Fine, Upstanding Daisies Stitched in Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery

This is a Cast-on Daisy, one of our original Brazilian dimensional embroidery flowers. You can find instructions in any of the first Brazilian embroidery books published. Look for links and a bibliography prepared by our guild editor here at the BDEIG website.

      I'm not sure if anyone is interested in a bit of personal information, but when I started to learn B.E., I took two classes, learned how to make a bullion and a cast-on stitch, and then purchased the books Brazilian Embroidery Instructions by Barbara Demke Johnson and EdMar's Brazilian Embroidery Book 1 by Maria Freitas and started teaching myself. (I have since discovered that learning from fellow stitchers is an even better experience!)

Today I'm sharing a tip that a lot of stitchers may already know. I stitched the cast-on daisy pictured above with EdMar's Lola #041 (shaded mauve). When you stitch petals from the center out and around a circle, it's a good idea to place every other stitch first. Then, go around the circle again placing the same stitch between each. Each of these stitches is a 12-loop cast-on. You will have a nicer color placement - not all the dark color on one side, light on the other. This is just a suggestion; sometimes we have better ideas!

Oh! You spotted that needle beneath those petals! 

Well, there's a reason for that. After I work the stitches around a circular shape, I'll slip the needle beneath and go around and around the center 2-3 times and then pull and tug. All of the petals stand upright - and stay that way. See?

It's a B.E. technique I've named "Wrap 'n Gather", and it's wonderful when you are stitching on wearable items or "crushables" such as tote bags or pillows where the stitches can flatten this way and that. This technique keeps the stitches standing up. (By the way, my embroidery is far from being perfect, but if you ever want to see details, just double click these pictures and you'll have a HUGE version of what I've posted here.)  Note: Add the center bead or stitches first, before you wrap and gather.

This is another idea for you to try. When we are stitching lobed leaves, such as oak leaves or chrysanthemum leaves, I'll often work each section separately - start with a lazy daisy and add a blanket stitch right next to it. Go back to the center vein and repeat around. You can work around the leaf entirely, or you can work to the tip and then work the other side, base to tip.
           Don't forget, when you have that space, you can add a contrasting color between stitches or you can stitch an outline stitch center vein. You can do ANYTHING when you are doing Brazilian embroidery. That's why it is so much fun!

And now I will put together my Rosey Posey tutorial for you. Back soon!

Rosalie