Beneath the waves, life comes to life

Following the seaweed that gently sways with the currents, and the corals and scallops that first gave this composition its texture, the Marine Garden is now enriched by two new inhabitants emblematic of the ocean floor: anemones and starfish.

These elements add more color, movement, and whimsy to the overall design. They also allow you to explore different embroidery techniques to create varied textures and bring even more life to this wreath inspired by the underwater world.

Starfish

Found along the shoreline and in shallow waters, starfish naturally play an important role in this composition.

I chose to embroider them in warm shades of coral, orange, and red, accented by a few lighter touches that highlight the contours of their arms.

Although their shape is simple, the starfish add a strong presence to the scene and create a lovely contrast with the cooler blues and greens of the surrounding seaweed.

Soie d’Alger

OR

DMC 900 and 3854

First, outline the design using split backstitch with a single strand of thread.

Embroider each half of one arm of the starfish using the satin stitch at an angle with 1 thread, leaving the central vein empty.

I chose to work the central edges of the largest starfish using the Palestrina stitch with two strands.

For the smallest starfish, I embroidered the center ridge using an overcast chain stitch, with 2 threads for the chain and 1 thread for the overcast stitch.

Sea anemones

With their supple, colorful tentacles, the anemones add a more mysterious and almost floral touch to this marine garden.

To capture their lively, fluid appearance, I worked on each tentacle individually, using a wide range of shades, from deep pinks to mauves, including richer blues and grays. The variations in color and the different textures help convey the richness of these amazing marine animals.

The lighter center creates a focal point that draws the eye and highlights the radiant structure of the whole. This variety of shades helps reinforce the sense of depth and vitality that characterizes underwater reefs.

Stef Francis super fine silk and soie d’Alger

OR

DMC 814, 224 and House of Embroidery 78A Salvia

Embroider the base of the anemone using the long and short stitch with 1 strand of thread.

The tentacles are made using the bullion stitch with two strands of yarn. Be sure to wrap enough yarn around the needle to create serpentine bullion stitches.

To create the center of the design, first embroider its outline with one or two rows of stem stitch using two strands of thread. Fill in the empty space with French knots using two strands of thread and one wrap.

Little by little, the wreath takes shape, and the underwater garden reveals all its richness. Anemones and starfish harmoniously complement the seaweed, corals, and the first shells that have already been embroidered, creating a setting that grows increasingly vibrant and colorful.

Next week, we’ll focus on the two large shells that will take center stage in the composition. Creating them will allow us to explore the use of volume, shadows, and texture, which will give this piece even more character.

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