Brazilian embroidery (technique): master class, diagrams. Master class on Brazilian embroidery: the birth of a masterpiece Which threads are best suited for Brazilian embroidery

Rituals

One of the most popular types of needlework is embroidery. The different techniques of this magnificent craftsmanship amaze with their beauty. For those wishing to expand their collection of stitches and learn more about a very unusual way of decorating woven fabric, a master class on Brazilian embroidery will come in very handy. In it you will find a detailed description of the different types of stitches, and also get a lot of ideas for creating your own masterpiece.

From the history of needlework

This type of needlework, such as embroidery, has been known to mankind since ancient times. It is mentioned in Greek and Roman legends, the Iliad and the Odyssey. In those days, the main subjects of embroidery were the adventures of the gods and great battles. The Romans believed that the goddess of wisdom, Minerva, was the inventor of creativity.

In fact, the birthplace of embroidery was the cradle of most arts - the East. Thanks to the campaigns of Alexander the Great, art penetrated to other parts of the world. Embroidery was used to decorate tents, clothes, horse harnesses, and create luxurious paintings and religious items.

The first materials for this handicraft were natural fabrics created from plant fibers, threads - wool, linen, cotton, and gold. The world learned about silk threads much later, because the Chinese jealously guarded the secret of their production.

The Crusades helped art penetrate into Europe, where it immediately became a favorite pastime of society ladies. Thanks to Charlemagne, embroidery gained unprecedented popularity, because the monarch adored art and luxury. Subjects for embroidery were created by great artists of the Renaissance. The patterns were passed from hand to hand and only with the advent of the industrial revolution and the advent of printing presses did they become publicly available.

In the modern world, embroidery is still loved by needlewomen. A large selection of materials and teaching aids will help everyone to master creativity with ease. Such activities are especially useful for children, because they develop perseverance and attention to detail, allow creativity, and develop aesthetic perception. Psychologists recommend that adults also engage in embroidery; in addition to the benefits described, it can bring pleasure, increase resistance to stress, and even heal. After all, the technique of work involves fine motor skills, and on the palm there are many points responsible for the work of one or another organ. Their stimulation improves the normal functioning of the entire body.


Volumetric embroidery

Brazilian volumetric (dimensional) embroidery stands out among other types of art with its special flavor. The tropical country gave the world voluminous handicrafts that can decorate interiors and clothing. The main motifs in this work are flowers. Moreover, the color scheme can be made in pastel colors or vary in brightness. The material from which the motifs are made—viscose thread (artificial silk)—gives a special charm to the products. Viscose is particularly durable, which gives the products durability and high wear resistance. And the silky shine adds special luxury and attractiveness to the patterns.

The elements that make up the drawing do not exceed 1.5-2 cm. If the drawing is large, then the volume is achieved through its multi-layering. Patterns for Brazilian embroidery are a contour drawing.

Three-dimensional elements of a picture in Brazilian embroidery are obtained by winding a thread onto a needle. Many techniques are borrowed from related types of needlework - rococo embroidery and creating tatting lace. From the first, the Brazilians borrowed the winding of thread onto a needle, and from the second, a double knot.

Necessary materials

Before you start doing Brazilian embroidery, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic materials used in the work. You will need:

  • Fabric for the base. It is preferable to use printed or jacquard silk, although embroidery can be done on any type of fabric.
  • Needles. The work uses special needles. They can be blunt or sharp, depending on the element being performed, but the tools are long in length. Purchase a tapestry needle, a darning needle, and a milliner's needle. The ear of such an instrument should be small and round.
  • Threads. Traditional Brazilian embroidery uses viscose threads. They differ in the way they are twisted counterclockwise. Since pure viscose threads are quite rare on sale, it is permissible to use a thin cotton thread with a certain amount of rayon. A thread threader will also come in handy.
  • Hoop. This item may or may not be used, it all depends on your preferences.
  • Scissors. They must be double-edged. It is recommended to have small scissors for cutting threads and tailor's scissors for cutting warps.
  • Decorative elements. The presence of beads, seed beads, and artificial stamens in Brazilian embroidery does not at all contradict the traditional design.

