Camellias - the last flower

Finally, it was time to revisit the last flower. I had started this in October as well at the branch and I decided that this also should be removed and started over. However, not because I didn’t like what I had already done but because I thought that my stitching might not match what I had done previously. And, if I am honest, I was looking forward to stitching this partially open flower; all of it, not just the small petals remaining.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

In Japanese embroidery the foremost elements are normally stitched first, in this case that meant the small turnover section of a petal. This was done in diagonal foundation rather than LSS. The remaining petals are done in random long and short stitch starting with the large petal on the right.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

The last row of stitches on this petal is done with #1 gold 'WOC'. Japanese gold threads are made of paper with gold leaf applied to one side. The paper is cut into narrow strips that are then wrapped around a silk core. The thickness of the silk core determines the weight of the thread. 'WOC' stands for 'without core'. The gold leafed paper strip is very carefully removed from the silk core and threaded into the needle. It is very, very fragile!

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

On the three back petals there is barely room to add a second row of LSS. A few stitches here and there, some silk, some gold 'WOC' are all that is needed. It only took a few hours to stitch this little flower – it was over too quickly!

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Happy Stitching