Sttiching Sundays 6

 Having said I needed to make some felt leaves for the seasonal tree decoration, I decided to make them my next Stitching Sunday project.  I used my own hand made felt and then added some simple embroidery to give an indication of the veins in the leaves.

Here is my progress so far.  I think I shall have to make the yellow one again in more of a leafy shape, because once I had lightly stuffed it, I think it resembled a carrot, rather than a leaf!  Hmm, try again there!

 I have just been using split stitch, inspired by the TV programme I watched three times (just because I loved it!) on English medieval embroidery - opus anglicanum.  Split stitch seems to give a versatile and flexible line and I think it looks a bit like chain stitch too. 

The light was rotten today due to the rain, so apologies for the less than  impressive photos.  I do like the felt colours on the bottom leaf, but I think it needs a bit more embroidery...  I hope to get these finished by next week and go on to my next project.

Stitching Sundays 5

Having completed (yay!) my first project, I am starting out on my second.  Simple felt leaves (using felt made by me) with embroidered veins/patterns, to hang on the seasonal tree.

I haven't yet got round to cutting them out and sewing them, but here are some of the materials gathered ready.  I am going to add a new stitch to the two I have used up to now (stem stitch and back stitch) - split stitch.
I was watching a fantastic programme on BBC4 last week, which was part of the Fabric of Britain series, where there have also been programmes about the history of knitting and the history of wallpaper.  This week,  the focus was the wonder of English medieval embroidery ( the link is to iplayer) or 'opus anglicanum' (English work), which was renowned throughout Europe as being the best.  The programme showed some beautiful and precious examples of this embroidery, usually used in bishop's robes or other church vestments, and using gold and silver, pearls and jewels too. (It is being repeated tonight at 8.00pm on BBC4 and is well worth a look.)

 This is from a Bishop's cope.

 Here is the whole cope spread out.

Another close up from a cope. 
The programme was fascinating and visited churches and museums in Italy as well as The Royal School of Embroidery where the two stitches which these embroiderers used most - split stitch and underside couching - were demonstrated.  I am excited to be using a stitch which has such a long history.
The end of opus anglicanum came after the Black Death in 1348, where so many people died.  The embroiderers from Europe took over with their stitching designs and they were taken up in England too.  I enjoyed all of this short series and recommend the programmes (if you are able to access them).
(Photos of embroidery from V and A website)