Essential elements

By learning how to perform basic stitches for Brazilian embroidery, you can easily create your own colorful masterpiece.

It is very important to embroider from left to right and adjust the thread tension yourself. If you make it too weak, the part will turn out loose; overtighten it a little and the embroidery will look askew.

Coaching, or patch stitch. Represents the edging of the picture. Mainly used to create flower stems. The working thread must be laid along the contour, and then secured with small stitches made in the direction of twisting the thread.

Stem seam. Its use is already described in the title. Performed strictly from left to right. The stitches are tightly adjacent to each other, reaching the middle.

Satin stitch. Used to fill out leaflets. It is a double-sided stitch. The needle is inserted strictly along the contour of the image at a right angle. The stitches should be parallel to each other.

Twisted stitch. The element is taken from the Rococo technique. It is performed by winding a thread onto a needle.

If the amount of winding on the needle is equal to the distance between points A and B, then the stitch will lie smoothly. If there are more turns, the element will become convex.

Set stitch. The element is borrowed from tatting and is built on a double knot. The execution can be seen in the picture.

Double cast-on stitch. It is performed in a similar way with the only difference being that the set of loops alternates towards and away from you. Most often, stitches are used to decorate rose petals.


Perpendicular seam. Used to create elements that are not fixed on one side. In this case, the thread is first wound on the needle, and then the working thread is inserted into the eye.

Braided seam. Used to decorate petals. It is performed using a pin as a support for winding the thread.


Lapel stitch. They decorate the leaves and corollas of flowers.

Pistil suture (knot on the leg). Used in the design of stamens.

If you exclude the leg, the element is called a French knot.

Decorative stitches are often found in Brazilian embroidery. For example, tambour.

Brazilian embroidery is something absolutely incredible. Why? Well, at least because it doesn’t always look like embroidery. For beginning needlewomen, Brazilian embroidery seems like anything but embroidery! You will hear all sorts of suggestions: crocheting, woven lace. But no, this is actually done with a needle.

Volumetric Brazilian embroidery is a superficial type of embroidery art. How is that? This means that its stitches are located in the air and only rest on the fabric with their base. Therefore, to some extent, the inexperienced observer is right - this is indeed both knitting and weaving.

How is Brazilian embroidery different?

Despite the fact that we have already examined more than one type of volumetric embroidery, Brazilian embroidery is slightly different from each of them.

  • The main motifs of this embroidery are flowers and leaves. Which is understandable - this is what usually serves as inspiration for needlewomen in eternally sunny Brazil.
  • To perform embroidery, only a special type of thread is used - artificial silk.
  • The execution technique involves special types of seams.
  • Embroidery needles are used very long.

Now let's look at everything in order.

Brazilian embroidery for beginners: basic motifs

The main characters of Brazilian embroidery, as we have already said, are flowers. And to be more precise, very specific flowers: roses and echinacea.

If you are not a gardener, you may not have heard of echinacea. We'll give you a hint: it's a large colored “daisy” with a strongly convex center. One of its most popular varieties is “Mexican Hat”. Do you remember?

Threads for Brazilian embroidery

For Brazilian embroidery, only artificial silk is used. Moreover, in the homeland of this embroidery, only one type of artificial silk thread is used: the so-called “sun” silk, twisted counterclockwise. They say that it is not so easy to get it here. But to perform bright works, our needlewomen use any twisted (always twisted) artificial silk threads, as well as ribbons - this is also completely acceptable.

Diverging slightly from the topic, we note that Brazilian ribbon embroidery is just as classic as embroidery with silk threads. In addition, it is permissible to use beads and seed beads in embroidery.

Brazilian embroidery: stitches

Some Brazilian embroidery stitches are accessible even to a beginner. Some of them require skill and dexterity. We'll start with the simplest ones.

Overlay seam- the most basic. The thread is laid in a stem or curl, and then secured with small stitches along its length. The only subtlety is that the stitches are always laid at an angle: exactly at the inclination of the thread turn, so that it is not too noticeable.

Stem seam– also one of the initial seams. The next stitch starts from the middle of the previous one, and all subsequent stitches are placed on one side only - either to the left or to the right.

