The detached needlework fish are padded with added embroidered details. Three glass beads depict the eye. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

Higher magnification reveals the silk floss which lies under the mica. A range of blues were combined with white floss to represent water. Magnification 20x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

The breasts have been carefully defined. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

Closer inspection shows the cut wire at the hem, held in place with a buttonhole stitch. Magnification 50x.. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

Higher magnification reveals the silk floss which lies under the mica. A range of blues were combined with white floss to represent water. Magnification 20x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

This embroidery was worked on a foundation fabric of linen canvas. Detail of canvas under flower petals. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. early 17th century, British. Canvas worked with silk and metal thread, glass beads, spangles; Gobelin, tent, and detached buttonhole stitches; silk cord and silk and metal thread tassels. 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 in. (13 x 13 cm), excluding tassels and draw cord. Rogers Fund, by exchange, 1929 (29.23.15)

The silk core contains up to four colors combined in the two-ply thread. Magnification 20x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. early 17th century, British. Canvas worked with silk and metal thread, glass beads, spangles; Gobelin, tent, and detached buttonhole stitches; silk cord and silk and metal thread tassels. 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 in. (13 x 13 cm), excluding tassels and draw cord. Rogers Fund, by exchange, (29.23.15)

The rounded belly displays a fine navel. Detached buttonhole stitch worked with a wire edge create the ruffles of her skirt. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

Find a new passion with Charles and Elin. Try our free course called Going Knots where we teach you the basic stitches and we give you free patterns to start your embroidery journey!

Grotto- silk in various colors is wrapped around a silk core and couched in place. Magnification 20x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

I love how this practical stitch can become something so different just with a new a way of working it. Blanket stitch as a spider web! 🕸️ 🧵🪡 I have a free downloadable guide with some of my favourite stitches - showing you how to turn a traditional stitch into something unique and artful. If you comment GUIDE then I’ll send you the link to download it. And if you follow along with me @petalplum then I’ll keep sharing my sewing techniques, my slow stitch projects, and living a creatively ri...

This is how a Wildscape begins, with a color that calls to me, not a pattern. Soft wool fabric, soft wool yarn, and random French knots all over the place. In time, rocks and sticks and grasses will find their place anong the mountains of mossy French knots. A little bit of nature brought to life with fiber and stitch.

The tail is a combination of detached stitches. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

Detached buttonhole stitch worked with a wire edge creates the ruffles of her skirt. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

The fish gills are silk wrapped wire purl and add dimension to the composition. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

The mermaid’s tail ends with a flourish of long and short stitches. The “water” is created from extended silk wrapped wire purl placed over a piece of mica. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Embroidered mirror frame, 1672. British. Silk, metal, glass beads, mica, seed pearls. 28 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Gift, 1939 (39.13.2a)

Detail of eye motif showing upper lid. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. ca.1600,British. Leather,satin worked with silk and metal thread,seed pearls;satin,couching, and darning stitches;metal bobbin lace;paper. L.12 1/4 x W.6 1/4 inches (31.1 x 15.9 cm) Credit Line:Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, 1928 (28.220.7, .8)

This is how I have spent the last few days, making bullion knots. I have used a full skein of fingering weight yarn, about 400 yards. It's a lovely blend of merino wool, silk, and yak. So smooth. I am nearly out of yarn which means it will be time to stop and switch to green French knots. I'm ready for that. #bullionknots #handembroidery #bullionstitch #slowstitch

Your art takes as long as it takes. I use a lot of bouillon knots in some of my work. Here's me making three bullions in real time. I might go a little bit faster when I'm not recording, but not much. Here's your reminder (and mine) to take your joy in the process of creating. #modernembroidery #bullionknots #slowstitch #santacruzartist

Orpheus’ hand strumming Lyre, recto & verso, from embroidery depicting Orpheus charming animals with music. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Early 17th century British. Silk and metal thread on canvas. L. 14 1/2 x W. 12 inches (36.8 x 30.5. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. Early 17th century British. Silk and metal thread on canvas. L.14 1/2 x W. 12in. (36.8 x 30.5 cm) Rogers Fund, 1910 Accession Number: 10.126.13

Detail of ink. Looking glass with reflection of face motif. Magnification 50x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. ca. 1660 British Unfinished cabinet panel. Silk, metal, ink, pigment. 17.5 x 22 in. (44.5 x 55.9 cm) Purchase, Mrs. Sid R. Bass Gift, in honor of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, and Rogers Fund,

Purl flower reverse. Magnification 10x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. ca. 1660 British Unfinished cabinet panel. Silk, metal, ink, pigment. 17.5 x 22 in. (44.5 x 55.9 cm) Purchase, Mrs. Sid R. Bass Gift, in honor of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, and Rogers Fund, 1998 Accession Number: 1998.541

Jael and Barak Date: 1672 Culture: English Medium: Satin worked with silk and metal thread, beads, purl, mica, seed pearls; detached buttonhole variations, long-and-short, satin, couching, and straight stitches; wood frame, celluloid imitation tortoiseshell, mirror glass, silk, plush Dimensions: H. 28 3/4 x W. 23 3/4 in. (73 x 60.3 cm.)

Detail of parrot motif. Magnification 20x. Image by Cristina Balloffet Carr. ca.1600,British. Leather,satin worked with silk and metal thread,seed pearls;satin,couching, and darning stitches;metal bobbin lace;paper. L.12 1/4 x W.6 1/4 inches (31.1 x 15.9 cm) Credit Line:Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, 1928 (28.220.7, .8)