While I was reading the comments on my blog post '
What to do with short orts' I started thinking of Goldwork and got the idea of making purl out of orts.
Instead of winding the short thread ends round a skewer I used a needle,
and soon had these pretty curls,
which I then filled with strands of other threads.
The result was couched down on my 'Pile 'em On' piece.
As you can see, I messed them up a bit.
If I had starched the thread before curling it on the needle, or indeed added bond and let it dry, I would have got stiff purl, almost similar to Goldwork purl.
Very creative!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun tread play!
DeleteBrilliant! Lovely colors and effect.
ReplyDeleteIf you use contrast colours the effect can be very striking.
DeleteI have 3 jars full of orts. I'll have to give this idea a try :)
ReplyDeleteThat would take some time, ha, ha! Use this technique for some of the thread and place the others between water solvable 'fabric', stitch across in all directions by machine, dissolve in water and you have a new piece of 'thread fabric' instead.
DeleteHow about stringing a bunch of those different colored curls on to one thread. You could make a cool caterpillar to go with the flowers.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea, Julie!
DeleteSuch a cool stitching technique ~ "messed up" or not!
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
Merry creating!
Hi Rose!
DeleteThe whole idea with this piece of free form embroidery is messing it up! I started this project as a kind of stress relief.
However, the purl making technique can of course be taken seriously and stitched down with great care.
They look like stripey worms on the third picture down, but not so much when stitched down.
ReplyDeleteI know, to keep the worms healthy and well fed I need to use a thicker thread inside and stitch it down carefully. Now it looks like the poor creature has been run over by a truck!
Deletewhat a good idea and as you say if you starch it it will hold the curls better, like the idea of putting your scraps between soluble too, must start saving my orts
ReplyDeleteOnly start saving your orts if you like fiddly work!
DeleteWhat a good idea, there is always a use for everything!
ReplyDeleteIt is sometimes finding the use for unwanted things that is the attraction . very creative work!
DeleteWhat a good idea with the curls. - and yes I would starch them - they would keep the shape.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right.
DeleteDid you know that in olden days lace was often starched with sugar? How about a really strong sugar starch for the curls, they might glisten with the crystals?
Have a creative week!
What a clever idea! I'll have to try these. Would it be possible to thread your needle with the contrasting thread before you wrapped the needle, then just pull the contrasting thread through the curls?
ReplyDeleteOf course! Why didn't I think of that??!! Thank you for your sound advice. I love blogging buddies and their support!
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