Summer Intensive 2013 I have started on the first module in the diploma course. I have chosen to begin with blackwork. My subject is the blackwork coif and head of the young girl in the painting "The Lacemaker" by Caspar Netscher.
On a sample piece of 32 count linen I stitched a background of lines to represent a twill linen of the cap. Then traced the image onto tissue paper, tacked it onto the sample and stitched running stitches around the shape.
More samples of patterns. All traced from original pieces
I looked at the shapes on the cap and then studied as many historical pieces as I could to try to determine what the shapes were. This is my interpretation, which I aim to reproduce on my embroidery.
Slow progress on her face, but looked at how to 'break out' the pattern for minimal shading. Also started to discuss with Tracy how to approach the cap.
DAY 5
Couldn't quite get the shading right on her neck, so there were a few unpickings today, plus some help from Tracy!
MONDAY
Doesn't look like much progress but I worked all day! I must be very slow.
Didn't quite finish shading her dress before bedtime! Stitch is 'waffle stitch'. Darkest is done in coton a broder and blending to 2 strands of stranded cotton
Starting to lighten the background now.
Need to work on the edges at some point.
Close up of 'waffle stitch.
Not a lot of progress today. Couldn't get the hang of the shading on her neck so had to unpick!
DAY 3
More of the long & short zig zag stitch for the background. The gaps are where I am going to put thinner thread for the shading.
Pattern under the chin is a diamond and is achieved with a 45 /3& 50/3 Mulberry silk. The diamond is filled with a cross. The pattern & the thick thread create the dark effect. The slightly lighter area under the chin will be done by not putting a complete cross.
Spent some time practising some samples and then started the background with a zig zag type pattern.
DAY 1 - SETTING UPThis means preparing the fabric & frame and tracing the basic outline onto tissue. The tracing is then basted to the fabric to hold it in place. The tracing is then stitched with running stitches, larger on the top than the bottom, so that when the tissue is removed we can still see the outline - I hope!!
