Buds to Blossom
Learn how to embroider in a traditional Japanese style using flat silk and metallic threads to bring a modern plum blossom circle to life
BY LOËTITIA GIBIER
FIND THE TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 57
Inspired by traditional Japanese Embroidery, this little plum blossom circle is an introduction to the technique with a few broken rules and short-cuts, but still a lot to sink your teeth into. It will allow you to work with flat silk and Japanese metallic threads.
READ OUR GUIDE TO THE TECHNIQUES USED ON PAGE 46
YOU WILL NEED
MATERIALS
• Fuji silk fabric, 20 × 20cm
• Threads: - Flat silk, #16, #7, #21, #121,#138 - 1 reel of each - Japanese Metallic twist, Dark brown with Blue, #2801, 2 × 5m (on paper tube or similar) - Padding cotton thread - Japanese metallic, thread, Silver, #1 - Silver passing, EMC 008, 2 × 1m or a #4 silver
A pack containing all the supplies (including the pattern pre-printed on silk fabric) and some Japanese embroidery tools is available to purchase from www.korrylittleshop.co.uk
EQUIPMENT
• Embroidery hoop, 6in
• Tekobari (Japanese layering tool)
• Needles: - Japanese embroidery – highly recommended for the flat silk - Large, to plunge ends
• Empty spool – to create the padding cord
• Scissors, small embroidery
• 45° set square – ideally with a grid and transparent
• Scotch tape
• Fineliner pen or hard pencil