My Defense!!!!

Photograph by:  Austin Simmons

Model:  Leigh Hawkins
Pedestal:  Trevor Lacasse

Hair and Nails:  Alter Ego, Raleigh

Make-up:  Katherine Diuguid, Leigh Hawkins, and Shelley Smith

Location:  Carol Grotnes Belk Rotunda, Brooks Hall, College of Design, NC State

Materials: 100% Silk Double-faced Satin with Silver metal threads (some are silver plated, some of 90% silver, see previous posts for specifics for each motif)

 

The Last 2 Silver Leaves . . .

These 2 leaves are couched 90% Silver Smooth Passing.  

The Last of the Silver Blossoms . . .

For this blossom, I used Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) for the outer edge and Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 4) chipping for the inside area of the petals.  The stamens are Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) with a 2.5mm clear Swarovski bicone crystal.  The central stamen is Silver Plated Bright Check (size 4) with a silver-lined clear Japanese drop bead.

 For this blossom, I used 90% Silver Smooth Purl (size 6) and Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 10) for the outer edge in a pattern of 3 Smooth with 1 Rough Purl.  The inside is outlined with a line of #14 Silver Plated Spangles.  The inside of the petals is chipping of various rough and smooth purls.  The stamens are Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 10) with a silver-lined clear Japanese drop bead.  The central stamen is Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 4) with a 4mm clear Swarovski round crystal.

For this blossom, I used Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 10) and 90% Silver Smooth Purl (size 6) in a pattern of 5 rows Rough Purl with 1 row Smooth Purl.  The stamens are Silver Plated Super Pearl Purl with a 3mm clear Swarovski bicone crystal.  The central stamen is Silver Plated Pearl Purl (No.1) with a 4mm clear Swarovski round crystal. 

The Embroidery on the Center Front Panel is Complete!

Silver Orange Blossom . . .

Outline:  Silver Plated Super Pearl Purl

Outer Rim:  Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 10) and Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) in a pattern of 3 Rough Purl followed by 1 Bright Check

Inside Petals:  chipping of 90% Silver Bright Check (size 6)

Stamens:  Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 10) with a 3mm Clear Round Swarovski Crystal

Center Stamen:  Silver Plated No. 1 Pearl Purl with a 4mm Clear Round Swarovski Crystal

3 Silver Acorns . . .

Acorn Top:  Silver Plated Spangles (size 12)

Acorn bottom:  Silver Plated Super Pearl Purl outline, filled with chipping of various Rough, Smooth, and Bright Check Purls.

Acorn Top:  Silver Plated Spangles (sizes 14 and 9)

Acorn bottom:  Silver Plated Whipped Plate (size 6)

Silver Stems!

To connect the motifs, I am using Silver Plated Pearl Purl (super and No. 1 sizes).  For the larger motifs, I am using the No.1 size, and for the smaller motifs, I am using the Super size.

2 Silver Orange Blossoms . . .

For this blossom, I used 90% Silver Smooth Purl (size 6) and Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) for the outer ridge in a pattern of 3 rows Smooth Purl and 1 row Bright Check.  Next the ridge is outlined using a row of #12 Silver Plated Spangles.  The remaining part of the petal is filled with chipping of 90% Silver Smooth Purl (size 6).  The stamens were made with Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) with Silver-lined Drop Japanese Seed Beads.  The central stamen was made using Silver Plated Bright Check (size 4) with a 4mm Clear Swarovski Round Crystal.

For this blossom, I used Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) for the outer petal and outer ridge and filled the center with chipping of 90% Silver Smooth Purl and Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9).  The stamens were made using Silver Plated Smooth Purl (size 10) with a 2.5mm Clear Swarovski Bicone crystal.  The central stamen was made using 90% Silver Smooth Purl (size 6) with a Silver-lined Drop Japanese Seed Bead.

3 Silver Strawberry Leaves . . .

For these leaves, I used Silver Plated Rough Purl (size 10) and 90% Silver Smooth Purl (size 6) in a pattern of 5 rows Rough Purl with 1 row Smooth Purl.

 Because of how the leaves laid on the hip of the dress, I had to fill in an area in the overlapping leaf.

1 Silver Orange Blossom . . .

Outer Petals and Outline:  Silver Plated Smooth Purl (size 10)

Center Petal Inside:  Chipping of remnants from various sizes of Smooth and Rough Purl

Outer Stamens:  Silver Plated Bright Check (size 9) with Frosted Silver-lined Glass Japanese Seed Bead

Center Stamen:  90% Silver Bright Check (size 6) with 3mm Clear Bicone Swarovski Crystal

I originally was going to use Smooth Purl cutwork for the entire flower; however because the petal curves out due to it's close proximity to the bust, this created a very flat, saucer like result.  I did not like this, so I ripped it out and replaced it with chipping.