Requirements List for Shisha and Chain stitch Embroidery - Wendy Barrington November Meeting

Wendy says her inspiration for this stitching came from this little Indian elephant bag.

Requirements list:

Fabric with body such as cotton, linen, wool. Can be plain or patterned.

Threads such as stranded cotton, cotton perle , linen thread, flower thread.

Sharp pointed needles, embroidery or crewel that will take your thread.

Embroidery Scissors

This is easiest worked out of a frame but bring a small hoop if you wish.

You could add beads to your design.

A set of small circular templates and quilters tape (optional) I do have some.

I will provide large sequins. If you wish to try a mirror I will have enough for one each.

I will also bring some small pieces of coloured felt which can be used instead of sequins/ mirrors or be added to work.

 

Finished pieces of Work

 Pam has finished her pretty wreath and decorated the stitching with beads and three mauve ribbon roses. She enjoyed making the wreath so much that now she is making one for Christmas in green and red.

Thank you Pam it is delightful.

Pam has also made a wonderful picture of a countryside scene complete with flowers and the tiniest sheep I have ever seen. The embroidery has been set off by a matching sky blue frame.

Thank you again Pam for your delicate picture.

A little Strip of Leaves - Amanda Clayton October Meeting 2025

 Amanda Clayton, a well-known textile artist, arrived at the hall and immediately began setting up strips and strips of leaves all hand embroidered but every leaf hand embroidered or created in a different way. See below.

Her embroidery technique of using white/natural threads, varying fabrics in neutral colours bared the basics of embroidery to thread, stitch and fabric, without the interference of colour.

Amanda provided a whole array of white threads and leaf templates for us to use as we were going to make our own little strip of leaves.

Firstly we were asked to use the shape of a favourite leaf, place it under our sheer fabric and trace with a marker pen. Using running stitch and three different types of thread we then started stitching around the leaf shape.

 

We were amazed by how much difference using a different thread type made to the leaf.

Amanda then showed us more samples and ways of embroidering our leaves. We started by filling in some of our leaves with stitch and then cutting out leaves in varying fabrics and stitching them to the strip.

Amanda Clayton

Amanda Clayton

Amanda then showed us different ways of joining fabric together to make a feature of the join and how to cut away fabrics to expose a leaf shape in a different fabric.

Amanda Clayton

Amanda Clayton

The options for creating the leaves was infinite and we all had our minds opened to using thread type, fabric and embroidery technique.
We were fascinated by what was possible and it was a very thought provoking day.

A big thank you goes to Amanda for sharing her work with us and extending our thoughts on what is possible in embroidery. It was a very enjoyable day and we all took our instructions with us to finish our leaves at home.