In this book Di van Niekerk and Hazel Blomkamp have combined their embroidery skills to stitch Monique Day-Wilde’s exquisite hand drawn mandala designs from Mandala daydreams. These were re-rendered in Adobe Illustrator and slightly simplified to adapt them for embroidery stitches and techniques. Including Monique’s original colored mandalas, together with information on the color combinations used, means that embroiderers who wish to accept an additional challenge of first coloring and then embroidering the designs, have everything they need to create an exquisite and unique gift or project. Over 25 luminous mandalas designs to stitch by master embroiderers, including Nostalgia Skill Level: BeginnerWhile many of Monique’s mandala drawings start with an intention, some of them just grow and morph and this was one of them. When it was completed the centre daisy shape reminded her of motifs she used as a child. With the nostalgic theme in mind, she used colors she loved when she was young - purple, pink, red and orange. It may not seem like a particularly good palette on paper, but she loves it still. The bright primary colors of the embroidery are particularly effective on the Shweshwe fabric. Sunburst Skill Level: IntermediateBased loosely on the ‘Vergina sun’ found originally in Ancient Greek art, this 16-point shape has a hexadecagon at its core. While the colors used for the original mandala may appear to be yellow and brown, no brown was used. Instead, these shades have been created by layering the primary colors of yellow, magenta and cyan in various combinations.The embroidery could not have been more different. Silvery shades and metallic thread are cleverly combined with seed beads for a good measure of glamorous glimmer. Beach party Skill Level: AdvancedMonique lives on the coast and often sees dolphins in their little bay, watching them surf in the waves very close to shore. This joyful sight is the inspiration for this mandala. The greys, greens and blues of the sea and the browns and tans of the sand were natural color choices for the sea theme.Similar colors were used for the embroidery interpretation, with the addition of warmer coral and salmon for the shells. Using trapunto and trellis with cross stitch couching on the dolphins adds magnificent texture and depth to the embroidery. Note that the voile backing is only placed once the dolphin bodies have been embroidered. Garden party Skill Level: IntermediateVarious Japanese motifs create this veritable party in the garden. Monique wanted the birds to be dominant, using shades of pink and purple for the original coloring so that they would stand out from the background greens. The embroidery creates a startlingly different effect with shades of salmon and turquoise, with the dragonflies in soft cream receding into the background while still ensuring a beautifully textured finish. Complete stitch gallery with illustrations and instructions, along with visual guidance on beadwork, trapunto, ribbon embroidery and appliqué is included Embroidery stitches Appliqué This technique is used to highlight certain sections of thedesign and to create additional texture. Here Di van Niekerk’shand-painted organza ribbon was used but any voile, chiffon or georgette is suitable. Using beads in your embroidery When attaching beads to your embroidery you should usea small, short needle that will be able to go through eventhe smallest bead. Size 10 or 12 bead embroidery needlesare suitable, as are size 10, 11 or 12 quilting needles. Longbeading needles are cumbersome and should be avoided. Trapunto This technique is used to create a raised surface in selectedelements of the design by stuffing them from the back,using an additional layer of backing fabric (off-white cottonlawn or poplin).
✔ Author(s): Hazel Blomkamp,Di van Niekerk,Monique Day-Wilde
✔ Title: Freestyle Embroidered Mandalas: More than 60 Stitches and Techniques in Inspiring Combinations
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (66 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 1782217053
✔ ISBN-13: 9781782217053
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Freestyle Embroidered Mandalas by Hazel Blomkamp
Beata Shepard
This book completely captured my heart. The characters were so relatable, and their journeys resonated deeply with me. The writing was poetic and powerful, leaving me with a sense of awe. I'm grateful to have experienced this literary gem.
Sydney Richardson
I loved the powerful messages hidden within the story. The book tackled important social issues and made me ponder the world we live in. It's a must-read for everyone.
Tasha Cobbett
The themes of resilience and hope resonated deeply with me. This book taught me valuable life lessons that I'll carry with me for years to come.
