There are many embroidery techniques. Each of them has its own history and special sacred meaning. One of the oldest can be called embroidery in the technique of Provence. Over the centuries, this method has combined different methods self made.

This is one of the most beautiful views. Its difference lies in the fact that you can embroider as a cross, satin stitch or in another way, but only in a certain style. It originated in small provincial villages in France and England. The beauty of this technique lies precisely in a certain primitiveness of the patterns. It looks good on tablecloths, shirt collars, blouses, pillowcases. Bed linen embroidered with this style will look very beautiful. The paintings captivate with natural beauty. A feature of embroidery is the quality of the material for work. All products are embroidered only on natural fabrics. It is they who betray the product a long-forgotten charm. Minimalism prevails in them, and a certain modesty.

Needlework Provence is carried out both manually and with the help of sewing machine. In order for natural matter not to slip under the foot, you will need. Schemes of such embroidery can be found on our website.

Color spectrum. Preference is given to saturated, but soft patterns.

The following colors of threads are traditional in Provence: all shades of white, pale green, lavender, ocher, pale yellow.

Drawings, schemes of Provence are dominated by images of all kinds of flowers and herbs. Images are always associated with nature: the sun, the field, the sea, the garden.

The material in this type of handmade is used only natural. If matter, then necessarily cotton or linen, if threads, then also only from natural raw materials.

In Provence, different embroidery techniques were combined. This is cross-stitch, ribbons, and the well-known cutwork. Next, consider several Provence embroidery techniques.

Richelieu in Provence style

To embroider with this method, you only need a thin canvas. If you have a large choice, then take a cotton or linen material. Such fabrics are very similar to cambric. You can also use satin and silk. The drawing will be clearly visible on it. The essence of this embroidery is that the drawings cut out in the fabric are sheathed with threads. If you have, for example, a flower, then its elements will be connected by bridges.

As for the choice of threads, this technique does not require special shades. The threads are selected strictly to match the fabric on which the needlework will be done.

The choice of pattern is one of the important points. It is best to take either geometric figures, or plants. Drawings should be transferred to the canvas. Pictures can be invented, chosen from a book or magazine. You can also find it on our website. But do not forget to transfer it to tracing paper. After the tracing paper is ready, use a carbon paper to transfer the patterns to the fabric of your choice. If you do not have a carbon paper, then the drawing can be transferred using graphite chips. Before that, pin the paper pattern with pins.

Circuit elements should be cut. The resulting contours of the elements must be sheathed either with a machine or with a needle. You can do this with any seam. The edges must be passed twice. During the second pass, make stitches between the first. Ideally, no threads should be visible between the edges of the fabric. After that, all the cut elements must be stitched with a buttonhole. In each loop you will get a knot. It should lie down to the cut part.

For example, your drawings have leaves, then before you embroider them, you need to make a flooring. First you need to make large stitches that will go in one direction. Then we adjust small stitches, but already across. They are also called smooth. For embroidery of stems or stamens, it is better to use a stem stitch.

Now it's time for the breezes. They should be on both sides of the future cut element. You can mark the puncture sites with a needle. The thread should be taken out from the wrong side of the pierced fabric, and passed into another hole made. So, the thread will be on the wrong side again. Pull the thread out again into the first hole and fasten. Make sure that your thread does not hang down. It must be stretched. You will get a brid. It will need to be sheathed. It is better to use a looped seam. Brid stitches should be thick and even.

To make your work look especially amazing, you can make a cobweb. It is done very simply. Lay the threads between the two elements. They don't need to be stitched. The cobwebs will be beautiful, it looks on large cut elements.

To cut out elements and not damage the fabric, it is best to soak the product in starch water. The material will become like paper and will not hang. The scissors must be very sharp. After each cut element, it is better to sharpen them. Use for this sandpaper. Run your blades over it a few times.

Take cutting elements very seriously. It is not necessary to leave elongated threads, but also do not touch the knot of the embroidered parts.

In order to make the product unusual, cutwork can be combined with other types. Many people use elements embroidered with satin stitch.

How to embroider a tablecloth with ribbons

As already mentioned above, you can embroider in Provence different types. Here, for example, ribbons. Photos of embroidery with ribbons are very spectacular. To embroider a tablecloth with ribbons, you will need a fabric that is clean without different patterns and additional embroideries.

