Feather embroidered cashmere cardigan (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
Brightly embroidered feathers on black cashmere (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
I first blogged about this here when I was wondering how many feathers to embroider. I’ve picked up the cardigan from time to time and added another two – or 20 but it was difficult to judge whether there were any unadorned stretches of black. What I needed was an appropriate body.
Brightly embroidered feathers on black cashmere (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
Fortunately our book club was meeting so I took the cardigan along and as we were dispersing I collared the youngest member of our group and begged her to put it on for me. Weary from a long day spent mainly teaching horse riding – in the rain – she visibly sagged at my request but gallantly complied. (Would that I could look anything like as groomed as this after even 5 minutes in the rain – oh the joys of naturally wavy hair.) Rapidly I gauged the gaps and took a quick photo for the blog. (Next time she plays the organ in church I shall make sure she gets extra biscuits and the strongest coffee as a reward).
Brightly embroidered feathers on black cashmere (hand embroidered by Mary Addison and modelled by long suffering friend after a day on horseback.)
Brightly embroidered feather on black cashmere (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
Brightly embroidered feather on black cashmere (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
The colours used, photographed below, are (from top to bottom):
Anchor 70 (magenta)
Anchor 279 (sharpe yellow-green)
Anchor 13 (scarlet)
DMC 158 (light indigo)
Anchor 258 (acid yellow-green)
Anchor 970 (light plum)
DMC 597 (a dirty sort of turquoisy-blue)
Stranded embroidery thread – both Anchor and DMC – used for the feathers
Having a blog is an excellent way of recording details of materials used – when that is I remember to add them. I thought these colours worked so well on black that I shall want to use them again and being able to refer back to this post will save time trawling through bags full of threads. So far there are about 30 feathers – with room for 3-4 more on the sleeves – should daughter No 1 ever need to hold up her arms publicly she can do so with confidence that there will be no bare unfeathered patch!
Brightly embroidered feather on black cashmere (hand embroidered by Mary Addison)
12 Comments
I purloined your idea, Mary, and embroidered over a few holes and a scorch mark in a favourite old navy wool cardigan – I’ve never had so many compliments! Thank you so much for the idea (I’m about to do the same to another one).
Well done! It’s a shame to lose a much loved garment when a bit of lateral thinking can make it good as new to the innocent eye. I refuse to be stumped by mending problems and have been known to love something even more after a bit of judicious needlework. How lovely that my blog nudged you to do the same. Thank you for telling me.
It’s lovely. I’m thinking of trying this as well. You’re an inspiration!
Do Katie – if you have a go mending something and you don’t like the result you haven’t really lost anything; and if you do like it, it’s all gain.
This is both beautiful and inspirational! I wondered if you knew about Tom of Holland? I did one of his workshops on creative darning a couple of weeks ago. He is exploring the whole idea of ‘ slow clothing’, valuing items and using creative ways to extend their life or make them different. His latest blog is very thoughtful on this. He is also the nicest man, self deprecating and funny.
I also wanted to say how glad I am to have found your blog, courtesy of Jane Brocket. I have been grateful for everything you
post, from Middlemarch to cookies. Many thanks!
Thank you for your kind and informative comment. I have seen Tom of Holland’s work but now I shall certainly look at his blog.
Jane Brocket has been a fantastic doorway for people coming to my work and I’m grateful to her for so many things – not least being the inspiration for me to begin blogging in the first place.
I greatly appreciate hearing that you enjoy my posts which has put a little extra bounce in my stride today.
The colours do work beautifully, and I think the cardigan is even improved by the embellishment!
Scrumptious colours on the blackest of black – I don’t think you can go wrong!
Really beautiful as before, Mary. I’d be tempted to go on adding even more probably until someone put the brakes on me! And so kind of you to add all the extra workshop detail for us.
You’re so right, Penny – I’ve just put 5 pins in spaces on the cardigan where more feathers cold happily go!
Delightful cardigan Mary… I love the bright colours against the black.. lots of fun and the cardigan will look great with all sorts of little dresses and blouses….. the more feathers the merrier I think!
Thank you Lydia. So more feathers it is. Black cardigans are so useful with everything – casual or smart. A bit of colour just enhances the inky black.