Stitching the Emerald Queen Cushion
My aunt Jessie is a sewing and stitching enthusiast, and she actually owns a collection of nearly 800 patterns for printed cottons—most of which are replicas however. The years between 1790 and 1810 being particularly well represented. This is often referred to as the golden age of printed textiles, and leafing through the volumes one can see why.
Most are breathtakingly pretty; many are extremely inventive, and the use of color is stunning. The border patterns were reproduced by means of wooden printing blocks and were used for handkerchiefs, tablecloths and shawls, as well as for furnishing fabrics.
Most are breathtakingly pretty; many are extremely inventive, and the use of color is stunning. The border patterns were reproduced by means of wooden printing blocks and were used for handkerchiefs, tablecloths and shawls, as well as for furnishing fabrics.
They seemed an obvious choice on first acquaintance, but when I started to look more closely I found the detail too fine and the patterns too intricate for needlepoint. I had to simplify drastically to make them work. For the center panel of the cushion, I took a border pattern with relatively simple flowers and interesting leaf configurations.
Using white and very pale yellow, pink and mauve, I managed to get something of the flower shapes, but lost the impression of petal on petal. The leaves were much easier, but need more color variation than the original. The border is a tiny scalloped edge pattern blown up to about twenty times its original size.
As this is quite a heavy pattern, something was needed between the border and the central, piece to frame the rather delicate flowers, almost like a mount for a picture. I liked the effect produced by the dashes of deep pink on the buds, and felt that this could be taken further.
Using white and very pale yellow, pink and mauve, I managed to get something of the flower shapes, but lost the impression of petal on petal. The leaves were much easier, but need more color variation than the original. The border is a tiny scalloped edge pattern blown up to about twenty times its original size.
As this is quite a heavy pattern, something was needed between the border and the central, piece to frame the rather delicate flowers, almost like a mount for a picture. I liked the effect produced by the dashes of deep pink on the buds, and felt that this could be taken further.
I used long stitch simply because it offered a speedy way of seeing if twisting stripes would work, but left them in as the effect of a change in stitch pattern helped to create the break I was seeking. Long stitch can offer a useful way of trying out colors before committing yourself to hours of work. It is also quick to unpick.
When putting a border onto a cushion, it is as well to remember that once the pad is in, the shape will change and a lot of the edge will be lost in the resulting curve, ft is therefore best to concentrate the pattern on the center and choose a border that is simple but strong. It may look overwhelming when laid flat, but provides a frame when padded and on your sofa.
When putting a border onto a cushion, it is as well to remember that once the pad is in, the shape will change and a lot of the edge will be lost in the resulting curve, ft is therefore best to concentrate the pattern on the center and choose a border that is simple but strong. It may look overwhelming when laid flat, but provides a frame when padded and on your sofa.
FINISHED STITCHED AREA
14½ x 13½in (37 x 34cm)
STITCH
Tent stitch (basket weave) or half cross stitch, long diagonal stitch and cross stitch (optional)
MATERIALS
20in (50cm) square of interlock canvas, 12 holes per inch (2.5cm)
Size 20 tapestry needle
Size 20 tapestry needle
REQUIRED NEEDLEPOINT WOOL
Z65 SLATE GREY 8 skeins
R430 DARK GREEN 2 skeins
V35 ACID GREEN 4 skeins
V605 MID-GREEN 12 skeins
V32 LIME GREEN 2 skeins
V30 PALE LEMON 3 skeins
A110 BRIGHT WHITE 2 skeins
L120 PALE MAUVE 2 skeins
L423 PURPLE 1 skein
J410 DUSKY ROSE 1 skein
J83 PALE PINK 1 skein
B5 PALE GOLD 2 skeins
R430 DARK GREEN 2 skeins
V35 ACID GREEN 4 skeins
V605 MID-GREEN 12 skeins
V32 LIME GREEN 2 skeins
V30 PALE LEMON 3 skeins
A110 BRIGHT WHITE 2 skeins
L120 PALE MAUVE 2 skeins
L423 PURPLE 1 skein
J410 DUSKY ROSE 1 skein
J83 PALE PINK 1 skein
B5 PALE GOLD 2 skeins