Created from simple tassels, Linda Westerman's angels are fun to make - and when it comes to adding individual touches you can allow your creativity to run wild.
by Linda Westerman
photos by Ian Cole

Stitched area: 10.5 x 8 cm

What you need

Apart from the gold Jap, all threads are in colours of your own choice.

Background

• 16 x 16 cm 18 count canvas
• Imitation gold Jap No. 12
• Pearl cotton No. 8
• Pearl cotton No. 5
• Tapestry needle
• Small embroidery frame

Angel

• Pearl cotton No. 8
• Small piece of off-white felt and a little padding
• Selection of small beads
• Large sequin (round or crescent-shaped)
• Small beading needle
• 5 x 7 cm piece of firm card

closer view

What you do

Background

1. Measure a rectangle 4 x 7 cm in the centre of the canvas. The first row of couching is worked around this rectangle.
2. To couch the first row, lay the gold Jap between two threads of canvas and, using the pearl cotton No. 5, couch it in place around the measured rectangle, spacing the couching stitches as shown in chart 1.
3. Referring to chart 1 as a guide, couch further rows of gold Jap around the border, leaving one channel of canvas between each row. To create a rich effect, work at least five rows of couching.
4. When couching is complete, work back stitch between the rows of couching, as shown in chart 2.
5. Using either pearl cotton No. 8 or a fine metallic thread, work rows of running stitch diagonally across the centre rectangle (see chart). This will create a darning pattern.

Angel

1. Wrap the pearl cotton around the 7 cm depth of the card about 60 times.
2. Carefully slide the uncut tassel off the card. Wrap a length of pearl cotton around the tassel one-third from the top, then divide the top into two to create the wings.

3. Position the tassel on the canvas background. To anchor the angel to the canvas and create the bodice shape, work a few stitches firmly over the waist and wings, taking the stitches through the canvas.
4. Cut a small circle of felt for the head. Work a gathering thread in running stitch around the edge of the circle then pull up the stitching so that the edges curl inwards. Push a tiny bit of wadding into the back of the felt and draw up the gathering thread until the head is the right size.
5. Position the head on the body and stitch in place. Use tiny stab stitches and work them at an angle under the edge of the head so that they cannot be seen.
6. The eyes and mouth are worked in tiny fly stitches with ordinary sewing thread or a single strand of stranded cotton. Do not pull the fly stitches too tight or the head will become squashed!
7. The hair is worked in french knots (or bullion knots, if preferred) and can be used to give a very individual air to your angel.
8. Have fun decorating the skirt and bodice of the angel with beads, buttons or other exciting bits from your collection.
9. Position the crescent-shaped sequin behind the angel's head as a halo (or cut the crescent shape from a round sequin). Attach with straight stitches worked over the sequin or by stitching through a bead and through the end of the sequin.

Suggestions

• Use metallic, textured or random-dyed threads for the angel tassel
• Create a variety of backgrounds as shown in the 'Gallery' - let your imagination run wild!

Gallery

You can let your imagination run wild when it comes to creating backgrounds and adding individual touches to your angels. Here are some suggestions: