SUN HANGING
WELCOME THOSE SUNNY DAYS AHEAD WITH THIS GORGEOUS HANGING DISPLAYED IN A VINTAGE-STYLE BRASS FRAME
Welcome those sunny days ahead with Sophie Tarrant’s easy-frame project
MATERIALS
Calico fabric: 35x35cm, natural Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of black, brown, green, pale green, magenta, bright yellow, pale yellow and straw yellow
Fusible medium-weight interfacing Embroidery hoop: 20cm diameter Hanging brass frame: 15x20cm Basic embroidery kit
STITCHES USED
Backstitch, Fishbone Stitch, Satin Stitch, Split Stitch, Straight Stitch
NOTES
Find the template on p76. Vintage-style brass frames available in a range of sizes from www.rexlondon.com
01 Firstly, back your calico fabric with fusible medium-weight interfacing, then transfer the sun card design from the template onto the fabric using your preferred method. Mount the fabric into your hoop, ensuring it is taut and crease-free.
02 Use two strands of bright yellow to fill in each of the sunflower petals using Satin Stitch. Next, work the stems in Split Stitch using two strands of green. Using two strands of pale green, work Fishbone Stitch to fill in the larger leaves, then fill the smaller leaves with Satin Stitch.
03 Using two strands of green, work a line of Split Stitch along the top of each hill. Use two strands of pale green to work a series of lines in Backstitch across the front hill to fill it in, using the shape of the top of the hill to guide you. Fill the second hill in the same way, using two strands of green.
04 Use one strand of brown to work the criss-cross lines in the centre of each sunflower using Straight Stitch. Next, use Straight Stitch in two strands of straw yellow to work the dashed lines radiating out of the sun. Work Split Stitch in two strands of pale yellow for the solid lines coming out of the sun and for the outline of the sun’s face.
05 With one strand of black, work over the outlines of the illustration in Backstitch
– leaving only the sun’s rays, the fields, text at the bottom of the card and the numbers at the top unstitched. Stitch the text at the bottom and the Roman numerals at the top in Backstitch using two strands of magenta.
06 To finish, remove your embroidery from the hoop and press gently to remove any creases. Trim around the edge of the stitching, leaving a 1cm border all around and curving the corners. Open your brass frame and carefully position the design in the centre of it, then close to seal the design in place.