Gold

This week's technique is goldwork, something completely new for me and I'm really enjoying it.

We started with couching gilt thread (we aren't let loose on proper gold yet) which was fun and surprisingly easy (photo above of the front view).  Unfortunately, to finish off, the couched threads need to be sunk through to the back of the fabric (called plunging) and tied off (stitched), both of which are much less easy and also really tough on the fingers. 

The photo to the right shows the reverse of the fabric, part way through the tying off process. 

This is the same technique in a spiral which I much prefer (not least as there are hardly any ends of thread to be handled).

Tomorrow is chip work and pearl purl - even the names in goldwork are great.