Needlepainting - plumaria embroidery

Needlepainting . . . the art of shading. Usually thought of in terms of
"silk on a silk ground", but just as lovely and exciting to do with
cotton threads on a cotton or finer linen ground - or even satin, and in
wools.

This is a technique that requires some "practise" and *some* proficiency
with satin stitching. To be truly "outstanding" (I haven't reached that
level, yet), you also have to be somewhat of an "artist" and understand
how one color blends into another.

But don't let that deter you, because some designs are simple, requiring
only two or three colors for very effective results.

If there is no one around you that can teach you, there are two books
out currently available that take you step-by-step. Stefania mentioned
earlier today about adding lines to help you keep the proper thread
direction. Both these books tell you the same thing. It is the "best"
method to get you stitching in the "right" direction and not fumble around.

There are basically two schools of thought on embroidery shading. The
first is Western thought, and the book which details it is called "Royal
School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques" with text by Sally Saunders.
ISBN 1-57488-269-4 Suggested Retail: $35 US

Second: Eastern thought, and the book detailing it is "Painting With a
Needle" by Young Yang Chung. ISBN 0-8109-4570-3 Suggested Retail:
$32.50 US

Both approach it differently and admonish you to do things "their" way.
Actually, I like the Eastern method(s) better, and the book shows an
intriguing way to begin the thread with a useful teeny knot. I've used
this knot, now that I know about it, in many situations other than
shaded embroideries. It was worth the price to learn it.

The Chung book focuses entirely on shaded embroideries, while the RSN
book has several types of embroidery, including goldwork, all
wonderfully examined and explained.

If this is out of your budget, try getting them at your local library.
Or, spread them around for birthday and Christmas "wish lists". grin

Dianne

Dianne,
You must have read my mind! I am interested in improving my shading skills (if
I EVER finish this counted work monster of mine) and wanted some real good
reference books to help me out!
Thanks for the info
Julie

I have to add another book to your list.

Embroideries from an English Garden
(Projects and tecniques in surface embroidery)
Carol Andrews
Ruth Bean Publishers

I've found it on http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au website.
And it was worth the money.

It's one of the best books I've ever read. It's 95% about long and
short stitch, plus some other surface stitches. The author, who's a
botanical painter as well as a skilled embroiderer, gives detailed
instructions about all the stitches used in the book, and they are the
most clear I've found so far. Starting the thread, stitching a
narrowing surface with long and short stitch, ....
She uses a padding under the long and short stitch, so that some parts
of the design stand out. I've bought it after seeing the cover image:
poppies, daisies and strawberries. You can see the shadow of the
embroidery on the fabric.

Now, I can't wait to finish the shadow stitch tablecloth I'm working
at and begin to experiment with padding.

Ciao, Stefania
--
L'angolo di Stefania
http://www.angolostefania.it
"Le cifre" - corso intensivo di ricamo a Novara: http://www.ilgiocodeifili.it

I may just have to put this book on my "wish list". Thanks, Stefania!

Padding is used in Eastern works, too, and it was so refreshing to see
how that was done. I've played with it, and it really, really makes
your work "different".

Dianne

Stefania Bressan wrote:

I have to add another book to your list.

Embroideries from an English Garden
(Projects and tecniques in surface embroidery)
Carol Andrews
Ruth Bean Publishers

I've found it on http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au website.
And it was worth the money.

It's one of the best books I've ever read. It's 95% about long and
short stitch, plus some other surface stitches. The author, who's a
botanical painter as well as a skilled embroiderer, gives detailed
instructions about all the stitches used in the book, and they are the
most clear I've found so far. Starting the thread, stitching a
narrowing surface with long and short stitch, ....
She uses a padding under the long and short stitch, so that some parts
of the design stand out. I've bought it after seeing the cover image:
poppies, daisies and strawberries. You can see the shadow of the
embroidery on the fabric.

Now, I can't wait to finish the shadow stitch tablecloth I'm working
at and begin to experiment with padding.

Ciao, Stefania

This is the perfect christmas book for myself. I get one every year and enjoy
it in the winter months that follow Christmas when things usually are quieter.
Last year my book was the works of Leon Conrad- "Elizabethan Elegance" that I
saved my pennies for --over $50 delivered to my door. For the first time in
years and years I never even had the opportunity of opening the book. I
ordered his specialty black threads which still entice me but was not able to
start anything. It was a move year and stress galore. Now I am working on
what I will "owe" all after this holiday --I won't be able to finish one quilt,
two cabled and slow sweaters, etc. but am "home" now and feel I can allow
myself a book again this year even though my tradition was shattered
momentarily. I gave away most of the Trish Burr Redoute' squares as I made a
moire quilt for daughter and husband as you all have heard my endlessly talk
about ! By the way,, moire is not made any more as the textile factory closed
here on the east coast so moire no more for America. Do you have watered silk
in the UK? I was told it was our own concoction. This book is right up my
alley. I love botanicals that are original in form. I had a great great time
with the surface work of Trish Burr but it is not for the novice as I came up
with my own stitches to embellish mostly. The patterns were excellent however
for creative use and moore surface work is ideal for me. I love it. thanks for
the book review--like to hear even more about it ! kindred spirit barbie


Embroideries from an English Garden
(Projects and tecniques in surface embroidery)
Carol Andrews
Ruth Bean Publishers

I've found it on http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au website.
And it was worth the money.

It's one of the best books I've ever read. It's 95% about long and
short stitch, plus some other surface stitches. The author, who's a
botanical painter as well as a skilled embroiderer, gives detailed
instructions about all the stitches used in the book, and they are the
most clear I've found so far. Starting the thread, stitching a
narrowing surface with long and short stitch, ....
She uses a padding under the long and short stitch, so that some parts
of the design stand out. I've bought it after seeing the cover image:
poppies, daisies and strawberries. You can see the shadow of the
embroidery on the fabric.

Now, I can't wait to finish the shadow stitch tablecloth I'm working
at and begin to experiment with padding.

Ciao, Stefania

BTW--you were lucky to find this book, Stefania. Amazon shows it as out of
print,.

Embroideries from an English Garde

On 10 Dec 2003 10:31:08 GMT, BDS2pds wrote:

BTW--you were lucky to find this book, Stefania. Amazon shows it as out of
print,.

Embroideries from an English Garde


Yesterday evening I've seen it listed on Lacis.
Ciao, Stefania
--
L'angolo di Stefania
http://www.angolostefania.it
"Le cifre" - corso intensivo di ricamo a Novara: http://www.ilgiocodeifili.it