Double-sided stitch used for embroidering small decorative elements - mainly leaves. Parallel stitches are laid from the center of the leaf to its edge.

Satin stitch you know from Rococo lessons. A puncture, another puncture, wind a thread around the tip of the needle, tighten it - and you're done. Please note that winding must be done depending on the twist of the thread. If the turns are arranged like the crossbar in the letter Z, we perform them clockwise, if as in S, we perform them counterclockwise. This seam is used for both leaves and flowers (of the same echinacea).

Cast-on stitch- base for rose petals. It is performed in the same way as threading on knitting needles in the simplest way. To make the stitch wide, use additional needles.

Double cast-on stitch- almost the same, only it is typed with two threads - on the right and on the left.

Another type of such seam is "pistils". It is performed perpendicularly by threading one thread onto the needle. The result is something similar to a pestle or caterpillar.

Braided seam- one of the most intricate. This is real needle weaving. You will need an additional tool for this – a long pin.

Here is another type of braided stitch. It's almost lace! Look, it's like weaving a fishing net.

In addition, all known Rococo knots are used in Brazilian embroidery.

So, what do we know now about Brazilian embroidery? That it uses so many different techniques – simple counted stitches, rococo knots, as well as some interesting “lace” stitches. And yes, satin stitch embroidery is also used in the Brazilian technique.

Needles for Brazilian embroidery

Brazilian embroidery is a technique that combines not only sewing, but also weaving, as you have already noticed. Therefore, short needles are not suitable here. It is believed that for work it is best to take a needle at least 5 cm long.

Brazilian embroidery on mittens

This embroidery is an interesting thing, isn't it? If you also really liked it, we suggest holding a small master class: let’s try to embroider mittens. For embroidery, we will choose something simple but expressive - for example, this cute little rose. Let's look at it carefully.

As you can see, the difficulty here is only in the flower itself. Its leaves are a simple element of embroidery, the loops are attached. Well, then we will perform the petals step by step. But first, let’s prepare the necessary materials and tools:

  • the mittens themselves;
  • twisted yarn with viscose in two tones: floral and green;
  • long needle;
  • scissors.

Let's get started.

  • First, let's outline the place where the roses will be located.
  • Thread a floral-colored thread into a needle and secure it to the mitten with a small “back needle” stitch.
  • Now let's draw the needle in the direction of the first stitch. The middle of the needle will be hidden inside the mitten, and both ends will be visible to us. Pull the thread with your left hand and place 11 loops on the end of the needle.
  • Gently holding the loops with your fingers, pull the needle through them. The first petal is ready.
  • Sew a small backstitch to secure the seam.
  • Now we make the inner petals: around the central petal we make several more of the same petals from 11 loops. 5 such petals are enough.
  • Let's make another circle so that our flower looks like a rose. The petals of the final circle will be long - from 19 loops. We will make 7 of them in total, evenly distributing them in a circle.
  • Using green yarn, we will make leaves on the sides of the flower using a simple “tucked loop” stitch. Nothing complicated: we hide the base of the loop under the outer petals, lay a beautiful loop and grab its center from the inside with a small stitch.
  • Let's repeat all our manipulations on the second mitten.

That's all! Now you have a winter update with embroidery using the original exotic technique!

Other lessons and videos MK

Dandelion

Flowers

Carnation

Brazilian - what amazing beauty it is! And the hands of craftswomen who love to do needlework are just asking to start creating beauty.

Brazilian embroidery - beautiful and stylish

The canvases on which luxurious flowers bloom, as if alive, or strange butterflies open their amazing wings, are simply mesmerizing. And all because this handicraft is Brazilian embroidery!

The work done using this technique is very different from all the others. Firstly, this is voluminous embroidery. Brazilian embroidery conveys real images in a very naturalistic way. These are mainly flowers, butterflies or bright birds, the underwater world.

Brazilian embroidery, a technique that combines embroidery and weaving, does not allow complete copying of works. Each product is exclusive.

How is Brazilian embroidery used?

With its help you can decorate clothes in an unusual way. It looks great both on children's outfits and on the attire of adult ladies.

Brazilian embroidery often decorates home interiors. Using this technique you can perfectly embroider sofa cushions and bedspreads, curtains, tablecloths and napkins for vases.

