Framed shells
MATERIALS
Cotton fabric: 22x22cm, light blue
Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of beige, blue, cobalt blue, light blue, navy blue, burgundy, cream, dark green, dark sage green, light green, sage green, yellow-green, grey, dark grey, light grey, orange, peach, pink, light pink, very light pink and yellow
Embroidery hoop: 12cm diameter
Double glass frame: 15x20cm
Iron-on adhesive
Double-sided tape
Basic embroidery kit
STITCHES USED
Satin Stitch, Split Stitch, Straight Stitch
Begin by working the large blue shell in Satin Stitch, using two strands of light blue and adding light grey and cobalt blue to the lip. Add stripes of Straight Stitch in three strands of blue and angled dashes in one strand of cobalt blue. Outline with Split Stitch in one strand of cobalt blue.
For the spiral shell, use two strands of dark grey blended together with two strands of grey to work every third section of the spiral shell in Satin Stitch. Repeat for the remaining sections, changing threads to a blend of two light grey and two yellow, then a mix of two grey and two light grey strands. Outline in Split Stitch using two strands of dark grey.
For the green shell, work the lip in Satin Stitch in two strands of sage green. Then, add Straight Stitch using two strands of dark sage green. Following the shape of the outline for each stripe, fill the shell with lines of Split Stitch in two strands of light green, yellow-green and dark green. With a single strand of dark green, Split Stitch a line through the centre of each light green and yellow-green stripe. Finish with a Split Stitch outline in a single strand of grey.
Work the starfish in Satin Stitch using two strands of orange. Finish by adding a Straight Stitch down the centre of each arm in four strands of yellow.
Fill the navy and cream shell with Satin Stitch using two strands of cream and navy blue for the main part and beige for the lip. Using one strand, add dashes of Straight Stitches in navy blue at the tip of the shell and outline the shell with Split Stitch in grey.
Start the scallop shell by outlining the burgundy ridges in two strands of Split Stitch. Next, fill the shell within these ridges using Satin Stitch in sections of pink, peach, light pink and very light pink. Finish by adding single strands of burgundy and cream over the top in Straight Stitch to add definition.
Remove the fabric from the hoop and iron the adhesive onto the back. Use the hoop as a guide to draw a circle, cut out the circle and remove the paper from the backing. Position the fabric in the centre of the panes of glass and use small pieces of double-sided tape to secure it in place. Once you’re happy with the position, insert it into the frame ready for display.