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.
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.
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.
The finished window.
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.
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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
ReplyDeleteI 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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