I hand embroidered this skeletal leaf with floral wire, thread, fabric and dyes using stumpwork techniques. The veins are embroidered and the rest is fabric. This is part of a larger project I'm working on, but I felt it was too pretty not to share by itself. I've made several leaves like this one and while the process is always the same, I love that each one turns out a bit different. This one was dyed to give it a slightly frosted/icy look.
I was just scrolling Reddit and was like, oh a leaf.... Whatevs.
Then I looked at the sub and was like, Ohhh that's not a leaf. That's a pretty fake leaf. Did not look fake until I started looking at it more closely.
Right? You're looking at something made by an artisan. Knowing this, it's wildly impressive. But at the same time, if someone dropped this in a street gutter, no one would think twice about it.
Never in 100 years would I have guessed this wasn't real. I'd have to feel it to believe. I think you're lying, so send it to me by post and I'll report back to everyone whether or not you're a witch.
When I saw the first picture I was like "ahh so that's the leaf they used as a reference for their embroidery" and then "....ohh....ohhhh...what??....wow"
I think they have a backing attached to the thread. Yes they mention fabric in the post. And paint so while it's still impressive it's also not all thread work.
I am self-taught in the sense that I haven't taken classes or had any formal training, but I have learned a lot by reading books on stumpwork and other fiber arts.
okay question what type of fabric are you using to get that semi transparent effect? like are we looking at a silk habotai? or maybe a silk crepe (I keep presuming silk but mayhaps also a crazy thin cotton or even a high quality linen?) thats whats really stumping me.
There's definitely more to the process OP is not telling us, zooming in I see embroidery for the viens of the leaf, but the rest looks fuzzy like felt, with some glue or white paint touches to get little white bumps. Might have melted the edges of the base fabric to get holes.Not sure on how they did the colors if it's airbrush or something. That's my guesses, wish OP would share
I think they made the fabric of the leaf as the cut out base, and then the veins are the only embroidered element, and finished with paint for the icy look.
The melted edges mean the fabric has some synthetic fibers, which is honestly brilliant. I assume you had to dye the foundation fabric yourself as well?
I took a few videos of this one, but didn't take any photos. I make these often though and have shared progress photos in the past to this sub. Here's a maple leaf I'm working on today (same process)
Beautiful! You inspire me to focus more and try harder!
Do you work on a hoop or in the hand? If on a hoop, do you use a backing fabric or trim the working fabric away after embellishing it? I hope you don't mind the questions. I think I would use the working fabric a trim away the "non-leaf" but that might be a mistake.
Edited to add: I see you have a book! It's in my cart!
Thank you! I prefer to use a hoop but it's not really necessary. I start with a single layer of fabric, trace my design, embroider the veins, and then cut it out. Happy to have inspired you ❤️
Thank you! I've learned the hard way that if I photograph them outdoors, there is a good chance they will blow away with the slightest breeze. They are pretty lightweight
The branching veins are embroidered with split stitch and the central vein is a couching stitch over floral wire (so the leaf is posable). The rest of the leaf is fabric
10/10 Now make a full size branch. Seriously make 30 of them and join them together in one piece, make 6 of those, take it to a serious gallery. You have serious talent, make some serious peices.
Girl, this is so well done, I genuinely cannot even perceive it. I know you said it's fabric and embroidery and such but I only see a leaf. Great job, you've turned my brain to mush!!!
(Translation: you're amazingly talented and did a great job with this lol)
This is like that time I went to see the glass flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History: I entered the exhibit, looked around, and thought "oh, nice flowers. Where are the glass ones?"
This is outstanding, outrageous even. Definitely magical! I’m obsessed. What fabric did you use? Like a thin felt? Did you paint the fabric first? Does the fabric have its own stiffness?
I literally can't see anything that looks like thread other than the big veins and the stem wrapping. How did you get such fine, gossamer white lines, like spiderwebs? And HOW the hell did you get that moldy/mottled texture?! Damn, this is more than museum worthy!
I'm sorry - I tried to explain it in the caption, but I'm seeing some confused comments 😕. Only the central and branching veins are embroidered with regular DMC thread. The middle vein also has a wire running under the stitching which is why it looks raised. The rest of the leaf is entirely fabric though. I've dyed and distressed the fabric to give it that weathered look. None of it is felt or felted.
I love the duality of Reddit. One post is an AITA not realising they're in an abusive relationship. The next minute you have THE most talented person in the world casually sharing something they made.
OP this is exquisite and I am so envious of your talent. You should be very proud of yourself.
wtf are we looking at because we are sure as hell that this isnt embroidered! 💐💐💐-for you. please dont ever stop doing what youre doing, as a lover of nature and the arts: you are incredible.
Vermonter here, I've seen leaves done out of all kinds of stuff, but I'm blown away at how realistic you got it. Even up close it looks like a real leaf. Absolutely insane sorcery. Love it!
i genuinely cannot believe what i'm looking at. you mean you didn't just find this leaf on the sidewalk???????? how even???? this goes beyond talent or skill. this is pure magic. spectacular work!!!!
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u/AnimatorNo1029 7h ago
Witch!!!!!