WOYWW 195 and a Lace Flower Tutorial

Good morning fellow blog hoppers and welcome to WOYWW 195! (If you're visiting for the first time and want to know more about the phenomenon that is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday head over to Julia's blog here - she is entirely to blame!)

I'm on a mission this morning as I've got to get this done an dusted before taking Moonshine Minor to the Fracture Clinic to have his cast removed - we have been counting down the hours! He's been an absolute star during the whole performance, the only things he hasn't managed are his shirt buttons and cutting up his food!

Anyway - to the task in hand, and what IS on my workdesk this cold and dull Wednesday? Well.....

I thought I'd show you the view from the other side of the desk for a change...

And what I'm working on...  my Sunday Stampers challenge tag (the theme this week is texture).

Back on Valentine's Day I posted pictures of a canvas I had just completed and Robin (State of Serenity) was looking for a tutorial on how to make the lace flower (also pictured above) so I thought I'd quickly put one together to share with you today - It really is SUPER SIMPLE.  Here goes...


1. Cut a length of lace, I have used cotton crochet lace but any will do. Mine has a "pointy" edge which lends itself to petals, a straight or curved scallop edge will give a different look.  The longer the length of lace the bigger the flower will be.

2.  I use 3 strands of embroidery floss for the next step - you need something fairly strong as you will be pulling up this thread to make gathers and you don't want it to snap. (I've used a contrasting colour for demonstration purposes but you should use a matching colour.) Tie a knot at the end of the floss and then work one or two stitches through the bottom end of the lace to hold the gathering thread securely.

Work a running stitch along the length of the ribbon using the holes in the design as a guide

Work the running stitch to the end of the lace DO NOT FASTEN OFF this is now your gathering thread.

 4. Gently pull up the gathering thread easing the lace along to make fairly even gathers DO NOT FASTEN OFF, keep your needle threaded.

5. Starting at the end with the knot curl the lace in on itself to form the middle of the flower then curl the lace around, your gathers will spread out as the flower gets bigger, arrange the gathers in a pleasing fashion.

6. Using the gathering thread you have pulled up and with neat stitches stitch through the layers of lace to hold the gathers in place. Stitch only through the bottom of the lace. Fasten off but DO NOT CUT OFF THE THREAD.

7. Turn the flower over and arrange the petals to make a pleasing shape. 

8. Using the gathering thread attach a vintage button to the middle of the flower, fasten off at the back and cut the thread.

OR

Cut off the thread and attach a brad, gem or similar.

You could also try layering up paper or metal blooms inside the flower for added interest. 

I hope this all makes sense if you have any questions please put them in the comments box and I'll answer them as soon as I can. 

Enjoy the rest of your WOYWW!