Dappled Apples contribution

Recently the Crackled Apples and Dappled Apples gourd patches came together and practiced some gourd rims on scraps. In this example we drilled holes, used rainbow colored ribbon, and threaded it through alternate holes. What we found, in all cases (even for those who have limited sewing experiences), it is not important to know the name of the stitch or have a fancy design in mind. The key to 'sewing' a rim is repetition. Whatever the stitch is that begins the process should be repeated...it is the repetition that makes the decoration. In all cases, this made unique decoration.

We began with a scrap and drilled some holes. Actually, we began by trying to bore holes in the gourd with a dissecting probe but that took too long and in some cases bent the probe. A drill is best for this job. It makes a dusty debris, but nothing objectionable and a towel underneath the action can catch the dust to be shook into the trash or yard later on.




Using a darning needle, we threaded a ribbon and began a rhythm of going from back to front, back to front through alternate holes. In the case shown, the ribbon was a rainbow design so, once sown, it looks like a rainbow of color moving around the circle.

As simple as this appears, there were some things we learned and caution others about when this is tried: 1- make sure the drilled hole is big enough to accommodate not only the needle head, but the needle head with the double bulk of the thread/ribbon that goes through the eye of the needle, and 2- soften the rough edges so the threading material (ribbon here) has as smooth a path as possible. In this case we had to adjust the size of our needle and ream the holes with a dentist file to make the holes a little smoother.

The next step is what stumped some folks. In fact, I bet if we surveyed people who make gourd rims, tie knots, sew skirt trims, or embroider edging, we would find that the majority learned that it really does not matter what kind of stitch is used because it the end a decorative finish is the result of repetition. [Note that I said 'decorative finish' -- this is not to be confused with the practical need for a back stitch or a buttonhole stitch.] In this case, once the ribbon was extended through alternating holes around the circle, the sewing backtracked to pick up the empty holes. Initially, the needle was put through a hole that already had ribbon in it, and then put through the empty adjoining hole.

Repeating the same action all around produced an interesting edge of a slash/hyphen image. A different repetition would have produced a different rim image. Using a black ribbon for the slashes and a gold ribbon for the hyphens would have been another difference altogether!  No doubt you can see how with the change of colors, weights, and repetitions, a rim can take on a myriad of decorative looks.

Once done, additional threads can be passed through the ribbon and holes. Here, a buttonhole thread begins to make a Spirograph design across the diameter of the circle.

There must be a algorithm for the mathematical possibilities!


Thank you Dappled Apples, sister gourd patch of the Virginia Lovers' Gourd Society!  

We crackled together!