Our embroidery will be on all edges of the tablecloth. To do this, mark 12 centimeters on each side and look for the middle.
The selected schemes of the pattern are applied to the fabric. Be sure to fasten. Then carefully transfer to the tablecloth. We place the workpiece in the hoop. For this embroidery you will need a tapestry needle. She will not tear matter.

We cut the tape on one side at an angle. The other side should be even. So that the threads do not pull out from the ends, lightly burn the edges with a lighter or a match. Thus, the cut ends will be fixed.

Fold the straight end of the tape in half. Insert a needle and thread into it.

How to embroider a flower in Provence style

Let's give an example on embroidering lavender. This plant especially emphasizes Provence. In the photo you can see the beauty and delicacy of this flower. It is better to do it with a stitch. This species is also called the French knot on the leg. With this type of sewing, the flower will be as if alive. To do this, take the tape, and display it on the front side. After the needle with the tape is on the front side, wrap it with tape once and bring it out in this way to the wrong side. Input and output should be in a small gap. Start at the buds, and work your way down to the base of the bud. Fasten the tape only on the wrong side. Be sure to burn the edges.

Flowers can be embroidered in one color or several. Colors should be played carefully. Keep in mind that their transition is smooth.

As for the base of the buds, they are embroidered with threads. Best of all is floss. If not, then take the thread for knitting. We also start from the wrong side. Near where the previous one was bred. After we stretched the thread to the front side, we leave a loop on it. The thread must be drawn into a loop. Thus, we will fix it. You should get a node.

All stems need to be embroidered with large stitches. The stitches should lay down a little obliquely. To make the lavender leaves look natural, the tape does not need to be twisted. We also bring the needle to the front side. We put the tape directly on the entire length of the sheet. Turn over at the end to make sharp corner, and go back.

Provence style is characterized by the effect of antiquity. Therefore, in this manner it looks especially impressive on bed linen, tablecloths, curtains. Pictures and panels embroidered with a cross are amazingly combined with any interior.

Video: French knot

Embroidery involves the use of many methods and styles for execution. Handmade products embody in the images the various essences and richness of different eras.

Provence style concentrates the combination of many embroidery techniques. It is distinguished by its graceful antiquity, sophistication, softness of forms and tenderness. color palette.

"... The nature here is such that you begin to feel what Color is"

The formation of the Provencal style is considered the period of the XV - XVII centuries, when the north and south of France were very different. However, even in a period of contradictions, these regions were united by a love for airy lightness and elegance in everything.

As a style, Provence was born in small French villages already in the 19th century. It is characterized by a certain primitiveness, a feeling of discreetness and chastity. Provencal style is not inherent pretentiousness or flashy brightness. Back in those days, he gained popularity as a ordinary people, and among wealthy gentlemen, thanks to their primitive patterns and simple elements. The style was loved by many artists and poets of that time. He found his embodiment in the paintings of Picasso, Van Gogh and Matisse.

In the interior incarnation, it has undergone many changes until it has reached our days. However, in cross stitch, the Provence style has retained its authenticity.

Characteristic features of French Provence

SEASONS magazine #61 identified the three primary colors of southern France:

• yellow like a lemon;
• cool gray like coastal pebbles;
• bright pink like a bungeville flower.

This is really inherent in the Provencal style. However, do not limit yourself to this color scheme.

The color scheme used in Provence style cross stitch is distinguished by its simplicity and tranquility. Here preference is given to tones of sand, white, green and purple flowers. Shades are selected deep, but not pronounced.

Secrets of delicate and beautiful canvases

To create cross stitch in Provence style in modern world high quality natural materials. Perfect for linen or cotton.

It is permissible to use only threads without synthetics, this gives the products an additional charm. It is better to choose a needle with a blunt tip.

In the Provence style, cross-stitch and satin stitch embroidery is used. The work is done both manually, when fixing the fabric with a hoop, and with the help of an embroidery machine.

Choosing a theme for a future masterpiece

Embroidery in the Provence style is distinguished by the use of herbs, fruits, flowers and everything that symbolizes nature in the images. This is the embodiment of real village motifs.

In order to choose a particular scenery, you can close your eyes and imagine bright purple lavender fields separated by a country road surrounded by small rural houses. Need to feel the spirit French province, and then the imagination will prompt both the theme for embroidery and the colors to be used.

