You live and learn, part 1

First of all, I’m afraid that July’s free design will be postponed for a week. I’ll get it out soon but I need to make a few changes to it before I make it available

A couple of weeks ago I was describing a method of doing appliquees using a thin overall fill stitch over most of the fabric instead of using the usual fat satin stitch around the edges. I said that I was thinking of going back and re-doing a lot of my old applique designs that way, and here’s the first example. At the moment I’m working on a large panel of several doves sitting outside an old-fashioned dovecote, and at first I appliqueed the doves in the old-fashioned way.

 

An old-fashioned dove

 

But it was just SO clunky and crude that I ditched the original panel and experimented with doing the doves in the new way, with the fabric entirely overstitched with thin stitching

 

A new-fashioned dove

It is so much better that all the wasted work of the first version didn’t bother me. And yes, I know that the second version also has some detailing of the feathers that wasn’t in the first one, and that’s an interesting story too. I wanted the detailing to be very faint and pale, so I stitched it in white thread. But that was TOO faint and pale – you could hardly see it. So I tried a pale grey, but that was too dark. So I left the grey thread there and just stitched over it in white thread, and the white and grey combined to give just the effect I wanted. I might play around with this technique again – that is, stitching something twice, using a different colour each time

Anyway, here's the final dovecote panel, with all the doves done in the new way

Doves at Douneside (a local hotel)
 

Some people might ask, why bother with applique? If you’re going to cover the whole thing with stitching, why not do the whole thing in embroidery in the first place and not bother with the fabric? That’s a good question, and there are a couple of answers. In the first place, the appearance of the overstitched applique is different. It lies flatter than embroidery, but all the same it has a subtle three-dimensional effect, and no matter how large the area it covers, it doesn’t buckle. But more important from my point of view, is that the combination of fabric and overstitching can give a very effective, subtle patterning to the design. It’s true that you can’t see it in this example, because it’s white stitching over white fabric, but if the fabric was patterned it would look very different from embroidery alone

 

 

Comments

[Chantal]

I'm very interesting by the applique
I like your second dove
Thank for this

[Barbara Clemmensen]

The doves are very elegant.

[ram bou]

The doves in your second technique are very elegant. Love them. thanks for showing hem and explaining how you did it.

[Lisa Cox]

I think the word elegant comes up in the comments so often because it's a perfect fit. Your second dove reminds me of fine white gloves at an afternoon tea party. She just oozes class.
:-)

I agree that applique fabrics add a subtly different look than when using all embroidery. For one thing, you can change the background color dramatically. If you use a lighter applique fabric over a dark background fabric, the eye is automatically drawn to that lighter area.

I applaud your experimentation, and THANKS! for sharing the results with us. I love your blog. It's a great resource for beginning embroiderers.

[Deena]

Love the overstitching, by eliminating the satin stitch on the first applique you have softened the look of the doves. They certainly look more realistic like many release doves at weddings or special gatherings. Thanks for sharing and your dedication to reworking an older piece for us.

[Ceil]

The new doves are fantastic! I love how you're always trying to improve your techniques, and this one is a big leap forward. Congratulations!

[Linda Hudson]

Your techniques are outstanding! Thanks for working so hard to achieve such lovely designs!

[ly]

As I already told you in an email, I really loved this idea of applique and hope others will be inspired to do it as well! Yes, I would love to have this design... Thanks for all your beautiful work and sharing them with all of us.

[ram bou]

Love your doves and would love to have this one. Thank you so much for your generosity.

[Bj]

I like this design also...But the 1st one is my fav..its more realistic

[Wanda]

I would love to have your free dove design.

Thank You!

[Cathy]

I would love to have that beautiful dove and all the other monthly designs if possible. They are beautiful.

[Shirley Inman]

I would love to have the design for the dove.

[Marsha]

Would love to have any of your doves...I think they're lovely. Thank you!

[Joyce Miller]

Your dove is beautiful and I would be pleased to have it. I enjoy your blog very much and appreciate you sharing your work and creative thought processes. Your designs are all outstanding!!!!

[Deidre Gee]

Oh please, may I have this delightful design. It is amazing. Thanks.

[Gail Beam]

Love your dove and the stitching pattern that you used on the applique fabric. You always have such unique and creative ideas and this is exemplified in your new applique method. Would love to have your new applique dove design! Thanks!!
Gail

[Robbie Lloyd]

would love this months free design, if I am not too late

[Mary Birenbaum]

What an interesting technique! I want to try it!

[Linda]

I would love your Dove for this month. thanks for making it available.

[roeschen2550]

Hallo, diese Taube sieht wunderschön aus und es ist eine sehr interessante Technik die du verwendest.

[Linda]

I don't know if I'm too late for this, but I love your dove, and would be grateful if I could try this for myself.