Southern Grace

 Designed by Meredith Barnhill

This beautiful charted needlepoint design was created using Silk Mori, Silk Serica, Tapestry (#12) Braid, and Kreinik's real metal threads. When we asked designer/teacher/shop owner Meredith Barnhill to create a special project for our web site visitors using silk and real metal threads, we had no idea something this stunning was coming. The silks are perfect for the soft leaves, white the dragonfly just wouldn't look real without the metallics. However it's the use of real silver threads that raises this design to one of the most beautiful projects you will ever stitch.

Real metal threads have been used in embroidery for centuries. Gold metal decoration was first used in primitive cultures to show an association with the magical sun. It represented the gods, then kings, then ecclesiastical figures.

Today real metal threads are rare, but available in three grades. Military (gilt) grade consists of a heavy copper core covered with sterling silver and plated with a thin layer of gold. This is the least expensive and tarnishes easily. Arabic is the highest and most expensive grade, being a thin copper core covered with a light sleeve of pure silver and overlaid with a very heavy layer of gold. Ecclesiastical grade falls between these, and will remain bright for 10-20 years depending upon pollution and the amount of handling. Kreinik's real metal threads are ecclesiastical grade, and have been processed with an additional tarnish-proof coating which extends the length of time the thread will remain bright.

Real metal threads are couched to the surface of a fabric or canvas. In this design, you will use #5 and #8 Jaceron, which is coiled to give a bead-like appearance and is used for outlining (you'll love how she's worked the Serica with the silver metal). You will also use Frieze Brilliant for the center of the flower. This real metal is crisp and angular to give a more faceted look.

Materials Needed:

• Kreinik Silk Mori® in 7124, 3045, 1105, 4206, 4204, 4203
• Kreinik Silk Serica® in 7124, 3045
• Kreinik Tapestry (#12) Braid™ in 085, 032
• Kreinik Cable™ in 001P, 002P
• #5 Jaceron in silver (real metal thread)
• #8 Jaceron in silver (real metal thread)
• #12 Frieze Brilliant in silver (real metal thread)
• Kreinik silver Couching Thread
• White Congress Cloth

Instructions: