Have you seen children's creative sets of self-adhesive mosaic ?! Such plastic 4-5-millimeter flat squares that need to be glued to the paper under a certain number, and as a result get a volume application. So, the ancestor of this work is diamond embroidery!
Brief characteristics of needlework
Many women and men want to become real artists, only some realize themselves in embroidery with a cross, beads, ribbons, stitch, while others dream of finding something less labor-intensive. So, Chinese craftsmen have developed a new kind of needlework without needles and threads. This is a diamond mosaic. Embroidery with 2 mm faceted “diamonds” on the front side is done with tweezers.
A pattern is a mass, and anyone can create a picture of any size and any subject. Sets of two types are sold: 1) huge canvases (more than two or three meters), 2) small cuts (up to 50 cm), which are then glued joint to joint on large cardboard.
You can order any painting in this technique from Chinese craftsmen, even your portrait. The advantage of this type of needlework is that diamond embroidery looks like a real photograph, displaying all the shades of the color scheme. Flowers, insects, animals, birds, people, angels or landscape - everything is depicted in 3D volume. Next, insert the finished work into the frame under the glass or process it with varnish, special glue so that the elements do not peel off over time.
Diamond embroidery: technique
Kits can be bought at any store specializing in handicraft products, or ordered directly from Chinese designers. Read the instructions and lay out all materials. Match the mosaic with the symbols. Next, proceed with the execution technique:
- spread out the canvas;
- tear off the glue base of a small segment;
- grip the "diamond" with tweezers (faceted convex side on the "face" of the work);
- gently, gently pushing, glue to the desired character;
- if necessary, adjust with tweezers;
- lay out a series of mosaics;
- take a metal ruler and trim the row.
Once you have taped the entire canvas, proceed to the next step. In one case, glue pieces of the finished embroidery onto solid cardboard or paper, in the other - take the work to a baguette workshop.
The technique is very simple, but requires perseverance and painstaking. The details are very small, you need to work with thin improvised means (needles, tweezers, a ruler) in good light. If the rows are uneven, the picture will lose all its appeal.
Diamond embroidery. Tips for beginners:
- Choose a time for embroidery when no one can disturb you.
- Free the working area to the size of the canvas. With small segments you can work on the table, spread large meter paintings on a smooth and even floor.
- Distribute diamonds in the organizer in order.
- Work in sunlight, then do not confuse similar shades.
- Tear off as much adhesive base from the canvas as you are ready to do.
- Diamond embroidery will be even if the rows are glued in horizontal or vertical direction. It’s convenient for many to start work from above so as not to touch mosaics with their hands.
- Gently fold the canvas with glued “diamonds” on it and place it on a free shelf in order to avoid friction with other objects, as this can shift the uncured diamond pattern.
Compared to other types of embroidery, diamond paintings are much faster to complete. Judge for yourself: it takes three days to create a medium-sized fabric, while sometimes it takes two to four weeks to cross stitch.