Florentine embroidery design "diamonds"

design "diamond"

This design is more difficult to make then for instance "zigzag" or "cathedral", but made in black, white and three shades of gray it gives a beautiful brocade-like result.

Start with the darkest color and embroider the contour of one diamond. You can start somewhere in the middle of the fabric you want to cover. The second working-drawing shows very clear the length of the stitches and how they stagger. Then, go on with the contour of the diamond next to the one you have just finished. The first stitch is also the last stitch you have made. Go on make a row of the outermost side of a row of diamonds. Next you can finish the contours of the diamonds above and below the first row. Half of them is already made.You finish by filling in the diamonds. Doing this you can often go from one diamond to another without cutting the thread.

Below you can find two good working-drawings .

working drawing 1

working drawing 2

Other colors, of course, or also possible. Here: four shades of brown-red and yellow.