6.09.2009

butterfly in knots



Seeing a wonderful project involving french knots, I asked myself just how hard can it be to embroider a 'few' french knots!? Keep in mind that I had to get this done in about a week.
.
Ha.



And after about the billionth french knot -- and yes, I saw them in my sleep -- I swore I would never make another french knot. Ever. Who knew making these things could take soooooooo long! Phew.
~
Anyway. I do love french knots and got the delightful pattern from this book:

I used a little bit of a different color scheme -- love the periwinkles! Then raided my stash for some sort of complimentary fabric for the border. And finished it with machine quilting in a pearly meandering.




I purchased a ornate candle holder from the Dollar Store and had my husband clip off the candle
part of it and was left with this whimsical hangar. Because the candle holder was a dark burnished color, I aged it all vintage-y looking with white paint dabbed on with a sponge.

Whimsical and blissful. Even if the french knots were almost the death of me.....

17 comments:

  1. How beautiful. I can not imagin doing that many french knots and I do love to do them too.

    Great work.

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  2. Oh my gosh, I think this is the most beautiful piece I've ever seen. Your work is perfection. I think with all those French knots, you should at least get a free trip to Paris.
    au revoir,
    ~Karen~

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  3. You have done a spectacular job with these knots. They look very cosy all nicely squashed in together. cherrie

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  4. That is just beautiful! I love the texture that all the knots make. They remind me of a wool rug, but tiny and round! Fantastic work.

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  5. Okay...I can see where you would be french knotted to death, but it really is unique and beautiful. How neat, the texture it brought to this piece. You did a great job stippling it, really pretty. I love the entire piece. Beautiful!!!

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  6. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Sometimes I can´t speak in good English but now I can´t find word in English nor in Spanish... just beautiful and wonderful. Hi from Spain.

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  7. Wow!!!!!!!!!!
    Dawn!!!! it is wonderful...you have excelled yourself!!

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  8. I think that I would be seeing french knots in my sleep too! But I love it, very pretty and sweet!

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  9. Oh how pretty! I love it, even if all those french knots drove you mad:)
    Kris

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  10. My goodness, Dawn! Such beauty - even if you had to do a billion french knots, hahaha. I love the effect. You always do such neat projects.... thanks for sharing.

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  12. Amazing work. I've seen Jacobean style crewel embroideries where elements of the design were filled in with French knots, and I always loved the look. I'm not surprised you were seeing knots in your sleep! This is a really beautiful piece and perfect for summer. The hanger suits it perfectly.

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  13. I remember candlewicking! I don't think I was ever very good at making french knots. Maybe I should try again. All your work was definitly worth it, this piece turned out beautifully! Have a nice weekend! Twyla

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  14. so very very beautiful. everything in your blog is=)

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  15. OMG...that's is totally awesome ..beautiful

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  16. Wow! That's a lot of knots! I love doing them after being inspired by my MIL.

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  17. The butterfly is so beautiful! Impressive work.

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