I recently started a piece of Or Nué, an embroidery technique where a fine metal thread, or pair of threads, is laid in close rows on the surface of the fabric. The metal threads are couched in place using fine threads, usually silk or cotton to create a design. The background, not covered by coloured threads, is couched in a self coloured thread such as fine metallic thread or silk.
Traditionally Or Nué was worked in horizontal rows, however more recently it has been worked in circles.
I decided to work my piece using circles as I love the way the light reflects and dances off the gold threads where the circles meet and angles are formed.
I designed what I hope will be a fairly simple pattern for my first attempt.
The design has been traced onto quilters muslin and shaded with coloured pencils. The coloured shading is used to help disguise any gaps that may appear between the metallic gold threads as they are couched on the surface of the fabric.
You may be wondering what the wriggly black think on the lower left is. That will be a butterfly with wings worked as detached stumpwork. The centre of each of the dashed circles will also be filled with stumpwork petals.
So here's what I have achieved so far.
Because I am working a circular design I have used Gilt Passing Thread #6 as it will not unravel as it is coiled to form the circular design. I have couched with Au Ver a Soie & Madeira stranded silks to form the shading.
So far so good! I thought I would get bored with working the same stitch over and over however it has been really exciting to watch the design grow and develop - it has also been challenging! Or Nué is reputed to be one of the more difficult goldwork techniques and even with a simple design it has been an exercise of patience and learning. But more on that later.
It is so beautiful, I never thought a technique like that would turn out so lovely, can't wait to see what you do as you progess in covering the cloth! BarbM
Posted by: Barbara | Saturday, 12 December 2009 at 12:55 AM
It's looking fantastic. And it will look even more fantastic when it's finished.
Love where you are placing the circles
Posted by: Elmsley Rose | Saturday, 12 December 2009 at 04:43 PM
Come on Sandy hurry up! I wan't to see it finished at stitch night next week :) My Mum is handing me back a quilt I paid to get quilted when I see her this week so depending on when I see her, I should have something finished to show if I can manage to get the binding on!
Posted by: Melanie | Saturday, 12 December 2009 at 07:50 PM
Oh. OH OH OH OH OH. OHOHHHHHHH. Oh WOW.
Yes. This is IT. This is exackitackily the kind of stuff I LOVE. I can't wait to see this develop further!
*sigh* I'm so totally content after seeing this post.
What size is the entire piece?
Posted by: Mary Corbet | Sunday, 13 December 2009 at 05:20 AM
This piece will measure approx 7cm (2 3/4") by 15cm (6") when completed. The thought of something bigger made my head spin. Maybe on the next one - and there will be a next one! As I stitch away my mind is considerering all of the possibilities!
Posted by: Gold n' Stitches | Sunday, 13 December 2009 at 02:55 PM
Hi Mel, Finished by this Thursday? It just won't happen but you might be surprised by how much more I have done! For those of you whop are wondering - there is a group of us who get together and stich on Thursday evenings. It is a social fun ghroup and we cover a whole range of interests from quilting to various forms of embroidery. One of the best parts of getting together is sharing what we are working on. Look forward to seeing the finished quilt Mel.
Posted by: Gold n' Stitches | Sunday, 13 December 2009 at 02:58 PM