Making an Embroidered Meerkat Device

I finished this large embroidered heraldic device last year. It is worked in wools, predominantly in split stitch.

I traced the heraldic design out in  pencil, and worked the piece in a hoop

I had an earlier attempt at the design but was unhappy with the stitching and texture of the thread

Adding in the details of the 'weasels'

Blocking the panel

Adding tacked lines as a sewing guide

Stitching the ermines 

Backing the piece with felt and adding twill tape belt loops

I added a band of purple trim around the edge to finish it off
 

Split Stitch Heraldic Weasel Badge

I recently finished this large (approximately 15 cm long) heraldic split stitch badge for a friend.
The design is traced onto calico that has been reinforced with iron on interfacing. I started in the middle of the design and worked out to try and keep the tension even.

I find that lining my inner embroidery hoop with bias binding also helps to maintain an even tension.

The embroidery is split stitch worked in wool. The weasel (meerkat) features and chevron outline are also worked in split stitch but I used a fine crochet cotton.

I rinsed the completed piece, and when it had dried a little I stretched out any tight patches using a hot steam iron on the back of the damp piece.

I trimmed the excess calico away leaving about 1.5cm around the edge.

I roughly sewed down the edges of the calico to the back of the piece.

 

Next I couched some silver gilt cord around the edge.

Finally I whipped a piece of felt onto the back to cover the stitching.