Working with Large Texture Pieces in Machine Embroidery

 

At Hawthorne & Heaney we love a challenge, and large scale texture pieces is certainly one of them! Often when creating vast pieces of embroidery like this we are required to match up lots of different frames to insure the piece flows naturally and looks as though it was made all at once. This is a difficult skill but one we enjoy practicing as the results can be stunning, like this beautiful navy velvet piece below.

 

Metallic threads can be an added test of skill, but that doesn’t stop us from creating these exquisite meter long surface embroidery pieces that wouldn’t look out of place or grand estate.

 

We’re currently working on a large scale screen with a similar background texture for a head board, which will be scattered with beautiful 3D, stylised flowers and branches for an extravagant bedroom setting.

 

 

Banners & Coat Of Arms

 

One thing we pride ourselves on is out ability to make exquisitely embroidered crests and coat of arms, and can even make them up into completed banners if you need! This bright blue banner featured a detailed, almost water-colour like texture landscape with jumping fish in the centre, with some applique for flat, opaque elements and 3D gold embroidered lettering and borders to make sure they stood out against the busy central piece.

 

Often we create large scale pieces with machine embroidery or appliqué, and add elements of hand embroidered details for that extra bit of luxury. Below is our talented hand embroiderer working on a large embroidered coat of arms in our central London studio.

 

This piece was fully hand embroidered, with a gold applique base for the main body to create an initial shape and traditional raised goldwork for detailed areas and outlines to add contrast and height to the flat base.

 

 

Digital Embroidery For Interiors

 

Embroidery is a great way to add detail and luxury to upholstery and interiors. The best way to achieve these large scale pieces is to work on base fabrics completely flat, as made up cushion covers and items that are already finished can create restrictions with size. For large, extravagant works of embroidery, adding the detail before the final piece is made insures the end result is high end and fits the application perfectly.

 

These experiments with 3D embroidery and drawn, hanging threads are perfect for large scale interiors projects! The contrast between raised satin stitch that sinks beautifully into the velvet and the weight of the loose hanging threads make this ideal for wall hangings, or even an interesting curtain design. Read more about some previous embroidery for interiors projects here.

 

We also love the idea of this piece as an elaborate, tactile wallpaper for a statement living room!

 

 

Hand Embroidered Bespoke Wedding Veil

 

This piece was an absolute joy to work on, with handmade 3D silk flowers scattered down the full length of a Cathedral veil that were connected with foliage made using the same 3D silk effect and hand beading in a lattice effect. At the very bottom of the veil was the initials A&A to represent both bride and groom on the special day. Projects like this can take 12 weeks to complete – well worth the wait we think, so if you’re interested on large scale bespoke hand embroidery do get in touch as early as possible!

 

 

Using Digital Embroidery As Art

 

Whilst embroidery can be very robust when needed and done properly, many opt for embroidery as an art application to conserve the stitches for much longer. We love working on pieces like this, as it allows us to push boundaries even further, with less importance on durability with pieces that will be protected behind the glass of a frame. This pastel ‘H’ artwork with metallic borders and 3D foliage was created as an art piece which was shown in Fortnum & Mason for an exhibition back in 2022  as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee. (Read more about our contribution here).

 

A favourite embroidered artwork piece of the Hawthorne & Heaney team is this vibrant otter embroidery made using digital embroidery, and layers and layers of puff to create 3D elements ibn varying degrees. This lovely creature can be found hanging proudly on the sample rail in our studio.

 

 

Something Different…

 

We recently had the pleasure of designing and making a bespoke dog crate from start to finish for a private customer at the end of 2023, who wanted something a bit more special than a sheet of fabric to insure his beloved pets slept soundly at night. We started by embroidering the main front section with the two pet names in a metallic gold, before transforming the piece into an elaborate cover inspired by theatre stage curtains, complete with gold metallic trimmings to match the embroidery!

 

The customer was exceptionally happy, and revealed the final piece at a home Christmas party in December. Below, our team mascot Goose models the dog crate in our central London studio to make sure it was up to standard before being collected by the customer.

 

 

If you’d like to work with us on your next embroidery project, contact us today, we’d love to hear from you!