Due to high and consistent enthusiasm for it, I’ve decided to release Plique-a-Jour as a downloadable project PDF.
You’ll find it available here in the shop now.
My plan was to ultimately release the PDF download, but not quite this soon and possibly in a different package. I wanted to stitch a corresponding project that we’ve designed and put both projects together. But it is unlikely I’ll get to the second project any time soon, and it may make more sense to handle them individually, anyway, for those who prefer one but not the other.
Also, realizing that many of you who are outside North America want to work the project, too, I don’t want leave you hanging any longer!
Today, I’ll tell you what you can expect from the PDF, including the advantages of working with a PDF. I’ll also talk about substitutions you can make if you are unsure of finding or affording the original materials. We’ll talk a little bit about sourcing materials. We’ll also discuss the difficulties of substitutions and managing expectations when using substitutes.
Finally, I’ve included a quick personal update at the end of today’s post, so that you will know what’s going on in case I disappear for a wee bit now and then.
Plique-á-Jour is this Art Nouveau styled embroidery project worked in silk and gold threads on silk fabric. It is a lovely project – delicate and pretty – that looks a lot more advanced and complex than it actually is.
The silk embroidery on the project is worked with stranded silk, which handles much like regular embroidery floss. The primary stitch is a loosely-interpreted long and short stitch (split stitch, really), in the form of silk shading or simply as long and short stitch filling, where there is no shading.
The goldwork on the project predominantly relies on couching, which is simply stitching over the top of the real metal thread to sew it onto the fabric. A little bit of the goldwork is chip work, which means you snip the goldwork thread into little chips and sew the resulting chips onto the fabric as you would a bead.
So these are not super complicated techniques, but the results are stunning, nonetheless.
The project, then, is suitable to determined beginners who have some knowledge of basic embroidery techniques. You should be able to transfer a design, thread your needle, start and end threads, use a hoop or frame, and, often more than anything else, read and follow needlework instructions. You should also have some knowledge of how to source embroidery supplies in your own country. I’ll help you the best I can if you have a hard time sourcing supplies and you ask for help, but we don’t always know where to source supplies in every country! Still, if we can help, we will!
The Downloadable PDF
The PDF is a 29-page downloadable document delivered to you via a download link in your email. It is not a tangible product. You will not receive anything in the mail with your order.
It can be printed, or it can be used from a computer or mobile device, tablet, and so forth.
The advantage of using a PDF on a tablet, laptop, etc., is that you can zoom in on the document to see clear, enlarged photos on your screen, should you wish to really examine the stitches. You can’t really do this in a printed book. But, if you prefer to work from print, the PDF is formatted for easy printing on a home computer. If you don’t have a home computer that will print to your satisfaction, you can take it somewhere and have a copy printed for personal use.
In the PDF, you will find the design, the materials & tools list, step-by-step photo and diagram instructions for the techniques used in the project, and then step-by-step photo development of the entire project from beginning to end, with tips and techniques discussed as the project unfolds.
The resulting project is a small masterpiece – a beautiful addition to your own decor or a lovely gift to give to someone dear to you. It can be framed, or it can be finished in other ways that you explore on your own. The project instructions do not include the piece being finished into “something.” We created it for framing.
Making Substitutions
You are welcome to make substitutions for the materials in this project. For example, you might prefer to stitch with cotton floss instead of silk. You might use metallics instead of real metal threads. You might enlarge the design and use wools or something. You are most welcome to do any of that!
However, please note that substitutions of any material will affect the outcome of the project. It may even alter the way you should go about stitching it.
The project is presented as we worked it, in silk, on silk, with goldwork accents. The PDF does not include other ways to stitch it. But if you have ideas, by all means, test them out! There’s nothing wrong with that! It’s a great way to learn and a great way to customize the design to your own tastes.
Delivery & Download
When you purchase the PDF, you’ll be required to enter a valid email address on your order. This should be the email address where you expect to receive the PDF. Please double-check the email address that you enter. If you enter the address incorrectly, the download link will not show up in your inbox.
Once the link is sent to you, for security reasons, you have three days or four download attempts to save the file (although of course we will always be happy to send you a new download link if you have difficulties). Any time you click the download link (even if you are just previewing the PDF on your phone), it registers as a download.
Use whatever way you are accustomed to saving / downloading electronic files to your computer. Normally, but depending on your operating system, you can right click on the link and choose “download linked file” from the drop-down menu to save the PDF to your downloads folder.
If you do not receive the download link within about 30 minutes or so, check your spam folder or any other folders that are established in your email, that receive social or promotional emails.
Please note that some email service providers automatically block emails with download links in them, often depending on your security settings.
If you have any trouble at all with your download, you can always reach out via email and I will help you out.
Once you have downloaded the PDF onto your device of choice, you can then print the PDF from the file on your device. Please do not print the PDF preview that pops up when you click the download link. Wait until the file is downloaded, then print from your downloaded file.
I hope that you enjoy Plique-á-Jour! We put a lot of time and consideration into developing this project, because we wanted to create something really beautiful and memorable in silk and gold, in a style that we love.
You can find the PDF available here in the shop.
News on the Home Front
I’m working through a few difficulties on the home front right now with Dad. Because of this, there may very well be days I don’t show up, although I’m doing my best to work ahead of things. I’ll keep you abreast of the situation, especially if I need to go silent for a little while.
This week’s final lesson for Blackberry Brambles & Blossoms should be ready on Friday, but it might have to wait to next week. I’ll do my best to get it out to you Friday, though.
Hope you’re having a great week!
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