This vintage embroidery transfer inspires me to wax on about lofty ideas of embroidery design for a moment. Ahem, ahem: Often taken for granted are what makes an embroidery pattern an embroidery pattern. We can stitch up any illustration our hearts desire (which is what I love about embroidery), but not every illustration is specifically designed to be embroidered. This is a gorgeous example of a design that blends fine line illustration with embroidery technique. I am convinced that the person who drew this must have been an embroiderer themselves. Convinced, I say! (pounding fist on lectern) Every line is thoughtful and meant to create a beautiful effect once stitched. The simple but lovely hands, the extremely miniscule lines of her face (that still convey emotion), the French knot dots on her headpiece...folks, I am in awe of this pattern. It looks simple, but simple is hard. Simple. Is. Hard.
cross-posted from the Sublime Stitching Blog