Stumpwork embroidery takes hand embroidery one step further by employing padding and wire to produce three-dimensional effects that look lifelike.
Whitework embroidery techniques like whitework and goldwork, using stitches like bullion knots, woven wheel stitch and buttonhole scallops are often integrated.
Embroidery Stitches
Embroidery can be an enjoyable creative outlet, yet when working on your own project it can be challenging to select an embroidery design that will bring about optimal results. A clear vision for your embroidery can help get things underway quickly and create something you will enjoy stitching for years. Whether you are just starting out or an experienced embroiderer here are some tips that will ensure success when planning and designing embroidery projects.
Selecting the appropriate stitches for your design is essential. While there are countless embroidery stitches, most can be divided into a few groups based on appearance: satin stitch, running stitch, stem stitch and backstitch are suitable for filling in areas or shapes (for instance). Others may be combined together into clusters to form texture flowers (french knots, bullion knots or lazy daisy stitch), decorative borders (lady’s lace or chain stitch).
As part of designing your pattern, it’s also essential to take note of how your stitches will be laid out. For instance, if your design features many curves, starting by stitching around the outside will allow your design to appear more natural while covering mistakes with ease.
Another useful tip is to switch between long and short stitches when possible; this will give you greater control of your embroidery, and create a more polished result. Alternatively, multiple short stitches may give more uniform results.
When embroidering fabric, it’s best to use minimal thread to avoid creating bulk that distorts its appearance. Furthermore, for professional results it’s important to limit loose ends as having too many will make their presence known on your finished piece.
If you are new to embroidery, it is recommended that you practice on scrap pieces before working on your final piece. This will give you an understanding of how each stitch works together with one another and will enable you to better comprehend the process. A hoop should also be used while working to keep fabric taut; doing this will prevent distorting or saggying as you stitch.
Raised Stitches
Raised stitch is an impressive embroidery technique with minimal effort required, often used to add flower stems and veins in leaves. Composed of straight stitches positioned along an undulating curve on fabric backings, raised stitch is easy and only requires limited techniques to master.
Start by laying thread on the surface of your embroidery fabric. Next, use an embroidery needle (commonly known as a crewel needle) with a long eye that will fit through it without leaving a visible hole in the fabric, pulling through thread without creating visible holes and leaving loops of floss on its surface. Take one side of your newly created outline and make another straight stitch of equal length before moving along your design lines, spacing each stitch evenly along its path.
Once you understand the fundamentals, experiment with creating some freestanding pieces. Here you will witness firsthand the distinct difference between flat and raised embroidery as these dimensional elements stand out more vividly.
For an easy way to add depth and dimension to your designs, couching wire along the edge of fabric before embroidering may help give them three-dimensional form. This technique can also be applied to freestanding shapes like flower petals and leaf veins.
Combining split back stitch with herringbone stitch can also produce an interesting raised effect, creating a texture suitable for following curves or filling in shapes in your project. Furthermore, working herringbone stitches differently (called fishbone stitch ) creates an appealing visual. Fishbone stitches work particularly well at filling in heart shapes or outlining petal or leaf shapes.
Wired Shapes
Stumpwork embroidery is an advanced stitchery technique which utilizes padding and wires to produce three-dimensional embroideries, often embellished with beads, silk ribbons or other materials for an added dimension. Additionally, this method can also create raised monograms and lettering for clothing or home decor items; in this tutorial we will focus on adding “slipped” elements as an exciting dynamic element into your designs.
To create wired elements you will require several basic supplies. For the easiest form of wired shape you may only require thin floral wire, darning needle, and 6-strand floss thread; wire cutters or needle nosed pliers may come in handy for shaping and cutting wire. A size 16 chenille needle will allow you to insert and secure wires to fabric.
First, sketch your design onto paper using your desired shape as a guide. When satisfied, transfer it to embroidery fabric and stitch over it using back stitches securing it to secure its position. Next step should be cutting and shaping wire into your desired form; thinner wire (30 gauge) can be more easily managed by hand, and cut with regular scissors; however, using a darning needle, poke the wire through fabric then couch it down using one strand of floss will also work nicely.
Once you have formed your wire, tack it to fabric by running tiny stab stitches around it or use any stitch of choice over its wired area to connect it with the surface of embroidery. Also be sure to cut away any extra wire, leaving a tail of approximately one or two inches for attaching the wired shape securely to main embroidery fabric.
Use this simple and straightforward technique to craft beautiful decorative elements that add depth and dimension to your embroidery. Use this as an added finishing touch on special gifts, clothing or even yourself; the possibilities are limitless!
Fabrics
Embroidery is an intricate craft used to embellish clothing, accessories and household items. Its use ranges from decorating clothing and household items with intricate and imaginative projects that utilize texture – like flowers, wings or leaves – to intricate and exquisite stitchery works such as flowers. While these intricate works of embroidery may look lovely on finished products, mastering them may prove challenging; thankfully there are ways you can design embroidery patterns easier for beginner stitchers to stitch.
Before beginning an embroidery pattern, it’s essential to select an appropriate fabric. While durable canvas or cloth may work for beginning embroiderers, embroidery fabric offers an easier learning experience with its preprinted lines on its reverse side guiding stitches. You will also require an embroidery hoop between four and six inches wide as a “holder.”
Create your own hand-drawn embroidery patterns using water-soluble pens by sketching directly on fabric with them or drawing your design on lightweight trace paper and pinning it directly to fabric before stitching through both layers. Or scan and turn original sketches into embroidery designs using digital illustration software like Adobe Illustrator; this software converts vector images to files your embroidery machine can read while providing you with an easily scalable pattern to work on.
If you’re in search of embroidery patterns ready to use, there are various resources online and in print available to you. Embroidery magazines provide great inspiration with detailed line drawings that can easily be traced, while there are websites and blogs dedicated to sharing free beginner-friendly patterns (Hope & Hart has an excellent blog featuring such content for embroiderers just starting out).
Stumpwork embroidery dates back to 17th-century England. Also known as raised work, this decorative and imaginative stitch technique uses various stitches to add depth and texture to fabric pieces. Common examples include floral and foliate elements as well as animals, birds, religious symbols or biblical scenes – typically including floral arrangements with leaves or stems; animals or birds as well as religious symbols or biblical scenes. As well as traditional stitches used for stumpwork embroidery designs, padding or “stump” techniques often used such as shaping fabric, felt or wire into shape before covering them in embroidery stitches before covering them over.