The traditions and culture of the people pass through the centuries through embroidered canvases. Embroidery is a fascinating activity that continues to be popular today. Embroidery, like love, suits all ages. Young and old are captivated by the process, the result of which amazes the imagination and pleases with incredible beauty. Embroidery is equal to painting - the possibilities of self-expression are not limited. And in modern terms, it is also a relaxing anti-stress activity. Perseverance and concentration will seem burdensome to many, but as soon as you make the first stitches, your thoughts change dramatically.
But few people know how many embroideries and techniques there are, about their richness and diversity:
- cross;
- ribbons;
- smooth surface;
- Italian Assisi;
- Richelieu;
- beads;
- in Brazilian;
- golden royal embroidery;
- soutache;
- handarger;
- diamond
Let's look at all types of embroidery in more detail.
Cross
Cross stitch is one of the oldest techniques, dating back to the origins of weaving. The coarse fabric was one color, and cross stitching made it more pleasing to the eye.
This technique is simple and straightforward. One evening is enough to learn how to embroider crosses. One caveat - it is important to sew stitches in one direction. The process is simple, but you will have to use the diagram and keep track. In the diagrams, the drawing is divided into squares (pixels). Schemes can be purchased and created independently on a PC. The canvas for work comes in different colors, and the size of the cells is different (i.e., as a result, the crosses will be large or very small - this is influenced by the chosen canvas). As for threads, you can use cotton, silk or wool. To add special highlights and mother-of-pearl to the picture, you can take floss with lurex.
Ribbons
The technique of embroidery with ribbons is at the peak of popularity today. But to call it new would be wrong - it has been known since ancient times, but the limited materials have led this type of embroidery to temporary oblivion. But modern needlewomen have revived this art. For embroidery, choose ribbons of various thicknesses made of satin, silk or delicate organza. The subjects are mostly floral. Flowers on canvases with ribbon embroidery seem alive. This technique looks unique on clothes.
Surface
Beautiful, spectacular, and, rightfully, the most picturesque embroidery - satin stitch. A needlewoman needs extraordinary experience to create a masterpiece. A voluminous pattern shimmering in different colors will decorate any textile. You don't need a diagram for this type of needlework. The contour drawing is applied to the working canvas, and its voids are filled with threads. Accuracy, a sense of color combinations and mastery of different types of seams are the most important tasks for the master.
Italian Assisi
Holbein stitch combined with a cross stitch is an Assisi technique that appeared in the Italian town of the same name. The work is done with threads of the same color using counted crosses (elongated or regular). The main difference between this technique is that it is not the pattern that is sewn up, but its background. This stylish and sophisticated technique has not lost its popularity among modern needlewomen, thanks to its simplicity. In addition, working with a single color thread speeds up the painstaking process of creating a masterpiece.
Richelieu
The cutwork technique is based on satin stitch embroidery. A distinctive feature is that only one color is used. The difficulty is punctures and cutting through the fabric according to the design, and further careful processing of the edges. The result of this work is very similar to lace - openwork, light and elegant.
Richelieu is not a complicated process, but it is labor-intensive. To begin with, the selected special pattern or design is transferred to the fabric (the lines must be straight, and future cuts must be correctly distributed - take this into account if you want to draw the design yourself). Next, each element is embroidered using stitches using the satin stitch technique. The final stage is cutting holes and finishing the edges. Clarity and confidence of movements is the key to an impeccable result.
Clothes decorated with elements embroidered using the cutwork technique look impeccable.
Beads
Freshwater pearls today have become an archaism. Instead, modern needlewomen have chosen glass beads - beads. Bead paintings are unique, magical canvases that will not leave anyone indifferent. The essence of the technique is to sew beads of a certain color to the canvas. Chaosity is inappropriate here, and therefore you will have to use patterns that are no different from patterns for cross stitch. Bead by bead, square by square - and soon you will get an incredibly beautiful result. Hand beading of handbags, wallets, and belts looks flawless and expensive. By the way, it is better to choose threads that are strong and match the color of the fabric.
In Brazilian
Brazil is famous not only for its carnival. The most exotic type of embroidery originated in the vastness of this country. The result of using the Brazilian embroidery technique is a three-dimensional pattern of elements. Each one is created from special twisted threads using a needle. Sometimes it seems that this is not embroidery at all, but an ornament crocheted with the finest crochet. The interweaving of artificial silk threads is revealed by intricate lace petals.
Golden royal embroidery
The name speaks for itself. And if today needlewomen work very carefully and scrupulously with metallized threads, then craftswomen in the eleventh century had to work with the thinnest and very fragile metal threads. Monastery embroiderers decorated velvet and woolen fabrics with magnificent gold patterns. Note that they had to work with pure gold. The fabric was not stitched with gold threads. Using other threads, thin wires of metal were sewn onto the fabric, creating intricate patterns. There is no need to talk about high demands on craftswomen.
