“Basket of Flowers” needlecase
the basket
In the second article dedicated to this needle holder project, you will find all the photos and explanations concerning the realization of the flower bouquet.
In the photo on the left, you can see the stitches used to make each pattern and in the photo on the right, you can see the materials used.
You will not find any indication about the colors because it is up to you to use the choice of materials at your disposal to obtain a harmonious result.
This basket is made of weaving stitch. After stretching the warp threads (vertically), weave 2 rows of one color (starting from over and under) and then 2 other rows of the second color alternating with the first (starting from under and over). Fill the entire surface of the basket and then underline and embellish the weaving with a metallic thread.
To make this pattern, I used Soie Perle (Au Ver à Soie) for the warp, fine Aubusson wool (2 strands) for the weave, and metallic thread n°4 (Au Ver à Soie) for the finish.
These 2 large flowers are made with couching very softly using the texture of the wool to give volume to the petals.
For this work, I used knitting wool that was very thin in places and very thick and wispy in others.
These 3 new roses are simply woven with ribbon.
For this, I used a 4mm silk ribbon.
These peonies are made in cast-on stitch and finished with a gold bead in the center.
These peonies are embroidered with Perle silk thread (Au Ver à Soie) and embellished with 2.75mm gold beads (not shown on the picture because I’ve run out!).
This white lilac is made by gathering the wool and holding it with small hidden stitches with 1 strand of stranded cotton of the same color as the wool.
I used a fine but very irregular, slightly curly wool, which gives the cobs a fluffy look.
The pink branches are made with simple straight stitches and the 2 buttercups are embroidered with spider web stitch.
To embroider the branches, I used a very fine and shiny synthetic thread, maybe rayon. Both buttercups are woven using a tubular knitted ribbon, here very thin. This ribbon exists in several widths and is sold by suppliers like Stef Francis (GB) or Oliver Twists (also GB) who are specialists in specialty yarns, under the name “Viscose Ribbons”.
All the little leaves are embroidered in lazy daisy stitch.
They are made with a fine Perle cotton, probably n°8, and of variegated color.
All the blue leaves are also made in lazy daisy stitch.
I used a rather fine, fluffy, somewhat irregular wool.
The little branches are made with stem stitch and lazy daisy stitch, all with 1 thread. To give a final touch to this bouquet I put 5 sequins on the top of the pattern and scattered some beads everywhere.
