Raised Elizabethan Needlework
And
Padded Needlelace Tutorial
Written and Designed by Janet M. Davies 

My Padded Needlelace came about from doing Raised Elizabethan embroidery.
It is the layout of the design that is the real difference between the two. Raised Elizabethan designs are full of vines with flowers and bugs among the vines. Padded Needlelace can be of any type of picture/layout in a design.

Raised Elizabethan embroidery has become most popular again in the last 15 years. What was last seen in the early 17th century England is vogue again. The raised and stuffed pockets of Needle Lace bringing to life the design features.

Early pictures of this embroidery can be found on pillows or small bags that were carried at the waist etc. Prominent to the 17th century designs were flowers, fruit, vegetables, bugs and butterflies. Traditionally scrolls of vines were entwined around the flowers etc. A mass of design objects and vines covered the area being stitched. Today many design looks are given to this raised technique. The world being our oyster to choose from. If the shape of the design element can be filled with rows of Needle lace, then go for it.

Today Cotton a Broder, Pearl Cotton or Stranded threads are most popular. Designs of yesterday and today are highlighted with silk and metallic threads. Beads, sequins and spangles, used to bring life to the design.

Vibrant colours were used in the past. Colours being realistic to the design being stitched. But today...... what ever makes you happy. A firm close weave background fabric needs to be stitched upon to support the stuffed Needle lace. Either Linen, Cotton or other furnishing fabrics are suitable.

Not all objects in a design are just stitched with Needle Lace. The vines are stitched with surface stitches into the fabric surface. A mixture of Stumpwork and Raised Elizabethan techniques work well together. The Stumpwork adding a look to the design that may not be able to be achieved with padded Needle Lace. Still giving a raised look to the design. www.jmddesigns.co.nz

All photos have been designed and stitched by Janet

Scottish Celtic Thistle
This is Padded Needlelace design has a Thistle with leaves which are padded raised pockets of Needlelace. The bee's body is padded Needlelace also. The bee wings and the Celtic knots around the outside of the design are stitched with Back stitch. Metallic threads highlight the design.
The whole design is 15.5 x 14 cms (6 1/2 x 6 inches) in size

Gordon's Owl
This is a modern design based on Padded Needlelace Needlework and  Raised Elizabethan embroidery. Traditionally flowers and bugs were surrounded in vines. Pockets of Needle Lace are stitched directly onto the fabric and then padded to produce raised stitched areas. Metallic thread and beads add texture and appeal to the design. The design is 17 x 14 cms (6 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches) in size. The Owl’s body is padded Needle Lace with fluffy stitching around the eyes. The Moths have Needle Lace wings with fluffy stitched bodies. The leaves and flower trumpets are padded with a covering of woven stitching. The flower petals and bugs are padded Needle Lace. Gold beads decorate the background.
click here to purchase this individual design

 Buds of Time
This is a modern design based on Raised Elizabethan embroidery. Traditionally flowers and bugs were surrounded in vines. Pockets of Needle Lace you will stitch are stitched directly onto the fabric and then padded to produce raised stitched areas. Metallic thread, beads and miniature sequins (spangles) add texture and appeal to the design. The design is 17 x 20 cms (6 1/2 x 8 inches) in size.
click here to purchase this individual design

  Vibrant Love
This is a modern design based on Padded Needlelace Needlework. Pockets of Needle Lace are stitched directly onto the fabric and then padded to produce raised stitched areas. Metallic thread add texture and appeal to the design that reminds me of peace and love. The design is 9 x 10.5 cms (3 1/2 x 4 inches) in size. Traditionally linen fabric is stitched on. A hand dyed Quilting fabric has been used for this design. Anchor Marlitt rayon stranded thread has been used to stitch with. But note that Perle 8 and Cotton-a-broader #16 can be used successfully also as a substitute for rayon thread. Stranded cottons, rayon and silks can be used but only if you have good even tension with the strands in the needle while stitching. Perle 8 is suggested for use for those new to the stitching of Needle Lace. 
Click here to purchase this individual design

Fuchsia Fancies
This is a modern design based on Padded Needlelace Needlework. Pockets of Needle Lace are stitched directly onto the fabric and then padded to produce raised stitched areas. Metallic thread and beads add texture and appeal to the design to make the fuchsias and butterflies dance. The main design is 23 x 15 cms (9 x 6 inches). Perle 8 thread has been used to stitch with. But note that Cotton-a-broader #16 can be used successfully also as a substitute for Perle cottons. Stranded cottons, rayon and silks can be used but only if you have good even tension with the strands in the needle while stitching. Click here to purchase this individual design

This wee pin cushion has the Needle Lace stitching on the purple petals of the flower. A contemporary design that has a look of a Stumpwork design about it. The great thing today is we can mix different embroidery styles together and not feel guilty. Design size 10 x7cm (4 x 3 inches).

Padded Needlelace Needlework Sunflower, stitched with rayon threads. Metal ladybug buttons were used for decoration. Design size 8x13cm (3 x 5 inches)

 
The 4 miniature pillows above I hand made using the Padded Needlelace Needlework method of padded Needle Lace. Each pillow is about 10cm (4 inches) square. A variety of Pearl 5 cotton thread, various metallic threads, beads and sequins were used. The edges have hand made twisted cords with the end of the cords made into a tassels. these were made as gifts for Christmas 2005.
 

Mixture of contemporary Stumpwork and Padded Needlelace Needlework The flowers are padded and the leaves wired. Wooden beads are covered for fruit. The Owl's body is padded Needle Lace and the wings are wired. 12 x 15cm (6 x 5 inches)

Padded Needlelace Needlework and surface stitching. Humpty's body and clothes were stitched using the Raised Elizabethan style of stitching. The Butterfly wings and the bowtie are wired and sitting up off the fabric. Flowers and stitched onto the fabric directly. Threads used are rayon and metallic. 15cm x 12cm.

An antique piece of Elizabethan Embroidery from a museum. Full of vines with flowers and bugs among the vines. Stitcher unknown.