the idea here (continued from) is to cover the sketched base with stitch. the base is both a guide and a stabilizer. the fabric underneath is a slippery old light faded slk jacquard, i am using a split stitch to fade the embroidery into the sateen weave base. this is part of my march TIF and it is a gift, so it will be completed at spirit cloth. the method works well, but it is quite slow.
i wanted to do a fairly detailed embroidery from a sketch on a piece already in progress. i thought what if i trace that sketch onto a lightweight base and use it as an applique, as a guide to embroider over. i am sure there are easier ways, but it was a question that needed an answer and i didn't have to buy anything special. the window makes a great lightbox. the muslin base adds nice subtle padding.
..(quick scan)
...applique is 1.5"
...muslin with micron pen
...single end embroidery
...applique blanket detail, to be fringed
in process...to be continued.
the question: what if quilting is done with dots?
the reasoning: like tying without the tails. points of color. tacking the layers without lines of stitching. a new kind of texture. a short cut to combine embellishment with quilting.
the texture is very fun.
the process is very simple.
the back is clean and acceptable.(picture 2)
designs and shading can be accomplished with different color dots or combining different strands of color.
4 strands give a nice bulk .
i learned that threading the needle with 2 strands and using them double gives less bulk at the needle eye and it is easier to get through the fabric. threading the needle with 4 strands is difficult and is like 8 strands at the needle eye when sewing.
freehand dot placement and varying the stitch repeat gives nice variation.
the drape of the final product depends on how close the dots are.
it is easier to stitch the dots farther apart and then go back and fill in if you want them closer.
after catching both layers several times, the thread from each complete dot is carried in between the layers to the next dot so the stitch is a dot on both sides.
this post is continued from here
the answer to what if quilting was to be done with dots(?) is you get a very interesting texture and tack the layers together very securely.
6" x 6"
linen sandwich, thinnest cotton batting
9 patch sampler
dots embroidered with 4 strands of cotton floss.
reversible
in process
continued here
the embroidery here is slow and deliberate and i thought what if i post a closer look at the stitching. there are many thoughts here. it is difficult to communicate the nature of a textile sometimes because the appreciation is in the feel of it and the detail is part of that.
first of all, i suggest clicking on the images to see them enlarged.
the indigo thread is incredible. i may be the only person on earth with this thread. it is a weaving yarn. plied using 2 shades of indigo. custom made by a mill i worked for. it abrades as you sew. the instant wearing in not of this world. i have worked the stitches closely, they are raised above the surface. 
varying the tone of a color theme adds an antiqued look. overemphasizing the fading idea. i may be getting in deep here but dyes fade differently and if you pick up an old worn textile you find unexpected colors. i feel it is important to understand this. and why it happens and the beauty of this variation is almost not reproducible. but. though food for further thought...blue is not just one color and so, (like baking cookies), substituting one blue for another or even a color close in the family creates a similar result with movement within a color theme and i feel this is very unexplored. i am exploring.
i am also intrigued by the direction of a stitch. filling an area with a stitch is often given character by the stitch itself, but the direction of the stitch will also give you variation and thus enhance the texture of a piece. there is a lot of emphasis put on the stitch. but in looking at primitive textiles, it is amazing to find pattern variations produced from the most simple and functional stitches. i tried using a simple split stitch moving in a spiral and i find this an amazing variation, simply because of the way the light reflects the direction.
it has me spinning.
and so i come back to another simple stitch, used to tack down a ragged edge. and because the thread is that fading indigo some bizarre ancient mosaic results. if i am ramblng here it is because i am very happy with the results of this piece and i am encouraged to break these thoughts down into smaller elements from now on.
(continuation of previous post)
a little red? a little red!
some progress, and a decision to add a few more favorite weaving threads ( jaspe, linen), and a question in my mind, what if, i mean can i handle covering the while surface or most of it with stitch? mini indigo suzani ?
i have some other things on my mind here too.
later.
even though this indigo yarn i have is very thick and was meant for weaving, i was wondering what if i use it in some solid embroidered areas? it actually abrades while sewing and there is a nice uneven fade out quality about it. i am using it together with some wonderful hand dyed thread. the greenish color i picked up somewhere and it fits into the indigo range so it looks like part of the fade. the yellow is hand dyed by wonderful sara.
part of a piece that will measure 5" x 12"
freehand pattern drawn in permanent marker on 4" cotton squares. pieced by machine. hand embroidery. (back stitch)
i used a very large eye needle to minimize abrasion. the thread is soft and doesn't hold up for long when stitching through tight fabric. i keep the thread short and that seem to help. worth every extra effort, lovely color ( better photo in next post) and texture effect. continued here
some progress from where i started here, i have added a 'dotted line = running stitch' concept and also i wondered what would happen if i create contrast between stitching and appliqué for the dot fillings. the different shades of indigo are working nicely here.
in process for side by side.
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