Native Wildflower - Snake's Head Fritillary with Natalie Rowe

This striking wildflower species can be identified by its intricately patterned petals. The checked pink and purple pattern is reminiscent of snakeskin scales, hence its common name, snake’s-head fritillary. The elegant bell-shaped flowers hang from curving slender stems with long thin leaves. Wild snake’s head fritillaries, though once more common, are now classed as vulnerable. This design provides an introduction to needlelace, which is used to fill the petals and create the distinctive checkerboard pattern. The design also features a number of surface stitches including back stitch, split stitch, padded satin stitch, chain stitch, couching and trailing. Within the design there is plenty of opportunity to practise these techniques. All the stitches will be covered within the tuition and you will be provided with a detailed instruction booklet to enable you to complete the design after the class. This design is stitched in a selection of vibrantly coloured cotton threads on a pink cotton fabric. In order to capture the colours of the plant and achieve three-dimensional shading, threads will be blended in the needle and techniques for transitioning between colours will be covered in the class. This class is suitable for embroiderers of all levels, although some embroidery experience may be helpful.