Laidwork foundation embroidery 2

A week ago I found these couched circles on the Handembroidery Network blog. These can be useful in the Stitch Explorer challenge so I made one in yellow and purple. It worked very easy and I know how to use it in this challenge.But I was already working on a different kind of laidwork foundation inspired by my new book ‘Chinese embroidery’ by Josiane Bertin-Guest. I used a fish from this pattern and reduced the size. First I made split stitches around the body. I made the foundation with 2 strands of DMC in 2 needles, so I could alternate them after each stitch. This way I have no long threads on the back.

I drew the stitches for the second layer on a piece of paper you use for making clothes. I secured it on the fabric with a piece of thread.

I made the stitches through the paper.

Then I had to tear the paper careful and remove it. I used a pair of tweezers for it.

I used long and short stitches for the head, a French knot for the eye and satin stitches for the bubbles. It’s not finished yet, I have to do the fin and the tail of my fish.

Update: you can see the finished fish here.