The Goldwork Still Life is an intermediate design. The embroidery is worked on cream silk dupioni fabric and the design is drawn on the fabric, so you do not have to worry about transferring the design yourself. The pineapple is padded with felt and crochet cotton and then gold embroidery threads sewn over top. The grapes, cherries and leaves are worked in silk threads in surface embroidery stitches. In the kit i provide a detailed instruction booklet with 22 pages of step-by-step diagrams and instructions on each technique on the goldwork design. Techniques and Threads Worked on the Still Life Design: Padding: Areas of the design are padded with felt and crochet cotton. Pineapple Body: The scales on the pineapple are worked by couching down Japan thread and sewing down a bead and spangle in the center and outlined in pearl purl. The area around the scales are worked in French knots in silk thread. The pineapple is outlined in Milliary wire. Pineapple Leaves: The leaves are worked by sewing down soft gold beads in bright check, rough and smooth purl over crochet cotton padding. Grapes, Cherries and Leaves: The grapes, cherries and leaves are worked in satin stitch in silk threads. Each of my goldwork designs have different metal thread techniques so doing one design doesn’t necessarily prepare you for another design. Each design is unique making for a new stitching experience each time. I am offering free on-going critique with this kit…..you can email me at any time if you have questions or would like me to critique your embroidery. Metal threads tarnish as the metals are copper based under a gold plating and oxidize over time when exposed to light and the elements. Display the embroidery in a dark location with no direct natural or artificial light to slow down the rate of tarnishing. Please visit the Metal Thread Information page for FAQS on goldwork/metal threads. Embroidery Size: 4 3/4 inches (11 3/4 cm) high by 4 3/4 inches (11 3/4 cm) wide Kit Contents: Instruction Booklet A Piece of Cream Silk Dupioni Fabric 11 inches by 11 inches (27 1/2 cm by 27 1/2 cm) With the Design Hand Drawn on A Piece of Cotton Muslin Fabric to Back the Silk Fabric Felt With the Design Drawn on Crochet Cotton for Padding Seven Different Types of Gilt Metal Threads Fourteen Shades of Silk Thread Red and Green Seed Beads One Spool of Yellow Polyester Sewing Thread Two Size 10 Crewel Embroidery Needles One Size 18 Chenille Needle One Curved Needle Recommended Supplies: 9 inch Stretcher Bar Frame and Thumb Tacks Packet of Size 10 or 12 Crewel Embroidery Needles Goldwork and Beading Pad – To Cut Metal Threads on Tweezers – For Manipulating Metal Threads Goldwork Embroidery Scissors – Sharp Precision Scissors to Cut Metal Threads Mellor – For Pushing Metal Threads in Position Beeswax – For Waxing Sewing Thread