Panels in the style of Provence will be a wonderful decoration for the bedroom, still lifes using fruits will adequately complement kitchen interior. French motifs look perfect on clothes, tablecloths and bedding.

Equipment for hardworking professionals

To get the perfect work, cross stitch technology must be mastered to perfection. It is not easy for beginners, because the work takes enough long time, and the schemes are considered complex.

For cross stitch in Provence style, it is better to use Aida canvas in beige, olive or white color. The cross is made with two diagonal stitches following the same sequence of actions. Sticking to the structure of the style is extremely important. To get a decent job, it will be enough to use threads of 4-5 different tones.

The main color of the style is purple, or, as it is also called, lavender. The combination of shades in embroidery should be discreet and create a uniform image. There should not be an emphasis on one element, while they should differ from each other. by the most in a simple way to achieve this would be the use of threads different colors.

For beginners, it is better to use ready-made kits that are widely available on the market.

The subtleties of the Richelieu method

The basis of this type is satin stitch embroidery. It is characterized by the use of threads of the same color in the work, which will depend on the shade of the canvas.

The whole essence of the cutwork technique lies in the neat sheathing of the extruded patterns on the fabric with a thread. As a result, the work will look like light and openwork lace.

To embroider in the Provence style using the cutwork technique, an exceptionally thin fabric, such as cotton, silk, satin or linen, is suitable. In order not to spoil the fabric during the creation of holes, it can be pre-soaked in a starch solution. Thus, it will become like paper, and this will eliminate its sagging.

Scissors must be sharp. You can also use sandpaper.

by the most milestone there will be a selection of diagrams and images. Geometric shapes and plants look great in this style.

The selected pattern will need to be transferred to the fabric using carbon paper or molded. Larger charts can be cut into individual pieces and then attached using a machine stitch or by hand. This must be done twice. After that, the dotted line formed on the fabric must be sewn with a buttonhole seam. Thus, the knot that each buttonhole contains will be adjacent to the pressed part.

If the choice is on the image of the leaves, then at the beginning of the work you need to make a flooring. It is expressed in large stitches made in one direction. Then small seams are made in the opposite direction.

The stems and stamens are embroidered with a stem stitch.

Stitch embroidery of flowers in the Provence style also has its own characteristics. The buds are connected by brids, which are located along the two edges of the extruded element. It is necessary to bring the thread out from the wrong side towards the adjacent hole. To do this, you need to take care of the presence of markups. The exit of the thread occurs again on the wrong side. It is necessary to repeat the previous step, and then fasten the thread. Next, the brida is sheathed with a buttonhole seam.

The presence of cobwebs will look spectacular on embroidery. To do this, between the pressed parts, you need to flash the thread several times. Sheathing is not required.

Creating a key element of style

The symbol of Provence in embroidery is the image of lavender, the cultivation of which France is famous for. It embodies all the tenderness of field plants.

It is embroidered with a French knot, which makes the image look realistic. To perform this technique, the tape previously wrapped in one step is pushed onto the front side and returned to the wrong side. There should be a small distance between the stitches. The knots are made exclusively from the wrong side, and the edges are smoothed out with fire. It is best to start at the top and work your way down to the bottom of the flower.

It is preferable to use a thread to embroider the base of a flower. Its creation also begins from the wrong side. After the thread is brought to the front, a buttonhole is created into which the thread is pushed. As a result, a reliable node is formed.

The stem is obtained with the help of large stitches made slightly obliquely.

Embroidery in the Provence style with a lavender pattern looks very catchy in the interior. It is a key element in creating a unique look with a French touch. The flower can be made using embroidery and cross, and satin stitch, and beads.

Elegance of technology with the use of ribbons

Originality french style achieved not only by using beads or satin stitch. The use of ribbons in Provence-style embroidery gives the product a special charm. This technique is much easier than cross stitching and looks great on napkins, tablecloths or pillows.

Embroidery in Provence style (pictured) using ribbons looks interesting and original. To obtain a beautiful product, you need a natural fabric without patterns and patterns. To perform this technique, only a tapestry needle is suitable, which does not damage the surface of the material.

Markings of 12 cm are made along the edges of the canvas and the middle is indicated. Work is performed along the entire edge of the tablecloth. The selected scheme is pinned to the canvas to copy the pattern. The fabric itself is placed in the hoop. The tape is cut off on one side, forming an angle, and its other edge remains even. To prevent the dissolution of the ends of the tape, it is treated with fire.

