Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Embroidering 3-D Rose Leaves

For the past few months I've been working on creating a palette of leaves for a climbing rose bower on my Mrs. Rose block.


First, I figured out a method for making velvet leaves.  I like those very much but I wanted to try my hand at embroidering a few as well.

This week I worked on a couple of approaches for embroidering three-dimensional leaves.  My first attempt was...just that...a first attempt.

In the second attempt, I sandwiched organza with the fabri-solvy...couching the wires to the underneath of the fabric sandwich and embroidering the leaves on the top side.


Once I finished the embroidery, I cut them each out and placed them in water to dissolve the stabilizer.



Over all, they turned out pretty well.  The more I did, the better I became.  A few minor adjustments and I think I have a good approach for going into production.

I had to order more Gloriana Tudor Silk since I only had it in one color, Olivine, and I'd like to have a palette of leaves to choose from when I'm making the final bower.  Luckily, Needle in a Haystack had a range of greens so those should be arriving in the next day or so.

Check out the difference between one strand of 12-strand Tudor Silk on the left and one strand of Gloriana 12-strand silk floss on the right...


The 120/2 twist of the Tudor Silk has a tighter twist than the silk floss, more of a sheen (IMHO), and doesn't "fuzz out" as much as the softer twist.  That's important because I am distressing the thread a bit by putting it into water.

I am loving how they are turning out.  The only down side is that they take about one hour per leaf stem to make, a bit longer than the plain velvet leaves.

I still need to figure out the calyx and the thorns but I am definitely getting closer...


Below you can see the scale of the leaves compared to a penny...


That's it for now.  I'll be working on Japanese embroidery for the next few days where I have tons and tons of goldwork to do.

Happy day!

15 comments:

Shirlee Fassell said...

Looking fabulous!

Lisa Boni said...

Amazing and glorious tiny leaves! Really something!

black bear cabin said...

been a while since i dropped by...ill have to catch up...but in the meantime, the leaves are lovely and the roses are too. i always love your work...so delicate!

lorenabr said...

This looks amazing!
http://inkandlacedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

Marsha said...

They are looking loverly. Can't wait ti see how it all plays out. Looking forward to the Japanese embroidery also.

allie aller said...

And...you photograph them so beautifully so that we can really see what you have done. Bravo!

coral-seas said...

They are beautiful, Susan

Padparadscha said...

Oh wow these roses are exquisite ! You never cease to amaze me (and inspire me).

Rachel said...

The rose bower will be truly enchanting!
All those varieties of thread give us great choices don't they!

deb* said...

All that patience paid off beautifully!

Cath said...

The roses are looking amazing especially considering the small scale.

D1-D2 said...

One word: Wow!

Cari said...

Love, love, love your work. It is simply amazing. And, I attended Attic Needleworks Sampler Symposium in Mesa, Arizona last month and guess who I met? The one and only Anne Frazier of Gloriana threads!! She taught me so much about her wonderful silk thread. I AM A SILK SNOB and proud of it. Don't you just love the Tudor Silks? Anne is an amazing woman…just like you !! Thanks for sharing your talent.

Createology said...

Breathtakingly beautiful teeny tiny silk leaves for Mrs. Rose. Creative Stitching Bliss Dear...

Coeur de freesia said...

Wow they are perfects ! Congratulations !

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