September 12, 2017
For the past few weeks, this challenge was kept aside to work on some tunic projects. The 35th week outline stitch of SSS challenge was worked on a blue striped shirt. The working of the stitch is on Queenie’s blog.
The outline stitch was worked in six strands of cotton skein.
The next step of working the flowers in oyster stitch has been started on this project.
August 2, 2016
This is the second tunic with lemon green and white combination. This summer these two colours were predominant in the tunic embroidery projects.
The fabric is handloom cotton and the embroidery was done with white cotton skein and some details worked in white perle cotton #8. There are two design elements. The first element is borders which were worked on the sleeves.
lemgrechi-sleeves
The same border design was worked around the neck.
lemgrechi-neck
These designs were drawn by hand with a foot ruler. The pattern was drawn on the wrong side of the cloth and embroidery was also worked on the wrong side. The fabric being see-through, was placed on the pattern and the floral design was traced with a pencil.
Started the embroidery in the centre.
lemgrechi-1
The work in progress of the floral design. The shadow work/ chikan work/ closed herringbone was worked with four strands of cotton skein. I felt the thickness of the thread will make the embroidery more prominent.
lemgrechi-wip
After working the herringbone stitches in cotton skein, white perle cotton# 8 was used to work the straight stitches inside the petals. These straight stitches were worked on the right side of the fabric.
lemgrechi-2
The last detail of French knots worked on the flowers.
lemgrechi-3
After the completion of the embroidery the fabric was given to tailor for sewing. The tunic
lemon green chikan tunic
The detail.
lemon green chikan-det
It has been a while since I have done chikan work embroidery. It is easy to work, that’s a blessing. The embroidery needs to cover fairly a large area because of the subtlety of the work and the colours used. The pattern-
lemgrechi-pattern
This tunic does not have lining. If required a slip can be used. I have one in this green. Sometimes it is hard to get lining fabric in cotton in this place. Since a polyester fabric will take away the comfort factor, it is better to go without a lining.
May 10, 2016
This brown ikat fabric was there for quite some time. The weave gave an impression of yellow. This brought about an idea of working the embroidery in yellow.
brgryel-fabric
Suddenly a green fabric popped into the picture and I started working the embroidery on it. The embroidery was mainly worked in herringbone stitch with a chain and buttonhole stitches thrown here and there.
brgryel-1
Then slowly brown thread came into the picture.
brgryel-2
Most of the herringbone shapes are now outlined in brown thread.
brgryel-3
After outlining the leaf shapes in green thread, variegated fine silk thread was used.
brgryel-4a
These details show clearly the places where variegated thread was used.
brgryel-4b
Continuing with gold metallic thread.
brgryel-5
Gold beads and sequins were added in the last part of this embroidery.
brgryel-6
The detail of the embroidery placed on the brown ikat fabric.
brgryel-7
I realize that the green fabric is overpowering. A slight shift had to be done, so a yellow cotton fabric was bought. This combo was given to the tailor and it came back like this.
brown green yelowtunci set
The yellow tunic.
brown green yellow tunic
Now for the detail. The embroidery and the sleeves have brown ikat fabric on them.
brown green yellow tunic detail
The embroidery pattern.
brgryel-pattern
This project taught me to be cautious before bringing in another colour [this case, green]. And if the deed is already done, start looking for ways to improvise, this case plain yellow fabric.
February 3, 2015
This type of tunic with simple embroidery is always in fashion. The tunic fabric is handloom cotton.
beimarstrit-fabric
I had another handloom [mangalagiri] cotton fabric with zari border. The pattern was drawn on that.
beimarstrit-1
The embroidery was worked with cotton skeins, metallic thread and stones were added as embellishments. Herringbone filling stitch was done in red thread.
beimarstrit-2
The same stitch was used with the beige thread too.
beimarstrit-3
The outline was done with gold metallic thread, worked like this it looks like Aari work. This I have to learn one day.
beimarstrit-4
The last part of this piece was completed with stones.
beimarstrit-5
The tailor did a good job of sewing this tunic, again I love the neck line. The extra zari borders were sewn on the sleeves.
beige maroon striped tunic
The pattern for this embroidery.
beimarstrit-pattern
The detail –
beige maroon striped tunic detail
This tunic is worn with maroon jeggings. The fabric feels very cool in summer. I feel the zari border played a big part in this tunic project.
