Sunday, December 4, 2011

Satisfactory Sunday

Another Sunday, another embellishing technique.  Today I worked with wool beads and silk cocoons and mulberry paper flowers.

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First I prepared the background for the embellishments.  I used the fabric from last week’s needle felting and pieced it with a blue batik and practiced a couple different styles of quilting.

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Then it was time to play!   First I stitched wool balls/beads down in a (lopsided) circle.  I added some beads (which you can barely see) and I will be doing more beadwork on this.  There’s only so much time in a day!

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Then I used flower petals made of mulberry (I think) paper.  The directions called for individual petals, but I cut them from a flower I had.  Of course, then I stitched them back together as a flower.  Now that made sense!  This one has some sequins in the petals, but will probably get some more beading, too.

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For the needle-felted corner, I couched down a bow in gold cord I had threaded through the beads – also from last week.  I think you can guess what’s next . . . I want to add beads here, too!

 

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This one is my favorite.  I cut a couple of silk cocoons and flattened them out and stitched three large beads.    I soaked one cocoon in water first, but it did not seem to make much difference in how the material cuts and stitches.  Then I took a fourth bead and cupped it with the end piece of a cocoon.  With those four bugle beads, I think this one is perfect like it is.  Surprised you, didn’t I?

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And here is the full piece.  Yup, definitely needs more beads!  While I’m not in love with the wool beads, I would like to experiment with some smaller sizes and combine them with glass beads or sequins.  I will definitely play some more with the silk cocoons.  They have been showing up everywhere lately, but this was my first experience with them.

The flower petals?  I don’t know.  Maybe I should just keep the flower in one piece and use it that way.  Sure would be quicker.  LOL!

1 comment:

Annie said...

I love how you've been jumping in to all these techniques. This piece is so cool.

I think you should become a Bernina spokesperson!