Reverse applique

Moss green, fabric and reverse applique - same technique but four different interpretations.  

This month's challenge caused a lot of consternation amongst the artists!  What exactly is reverse applique?  The Textile Research Centre defines it as: a needlework technique whereby several layers of cloth are placed on top of each other and shapes are cut out in layers of decreasing size.

Gemma

Gemma opted for a geometric design, which picked up the instruction for fabric.  After consulting with a dictionary, she chose an architectural pattern of triangles formed by machine embroidery.


Jo's wonderful illustrative style depicts a cat looking slyly at a bird.  Jo loves had stitching and this is used to great effect with the embellishments for each of the characters.

Jo

Margaret

Claire

Margaret looked to her garden for inspiration using machine embroidery to form the outline of leaves before cutting back one or two layers to reveal the different fabrics underneath.  The leaves are completed with some hand stitched veins.

Claire had been studying moss formation on dry-stone walls.  Layers are fully cut back to form the different shapes.  Additional texture is created with silk ribbon embroidery or crewel wool and Sorbello stitch.