How to embroider stylized sunflowers

As part of a cushion project I’m working on for Inspirations Studios, I thought I’d write about one possible way of embroidering sunflowers in a contemporary style.

At first, I hadn’t planned to do this work, so in order to be able to show the progress of this project, I was obliged to propose photos belonging to the three flowers, in order to respect the order in which I had to work.

You won’t find any specific color suggestions in this article. In fact, my aim in this study is to emphasize the technical aspect of the work, as well as the use of tonal intensity in general to respect the depth of the motif.

To be able to realize this work, you will find HERE a part of the future pattern intended for Inspiration Studios. 

Here’s how it works:

For each flower, I chose a series of 5 colors from the same range, graded from lightest to darkest, to embroider the petals and 3 other colors to make the heart.

If you look closely at each flower, you’ll see that each is made up of three levels of petals and a heart.

Start by embroidering the petals furthest back with the 2 darkest colors, then continue with the petals in the middle of the flower using 2 or 3 colors except the lightest and darkest. Finish by embroidering the petals on the front of the flower with the 3 lightest colors.

Finish by embroidering the heart with the remaining colors.

The petals on the back of the flower are now complete.

This photo shows the finished corolla with the foremost petals embroidered in the 3 lightest colors.

This “layered” approach, with its series of colors, gives the flower maximum depth.

Finally, fill the remaining surface with Turkish work. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo available, but explanations of this stitch can be found HERE.