Aari 'n' beads

This paisley is a part of an aari  embroidery design which I’m working right now.

                                                  

Hope I’m not irritating y’all by showing different paisleys….

Have a happy weekend wherever you are!

Happy stitching!

Anita.

Kurti - Aari embroidery

I've started a couple of projects this week,will show you all soon.
Today I'm posting images of an aari embroidered kurti.

I've used silk threads and metallic silver beads.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery part 7

I'd worked the outline of this motif in chain stitch with variegated red thread

 The petal is filled with khiju khiju or vermicelli stitch.

The outline of the petals are done with zig zag chain stitch(over the chain stitch ),  stitched a row of red glass beads between  2 rows of chain in the paisley and flower center is a star shaped golden yellow sequin.

The trellis is chain stitch with variegated red thread and  french knots with variegated yellow thread.
I've got to repeat these motifs  to complete this dress.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery - part 6

Firstly I'd like thank you all for your support,comments and e-mails.

I've made one straight stitch with 4 strands of green silk thread inside each leaf.

I'd filled some leaves with glass beads.

The small flowers are outlined with chain stitch using variegated red and the flower center is a sequin(flower shape) with a gold color glass bead.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery - part 5

I will be using these silk threads for the salwar project which I'd shown in my previous post.

The basic stitch in aari embroidery is chain stitch.

Here the working thread will always be under the fabric .
To make a chain - Punch the needle from top,wrap the thread over hook,slightly rotate the needle and pull it up.
To start - Make a  waste knot.
To end - Make 2 loose chains, pull the first chain through second one tightly - a knot is made.
While punching, the needle should be perpendicular to the ground fabric otherwise you'll end up pulling warp or weft thread of the fabric.

 

I've worked all the stems and leaves in chain stitch.

Happy stitching!
Anita.

Aari embroidery - part 4

Today I'm going to show you how to attach the fabric to the aari frame. It's a raw silk fabric for salwar-kameez (green & maroon)

Before attaching I'd transferred the design using white carbon paper .
The design can also be transferred onto the fabric by prick and pounce method .

The fabric is attached to the 2 main bars. Mark the center of the bars as well as the fabric on both sides and pin it up.Use the cotton thread (see aari embroidery part 1) to stitch the first side of the fabric to one of the main bars.

To begin make a knot & to end put 4-5 back stitches on to the white cotton cloth which is attached to the bar.

Then stitch the second side to the other bar and roll it up.

Now insert the stretcher bars and stretch the frame and place the pegs or nails.

Then fold the selvedges, make small darning stitches and pass the same thread through these stitches, pull it tight , tie the thread to the peg/nail.

Now all the 4 sides of the fabric are stretched . Next step is to start stitching .

Happy stitching!
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.

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.