And some craftsmen even manage to make paintings for walls. The most real works of art come out of their hands!

Necessary conditions for performing Brazilian embroidery

The materials that craftsmen use in their work play a very important role. Be sure to use threads made from artificial silk. In addition, they should be twisted counterclockwise.

It is believed that the quality of the threads used in embroidery is the most important thing in the work. And therefore, many craftswomen note the fact that it is almost impossible to find Brazilian silk in Russia. Therefore, it is impossible to create real Brazilian embroidery. However, the majority still believes that the most important thing is the method of working on a masterpiece. And the material can be selected with minimal differences from the basis. That is, real Brazilian silk can be replaced with analogues produced in Russia.

Some embroiderers even use thin yarn for work, sometimes thick threads intended for sewing. And it happens that even ribbons are often used for embroidery. This can be considered another feature of Brazilian embroidery.

Considering that embroidery loops are made with large stitches with knots twisted on them, they can easily tear through the base fabric. Therefore, you need to take fairly dense matter.

Embroidery needles need to be quite long. After all, it is on them that the craftswoman winds knots and loops. The minimum needle length is about 5 centimeters.

Patterns for Brazilian embroidery

An embroiderer, no matter how highly skilled she is in her craft, will not be able to work “on a blank sheet of paper.” Be sure to first develop a sketch of the future embroidery. Then a diagram is created from it.

Then the craftswoman transfers the design onto the fabric. And now she gets to work. A few hours of painstaking work, and luxurious Brazilian embroidery appears on the needlewoman’s hoop.

You can draw diagrams for it yourself if the craftswoman has the talent of an artist. But it’s easier to take ready-made options.

Brazilian embroidery - a combination of many techniques

This trend in needlework is interesting because it absorbed Romanian bridal styles, rococo and tatting. This is done in order to make the embroidery voluminous and convex. The needle makes a stitch by exposing the tip of the fabric, onto which the thread is wound in different ways. It is very important to make turns in the direction opposite to the twist of the thread itself. Otherwise the thread will unwind. This means that the loop will not turn out the way it should be.

Most often in Brazilian embroidery, stem, fringed, chain and various cast-on stitches, double-sided satin stitch, French knot, eyelets with attachment, coaching or laying thread, as well as some other specific techniques are used. It is from the combination of all of them that Brazilian embroidery is born.

Embroidery master class “Flower”


Using and combining the techniques described here, you can create many beautiful Brazilian style embroideries.

Brazilian embroidery is a type of embroidery in which the thread is placed on the surface of the fabric. The so-called surface embroidery. Unlike other types of similar needlework, the Brazilian technique uses threads made of artificial silk, the surface of the fabric is chosen, as a rule, monochromatic, from any material. Products decorated with such embroidery always look very unusual. You can often find pillows, towels, towels, clothes that are decorated with patterns, and sometimes entire paintings made of silk threads. A master class on learning how to create Brazilian embroidery will help you understand the basics of this technique and begin making real works of art with your own hands.

We study a step-by-step master class on Brazilian embroidery: types of seams

So, let's look at the most common stitches used in Brazilian embroidery.

Twisted seam.

A twisted stitch or coiling stitch is used to make floral patterns. The basic principle of execution is winding many turns on a needle. Long stitches are obtained.

First, apply the outline of the pattern to the fabric. After this, the thread is secured from the wrong side and brought to the front side of the fabric. Stepping back slightly, stick the needle into the fabric from right to left and bring it to the place of the first puncture on the front side (Fig. a). Make 9-10 windings of the working thread onto the tip of the needle (Fig. b) and, holding the windings of the working thread with the fingers of your left hand, pull the needle through (Fig. c). Then it is injected into the previous puncture (2) and brought out side by side 2-3), pulling the thread. The result is the first flagellum-petal of a flower (Fig. d). This is how the second and all subsequent flagella stitches of chamomile, roses, and chrysanthemums, embroidered with colored threads, are performed (Fig. e-g).

Cast-on stitch.

This type of seam is quite voluminous.

It is done like this:

Bring the thread to the front side. Insert the needle into (B), bring the tip of the needle next to (A) and leave it in the fabric.

