Mabel's designs 2024

[Mabel Figworthy]

My own version of the copper heart - I'm now looking to turn it into a kit or workshop once I've tweaked a few things:

[Serinde]

Nice! what did you stitch the copper on to? Looks like felt with a backing?

[Mabel Figworthy]

It's a faux suede, with Egyptian muslin behind it. It is such a heavy fabric it wouldn't normally need a backing, but with goldwork you always need something to fasten off in.

By the way, did you notice the missing stitch ?

[Steam.Jo]

Nice touch the copper has a reddish tinge so more heart like.

I'd have put another couching stitch alongside where the first thread vanishes into the fabric. and four couches back did it miss the second thread?

Jo

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yup, that was the missing (or rather incomplete) stitch - and the extra stitch you mention is also a good idea. I'm going to be playing with this design, keeping the copper but adding some gold and silver touches as well, and on a darker background.

[Serinde]

I did notice, but didn't feel it necessary to point it out -- as I don't do metal embroidery at all, didn't think I was qualified!

[Mabel Figworthy]

But you are a stitcher, so plenty qualified!

I'm leaving the missing stitch as a reminder to myself a) that I'm not perfect and b) that I don't have to be!

[Serinde]

Quite so.

Copper is an under-rated metallic colour, I think.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Progress on the argent nué forget me not - this one is worked less solidly, so the silver shines through the coloured sections as well.

[Mabel Figworthy]

A bit more snowdrop:

[Serinde]

Wow.

Also impressive are the number of needles. And, indeed, the needle minders!

[Mabel Figworthy]

The students are given 5 needles although on the forget me not it is perfectly possible to work with 10+ at some point, but I'm going to encourage them to carry longer threads on the back than I would normally suggest so as not to spook them

[Roland]

I love the forget me not.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Progress on the peacock that is the course's third project:

[Serinde]

Lovely!

[fccs]

Oh my gosh! That peacock!!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

The flower is appearing!

[Mabel Figworthy]

And I've reached the green on the forget-me-not:

[fccs]

I am truly in awe of your work. It's all beautiful, and that peacock! Wowza!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

A quick little project - it sits in a 3" hoop