After a hot and hasty summer, it is quite logical to welcome autumn. With a humid, spicy air. Golden and purple leaves, with glimpses of tantalizing sunlight. I want to pause and enjoy the autumn... its slow pace, cozy colours, the beauty of sleeping nature.
In our region, autumn is always early and fleeting. It's long since the carpet of fallen leaves is rustling under my feet. And, when going for a walk, we bundle up in a big woolen scarf.
Autumn is the most inspiring time for me as one wants to capture in his work.
This time it will be a textile brooch, a Symphony of autumn leaves in mixed media technique.
The brooch will serve as a decoration for a scarf, snood, coat, jacket and so on.
Whatever you say, accessories make our mood and look harmonious.
I had been making this Cinnamon brooch for 3 years ago. Since then, it has transformed a little and became my favorite autumn brooch :)
I will share the process of creation with you.
You need:
- piece of linen, about 6 cm in width and 25 cm in length. Length depends on the density of the cloth you use. While the cloth is thin, you may need 35-40 cm, when thick — 15-20 cm
- cotton yarn (I used Begonia). Yarn should not be too thin (Iris will not do, even doubled)
- cotton lace
- velvet ribbons
- natural stones, a button
- thread, scissors, hook, pliers, pins, pin for brooches
My piece of linen is of autumn colours. The strip may be less than 6 cm, it is its maximum size. The wider the cut, the higher the textile flower will be. A too prominent flower will look a little ridiculous.
Fold the strip with the edges inside (like a bias binding).
And fold the strip, hiding the cuts inside.
Begin to tighten the flower, simultaneously fixing and sewing at the bottom, with a matching thread (or monofilament).
Such a a textile flower turns out.
For the flower, crochet a cup which will serve as a colour and decorative accent.
Crochet in a circle, with increases. Stitch by stitch, make the increases in each row (I crochet HTC — half treble crochet — and have a circle with 10 sectors).
When the diameter reaches the diameter of the textile flower, go on and crochet 1 row straight (without increases), shaping a rim. And finish with a crab stitch.
Insert the textile flower. Sew it with neat stitches through the holes of the crocheted cup.
Next, you need to make a base and back.
Both elements will be crocheted.
I crocheted 2 circles with brown Begonia cotton. I did it very tightly for stability of shape.
The diameter of the parts = the diameter of the textile flower.
Again, crochet in a circle (4 CH (chains), lock the ring, row 1 — 10 HTC (half treble crochet), row 2 — 20 HTC, row 3 — 30HTC; each row is evenly increased on 10 stitches).
When the diameter of a workpiece reaches the desired size, start crocheting the lace in.
Do this evenly, forming a gather.
In laces, along the bottom edge, there are holes located at the same distance from each other. You will join the parts through them. For a lush gather, make the distance about 1 cm, or about 0.5 cm for a less lush one.
The hook is introduced into a hole of the lace, then grabs a stitch, then the thread, pull it out and crochet with a connecting stitch.
If the brooch is supposed to be worn on an overcoat, the lace (linen and cotton) needs to be pre-washed or at least wetted. Dry, iron it. They often give a greater shrinkage. And if the brooch gets under the rain, the lace shrinks and ruins the appearance of the jewellery. Make two such elements (base and back). I crochet in lace of different shade and width.
Add velvet ribbon, the button.
Sew them.
Added a bunch with natural stones.
Bind the wire in a ring with the pliers on the backside, and press it against the back.
Fix with stitches to be sure.
Assemble all the details together. Sew the textile detail.
Cover with the back, sew.
I wanted to supplement the composition of the brooch with colour and details in the shape of two crocheted leaves (Irish lace motifs).
When all the elements are neatly sewn, you can set the pin.
Pins for brooches are of two types - adhesive and sew-on.
I refused adhesive ones long time ago, as when they break, it is painless to remove them. Traces of glue will remain in any case. And it is very easy to change a sew-on pin to a new one.
When fastening the pin, try to sew it higher, transfer the center of gravity of the brooch so that it did not lean to clothes.
So, such a Symphony of autumn leaves came out :)
Thank you all for your attention.
If you liked my DIY, I will be very grateful for your support!
Like in the right corner!
Wish you cozy and warm fall!