[Illustration: PURPLE CLEMATIS CENTERPIECE DESIGN NO. 56.]
_Materials_--22 inch Centerpiece: Corticelli Filo Silk, 4 skeins
785; 3 skeins 784; 2 skeins each 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 783;
1 skein each 621, 622, 779.5, 780, 781, 782. Corticelli Persian
Floss, 8 skeins 615. Smaller pieces take less silk. Dealers can
furnish stamped linen of this design in 22 and 27 inch sizes. They
can also furnish stamped linen, 9 inch square, of the set of four
doily designs (Nos. 56A, B, C, D), to match this centerpiece. See
page 92.
One can always do better embroidery, as is the case in all branches of
art, if thoroughly familiar with one's subject; then the mind, which
is really the source of intelligent work, can act through the pencil,
the pen, or the needle, and give to the result the added touch of
knowledge at first hand. Therefore, if possible, before working this
design secure a spray of the real clematis, choosing the variety known
as _Clematis Jackmanni_, which is probably one of the best known.
The Purple Clematis blossoms in June, July, or August, according to
the climate, but it can be secured from florists during other months.
Notice that the flowers often have four petals, and nearly as often
_five_. This is a marked peculiarity of the plant. Observe also the
buds and sprays of leaves, starting from the axils of the branches; the
curling tendency of the stems, by which tendril-like quality the plant
climbs. Sometimes the leaves will drop off from these stems, leaving
occasionally what looks like a real tendril, but what is in reality the
leaf-stem.
This centerpiece may be worked in heavy outline, which produces a very
decorative effect with less labor, but this is not recommended, the
design being of a large and handsome flower, which calls for stronger
and more lasting treatment, and the instructions given therefore
are for solid embroidery, in long and short stitch. (See article on
Stitches--"Feather Stitch.") While purple is the usual color of the
flower, it is sometimes very pale lavender, but for a decorative
design merely, the flowers might be worked in white with greenish
shadings.
[Illustration: CLEMATIS DOILY NO. 56 A.]
Flowers.--Begin the edge of petals with Purple, 729, shading gradually
lighter toward the base of the petal, using 728, 727, 726, 725. The
lightest shades should come into a vein in the center of the petal. For
the under side, or turned over parts, of the petals use 725 and 726.
The contrast between the color of upper and under sides is very marked.
Work the pistil solid, using 781 for the upper and 782 for the lower
half. See Colored Plate XXII.
[Illustration: CLEMATIS DOILY NO. 56 B.]
Centers.--Outline the stamens with Green, 780, 781. Make the outer
stamens, which are heavier than those inside and somewhat irregular,
with a double thread of Corticelli Filo Silk, and the inner stamens
with a single thread. At the point of each stamen make a French knot
with Purple, 729. Use 780 and 781 also for the center from which the
petals have dropped. Work the buds solid, in 725, 726. At the base of
each shade into the stem a few stitches of 780.
[Illustration: CLEMATIS DOILY NO. 56 C.]
Leaves.--Work solid in long and short stitch, with 779.5, 780, 781,
782, 783, 784, 785, being careful to slant the stitches in the same
direction as the veins, that is, from the edge in toward the central
vein, but sloping toward the base of the leaf. Shade from light on the
edge to dark near the midvein, See Colored Plate XXII. The leaves are
large and many shades can be used with advantage. Work some of the
smaller leaves in lighter shades than the large leaves at the bottom
of the spray. The veins in the leaves should not be indicated too
distinctly. They are shown with clearness in the illustration so that
the correct direction may be easily followed. One shade lighter than
the darkest shade used in the leaf will be correct for the veins. For
the turned over parts of leaves use 780 or 781.
Stems.--Work solid in 783, 784, 785, and where the stems are largest
use a little Reddish Brown, 621, 622. The stems from buds, also the
tendrils, should be made in 782, 783, 784.
[Illustration: CORTICELLI PURPLE CLEMATIS DESIGN NO. 56.