This embroidered panel was inspired by a striking dogwood shrub, Cornus capitata, encountered in Wanaka, New Zealand.
Worked on ivory satin, in stumpwork and surface embroidery, this design features the bracts ('petals') in various phases of development - from the pale green buds and greenish pink young bracts, to the darker pinks of the more mature blossoms, all worked with detached 'petals' and raised beaded centres (the flower). Several stages of the brilliant strawberry-like fruits are present - from pale orange-pink, through shades of rich red to dark purple. Nestled among the foliage are a Green Lacewing, Chrysopa carnea, with detached gauzy wings, beaded abdomen and long wire antennae, a Large Copper Butterfly, Lycaena dispar, with raised and surface embroidered wins, and a plump lime green caterpillar.
Kit Contents
This embroidery kit contains all materials required to work this project:
- Ivory satin, quilter's muslin, tracing paper, red, gold and purple cotton fabrics, organza, pearl organdie, felt, paper-backed fusible web, carbon paper, beads, wires and a Size 1 Milliners needle.
- Threads – Soie d'Alger Silks, Cifonda Art Silks, DMC Stranded Cottons, assorted metallic, rayon, nylon and chenille thread
Equipment Required
You will need the following equipment:
- 11” embroidery hoop, slate frame or stretcher bars
- 5" embroidery hoops
- 4" embroidery hoops
- Needles:
- Crewel/Embroidery sizes 9 and 10
- Straw/Milliners size 9
- Sharps sizes 10 and 12
- Tapestry size 26 or 28
- Chenille size 18
- Sharp Yarn Darners sizes 14 - 18
- Small sharp-pointed embroidery scissors
- Fine blunt-nosed tweezers to shape wire
- Small wire cutters or old scissors