January 27, 2015
This tunic fabric is cotton with block printed motifs in grey and blue colours wit border.
whigreyblu-fabric
The embroidery was worked with cotton skeins and metallic silver thread. First thread was grey. Herringbone stitch fillings and chain stitch outlines were done with this thread.
whigreyblu-1
Three shades of same blue were used. first was the medium blue thread. The stitches were the same.
whigreyblu-2
Again the fillings are done with herringbone stitches and the outlines in chain stitch.
whigreyblu-3
The lightest blue is used for outline.
whigreyblu-4
After working the embroidery with cotton skeins, the silver metallic thread was used to define the outlines and other smaller details.
whigreyblu-5
The last thread on this project was white cotton skein.
whigreyblu-6
This embroidered centre piece was sewn on to the tunic by the tailor, who did a great job on the neckline.
white grey blue tunic
The closer look of the tunic.
whigreyblu-detail
The pattern of this centre piece, based on traditional Indian design.
whigreyblu-pattern
This was a simple embroidery, I like working on traditional designs.
January 11, 2015
In this project the embroidery was worked on a ready to wear tunic. The tunic was bought at a shop-FabIndia- which specializes on Indian handloom ethnic wear. The tussar silk stole with metallic block print-
greentussar-duppata
A tussar silk tunic to match this stole-
greetussar-1
A traditional Indian pattern-
greetussar- pattern
The threads were fine silk, cotton skeins and metallic gold. Started the embroidery with medium blue silk thread- chain stitch and herringbone.
greetussar-2
Darker blue silk thread for inner row of chain stitch and double herringbone filling.
greetussar-3
Green cotton skein for chain stitch on stem, leaf stitch.
greetussar-4
White silk thread used for chain stitch.
greetussar-5
Finally chain stitch embellishing was done with gold metallic thread.
greetussar-6
Detail-
greetussar-7
These Indian stoles[ dupattas] are quite long- 2.5 metres. They need to be worn over both shoulders, otherwise we’ll be sweeping the ground stylishly! This embroidery was worked in the centre just below the neck, where it can be seen. A small motif with all the colours on the duppata seemed ideal. This pattern works well for Aari work too.
Added later-
Queenie requested to see the embroidered tunic with dupatta.
The embroidered tunic with dupatta-
Greetussar-8
When the dupatta worn over both shoulders
greetussar-9
I use these plastic loops for embroidery. Remove them when they are not in use.
embroidery loops
December 23, 2014
I am still catching up on TAST stitches. Kiko’s flower stitch tutorial is here on Pintangle. Though this was part of earlier TAST challenge, it was not explored then. At that time I was terrified of bullion knots.
This stitch is combined with other stitches in this pattern sampler.
Kiko’s flower stitches are worked with- chain stitch, herringbone stitch, buttonhole stitch and feather stitch.
38.132.kiko’sst-1
The other stitches in this second part of the sampler are- woven chain stitches, triple chain stitches, french knots and coral stitch.
38.132.kiko’sst-2
This part of the sampler is decorative florals made of kiko’s flower stitches and other stitches. the details of other stitches.
38.132.kiko’sst-3
These florals started with cretan stitch ring, french knots centre and berry stitch petals.
38.132.kiko’s st-4
First sample has square herringbone and pistil stitches, second sample is made of basque stitch ring and the Algerian eye stitch forms the centre for the third sample.
38.132.kiko’s st-5
The first sample has arrowhead ring, slipped detached chain stitch ring is the base for the second sample and whipped square and a variation of kikos flower stitch [the buttonhole stitches after the first buttonhole stitch are shorter , making the bullion stitches angled] form the third motif.
38.132.kiko’sst-6
After working two more samples with buttonhole stitch, fern stitch and fly stitches ,the sampler was completed.
38.132.kiko’s flower stitch sampler
This cannot be called a simple stitch, but it was easier than I expected. One tip- it is best to work the other stitches first [especially the chain stitches] because the thread gets entangled over this textured stitch.
