Translate

Monday, January 31, 2011

Free Designs for Embroidery from The Antique Pattern Library

These lovely designs are from the book The Drew Portfolio in the Antique Pattern Library
For fabric painting, epoxy painting, stump work
Spanish Black work
IDEAL FOR LAID WORK
For Applique and Embellishment with Beads etc.



The entire book -  about 18 pages is filled with such designs.
There are no stitch descriptions - all the better. It would be interesting to see how different people interpret these designs. 
Anyone out there ready for the challenge?
Here's what you should do.
  1. Choose any one of the 4 designs above - you may choose more than 1 design if you have the time for it.
  2. While the basic design should be retained,  slight variations are allowed.
  3. Use it to design an accessory - say cushion cover, a runner, a bag, a purse...
  4. You can use anything for embellishing the embroidery - ribbons, beads, buttons, shells...
  5. You have a month - the challenge ends on 3rd March.
  6. You can blog the steps involved and the decision making process if you wish.
The challenge will be open even if there is going to be only 1 participant.
If you want to take it up, leave a comment .

This is not a competition - as I've already mentioned, it would be interesting to see all the variations diffferent people come up with.

Update: The link to the book is broken.  I'll update it when I rediscover it.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey bhavani good to see u back after a busy last year.your latest post with all these designs is great .could u tell something about kantha embroidery as i'm wanting to do a saree and need some good designs for it.

Bhavani Harikrishnan said...

Hi Ankur,
Kantha embroidery is worked entirely in running stitch and its variations.check out these links.

http://www.craftsutra.com/2009/12/kantha-embroidery-of-west-bengal/

http://www.joyatri.com/shawls-and-scarves/embroidered-scarves-and-stoles/288766

http://www.joyatri.com/shawls-and-scarves/embroidered-scarves-and-stoles/288767

http://www.joyatri.com/shawls-and-scarves/embroidered-scarves-and-stoles/288767

you'll also find a lot of images if you google kantha work.
observe then carefully. you'll find that all outlines are done in black.
There are some unique geometrical shapes unique to kantha embroidery.
Identify them and incorporate them in you design.
I'm sorry I can't get into more details right now.
My son is appearing for his Class X board exam.
We moved from kerala to AP mid-academic year. He is finding the adjustment difficult. The new school is very oppressive and totally different from what he is used to.
I am stuck with tutoring him till his exams are over- March 23rd

Unknown said...

Than you so much for the links and my best wishes for ur son's exams.

Bhavani Harikrishnan said...

Thank you Ankur.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the fabric painting designs. They look pretty good.

Priyanka said...

Hi Bhavani,

While clicking on the link for book "THE DREW PORTFOLIO" it is asking for a password. Is there anyother way to view the book? please suggest.

Thanks,
Priyanka.

Bhavani Harikrishnan said...

Priyanka,
sorry for not answering earlier. I don't know why it is asking for a password. But you can download the book here www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/catalog.htm#AUTH_D

You'll find the book along with all the books starting with the letter D.

Anonymous said...

I FIND THE PATTERNS INTERRESTING AND I LOVE LOOKING THOUGH THEM I LOVE NEEDLEWORCK IT TO ME IS RELAXING

Anonymous said...

Anyone getting a password error accessing our pdfs, please read the instructions at the top of the catalog page (www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/catalog.htm). The most common cause is having an older PDF reader. Our pdfs require Adobe X, which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe site.
If you still have problems after that, drop me a line, or put a message in the Yahoo group. It will be seen and answered.
Best wishes,
Sytske