Tutorial: how to create a glossy

What distinguishes a Glossy from other types of 

embroidered work is the use of The Glossy Back Stitch.

Unlike traditional embroidery, your image is 
transfered on the back-side of the fabric 
and then the Glossy Back Stitch is worked on it.

The Glossy Back stitch is similar to 
the traditional back stitch.

The difference is that you can change the length of each 

stitch as you embroider your image.

Doing so results in a jagged and impressionistic design 

on the right-side of the fabric. 

That's exactly the goal of this technique.

 To create a Glossy, use tracing paper to trace an image.

You trace a photograph or an original drawing.

In this example, I am using the January 2010 issue of Vogue.

Place the tracing on your fabric.

Then use a bone folder or a spoon to burnish the 
pencil marks onto the back of your fabric.

When you are done, it will look something like this.

Then iron an iron-on interfacing or 
stabilizer over the design. 
This will prevent the pencil markings from rubbing off as 

you work and it will also make 
the fabric a little heavier and stronger.

Now start to embroider it.

Here is a link to:

How to embroider The Glossy Back Stitch

When the entire piece is embroidered, 

it will look something like this.

All the knots and loose threads will be visible

on the side you've stitched on.

Turn it to the right-side and it looks like this.

At this point, you can leave it as is, or 

if you want to paint it, lightly gesso your Glossy.

Now you are ready to paint, applique, sew, 

bead, cut in to, quilt, collage, watercolor, 

gold leaf or embellish it any way you want.

When you are done, frame it or 

wrap it over a canvas.

enjoy!

Alma Stoller