Soutache
The principle of this embroidery is similar to gold embroidery. But the process is simplified by the fact that the decorative cord used in the technique is more pliable to work with. In addition, in the middle of such a cord there is a special groove through which it is sewn onto the canvas. The finished work is practical and does not require special care. This is why soutache embroidery is popular in clothing decoration.
Handarger
It turns out that such an outlandish word is used to describe the ornaments of Norwegian national costumes. The technique originates from Arab countries, but has gained particular popularity in the northern countries. Canvases using the handarger technique combine satin stitch and cross stitch. A geometrically correct pattern is obtained from uniform weaves and counted stitches. Externally, the handarger is similar to hemstitching, only openwork elements are used here in the center, and not along the edges of the product.
Diamond
This technique can easily be called mosaic. After all, the main thing is that a needle is not used here. Elements (colored rhinestones) are laid out on an adhesive base. The principle is similar to cross stitch or beadwork. It is better to varnish the finished canvas or hide it under glass. Such a mosaic is more of a decorative element that does not provide any practical use.
Basic rules for starting any embroidery
We've sorted out the techniques - with the naked eye you can see their similarities and cardinal differences.
But all techniques, without exception, have general rules:
- hoop - without them it is difficult to hold the fabric correctly and not lose tension (or, conversely, tighten the thread too much);
- embroidery needle;
- embroidery threads;
- for beginning needlewomen, it is better to choose a small plot;
- buy a ready-made set - it will make it easier to master the basics;
- excellent lighting (otherwise you risk being left not only without a masterpiece, but also without vision);
- even if you only have 15 minutes of free time, pick up the needle.
Each embroidered canvas is a work of art. The interior will be transformed, hundreds of ideas for gifts for family and friends will appear, there will be no time for sadness and longing. Handicraft is a world of colors and inexhaustible inspiration.
There are many types of needlework, but now embroidery is gaining particular popularity. Just as our great-grandmothers did centuries ago, so modern girls find peace and outlet in this difficult but exciting activity.
Embroidery as a type of needlework
What is embroidery? If you ask a young man about this, he will start telling you about a special machine that very quickly and efficiently applies the desired image to fabric using threads. And he will be right, but to truly understand what embroidery is, it is better to turn to older women or specialists in this field.
They will all unanimously say that embroidery is a special type of art that allows you to create beautiful patterns and ornaments on clothes, tablecloths, towels and other everyday things with your own hands. You can even embroider pictures that will decorate the walls of your home and create a cozy atmosphere.
Of course, many people think of hand embroidery as a relic of the past. However, even the world's leading designers are very partial to this handicraft. Thus, items from Versace, Prada, and Chanel are decorated with exquisite handmade embroidery.
Currently, cross stitch and satin stitch embroidery are especially popular. Handicraft stores offer a wide selection of embroidery kits, patterns and manuals.
How to cross stitch
Cross stitch technology is very simple. However, here, as in any business, you need perseverance and accuracy. First of all, you need to learn how to make stitches correctly. It is best to take a special fabric designed for embroidery. It is included in each set, or you can ask for a piece of the desired size to be cut for you. This fabric is divided into small squares, which greatly simplifies the work.
Cross stitch is quite easy to learn, even if you have never done this type of work before.
You can embroider a cross in various ways: from top to bottom, and vice versa, you can make the required number of stitches horizontally, and then go back, finishing the crosses.
In the first option, the stitches are made from the upper left corner to the lower right. You can carry out the manipulation in reverse order. The most important rule is to always work in the same direction.
Each cross consists of two stitches. It is very convenient to immediately complete the elements of one color scheme, and then proceed to the next components of the picture. If, following the pattern, you need to retreat several cells, then the thread is drawn from the wrong side. The next stitches are made in the same direction as the previous ones.
Even if, in theory, cross-stitching seems to you something complicated and difficult to do, don’t be discouraged. After all, you just have to start, and you will see that everything is much easier than it seems.
Cross stitch is an excellent training before mastering more difficult embroidery techniques. Let's look at one of these in more detail.
What is ribbon embroidery
Lovers of original decor will be delighted. Another interesting type of needlework is ribbon embroidery. This art first originated in Italy and later spread throughout the world.
Before you start embroidering with ribbons, you need to purchase the necessary material. Tapes vary in material and width. Silk ones are considered the highest quality; they look beautiful, and thanks to them you can make very small details. Satin and satin are a cheaper option; the pattern made with such ribbons looks impressive, and the details are very easy to make.
