Avenue de Breteuil - Paris

I admire architecture.  I like to travel.  I love embroidery.  This embroidery combines all the three - virtually traveling to Paris, fascinated by architecture and presented in the form of embroidery.

I follow Charles and Elin and a few months back I bought the kindle version of their book Mindful Embroidery.  I stitched this pattern  Avenue de Breteuil - Paris from the book.

It was a joy to stitch this pattern with very simple stitches - Back Stitch, Straight Stitch filling for the trees, satin stitch and some French Knots.  I like the way , how this design has little pop of color ,with Eiffel tower in the back ground, the details in the balcony railings.   Instead of filling everything with satin stitches,  only few areas are done with filling stitches which adds to the over all beauty.

TAST 21 & BEYOND TAST 21

 TAST 21 - Raised Herringbone Band

    This is a new stitch for me .  Its such a beautiful and super easy stitch to learn .  On top of the layer of the satin stitches, herringbone stitches are worked out, which is then laced.  Thus , a beautiful effect of textured and raised embroidery stitch is created.  This would be a good edging stitch.

                                                        

BEYOND TAST 21- Buttonholed Herringbone

This is such a fun stitch to try out.  Initially a row of herringbone stitches are worked.  On these, a layer of buttonholed stitches are worked.  This gives a texture to the stitch.  This would also be suitable as an edging stitch

Kutch work

When I was in school, I read about Mridula's Embroidery School in a monthly magazine.  I was fascinated towards embroidery reading that article.  Few years back, my wish was fulfiilled.  I got the correspondence course (which included a spiral bound book and 2 CDs) and the books remained untouched for a couple of years, waiting for their moment of shine. Some time back, I started watching the CDs and going through the book.  Slowly, got absorbed in this beautiful form of embroidery.

Kutch embroidery originated in the state of Gujarat in India.  There are two steps in each of the stitch.  First part is the framing stitches and the second part is the interlacing of these framing stitches.  The designs of Kutch work is entirely made using squares or diamonds.

To get started, I doodled the various kutch work motifs.  My doodle cloth pictures are below.

 

Then I progressed, to the simple designs.  

Then I moved on to the elaborate designs.    The dual paisley design is worked on a navy blue cotton fabric.

The below one is worked on a light blue silk fabric

The below huge (A3 size) paisley design is worked on a navy blue cotton fabric.   I am so happy with the overall outcome, the stitch choices and the choices of the thread colors for the various elements of the design.

The below small paisley design is worked on light pink satin fabric.

Overall, I enjoyed and even got addicted to this kutch work embroidery. It was very satisfying.

 I am very grateful for this youtube channel as well.  This channel's concept videos clarified many of my doubts and made my stitching time more enjoyable and easy.