Thursday 26 June 2014

The next step in the experiment...

You may recall that I recently started work on a cushion cover for the rocking chair in my conservatory and, that I had used a new (to me) technique called raw edge applique. Well, I have now added quite a lot of embroidery detail to my cushion cover and it is really starting to look how I want it to.



I have chain stitched all the flower stems, added the word 'Fleurs' (also in chain stitch) and scattered a few french knots here and there.  I chain stitched the body and antennae on the butterflies and the stamens in the flowers and then I outlined all the stitching and the applique shapes with running stitch.  All the embroidery was done through a layer of batting on the back of the cushion front, so it has quilted the two layers together.



Overall, I am pleased with how it is looking although, I keep feeling that the background is lacking a certain 'je ne sais quoi' .  I have tried adding all sorts of extra embroidery including lazy daisy flowers in cream silk thread to try and create a subtle effect and french knots but, I took them all out again as I didn't like them.



Then suddenly, it occurred to me that the perhaps the effect I am looking for could be achieved by some free motion quilting in the background to make the applique stand out more and, I would get to practise my FMQ stitching on a real project.



So far, I have stitched some more little samples of FMQ stippling which are looking quite neat but, I haven't summoned up the courage to stitch it on the actual cushion front yet!!  I'll report back here when I have!!

6 comments:

  1. It looks really lovely! I am sure your FMQ will be fine for the background -go for it!!

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    1. Thanks Janet! I have now tried the stippling but it didn't look very good so I'm in the process of unpicking.... not much fun!! But I think I'll try something else instead! :)

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  2. Ooh it's gorgeous! I love the 'fleurs' wording. The design stands out beautifully and the delicate design on the fabric really sets off the colours. Tres shabby chic! Alison xx

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    1. Thank you very much Alison. I do feel pleased with it so far but I did try the stippling in the background and I didn't like it, so I have just spent all evening picking it out. Tomorrow I am going to try a different background stitch! Thank you for visiting! xx


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  3. This is really beautiful Christine and personally I would be a bit nervous of background stippling, thinking it would overpower the subtlety of your lovely delicate work, and I see you've now unpicked - what a task that is!!! How about some cording around the edge of the cushion to finish it off - do you think that would bring it all together?
    I really admire the gorgeous work you've done here and hope you're feeling proud of it - you should be! xoJoy

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    1. Thank you Joy... it was a long task unpicking but I have tried a small section of the pebbles and that actually looks very nice, so I am going to try that today. Cording is a very good suggestion but I think that I will just bind the cushion with a fabric that pulls out the colours of the embroidery. I think that will do the trick! Thanks for your help, it is appreciated! xxx

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