative appetite.

Hand & Lock’s quintessentially English meeting room is known in-house as the ‘bead room’. Its walls are decorated with lush embroidery samples and military regalia. Ceiling-high cabinets line the edge of the room and house a vast variety of beads and an extensive collection of samples. I believe it could take a day or two to peruse through the entire archive. Each design is different and almost every type of embroidery is displayed. It’s such a pleasure to be able to thumb through such a beautiful collection. I quietly imagine the ways I could apply some of these techniques and styles to my own work and how I could adapt them. Although I will have to learn how to execute them first.

Certainly another great inspiration for me is the array of materials. It’s also interesting to learn why each piece is selected for use. One reason is that the fabrics, beads, threads and other decorative objects all project a particular impression and impact and the way that they interact with each other also plays an integral factor. I am also noticing how a particular material can be fundamental to a design. In using an object which is not commonly adopted in couture embellishment the unusual texture and shapes can project a different effect.

For instance, the Hand & Lock embellishments created for the Louis Vuitton and Terence Koh limited-edition menswear collection incorporate paint brush bristles and only the metal casings from gemstones:

The collection features lavish and extraordinary designs by the artist Terence Koh and the unusual materials used by the Hand & Lock team complements the artist’s quirky style.

Most importantly, a primary source of inspiration for me is the environment itself and the people in it. When I take a moment to look around the atelier I see inspiration at every angle. Creativity almost pulses under its beams.

Hi, I'm Julia! Based in Amsterdam, I am an embroidery enthusiast with a life long passion for textiles. I will be contributing during my work placement at the prestigious Hand and Lock a London based, embroidery and embellishment company with 250 years of heritage.

Join me every other Friday for my Diary of an Intern posts!
Find me on Facebook.

Win a Spot in a Mastered Class!

Hi all! A few weeks ago I did a review of a lovely Creative Embroidery class with Diana Springall on Mastered.

Well, I'm excited to announce that the wonderful people at Mastered would also like to giveaway an embroidery class of your choice to one lucky Feeling Stitchy reader! Choose from the 5 gorgeous classes below, and be sure to click each image to see preview videos and more information:

Creative embroidery with Diana Springall

Diana Springall is one of Britain’s leading textile artists and in this course you will discover her unique design process and learn how to devise and stitch your own bespoke creations. The first 100 students to enrol will receive a signed copy of her book: five of those will be selected to take a personal embroidery masterclass with Diana in her UK studio.

Couture embellishment: tambour beading

Learn the couture embellishment technique of tambour beading with world-renown experts, Hand and Lock, the company who Louis Vuitton and other fashion houses turn to for their beadwork and embroidery. Director Jessica will choose one student to complete a work placement in summer 2014.

Goldwork embroidery: couture embellishment

Learn the couture embellishment technique of goldwork with world-renown experts, Hand and Lock. Fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and royalty from across to the world turn to this 250-year-old company for their expertise in goldwork embroidery.

Textile jewellery: from raw materials to the final piece

Learn how to create truly unique pieces of textile jewellery by hand-dyeing your own materials and turning that yarn into necklaces, brooches and more. Expert dyer Helen Neale, and jewellery maker Anna Alicia are your instructors.

Machine embroidered jewellery

Learn how to use your sewing machine to design and produce beautiful jewellery with textile artist Gilda Baron. Mollie Makes editor Lara Watson is our current guest tutor and will be personally selecting the best designs to appear in a special Mollie Makes feature later in the year.


To win, simply leave a comment on this post - tell us which of these classes is your favorite, and why. Comments will be open until Sunday, March 30, 9 PM CST, when they will be closed and I will choose 1 random winner. This contest is open to all of our readers!

If you have any problems finding the comments, click this link and scroll down to the bottom:
http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2014/03/win-spot-in-mastered-class.html.

From Viana with love

Olá! Today I bring you something very special... Definitely this is a Portuguese story... And as we would say in Portuguese: a história de uma mulher do Norte - "the story of a woman from the North"...

Sometime ago I told you how the Traditional Embroidery of Viana do Castelo was so intricately interwoven with the story of many women. And how the birth of what we recognize today as this regional embroidery helped so many of them find a new way of life - that is still deeply rooted in the culture and the traditions of the North of Portugal.

Teresa embroidering and wearing the domingar costume (to be used on Sundays)

The story of Teresa, that I bring you today, bears some resemblance to the one I told you before. This is also a love story for Viana and again a proof that with courage and talent we can change our lives.

An original Christmas crib winner of a contest promoted by the municipality of Viana do Castelo

Teresa was born in Viana do Castelo and the traditions, the culture and the folklore of this region were always present in her daily life since she was a little child. As happens with other women and men from this city, Teresa waited, and still waits, all year for the festivities dedicated to Our Lady of Agony, Romaria da Senhora D’Agonia, one of the most rich and genuine ethno-folklore festivals of our country. These are special days, when Teresa proudly wears the folk costume made by her own hands and holds the famous gold jewelry while the colorful folk dance groups musically enliven the ambiance and invite everybody to dance (be sure to follow this last link and watch how common people follow the dancers and fully enjoy it).

An embroidered brooch inspired by the skirts of folk costumes

Embroidery came into her life, by the hands of her mother, so naturally as all the other cultural traditions from Viana did. Inspired by the lively colors of the costumes - the bright red, the shining gold - and by the embroidery that decorated the linens of the house where she was born, Teresa discovered this new way of living. After some years teaching arts and technology to children she decided to devote her life to reinvent Traditional Embroidery of Viana do Castelo creating embroidered accessories that adorn our days: key holders, brooches, small cushions, beautiful frames, wedding favors...

Details of Teresa's stitching

Viana é amor, a popular saying that means "Viana is love", justifies the massive presence of Viana's heart in the crafts and culture of this city. That special heart is everywhere... In the noble art of filigree, in gold jewelry works, in embroidered table linen. For many, the heart of Viana even became one of the symbols of Portugal. Teresa elected the Viana's heart as the symbol of her work - Artesaté, because in Viana, quem gosta vem, quem ama fica - the one who likes comes, the one who loves stays.

Viana's heart - the symbol of Artesaté's work

Teresa feels that her life is unique and special because she was born there, in that special place, where the river meets the sea under the eyes of the hill of Santa Luzia. And Teresa, believe me, has developed the art of bringing to each piece of her work this uniqueness that only someone who belongs to a special place may have... Each stitch tells a story of joy, color and love...

Viana in gold

"Viana is more than a city, it's a way of living... a way of being that lies deep in the soul and the blood of those who were born there..." These are Teresa's words and she reinforces; "That's what I am".

Note: While writing this post I was thinking about how our culture and traditions are such a supreme form of richness that we must preserve for our own good and for the future happiness of our children. Portuguese history and the story of so many Portuguese women are the living proof of this...