Original floral design with over 30 models
Ribbon Embroidery Di van Niekerk’s
& Stumpwork
NEW EDITION
The new edition of this best-selling book, first published in 2004, is a must have for all lovers of ribbon embroidery and stumpwork. It is suitable for first-time embroiderers as well as those who wish to brush up on certain techniques. In addition to modified text to suit techniques and materials available on the market today, the names and colours of the threads and ribbons used in the design have been updated. Also included are lots of new photographs and a revamped layout.
The book remains unique in its combination of ribbon embroidery and stumpwork. The 12 panels are each individually explained with step-by-step photographs and instructions, including a comprehensive guide to all the needles, thread and ribbons required. There are over 30 models to learn from, making this the ideal book for anyone wishing to learn how to make many different flowers, leaves and little creatures in a gorgeous flower sampler. A comprehensive stitch glossary with illustrations of more than 40 stitches is an excellent reference that can be used for much more than just the book sampler.
The interesting techniques in this book can also be used for crazy patchwork, quilts, fibre arts, card making, box lids and enhancing knitted and felted backgrounds or clothing and accessories.
Di van Niekerk, author of 10 books on embroidery, is a
professional fibre arts teacher and designer and has her
own range of silk and organza ribbon and printed panels for
embroidery that are exported worldwide. Her best-selling
books have been translated into many languages. Her
mission is to teach silk ribbon embroidery, integrating it with
other crafts such as card making, jewellery making, knitting,
crazy quilting, fibre art and dress design and to show just
how easy, enjoyable and rewarding this hobby really is.
METZ PRESSwww.metzpress .co.za
1
2
3
5
4
6 7
8
9
10
11
12
ContentsIntroduction 7
Getting started 8Transferring pictures and designs onto fabric 8
Requirements 14
Stitch gallery 22
Stumpwork techniques 32
ProjectsPanel 1 42An aloe & a spider’s web
Panel 2 46A daisy, a snail & wild sorghum
Panel 3 52Narcissus, a lily & a ladybird
Panel 4 58Agapanthus, hollyhocks, delphiniums & beetle daisies
Panel 5 66Irises, rock roses & forget-me-nots
Panel 6 74Hydrangeas & wisteria
Panel 7 80Red hot pokers, arum lilies & a Natal lily
Panel 8 88Fuchsias
Panel 9 94Foxgloves, rain daisies, a dragonfly, wild dagga & rock roses
Panel 10 102Orange tree & forget-me-nots
Panel 11 108Pansies, tulips & a butterfly
Panel 12 116Daffodils, lavender & violas
Lilac borders 123
Patterns 124
Suppliers 126
Index 127
Contents
STITCH GALLERY
French knot
Couching
Overcast stitch
Twisted ribbon stitch
Stitch galleryBack stitch 29
Bullion knot 27
Cast-on stitch 29
Chain stitch 29
Closed-base picot stitch 30
Couching 23
Detached buttonhole stitch 26
Detached chain/lazy daisy stitch 31
Fly stitch 27
Folded straight stitch 24
French knot 23
French knot rose 31
Grab stitch 27
Long and short buttonhole stitch 26
Long and short stitch 26
Looped blanket stitch 26
Looped bullion knot 27
Loop stitch 28
Open-base picot stitch 30
Overcast stitch 23
Padded fly stitch 27
Padded straight stitch 24
Pistil stitch 28
Raised stem stitch 25
Ribbon stitch 23
Running stitch 26
Satin stitch 28
Seeding stitch 25
Spider’s web rose 31
Stem stitch 25
Straight/stab stitch 24
Twisted detached chain stitch 29
Twisted ribbon stitch 23
Twisted straight stitch 24
Whipped chain stitch 29
Whipped spider’s web stitch 28
Whipped stem stitch 25
Whipped straight stitch 24
Woven filling stitch 28
TechniquesThreading a needle 30
Covering a bead 29
Stitchgallery
Ribbon stitch23
3736 Working with beadsBeads can be covered with ribbon, thread or you could use smaller beads for dramatic effect. Beads can be stacked to create dimension or used for padding. Experiment with different shapes and colouring materials.
Padded shapesPadded shapes can be used with great success to add subtle dimension or an air of luxury to an otherwise ordinary design.
Pad with a layer of feltThe arum lily leaf was padded with a layer of felt fabric. Refer to panel 7 (see pages 83–84) for detailed instructions.
Cut out leaf shapes from white or green felt fabric and attach them onto the background with tiny stab stitches.
Cover each felt shape in satin stitch.
Felt shapes are also used in goldwork to create an interesting texture in a design.
Covering a bead with ribbonWooden or glass beads can be covered with 2 mm or 4 mm silk ribbon to create fruit with a lovely, natural
texture. Silk ribbon covers beads faster than threads do, and is perfect for quick projects.
