Do you know this stitch?

Hello,

This image is from my stitch sampler which I'd made long time back(20 odd years).It was my 1st attempt.
I'm posting this because I haven't seen this stitch in dictionaries/magazines/books.
I'm not writing the name of the stitch here , I want you to guess.If this stitch is popular  in your country please let me know .

I want to add some stitch tutorial of not so popular stitches.What do you all think?
Please leave a comment or e-mail me artisticfingers2012@gmail.com
Happy stitching!
Anita.

Shisha(mirror) embroidery

Hello ,
 I'd done this shisha /mirror embroidery on a peach cotton fabric .Its a kameez/kurti .

The orange circle in the center is the mirror.
Happy stitching!
Anita.

Greetings

Hello everyone,
Wishing you all a very happy Diwali!
Anita.

Aari embroidery - part 3

This post is about aari  embroidery frame. It has 4 stands,2 main bars and 2 side bars.
It is similar to slate frames.

                                                                   Stand

                                                               Side bars

                                                        close up view of the side bar

                                                                   Main bar 

                                   
                                                    close up view of  the main bar
                                                             

                                                    close up view (2) of the main bar

                                                                  Main bars

The main bar has got evenly placed holes,through which a thick cotton rope is passed twice.A strip of  cotton cloth is attached to one side of the main bar(last image). We've got to sit on the floor to work.
My next post in this series will be about attaching the fabric to the frame.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Hardanger doily

Hello everyone ,
  I'd like to share some images of a hardanger doily.

                                                   
This doily was designed by Gina Marion.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery - part 2

One of my reader had asked me how to prevent rusting in  aari needles .oops!I should have written about that.I always coat the hook part with bee's wax.Before using wipe it thoroughly with a tissue or soft cloth.

These are the fabric which are commonly used -
1.Linen
2.Cotton and raw cotton
3.Crepe silk
4.Georgette
5.Chiffon
6.Tulle
7.Silk cotton
8.Satin silk
9.Silk - raw silk,soft silk,pure silk
10.Satin
11.Felt

Avoid using heavy textured fabric ,smocked fabric and crushed fabric.
Heavy embroidery is usually done on silk and crepe sarees.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery part 1 - needles and threads

I'll be posting about aari embroidery which is also known as tambour embroidery in some countries for few weeks from now.

In this post let me explain about the needles and threads used in this technique.

NEEDLES
1.These aari hooks are made of iron.
2.They are handcrafted.
3.They are not coated.
4.They'll not spoil the silk threads because they are filed properly.
5.There is no specific size.(Will explain this later)
6.Many people think that these are crochet hooks but it's not.

                                                 a. hook used to stitch silk ,zari threads
                                                 b. hook used to stitch sequins,beads.

                                               
                                                              close up view.
                                       Note: hook b has a longer stem.

                                               
                                           hooks with wooden handles are also available    

In this image I'd kept a crochet needle first and a latch hook at the end just to show you all the difference between aari needle/hook and crochet,latch hook.For an extra grip,cotton thread is glued to the needle.

          Pony crewel needle#12 is used to fix beads, darning needle used to fix the material to the frame                                                                               


THREADS
        Mostly silk threads ,metallic threads(known as zari here),Silk Zari threads are used.

                                     Thick cotton thread  - used to fix the material to the frame

                                         a.metallic thread  b.silk thread  c.silk zari thread

                                            sequins,sequin mirror,plastic stones,beads


Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery

Aari embroidery is one of the popular embroidery styles in India.Silk threads and zari are used.It's done using a big slate frame (kind of) and the hook used is handmade.I'll post pictures soon. Cutwork,openwork,applique,filling stitches can be done with the same hook.Also sequins,mirrors,beads can be fixed too.

I'm posting images of my aari embroidery samplers which I'd worked long time back.

     
                                                                 A floral border

                                           
                                                                 A floral motif

                           
                                                          peacock motif

       
                                                       floral motif-leaves in satin stitch  and flower in chain stitch

I will post more details about aari embroidery soon.
Thank you for visiting.Come back to learn more.Feel free to comment or mail me .
Happy stitching
Anita.

Hardanger eye-glass case

                                         
                                                            Eye-glass case
    

Hardanger embroidery is one of my favourite form of embroidery which belongs to the counted thread category,was designed during late seventeenth century .

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Kutch embroidery

                       
Kutch embroidery on a green silk saree.
Happy stitching!
Anita.                 

Fabric painting

I'd hand painted this design on a peach colour crepe silk saree using acrylic paints and pearl metallic paints for Mrs.Selvi ,a banker .There are 30 motifs in the saree and 2 motifs in the blouse.
Anita.