Golden Holly Stumpwork (Part 3)
Now you are ready for the surface work. Here we go.
Place the square of silk dupion over the square of quilters muslin, aligning the grain of the fabrics. Place the fabric in the hoop and tighten until drum tight. Transfer the design in the same manner as before.
Couch No 1 Gilt twist along each line using the Daruma silk thread or Gutermann thread. For the large scrolls, cut a piece of Twist approximately 20cm long. Fold in half. Starting at the tip of the scroll i.e. closest to the outside edge of the design, place the fold on the end of the line and make a couching stitch at right angles over the folded end. Hold the doubled Twist threads along the marked line and continue to work couching stitches at 3mm (1/8”) intervals. When you reach the end, leave a 2.5cm (1”) tail on both pieces of the twist.
Sink the threads, one at a time, to the back of the work. It is helpful to unravel the threads to reveal the cotton core before sinking by gently pulling the gold wire until it is approximately 2-3 cm from the fabric. Insert a size 18 chenille needle at the end of the stitched line. Push the needle down until just the eye is above the fabric. Thread the tip of the unravelled twist into the eye of the needle and gently pull the needle through from the back of your work. Secure the metal threads on the back of your work using whip stitch.
To couch the short scrolls, a single strand of twist is used. Lay the gilt twist along the marked line, leaving a 2.5cm (1”), and couch along the line. When you reach the end leave a 2.5cm (1”) tail. Sink the tails to the back of your work and secure.
Attaching the Leaves and Berries
The leaves are attached in a small circular area in the centre of the design (leave enough space for the three berries). Use the photograph as a guide when placing the leaves. Insert the size 16 Chenille needle. Push the needle down until just the eye is above the fabric. Thread the wire tail of the leaf through the hole created by the needle. Gently pull down from the back. Pull the needle all the way through. Pull the wire firmly and position the leaf in the desired position on the front. On the wrong side of the fabric, bend the wire tail so that it sits under the leaf and secure the tail using whip stitch. Repeat for the other two leaves.
To attach the berries, thread the 5cm tail of thread into a crewel needle and use this thread to stitch the berries in place. Place each berry at a different angle to add character to your piece.
I will post the final part of the holly project tomorrow. Enjoy
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