If you decide to use satin for embroidery, then it is advisable not to use wide ones, as the image may turn out rough and not very beautiful.
Ribbon embroidery is especially attractive if you use corrugated varieties with a width of 6 to 25 mm.
Technical requirements for work
The fabric must be dense enough so that the tapes are firmly attached and do not disturb the texture of the material. For the first time, you can purchase a kit and embroider according to the pattern. Having gained your skills and gained the necessary experience, try your hand at decorating ready-made clothes and accessories. Ribbon embroidery can enliven blouses, T-shirts, bags, gloves, towels, tablecloths and much more. You can embroider a picture; it will decorate your home or make a great gift.
In addition to the ribbons and fabric, you will need a needle with a wide eye and a lighter to process the cut ends of the ribbon (it is necessary to prevent the material from unraveling further). For convenience, hoops are usually used. If you are uncomfortable, you can refuse them.
What does ribbon embroidery mean? There are several, the simplest of which are considered straight or tape. It resembles regular sewing - the needle is brought out to the outside of the fabric, a stitch of the required length is made, and the needle is brought out to the wrong side. Stitches can be made of different lengths as required by the design. Make sure the tape lies flat. Only with the help of this stitch can you create a whole picture.
Mastering Japanese and twisted stitches
Another important type of seam is Japanese. Repeat everything as in the previous stitch, but before bringing the needle to the wrong side, thread it into the middle of the ribbon (possibly closer to one of the edges to make the stitch sharp).
With this stitch, ribbon embroidery acquires the ability to depict flower stems or a beautiful frame. This seam is very easy to make. Bring the ribbon to the front side in the place where you plan to end the stem, then twist the ribbon several times and bring it to the wrong side under the flower. You will get a beautiful “twisted” stem.
These are the basic stitches that you need to master in order to understand what ribbon embroidery is.
Don't be afraid to try yourself in mastering new embroidery techniques. After all, what is embroidery? This is primarily a manifestation of your creative abilities. Whether you become interested in cross stitch or prefer ribbons, the main thing is, don’t be afraid to start, and you will succeed.
Made from skins, this art has a long history. At different times, precious stones and pearls, beads and beads, coins, sequins, shells, and animal sinew, dyed or natural threads of hemp, flax, silk, cotton, hair and wool served as materials for embroidery. At all times, embroidery has reflected the ideas and artistic tastes of different peoples, showing their skill and national identity.
Before you start embroidering complex work, you need to be able to perform simple seams correctly and quickly. If they come easily to you, then in the future you will not have problems mastering any manual embroidery technique. Information taken from the site http://avemeri.by.ru
The simplest seams include contour seams - “forward needle”, stem, tambour, etc., as well as loop and “goat”, loops with attachments and “knots”. These stitches are usually made in many embroideries as auxiliary ones, for example: in the embroidery of stems and branches - a stem stitch, in the embroidery of flower cores - “knots”, “goat”, chain stitch, etc. All of them are simple and do not require special embroidery skills , but having mastered them, you can make more complex patterns. Beginner embroiderers can make these seams on a piece of fabric measuring 25x30 cm. It is better if this fabric has a clear, plain weave of threads (linen with lavsan, matting, plain linen). You can make these seams on canvas, but always in a hoop. For the convenience of making seams on dense fabric, 1-2 threads are pulled out of it for each seam and the seam is made along the trace of the pulled threads (the required number of threads will be easy to count). By making these seams, you can get good practice in positioning your hands when embroidering, threading the working thread into the needle, securing it to the fabric, etc. To make these seams, we recommend an embroidery needle No. 2 and floss threads in 6 folds.
Seam "forward needle"
(Fig. 1a). It is a series of stitches and passes of the same length. Fasten the thread to the right edge of the fabric, making a stitch of 5 mm (3-6 threads of fabric). After securing the thread, insert the needle into the point of the second puncture and pull it along with the loop to the wrong side. Having passed the same number of threads, prick the needle out to the front side and make a second stitch, etc. Seam stitches and gaps should be made of the same length and placed in the direction from right to left. On the wrong side of the fabric, stitches of the same length will be placed between the knit stitches. The stitch length may vary. So, in white satin stitch, this seam is used to outline the outline of the pattern, making stitches 1 to 2 mm long. In counted embroidery (set stitch), the stitches can be 3-4 mm long, and in patterns made entirely with this stitch, they can be 6-8 mm long. The seam can be made either by counting the threads or by drawing a contour; Place stitches in two (Fig. 1b) or more rows.
