Sandia Mountains Chapter EGA, Albuquerque, NM

Proficiency level: Intermediate

Class Description:

A fresh breeze brings the fragrance of wisteria as butterflies dance. Using realistic and stylized techniques in silk and metal we will interpret the warmth and joy of a summer day.

Two layers of foundation provide a dimensional experience. Couched butterflies in braids of gold and silver literally float over the wisteria. The background on congress cloth can be either:

·       blossoms and buds variations of satin stitch with couched stems on white congress cloth

·       or a basic filling pattern suggestion a trellis on the students choice of white or ecru (see background as in the tassel photo below)

Accents of beads and goldwork add a feeling of opulence to the summer sunshine.

The foreground supporting the couched butterflies is #18 silk interlock canvas. The transparence of the ground allows the sparkling butterflies to drift over the flowers.

Threads used include many sizes of braid, check purl and several hues of Soie Mori. Special Loch Rosen crystals add to an assortment of bugle and seed bead embellishments