One of the most popular interior design styles is the Provence style. This is due to the fact that it is not only associated with the village, but also carries a lot of sun, flowering plants, home warmth and comfort; associated with countryside, patriarchy and thoroughness. Provence is, first of all, colors that have faded in the sun, fresh flowers, bouquets of dried plants, simplicity and uncomplicatedness. Provence style is archaic. After all country life measured and unhurried, any changes occur slowly, and everything new comes in late and is difficult to take root.

Provence style in a modern interior

Ceilings and walls in this style are always painted white, although this is not a requirement.
Apply colors: cream, beige, terracotta, yellow and blue. For interior decoration and furniture use a palette of pastel shades of these colors. How to turn your bedroom into a cozy corner of Provence, you can find out more on the website useful tips for all occasions "Your Choice", you will see 30 photos of bedrooms with cozy beautiful design interior and learn about the main features of this style.

For walls in the Provence style, plaster is used. At the same time, they try to apply it unevenly and inaccurately, creating the illusion of “clumsiness” of the work. Walls modern premises permissible to cover textured plaster. Cladding board is also used in wall decoration. It can be painted or left unfinished.

Kitchen walls are tiled or natural stone. As floor covering Again, untreated or painted boards or tiles with chipped edges are used. Provence style does not allow the use of linoleum, parquet or carpet for the floor. The ceiling is always painted white, and ceiling beams highlighted in black for contrast.
The doors are set in white and decorated with paintings. In the Provence style, large windows are used, but if it is not possible to install this, then windows with bindings in several sections are used.

It is worth paying attention to pieces of furniture, it is exclusively wooden in this style. Forged and wicker furniture is also used. Modern chrome or made of glass is excluded. All Provence furniture is solid, rude and without any frills. Chests of drawers, cabinets, tables, benches and bedside tables are always cream or white. upholstery upholstered furniture use plain fabric in mostly light colors. The fabric pattern is simple: a flower, a strip or a cage.

Plenty of sofa cushions are welcome. The sofas themselves can be rustic or sophisticated. The beds are wooden, solid, but always on legs. To fill the bedroom with the color and spirit of Provence, bedside tables and lamps with fabric lampshades are perfect.

Interior Provence welcomes the abundance of forged elements in the decor. These can be furniture legs, bench backs, mirror frames.

The textiles used are plain chintz, linen and cotton. Curtains are decorated with ruffles and original drapery. Knitted capes are used to decorate the room, different sizes napkins, tablecloths, covers.

For lighting, forged lamps are used: chandeliers, floor lamps and sconces. Also, forged boxes, candlesticks, vases or a bird cage are used to decorate the interior.

The walls are decorated with clocks, landscapes, plates, embroideries and photographs. Provence style is an abundance of flowers. Planted in flower pots, bouquets in vases and dried arrangements.

Completely recreate the Provence style in modern apartment quite difficult. It is important to create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort by adding summer, sun, the aroma of herbs and flowers.

Provence style in embroidery what is it (photo)

Provence is a style that is characterized by the softness of shapes and colors, the elegance and richness of lines. It appeared in France, where at one time it gained popularity in a matter of years, and continued to please both noblemen and ordinary people, because it is based on elements that are quite simple both for perception and for reproduction. It has survived to this day in a slightly modified form, which is clearly seen in the example of interior elements and old photos. But in embroidery, he practically has not changed, except that the materials today are better than they were once.
Today, the notorious style is perceived as vital and everyday: products can be in the form of watches, flowers, flowerpots, and much more. Cozy and interesting, this style easily finds its place in modern home. And what is also important, you can develop in this style, each time making the work more and more interesting. Such embroidery is not too hasty, it requires special skills. But the result is worth it!

Materials and tools for embroidery

So here's what we need:

Provence or "country"

Embroidery in the style of "Country"Before starting work, you should think about what we will actually work with. Provence is associated with France, where the climate is warm and very mild. Grapes grow there, a variety of fruits, fields are full of lavenders and daisies. There is nothing surprising in the fact that the French do not like to dazzle in their embroidery bright colors- they have these colors here, literally near the house. One photo of the southern regions of France will dispel any misunderstanding.
"Country" refers to England. The country to the north with a harsh climate in many regions is more focused on the theme of home. Actually, the nature of this style leans towards different shades of brown, orange, red, but pure white is not found at all. This style is more likely to be called northern home style - the stove is in the center of attention, the entire interior is made of wood, and occasionally flickering views from the windows are not full of colors like everything else.
Of course, the Provence style cannot but be attractive to residents. northern countries who want to enrich their homes with colors.