Pry the thread with your finger.

Keeping the thread taut, place your fingertip against the point of the needle.

Place the resulting loop from your finger onto the needle.

Cast on the required number of loops.

Tighten the threads. The stitch will fall to the right side.

Bar stitch.

This stitch will require practice.

Lapel stitch.

Bring the needle through point A. Then, having entered point B, exit at point C (the thread should remain under the needle). Pull the thread.

Having passed the needle through point D, bring it out at point E and pull the thread. Repeat step 1. Fasten the thread to the wrong side of the fabric.

Turkish knot.

The needle first passes through point A on the right side of the fabric and comes out at point B. The end of the thread should remain on top. Press the needle into point C and pull until a ring is formed.

Place another loop on top of the moving thread and pull the thread all the way through.

Now you need to use frequent stitches to fill the inside of the circle with large and securing loops.

Thick pestle.

Brazilian embroidery techniques use this stitch quite often.

Pull the needle with the thread threaded through point A. Pull the thread out of the needle. Insert the needle without thread into point B (place a needle cushion under the fabric and press the needle into the cushion vertically through the fabric.)

Cast on 5 loops on the needle. Take two layers of thread and wrap the needle 6 times.

Throw the top ring of thread onto the needle and pull out the thread. Wrap a single thread around the needle three times. Thread the needle and bring it to the wrong side of the fabric. Fasten the thread.

On the Internet you can often find photographs and patterns that you can use for Brazilian embroidery.

Many patterns can be used to depict flowers, for example, or used as an independent element.

Some stitches are great for filling in the outlines or background of embroidery. In part, this seam is reminiscent of satin stitch embroidery.

If you want to sew a blanket or a handbag, for example, options with square motifs, where each element will have its own ornament, will be successful.

We embroider mimosa.

Using the stitches shown above, you can embroider flowers and various patterns. Let's present a master class on mimosa embroidery.

So, to make such a picture you will need:

  • Hoop
  • Needle puller
  • Fabric adhesive “Gutermann HT2”
  • Copy paper (white)
  • Hoop fabric

Threads:

First you need to transfer the pattern onto the fabric. To do this, place carbon paper on and under the fabric, pinning it with pins for greater convenience. Place fabric between the hoops so as not to deform the embroidery fabric.

Work should begin with embroidering on the front side. First, branches and leaves are embroidered. And then mimosa flowers are made using the thread pulling method.

We embroider branches and leaves.

Using thread No. 309, embroider the flower stem with a straight stitch and thick branches with a stem stitch.

Branches with leaves are depicted using thread No. 305 using a stem stitch; the leaves themselves are embroidered in the same color, but straight and diagonal stitches are used.

Mimosa flowers.

When the branches and leaves are ready, you need to turn the work inside out and embroider the flowers using the thread pulling method. For flowers you need threads No. 113 and No. 203.

Using thread No. 326 using the same method, make darkening at the base of the branches.

Embroider circles of mimosa flowers from the outer border to the middle without disturbing the shape. Try not to move the pulling needle far from the fabric before making a new puncture in it. After this, secure the loops with glue and let the embroidery dry.

Now the front side of the flowers needs to be trimmed and fluffed. The threads can be slightly moistened with your fingers to make the flowers smoother and neater.

All that remains is to make French knots at the ends of the flowers and between the branches. The work is ready.

Video on the topic of the article

You can also watch video lessons. They present more clearly the techniques and methods of Brazilian embroidery.

Every needlewoman at some point wants to replenish her skill set with new techniques. And many turn to types of volumetric embroidery, with the help of which amazing pictures are created. By combining several techniques, the effect of realism in flower paintings and compositions is achieved. Seeming incredibly complex at first glance, this embroidery is quite understandable even for beginners.

Features of the Brazilian embroidery technique

The technique itself combines relief embroidery, complemented by many three-dimensional elements. Many techniques are used - stem stitch, laying, etc. The main motifs used in Brazilian embroidery are floral and floral. These can be bouquets, flower arrangements or ornaments woven into paintings depicting clothes or flowering trees. But in any case, these are gentle, sophisticated and purely feminine pictures.


