blanket01

I've started to work on this project about 2 years ago but it was put on hold because of some other priorities. I wanted to make something really grand for an A&S competition. Initialy, I would have like to embroider it all but I'm not that patient and I'd like to see it done before I'm retired so, I decided to go with embroided patchwork (intarsia) instead.

I got the inspiration from Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott (above) but contrarely to that one, which only has scenes all around, I want mine to be intirely covered with scenes from late 13th c. to early 15th c. meaning about 35 cameos of 12" diameter each, displayed in slightly bigger squares.

Start by drawing the desired scene on the paper. Once you're satisfied, use a carbon-sheet to trace it on your canevas. Note that your drawing is your pattern and you'll need to cut through it so, if you wish to save your drawing, you'll either have to trace it on another sheet of paper with a carbon-sheet or have it photocopied before you get started.

Than you cut out the shapes only one at a time as you go or you will most certainly lose track of all the tiny pieces of the puzzle. You need to work by layers so start with what apears in the background. All pieces need to be precise or the pieces wont fit all you'll get a gap between them which will make it impossible to embroid. The best way to go is to pin the pieces down and hold them firmly so that they don't move at all, just a single millimeter gap and you're done for ! Tracing the piece prior to cutting is the safest way to go.

Place only the pieces whom are in direct contact with the one you've just set still by layering. Here, I could have worked only with the layers of grass but since the tree was isolated, I decided to start with that instead. Note that I only cut the pieces that I'm currently working on.

When at least two pieces are in contact, you can start embroidering them in place. You can either do this by hand or with the buttonhole-stitch (zig-zag) of your sewing machine. Note that you can't go all around the piece if the other pieces are still missing. These tiny pieces are fragile and the edges will plush a lot so you want to set them in place as soon as possible and avoid manipulation excess. Set your stitch wider for very plushy pieces and narrower for delicate details. Work your stitch at an angle as you go for nicer result. Avoid silk, satin or other very plushy fabrics for the smalest details such as hands and faces. Glue isn't necessary but if you're not used to working with such small pieces, it might make your work easier, especialy if you're embroiding with a machine. Avoid liquid glue at all cost because it will go through the fabric and stain your work. Also make sure that the glue is intirely dry before sewing through because your thread and needle will get gummy and you will not be happy at all with that, I swear.

01. Two queens holding a banner
02. A banquet scene
03. A war ship
04. Horsemen and banner
05. Harvest scene
06. Musiciens
07. A shepherd boy and sheep
08. Knight leaving castle and lady waving
09. Bishop with a couple getting married
10. A monk in his scriptorium
11. Two knights jousting
12. Woman giving birth with midwifes
13. A king sieging
14. Group of dancers
15. Lovers playing chess
16. Hunters with falcon
17. A lady at prayer before a statue
18. A group of nuns

19. Lovers in bed
20. An alchemist
21. A surgeon
22. A master and his pupils
23. A lady with a distaff
24. A blacksmith
25. Poor / plagued or crippled people
26. Writer offering his book
27. Agriculture scene with a bull
28. A merchant in his stale/boutique
29. Construction workers
30. Ladies in a chariot
31. A kitchen/cooking or bread-baking scene
32. Archers/an assault
33. Adoubement /knighting of an esquire
34. A funeral scene
35. I'm leaving this one blank 'cause I'm sure that at some point I'll have a major hurge for something !!!