Stumpwork thought

You can use just about anything for stumpwork. That's the beauty of it. My husband plays guitar, and I see no reason why the strings can't be used in some fashion. You just need to figure out *where*.

Dianne

Trust me, I've been looking at stumpwork and thinking "gee that looks like fun".

It is fun. You can use simple stitches to fill a leaf (rows and rows of stem stitch), or you can get fancier and work needlelace. Butterflies are satin stitched (or needlepainted if you will). Thistle is turkey work. Can't master needlelace for the calyx? There's always padded satin.

I recommend a simple stumpwork piece to anyone who wants to try something new. The results will give you a thrill.

Dianne

I second that emotion ;-)

Cutting close to covered wire shapes can be a bit nervewracking but if I can do it, anyone can.

Now that's an interesting comment. I've done all sorts of "cutting" on fine whitework, Schwalm, and Hardanger embroidery. Yes, those make me sit on a piece for a day or two until I get up the courage. But I've never felt the same about cutting the muslin around wires. Ya just snip the first little bit, hold the muslin tight and snip right around. Very easy. To me, anyway. I always wish all cutting was that easy. You do need very sharp scissors, which, of course, is the key to *all* cutting, be that dressmaking or fine embroidery.

Dianne

Nerve wracking was a bit strong ;-) If I had to cut into an expensive piece of linen, then I'd be a wreck.

It's possible/probable that I haven't been using the right ground fabric as I use whatever lightweight fabric I have on hand. After cutting, there's quite often a lot of little threads that keep appearing around the edge no matter how close I snip.

anne wrote: > Nerve wracking was a bit strong ;-) If I had to cut into an expensive

Try withdrawing threads for tucks on expensive Swiss batiste. When I'd embroider tiny tot yokes, I always basted the cutting lines, not wanting to rely on correct centering of the pattern after the embroidery is finished.

You probably used the right term (nerve wracking). There's a tremendous amount of time and effort that goes into the embroidery and it can all be down the tubes with one wrong snip. However, I've not felt that pang of angst doing stumpwork for some strange reason. But I certainly don't doubt the feeling!

I always wire muslin. If you tug tight as you cut, there should be little if any stray fibers left. But I find them, too. Part of the process. That's why ya need sharp scissors.

I do love stumpwork, and I admire those who have excellent control of needlelace because it can be used to such great advantage in this medium.

Dianne

I finally got back to the computer today to find this thread... How interesting, as I just posted my most recent stumpwork project on my blog! It's flat, as stumpwork goes, because it's intended to be used and I didn't want it hanging up on anything, but it's still stumpwork! If I were doing it as a free-form piece, I think I'd do one of the leaves loose and applied, and possibly two of the wings...

So Dianne, did you ever actually START that stumpwork casket we were talking about?

~Romilly "Cat fur? What cat fur? That's creative use of specialty fibers!" ~Me, RCTN 1994

Question for you: are the leaves totally embroidered or appliqued and then stitched? Reason I'm asking is that I love the way you've shaped the edges.

Second, no I've never started the casket, although it's on my must do list. I've just had other things in life get in my way.

Dianne