Easter Shadow Work

These designs mimic the gently colored heirloom look of hand embroidered shadow work. (When done by hand, shadow work utilizes embroidery floss, drawn across the back of the fabric to “fill in” an area outlined with simple straight stitches.) A type of reverse appliqué – applying the fabric to the wrong side of the project fabric – and tiny satin stitch edging create the same delicate look when done with an embroidery machine!

Machine shadow work requires the use of white, sheer or semi-sheer project fabric. Organdy, silk organza, handkerchief linen, voile and very fine batiste work well as project fabrics for these designs. 

The shadow appliqué fabric – which will be applied to the wrong side of the project fabric to provide the colored shadow – works best if it is crisp and lightweight; fine cotton fabrics or sheer fabrics such as silk organza and cotton organdy work well for the shadow appliqué fabric.

Check out our silk organza fat quarters! Also, Farmhouse Fabrics has lovely cotton organdy!