What theme to choose

When at hand the right materials, and the hand reaches out to start work, you need to think again about the topic of your work. You need to imagine some kind of bright picture. The already mentioned flowers are the best suited for work, combining both softness and richness of colors. It is worth adding elements of wood to them, such as pots. The smartest thing to do would be to embroider a kind of weaving of all the elements, giving preference to bright colors only to those elements whose designs occupy a central position. But they also need to be diluted with white! Such a panel in the style of Provence will look great - the photos will give an idea of ​​​​how it looks at home.
Such embroidery will look cute in your bedroom. The chosen colors are not too bright and not faded - yellow, light blue, brownish-greenish and green. Pure white colors are practically never found, although the Provence style does not deny them. Color solutions can be gleaned from photos of different village houses.
As you can see, the style covers the theme of harvesting. Pears, apricots are very common in the works, and even more often grapes or wine poured into glasses, or directly in bottles.
Wealth of motives is the key to good work

Just because Provence does not always lean towards the home theme, the range of its application is expanding. The most difficult jobs often lean towards rural species, but supplement them with some elements. For example, a house with rather catchy decorations. What is important, the color of such jewelry should not be too aggressive - you should avoid red and orange, preferring blue and purple. It is difficult for beginners to embroider such a composition in the Provence style with a cross.
If the product should complement the kitchen, then best solution will coordinate the colors, but add green in the product itself. Have you heard about Provence style in kitchens? Maybe you have seen at least a photo of such kitchens? So, they are often light brown or white, with slight shades of blue, but devoid of plant elements. Many people know floral ornaments, in which there are many flowers, but even more vines, leaves and branches - such an ornament came from France, although it is found in the national embroideries of many countries. In this case, the embroidery will easily fit into the design.

Approach to work

Since Provence is a style, that is, a subcategory, there is another concept in front of it. The mentioned cross-stitching should ideally be mastered so that the style can be reproduced in your work. The schemes are complex, and work on them can take a very long time.

It is worth working on Aida canvas, either white or stylized, that is, a variety of shades of beige. An olive-colored canvas will also work. It is convenient, allows you to immediately estimate the finished product. In a word, those who are engaged in needlework and who are interested in the Provence style do not part with such a fabric.
Remembering that a cross means two diagonal stitches, which are performed in the same sequence, you need to be prepared to be patient. When repeating familiar sequences with a stitch, it is important not to forget about the special structure of the style. It is enough to have threads of only 4-5 different colors so that the final work is worthy of taking a place in the apartment as decorative element. Don't forget about purple - this color is rightfully considered one of the main colors in the style, which is why it is sometimes called "lavender". For the first experience, it is worth using simple schemes.
It is important to make each element of embroidery unique. by the most simple solution will use threads of always different colors so that other elements differ from them. You should not focus on one thing, but make the composition uniform and not catchy. Again, it's worth finding a photo finished product, study it in order to better understand the style. Those inexperienced in embroidery should consider buying special kits - they include fabric, needles, fabrics, and, most importantly, diagrams with manuals. It is not uncommon for beginners to be introduced to embroidery using the style mentioned, so that it will quickly become clear.

Spectacular addition

Nothing prevents threads from preferring ribbons. Ribbon embroidery is much simpler than cross stitching, but it is not without its charm. So, for example, let's try to make a tablecloth decoration. It will be lavender - as bright and memorable as a flower from the Provence region.
We sew the fabric in the form of three branches with flowers that cross at a slight angle. This will be the basis. Next, using a tapestry needle and lilac ribbon, we will make stitches using the “French knot on a leg” technique. You should get one of the flowers - the middle one. The other two can be made from dark purple ribbons. The stalk must be made from green knitting thread, laying it with large stitches. The last element will be leaves from a wide dark green ribbon. You can add a delicate bow at the point where the stems intersect.
Well, that's it. A ribbon flower is the easiest work to do, which looks good on the same tablecloth, or on a pillow and a napkin. We hope our photos will give you many new ideas in this vein.

Video: how to embroider a French knot with ribbons