Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Bejewelled

Today, Audrey got her jewels...



And since I wanted to construct the tiara and the necklace centerpiece as distinct pieces of jewelry, I used a technique I figured out when I originally stitched Your Majesty's crown. You can read that old post here.

This time I used the same aluminum mesh (1/16") and backed it with a light, water-soluble stabilizer to give the threads some extra stability. I sandwiched the two layers using tape to hold them together.


I then stitched through the grid and attached all the jewels with a transparent thread.


A quick soak on a wet rag removed the thin stabilizer in a matter of moments.


This was a good modification to the technique since the threads felt much more secure than in the last crown I made.

I then cut the shapes out of the aluminum, leaving a one mesh seam allowance around the jewels which then gets folded back behind the beadwork.

All in all, it's a neat little method when you can't sew the jewels directly down onto the fabric. If I had sewn the tiara's jewels directly into Audrey's chignon, most likely they would have gotten lost amongst the fibers.

Thankfully, Audrey is now fully dressed and ready to play her part.


See you next time!

20 comments:

Miriam said...

Perfect accessories for Audrey!!

Absolutely stunning, breath taking work, Susan!

Thank you for sharing your processes and how you learn and apply all the techniques.

Mouse said...

oooo it gets better every time I see this :) beautiful work and what are you going to do with it after ??? love mouse xxxx

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely work with us. I'm amazed at every bit that you do. You have a wonderful talent.

FlowerLady

Createology said...

Pure perfection. Your accessories for Audrey and your method of stitching them are brilliant. This CQ should be kept in the Smithsonian for its beauty and detail of craftsmenship. Blissful Stitching Susan...

wendy said...

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love your work. Thank you for sharing the whole process!!

Carol E. in AZ said...

Can I just say "WOW"!! You are a very talented woman. It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing Audrey with us.

Wendy TC said...

Love the details on the shades!

Teresa said...

WOW the jewels really add a lot to her. Makes her just pop. Can't say it enough but I'm amazed.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Claudine said...

Jolis bijoux ! Bisous et bonne journée

Karla Hartzog said...

'Love, love, love it!

Ingrid Mida said...

It's so fantastic that you share all these tips on how to achieve these effects.

Marjolein said...

You did a fabulous job. It looks so real. Your explanation is very clear, I have learned a lot from you.
Marjolein.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! I wouldn't have thought of that aluminium mesh, but of course it is exactly the right thing to choose to keep everything together as piece.

pamelaric said...

I am so thankful that you are a prolific blogger! I sit here everyday with my mouth hanging open as I read your progress. When you don't post for a day or two, I go through withdrawal pains. lol I am not a CQer but still have learned tons from reading your process on this project. Thank you, thank you for each and every one of your posts.
Pamela (Tucson, AZ)

tirane93 said...

unbelievably gorgeous work you're doing on this piece. each time you show us updates i think it can't get prettier! inspirational!

Wendy said...

Stunning! This is just what she needed! Thank you for allowing us to share in this journey with you! You are such an inspiration.....

allie aller said...

The photography is so amazing that sometimes it even eclipses your incredible needlework and how-to information. Susan, you got it goin' on....

Shelly @Crafty Creative Studio said...

Is she beautiful or WHAT!?! Best hair-do I have ever seen! (Popped over from Craft Gossip)

Judy S. said...

That Audrey is one classy looking gal, thanks to you, Susan! Nicely done!

Anonymous said...

I never so something like this..Amazing.It is so wonderfull to discover such talents true a blog..Lovely..greetings Joy

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