Jacobean Crewelwork

Final size 210x297mm

On linen twill with Appletons wool

30 stitches in total

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Inspiration

This came from watching swallows swooping to catch flies on the wing, whilst on holiday. I felt their aerodynamic appearance could be interesting to translate in stitch form, little did I realise the challenge this would pose me in Long & Short. I added the dragonfly with a circular running stitch to depict the scene.

I included a pomegranate as a recognisable Jacobean motif, a tree with an opening rather than a solid trunk. I selected ochre and teal tones as I find them cheerful and sympathetic to Jacobean traditions. 

Detail of sections:

• Tonal drawing

• Colour Drawing

• Preparation

• Pomegranate in Laid work, Detached Chain, Bullion knots, Raised Chain, Fly, Herringbone and Chain with French knots. 

• Swallow with Long and short, French Knots, Fly, and Seeding.

• Flower petals with Griffin Trellis, Chain, Fly, French Knots, Couching and Long and Short.