On Golden Pond - Gilt Edged Detached Petals

Yesterday I decided to edge the detached waterlily petals for On Golden Pond with Gilt Pearl Purl.

Here is how it is done.

Place your selected fabric for the petals in a hoop and tighten until drum tuight.  Trace the petals onto the fabric.

Stretch a piece of No 1 Gilt Pearl Purl to 1 ½ times its original length. 

Measure the distance around the petal and cut a piece of the stretched pearl purl the same length. Cut a piece of fine gold coloured jewellery wire (I used 26 gauge wire) 5 cm or 2” longer than the pearl purl.  Now thread the jewellery wire through the hollow centre of the purl.

Leave a tail at each end of the purl.

Starting at the base of the petal lay the start of the pearl purl at the base of the petal with the wire tail extending past the base.

Couch the pearl purl around the outline of the petal, making a stitch over every second or third purl.  Remember the petals will be cut out so it is important that all of your stitches are within the outline of the petal!

When you have finished couching the outline and have returned to the base of the petal again, lay the wire tails together and take two stitches over both wires at the same time.

Now fill the petal as desired. When you have finished stitching the petals Do Not remove your work from the hoop.

Before cutting out your petals, the edges are sealed with glue.  Yes, GLUE! Choose a PVC glue that will dry clear. Most PVC glues are white in colour but dry clear so it is advisable to read the labelto check it will dry clear.  I have tried three different ones – PVC wood glue, acid free craft glue and tacky glue.  They all work equally well.  The acid free glue is preferable if you are intending to create an heirloom piece.  If you have trouble getting the acid free glue, try scrapbooking stores as they have a good variety of acid free products.

 

You will need to make the glue thinner in consistency before applying it.  Squeeze some PVC glue into a small glass jar that has a tight seal.  Add enough water to reach the consistency of pouring cream (yum, makes me think of strawberries and cream).  Seal the jar and shake well.   Once this is made up and sealed will it will last indefinitely and you will have it on hand when needed.  I find it very useful if I happen to accidently snip a thread when cutting out stumpwork pieces.

Using a fine paint brush, firstly paint the muslin around the outside edge of the petal, flattening the bristles of the brush so that they get in under the edge of the pearl purl.  If you happen to get a little on the pearl purl, don’t be too alarmed as the glue will dry clear.

Now turn the hoop over and apply the thinned glue along the row of couching threads used to couch the pearl purl.

Allow to dry and apply another 3 or 4 coats of glue, allowing each coat to dry before moving onto the next coat.

When the glue is dry, cut out the petals in the same way you would for stumpwork pieces.

Enjoy.

Comments

[méri]

This is a great tutorial! and it seams so easy made by you...thank you!

[Mary Corbet]

A wonderful tutorial!! Thanks, Sandy! And I love the blue and gold!

[Coeur de freesia]

So nice ! Does it works also with fray check ?

[Christa Evans]

This is a great tutorial on using pearl purl for detached embroidery. Thank you!

[Elmsley Rose]

Thankyou SO much for this tutorial!

The other method you mentioned
"With this method the petals are made firstly by stitching button hole over fine covered wire to create the edge of the petal and then filling the centre of the petal as you would for conventional stumpwork detached elements. Gold passing thread is then attached to the buttonhole edge using clear monofilament thread."

Can you do a step by step for that method (pretty please?? eyelash flutter) or does the above explanation really say it all?

Thankyou again,

[Gold n' Stitches]

Elmsley Rose, glad you foud this tutorial useful. I have been busily preparing a tutorial on applying the passing thread. Couln't resist the eyelash flutter - gets me every time!!! Of course it was just the push I needed to create a new design so the example you see will be part of my new stumpwork project.

[Gold n' Stitches]

I haven't tried using fray stop but would be a little concerned about the chemical makeup of it and how this may react with the metal in the wires. Have you ever noticed how fray stop will remove the nail polish from your nails when they come in contact with each other? Oooooh, not good!

[Melanie]

Hi Sandy!

Why do you put glue around the edge for this thread, but not the other one you did a tutorial for?

Cheers,
Your favourite co-worker :)

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[pratima kapoor]

Great tutorial. you made it so easy to work it out.
gold n blue colour looks great.
many thanks.

[Lawrence Halter]

I think it's time for me to learn handicrafts and embroideries! Haha! I'm going to marry a girl who loves such things, and I still haven't tried doing them! Maybe now's the moment to try and deliberate your tutorial for her. Thanks! Guess I'd be presenting her a unique flower "on fabric" next time. ;)

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