Silk Paper Sample

During our March weekend at college we made silk paper and paper using other fibres to use as a base for stitching. I used some silk throwsters waste to make one piece which I painted with silk paints. I layered this on hand-dyed cotton fabric, wadding and thin calico backing and stictched a meander with cotton thread.

I then decided to add some thicker threads for further texture.First I used a thick silk embroidery thread in the bobbin with a fine cotton through the needle to create 'cable stitch'. I had to stitch from the reverse side but my basic meander acted as a guide for where to stitch. I also tried out couching using a freestyle couching foot for my Bernina. This worked really well too.

I had a few problems with the fluffy fibres of the silk paper getting caught around the machine foot but simply snipped these away as I worked. I am really pleased with his one - the colours and the texture look great and despite initial misgivings I could become a silk paper enthusiast!!

I'm hoping to do several more embroidery samples this week as I have a few days off work. I also plan to start putting my folder together to hold the samples with the notes to go with each one. I think it's building into a fascinating collection and something I can continue to add to long after the course is complete!