The main secret of Brazilian embroidery is special threads made of twisted viscose silk. Moreover, the twisting should go counterclockwise - this is a very important condition. The fabric must be thick enough to support the voluminous pattern. Experienced craftswomen create paintings on black silk.

Different needles are used to perform different elements, but they are all quite long and thin. In Brazilian craft kits there are about 20 needles with a small round ear. The description of each item usually indicates the needle number.


In Brazilian embroidery not only threads are used. uses many of these techniques.

Let's look at a few basic techniques

If you are seriously thinking about how to learn how to embroider with Brazilian embroidery, first practice on thick, contrasting fabric (denim, for example) and embroider with woolen threads. The needle should be the same thickness as the thread.

You need to master each type of knots and images gradually, because each step has its own nuances.

Knots and Rococo

Nodules– the main element of embroidery, which is used to make the centers of flowers and some decorative elements.


Rococo– a shell-shaped curl is especially popular in “embroidery on clothes.” In folk embroidery, such a seam is called “twisted”.

There can be several curls on a needle, it all depends on the idea and size of the element. The curls should wrap tightly around the needle. The needle, in turn, should not pass through the thread or split it.


Rococo loop

A type of knot in which the beginning and end of the curl are combined, and the number of turns increases.


Single-sided cast-on loop

It is performed with a thin needle and thread wound in half. The thread does not just wrap around the needle, it is wrapped in a certain way, as shown in the diagram.


Stitching technique in Brazilian embroidery

  • When stitching, you must make knots at the beginning and at the end of the thread. This way the ends will not be fluffy and give the work a sloppy look.
  • can be used by experienced craftswomen, but beginners must constantly wrap the embroidery and control the quality of the knots on the reverse side. It is better to use a light hoop.


Ideas for Brazilian embroidery (photo for inspiration)

Based on simple techniques and stitches you can create small but cute compositions, which will gradually grow to the size of large paintings.

Floral motifs of Brazilian embroidery (diagrams and drawings)

You have probably already trained enough and achieved a certain degree of mastery in order to move on to more specific and worthy paintings.






  • – unusually cute flowers and their execution technique is similar to daisies. But the petals are made in the form of a small loop and are additionally secured at the end with a contrasting thread. The finished forget-me-not looks like this.



  • The embroidery you like needs to be transferred to paper and then copied onto fabric. Only the outlines of the flowers are copied and filled with different colors.

  • Here are some finished works based on simple elements.



  • Combining the techniques of volumetric embroidery and satin stitch embroidery. —Stitch embroidery patterns—can be viewed and studied further.

Surface embroidery presupposes the presence of three-dimensional elements, and the more three-dimensional they are, the more beautiful they are. Large flowers and petals can be made with ribbons - satin, silk or synthetic. The fabric must have cells that will allow the tape to pass through them without damage. In the Brazilian technique, flowers made with multi-colored ribbons are combined with other types of embroidery.


  • In the diagram you can see how the rococo knot is made using a thin ribbon.



  • If you are interested in this technique, you can find out more about.





  • Look how talentedly the chrysanthemum flowers are made - they are so delicate and fragile.





Video with lessons on Brazilian embroidery for beginners

  • The video shows a detailed master class for beginners on how to perform the basic elements of Brazilian embroidery. Large angles, contrasting threads and practical advice from the author of the video will help even those who have never thought about such beauty to start embroidering.

  • The author of the video explains how to get started by transferring the design and choosing the right embroidery threads. With such a detailed story and demonstration of the work, even the most intricate knots will be within your power.

  • Delicate and touching white-on-white embroidery will decorate fine bed linen or a festive tablecloth. The ornament combines three-dimensional embroidery techniques on white fabric.

  • One of the basic elements is the Turkish knot or brushing - the only type of weaving that is not secured with a knot. The author of the video shows the technique with contrasting threads on white fabric, making it clear the first time.

  • Surprisingly, the basis for such a beautiful pattern is a simple drawing. The author of the video talks about marking the pattern on fabric, as well as how to correctly use the ready-made color palette.

Did you like this idea of ​​voluminous embroidery? Share your impressions, we will be grateful.