Wattle embroidery is a type of needlework that uses the natural wattle tree as its main source of inspiration. It’s an ancient art form, dating back to at least 4000 BC in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The design is created by hand-stitching together tiny pieces of fabric or yarn using a variety of techniques. This process can take anywhere from hours to weeks depending on how complex the pattern is.
The most common types of wattle embroidery are:
Aboriginal Art: A style of embroidery developed by Indigenous Australians over thousands of years. They use it for ceremonial purposes and to decorate their clothing and other items.
Arts & Crafts: A modern version of this technique which has been popularized by craftspeople around the world since the 19th century.
Embroidered Wallhangings – These are usually made up of small motifs stitched onto a background material such as cotton, linen, silk or wool.
Embroidered Textiles – Also known as patchwork, these are fabrics with different pieces of fabric stitched together to create a new piece.
Folk Art: Folk artists often use traditional materials like wood, bone, clay and stone as well as more contemporary materials like plastic, glass and metal to create their work.
Loom Work: Loom work involves weaving textiles using a loom.
Needlepoint: Needlepoint is another form of embroidery that uses fine needles to stitch designs into cloth.
Papua New Guinean War Dance: This is one of the oldest forms of wattle embroideries. It was originally used by the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea as part of their cultural traditions. Today, it is still widely practiced throughout the country.
Sewing: Sewing is the act of sewing two pieces of fabric together using thread.
Wall Hangings: These are large pieces of wall art that have been designed and sewn by hand.
Weaving: Weaving is the act of creating fabric by interlacing threads.
Woodblock Prints: Woodblock prints are a type of printmaking that uses blocks of wood to carve out images.
How to Make Your Own Wattle Embroideries
I’ve been wanting to make my own wattle embroidery for a long time, but I didn’t know how. Then I found out that it was really easy and fun! This is just what I did:
Step 1: Choose your design
I chose a simple geometric design because it would be easier to draw than something complicated. You could also choose a picture you love and then try to recreate it.
Step 2: Decide where you want to hang it
You can hang them on walls, windows, doors, fences, clotheslines, etc. Whatever feels right to you. If you don’t feel comfortable hanging it somewhere public, you might consider putting it inside a frame instead.
Step 3: Find some good supplies
For this project, you will need:
• Fabric scraps (1/2 yard)
• Thread (a few spools)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Straight pins
• Pin cushion
• Iron (optional)
• Spray paint (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)
• Glue gun (optional)
• Stencils (optional)
• Other decorative objects (optional)
Step 4: Start drawing your design
Draw your design in pencil first. Draw all the shapes separately so they won’t get mixed up when you sew them later.
Step 5: Cut out your fabric
Cut out each shape from your fabric. Use scissors to cut along the lines drawn in Step 3.
Step 6: Sew your shapes together
Lay out all the shapes on top of each other. Take note of where the seams should go.
Step 7: Add details
Add any extra details you think look nice. For example, I added dots around the edges of the triangles and circles.
Step 8: Prepare your iron
Ironing is important when making embroideries. The fabric needs to be pressed smooth before stitching. So if you haven�t done this already, now is the time to do it.
Step 9: Begin sewing
Now start sewing. First, sew the sides of the triangle together. Next, sew the bottom edge of the triangle to the middle line of the circle. Finally, sew the top edge of the triangle to its corresponding point on the circle.
Step 10: Finish off your embroidery
Once you�re finished with sewing, you can add any finishing touches like adding glue or spray painting.
Step 11: Let it dry
Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 12: Hang it up!
Hang it up anywhere you like!