Module One. Chapter Seven

Stitched layered samples. 

Silk background with two cotton layers; 1st layer positive shape and 2nd layer negative shape. Running stitch used on both shapes.

Painted muslin used for background fabric. 1st layer painted satin fabric stitched using stem stitch, cut edges frayed. 2nd layer cotton stitched with running stitch in variegated thread.

I like the contrast between the stem stitch on the lower layer and the running stitch on the top layer but it might have been better to reverse the order and stitch the top layer using stem stitch; because this stitching is heavier it would appear more dominant in the foreground.

Shot silk background layer, 1st shape from a devoré sheer stitched using french knots, top layer from painted satin stitched with running stitch.

It was quite time consuming to stitch the outline in french knots and then to cover most of the shape up! If making this sample again I would not use french knots on the bottom layer and I would modify the top layer by enlarging the corner squares to give a more cut out shape. This would allow all three layers to show through the shapes in a more obvious way.

Background layer is cotton, 1st shape is organza stitched in a combination of feather stitch and running stitch, 2nd shape is net with a variegated thread couched down with a finer variegated thread.

I am very pleased with this sample, the top layer stands out but the very simple treatment is a good contrast to the detailed stitching on the bottom layer. The lower shape is a very simple one so the stitching adds interest but isn't so much that it fights with the top layer. The sheerness of the net also allows all three fabric layers to mix well rather than just appearing to be two layers on top of a third.

Cotton background, lower layer painted satin stitched with running stitch and vertical stitches around the edge, top layer painted and bonded organza stitched with chain stitch. The same shape has been used in both layers, the positive shape on the lower layer and the negative shape rotated on the top.

Background of satin fabric, lower layer silk fibre fabric stitched with stem stitch, top layer chiffon stitched with three staggered rows of running stitch in variegated thread.

The silk fibre fabric was very difficult to stitch as the fibres lifted very easily and also got caught in the thread. The chiffon fabric has a random bleached out design on it and the stitching blends in very well with this.

I thought I would try a multilayered sample, this one has 4 cut layers on top of the background fabric.

When making the drawing to use as a template 3 layers were quite discernible but 4 became far too complex because several lines layered on top of each other, so making mistakes when stitching through to transfer the design to the front happened often. To avoid these mistakes I used coloured felt tip pens to create a colour coded design that was much easier to follow - this can be seen below in the picture of the reverse side.

Back of sample showing colour coded lines.

I felt it was important to keep the stitching simple with the complexity of the design so I used running stitch throughout varying only the type of thread. As the background fabric is a painted cotton the drawn lines don't show through.