Australian_Homespun_2014-11

Preparation

1

Trace the embroidery

design from the Pattern

Sheet onto the centre of the

white linen using the black

pigment pen. Keep the lines

very fi ne so they will be

covered by the stitching.

Putting a light source behind

the design will make it

easier to see through

the fabric.

2

Fuse the stabiliser to

the wrong side of the

linen with a warm iron. To

prevent the fabric edges

from fraying, it’s a good

idea to zigzag or overlock

them by machine.

Embroidery and

beading

3

If desired, put the fabric

in an embroidery frame

to prevent it puckering as

you work.

4

Embroider the design,

referring to the Stitchery

Guide on page 104 for the

threads and stitches to use

for each area.

5

When all the stitching is

complete, add the beads.

Sew the black seed bead in

place for the bird’s eye and

an off-white pearl bead in

the centre of each large

fl ower. Sew the gold fl ower

bead to the head of the

sewing machine.

6

Couch the length of fused

beading along the base

of the sewing machine just

above the chain-stitch line

using Wheat Field (4075).

Trim the surplus neatly.

7

Remove the completed

embroidery from the

frame (if used). Put the fabric

face down on a clean, thick

towel and press it gently

from the back with a warm

iron so that you don’t fl atten

the stitches.

8

Val’s stitchery was

professionally framed

by The Art Scene with a

custom fabric-covered mat

and white carved frame.

Frame your stitchery as

desired or incorporate

it in another project, such

as a wallhanging.

For contact details for Val

Laird, of Val Laird Designs,

turn to Stockists at the back

of the magazine.

VAL LAIRD

What’s your favourite sort of project to

work on? A design with appliqué and lots of

stitching detail. I admire the paintings of the

great masters, but I’m hopeless at it myself,

so it’s a joy to still be able to ‘paint a picture’

but to do so with fabric and thread.

Is this dainty style a signature of yours?

I hadn’t ever thought of my work as ‘dainty’,

but I guess that really is a good word to

describe my embroidery style. I love being

able to work fine detail with needle and

thread. I like to stitch pretty pictures with

realistic representations, with just the

occasional touch of whimsy.

If you had to choose one craft, what would it

be and why? I think I was born with a needle

and thread in my hand! I’ve tried out dozens

of crafts over the years and enjoyed doing

most of them, but when the crunch comes,

it’s always hand embroidery that wins. I find

it so relaxing and so rewarding to see what

beautiful designs can be achieved simply

by progressing one stitch at a time.

Where did this latest idea come from?

I wanted to design a stitchery with

a verse that was fresh and original.

I pondered various themes – friendship,

home, family – and ended up choosing a

stitching theme. Once I had the words, the

rest of the design just flowed. Of course,

there needed to be a sewing machine,

scissors, tape measure and needle and

thread, with a sprinkle of flowers. As an

avid birdwatcher, I had to include a bird.

And some musical notes gave the

finishing touches.

How long does it take you to finish an

embroidery? I lik e to relax in front of the

TV in the evening and do my embroidery

then. Not hand stitching during the day

means projects take longer, but I’m OK with

that. Add to that the fact that I like to stitch

fairly slowly ... there’s no point in me rushing

something, then in the morning, when I look

at it again, finding that I’m not happy with it

and having to pull it to bits. I’m happiest when

I take time to make each stitch as perfect

as possible, with any corrections as I go.

Being able to take my time is one of the

big bonuses of being retired.

Have you got lots of unfinished projects in

cupboards? No, I am a finisher! I feel a great

sense of accomplishment when a project is

complete. Sometimes, I might not be 100 per

cent happy with how a design is turning out

and so I will put a project aside, unfinished,

and make a second modified version. When

the call goes out for some goods for charity

stalls or grandchildren’s school fetes, these

unfinished projects will be turned into things

such as pot holders, bags, pincushions,

needlecases or whatever suits. Usually, when

I re-examine what I rejected months earlier,

I sit there wondering what it was that I didn’t

like about it in the first place.

What’s your work space like – pristine or

cluttered? I don’t mind a bit of clutter out

and about when I’m working – a tidy mess

• but, mostly, I like it all neat and in order
  before I go to bed so that I have a clean slate
  to start afresh the next day.
  Do you take your stitching away with you on
  holidays? Absolutely! I could NEVER enjoy
  a holiday without my stitching. I do it in the
  car, on the plane, on the train. I have a great
  handmade sewing compendium that has lots
  of pockets; everything I need for stitching is
  in there, ready to go. I even take my portable
  craft lamp with me, as holiday venues are
  notorious for having poor lighting. Even when
  I’m not on holidays, there is a little bag of
  stitching kept in the car – just in case we’re
  held up with an unexpected delay.
  How long have you been stitching? I sat
  at my mother’s knee and learned all the
  basic embroidery stitches. We also learned
  sewing in primary school, and I remember
  embroidering a picture of a Mexican man
  with a very colourful scarf. Each scarf section
  was satin-stitched, and I was very proud
  of my masterpiece, until I took it home
  to show my parents, and the first thing my
  father did was turn it over to see what
  the wrong side looked like.
  What couldn’t you live without in your
  workroom? My seam ripper. One of the
  disadvantages of being a perfectionist is that
  I’m always pulling something out. The seam
  ripper makes the job so much easier.

Getting to know...

Homespun 103

HSP1511_p100-104_Hallelujah Chorus Project.indd 103 9/22/2014 10:20:03 AM

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