Chapter 10 Inlay Applique

Insertion stitch sample

This demonstrates the workings of various insertion stitches.

I’ve taken a piece of green commercially bought felt and decorated it with various mohair fibres using fusible web before cutting it into strips and then re-joining it with the following insertion stitches shown from top to bottom:

Basic simple insertion stitch

Knotted buttonhole stitch

Laced insertion stitch

Twisted insertion stitch

Plaited insertion stitch

Herringbone and knotted insertion stitch

Machine stitched 3-step zig-zag [see smaller sample which shows various stitches]

All of these were worked with a graph paper backing to support the fabrics and enable me to keep the gaps in place with the exception of the last worked on the machine.

I’ve documented all my workings and techniques/sources of information in my log book.

This technique is new to me and I was pleased with the effects I achieved, especially the beaded stitch as I love the jewel like finish it gives, and the beautiful effect of the complex plaited stitch [I love to adorn my work in this way]. I can see potential for all sorts of projects such as books, waistcoats, belts, cuffs not only because there is an added flexibility but also the patchwork/ motif effects for anything worked in ‘a block’.

Simple Counterchange Sample 1

I took 2 pieces of commercially bought felt [one red and the other a contrasting green] and decorated them with various threads mainly mohair, silk fray and snippets of fabric all applied with a fusible web. I decided not to overlay them with a sheer fabric as that seemed to mask the gorgeous patterns made by the threads.

I then drew a simple cross shape on the back of the felt pieces before cutting them out and counterchanging them.

I couldn’t resist using the beaded insertion stitch to secure the inserts. The shapes fitted snugly initially but I had to trim them carefully to allow for the beaded stitching.

I was a little concerned that I’d used too many contrasting fibres and snippets to decorate the felt pieces resulting in insufficient contrast but on completion I can appreciate how the warmth of the red comes forward whilst the cool of the green recedes thus giving the contrast required. Meanwhile the applied threads seem to dance with each other taking the eye back and forth between the two felt pieces.

I used green beads to go with the green insert and red beads with the red to help bring out the effect of the contrast and matched up the colour of the insert with the blanket stitching around the edges.

I’d love to make a wall hanging or even curtains with this technique [time please!!] or perhaps a throw or table cover.

Counterchange Sample 2

I had fun with this!

The photos for this demonstrate the stages in which I worked.

Firstly I took sample’ i’ on my Colour Design Sheet C and then made a paper template on a piece of graph paper [very grubby and has obviously been in my cupboard for much too long!]

I then took the template and used it to make 4 quarters in different coloured felt all decorated in different ways:

· Red strips of fabric bonded onto green felt,

· green strips of fabric/net/ribbon bonded onto red felt,

· red fabric adorned with green fibres and snippets which in turn has been bonded to green felt and finally

· a piece of green fabric adorned with red fibres fused to a piece of red felt.

I then moved these around in a rotational swap to make my counterchange design and tacked them onto a piece of graph paper as before

I decided on a laced insertion stitch using a green braid edging stitch [similar to blanket stitch but with a twist www.ziva-needlepoint-designs.com] and because I wanted to use both colours in the insertion stitch to keep up the busy feel of the overall design I used red thread for the lacing

I had used a scrap of green ribbon in the decoration of the green fabric piece and decided to include the remaining bit to lace the stitches around the square centre for emphasis

The outside edges of my final square piece aren’t very even and this would pose a problem if I needed to join more of them together. This is a learning point and more care needs to be taken next time!

Interchange Sample 3

I took me a while to get my head round this!

Using paper first I took two different cross shapes and then took one other cross shape and cut it from the former two [positive shape = the inside cross. The negative shape is formed from the pieces that surround the inside cross

I then transferred my two different cross shapes onto fabric by tracing the shapes onto the paper backing of some fusible web, ironed them onto fabric and cut them out before fusing these onto a square of felt. These were pieces of decorated fabric I’d made a while ago and so probably seem a bit random, the lighter red one has a leaf fused underneath the sheer fabric covering and although this is lost when the new shape is cut it gives a lovely contrast and glowing effect .

I then used my paper templates for the inner cross shape to guide me as I drew these on the back of the felt square before cutting them out and interchanging them.

This was so exciting as I got some wonderfully surprising effects especially that of the new shape and splash of colour provided by the inner part of the larger original cross shape.

I used a machined insertion stitch as I hadn’t used this before and wanted to see the effect it would give, I repeated the stitching four times for extra effect and then added the hand stitching [ with colours interchanged] to highlight shapes and outlines. This really made it sing and come alive especially as it added to the effect of the the inner cross shape giving the effect of spinning in the centre!

I’m very pleased with this.