21 January 2014

Silk Shading

Elizabeth over at Sew in Love has organised a Needlequest for 2014, each month will focus on a different embroidery technique or a theme. I have decided to join in and will try to keep up! The topic for January is Needlepainting/Silk Shading. I am still a beginner in this technique and could definitely use the practice, I have attended a couple of day classes at the RSN when we worked on floral designs...
I also did some silk shaded leaves on my recent swan piece...
and the crewelwork Robin...
One thing I have discovered is that silk shading is much easier when worked in crewel wool, the fibres naturally want to cling together and it is much easier to achieve a blend of the colours. I decided however that I really want to master the stitch with silks/cottons and so have started a little project just for Needlequest. I am embroidering over the pattern printed on some quilting cotton fabric; I have backed the piece with calico to take the weight of the embroidery and plan to use it as a padded box lid once I have finished. I have enough fabric leftover to line the box.
It is a very time consuming technique, but one I am determined to get the hang of!

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13 comments:

  1. Wendy21/1/14 12:55

    wow! Your work is beautiful. I love that robin, it's so unusual and gorgeous. I'm quite jealous of the RSN courses! I really would love to do one one day. I think you are right about silk shading being easier in crewel, that's what I'm doing as my Needlequest challenge! I am a beginner though... maybe next year I'll try it in silk.

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  2. Karen - Quilts...etc.21/1/14 13:45

    I like your embroidery over the pattern on the fabric bird - lovely!

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  3. Renee21/1/14 14:52

    Your work is beautiful! I love your swan piece.

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  4. Elizabeth Braun21/1/14 15:07

    That's a great idea, one I hadn't thought of, well done! It's coming along very nicely too.=)

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  5. Margaret21/1/14 17:35

    Wow, I love how you are using that quilting fabric to try out the technique. So gorgeous!

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  6. Corina22/1/14 06:51

    you certainly get the hang of it, gorgeous work!

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  7. Plum Cox22/1/14 10:24

    What a great idea, using the pattern as a ground for your stitching like that. Absolutely amazing stitching - those wings look absolutely wonderful! How many different colours have you used on them to get that shading?

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  8. Carole~Quilter on the hill22/1/14 10:34

    Wow! Such a clever idea to embroider directly onto the printed fabric! I'm going to enjoy following your progress - all the best for Needlequest.

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  9. Bunny22/1/14 23:12

    Love that work and I do wNt to learn stump work. Thanks for link
    Bunny

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  10. Heritage Hall23/1/14 16:10

    This idea was offered by Marnie Ritter a few years back and called Embellishment.
    It is such a satisfying way to complete a work by adding stitches to an existing design. Yours is beautiful...Where did you find the box? Under instead of around the top is nice way to complete it.

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  11. Wendy23/1/14 20:17

    what a great idea to learn how to do this stitch...it is going to be beautiful when you finish...

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  12. Jo who can't think of a clever nickname31/1/14 13:09

    This is a beautiful technique, especially for the birds. Your stitching is so neat!!

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  13. liniecat14/2/14 17:17

    Loving the robin! was he in Stitch or Workbox?
    You've done it great justice where ever it was : 0

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