Friday-Free Patterns

Its Friday once again and I am late in posting the Free Pattern. Here it is:

It is Peacock once again. This time it is a folk motif from India. As you can see the artist has designed it stylishly. We don't know the artist as many a times many artists from old times, might have carved this in stone on temple walls. That might have inspired the weavers or other artists. I guess this has been made into a wooden printing block as I found it on one of my saris. 

                Peacock Motif

This looks very simple and easy and can be used for fabric painting as well as embroidery. Chain stitch would look good. This can be used on saris, blouses, dresses to give that ethnic and unique look.

Hope you like this. So watch for more motifs and patterns.......

Friday-Free Patterns

Peacocks

Its peacocks once again. I am fascinated by these motifs. From my child hood I have come across so many different motifs of peacocks. I have noted down some. But alas! I don't know where it has been misplaced. I am searching for it . But I have some with me noted separately. Here is one of them...

             Peacock Motif-1

             Peacock Motif-2

I have given both ways. Hope you like them...Try them and let me know....

Embroidered Butees-10

PEACOCKS-7

Here is the last butee in this series. This one is smallest of the available. I bought this for the blouse to match the sari as well as some to be used for the sari itself.

                  Peacock Butee-Small

                     Peacock Butee-Small

All these butees were available in different sizes, designs and shapes. Some were filled with heavy work and some were very simple. The price depended upon the size and  amount of work done etc. I choose a few of the variety for my sari. It will take some time for me to complete attaching them. I will post the pictures as soon as I have completed the work.

Friends I have given all the butees in detail so that you may note down and use it in your works. I enjoyed sharing them with you. Hope you have enjoyed too.

Keep an eye on my blog. I will post some other butees  next time.......

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Embroidered Butees-9

PEACOCKS-6

Here is one more butee and the pair.

           Peacock Butee

               Peacock Butee-Pair

I feel that  they looked very grand and not loud. I plan to attach them to a silk sari. I am yet to start it as I am constantly travelling and I am also in a quandary as to on which colour sari would these look good. I have few silk saris with me on which I wanted to do some work. Let us see.

Another butee in my next post...Just watch for it and enjoy.....

Friday-Free Patterns

Its time for free patterns. So here it is:

                 Free Pattern-Fowl

This is once again Folk Art or Tribal Art. This motif is that of a bird. To me it looks like a fowl or a Rooster. Indian villages towns or even small settlements across the country have almost similar lives. People are dependant on agriculture and allied industries. Those who are a bit well off possess cattle. Every farmer any way has to have a pair of bullocks, for working in the fields as well as for transportation of his produce to home or market. Cows and buffaloes are also quite common-the number depending upon the financial status of the farmers.

But most of them have a few fowls. Their eggs provide them with nutritious food and their meat is obviously a feast. 

The above is a representation of a folk/tribal artist. This can be painted using fabric colours as well as used for embroidery. I feel this would go well with Crewel Embroidery. What do you say?

Embroidered Butees-8

PEACOCKS-5

This one is slightly different. This butee is more elongated...

                   Peacock Butee

I liked it the moment I saw. Its elongated tail was the main attraction for me. I bought a few for the pallu of my sari. Here is a closer look at various parts of the Peacock, so that you can note it down and use it.

          Peacock Butee- A closer look

         Peacock Butee- A closer look

       Peacock Butee- A closer look

So what do you thaink of this one? Note the work in detail.

Visit my blog for the next butee tomorrow...

Embroidered Butees-7

PEACOCKS-4

One more butee..

                      Peacock Butee

This is one is facing the opposite side to the one I posted in previous post.

                  Peacock Butee-Pairs

This how the pair looks facing each other. This one is of the same size of the first two butees.

Hope you have liked these so far.....

More to come....  keep watching....

Embroidered Butees-6

PEACOCKS-3


Here is another one...

                 Peacock Butee

This one is different from the first pattern I have posted. This design shows the peacock on its side profile, where as the first one was facing us. See how the work has been done. See the use of threads, metal bullions, purls and kundans.

There were so many varieties of these Peacocks to choose from. I choose some of them for one of my saris. 

Some more in next posts.....

Embroidered Butees-5

PEACOCKS-2

Here is one more butee...the first one in this series is here:

http://summersofindia.blogspot.com/2011/02/embroidered-butees-4.html

                  Peacock Butee

This is the second butee-the head is turned on the other side. All the remaining is same.

You can use these as single butees or as pairs facing each other. Pairs would look good for pallu area. 

               Peacock Butee -Pair

What do you think of these butees? Let me know please.... You can also note down these pasterns and try out in a similar manner or by using threads, beads etc .....

More to come. So keep watching.....

Embroidered Butees-4

PEACOCKS-1

Peacock is the most beautiful bird. Its out national bird. Who can deny the beauty of a Peacock. But the funniest part here is that it is the male who has the most beautiful feathers in its train-tail feathers. OK OK I do not want to hurt the feelings of Males. But then God can sometimes be naughty. Don't you agree with me? 

