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Sandy offers a different approach to stitching a
peacock... most examples use an application of Uwagake Chidori in some
sort of Kiku-like variation. Sandy changes over to more free embroidery
using chain and lazy daisy stitches along with some well-placed
spindles in this original composition design. For those that are new to free embroidery, this is a nice place to start, and yet it will be rewarding for experienced stitchers also. Pearl cotton works fine, but you can adjust it to almos any other thread you choose. |
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Form the peacock’s perch by placing several
closely spaced, parallel rows of chain stitch or stem stitch in brown
threads between points of a c-10 division, as shown in the
diagram. The rest of the tree is created later. The neck is formed with several straight stitches that run from the midpoint of the line segment (as shown in sketch) to the nearest diagonal of the c-10 cell. They should parallel the vertical spoke to their left. The head is formed of lazy daisy stitches formed one inside the next. To complete the head, use yellow or orange straight stitches to form the beak and black straight stitches for the crest, then use black French knots to form the eye and the tufts at the top of the crest. (See photo inset for details.) Work a spindle in the center of this cell using a rich shade of blue, such as royal blue. It should extend approximately half the distance of the diagonal spokes that form its points of reference when completed. Starting in an adjacent c-10 division, work a triangle that intersects with the c-10, as shown in the diagram. The top angle is centered on the left side of the spindle. Define the outer edges first, in royal blue. Work inward from the edges using several passes in blue, then switch to Kelly green and work 2-3 more passes. Alternate working 2-3 passes in blue and in green until the triangle region is filled. |
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| Use yellow to make French knot “eyes” on this
tail region. If desired, use Kelly green to outline the French
knots. Using the lazy daisy stitch around the yellow French
knots, similar to the method to form the head, works well. A
second lazy daisy stitch in royal blue around this group may also be
added. The remaining area of the ball can be used to form the tree where the peacock resides. Use stem stitch or chain stitch in closely spaced rows of brown thread to create the effect of tree bark. |