I’m trying to stitch bees using lots of different styles. This one was inspired by Laura Edgar’s bumblebee which I saw when I did a wonderful workshop with her. She uses all sorts of textiles, usually distressed in some way, and makes amazing scenes with what I would call free embroidery.

I cut the main shape from a dark grey grungy sort of cotton then overlaid yellow batik. I then found various textiles in my stash to titivate it. This is what it looked like last time I shared it.

I tore some narrow strips of batik and then gathered them up to add texture to the yellow stripes, I then stitched some loose French knots along the gathers.

For the top of the head I used some yarn I’d picked up at Yarndale in a sale box, ten different black threads, 3m each for £1, I do like a bargain! I just couched some bobbly thread along the top.

I used thinner versions for the legs and antenna, again I just couched them down and then embroidered a little v at the tips of his feet.

Wings were just stitched with a soft grey variegated DMC thread using feather stitch.

I’m pretty pleased with this one, it’s not my usual style at all so it is well out of my comfort zone, but I like the effect of the different textures. My favourite bit has to be the black feathers for the body! I’m not sure how the feathers will fare when they are on a page in a book…oh well 🙂