Tudor and Stuart Goldwork Masterclass – More Gold!
More Goldwork On The Sampler
I’ve been doing more work on the metal thread embroidery on the Spot Sampler. The photograph shows (top to bottom) Braid Stitch, Cable Chain Stitch, and Heavy Chain Stitch.
I’ve used the real metal thread and the Japanese needle for all of them, which may have been a mistake. At the very least, the Japanese needle is a tool that I’ve not got to grips with, and which has had unanticipated side-effects on my technique!
As you can see, Heavy Chain Stitch worked beautifully. There are only a couple of places where the thread has broken and shows the core, and it has created a beautifully smooth and glimmering line.
With the Cable Chain Stitch, I think I need more practice in keeping the tension correct when using a “stab-stitch” technique, which is necessary because Japanese needles are short. This stitch is one of my favourites, but it was actually quite a struggle here, precisely because I couldn’t take up a piece of fabric on the needle as I usually do.
This was even more the case with the Braid Stitch. In fact it is worse than that. It wasn’t clear when I was stitching it, but now I see this section enlarged in the photo, it’s pretty clear that I’ve actually got myself into a dreadful tangle with a couple of my braid stitches. I need to pick up my practice cloth, fish out all my books, and try again. And yet I know I can work this stitch beautifully – I worked it on the logo for the Teddy Bear Cot Blanket, and for the Prince’s Bow on the Persian Fantasy!
It’s interesting which stitches trip us up. I did okay with the braid and cable, not so great with the heavy chain.
It’s nice to see the sampler filling in, isn’t it?
You are really tempting me to try Goldwork with all these samplers. Maybe if I only do a sampler?
Yeah -= I’ve done Braid Stitch without problems too. Needle and thread = problem, I’d say.
Do you intend to switch back to the ‘fake’ thread? At least for some of the stitches? That’s interesting – trying the various stitches in the fake and real thread, and seeing which works better.
I admire your patience 🙂
Your stitches are so perfect — wish I had that talent!
It all looks good to me! What is the Japanese needle?
I admire your patience and persistence with this project. I know it’s a lengthy project, but I would be terrified of working with real metal threads. So I’m glad I get to watch you work so hard and beautifully at this.