Phalice's Purse by Caela Conn Tyler

Twenty-five to thirty years ago, Phalice Ayers offered many outstanding and innovative designs to canvas embroiderers. In 1981 or 1982 Phalice taught two classes for my ANG chapter. “Phalice’s Purse” was one of those classes. It was one of her best known designs. This experience was my maiden voyage to the foreign land of you-can-create-your-own-design-and-you-can-put-the-stitch-where-you-want. Its materials were simple: Medici wool, embroidery floss, and pearl cotton.

With Phalice’s son’s permission, I have revived the design. In contrast to my original attempt, I elected to provide more intricacy through the use of 24 ct Congress cloth (the original was worked on 17 ct linen canvas). I chose to include many more flowers in a wider range of stitches, stitch combinations, and sizes. All of the flowers are stitched in various silks – what a great way to use discontinued threads like Zwicky silk! – along with selective use of plastic rings, silk ribbon, and beads to provide dimension and even greater contrast.

Although contrasts are emphasized, repetition likewise plays an important role, accomplished by monochromatic color treatments (all white flower motifs and values of green in the background) plus the simplicity and constancy of the floral background stitches – Cross stitch, French knots, and scattered groups of bullion stars.

Finally, the pulled thread stitch used in the body of the purse serves as a quiet backdrop for the densely stitched floral motifs.

I very much enjoyed the spontaneity that this design nurtured as I stitched it.