But everyone loves beauty-keeping aside male or female part..:) and every one loves a Peacock. those who are interested in knowing more about them look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl

Now coming to the main story...I am going to post this whole week(I will do my best) from today some of the most beautiful embroidered butees on Peacocks..so follow me on this blog..

Here is the first one. The magnificent Peacock in all its glory. It reminds me of the Indian Monsoons, the smell of earth when the first drops fall on it, the thunders and lightening, and then the colourful Rainbows, the Peacocks displaying their train....This beauty has been captured here in this embroidered butee or patch... 

                    Peacock Butee

It is a patch, done on a stiff blue cloth with silk threads of blues,greens and reds, gold and other metallic threads-gold and other coloured bullions, purls, sequins, coloured kundans or stones and gold beads. The patch is backed by a fabric so that you don't have to bother about the ugly back side showing through the materials. Since the patch is stiff, it is easy to handle.

Below is a close look at the top portion.

                   Peacock Butee

Just have a closer look. These can be stuck on to fabric-saris, kurthis or dresses as you like, or just tack the edges to secure them.

Those of you who can embroider this design  can do so on a thick silk fabric. Alas! I don't have that much time or energy though I would love to give it a try.

Tell your friends or groups so that any one interested in this type of embroidery can have a look at these.....

More to come......so keep a close watch on my blog....

Friday-Free Patterns

A New Year Tradition

Its Friday again. I am not able to post one of my patterns this week. But here is something for you.  As I was browsing through some sites, this one held my attention

http://hubpages.com/hub/New-Years-Traditions

Its so nice to read about these traditions. The author- Patty Inglish MS wrote about the tradition of making pillow cases for New Year in her home and also gave the simple method for stitching the cases. However the reason/story behind the tradition could not be traced by the author.

I loved to read about it.  It touched my heart. It made me remember the tradition my mother followed for New Year. She rearraned the furniture as we didnot have much money to buy lavishly. She made new drapes, furnshings and bed and kitchen linnen out of scraps, used saris or other material. But she made them so beautifully emblished with embroidery and chrochet that no one could make out that they were made from old and used clothes.

What ever be the country or the race or religion we are all humans and are similar in many ways. We all have customs and traditions. Following them remembering them is fun. This way we can learn about each other and about our countries, culture and life styles.

You too read this....and let me know.....if there is a story behind the tradition of making of pillow cases for New Year...



Friday-Free Patterns

It is Friday again. Time for a Free Pattern. Here it is.

          Free Pattern-Indian FOLK Motif

This is again from Folk Art of Bengal. Looks like a Camel to me. But I am not sure. Anyway this is suitable for painting as well as embroidery. So try it out.

Keep watching for more patterns....

Friday-Free Patterns

Peacock Motif

Friends here is a free pattern as usual on Friday. I missed out last two weeks as I was out travelling.

                   Peacock Motif

This is a Peacock motif. Peacocks are native to India and are found in jungles of Northern and Southern India. They are really beautiful. At the onset of Monsoons or when the sky is overcast, they spread out their beautiful feathers. It is a sight so beautiful that one can only see for oneself. It cannot be described. The way they call out to their mates...peehu peehu....is so melodious...reminds me of the monsoons, over cast skies and dancing peacocks.

Peacock has special place in our religion. It is the "Vahana" (vehicle or carrier) of Lord  Karthika or Subrahmanya. He is son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.  Lord Krishna wears peaocock feather in his hair/crown.

So it is no wonder that peocock is one of the most popular subject for painters and artists. whther is is painting on paper or fabrics, on the walls as murals or embroidery or weaving it as a border or motif on sari or pallu, it has and still is very popular motif. This is a classic as well as contemporary motif. I picked it up from block printing on a sari.

Just use your imagination and see how you can create something beautiful from the motif. Kundans, beads, stones, pearls, silk threads, gold or metallic threads, gold or other metallic purls, silk ribbons can be used. Running, satin, herring bone, chain or other stitches can be used for this.

So let me know how you have used it...or how you like it. Will post more if you want.just let me know your choices or preferences..Keep watching my blog for more...

Friday- Free Patterns

I could not post last Friday. However here is one pattern here for you.

                      Free Pattern

This is again a folk or tribal pattern from Bengal. This looks like a horse to me. But I am not sure. Still it is looking cute. Looks good whether painted or embroidered.

This would look great for children's clothes. But I feel it would look great on saris or blouses if you want that ethnic look. 

Try it out and show us the result....

Friday- Free Patterns

Sorry friends I am late once again in posting the Free Pattern. But here it is..

This design was inspired from the designs sculpted on to the walls of temples. This is a floral design, classic one.

