My Sewing Journal: Selected Hand-Stitched Embroidery of 2015-2018

Welcome to My Sewing Journal! 
Today I am reflecting on embroidery pieces that I created as embellishments on clothing that I designed. The selected embroidery pieces that I would like to share with you today were created in the years 2015-2018. 

"Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins.” - https://artsandculture.google.com 

Figure 1: Hand-Stitched Embroidery with Hand-Stitched Beadwork, by Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, 2018.

Figure 1: 

Adding hand sewn details such as embroidery or beadwork to my fashion designs is not only fun to create, but it adds an interesting artistic element to my designs that I really enjoy. 

I created this hand-stitched rose (Figure 1) with red embroidery thread and green hand-stitched beads for the leaves. This particular design was featured on a green capelet that I created for my 2018 Fall Collection.

​Check out the photos from that collection here: A Look Back: Fall 2018.  

Figure 2: Hand-Stitched Embroidery by Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, 2016.

Figure 2:

This particular floral motif was inspired by a project outlined on pages 90-91 of the book "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework", 1979.

​This book is an excellent archive of step-by-step instructions of numerous needlework disciplines, such as embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, applique, quilting, crochet, and more. I created this piece as an embroidery sample. At the time I stitched this, I was considering adding this design to a dress, but I ended up abandoning that project and went in a different direction. I kept this sample, and may add it as applique to another garment at a later time. 

Figure 3A and Figure 3B:

Figure 3A: Hand-Stitched Embroidery and Hand-Stitched Beadwork by Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, 2015.

Figure 3B: Up-Close: Hand-Stitched Beadwork with netting overlay on Roxanne Rodriguez 2015 Formal Wedding Ball Skirt

This gold toned hand-stitched flower was something I came up with for the hand-beaded design on my 2015 Wedding Ball Skirt. The skirt featured a wide variety of hand-stitched embroidery and beadwork detail. The overall design included a gold floral motif on gold satin, as well as silver beading for the accompanying leaf motif. The beaded gold layer was over-layed with a grey swiss knotted netting. Although time consuming to create, these one-of-a-kind details add elegance and regalness to any formal gown.

See more photos of this final Bridal look here: "My Whirlwind Wedding Engagement: From The Cliff House to Las Vegas in Four Months and Three Dresses!"

Figure 4A and Figure 4B:

Figure 4A: Designer Workroom, a curious cat...

Figure 4B: Hand-Stitched Beaded Covered Button by Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, 2016.

One of the design details that I was inspired to create for my 2016 collection, was this hand-beaded  fabric covered button. I had never created a fabric covered button before, and greatly enjoyed learning something new with this technique. This button was one of three, featured on my 2016 Summer Collection: Pink Flamingo Halter Pencil Dress.
​
Check out photos of this dress, along with the rest of my 2016 collections in my article, "RAW San Francisco Presents: Reveal!"

Designer Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel: hand-stitching in progress, 2015.

I am continually inspired by hand-stitched embellishments on clothing and in fashion! I greatly enjoy reading books about sewing and fashion from my own personal library, and look forward to applying the techniques I learn in many more of the garments I create!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my hand-stitched embroidery and beadwork!

​Leave me your thoughts in the comments below! 

RELATED LINKS:

My Sewing Journal: Creating A Minoan Inspired Hand Painted Skirt 

RAW San Francisco Presents: Reveal! 

A Look Back: Fall 2018