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| my Illuminated Initial |
I first developed an interest in goldwork about three years ago when I saw some lovely pieces on display at my local embroidery shop. The entry point was a bumble bee class and I made this bee:
He's only 1.5 inches long and 2 inches wide, so is really quite tiny. At the moment he sits quite lonely in the centre of a big piece of silk because I intended to give him some friends, but of course other projects came along and he's remained lonely for three years now.
Once I'd made the bee, I was qualified to enrol in the next class I wanted to do - the goldwork initials. Perhaps I should have chosen a different initial and made a piece as a gift for someone else, but I chose 'W' and kept it for myself.
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| my framed initial |
The lady who created the designs was our tutor and taught us the skills needed to complete a piece like this. We also learnt long and short stitch because the flowers are made that way. Of course we could choose our own silk and threads, so I made mine in my traditional colour palette. This piece is framed now and I'm really thrilled with how it turned out.
The following year I went back for more and made a floral sampler. This time I tried to be quite different and I went for silver on a dark background. I love this piece too and it hangs in our bedroom.
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| Goldwork Floral Sampler |
I haven't done anymore goldwork since then, but I am very inspired by a book by Hazel Everett which has amazing designs in it, both for flowers and animals. Maybe one day ...
I'm linking up with Esther this week.
Just a reminder that the voting is now open in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. There are great quilts in every category and you can vote for your favourite 3 in each category. Just follow this link and click in the top right hand corner of the quilts you want to vote for. Have fun looking at all the amazing quilts that have been entered. Voting is opne until Saturday 8 Nov.
16 comments:
what amazing gold and silver work, I did tiny bit when I did my city and guilds course in the 90`s but that was as far as I got. Voted and found 2 of yours that got a big tick. Took half a day nearly going through all the entries but had a great and inspiring time
Each of these look amazing Wendy, stunning effects.
I love Show & Tell with all of your talents. They are just a masterful as your quilting! Keep-em coming!!!
Our local embroiderers' guild is walking distance from my house. (It is a long walk, but doable.) You are encouraging me to go there and expand my limited embroidery horizons! That tiny bee is darling!
what beautiful work! I love the initial and think you did the right thing stitching it for yourself, it's always nice to have some of your own work rather than give it all away. I have the book by Hazel Everett, it's gorgeous! I have a couple of goldwork kits that I really should get started on as I bought them in November last year!
They are beautiful, I particularly love the bee!
Wendy, your embroidery is lovely. I'm not familiar with the term "goldwork," though. Is it just that these designs have traditionally been worked in gold colored threads, or is there something else that distinguishes goldwork from other kinds of hand embroidery?
Your projects are gorgeous. That bee is soooo cute
Hi Rebecca. Goldwork uses specialised metallic threads and they are generally just laid on top of the fabric and couched down with very fine thread. There are some great photo's on Kathy Andrew's blog, The Unbroken Thread. http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2012/08/13/rsn-goldwork-finished-and-ready-for-assessment/
Wow..these are absolutely beautiful!
I love this goldwerk and you made beautiful pieces. I adore your bee!!
Love from Amsterdam
Beautiful! I am still a beginner in embroidery, I started with a squirrel!
I've taken a goldwork class myself so can really appreciate your lovely work Wendy! I found it very tricky working with the threads but do adore the look.
Thank you very much Maartje.
what a beautiful Bumble bee!!
Just come across your blog as I was looking for examples of goldwork - just love the little bee.
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