Seam "by the needle"
(Fig. 2) - a continuous row of stitches. By moving the needle from right to left, make the first stitch and skip of the same length, for example equal to 4 threads of fabric. To perform the second stitch, lay the thread from left to right. Insert the needle at the same point where the first stitch ends, and bring it out to the front side 4 threads of fabric to the left of the second stitch. This way the purl stitch will be twice as long as the knit stitch. When performing the third and all subsequent stitches, insert the needle at the point where the previous stitch ends. Seam stitches should be the same length.
This seam can be made with fabric gaps between stitches (Fig. 3). From right to left, make the first stitch on the fabric with a length of 4 threads. On the front side, prick the needle to the left of the first stitch by 8 threads and make a second stitch 4 threads long in the direction from left to right. The front side is the same as the “forward needle” seam, but the stitches are more convex and embossed. This method of making a seam is used in white satin stitch to make motifs with a scattered seam, as well as to make the contour of hand-drawn patterns.
Stem seam
(Fig. 4). They are used for embroidering contour patterns, stems and twigs, and stitching pattern motifs in embroidery called “Oryol spis”. When making a curved line (convex or concave), the needle is pricked from the side of the center of the circle, if we consider the curved line as part of a circle. The seam forms a continuous row of oblique stitches, tightly adjacent to each other. It can be done in the direction from left to right if you embroider with two hands, and in the direction away from you if you embroider with your right hand and hold the hoop with your left. Having made the first stitch on the fabric away from you, bring the needle and thread to the middle of the left side of the stitch, lay it towards you and press it to the fabric with the thumb of your left hand. When making the second stitch, make a puncture in the fabric above the first stitch, and bring the needle out in the middle of the second stitch on the left side. The seam is made by moving the needle towards you, laying the stitches away from you. Each new stitch goes forward half of the previous one. When making a stem seam, the working thread should always be on one side - right or left. You cannot change the direction of the thread during work, as this will disrupt the structure of the seam. All stitches must be the same size.
Lace seam
(Fig. 5). It is performed in two steps. First, in a straight line or along the contour of the pattern, you need to make “forward needle” stitches. The distance between stitches should be half the length of the stitch. Then bring a needle and thread (often a different color) under each stitch from top to bottom, without piercing the fabric. If you place a needle and thread under the stitches, either from top to bottom or from bottom to top, you will get a different type of seam (Fig. 5a).
Goat seam
(Fig. 6). This stitch is used to embroider small leaves, flower cores, etc. It is also used to embroider the entire pattern with an arbitrary contour. Even seam strips are used as a complement to large, complex embroideries, as well as to disguise seams when joining pieces of fabric. Stitches should be placed from left to right, making punctures in the fabric alternately along one and the other edge of the strip. The distance between the punctures should be the same. In the middle of the strip the stitches cross. Each new stitch lies on top of the previous one. When making a seam along a curved line (a circle in the cores of flowers, leaves, etc.), it is necessary to ensure that the distance between the punctures along the edge of the larger circle is longer than the distance between the punctures located along the edge of the smaller circle.
Loop stitch
(sometimes called an edge seam, because it is used to sew the edge of the fabric, Fig. 7). Fold the fabric to the wrong side to a width of 3-4 mm and baste it with thread to match the fabric. Make buttonhole stitches from left to right, placing them perpendicular to the edge of the fabric. Place the edge of the fabric on the index finger of your left hand and hold it with your thumb. For convenience, the opposite end of the fabric can be pressed against the table with a heavy object. Having made the first stitch on the fabric, move the needle towards you and lay the thread down, to the right and up from it, that is, in a loop. Insert the needle into the fabric, stepping back from the first stitch to the right, and stitch along the wrong side in the direction from top to bottom so that the loop of thread remains under the needle. Tighten the thread, make a third stitch, and so on. Seam stitches can be of different lengths. If the edge of the stitching mesh is hemmed with a buttonhole stitch (for example, in colored mesh), then the stitches are made 2-3 mm high and 2 threads of fabric are left between them. In embroidery, white satin stitch is used to sew scallops (the jagged edge of the collar), necklines, etc. In this case, the stitches, tightly adjacent to each other, are made at different heights, placing them in the shape of the scallop. The edge of small napkins, the bottom of an apron or towel are sewn with a buttonhole stitch. In this case, the stitches are made with thick colored threads. The stitch height can be from 8 to 10 mm, the distance between them is 3-4 mm.
Stitches can be of different lengths (Fig. 7a), grouped into 3 or more stitches (Fig. 7b). Sometimes the edge of the fabric is sewn twice with threads of different colors, for example red and blue. First, blue threads are used to sew seam stitches 8 mm high with a distance between stitches of 5 mm. Then, red threads are used to make stitches 4-6 mm high, placing them between blue stitches.
