# Type at least 1 character to search # Hit enter to search or ESC to close
Cart
Our studio will close for the holidays on 13 December. The last day to place orders for processing this year is the 09 December. However, you are still welcome to place your order any time and we will process it as soon as we return on 8 Jan 2025. This way you will be ahead of the queue next year. Happy Holidays! ♡♡♡
PS: Our popular gift cards are available at any time.
Search
Browse by Category
-
-
All your packages...
Dec 12, 2024 -
Silk Ribbon Embro...
Dec 12, 2024
Recent Posts
- December 2024
- November 2024
Blog > How to make stumpwork shapes
How to make stumpwork shapes
I hope you are having a good week.
Today I will show you how to make stumpwork shapes which are useful when you require dimension in your piece.
A shape like a leaf, for example, is made on a separate piece of fabric. The shape is cut out and then applied to the design, adding instant height which complements ribbon embroidery perfectly. This technique is also ideal for fairy and insect wings.
The wings of the Fairy and the little bee from my Flower Fairies™ book
There are several possibilities when making stumpwork shapes...
1. Use wire around the edge of a shape that needs to be bent into shape and on the edge of larger shapes which require support.
2. Use buttonhole stitch around the edge for leaves instead of wire...
3. Or you could use a stumpwork technique to make a little bird and cut it out. Secure onto your design, leaving a little gap to fill the shape with a fibre or toy filling.
This cute little bird is shown step-by-step in my new Roses book.
Today I will show you how to make a stumpwork leaf or bract…
1. Prepare the shape
Hint: For an interesting effect, use two or three different colours to shade the leaf at the same time.
4. Making shapes without a wired edge
Sometimes you need not use wire along the edge. If it is a small shape or a leaf which does not need to be lifted high off the surface of the design, you can use Buttonhole stitch along the edge of the shape. Work the stitches at an angle, following the direction lines of the shape.
5. Fill in the shape
Use long and short stitch to fill in the shape. Follow the lines on the shape for a natural finish.
Change the colour of your thread to create the shadows on the shape.
6. Cut out the shape
Use your fingertips to bend the wired shapes into a pleasing shape.
Use a matching thread and tiny stab stitches to position the unwired shapes if necessary
The completed Leucadendron
On page 86 of my Perfect World book, you will see how to make the green cone centre.
There are so many stumpwork methods and soon I will show you how to make wings and shapes from organza ribbon. Subscribe to stay in touch.
I hope you enjoyed this little lesson… have a happy day everyone
Love
Di
♥
A shape like a leaf, for example, is made on a separate piece of fabric. The shape is cut out and then applied to the design, adding instant height which complements ribbon embroidery perfectly. This technique is also ideal for fairy and insect wings.
The wings of the Fairy and the little bee from my Flower Fairies™ book
There are several possibilities when making stumpwork shapes...
1. Use wire around the edge of a shape that needs to be bent into shape and on the edge of larger shapes which require support.
2. Use buttonhole stitch around the edge for leaves instead of wire...
3. Or you could use a stumpwork technique to make a little bird and cut it out. Secure onto your design, leaving a little gap to fill the shape with a fibre or toy filling.
This cute little bird is shown step-by-step in my new Roses book.
Today I will show you how to make a stumpwork leaf or bract…
1. Prepare the shape
- Use a sharp HB or 2B pencil or blue water-soluble pen to trace the shape or shapes onto a fine piece of cotton fabric. Draw the direction lines which will help you with the stitching a little later. Place the fabric in a hoop, pull the fabric taut and tighten the hoop.
- Make a hole at the base of the shape on the fabric with a size 16 chenille needle, pulling the needle all the way through the fabric to make a decent hole. Use # 22 up to #30 wire, depending on the size of your shape. For this shape, I used #28 wire. The smaller the shape, the thinner the wire should be.... #30 is thinner than #22.
- Insert 2cm (¾”) piece of wire into the hole and bend the wire into shape, following the traced outline. Insert the wire back into the same hole. Leaving a 2cm (¾”) tail cut off the excess wire with a pair of nail clippers or wire cutters.
- Use a small piece of masking tape to cover the raw ends of the wire at the back of your work. This will prevent your threads from catching on the wire. Do make sure the tape is not placed over an area that you will be stitching over — move the wires out of the way before taping them onto the fabric.
- Use one strand of silk or cotton thread and make a knot at the long end. Hint: When working with shapes, remember to start about 4mm (1/8”) away from the edge inside the shape. Make a small running stitch (or two) towards the edge and continue as usual. The running stitch will be covered with long and short stitch a little later. This way, the knot will not be severed when you cut out the shape afterwards.
- Couch the wire in place every 4mm (1/8”) or so, using the traced line as a guide.
- Cover the wire with buttonhole stitch making the stitches close together and use an even tension for a neat finish.
Hint: For an interesting effect, use two or three different colours to shade the leaf at the same time.
4. Making shapes without a wired edge
Sometimes you need not use wire along the edge. If it is a small shape or a leaf which does not need to be lifted high off the surface of the design, you can use Buttonhole stitch along the edge of the shape. Work the stitches at an angle, following the direction lines of the shape.
5. Fill in the shape
Use long and short stitch to fill in the shape. Follow the lines on the shape for a natural finish.
Change the colour of your thread to create the shadows on the shape.
6. Cut out the shape
- Remove the tape at the back and apply a clear anti-fray agent on the entire shape. Allow to dry until just damp and cut out the shape leaving a small seam.
- Once you are holding the shape in your hand, cut it out neatly along the edge. Use small, sharp embroidery scissors and angle the blade so that the bottom blade is under the shape for a neat edge. Take care not to cut your stitches. If this does happen, use the anti-fray agent again or clear nail polish to stabilise the stitches.
- Secure the unwired shapes with tiny stab stitches and a matching thread.
- Secure the wired shapes as follows: Make a hole in your fabric where you would like the base of the shape to lie. Use the size 16 chenille needle, pulling it all the way through the fabric. Insert the wires into the hole, bending the tails at the back of your work to lie underneath the shape. Secure the wires at the back with small stitches and trim the ends with nail clippers or wire-cutters, so there are no raw ends which will catch on your threads as you work.
Use your fingertips to bend the wired shapes into a pleasing shape.
Use a matching thread and tiny stab stitches to position the unwired shapes if necessary
The completed Leucadendron
On page 86 of my Perfect World book, you will see how to make the green cone centre.
There are so many stumpwork methods and soon I will show you how to make wings and shapes from organza ribbon. Subscribe to stay in touch.
I hope you enjoyed this little lesson… have a happy day everyone
Love
Di
♥
← Older Post
Newer Post →
2 comments
Leave a comment
Shop Dicraft
Browse Dicraft
General Info
Get regular newsletters packed with tips, specials and new products!
Copyright © DI VAN NIEKERK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Linda putter
Friends have told me you’re brilliant at your craft and generous with your information. Now I see it for myself. Thank you so much❣️
Mariet
Baie dankie vir die leersame inligting.