Autumn 2022: Google ended its email subscription service last year. I believe I've found a replacement, but haven't had time to test it. Given current demands on my time. I won't be posting again until I have a replacement. (I have been stitching a little bit and look forward to sharing my newest projects when the subscription service is active again.)

29 September 2017

Bullions are not my Bete Noire

Bullion stitches are beautiful. I have not had much occasion to use bullion stitches so I'm not that great at executing them.

It took a while for my left-handed brain to visualise how to make the stitch. I'm used to reversing right-handed stitch diagrams, but it took me a while to get a handle on bullions. Once I did things got a lot easier. I still require more practice, but I can make decent bullions.

A few years ago, I wanted to force myself to work on these stitches and found this little kit from Roseworks.

Elizabethan Window (by Roseworks): Project contents

The kit is called 'Elizabethan Window'. It's tiny (about 3" x 3") and very pretty. The kit consists of the silk screened design and basic instructions. The stitcher provides the threads.

There's a spray of yellow bullion roses over the upper right hand side of the window. I thought it would be a good way to try bullion roses.

You start with the window which is satin stitch covered with a trellis.

Elizabethan Window (by Roseworks): Embroidered window with trellis

Here's my first attempt at bullion roses. They're not horrible, but as I look at them with the benefit of hindsight I wish I could redo them. On the plus side, when seen in the context of the entire piece they look fine.

Elizabethan Window (by Roseworks): Bullion roses in yellow

The finished window.

Elizabethan Window (by Roseworks): Completed embroidered window surrounded by flowers

It was a lovely little kit and I very much enjoyed stitching it. I made a few small adjustments to the placement of the colours, but I mostly stitched it as designed.

Roseworks has many nice designs for surface embroiderers. This was my second Roseworks piece and I have a couple more in the stash awaiting attention.

References

2 comments :

  1. Bullions are one of those stitches aren't they! I don't mind working them, and have a good technique now, which is the big thing! I don't mind having pieces that aren't as good as what we could produce now, it's a good way to remember where we've come from

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    1. I agree. I used to cringe at the thought of bullions. Now they don't bother me. As for bullion roses, however, I know that I still don't have the layout of the roses settled in my brain. I have to be able to visualise the process and I haven't done enough of the roses for it to stick. I was glad to find this little kit so I could force myself to work on them.

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