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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Reader’s Embroidery: Modern Icon using Japanese Embroidery Techniques

 

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Anne sent along the following little masterpiece that she embroidered – it’s an icon in a modern style, worked with Japanese techniques. Take a look…

The original picture that inspired Anne’s embroidery is found in the John Paul II Center. The icon is a modern rendition of the Good Shepherd. The bold lines and bold colors are really enhanced by the techniques used in stitching. In fact, I can’t imagine the picture painted. The embroidery just “fits” it, if you know what I mean.

Reader's Embroidery: Modern Icon in Japanese Embroidery Techniques

Here, the piece is still mounted on the frame. The colors are so vibrant, aren’t they? I love the red and the blue background.

Reader's Embroidery: Modern Icon in Japanese Embroidery Techniques

Here, you can see the work a little closer. The two stitched elements that really grab me are the red robe (the honeycomb stitching in flat silk) and the wool on the lamb. Now, I would try to explain how the wool is done, but the truth is, although Anne described the process to me, I can’t figure it out yet because I haven’t had the opportunity to play with it. But I want to! I love that wool. While you’re looking at it, check out the expression on the lamb – startled, to say the least. He’s caught!

Reader's Embroidery: Modern Icon in Japanese Embroidery Techniques

And here’s the piece, in a very nice frame job.

The piece is certainly brilliantly stitched, isn’t it? The stitching is so precise, the bold lines are so perfectly caught, and the colors are so vibrant – overall, a pleasing combination of technique and color.

Thank you so much, Anne, for sending along the photos!

If you have a project you want to show us, do feel free to contact me, and I’ll send you my e-mail address so you can send pictures of your masterpiece along. Personally, I like seeing what others are doing out there in the needlework world, and it sure serves as inspiration for the rest of us!

 
 

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(5) Comments

  1. Thank you both for sharing – this is an beautiful image with unbelievable stitching. Mary, when you get a chance we’d love it if you shared the technique used on the sheep. Another inspiration!!

    3
  2. Oops, I just check out the embroidery again and realised it is on blue fabric………it still is fantastic

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