Temari Applique technique for temari

Creating Applique Images for Use on Temari

Last fall the TalkTemari GITS theme was to create a temari that said something about the season in your area. One of the list members, Elsie B., popped up with the traditional basketweave-like temari pattern but, added an image of an autumn leaf to her temari. She captured the colors of autumn in her temari stitching and making and the leaf framed in the basket weave was the perfect compliment. There are several patterns that use a basketweave or "window wind" technique, (winding thin metallic threads in such a manner that a circular "window" is created at each pole) that create a nice environment to hold a complimenting applique. When photos of Elsie's temari were shared it captured the interest of many: Elsie shared her ingenuity and it's wonderfully adaptable to many variations so that you can use inclusion appliques and images.....

From Elsie: "..... it's a leaf cut from a paper napkin! I couldn't find a small enough leaf on any fabric. Maybe a small leaf from a branch of silk leaves might work??? I ironed some fusible web onto the back of the leaf motifs, then cut them out and ironed them onto the mari at the poles. Then I put the marking threads and basket (DMC gold metallic from the skein) over the leaves. N & S pole threads pierced the leaves, but it still looks OK."

Elsie's trick of using the fusible webbing would work on many different materials - as long as it's relatively heat resistant, and can be bent and molded to fit the curve of a temari.

Deb T. experimented a bit too.... albeit on a change of seasons!

Says Deb: "I wrapped a 3" ball with baby yarn & then white thread wrap. Then added a little of the Kreinik multicolored blending filament, to add a bit of sparkle. I cut out 2 flowers from a paper napkin; took some decoupage & mixed it with a little water to thin it a bit, and used a foam brush to give it a coating so as to prevent it from fraying and tearing. I used a pin to hold it in place on the north and south poles. Then divided the ball according to Vandervoort's autumn basket directions. I used Kreinik silver metallic thread. It's the thinnest one they carry; I didn't want it to take away from the rest of the pattern design and the light colors."