Day 74 : Grid

Day 74 : Grid

Another needlepoint button today, using some wonderful Italian thread that I was gifted many years ago. I only have a small amount left, having made a set of Death's head buttons for my leather jacket with it originally! The mould is a No 3 again, one of my favourite sizes to work with. I do like textural stitches, whether needlepoint or embroidery. 

Size: 27mm / 1 1⁄16" / 42L

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Day 73 : Helter Skelter

Day 73 : Helter Skelter

Named for the fairground slide that twists around, not chaotic! This is a little too ordered to be that. 

Yesterday I received a lovely parcel from Japan, with materials for a stitching technique (to rest my thumb) that is very similar to canvas work embroidery (needlepoint), and florentine stitch in particular. It is different, as the ground fabric is different - and it is very fine, more like petit point. It reminded me how much I love this type of embroidery and how I haven't done it recently. So, today's button uses half rhodes stitch. I love the texture this stitch creates. It will be some time before the very fine Japanese button is finished, but I have to say that I am already hooked :)

The yellow is perle No 8 while the purple is a hand painted No 12 perle from my stash. The mould is a No 3. 

Size: 29mm / 1 1⁄8" / 45L

Day 72 : No Man's Sun

Day 72: No Man's Sun

Today's button was a real experiment for me. I have never actually embroidered on faux leather and I am really happy with it. The faux leather is a good quality one as well, which has helped, it really does look like real leather. 

I'm really please with the experimental edge. I finished the button last night and it didn't look finished. It sat on the table while I worked on some braids and I mulled it over. I thought about covering a ring to add a frame, or even stitching along the edge, but neither method seems to suit, so I came up with this method that combines a bit of gathering and manipulation. The technique needs a bit of refinement, so here's full warning that you may well see it again!

So, faux leather and perle cotton No 12. I also used a No 4 mould.

Size: 34mm / 1 5⁄16" / 54L