Here’s a free hand embroidery pattern for you that can really be used for any type of surface embroidery, but I can see it in silk and gold, working it in such a way to give dimension to the piece by bringing the stylized plant forward from the frame, and then sinking the background even farther back from the frame. It’s hard to explain how I see this, without actually showing the piece already worked.

Needless to say, I haven’t worked it – you’d know if I had!

I’ve been sitting on this pattern for a while, planning on doing something with it before putting it up on the site, but since I’m not moving too quickly on my present projects, you may as well have access to the pattern. If you come up with a brilliant idea for it, let me know!

This is adapted from an old German embroidery book, from the later 1800’s. The book actually focuses on ecclesiastical work, but I like to abstract elements from the various drawings and see how they will work as isolated embroidery patterns.

Anyway, back to my silk and gold idea here. I was thinking that the background inside the frame could actually be filled with a pattern of sorts, in a darker, neutral color. Then, a brilliantly colored plant can leap out from the frame. The plan would be worked in silk shading, outlined with gold and silk, and the berry bunches would of course be paillettes (spangles), perhaps topped with beads. Then, around the outside of the frame and plant, I could see a much lighter fill pattern worked. The frame itself, I’d probably keep rather “flat.” If I were working it out, I’d have to play a bit to figure out precisely how to get the effect I want. But in any case, the plant and bowl and berries would have to be brilliant.

How would you picture a design like this worked?

Here’s a PDF of the design:
Free Hand Embroidery Pattern: Framed, in Silk & Gold

You can find many more free hand embroidery patterns here on Needle ‘n Thread! Enjoy them!

Wishing you a very pleasant Sunday!