Spring Posy by Hannah Mansfield

Imagine a day filled with chipping, wrapping and couching.

To anyone outside the embroidery world, one might think we’re talking about playing a bit of golf, getting some gifts ready and then finishing with watching some TV.

Yet to our highly astute readership, you will recognise these terms as techniques associated with goldwork and three-dimensional embroidery.

What you may not recognise, is the remarkable results that can be achieved using just these three techniques.

Spring Posy by Hannah Mansfield is, as the name suggests, a posy of spring flowers masterfully re-created in incredible detail using a variety of gilt and silver-plated metal purls worked in chipping, wrapping and couching

Hannah’s artistry often draws inspiration from nature, particularly the changing seasons and their characteristic flora.

In Spring Posy, a stunning three-dimensional goldwork brooch, Hannah has chosen three flowers that are perfect for the occasion:

Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) Primrose (Primula vulgaris) Snake’s Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris)

Daffodil

After a long, cold winter, the arrival of the first spring flowers is a welcome delight and the daffodil always seems to be amongst the first to appear, its distinctive form and vibrant colour making it hard to miss.

The daffodil in Spring Posy sits tall and proud in the centre of the brooch and features six striking gold petals surrounding a perfectly formed silver trumpet with beads for the stamens.

Primrose

On the left-hand side of the brooch is the delicate primrose flower, another bloom early on the scene when Spring arrives, displaying it’s graceful five-petaled form highlighted by a distinctive yellow centre or eye.

For this flower Hannah creates heart shaped petals filled by chipping silver-plated rough and smooth purl threads.

The eye of each petal is formed using gilt bright check purl and gilt rough purl.

Each petal is edged with couched silverplated pearl purl with all five petals then assembled to form the completed primrose finished off with a gold metal bead placed in the centre.

Snake’s Head Fritillary

The Snake’s Head Fritillary is a distinctive spring flower known for its uniquely patterned, nodding blossoms.

Hanging delicately off the right side of the brooch, this remarkable flower combines all the techniques used in the previous two flowers only this time in a chequered pattern.

In addition to these spectacular floral masterpieces there are three leaves, one for the primrose and two for the daffodil.

Once all six elements are completed including wrapping each stem, they are carefully arranged to form the perfect posy and then secured firmly together with thread and a brooch pin added, ready to wear.

With the finished brooch measuring 12cm x 6.5cm wide (4 ¾" x 2 ½") this magnificent project could easily become an heirloom piece of jewellery and a treasured keepsake for you and your family.

Imagine just how good you will look wearing this brooch!

Imagine no longer… you are only some chipping, wrapping and couching away from creating your own!