I've had such nice comments and questions about the designs and techniques used in my Cammy/Chun Li cushions (see pic) that I thought I'd share them- it's so easy, and may make you want to try it!
- my two retro Capcom cushions (and my hard-to-get-hold-of Capcom art books!)
- finished with books.jpg (100.87 KiB) Viewed 6176 times
1) You have to cover the entire design area so none of the canvas can be seen
2) You use tapestry wools as the fabric is very firm when finished. A quick note on this- you can use double knitting wool very successfully- I've always used white and black 100% double knitting wool (sport weight USA) as frankly, it's much cheaper than a skein of tapestry wool.
Tapestry is done on canvas- I use double thread antique for all my designs (you can get white, but it tends to show through the stitches) and make sure to get double thread rather than single (or mono) canvas- this is used for tent stitch needlepoint, the traditional method but it 1)takes ages to do and 2)uses yarn like you wouldn't believe (I'm counting pennies!)
You use a graphed chart just like cross stitch- as a general rule, I use 160x160 squares for a cushion on 10 hpi canvas. That gives you a 16 inch cushion, which is a good size to work on, but as always, just add or subtract rows as you need to.
HOW TO STITCH
Thread up a blunt tapestry needle (size 10 is best for 10 hpi canvas) and come out in the bottom corner of the stitch.
As in half cross stitch, go diagonally up and down into the next stitch. Secure the thread under the first few stitches.
- this is just the same as half cross stitch- making sure all stitches go in the same direction
- stitching.jpg (63.16 KiB) Viewed 6174 times
Continue in that motion happily filling in stitches!
When you come back the other way, you simply insert the needle the other way around. I'm probably making this sound either patronisingly simple or the most difficult thing since E=MC2, but it really is that basic. There's only one rule to remember......
*All stitches should lie the same way! (it looks messy and untidy if they're not- and we can't have that, now can we!)
You'll find that it's quick to do, so areas will get filled in fast. Once you've stitched the full design, it will look finished but warped, due to the pulling of the yarn on the canvas.
- this is the design after stitching completely before stretching
- chun li before stretching.jpg (90 KiB) Viewed 6177 times
STRETCHING THE TAPESTRY
So, to get everything back into shape, you need to stretch the canvas. For this, you need the following things-
1) Drawing pins
2) a square/rectangle piece of card for comparing angles (embarrassingly, I use an old cardboard envelope back- but its lasted me 4 years!)
3) a piece of board big enough for the canvas (bear in mind drawing pins will be used so for God's sake don't use the antique dining table!)
4) a water mister (plant sprayer/iron sprayer- anything like that will do)
- these are all the things you need to stretch a canvas
- stretching tools.jpg (71.4 KiB) Viewed 6173 times
Then, using your card guide, get all the other edges square. This will take a lot of pulling and tugging at the design, but rest assured- it will get there- and just to note- I have always had to undo a few of the first edge pins and re-pin them- but it will eventually look right.
Once the canvas is pinned, take the sprayer and liberally spray the design. Don't panic about doing this! the wool will not have any issues, and this helps the design- tapestry canvas is a very starched linen (much tougher than aida) so the water will dissolve the starch. You don't want the design saturated, with water everywhere, but the damp fabric will dry with the starch still in it, which will "set" the canvas again. It takes a few days (I always give it a couple of days pinned on the board), but then you can carefully remove it and you've got a nice even canvas design!
MAKING A CUSHION
Okay- first thing- hardcore sewing fans- look away now. You won't like this- I promise you- I am NO expert at hand sewing- but I can just about do cushions, and this method has served me well for 10 years, so if you're comfortable with sewing and are a good driver on a sewing machine (which I am not) then use whatever method you like (and apologies for any offence caused in this guide!)
Here's what I use for a cushion
1) Finished, stretched design
2) Lots and lots of pins (note my little pincushion that I designed and made in 2002 and it's still going strong!)
3) Backing fabric- something hardwearing is best- I always go for a simple backing fabric that will withstand being thrown around the room when I'm dying on level 3 of Ghouls n' ghosts.....
4) Matching thread
5) Zip (always longer than the cushion)
6) Braid for edging (optional)
- everything you need to make a cushion!
- to make a cushion.jpg (66.12 KiB) Viewed 6171 times
2) Then do the same with the backing fabric- stitch along, and if you need to, you can always draw with a pencil and a ruler a line to follow to keep straight.
**NOTE- open the fabric and check that the seams are on the wrong side- I (embarrassingly) have not done this so many times I've lost count....
Then- important- slightly open the zip BEFORE pinning and sewing the other three edges. Nobody told me this, and I couldn't get the cushion undone after stitching it up the first time I did it!!!!
3) So, pin around the other edges and backstitch around them. Use the canvas side as the guide, to keep everything nice and neat.
After stitching it up, trim the fabric edges of both fabric pieces to about an inch of the stitching, turn it the correct way around, and use a bit of welly to get the corners right side out- the canvas is quite stiff, but if can take a battering, so heave ho and it will end up square!
Then,optionally, you can stitch a bit of braid around the edge. Just feed the ends into the gap at the edge where the zip ends (it should fold under and into the cushion) and catch the braid to the edge of the cushion.
Once that's done, insert your cushion pad, sit back, and admire your handiwork! Well done! (then start planning the next one!)
Best wishes,
Digipep.
I could use some nice cushions on my couch.
I've never tried tapestry before but now I think i will give it a go!
