305 - California Poppies

Teacher: Lynn Payette
Class days: February 20-21, 2012 (Monday-Tuesday)
Style: Needlepoint and mixed media
Skill level: Intermediate
Kit fee: US $85.00

‘California Poppies’ is a (non-charted, pre-drawn) design created with a mixture of sheer fabrics, flosses, novelty threads, and metallic threads and wire. The colors used are indicative of the beautiful bright orangey/yellow flowers found growing in abundance in the California countryside. The leaves are created using whipped open fly stitch and outline stitch in blue/green and yellow/green floss and pearl cottons, and the stems are metallic thread covered wire. Note: The student will be given a variety of sheer fabrics to choose from so that they are able to create their own unique flower colors.

A variety of techniques will be used for the flowers and leaves. Some of the flowers will be padded on the surface of the ground fabric and some will be wired to stand off the background.

Much emphasis is placed on the use of ‘cast shadows’ to create depth and dimension in the flowers and leaves. Examples will be shown of what cast shadows are, how cast shadows influence a piece, and the methods that the student can use to be able to create them. Pictures of poppies will be shown. The separate petals of each flower and the leaves will be studied so that the student will be able to make decisions as to where each fabric, thread, and metallic may be placed.

Appliquéing fabrics to the ground with the use of Wonder Under fusible web will be taught. Working with sheers and overlays will also be covered. Note: The layering of sheers and the use of the fabric colors will help to create the depth, dimension, and cast shadows.

Once the decisions for each poppy and leaf have been made, the student will begin to embellish them with straight stitches, metallic threads and metallic covered wire to form the outer edges (flower petals).

Design Size: 5" by 7"

Student will Supply:

10” x 12” stretcher bars and tacks to mount Congress cloth, a variety of sharp and blunt needles, invisible thread; beeswax; small sharp scissors; paper scissors (sharp, but not too large); wire cutters; glue stick (not the blue or purple type); a pencil; extra lighting and magnification, if desired; a bag or pillowcase to carry project.

Kit contents

Pre-drawn Congressa | all threads, metallics and sheer and opaque fabrics necessary for the piece | Wonder Under | wire in two sizes | felt | complete instructions and diagrams and a color copy of the teacher’s completed work.