Chikan embroidery

One of my pending projects was Anita’s chikankari embroidery SAL.Although at first, I wanted to sew it on  a dress, after finishing the embroidery I felt reluctant to use it (didn’t want to spoil such a beautiful embroidery).Now, I’m keeping it at a safe place to be used as a reference for future chikankari projects.

I must admit that I was in a hurry to finish this project that maybe I didn’t practice enough.My favourite stitches are the overcast stitch and the wave stitch filling.The latter stitch was easier when practiced on a squared pattern but confusing when worked on a heart shaped pattern.I made a mistake and had to rework it.The stab stitches really play an important role to create a wave like pattern at the back.This class was a wonderful learning experience.Thanks again, Anita.I hope your next class will be on beaded chikankari.Ever since I started this class, I have been searching the internet for free chikankari patterns but couldn’t find one.If someone knows, please share it with me.

Chikan Embroidery - Part 1

I was one of the lucky few who managed to register for Anita’s first Chikan embroidery SAL.I found Anita’s blog when she commented on mine.At that time, she was still new to blogging.I feel that’s the power of commenting – it will bring readers to your blog.I love to have people come and commenting on my blog and you’re mostly welcome to ‘advertise’ your blog while doing so.Your support is one factor that keeps me going and something which I value the most.

I’m quite sure most of you must have completed Anita’s class.As for me, I lag far behind because of lack of time.At the time of writing this post, I’d just finished lesson 5.Today, I would like to show you my work after completing the first lesson, which was double back stitch or even known as shadow stitch.

The biggest problem I faced was to trace the design.I don’t have a printer so I had to place a clear plastic sheet on my PC monitor and trace it.The difference wasn’t so obvious when I traced it but realized something was wrong when started to embroider.Most of the time, I’d to redraw certain patterns before embroidering.

This is one embroidery that I enjoy working.In Chikan embroidery, everything has to be perfect or else it will show on your work.We need to practice, practice and more practice and I sure need more of that.In my opinion, this embroidery makes us more disciplined.No wonder, Anita’s works are so perfect that you could hardly find any flaws.Hats off to you Anita and thanks for this wonderful lesson.