blown like a leaf in the wind

 
I have been wanting to attempt the fine work that I see on 17th C. caskets for a while now . I usually use needlelace for my raised 'bits' but I have a new piece of work which requires stumpwork.

First the cordonnet itself. No crochet thread ( needlelace) as it is too bulky. I have used fine brass jewellery wire . This can be shaped around tight corners with the needle as you go.

Then the edges....no buttonhole edging after filling in . Here it is a single brussels stitch and tightly packed stitches (at a rather scary 900 stitches per square inch). As I go I have made sure that the final stitch in each row is wrapped twice around the wire cordonnet. This is to make the final edge to be as accurate to my drawing as possible with no detraction from the look of the leaf.
The result is a very firm little leaf not too much heavier than the original it was copied from. I was going to try and put veins in but that idea rapidly went out the window ! There will be two more each with a different problem to solve.

The Museum for Objects of Vertu

richard gray 'rosa'

You may have read older posts relating to the museum but now you can see the whole thing on my new blog !(see the link on the right) There will be a new show soon and submissions for this are now being considered.

Embroidery course

 If you are interested in my work and would like to try stumpwork I will be teaching at West Dean college in May. The course is for any ability and will cover the basics of stumpwork including both hand and machine techniques. It is ideal for anyone who has a project in mind but doesn't know how to tackle 3-d elements or would just like to add to their knowledge. I like to encourage design skills and the students own artistry so that they can directly relate what they are learning to their own work.
Some examples of me planning out projects.......