Free Embroidery Pattern, Old lady-baby Mandrake Ritual
With Halloween coming up, I've made a drawing available to embroider and to make a little ritual to get in harmony with your own roots.
Before I give you some tips on how to embroider and tell you how I made this piece, I'll tell you a little bit about the meaning it has for me! I made this drawing in October of last year, when I was suffering from very strong menstrual cramps, I was vomiting and crying in pain. In addition to the pain, I was in a moment of searching for the feeling of home, and I really missed my grandmother's house where I grew up, but I couldn't go back (it's far from where I currently live). I took some painkillers, and as soon as the pain eased, I wanted to draw something that would help me get out what I was feeling.
I looked at some references at first, but then I decided to start doodling with just what I had in my head, and it took shape. So I remembered some artists I admire who use menstrual blood to paint (including a big best friend), and I decided to give it a try. I took my blood, diluted it in water, until it was practically odorless and an earthy brown.
So, the mandrake creature couldn't fit the situation better: it represents roots, homesickness, and the feeling of being incubated in the womb of the earth, a good and rich womb, developing like any tuber. I drew her a little sleepy for imagining a baby in gestation, but at the same time, for me she is a wise and lived being, so I gave her an old woman expression (which is actually characteristic of every mandrake haha). In the end, she helped me make peace internally with my own womb. Since then I have sought treatment and the unpleasant cramps have gotten better! ;)
In a way, I feel like I have a lot to thank for this embroidery!
Download the illustration here:
Tip 1 - Stitches
First of all, I believe this needs to be an embroidery that you do intuitively, so feel free to mix and choose the stitches you like best. The ones I used were:
- Stem stitch to make the main outlines (note that it is a little thicker than the interior details and the roots).
- Back stitch and running stitch to make the hatches/shadings, and roots.
Tip 2 - Painting and embroidery Ritual
We have known for a long time in humanity that many women used embroidery (one of the only artistic practices that were allowed to them in past centuries), as a way of performing spells of protection, or simple personal rituals that helped them to overcome some internal issue. So I invite you to do your own ritual.
If you can, feel good and free to try menstrual painting, it's quite simple:
*[Note. If you don't menstruate or don't want to use blood, no problem, you can also do the ritual just putting your intention and blessing in the ink, or if you want, you can also put a strand hair in the ink that symbolizes your body energy and your internal question].
- First, keep in mind that this fluid is not dirty, nor will it transmit any disease to you, it is a PART of you, and will carry all your feelings to the piece. Think about your power, the power of your mother, your grandmother, your ancestors, your roots and what they mean to you; Is there something you need to face head on? Something you need to get rid of? Something you miss? Mentalize your desires, and the power of the child and of the old woman that exists within you, then bless your blood diluted in a little pot of water. You will see that the color of the blood will almost not appear red, but quite brown. Mix blood water with other inks and be free to make creative paintings on your embroidery.
Tip 3 - Herbs hoop
- To make this hoop, I picked rosemary and marjoram twigs (herbs that symbolize abundance and protection) that I had at home. But you can do it with any thin twig you can find, from any plant you have around.
- If you have time, let them dry in an airy place for a week. Or you can try bending the still green branches (it's even a little easier). Branches found in nature can break more easily.
- You will bend and glue with instant glue around the hoop. I recommend using MDF or any other frame that has a flat area, so it makes it easier for you to position the branches.
- After gluing the first branch, try to "screw" the second one on what is already glued, position it as you want, and apply the glue again.
Finally, the important thing is to unleash your creativity, give your own personal touch to the piece, and think that this little creature you're embroidering is a protective being, who will guard your home, and plant your deepest desires underground to may they grown and release good fruits next year!!
When you embroider, don't forget to send me or tag me, I'll love to see how your old baby turned out!
Byee~
Li
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