Choose a bead with a large enough hole for a no. 20 or 22 chenille needle to pass through effortlessly. Ask for
these at beading shops and take your needle with you to check the size. Refer to the orange tree on pages 105
to 106 for step-by-step instructions.
Working over beadsFor a rounded flower like a tulip, you can use a bead to lift it off the surface of the design. Secure an oval necklace
bead and cover it with silk ribbon. (See step-by-step instructions for the tulip in panel 11 on page 112.
Filling a shapeFilling a shape like a basket (or a pot) after it has been attached onto the
design adds another dimension — the shape is in higher relief than usual.
Make a separate basket as shown for the orange tree in panel 10 (see
pages 104–105). Stitch along the edge and cut out the shape leaving a
small seam.
Gather the thread to pull the seam to the back of the pot and secure it onto
the design with tiny stitches. Leave the bottom edge open and fill with toy
filling or shredded batting. Close the open edge with tiny stitches.
43
NeedlesStraw needle no. 3
Soft sculpture or doll’s needle
Crewel needle no. 8
An aloe & a spider’s web
You will need
Extras § #26 cake-decorating wires § Silver spider earring or nose ring
Stitches § Straight/stab stitch (page 24) § Overcast stitch (page 23) § Bullion knot (page 27) § Needle weaving – open-base picot (page 30)
§ Needle weaving – closed-base picot (page 30)
§ French knot (page 23) § Seeding stitch (page 25) § Back stitch (page 29)
ThreadsStranded cotton No. 61 Pine Needles
Silk or rayon No. 56 Nasturtium
Silk or rayon No. 31 Flame Lily
Perlé No. 8 No. 67 Sage Green
Stranded cotton No. 66 Rustic Brick
Silver metallic thread
1Panel
Aloe
4948
Keeping your work clean As the embroidery design is
handled so often while being
worked, it is quite easily soiled,
especially along the edge where
it is stretched in the frame.
To prevent these unsightly marks,
it is advisable to create a mask
from another layer of fabric or
sheets of tissue paper.
Cut a piece of white fabric the
same size as your printed block.
Lay the hoop on top of it and
mark a circle 3–5 cm (1½–2 in)
inside the hoop’s edge and cut
along the drawn line. Lay this
“window” on top of your design.
Insert the layers back into the
hoop. Remove the layer once
your embroidery is completed.
Cling wrap or three layers of
tissue paper can also be used
instead of fabric.
Hints
Snail
ShellOutline the rounded edge and the part alongside the
body, in one strand of Rustic Brick and use stem stitch.
Then use two strands of Rustic Brick and a padded satin
stitch (i.e. stitch over the outlined stem stitch). follow the
direction of the stitches on the completed picture.
Thread up with two strands of Rustic Brick and start
with chain stitch from the section closest to the body.
Continue with the chain stitch in circular shape to
complete the whorls.
You will need
Stitches § Stem stitch (page 25) § Padded satin stitch (page 28) § Chain stitch (page 29) § Straight/stab stitch (page 24)
ThreadsSilk or rayon No. 81 Sugar & Spice
Stranded cotton No. 66 Rustic Brick
Stranded cotton No. 54 Moss Green
Needles
Crewel needle no. 7
BodyUse two strands Sugar & Spice thread and outline the
body in small stem stitches. Fill in the body with stem
stitch, referring to the picture for stitch direction. Sew a
few straight stitches on top of the stem stitches with one
strand of Rustic Brick to add brown shadows on the body.
Embroider the tentacles
With one strand Rustic Brick, work two straight stitches
for the top tentacles and one straight stitch for the third
tentacle at the mouth.
Complete the snail
Add a row of stem stitch in Moss Green at the base of the
body so that the snail is not floating in the air.
FlowersThread a no. 18 chenille needle with Buttercup ribbon
and work every alternate petal in a detached chain/
lazy daisy stitch.
Embroider the centreThread the crewel needle with two strands of Baobab
thread. Fill the centre of the daisy with French knots
(some knots with two wraps around the needle and
others with only one wrap for an interesting effect).
§ Vary the lengths of the petals using the colour print on your fabric as a guide. The detached chain stitches are long and thin – this is achieved by pulling the ribbon tighter than usual. A longer anchoring stitch is also useful.
§ Work the remaining petals in detached chain stitch alternated with twisted straight stitch in the spaces between the petals to prevent the daisy from becoming too full and heavy.
89
FOXGLOVES, RAIN DAISIES, A DRAGONFLY, WILD DAGGA & ROCK ROSES
Foxgloves, rain daisies, a dragonfly, wild dagga & rock roses
Foxgloves
You will need
NeedlesChenille needle no. 20
Chenille needle no. 18
Stitches § Straight/stab stitch (page 24) § Ribbon stitch (page 23)
Ribbons
4 mm silk ribbon No. 31 Marine
4 mm silk ribbon No. 43 Candyfloss
4 mm silk ribbon No. 73 Dazzle
7 mm silk ribbon No. 36 Avocado
Stems
Thread the no. 20 chenille needle with 4 mm Marine
ribbon. Start at the base between the leaves as shown.
