Step by step sunflower

So I decided show a step by step of one of my sunflowers

Materials : fabric bag dyed navy blue 41*41cm

.Aunt Lydia’s crotchet thread : Mexicana. Second hand poly cotton for the centre of the flower (14cm circle cut two.)

Red linen for petals (cut 18)

Yellow fabric for details.

Red variageted  thread (I used second hand, but anchor do a similar one called Coton Pearle),

Yellow thread for accents and to attach yellow fabric. Purple variegated thread to add depth to the petals.

Quilting pins to initially attach everything to the bag

I have been sewing mandalas using Aunt Lydia’s Crotchet thread. I use 2 layers of fabric and source dense patterns on second hand fabric – I start in the middle and work outwards sewing in a variety of different stitches. I don’t use the same stitches on any of the mandalas.

I cut out 18 red petals making them the same height as the centre diameter- though a section is tucked under the centre.  Secure in place using running stitch around the edges, including the centre.

 

I added yellow accents in scraps of yellow fabric and stitched that in place with running stitch

Add running stitch close together in variegated red thread to add tone and texture to each petal

I decided to add some variegated purple to the petals to add depth. I also decided to add some anthers in yellow with purple outlines. These details haven’t been added all the way round the centre.

 

Advertisement

MontJaux 2019

We don’t usually visit the French house in September. This year it was just Jon and I  for a few days, then Dad joined us.

Jon wanted to visit some where new . We have been visiting this area for over 30yrs.

When we drive  up the A75 from Beziers we pass sign posts for the Cirque de Navacelles which is the remains of a large oxbow lake. I wasn’t prepared for the depth or the scale of it.

 We drove down to the centre and the village for lunch.

The doors were decorated with cardabelles – the flower of the region and for the first time I also saw shoes.

My Dad is always renovating bits of the house. This year he and my brother organised a new terrace door. Which has become my new favourite view.

 

 

Embroidery flowers

 

I have been absent on my blog for a bit. Everything goes in phases……. Recently I have been making large colourful embroidered flowers. The centres have evolved into brightly coloured mandalas – the petals are attached with running stitch. I have been collecting second hand fabric bags to decorate.

This week I decided to go back to blue