Chain stitch
(Fig. 8) is a continuous series of loops emerging from one another. The seam can be done either with or without a hoop. In both cases, the stitches must be performed by moving the needle towards you. When embroidering without a hoop, you need to make sure that the fabric does not tighten and that the seam loops have a rounded shape. If you embroider with a thread folded in half, then securing the thread to the fabric can be the first loop of a chain stitch. After fastening, lay the working thread in a loop in the direction from left to bottom to right, and insert the needle into the fabric in the middle of the first loop, at the point from which the thread came out to the front side of the fabric. Poke the needle 4-5 threads of fabric below the first loop so that the loop from the working thread is under the needle. This is how you embroider in a straight line, counting the same number of threads of fabric for each stitch.
The chain stitch can be made in the form of a zigzag strip (Fig. 8a). In this seam, the stitches on the wrong side and the loops on the front side will be located alternately to the left and to the right of the center line of the seam. The chain stitch is used to embroider stripes in other, more complex embroideries, and to sew around the cores of large flowers and pattern motifs in Olonets embroidery (Olonets script stitch). With this seam you can embroider floral patterns, stitching them along the contour and completely filling in the motifs of the pattern.
Loops and half-loops
A “attached” loop can be achieved by embroidering the first loop of the chain stitch, and instead of the second loop, make a small stitch, making a puncture in the fabric below the loop. These loops are used to embroider flowers and grass in patterns of white and colored satin stitch. The loops should be placed in a circle in the flower (Fig. 9) and inclined towards the stem in the grass (Fig. 9a).
The loops can be attached with two stitches. When making such loops (Fig. 9b), you should not tighten the working thread too much and make first one, then another attaching stitch. You need to make a loop even more freely from the working thread when making 3 attachments: first the middle one, then the outer ones.
Flower cores can be embroidered with half loops (Fig. 9c). To do this, the needle and thread should be pierced onto the front side of the fabric, and the working thread should be laid in a loop, as in a chain stitch, and a puncture should be made in the fabric, moving 5-6 mm to the right from the first puncture. Insert the needle in the middle of the distance between the punctures and below the puncture line by 5-6 mm. The length of the attachment stitch depends on the distance between the circumference of the core and the center of the flower and can reach up to 10 mm.
"Knots"
They are used to make the core of flowers or half a leaf in white satin stitch. Sometimes a flower embroidered with white satin stitch is trimmed along the contour with “knots”. Fasten the thread and bring it to the front side of the fabric along the contour line. With your left hand, pull the thread to the left. The needle must be held in a horizontal plane, pointing the sharp end to the left. Using a working thread, wrap the needle 1-2 times in the direction away from you and hold the thread with your left hand until the end of the seam (Fig. 10). With your right hand, pierce the fabric at a short distance from the place where the thread came to the surface of the fabric. Carefully pull the thread to the wrong side, pulling the resulting “knot” to the fabric (Fig. 10a). When making “knots”, you need to make sure that the needle does not hit the point of the first puncture, because in this case the “knot” together with the thread will easily pass to the wrong side. You need to prick the needle on the front side, retreating from the “knot” to the right 1.5-2 mm, and stick it next to the made “knot” in a circle until the entire core of the flower is filled. In colored satin stitch embroidery, “knots” are made with colored floss threads, sometimes in 4-6 or more folds, and the needle is wrapped 3-4 times. The size of the “knot” also depends on the thickness of the needle. To make the “knot” neat, you need to pull the thread with your left hand while your right hand pulls it to the wrong side.
Overlay grids
Used to fill a large embroidery area.
The overlay mesh is easy to make. First, vertical stitches of the required length are made, then horizontal ones. Places where the threads intersect are decorated with additional stitches; the number of stitches may vary.
Spread seams
They are seams arranged randomly, for example, stitches made in a checkerboard pattern look good. Spread stitches are a decorative type of embroidery stitches.
STITCH EMBROIDERY
Colored (Alexandrovskaya) surface
This satin stitch with floral patterns is used to decorate linen, blouses, tablecloths and other items. Sometimes the pattern is made in only one color. The pattern motifs are embroidered using double-sided satin stitch without covering, goat stitches, stem stitches, loops with attachments, and knots.
The satin stitches are arranged according to the shape of the motif: in flowers from the edge to the center (Fig. 11), in leaves - towards the middle, in the direction of the veins (Fig. 11a). Large leaves are embroidered using edge satin stitch (Fig. 12), making stitches of different lengths, small leaves are embroidered using satin stitch with an oblique direction of stitches or “goat”, grass is embroidered with a stem stitch and loops with attachments, the core of flowers is “knotted”.