Make a long straight stitch, stitching from the leaves all
the way to the tip of the foxglove plant.
Take the ribbon to the back of your work and bring to
the right side again on one of the tiny leaves at the top,
pulling the stem taut.
HintFor a thinner stem, twist the ribbon before inserting the needle to the back of your work. Make a few tiny straight stitches to form the green tips of the flower.
9Panel
119118Leaves and stems
With the Philodendron ribbon, make
the two stems: bring the needle up
at ground level, twist it clockwise
and make a long straight stitch by
inserting the needle into the base of
the flower.
Repeat with the other stem, but twist
the ribbon anti-clockwise. Insert into
the flower, as before. Secure the
twisted stem with one strand Moss
Green thread. Bring needle up close
to the ribbon stem and make tiny
stab stitches, catching the ribbon.
With the same thread, whip the
stems for an interesting effect.
Make the leaves in the same way
using twisted straight or twisted
ribbon stitch, working from the
ground up and outwards.
HintStart with the underneath leaves first and make the remaining leaves on top of the others for a realistic finish.
FlowersPetals
There are five visible petals on these
daffodils. Make five detached chain
(lazy daisy) stitches with the Custard
silk ribbon to form the petals.
Stay within the painted colour as
you insert the needle to the back of
your work so that the petals do not
become too long.
Trumpets
Cut a 6 cm (2, 36 in) length of Dark
Peace Rose organza ribbon. Seal
the two raw edges with a flame.
Fold double to form a circle.
With one strand of the Clotted Cream
thread, sew tiny running stitches
along the singed edges to secure.
End off.
Sew running stitches along one edge
of the ribbon circle. Use the Clotted
Cream thread with a knot at the long
end. Gather up to form a trumpet.
Pull the thread taut and stitch the
gathered part together to secure.
Leave the thread hanging. You
will need this thread to attach the
trumpet to the background.
The trumpet looks rather large for
a daffodil, but this is necessary as
you will fold this gathered trumpet in
half to make a double trumpet. The
second skirt (underneath) tends to
protrude a bit but this will be fixed
later as you stitch the trumpet onto
the background.
Attach the trumpet
Thread up with the hanging thread
and insert the needle from the front
(about 2 mm or 1/16 in on the inside
of the yellow petals) and take the
needle to the back.
Bring it out at the gathered edge of
the trumpet again. Do this a second
time and secure the trumpet. Insert
the needle into the folded trumpet
skirt and exit about 3 mm (almost ⅛
in) away from the edge of the second
skirt. Bring the needle out along the
gathered edge again. Pull the thread
to allow the inside skirt to be tucked
inside the top skirt. Do this a few
times until you are happy that the
two edges have lined up well.
Thread up with a fresh thread when
necessary. Neaten the trumpet
shape by tucking in the two edges
on the right and the left-hand sides
using tiny stab stitches. Catch some
of the ribbon and tuck it in as you
insert the needle to the back.
Make the frilly edge
Use one strand of the Clotted Cream
thread and make loosely-woven,
looped blanket stitches along the
edge to form a frilly border. (See
page 00 for looped blanket stitch.)
Use the same thread and tiny stab
stitches to secure the frilly edge to
the background fabric in places.
Pull the trumpet into shape with the
thread and tiny stitches until you are
happy with the flower.
Optional
Use one or two yellow
stamens. Cut 1 cm (3/8 in)
lengths. Pick up some clear
glue on the raw edge of the
stamen and carefully insert
inside the trumpet so that
the rounded yellow stamen
just protrudes from the edge.
Hold it in place with a chenille
needle until the stamen is
glued in place. Wipe the
needle clean after use.
HintRemember that stitches in ribbon are longer and larger than one expects. When making ribbon and chain stitch, stay inside the painted section (1 – 2 mm or 1/16 in inside the outline). Once the stitch is formed, the ribbon will have spread, making a larger stitch.
RIBBON EMBROIDERY & STUMPWORKOriginal floral design with over 30 modelsDi van Niekerk
210 x 260 mm128 ppFlexiboundRRP: R220.00ISBN 978-1-928201-60-1Publication date: March 2016
Metz Press is an independent publisher of high quality information booksand illustrated non-fiction for the local market as well as the internationalco-edition market. We have sold rights to our books in countries all overthe world, having impressed reputable international companies with ourquality of content and production and our ability to deliver.
Publisher: Wilsia MetzTel: +27 (0)21 913 7557Fax: +27 (0)21 913 5102Email: [email protected]: www.metzpress.co.zaPostal address: PO Box 7322, Welgemoed, 7538, South AfricaStreet address: 1 Cameronians Avenue, Welgemoed, 7535, South Africa
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM METZ PRESS