Have you forgotten about the silk “jumble” project I’m working on? I almost have! It’s a slow project, to say the least. The point of the project (for me, right now) is to see how different silk threads can work together with different stitches to create a kind of “jumble” of stitches and threads – but a jumble that has a bit of organization to it. I want it to make sense, but at the same time, I want it to blend into kind of a …. jumble.

You can see that I’m not exactly clear on the whole project myself!

But one thing I do know is that different parts of the project will have a little bit of padding on it – under some of the silk stitches, and under some touches of real metal thread.

Wool felt is a great material for padding a stitched area in order to raise it up above the areas around it. If you’re trying to “lift” part of your design, this is a good way to do it. When using real metal threads (like passing thread) and filling an area, gold-colored felt underneath the passing thread serves two purposes: it lifts the area a little above the ground fabric, and the color helps minimize the effect of any gaps between the threads.

I’m using the gold-colored felt underneath some gold threads, and the red felt is going underneath some of the silk embroidery (in red threads).

I inverted the designs on my computer, and then printed two copies on freezer paper. Then I ironed the freezer paper to the felt. I’ll cut the pieces I need from each piece of felt. Alternately, I could have traced onto the freezer paper only the areas of the design I wanted to add padding to, and then iron the freezer paper onto the felt and cut out what I needed. To tell you the truth, the reason I did the Whole Design on both the gold and the red felt is because I’m not quite sure which parts of the design I will definitely be padding. To save time, I adhered the whole design to the felt, and I’ll cut out the bits I need as I decide on them. The felt that I don’t use can be used for other things, because the freezer paper peels right off without leaving any residue.

So, if you’re looking for a good way to lift an area of your design, try wool felt, and use freezer paper to cut out the pieces accurately. If you’re planning on using felt for padding underneath an area stitched with silk, remember to choose stitches that will cover the felt completely, unless you want the felt to show, too.

That’s really the only thing I got done this weekend, stitching-related.

Things are piling up! I’ve got my fingers crossed that I will have a much more productive week!

Enjoy your Monday!