UNIT 8: EMBROIDERY MOTIFS AND PATERNS ON FABRICS AND OTHER SURFACES.
Key Unit competence: To be able to create different designs
of embroidery on different textiles
by manipulating various techniques,materials and tools.
Introductory Activity
1. Describe the type of art and craft that was applied on the works
above.2. Discuss the items that can be made by embroidery technique.
There are several techniques used in applying different designs on surfaces.
The most common techniques of decorating fabrics are; Tie and dye, Batik,
Printing, Embroidery and Painting.
8.1.Materials and tools used in embroidery
Activity 8.1
1. Describe the importance of embroidery in daily life of our society.
By definition, embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materialsby stitching designs using thread and needles.
Embroidery is done by making a fabric beautiful with colorful designs
with the help of needles and threads. It may be used to embellish almost
everything, from the smallest handkerchief to big home furnishing like even
curtains or bedcovers. Different types of garments including that of children,
furnishings, such as bed sheets, pillow covers, tablecloth, wall hangings,
etc. are embroidered to give a rich look.
It is an art to express the creativity using different types of techniques,
like beadwork, metal thread work, appliqué work, decorative thread work,
cutwork, patchwork (refers to the art of sewing small geometric fabric cut
outs together by hand or machine until a large piece is obtained.), etc.
The term appliqué means the art of applying small fabric cut out on large
background piece of fabric by sewing using a thread and a needle to createdecorative designs.
The tools and materials needed to make embroidery are;
1. Fabric: this is where embroidery design and patterns are sewed.
2. Embroidery needles: for stitching patterns using embroidery
threads.
3. Embroidery threads: to stitch patterns on the fabric.
4. Pattern: is needed as reference for good looking and beautiful
embroidery work.
5. A pair of scissors: for cutting fabrics and threads.
6. Lead pencil: is needed for tracing the design on the fabric.
7. Carbon paper: this is needed for transferring the design to the fabric.
8. Embroidery hoop: for tightening the fabric to ease stitching andensure a clean design.
Application activity 8.1
1. Explain different materials used in making embroidery.
8.2.Process of sewing different design patterns on cloth
and other surfaces
Activity 8.2
Explain systematically the process of making an embroidery piece.
Sources of embroidery making
Most of the best patterns are gotten from objects from our surroundings; the
sources of inspiration from the environment may be plants, flowers, leaves,trees, animals, birds and still life objects we use.
Figures that show different source of inspiration to develop motifs and
patterns
Some of the materials we use in our dairy life are products made from
embroidery technique (used by needles and thread), they have beauty
because of the designs that were applied on. They include the following:
• Dresses
• Hand bags
• Wall hangings
• Pillow cases
• Bed covers
• Chairs covers
• Curtain
The systematic process of making an embroidery piece is as follows:
• On white piece paper, create an embroidery design using colored
pencils. Capture all the needed color impressions. Finally make a fine
and clear outline of the design.
• Acquire tools and materials. Among others, include fabric, embroidery
threads, embroidery hoop, embroidery needles, a pair of scissors and
carbon paper.
• Wash, dry and iron the fabric removing all creases and folds for even
stitching.
• Place a piece of carbon paper on the fabric and place the design on
top. Using a pencil, trace the design on the fabric.
• Fix the fabric to the hoop. Ensure that it is as tight as possible and will
not slip out.
• Thread the needle and start stitching. Using different stitches, stitch
the design until all your designs and patterns have been embroidered.
• Once you are done with your stitching, turn your hoop upside down. By
using a pair of scissors, trim off the excess thread leaving a hanging
tail about an inch.
Briefly, the hand embroidery will be made through the following process:
• Hand embroidery process starts with sketching a design to be
embroidered.
• The design is then transferred to the fabric either using carbon paper
or tracing at a lit table.
• The fabric is mounted on an embroidery hoop in order to stretch the
fabric for easy stitching.
• Using an embroidery needle and thread, the patterns are sewn onto
the fabric.
• Threads of different colors can be used on different sections of the
design according to the original design.
Once the sewing is done, all hanging threads must be trimmed off using a
pair of scissors to finish the embroidery process.
Application activity 8.2
• Explain different sources of inspiration in embroidery making.
• Create and trace your chosen design on piece of cloth to bestitched.
8.3.Techniques of embroideryActivity 8.3
1. Observe the image above and explore where the designer found
an inspiration.
Choosing materials and tools to use in embroidery depends on the function
of embroidered fabric and techniques.
a. Blanket or button hole stitch
This stitch is traditionally used by embroider on the blankets’ borders. You
can space the vertical stitches, as you want (more space for a lighter effect,
less space for an opaque effect). They will be prettier if they have the samesize.
b. Running stitch
This is the simplest stitch to use. A needle is inserted in and out of the fabric
to form horizontal line of stitches.This type of stitch is used in joining fabrics. It can be used to outline patterns.
c. Feather stitch
It is used for decorating border edges, seem embellishment, foliage and stems.
d. Stem stitch
Stem stitch is to outline designs and to give raised effects. The needle is
inserted from the wrong side of the fabric, the thread is then held down with
the left thumb, and the needle is inserted from right to left so that it comesout at the first point.
e. Cross stitch
It is used for borders and filling if worked in adjacent rows.
f. French knot
French knot is used in decorating dots, filling flower centers, leaves,plants and eyes.
Application activity 8.3
1. Distinguish Running stitch from French knot.
End unit assessment 8
1. Explain the following terms
a. Appliqué
b. Embroidery
3. Explain the materials and tools that are used to make embroidery
technique.
4. State materials you use that are made from embroidery technique.
5. Create a design on fabric whereby the running stitch technique will be used.
REFFERENCES
Books references:
Robyn Montana Turner (2005). Scott foresman art.
Robyn Montana Turner, Sara A. Chapman & James M. Clark (2005). Scott
foresman art.
Kenya Literature Bureau (2007). Distinction Creative Arts, For Primary
Teacher Education.
Kenya Literature Bureau (2010). Distinction Creative Arts, For Primary
Teacher Education.
Studio technology revision question and answers 2016.
Arts, crafts &design a piratical guide for teachers’ key strategies 1&2 1997.
Graphic art Baker Apollo 2010.
Online references:
• Quora: why art is so importance to society.
• The spruce crafts
• Web designer.com
• Wiki how.
• Auburn university.• Clothing industry.