Resht Applique Sample

Resht Applique Sample

I am taking a two year course from the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center, Advanced Studies in Experimental Stitch.

Part of my homework for the second session is looking up different forms of applique and doing a few samples of different applique techniques. One of the suggestions on our list was Resht work. Having never heard of this one, I decided to see what it entailed. I found several wonderful examples and learned that it was a Persian technique that used mainly chain stitch to attach cut felt pieces to a background, sometimes felt and sometimes wool cloth. That sounded like a perfect reason to make some felt and give this technique a try.

I printed out one of the examples that I had found. This one was on 1860-1960 One Hundred Years of Fashion and Accessories. I picked out some short fiber merino batt in similar colors to create my background and the pieces that I would cut and applique.

Here’s the felt pieces I created. I didn’t worry much about the edges as I was going to cut them anyways. I did want fairly thin felt as it gets a bit thick to stitch when layered. I did great with this except for the yellow orange piece. It was a bit thick.

Next I worked out a simpler design in the size that I needed. The final piece will be 7″ x 7″.

I traced the main design on tissue paper and cut out that as patterns to cut the felt. Originally, I thought I would overlap the pieces. But once I had them cut, I decided that would be too thick. I didn’t make any pattern for the yellow orange leaves. I just cut those free hand.

Here are the pieces all cut out and pinned on to the background. Now I needed some threads for the chain stitching.

Here are some of the hand dyed thread choices. Now on to chain stitching. I will show you the results in my next post.

12 thoughts on “Resht Applique Sample

  1. We thought at first that there was a spelling mistake in the heading of your post – we’d never heard of Resht !
    It is tricky to get small pieces of felt the exact same thickness. The colours of your felt look good together in the design.
    Awaiting next post!

    1. I know, I never heard of it before either. Even thickness is definitely difficult but it actually worked OK. Stitching through has been easy even the yellow orange pieces. The stitching has really changed the piece as you will see next week.

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  2. Very interesting, Ruth. I love how you are constantly learning and trying new things. Look forward to what happens next…

    1. Thanks Lindsay, I love learning and think I will probably be a life long learner. That’s why I really enjoy my classes because she pushes me to do things that I probably wouldn’t do on my own.

  3. I’m not sure whether to thank you or not 🤪….I’ve just spent 30mins looking up Resht (I also thought it was a spelling mistake) stitching! It is still early & I’ve learnt my new thing for the day….so yes – Thank you!
    From what I’ve seen you have chosen very appropriate colours. It seems to be a mix of chain stitch & an unusual blanket stitch to create the intricate floral details.
    The blanket stitch reminds me of the twisted blanket stitch my sewing teacher insisted I use to sew on press studs/hooks & eyes etc on to garments – she even made me unpick 20 of them & re-do them all!
    Looking forward to seeing your next instalment.

    1. Glad I could help out on your new thing learned, Antje! The colors did seem to go with the samples that I saw. I didn’t try and do anything different with the blanket stitch. Just did the regular one and chain stitch. Next installment next week.

      Sorry to hear about the mean sewing teacher 🙂

  4. Very interesting. I went looking it up too and at first glance, none of it seems to be stitched. They look like woven rugs. I had to zoom in to see all the stitching. I am looking forward to seeing your finished piece.

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