Wednesday 6 November 2013

Negative space embroidery

In between Halloween parties and the approaching Rainbow Birthday Party, I've been playing around with an embroidery idea.


A while ago I found a striking heart shape embroidered with stitches surrounding a heart shape in the fabric - essentially stitching the 'negative space' around the center. I loved it so much I decided to try it out using my new-found skill with French knots...


I might be bonkers using the butterfly shape, it may turn out to be too complicated a design to effectively show up with negative space knots. We shall see, it's not a large design so hasn't taken very long at all to get to this point. 

I'm using just one colour - I chose white as I wanted a very simple, ethereal, girly air about it - and I'm joining in with the &Stitches Month of Colours, which focuses on using single colours in embroidery. This is a very interesting exercise, no matter what type of embroidery or needlework you are doing. I urge you to check it out! 

And even though I might not be able to post each and every Sunday for Stitching Sundays, given the busy holiday season upon us, I'll be sure to put the linking tool in my weekend posts, I'll keep the grab button on the sidebar, and I really hope you all continue to share your latest projects! 

Oh, one final word, in case you're wondering where I got the image for the butterfly...


It's a cookie cutter! 

Hello to my newest followers, and thank you all for your comments, they provide so much inspiration! 

Chrissie x

19 comments:

  1. Chrissie this is going to be just stunning! What a great idea using a cookie cutter for a template too...I have never thought to use one!
    Marianne xx

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  2. LOVE this, it's so stylish and it's going to look even lovelier when it's finished - can't wait to see it. Enjoy the rainbow party, that sounds like a lot of fun, & happy birthday to your birthday girl. Hugs xx

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  3. Gosh you've done such a lot of stitching since I last visited! This looks so delicate, really beautiful. Love your tissue paper flowers too! :) x

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  4. Oh yes Chrissie - I like this - a lot can be done with neg spaces, and your French knots are beautiful. I'm off to follow that link thank you! Love Joy xoxo

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  5. Looking beautiful. What a clever idea creates such a lovely effect xx

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  6. I've not seen this technique before in stitching, it looks beautiful Chrissie! xx

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  7. This looks really effective, looking forward to seeing the finished result

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  8. Great idea which does give a lovely ethereal quality to the work - now who's the clever clogs!! Must get round to having a go at this, it's gorgeous. X

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  9. This is looking so effective and stylish, Chrissie! The idea of using negative space like this is very clever...I don't think I have ever seen it done with French knots before! It creates a lovely ethereal effect round the butterfly shape, and using a cookie cutter for the shape is inspired too! Happy birthday to your little girl.......I love the rainbow theme!
    Helen x

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  10. I love this idea, already you can see what your motif is going to be. I used to enjoy making French knots, it's surprising just by altering the thickness of the yarn and the space between each knot what affect you will get.
    Looking forward to seeing it finished.
    Sally xxx

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  11. Fab idea and it's going to look great, I can tell already!

    S x

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  12. This is going to be really beautiful and worth the effort!

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  13. I really like this! It looks like a stenciled design. I can't wait to see more.

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  14. That is a great idea. We used to do negative still life drawing at Uni to practise our observation skills and it feels hard at first but then you start to see it the other way around. Clever stuff! Jo x

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  15. Chrissie I'm absolutely loving this!!!
    I seriously stink at french knots but this makes me want to have another go!
    Much love,
    Tammy xx

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  16. This is such a clever idea and I love the effect that it creates, I had a look at this yesterday on my phone, wanted to see just how different it looked on a bigger screen and it's truly very effective. Love the idea of using French knots to create the negative space. Hope that all your preparations are going well for today and Saturday, I know it is normally a bit hectic but in a good way. Hope the birthday girl has a very special day today and that she enjoyed every minute!! Much love xoxo

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  17. This is beautiful! I just got the same cookie cutter but I will use it for felting. Useful little things...
    Anna x

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  18. Anonymous2:59 pm GMT

    This technique will give the butterfly a really light feel if you see what I mean! Lovely work.

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  19. oh wow, that is going to be fabulous!

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