Padding is one of the simplest forms of Stumpwork, the technique of 3-D embroidery. It can create raised areas of just about any shape and can be used under most stitches.
There are lots of things you can use to pad your needlepoint. Today we are going to talk about using something you have on hand, thread, to create padding. To find your thread for padding you’ll need a thread that’s:
- round, preferably pearl cotton
- near in color to either the color on the canvas or the color of the thread for the top layer
Because the thread used for padding is covered, the color match does not need to be exact. Since you want the stitches to stand up, you want a thread that doesn’t compress. Pearl cotton is perfect because it is widely available, inexpensive and doesn’t compress.
How to Pad
It’s important when you pad that you create edges that are rounded, you want a hill, not a cliff. You achieve this by making each layer of stitching get gradually bigger as you go from the canvas to the top layer of stitching.
This is done by making each layer one thread smaller all around than the layer above. That means you need to think about how high you want your padded area to be, so you can plan the layers. Obviously one limit on this is how big the area is. A large area like a tree trunk, could be padded more than a thinner branch.
There is another reason why you need to plan. Each layer of stitches needs to be perpendicular to the layers above and below it. If two adjacent layers go in the same direction, the stitches will flatten into each other and you’ll have one layer where you should have two.
To see how this works, let’s look at a padded tree trunk.
The bottom layer, below, uses horizontal stitches.
The next layer, below, uses vertical stitches. See how it is larger than the first layer?
This trunk had only two layers of padding. The top layer, below, is the layer that shows. It should be in your finishing thread and cover the painted area.
Tips for Padding
Always remember to decrease the size of the layers as you go down the stack.
Stranded or flat threads make the smoothest top layers. If you use stranded threads, you will need to add more strands to ensure good coverage.
Each layer of padding should be perpendicular to the layer below it. You can, however, have a top layer of padding with diagonal stitches with a horizontal or vertical layer below it.
Fancy stitches look out of place on most padding. Although you can pad almost any stitch with a length of thread (one layer of padding) underneath it, padding looks best with Gobelin Stitches because they are smooth.
If your canvas has a pattern or color changes on it that you want in the top layer, make a copy before you begin to pad.
Even Higher – Padded Cords
What do you do if you want something to be really high? Padding probably won’t work because the area is too small to get enough layers for the height you want. In this case you turn to found objects and stitch over them. This technique is called padded cords because usually some kind of smooth cord is used.
To do this you need some kind of smooth cord that is in proportion to the area to be covered. It needs to be smooth because bumps and unevenness will show up when covered in thread. It needs to be sturdy so it won’t compress when covered with thread.
Most often the center of bias cording or clothesline are used. Bias cording to cover comes in several sizes and can be found in fabric stores.
Begin by attaching the cord to the canvas. Do this by couching now and again in a thread matching the color of the top layer. Cut the cord to the exact length needed.
Once attached you can begin covering the cord by making Gobelin Stitches over the cord.
I’ll be stitching the candy cane on the canvas above with padded cords. You can see on the canvas how it is shaded, using padded cords will create shading without changing colors. It will also make a nice transition between the nativity scene and the borders.
While this is an easy technique to do, it is very noticeable, so use it with care.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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