Chapter 10 The Nurses' panel

 These are my nurses so far but I'm aiming to make my own scalloped edge

The nurses are worked on a vintage napkin, placed in the centre as I needed to place the napkin in an embroidery hoop to support the stitching as I worked. In order to make this image my own and relevant to the piece I knew I'd need to work my own edging incorporating an abstract feel reflecting shapes within the wider concept.

I played around with ideas suggesting oak leaf edges:

This was very attractive but I felt it looked too busy and took the oak leaf theme a little too far, fighting with images surrounding.

I then played with the idea of a poppy edge, using paper first:

I really like the simplicity of this. It gently reflects the curved oakleaf and poppy shapes:

I decided to work it out using calico first

I made a cardboard template to measure with and draw round. 

The length of the panel will be 25cms

The width will be 12cms.

There will be a 5cms turn back 

I worked out that I needed the poppy pattern repeated x4 along the side edges and then a larger 

poppy [bottom shape] x 3 along the upper and lower edges. These will be made within the 5cm flap

And another template in stitch n tear to guide my stitching:

I matched centre points on my templates and calico sample

The side edges were turned under with the 5cm flaps folded to the back

The 5cm flaps were pleated and folded again

The stitch n tear template lined up along central pleat on the wrong side and at the same time the outer pleat folded back [double] to support the stitching.

Now to stitch! The Stitch n Tear used to guide straight stitched shape [embroidery foot and feed dog up]

Stitch n tear then removed / torn away.

Zigzag stitch  over straight stitch and then excess fabric trimmed away carefully

Zig zag / satin stitch worked along cut edge to finish

Pleat then arranged with poppy edge showing

Calico sample - right side:

 Calico edge wrong side:

Upper and lower edges turned under and poppy edge worked separately in calico with stitch n tear:

Finished nurse panel with poppy edging completed and top stitching in red to secure pleated edge