The procedure of making shadow embroidery may sound confusing at first, but actually it is extremely easy-to-make. The stitch is worked on sheer, transparent or firmly woven threads. For the ground fabric you may choose a sheer fabric like voile, batiste, fine linen or muslin, synthetic or sheer silk etc. Ready made clothes can also be embroidered with the shadow effect stitches. There are few things you have to learn about shadow embroidery. Work double back stitch on the right side of the fabric.

On the reverse side of the cloth a herringbone stitch will be gradually formed. These herringbone stitches create the shadow effect. If the stitches are close to one another, a deeper shadow is produced. If they are further apart, a lacy effect appears on the right side. Tiny separate stitches follow the lace as an outline. The best threads to use for producing shadow stitch are silk or cotton yarns. You can also use one or two ply of embroidery floss, and a number 7 or smaller crewel needle. Always use a hoop to keep  an even tension on the stitches. Create stronger colours by adding extra plies to the fibres. Here are two examples of using shadow embroidery to create something beautiful.

1) How to embroider a flower using shadow stitches? Stems are made with fine chain stitches on the right side of the fabric. To create the centre of the flower, use French knot clusters on the right side. Petals and leaves should have an outline, filled up with shadow stitches. Use green for the colours of stems and leaves. Petals can have any colour. You can add white floss on the white canvas for some details and gain fantastic results. When choosing a design, use transfer patterns or make up something yours. Stitch on the wrong side of sheer material and examine the effects of shadow embroidery on the right side.

2) How can you make a small pillow or a cushion using shadow embroidery? To create a pillow you need the following materials: number 7 or finer crewel needle, two 9 inch squares of sheer fabric, plain muslin, embroidery hoop, embroidery floss, dressmaker’s carbon paper or hot iron transfer pencil, one yard ruffled lace, matching thread, and small quantity of polyester fibrefill.

The design you want to embroider has to be transferred on the wrong side of the pillow top with the usage of hot iron transfer pencil. Then it is time to put fabric in the embroidery hoop. If, for example, you want to embroider a flower, follow the Number 1 suggestions, using French knot for the centre and shadow stitching for the petals. Close herringbone stitch is just perfect for making flowers. The ruffled lace should be stitched around the perimeter of pillow top. With a seam you should stitch together pillow top and bottom sides. Make sure you leave one side unseamed for the pillow filler to place inside. Trim the three sides and the corners. The muslin and polyester fibrefill can serve as fillers. Sachets of potpourri can also be put inside before seaming the fourth side of the pillow.

Before trying on larger areas, practice shadow embroidery on smaller surfaces, such as pockets, belts, hats and so on. Be careful when using the iron for covering up minor creases on collars, belts and other smaller areas. It may ruin the shadow embroidery.

Article by Robbie Darmona - an article writer who writes on a wide variety of subjects.

For more information click Shadow Embroidery