When embroidering grass, you need to ensure that the leaf loops are positioned at an angle to the stem in the same way as the veins in the leaves, and the ends of each loop converge at one point (Fig. 13).
The goat seam in colored satin stitch patterns is performed in a more complex version. Its sequential execution is shown in Fig. 14. Leaves embroidered in this way acquire clearer and more convex outlines.
Rowan berries, blueberries and others are embroidered using satin stitch with straight stitches. In order for the berries to retain their shape, you need to sew them along the contour with a “needle forward” seam. Then perform satin stitches, covering the stitches along the outline. They begin to embroider the berry from the middle, the stitches are placed first to the right of the middle, then to the left.
Sometimes flower motifs are embroidered with threads of two tones. In this case, stitches of one color seem to flow into stitches of another color (Fig. 15). First, make the stitches of the first row, placing them from the edge to the center of the flower and making them of different lengths. This row should cover two-thirds of the length of the petal. Then stitches of the second row are made, laying them in the direction from the core of the flower to the edge and closing the gaps between the stitches of the first row. For such embroidery, it is recommended to take threads of two tones of the same color, for example: light blue and dark blue, yellow and orange, etc.
Rococo winding embroidery
As you know, Rococo is a style movement in European art of the first half of the 18th century. This style is characterized by a departure from life into the world of fantasy. Exquisite graceful and whimsical ornaments. A coiled seam or a coiled stitch is performed without a hoop. In a circle-shaped flower with straight petals running from the center of the circle to the edge, fasten the thread on the wrong side in the center of the circle. The needle and thread must be pricked around the circumference, the thread must be pulled to the front side to the end and a new puncture must be made from the center to the edge, but the needle must not be pricked out of the fabric (Fig. 17).
The fabric with the needle should be held in your left hand, and with your right hand you should wrap the end of the needle in the direction from left to right with a thread coming from the fabric. Holding the wound needle with the index and thumb of your left hand, carefully pull the needle and thread through the winding with your right hand. Then place it towards the center of the flower (Fig. 17a) and make a puncture from the center to the edge.
After tightening the thread, make a new puncture to make the second petal. It is difficult to transfer the pattern to the finished product. To carry it out, mark a place on the product and lay out stencils on it to make flowers in the form of circles. Stencils of different diameters can be cut out of cardboard. Circles should be outlined with a white pencil on dark fabrics and with a simple pencil on light fabrics and a dot should be placed in the center of the circle. The flower petals must be embroidered in this order: first placing them vertically and horizontally (along two diameters), then between them. Embroider one or more knots in the center of the flower. Using a simple pencil, draw a curved line to create the stem. It is embroidered using a stem stitch or a needle stitch. The leaves are embroidered with loops with attachments, placing them on both sides of the stem with an inclination towards it. Sometimes leaf-loops are grouped in threes in the form of paws and embroidered emerging from one point. Such paws can be placed on both sides of the flower. For embroidery you need woolen or synthetic bulky threads of different colors and a large needle with a long eye.
Graceful roses made using this technique differ from daisies in that the petals are not located in all directions, but are curled like rose petals. The figure shows the sequence of stitches, the number of which depends on the size of the rose and the thickness of the thread.
You can purchase everything you need for embroidery at "".
Many embroiderers use two methods: the “Danish method” and the “traditional”. It is recommended to embroider horizontal rows using the “Danish method”, and vertical rows using the traditional method. With these embroidery methods, the reverse side of the work is perfect.
"Traditional Method"
You finish the previous cross and start the next one (see picture):
"Danish method"
First, embroider half a cross and finish the crosses as you go back (see picture):
In most cases, both methods are used. For example, "Danish method" for most stitches and "traditional" for isolated cross stitches. In this case, all stitches on the reverse side of the work will be directed vertically.
The “traditional method” is good to use if you are embroidering through one fiber of the fabric - this will prevent the fabric from deforming.
Many people consider the Danish method to be faster, and there is less confusion with placement on the fabric when embroidering with this method.
Choose the method you like best or embroider in two ways to achieve the perfect backside (thanks Irina (I-Rina) for the prepared lessons!).
Skipping stitches
If there is a gap inside the line (no more than 3 stitches), then you can join the line by passing the thread diagonally under the fabric. The dotted line shows the passage of the thread along the wrong side:
Indentation inward
Outward indentation
The dotted line shows the passage of the thread along the wrong side. The arrow points to the beginning of the first cross.
Diagonal stitch
The arrow shows the direction of the stitching, the dotted line shows the passage of the thread along the wrong side.
Incomplete crosses
Incomplete crosses are ordinary crosses with missing parts. They are used to give the picture rounded shapes (3/4, 1/4), or to make the picture more airy (1/2).
Partial crosses (1/4 and 3/4) are much easier to make on counted fabrics than on canvas. To make an incomplete cross on the canvas, you need to pierce the middle of the square with a needle, which is easier to do with a thin needle (No. 26 or No. 28). In the case of linen, for example, this is not necessary, since the needle will easily pass between the fibers of the fabric, pushing them apart. 1/4 of the cross is made from the corner to the center.
3/4 crosses are usually done as follows: first 1/4 of the cross is embroidered, and then 1/2. Although sometimes, in order to achieve some effect, 1/2 of the cross is first embroidered and then 1/4. Note that this is one of those cases where the direction of the cross may not coincide with the direction of all the crosses.
Often in one square you need to embroider 3/4 of the cross in one color and 1/4 in another. There are times when the decision on which side to embroider which stitch is left up to the embroiderer. Here are some tips:
- If the pattern has a backstitch that divides these two incomplete crosses in half, then sew two 1/4 crosses and let the backstitch divide them in half.
- If the stitches belong to different objects in the painting, look at which one is in the foreground. Embroider it with a 3/4 stitch.
- When you get to this point, stitch 1/4 of the cross stitch first, whatever color you are stitching. When you embroider with the next color, sew 3/4 of a cross.
- Make two 3/4 crosses in one square.
- Sometimes you need to fill in some embroidery area with a 1/2 stitch. If there are no additional instructions, then the choice of the direction of these stitches is yours. Some intuitively embroider them as the first half of a full cross.
- Sometimes you need to look at the design and the direction of the stitches will become obvious. For example, if you are embroidering bird feathers, the stitches should go in the direction of the feathers.
Works made with one’s own hands using techniques that have a historical pedigree acquire a special flavor. Beads, ribbons, threads – that’s, in fact, all you need to plunge into the world of fine needlework.
The myth that embroidery is a complex, painstaking task, accessible to few, disappears as soon as you master the basics of any of the techniques. Most of them are based on techniques that are striking in their simplicity. Whatever types of embroidery you choose, rest assured that joining the ancient but living applied art is much easier than you think.
Types of hand embroidery
Nobody knows their exact number. You can create unique works using any materials - only your own imagination can limit your choice. It doesn’t matter what you choose as means of expression - the simplest floss or expensive beads, and even the subject: naive drawings or reproductions of paintings by great masters. Hand embroidery opens up unlimited scope for creativity and personal imagination - any of your work will be unique.
Types of hand embroidery are conventionally divided into two classes: the first is simpler, the second is a little more complex. But in any case, it is worth considering that it is better to master the skill with simple techniques and plots.
The simplest is the so-called “counted” type: cross stitch and some types of satin stitch. When working on them, count the “cells” of the canvas or warp threads, adhering in detail to a carefully calculated finished pattern. This is a great way to master the basics of craftsmanship, feel and practice needlework techniques, which are called “at your fingertips.”
The second type of hand embroidery, which is also not very complicated, but gives more scope for creativity, is free embroidery. To perform such work you will not need a diagram and accurate calculations. Only a contour drawing on a base or outline, which is filled with colorful stitches like pencil strokes. This work is carried out on the principle of children's “coloring”; this technique uses both a wide variety of threads and ribbons.
Embroidery: types of seams
Regardless of the complexity of the work or the chosen technique, the seams in this type of handicraft technique are the simplest. The secret is that the magnificent texture of the finished work is created due to the characteristics of the material; it and carefully worked out patterns create that very exclusive effect and handmade flavor. But the stitches that you will have to master are the simplest ones, accessible even to children.
“Forward the needle.” Having secured the thread on the wrong side, it is brought out to the front side, a stitch is made and again brought out to the wrong side. This seam is the main one for all types of embroidery; in different techniques, only its length is important.
The beads are sewn on with short, literally 2-3 millimeters, “forward needle” stitches, and for satin stitch the length varies depending on the characteristics of the given pattern. On the basis of this stitch, the most complex, at first glance, and exquisite knots, such as, for example, the French one, are “curled.”
“Back the needle.” The thread secured on the wrong side is brought to the front side and a stitch 5-7 millimeters long is made. Having brought the needle to the wrong side, step back the same length, bring it back to the front side and make a stitch in the opposite direction, ending it at the end point of the first stitch.
This stitch is used to secure threads on the wrong side and introduce new colors into the work; it is used to outline contours and fill in volumes.
These are the basic stitches on which literally all types of seams in embroidery are built, regardless of which technique you choose. The main thing is that the stitches lie exactly one to one.
