I started on last Saturday and finished on Sunday late afternoon, those nineteen tiles have drived me nut; tiles are so small, about 5 - 6 mm each and that repetive work was really slow and boring. At a certain point I was going to give up. One of the main problem was that sometimes the plans one makes are not what expected....I took the shape of the roof laying on it a piece of tracing paper and I draw over it the shape of the tiles but for some reason, when the tiles where done those where not enought to cover the whole space and two rows where still needed! Gosh ! I could not understand why this happened but so was. I stopped for a while and decided I could only go ahead and finish it.
I'm I happy with the result ? not 100% but for no reason in the world I will re do it. And I still have the other roof to make....
So if you are planning to have a castle with roof tiles, you have been awarded ! :)
Tiles where made in detached needlelace on a separate hoop with a size 33 paper covered wire for the shape using corded buttonhole stitch. Then stitched in place.
Rae - Reconstructed Fabulousness - asked me to see a close up photo and to know more about how it was made, so here you go:
A-B-C-D : corded detached buttonhole using four strands of Pipers silk, couched in place then stuffed with wool batting.
F: wool batting first covered with CBH; a second layer made with a variation of CBH was applied over and the window hole is keeped in shape with a 0.30 metal wire included in the stitching. A little piece of Mica was placed in between. Thread used was four strands of Pipers silk.
G: same as F but the second layer was done in up and down buttonhole, thread Devere Yarns silk size 18.
H: a metal pin was used then covered with flat silk thread, then a little flag made in CBH over 0.30 wire was couched on top.
I: long and short stitch in Soie Ovale, no padding.
L: CBH worked in round, always supported by a 0.30 metal wire. Columns made in CBH surrounded by silk gimp.
M- E : CBH in four strands Pipers silk, over two layers of wool felt. Brick pattern made with a ticker thread stitched over.
N: Brick stitch in Soie Ovale over 35ct linen fabric, then stitched in place over one layer of wool felt.
O: trellis stitch using the back side in Soie Perlè, stitched in place over wool batting, all surrounded by drizzle stitch made with Soie Perlè and 40/3 Seta Reale (an old Italian brand of silk).
P: CBH supported by 0.30 metal wire then stitched in place, same for all the other doors.
Hope this can be useful...any questions ? Feel free to ask !
XXXX
Francesca, thank you so very much for taking the time to post closer photos and to so wonderfully illustrate the stitches/techniques and threads used. It is so nice to see how you are applying todays materials to this stunning 17th century castle...a castle is on my bucket list and I will be pouring over you example for much time to come...the colours in the leaves of that tree to the left are amazing, what threads did you use? Of course the tree trunk is awesome too, french knots? The whole piece is just gorgeous. Rae.
RispondiEliminaI'm always very happy to share what I know and I'm crazy for materials specially for silk threads !
RispondiEliminaThe silk used for the leaves on tree is chinese silk from Suzhou, see my old post : http://lasoffittadeltempoperduto.blogspot.it/2013/04/17th-cenglish-raised-embroidery.html
here you can read more about it and there are also links to the colour card and contact details to buy it. This silk is a good cheaper alternative to Soie Ovale.
The colour numbers used here are: 47-1, 47-2, 47-4, 47-5 and Soie ovale 2533.
The trunk is in French Knots over felt padding, silk thread is size 40/3 Seta Reale which is similar to Perlè, this is an old Italian brand thread no more on the market that I found in a stock house time ago.
Can't wait to see your progress, feel free to ask anything ! XXX
Your castle is wonderful, Francesca. That you for posting all the information about the materials and techniques you have used.
RispondiElimina