Before I can get started embroidering again, I have some major cleaning up to do.
It's been about three years since I re-filed beads and threads for some of my major projects. I know it's not sexy but it has to be done.
The good news is that I'm opening drawers and cleaning out closets and uncovering lots of little treasures I haven't seen in a while.
Look what was wrapped in tissue on a back shelf in the closet of my sewing room...
It's a handmade box with the top embroidered in silk chenille on velvet and it's still in great condition. I have often admired antique samples of chenille embroidery but must admit to being challenged with using chenille myself.
That being said, the thread has a wonderfully rich texture and blends beautifully with velvet and other chenille threads. It's an underused and undervalued thread in our contemporary embroidery arsenal and I've always wanted to find more contemporary methods for using it.
On this box top, the chenille has aged such that both the nap of the velvet and the nap of the chenille thread blend seamlessly with one another...
Wool was used to stitch the daisies and I can see some padding underneath the flower in this picture where some of the wool has pulled away...
That makes sense since otherwise the wool stitches wouldn't lie as nicely and might get lost amongst the velvet's nap.
There are also a few variegated chenille threads and at least seven different shades of green and green/brown were used in the leaves and stems.
You can really see all the colors of the threads in this padded bud below...
I would have never thought to pile on the stitches in that way but the overall effect in the entire composition is stunning.
The interior of the box is finished beautifully and remains in very good condition...
I'm particularly fond of the hand-stitched box pleats and the bobbin lace tucked underneath...
Too pretty not to share.
Now back to cleaning and organizing for me...
