I decided to do something for myself today. It is Autumn here, and the leaves in the towns are turning. A week or so ago, I found a skeletonised gum leaf, and the other day another, deciduous leaf.
This is the gum leaf, unfortunately, I can't find the other leaf.
So I thought, well, let's try and make one with free motion lace - so I did.
I used two layers of water soluble stabiliser. This is a Floriani one.
I drew the leaf and veins on the stabiliser, but you can trace. If you type in leaf in google and select images then line art from the side bar, you will probably find lots to suit you, like these.
However, there is a problem with these. The veins do not reach the edges. You will have to extend the lines so that they reach the edges, otherwise, your leaf will fall apart. Lines of stitching need to cross to hold the lace together.
Here, I have used straight stitch to go around all the lines, retracing my route when neccesary, especially in the central part, to build up the stitches.
I also went around the whole leaf margin and the stem with a very thin zig zag when all the inner lines were done to make a stable edge.
When I was finished, I roughly cut out the leaves,
And pinned them to some foam, then rinsed off the stabiliser under running water. I blot them with kitchen paper to remove a lot of water. It is best to allow them to dry before removing the pins, and you can test them for remaining stabiliser as they dry. They will be sticky. Run the under the tap again if they are.
Here are the two finished leaves. And below, framed.
I am pleased with the results, but would use a much thinner and lighter thread next time.
- The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
- Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)
