Karen Buell Designs

Stumpwork

Stumpwork, handicapped by its unusual, rather unattractive name, is a beautiful, fine, dimensional surface embroidery characterized by detached shapes and delicate embroidery.  These detached shapes are often leaves or flower petals which are worked on a separate piece of   fabric, wired, cut out and applied to the background.  Wrapped beads are often used for berries and beads themselves enhance the dimensional nature.  The designs in this collection are all small (most fit in the lid of a 2 1/2" box).  They are worked on cotton or matte satin backgrounds with a single strand of silk or cotton floss.  Waterlilies® overdyed silk floss or Soie Crystale® solid silk floss from The Caron Collection and DMC® cotton floss are most often used.