Historical Sampler – Waspish Bee II

He looks a little more wasp-ish with long feathered legs added.

In spite of a middle ear infection, I started on the wings.

This is done according to a method in Jane Nichol’s book – the cordonette is made of wire buttonholed onto the needlelace pad.

(I also saw an interesting method for a leaf, where the wire is up the middle of the leaf, so it’s bent from the middle, rather than the edges – I’ll keep that in mind for another day, tho I have no idea whether it’s period or not)

I decided not to have long extruding wires that would be inserted through the ground, but the shape only, to be bound at the edge to the body.

This meant I had two loose edges of wire that needed to be buttonholed in.

I started buttonholing part of the way along from a loose end – you can see the disruption in the stitching. It was then possible to go all the way around, incorporate the two loose ends (and add a few extra stitches just there) to finish where I’d started.

You can see the bottom wing filled with detached buttonhole stitch. And terrible stitching it is. I don’t think trying given I had an infection was a very good idea.

I’ve done that smaller wing since, to no better effect, and will be removing them both and starting again.

I also thought it would be better if I buttonholed along the length of the wing, rather than across the width as I did (which only gives between 2 and 4 stitches and if you miss one loop, you’re stuffed)