Process Notes: Embroidery + Seeds
So months ago I had this image of a seed filled figure. Originally I was thinking to make it completely out of organza (front and back). The idea is to be able to see the seeds inside. I did know that I would embroider the figure so that the seeds would be able to be in specific spots. As the idea marinated I realized I didn’t want it to be entirely organza, but that that the top definitely needed to be. As you saw before I carefully drew out my figure and then proceeded to glue the seeds down. The point of the glue and the organza was to make sure they stayed in place while I embroidered and to keep the seeds from falling off in the future.
Absolutely correct idea. It’s been so easy to embroider around the seeds, and I love the textures it’s creating. And each time I finish a new section, I feel the idea solidifying.
There are some hiccups though. Some of the seeds have fallen off during the process. From movement, from the embroidery hoop, etc. Which I kind of expected, hence the organza layer. So here’s some ideas to troubleshoot.
On larger seeds, score them. This will help the seeds stick better, because the surface will no longer just be super smooth. It’s like how you scratch up the bottom of heels to keep them from being too slippery.
Apply the seeds section by section. This will allow for a smaller embroidery hoop, and less opportunity to knock the seeds off in the process.
Lots of pins. Pinning around the seeds helps keep the seeds in place, and helps to make sure the fabrics connect properly during the process. You’re no longer working with a smooth surface so this can create bubbles and ripples. Pinning helps alleviate that.
While embroidering you don’t want the fabric or stitches too tight, because it could potentially tear the fabric. So you want it taut, but not tight.
Make sure you leave enough space between seeds to allow for your stitches. You don’t need to embroider every individual seed, you can also do rows, etc. But you want enough that if the glue fails, the seeds won’t start floating around.
