Showing posts with label Mirrors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mirrors. Show all posts

Saturday, 2 July 2011

Fancy Shisha Tutorial!

Tutorial photo 21


I decided to give you guys a tutorial for some mirror work. I originally learned this stitch from
this blog post. I used the instructions on that post as a basis and kinda did it my way. So I thought I’d show you how I do it.

Fancy Shisha Stitch:

Tutorial photo 1

1
I used a large sequin for this but a mirror can be used as well. I glued the sequin down before I began just so it doesn’t move around while I’m trying to work. I used a simple glue stick for this. The stitches will eventually hold it in place. I used stranded cotton but used all six strands. Bring the needle up at the bottom of your sequin.

Tutorial photo 2

2
We are going to create foundation stitches. Take the needle down at the top of the sequin directly above where you brought the needle through.

Tutorial photo 3

3
Make the second foundation stitch horizontally creating an cross over the sequin. Try to make this as even as possible, it will help later.

Tutorial photo 4


4
The final two foundation stitches create an ‘x’ over the top of the other two. Again, try to make these as even as possible.


Tutorial photo 5

5
Now we begin the decorative stitch. I always start at the top. Bring the needle up to the left of the spoke.


Tutorial photo 6

6
Go back down on the right of the spoke making a very small stitch along the edge of the sequin


Tutorial photo 7

7
Bring the needle back up on the left of the spoke and the stitch


Tutorial photo 8

8
Pass the needle under the spoke right to left. Pull thread tight


Tutorial photo 9

9
Take the needle down on the right of the spoke as close as possible to the beginning stitch


Tutorial photo 10

10
Bright the needle back up to the front right next to the last stitch – don’t do it too close as it will undo the original stitch but close enough that there isn’t a gap.


Tutorial photo 11

11
Put the needle under the spoke left to right this time, pull the thread tight.


Tutorial photo 12

12
Take the needle down on the left of the spoke as close as possible to the beginning stitch


Tutorial photo 13

13
Bring the needle back up to the front right next to the last stitch – don’t do it too close as it will undo the original stitch but close enough that there isn’t a gap


Tutorial photo 14

14
Repeat steps 8-13 twice more so you create a filled in V shape around your spoke


Tutorial photo 15

15
If you followed the steps right to the end your thread should be on the left of the spoke and V…


Tutorial photo 16

16
Now wrap the thread around the rest of the spoke by taking your needle under the spoke right to left, wrapping about 4 times until you get to the middle of the foundation stitches.


Tutorial photo 17

17
Once at the middle take the needle under the spoke to the left from right to left.


Tutorial photo 18

18
Wrap the thread down the spoke as before, taking the needle under the spoke right to left until you reach the edge of the sequin. Secure the thread by taking the needle down through the fabric on the right side of the spoke really close to the point the spoke comes up through the fabric.


Tutorial photo 19

19
Now you will make the V shape on this spoke by following steps 5-14. When you finish this V shape you may want to secure your thread and begin a new piece, that’s what I do!


Tutorial photo 21

20
Follow steps 5-19 three more times until you have filled the last 6 spokes – and you’re done! Pretty huh?!

I hope these instructions make sense and are helpful! Leave me a comment with any questions or comments – they are much appreciated

Thursday, 8 July 2010

Shisha Mirror Work

shisha vintage

Section of a traditional wall hanging with shisha mirror work


As I mentioned before I am very interested in Shisha embroidery. I was going to write a blog post on it, but as I searched I found that many people have already gone over the subject and done a better job than I! So instead, here is a few links and artists I think you should check out if you are also interested in this subject.

Shisha means little glass and is the process of attaching round mirrors to fabric. The mirrors were placed in significant positions on clothing to ward off evil spirits and the evil eye. They were also used on decorative textiles to place over doorways etc to keep out evil spirits and on sacred textiles.

shisha 1

My own shisha experiments with bottle caps

Penny Nickles

Penny's work was what first lead me to Shisha. She has produced some beautiful pieces like her invisibility mask here and my fave experiment here

She also wrote an amazing article on Shisha for Mr X Stitch which you should read
here

shisha 2

Detail of my shisha work

How to Shisha

There are several tutorials online about the process of Shisha. I learned the technique from Joyful Abode here. It uses lots of photos and is really helpful.

Stitch Magazine posted this diagram on their site to show you how to Shisha with
instructions here

shisha 3

An alternative shisha stitch

Design

On the Pakistani Embroidery Blog there is a different version of the stitch (pictures above)which you can learn to do here
I really like the shape of this version, but it hides more of the item being attached.

Sonie from Sonie's Embroidery World offers free square Shisha patterns
on her blog here, which I might have to have a go at!

beer cap belt WIP

Beer Cap Belt WIP


My Own Shisha Work

I have been experimenting with Shisha myself as you have seen from the photos throughout this blog. My main reason for the experiments was for a belt I am working on.... so above is a sneak preview of the work in progress... keep your eyes peeled for the finished product!

mirror

Shisha mirror work at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Share the Handmade Love Wednesdays - Shisha

A while back I discovered shisha embroidery through Penny Nickle's blog DonkeyWolf. Check out her stuff, it's very cool! I'm going to blog about it soon, but for now, here is some handmade love for shisha on Etsy!

Embroidered Apron Top by pgasparotto Shisha Mirror Hand Felted Cuff by lanadeflorBelly Dance Benjara Belt by MagicCarpetDanceArts Beaded Brooch by CrimsonPetalCouture

Left to right, top to bottom:

Embroidered Apron Top by pgasparotto
Shisha Mirror Hand Felted Cuff by lanadeflor
Belly Dance Benjara Belt by MagicCarpetDanceArts
Beaded Brooch by CrimsonPetalCouture