Bees and Ladybugs in SRE

Field of Daisies Pincushion Kit

Again we are using Ribbon Stitch, this time to create some

cute bees. 

1st:  Stitch 3 - 4  Ribbon Stitches over laping and slightly curved

to give shape to the flower.  This is done simply by combining

straight Ribbon Stitches and a few with the needle being placed

to the side of the ribbon to curl and shape.

 
Refer to the Ribbon Stitch Tutorial

2nd:  Use 2 strands of Black Thread to produce the stripes,

legs, and eyes, these are French Knots - 1 Strand to add the

antenna and stinger. 

3rd:  The wings here in this example are 7 mm. Organza Ribbon,

Silk can also be used. Add 2 Ribbon Stitches.

Daisy Chain Kit

1st:  With an erasable pen I have outlined the

body shape of the Ladybird,then with 3 strands

of black embroidery thread filled it with french knots

with slightly bigger knots in the centre. 

I have done this to give a raised

body - optional.

2nd:  I added 3 very small ribbon stitches at the tip to

form the head, and 2 ribbon stitches through the 

centre of the body. This is to allow for an opening

of the wings in the centre.

The eyes are yellow kreinik thread.  

If you have a small seed bead this may be used. 

At the time I could not find one small enough.

3rd: Add the legs and feelers  in black thread

- 1 strand or metallic thread.

 

4th:  The red Ladybirds are in 4 mm. and the

gold is in 7 mm. Silk Ribbon. With the 7 mm.

I only needed the two ribbon stitches.

The 4 mm. has taken four, 2 each side leaving 

a centre gap as though it is about to fly away. 

5th:   You can now add some spots.

- French Knots or Beads.

No need to replicate nature with these, you

could go way out with bold colours, larger,

add sequins and beads for a more whimsical 

or artistic impression.

Have fun with these, add them to your 

embroidered gardens and bring

some life to it.

Carol Daisy

Dragonflies in SRE

 

Dragonflies have become thoroughly addictive to some.

Collecting them in the form of jewellery, paintings,
adorned containers or boxes, budlights to name a few.

You can't help but admire this delicate agile creature, with its

transparent wings and brightly coloured bodies.

They open up so many possibilities for the embroiderer to

imitate and add them to their craft items.

I have created these 2 dragonflies with 

Hand Dyed Silk Ribbons

and have allowed the colours to be the highlight,

along with the bright coloured beads for the body.

You may desire a more subtle appearance

in which case a softer tone Silk Ribbon could be

used.

1st:   Gather together some seed beads, bugle beads.
Use these to create the body. I have added a
second smaller bead to the eyes.

These beads are mostly 11/0 to be in proportion
to the size of the wings and have used 7 mm. ribbon.

2nd:  Add the wings, starting with the top 2 and then

the bottom pair. Take the ribbon through under the
body keeping them even and in proportion to the

size of the body.

3rd: Add some features as desired, a few french knots

at the tips as shown or embroidery stitches to
imitate the markings. These will also help to

keep the wings fixed to the fabric as it is
such a long Ribbon Stitch.

Motifs available at Daisys Garden

Carol Daisy

Butterflies. Dragonflies in SRE

A flower garden cannot survive without a visit from
 the birds and bees to pollinate and keep it
 reproducing beautiful blooms.

I feel that a Silk Ribbon Embroidery is enhanced
 by the addition of Butterflies, Dragonflies,
 Bees, Bugs, Spiders and even Ants.

You could add a charm, lace motif or go one step 
further with Silk Ribbons, Threads and Beads. 

These small items are great for using those
 small lengths of ribbon. No need to limit them

to your Garden Scenes, add as an embellishment to 

other items you have made. 

(eg. Baby's Clothing, on a bodice, headband, 
lingerie, gift satchels, crazy patch. )

Butterflies: 

 If you do not feel confident at doing these free hand, 

do a simple sketch to help keep it in proportion. 

Before you begin, decide on the size, the body shape, whether you would like to use the same size 

Silk Ribbon ( 7mm. for the top wings and 4 mm

 for the lower are my preference.)

The colours are numerous, so go wild or match it

to your embroidery. 

A Google Image search on Butterflies will give 

you loads of inspiration.

1st. Stitch the body with a basic straight / satin stitch. 

(My preference is Kreinik Thread, which adds some bling and reflection of light, plus I just love the colours 

available) then add 2 stitches for the antenna.

 

 2nd. Start with the wings at the top, doing a ribbon stitch

and then a corresponding one on the other side.

Work your way down to the tail.

3rd.  Add any decoration for the markings on the wings.

( French Knots - silk threads or metallic, beads, sequins).

4th. If a side version add a few stitches for the legs.

Just a sample of some different ways to create these.

Carol Daisy