Bright Butterfly by Natalie Dupuis

While many embroiderers adore the art of needlework because they love carrying on a tradition, there are embroidery designers who like to take what they’ve learned and create totally new ways of doing things.

With new ideas being applied to traditional techniques, the art of needlework is always changing and growing in fascinating ways.

Bright Butterfly by Natalie Dupuis from Inspirations issue #112 is inspired by the Japanese technique of kogin but brings it together with the traditional technique of couched goldwork. This stunning combination results in a glittering project that challenges both the eye and the hand.

If you have mastered kogin, then this project will stretch your skills. If you’re comfortable with goldwork, then the addition of the Japanese-style pattern will reinvigorate your mind and stretch your current abilities in new ways.

Image courtesy Natalie Dupuis

In order to create the grid needed to achieve the perfect symmetry of the stylised butterfly pattern, some preparation is required. This involves getting out a ruler and pen and drawing a precise grid to ensure that when you lay your metal thread, your lines are absolutely straight and parallel.

To assist in keeping track of the pattern, numbering the rows will help to keep your place. The vertical lines then act as the guide for each iteration of the pattern.

Image courtesy Natalie Dupuis

This preparatory work is an important aspect to the success of the project, as is following Natalie’s tips and tricks such as lightly waxing the gold thread before using it, which helps the pairs to sit perfectly alongside one another.

All of these little things will add up to ensure that when you’ve worked the butterfly pattern, you’ll be thrilled with the neat, symmetrical result.

In a finish worthy of showing off your final work, Natalie has constructed Bright Butterfly as a beautiful little bag.

The finished panel forms the bottom of the neat, tote-style bag that would be perfect as an elegant evening accessory or for your most prized stitching tools.

We love seeing how designers are pushing the limits of our art. It is really inspiring to watch how these clever people take ideas from across the vast variety of different styles and types of stitching and put them together in new and wonderful combinations.

Bright Butterfly is a particularly special project, both for its innovation and for the stunning result. We are looking forward to seeing how needlework continues to evolve in the hands of such creative designers as Natalie Dupuis.

Make Your Own Bright Butterfly

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Bright Butterfly by Natalie Dupuis is a small linen bag with a deep border of couched goldwork inspired by kogin embroidery.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Bright Butterfly includes everything* you need to re-create this pretty bag: Fabrics (unprinted), interfacing, embroidery threads, sewing thread and needles.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern.