I'm sharing photos I took in Kentucky at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). Owen is showing how to cover the wires using a buttonhole stitch.
The wires are anchored with tape, and and then using a tapestry needle and three strands of floss, the proscribed length of wire is covered with buttonhole stitch.
This photo shows how the stitches build along the wire, which is continued only until enough wire is covered to outline the corresponding wing part. I'll share that process next.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Hi Marilyn-
Delete"Wow" is right. I'm so glad I learned this technique from Owen. I love everything about stumpwork...and I admit, I still learn new things about it all the time. The Monarch will be fun to revisit this particular technique.
xo
Donna
Oh my, such a process! In the pictures, what is the shiny clear material on top of everything?
ReplyDeleteHi Lois-
DeleteThere are more than a few steps to the butterflies, and this is done to hide the typical white or green paper-covered wires. The shiny material is just a laminate over the paper where Owen drew lines to the measurements needed to cover enough wings for the red spotted purple butterfly. The lamination made it possible to tape down our wires to secure them while we covered them...and then be able to use the pattern again for future projects. He included these laminated sheets in our class kits.
xo
Donna
Well, I just learned something! I would never have guessed that the wires were done separately and covered with buttonhole stitch.
ReplyDeleteHi MA-
DeleteUsually you can only find the 30 ga. Paper-covered wires as florist supplies. They're covered with white or green paper...not compatible with the colors for stumpwork projects, like these butterflies or flowers. Even things like leaves aren't the correct shade or green, so the first step is to use the buttonhole stitch with three strands of cotton or silk floss in the color needed for the piece. It's time consuming but worth the effect.
Glad to share what I've learned.
xo
Donna
This is a process. It always amazes me as to how and why some one had a vision for all of these
ReplyDeleteintricate types of needlework. But I'm very glad they did.
Enjoy the weekend.
Shirley
Hi Shirley-
DeleteI'm also glad that someone came up with the technique...and someone taught it to me. I'm happy to pass along my knowledge to others.
Happy Weekend, dear.
xo
Donna