» Listings for February 2015

1. Art Deco 'Sunburst' Cushion Cover

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 26th Feb 2015

   Art Deco Sunburst Cushion Cover

   Art Deco was a popular design movement from the 1920’s to 1930’s, a movement between the two World Wars. It affected all forms of art from architecture, interior design, sculpture, furniture, industrial design and visual arts such as fashion, clothing, jewellery, paintings, graphic arts and film.

   Art Deco style is elegant, functional, streamlined and geometrical. The style began as a Modernist response in opposition to Art Nouveau styling which featured elaborate, flowing natural forms plus female imagery.  Bold colour schemes were used such as silver, black, chrome, yellow, red, creams, greens, beige or oyster and eau-de-nil.  In keeping with this bold idea black seemed a good background colour, with the use of strong coppers and bright turquoise.  100% wool also felt like the right fibre choice.

   CONCEPT BOARD

   

   The sunburst effect was very popular and as you can see from the concept board it is seen in a variety of forms on architecture, furniture and interior design.

   It is considered to represent exuberance and optimism in the Machine Age. The Chrysler Building, considered the finest Art Deco skyscraper, prominently features a sunburst crown and it can often be seen replicated throughout both private and public structures.

   We added the turquoise chevron to add an extra geometrical dimension and to make the colours ‘pop’.

2. Cross Stitch Basics - Using a Chart

   Posted on 9:00am Wednesday 25th Feb 2015

   The Chart

   Counted cross stitch is worked using a chart made up of squares, similar to graph paper. The chart may be black and white, or colour and may be plain squares or squares with symbols. Whichever option is used each square of the chart represents one full cross stitch.

   Fractional stitches are half filled squares or squares with two different colours and/or symbols. If the design incorporates back stitch this will be shown on the chart as black or coloured lines, and similarly any special stitches, such as French knots, will be shown by way of a specific symbol explained in the key (see notes on the key below).

   It is important to always begin stitching a design at the centre of the fabric and to assist in finding the centre on the chart most will have some indication, either by way of arrows at edge of the chart marking the mid-point of each side, or by way of two dotted lines which intersect at the centre of the design.

    SAMPLE  SECTION  OF  A  CHART

    

   The Key

   Essential to understanding the chart is the key as this lists the threads used, and any additional information required to stitch the piece. It will show a sample square with the colour and/or symbol as used in the chart, next to which it will quote the thread number used. (Each embroidery thread has its own code number to identify the specific colour/shade).

   The symbols and corresponding thread numbers are grouped by stitch type. For instance, if the design uses both cross stitch and back stitch the key will usually show the cross stitch element first and then then the back stitch. It will also list how many strands of thread to use for each stitch, and any other pertinent information. More complex designs may also use specialty threads and these too will be listed with their own symbol for the chart.

   The designer will have used a specific make of thread when creating the piece, such as DMC or Anchor, and the codes for these threads will always be shown. Some keys will also indicate a ‘nearest match’ for other popular brands.

    SAMPLE  OF  A  BASIC  KEY