Hand Embroidery

Since starting hand embroidery I haven't found time to post anything as most of my samples have been extremely time consuming, putting this aside I have found that doing these has been somewhat therapeutic for me and I have really enjoyed learning how easy some of the more complex looking techniques actually are. I have included 14 images of my samples in this post and have carefully selected the ones I feel show the techniques in the best ways.

Running Stitch with different sizes of threads.

These 3 samples show French knots applied to fabrics that all vary in weight and transparency, I feel that although they all include the same technique they are all very different. 

Again these two samples are French knotted, however the top image shows the front and back aspects of the technique without the aid of a transparent fabric, the bottom images show one sample but at different angles, I feel that the knots in this particular sample have such a beautiful texture and the way each knot starts to change colour has a great effect ( I used a multicoloured thread).

These two images show totally different ways of using the same techniques, they are both done with herring bone/faggoting stitch and couching. The top one shows a more bold approach by use of boning, thick threads and a medium/heavy weight fabric, and the bottom sample has much finer threads and light fabric. I think the contrast of these samples is really interesting.

These two images show couching, and satin/ladder stitch I like the simplicity of these sample as this doesn't take away the textural elements. 

We were given a list of phrases from which we had to choose 6 and then create a sample following the 'instruction'. The top image was 'To Cut' and the bottom image was 'To Knot'.

Machine Embroidery sampling, Week 3

For the final week of Machine Embroidery we were introduced to the different types of double needles and the pin-tucking foot, I think this is a very restricted technique as you are unable to do things such a set patterns and zig zag stitch. However it is possible to produce creative samples with just 'two straight lines'. This week we were asked for a final 15 samples from which I have picked 10 to put on here. 

After spending 3 weeks doing machine embroidery I feel that I have gained some extremely useful skills, I am very pleased with my progression. I feel that my sampling so far has gone really well and I look forward to starting my 3 weeks of hand embroidery.

Machine Embroidery sampling, Week 2

During my second week I was shown how to use a tailor tacking foot and an embellisher, I think these are two very interesting techniques as you can create beautiful samples. This week we were asked to produce a further 20 samples with the option to include the techniques from last week, here I have chosen 10 of my preferred samples. 

Machine Embroidery sampling, Week 1

My first week of machine embroidery was quite interesting as I found that with just the simplest of techniques/stitches I could create some interesting samples. 

We had to produce 15 samples using straight and zig-zag stitch, reverse lever and layering/appliqué. I have chosen my favourite 8 samples to show on my blog, i feel that these particular pieces show the techniques in totally different ways but they all still show connections to my research and drawings.