It can be used as a single motif on blouses, tunics, tops etc. It can also be used as multiple motifs for the sari pallus etc. Chain Stitch, Satin Stitch, Running Stitch can be used. it can also be used for fabric painting.

Hope you like it.

Satin Stitch

Hi Friends!

I was just doing some spring cleaning(in winter time) :). I wanted to weed out old clothes and other things which are stuffed in my storage space and I have no space for so many new things. Every time I do that, I religiously weed out old ones, but slowly one by one I put them back thinking, this one I can wear for some time etc etc etc. Out of hundred I weed out, I put back nearly 80%. After that I again think that I need to seriously make space for my new stuff.

Anyway here is what I found recently.

This was a cushion cover. White in colour. This was my first attempt at Satin stitch. I was a little girl then. So this piece is old. The cloth has worn out with innumerable washes. But the embroidery is still looking good-may not be as bright as it was before. May be slightly faded. I am really amazed at the colours still there. The company which produced this thread..Coats India.. needs to be appreciated for such excellent quality.

Some how I don't feel like throwing it away.

I am thinking of cutting the square out of this and add to my album under Satin Stitch. What do you say?

Friday-Free Patterns

SWAN

This is a motif of Swan.  Though the tail part looks like that of a peacock. This is a stylised, traditional or classical motif.

Swan is known as "Hamsa" in Sanskrit and Telugu and "Hans" in Hindi. It is  a very graceful, beautiful and mostly silent bird. It is pristine white (most species) in colour. They are also mostly vegetarians. Its graceful long neck, the way it silently glides on the water, its posture while in water or on the shore all add to its beauty. 

In Hinduism a Swan symbolises highest form of wisdom, spiritual knowledge, ethereal beauty and purity. It is said that a swan can separate milk from water and drinks only milk. So also we humans living in this  world are blinded by materialism. We should separate materialism from spirituality (like a swan separating milk from water) and follow the spiritual path to attain the "Moksha" or liberation of soul.

In Hindu Mythology, Swan is the vehicle of Saraswathi-Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. Hence it is considered to be a very smart or wise bird.  It is also believed that "Golden Swans" considered to be Divine birds exist. They come from heaven and visit the famous "Manasa Sarovar in Hymalayas".  Folklore, and other classic literature associated with this bird have many stories to tell. One such story is that the famous Love story of Nala and Damainthi. The righteous, most handsome, most eligible Emperor Nala and the most beautiful, virtuous Princess Damayanthi were brought together by a pair of golden swans. How they love each other and marry and the story that follows is known as "Nala Charitham". It is a beautiful tale of two lovers.

Now the bird Swan inspired many painters, like Raja Ravi Varma. Here it is:

http://enchantingkerala.org/raja-ravi-varma/raja_ravivarma_painting_hamsa_damayanthi.php

These birds have fascinated weavers too. Different motifs of these birds are painted, block printed, woven or embroidered as motifs or on borders and pallus of Saris. One can find them on temple walls. They are more stylised and very classic in design. The design or patterns vary with the sculptor or the artist.


I have many such patterns of Swan. I will be posting some in near future.

Friday-Free Patterns

Friends I am late in posting the Free Pattern. I couldn't post this pattern on Friday. However here it is...

This is a floral vine. You can see the flower, leaves and small berries. This is is a traditional or classic design. I found it on one of my saris with some other motifs. I have drawn only one part. It was a long vine but this part is repeated that's all. 

Floral vines are very popular as classic designs or motifs of India, mainly used to decorate, the textiles, temple walls etc. On temple walls they are sculpted onto the  stones. They are also used on walls as decoration.

You can paint it or embroider it. Chain, Running, Satin stitches, Knot stitch (for berries) would be great. This can be extended by adding the vein above or below or on the sides. This can be used vertically, horizontally or in slanting position. Perhaps, using it in slanting will create an interesting pattern. You can also use silk threads, Zari (metalic threads)  kundans, beads, stones etc for embellishing would make it more attractive, rich  and different.  

Hope you like it. Do give your feed back and let me know how you like  these motifs and designs......

More to come...so keep a watch on my blog.

Friday-Free Patterns

Elaine thank you so much for your comments. I am glad that you follow my blog and I am glad to know that you enjoy my posts. My thanks to all my friends who follow my posts and also leave comments and suggestions . Your comments motivate me to post more and more.

On Elaine's request I am posting the examples of these motifs (I have so far shared with you) used as designs. Well these have been painted on my sari. These are paintings on fabric as folk/tribal art.  I have a cotton sari cream white in colour which has got these motifs al lover it. 

It looks like these motifs have been first block printed (outline) and then when they have dried out the inner part is filled by using  block printed with required colour. Why I say filled by block print is that if you see it closely, some of the filling has gone askew or come out of the outlines. May be some of the motifs have been filled in using brush. The paint used is fabric paint .

Hope it is clear now Elaine. I like your suggestion. Next time I post motifs, I will also post these used in a design.