The white leaves are pieces of taffeta that I've treated with fray check. Those are stitched on first with a simple whip stitch.
After a bit of experimenting, I found the quickest way to complete the beading - bottom edge of the arch first, then the large pearl and its tendrils, then the arch itself, then the little swoop with the tentacles, the leaf at the bottom, and finally the three fronds on top.
It still doesn't go super fast. Each little lobster (you can't tell me they don't look like little crustaceans!) takes between 2.5 and 4 hours depending on how quickly I'm working that day. The little rosettes that go down the center take another hour to complete in each section. I set myself the goal of completing one pair of lobsters every day, so that's at least 6 or 7 hours of beading every day! I even managed to finish four lobsters on Wednesday!
So far, I have used over 5,000 pearls, and I'm not even a quarter finished with this dress. o.o
I'm happy to say that I have finished the front of the skirt right on schedule, and am now moving on to the hemline design. I'm going to have to add in one more panel of fabric to the skirt because it's just not full enough for me, which means even more beading. Eep! But, I'm really excited with how the front design turned out!
You're insane. In that awesome good way :) This looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's a fun one to work on, so things are moving swiftly! Of course, I'm getting all sorts of -ideas- now for more beadwork. XP
DeleteYou don't create clothing. You create works of art!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you! ~hugs~
DeleteNot only are you out of your mind, you are also extremely good in time managment! I'd never do so much embroidery in such a short time!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think it's more like insane determination to get this done as quickly as possible. lol It's been a lot of days working until 4am, but at least it means I should be finished in about four or five weeks! ^^
DeleteYou are insane but wonderfully so! I can't wait to see it done!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm really pleased with how it's coming along, and I'm so in love with the beadwork that I am thinking of doing my beetlewing gown in this Russian style, too. I think it would be very striking!
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