Day 59 : Treillage

Day 59: Treillage

More embroidery today of course, this time a cotton ground with silk threads. The pink is a silk gimp I picked up a few years ago as you do. The green is Au ver a Soie Soie d'Alger, which is lovely to work with.  I've used a No 2 Mould. I've had a rotten time photographing it - the light is just rubbish today and I forgot to bring in my daylight bulb!

Size: 22mm / 14⁄16ths" / 34L

Day 58 : Minnie

Day 58: Minnie

Today's button is another embroidered one. The design is loosely based on an 18th century original, but it struck me that it would work nicely in shades of blue. I have a thing for blue and white pottery pieces - I always pick them up when I find them on walks. 

And the name? Well, one of my absolute earliest memories (and I must have been two or three) is of my Mom's friend, Minnie. I was sort of scared of her (I understand she was very tall) but boy was I totally fascinated with her dining room. It had blue and white china, with matching soft furnishings - chair covers, curtains - and wallpaper. I honestly wish I could see it as an adult actually. No doubt why I like little bits of blue & white!

Anyway, I have used stranded cotton, on cotton fabric and a No 4 mould.

Size: 32mm / 1 1⁄4" / 50L

Day 57: Retro Atomic

Day 57: Retro Atomic

Well, I have figured out the best type of button to make while my thumb is recovering. Embroidery. I am fortunate to have a floor stand with a clamp, so I can clamp in a hoop or a frame, and that means I don't need to use my left hand at all much beyond threading a needle. It takes a little longer than embroidering with both hands (I usually have one above and one below the fabric), but my thumb is, without doubt, being rested.

So, for the next few days, I'll be doing embroidery!

This had been stitched onto linen, and while the motif is usually worked all counted and even, I liked the idea of trying something more loose - as I drew it it reminded me of the mid-century modern designs, hence the name.

I've used perle cotton 12 - yes I do like perle cotton for embroidery too -it has a nice texture that adds something. It isn't suitable for all designs, but I do think that many people don't think to use it.

I've used a No 3 mould, and two layers of the linen between the embroidery and and mould to just soften it a bit.

Size: 26mm / just over 1" / 40L