Stumpwork is 3-D embroidery that can be done on either fabric or needlepoint canvas. It was a huge fad in the17th Century and has been increasing in popularity in recent years. One of the more popular techniques is to make wired shapes that can be filled with stitches. Because they are separate from the rest of the embroidery and have wired edges, they are raised off the fabric and can be shaped. You can find this technique used for everything from flowers, pictured above, to bugs.
The blog Sew in Love has a wonderful illustrated tutorial with pictures of finished pieces of this technique. Don’t be afraid that it is embroidery on fabric, this can’t be duplicated with canvas. But think how fantastic it will look when finished!
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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