Embellishing The Circles Skirt – Part Three

Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch

Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch

Naturally some of the threads I chose to use were from my extensive stash of variegated and over-dyed yarns. The Spanish knotted feather stitch running around the edge here is stitched using one of Stef Francis’s pearl cotton type yarns. This one has very little sheen, unlike the more standard pearl cottons, but the colour change brings up the texture of the stitch beautifully. I think this is the first time I’ve ever used that stitch, and I really enjoyed it.

Spiral Of Ladder Chain

Spiral Of Ladder Chain

I realised that I had fallen somewhat into the trap of stitching around the edges of the circles, and wanted to create some sort of variation, so when it came to the pinky circle, I added a layer of widely-spaced burden stitch to alter the colour and effect a little. Then I used ladder chain stitch to join that circle to another.

I continued the Ladder Chain across the skirt fabric and around the rim of another circle, spiralling around it and then into the centre.

Glove Stitch And Daisies

Glove Stitch And Daisies

More daisies, this time on one of the smallest circles. I may add to the grouping in due course, but for now, there are just the three pinkish ones with dark centres, one of them falling off the edge of the circle.

The shiny rayon in stormy colours around the edge of the other circle is glove stitch. It was surprisingly hard to bend the stitch around the circle. I expected it would be easier, since with a name like “Glove Stitch” you would expect the stitch to be intended to run around fingertips, which are much more tightly curved than this circle!

15 Comments

  1. Lady Fi says:

    Yes – this is looking great!

  2. Janice says:

    Yes, I really like the daisies, falling off the edge of the circle, and also the spiral joining two of the circles. I know that you will develop lots more of these ‘organic’ details as you progress. It’s looking beautiful.

  3. Penny says:

    These are wonderful. I really, really like the Spanish knotted feather stitch.

  4. karen says:

    I do love those daisies….

  5. Cynthia says:

    It’s coming along beautifully! But will it be washable?

  6. deanna7trees says:

    especially love the feather stitch and the daisies. it’s coming along beautifully. so many decisions to make.

  7. Looking forward to seeing this one for real in November….=)

  8. Jules says:

    Super – I especially love the daisies and also the ladder chain, which is very structural, but flows so organically.

  9. coral-seas says:

    You keep coming up with interesting stitches that are new to me. I really like the texture of Spanish knotted feather stitch. I may be more familiar with the stitches in the daisies but they are no less pleasing, I like that they are not confined by the circle.

  10. Andy LW says:

    I think you have converted us all to loving Spanish knotted feather stitch! Maybe you could also use triangular buttonhole stitch that Sharon showed us on Pintangle a short time ago. The whole thing is looking fabulous – what comments you will get when wearing it!

  11. I don’t think you should wear this – I think it should be displayed in an art gallery!!

  12. Carolyn says:

    I love your stitching and the use of over dyed threads but I think this piece will have to be dry cleaned. I have had some rather disappointing experiences when I washed embroidery using these thread. (Mine were also from Stef Francis.)

  13. Janine says:

    I love that you are thinking outside the box and mixing it up a bit! The daisies are beautiful. And I had never heard of the glove stitch. I’ll have to look that up! Beautiful stitching!

  14. Terrie says:

    The more I read your posts the more I like stitches and embroidery. I’ve just done a little thing with your inspiration. You’re great !

  15. Gorgeous! I just can’t wait to see how this looks when you’ve finished all your embellishments 😀 Are you still aiming to leave it in a “wearable” state each time you pause from working on it?