Pattern development / Experimenting with tonal values

Tonal values / Hand embroidery 

Tone is how dark or light a color is. There are many ways to achieve tonal values in painting and sketching. But what about embroidery?

There are several methods to create the effect of tonal grading with thread and one of them is the method of pattern development.  

Creating a grading pattern with the method of pattern development. 

Step 1. Take a graph paper or draw a grid on a piece of paper. Draw a simple unit of pattern (for example a square or a line) at the bottom row of the grid. Copy the pattern along the entire row. 

Step 2. Copy the same pattern at the second row but this time add more detail.

Step 3. Copy the pattern at the third row and add more detail.

Step 4. Repeat the process, creating gradually a more dense and complicated pattern. 

Another example of pattern development on canvas

Step 1: Draw a simple shape at the bottom line of the grid paper. Develop gradually the pattern by adding more detail in a rather asymmetrical way.

Step 2: Transfer the pattern to the fabric with carbon paper. Alternatively, you can pin the paper and the fabric together and stitch them together. 

Step 3: Stitch with red cotton thread both the paper and the fabric, using the double running stitch. 

Step 4: When complete the stitching, soak the fabric and the paper in warm water for some time. Scrub gently with a soft detergent (shampoo) to help the paper decompose. Note, that it is rather difficult to remove the paper entirely without destroying the stitches.

Redwork/ Tonal values in embroidery