Main types of cross stitch
This technique has no equal in its simplicity: just two stitches “backed needle” in a mirror image. This simple art was necessarily taught to the princesses of all the royal families of Europe for many centuries. This technique still retains a touch of elitism today; I use it to create elegant interior works – panels and paintings. It is no less interestingly revealed in the finishing of clothes - this trend is now just rising on fashion catwalks and promises to become a hit in the coming seasons.
There are several types of cross stitch, differing in the material used. The main and classic one is floss, in several folds. But you can use a variety of materials in this technique - from silk and acrylic to wool. The capabilities of the technique itself depend on the choice of source material; it opens up endless possibilities for creating works in a wide variety of styles.
It is not for nothing that this handicraft technique is considered the main and even “student” technique. It allows you to effortlessly learn how to hold a needle in your hands, practice basic techniques and see the composition of the finished work as a whole. But at the same time, this is a self-sufficient and very expressive type of needlework, which allows you to create individual and stylish works. Read more about the subtleties and nuances of this technique here: “Embroidery: light crosses.”
Types of satin embroidery
When needlework is called “graceful,” this is the technique that is primarily meant. It would seem that there is nothing complicated - stitches are like strokes, you don’t need to count the “cells” of the canvas and strictly follow the instructions and diagrams. Indeed, satin stitch is a free technique in which the most important thing is personal taste and the ability to combine colors as in professional painting.
The color of the threads and the ability to create a harmonious pattern with their help decide everything in this technique. Moreover, the list of possible materials is limited: only cotton or silk floss. Only they will provide a thin, light and elegant texture to the finished work. Occasionally, this technique is used to work with wool yarn.
But there is a type of satin stitch embroidery to which it owes the definition of “graceful” - this is linen stitch or the tone-on-tone embroidery technique. This is how handmade lace is created in ancient European traditions - the finest handwork and magnificence that will take your breath away. But the technique is based only on impeccable accuracy and a few simple techniques that can be mastered with desire and a little patience for the first experiments. Everything you need to know about this technique is here: “Satin stitch embroidery: simple secrets of craftsmanship.”
Types of ribbon embroidery
Do you like flowers? In all the splendor of their forms and tenderness of shades. If “yes,” then tapes are exactly the material that is worth getting to know better. Floral motifs and compositions are the main theme of any type of ribbon embroidery.
The technique for performing such work is not simple - it is very simple. You will have to master only two basic stitches, on which compositions of any complexity are built. Works made from silk ribbons look most elegant and noble. But the most popular, but no less expressive, and, importantly, affordable material is satin ribbons, presented in an unlimited assortment in any handicraft store.
This handicraft technique will appeal to those who do not like strict canons and rules. A bold combination of a variety of textures - from organza to silk - is welcome, as is playing with stitch sizes and ribbon widths. How you personally see the future flower is how you should embroider it.
Today, ribbons are actively used in the decoration of accessories - even the simplest models decorated with floral motifs look original, bold and very fresh. This technique opens up equally interesting possibilities in creating stylish things for interior decoration - from wall panels to bonbonnieres and boxes. You can find out where to start and how to achieve a professional level in this technique here: “Ribbon embroidery: splendor in simplicity.”
Types of bead embroidery
This technique is preferred by professionals. In it, you can really show off your ability to build magnificent color compositions. Beads are so expressive that even the simplest diagram or drawing, taken as the basis of the work, turns it into a small masterpiece. The fashion for beads has returned and strengthened on the wave of interest in the “vintage” style. Today, paintings and panels created using this technique decorate the most current and daring interiors, and a beaded handbag claims to be the most fashionable detail of a woman’s look.
The technique of bead embroidery of any kind does not promise anything complicated. A simple forward stitch and a desire to work with color combinations is all you need to get started with this technique. Despite its apparent complexity, it is surprisingly simple and easy to implement. It is rightly considered to be jewelry, but behind this definition lies the ability to accurately and accurately lay out miniature and simple stitches. The rest will be done by the beads themselves - a magnificent and noble material that creates a rich, rich texture in any work.
Experienced craftswomen, oddly enough, advise starting to work with beads not with miniatures, but immediately taking on serious work. The secret lies in the characteristics of the material itself; you can fully reveal its capabilities only by trying yourself in the implementation of a serious plan. This technique is indeed difficult, especially at first, to work with small details, so fantasy or abstract motifs with clear, easily readable contours will be the best option for mastering this technique. Details on how to get started and what you should know to reach the heights of mastery: “Bead embroidery: beauty with your own hands.”
Embroidery of any type and technique does not like fuss and haste. Creating unique works, and any of them is unique, brings not only pride in the magnificent finished work. The choice of design and pattern, technique and materials are the first steps into the mysterious, fascinating and open world of embroidery.
