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Shadow Embroidery
Instructions - Illustrated
lessons
Complete illustrated instructions on learning this lovely, delicate craft as
well as a beginner's project are featured on this page. Enjoy!
Shadow embroidery is a technique that creates mysterious shadow
effect on the stitched cloth. It is also known as a Whitework
technique. Shadow embroidery is done on dress accessories,
children’s clothes, lingerie and household linens.
The procedure of making shadow embroidery may sound confusing for
the first time, but actually it is extremely easy-to-make. The stitch
is worked on sheer, transparent or firmly woven threads. For the
ground fabric you may choose whatever you like: viole, batiste, fine
linen or muslin, synthetic or sheer silk and so on. Ready made clothes
can also be embroidered with the shadow effect stitches. There are few
things you have to learn about shadow embroidery. Work double back
stitch on the right side of the fabric.
On the reverse side of the cloth will be gradually formed a
herringbone stitch. These herringbone stitches make for the shadow
effect. Another thing is closeness of the stitches. If the stitches
are close to one another, a deeper shadow is produced. If they are not
so close together, a lacy effect appears on the right side. Tiny
separate stitches follow the lace as an outline. Best for producing
shadow effect are silk or cotton yarns. You can also use one ply of
embroidery floss, and a number 7 or less crewel needle with a hoop.
Colours can be stronger if you add extra plies to the fibers. Here are
two examples of using shadow embroidery to create something beautiful.
1) How to embroider a flower using shadow stitches? Stems are made
with fine back chain stitches on the right side of the fabric. To
create the centre of the flower, around which the petals are, use
French knot clusters on the right side. Petals and leaves should have
an outline, filled up with shadow stitches. Use green for the colours
of stems and leaves. Petals can have any colour. You can add white
floss on the white canvas for some details and gain fantastic results.
When choosing a design, use transfer patterns or make up something
yours. Stitch on the wrong side of sheer material and examine the
effects of shadow embroidery on the right side.
2) How can you make a small pillow or a cushion using shadow
embroidery? To create a pillow you need the following materials:
number 7 or finer crewel needle, two 9 inch squares of sheer fabric,
plain muslin, embroidery hoop, embroidery floss, dressmaker’s carbon
paper or hot iron transfer pencil, one yard ruffled lace, matching
thread, and small quantity of polyester fiberfill.
The design you want to embroider has to be transferred on the wrong
side of the pillow top with the usage of hot iron transfer pencil.
Then it is time to put fabric in the embroidery hoop. If, for example,
you want to embroider a flower, follow the Number 1 suggestions, using
French knot for the centre and shadow stitching for the petals. Close
herringbone stitch is just perfect for making flowers. The ruffled
lace should be stitched around the perimeter of pillow top. With a
seam you should stitch together pillow top and bottom sides. Make sure
you leave one side unseamed for the pillow filler to place inside.
Trim the three sides and the corners. The muslin and polyester
fiberfill can serve as fillers. Sachets of potpourri can also be put
inside before seaming the fourth side of the pillow.
Before trying onto larger areas, practice shadow embroidery on
smaller surfaces, such as pockets, belts, hats and so on. Be careful
when using the iron for covering up minor creases on collars, belts
and other smaller areas. It may ruin the shadow embroidery.
Article by Robbie Darmona - Article writer http://www.robbiedarmona.com
For more information click Shadow
Embroidery
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robbie_Darmona
Shadow embroidery was developed as a Whitework
technique. A revival of this dainty stitch on dress accessories, infant’s
clothes, lingerie and household linens creates a delicate trim.
The stitch is worked on sheer, transparent or
firmly woven fabrics. Select organdy, voile, batiste, fine linen or muslin,
sheer silk or a synthetic for the ground fabric. Shadow stitch motifs may be
worked on ready-made clothing too.
Work double back stitch (Fig. 1) on right side
of fabric. This forms a close herringbone stitch (Fig. 1) on wrong or reverse
side of fabric. These stitches produce the shadow effect (Photos A and B above).
When stitches are worked close together, a
solid shadow appears through right side of fabric. Back stitch holes are shared
and create a continuous out-
line (Fig. 1). If stitches are not placed
close together, a "lacy" shadow effect appears on right side with a
distinct outline of tiny, separate stitches following design.
For fine detailing use one ply of embroidery floss with number
7 or finer crewel needle with a hoop or frame. Silk and cotton embroidery yarns
make best shadow effects. Additional plys will make colors stronger. Stems are
worked on right side of fabric in very fine back or chain stitches (Fig. 2).
Flower centers are worked in French knot clusters (Fig. 3) on
right side of design. Petals and leaves are filled in
with shadow stitch. Subtle effects occur when white floss is
used on white fabrics. Thread may be matched to background color. Greens may be
used for stems and leaves while flower petals may be stitched in colors. Shadow
embroidery works best on designs where petals and leaves do not overlap. Block
letters for monograms adapt to shadow stitch. Parallel lines in design aid in
structuring shadow effect. Check transfer patterns or sketch your own designs.
Choose a design, transfer to wrong side of sheer material and try shadow
embroidery!
Make a MINI PILLOW with shadow
embroidery.
To make a mini-pillow you will need two 9 inch
squares of sheer fabric, daisy design below, embroidery hoop, embroidery floss,
number 7 or finer crewel needle, dressmaker’s carbon paper or hot iron
transfer pencil, one yard ruffled lace or eyelet edging, matching thread, plain
muslin and small amount polyester fiberfill.
Using hot iron transfer pencil or dressmaker’s carbon paper,
transfer design to center of wrong side of pillow top.
With fabric in embroidery hoop, wrong
side facing, work petals in shadow stitch using 1 to 3 plies
matching embroidery floss. Use close herringbone stitch with
fine stitches sharing holes as stitches outline petals. On
right side work flower center in French knots.
Press finished work with right side
on terry towel.
Stitch ruffled lace or eyelet edging
around perimeter of pillow top. Using 1/2 inch seam, stitch pillow top and
bottom together. Be sure to include raw edge of ruffling and
leave one side open for pillow filler. Trim seams and
corners. Turn right side out. Press.
Make small pillow filler of plain muslin. Stuff with
polyester fiberfill. Place inside embroidered pillow. A small sachet of
potpourri may be put inside filler pillow. Close open edges with fine hemming
stitches.
Think small to large. Iron or press smaller details such as pockets, collars, belts, etc. first.
Then move to larger areas.
Use your iron sparingly when touching up wrinkles on pockets, cuffs,
collars and other details of your garment.
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