Silver Body

The thing that I find most challenging is stitching with metallic threads. You can only stitch with the fine gauge threads; heavier one have to be couched onto the surface. However fine, I find that metallics have a life of their own and need very delicate handling. I am stitching with a double strand of #1 silver. In my hands the pair of threads twist around each other so that they do not lay nicely; f I try to pull them through the fabric too quickly, or do not keep the thread under tension, it kinks; and if I get a little tetchy and tug too sharply, the silver shreds leaving me with the silk inner core.

Trying to do satin stitch over padding, in metallic silver, was nearly a challenge too far for me. First, I stitched the head. This went relatively smoothly; the threads had not started misbehaving and I was nearly in control. I then stitched the first and second segments of the body. Like small children on a car journey, I think the threads had become bored and started to fight with each other and with me. I persevered but was really not happy with the results and immediately removed it. My second attempt was a bit improvement, not as good as I would like it but I fear that the silk background would not stand a third attempt; this is as good as it is going to get. I did not pad the last body section (each section has progressively less padding) and the stitching when more easily, this may be in part because I was using a fresh strand of thread.

© Jennifer Ashley Taylor/Carol-Anne Conway

Next time I stitch with metallics, I will use shorter lengths and I think I will try using a single stand.

Happy Stitching