Today’s give-away came about in a funny way.
I had already decided to do this 12 Days of Christmas series of give-aways, and had drummed up quite a bit of generous and enthusiastic participation from designers, needlework retailers and manufacturers, tool-makers and so forth.
One day, while in the midst of working out the details, I received an e-mail from a reader who had a question about Japanese flat silk. Since the question was a scientific-practical combination one regarding silk, I recommended the reader to contact Michael Cook of Wormspit, who knows a lot about silk. The reader wrote to Michael, who then forwarded the question to me. While we were going in circles, Michael and I struck up a conversation, and he told me about a whole collection of Japanese silk that he had received from Julie Mar, a needlepoint designer.
It so happened that Michael had surplus silk and he was trying to come up with a clever way of getting the silk into the hands of people who would benefit from it, appreciate it, and use it to its full potential. I told him about the 12 Days of Christmas, and he jumped on board!
So, today, thanks to Michael Cook of Wormspit, and Julie Mar of Julie Mar Designs, we have two collections of Japanese flat embroidery silk to give away!
These are full spools of flat Japanese silk, still wrapped in plastic and never used. There are 18 spools in the first collection in the give-away, and 12 spools in the second collection. The photo above and immediately below belong to the first collection in the give-away.
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
While the first collection contains primarily purples, with some golds and greens, the second collection is a range of blues, pale turquoises, and plummy pinks and purples.
I love the blue-greens on the left – they remind me of a tropical ocean (a very nice thing to think about during cold Kansas winters!).
Both winners of today’s give-away will also receive a copy of the pamphlet, “How to Use Flat Silk.” If you’ve never stitched with flat silk before, this will come in handy. The pamphlet is geared towards using flat silk in Japanese embroidery, primarily.
For today’s give-away, the first name drawn will receive the 18 spool collection of flat silk, and the second name drawn will receive the 12 spool collection.
Give-Away Instructions
To enter today’s give-away for one of the two sets of Japanese embroidery silk shown above, please read and follow these simple instructions!
1. Leave a comment at the end of today’s article. If you click on that link, it will take you directly to the comment area, so that there are no mishaps! Comments delivered via e-mail or on other articles will not be included in the give-away.
2. In your comment, answer the following question:
What attracts you to the idea of working with flat silk? Is it the sheen and beauty of the thread? The challenge of working with it? The mere fact that it’s silk? Any of the above, all of the above, or other?
3. Make sure you leave a recognizable name either in the body of your comment, or on the “name” line above the comment box. For example, if your name happens to be Bella, you might include a last initial or a location to differentiate yourself from the other Bellas out there (example: Bella in Bellevue.).
4. Leave your comment before January 9th, 2012, at 5:00 am Central Standard Time (Kansas, USA!). All winners for this series will be selected on January 9th, and announced that day here on Needle ‘n Thread. You’ll have to check back on January 9th to see if you’ve won, because the winners will need to contact me within 3 days to claim their prizes. The Give-Away is Now Closed. Thanks for your interest!
Merry Third Day of Christmas!
Please do not panic if your comment does not show up immediately. All comments are moderated in the order in which they come in, and they will eventually be posted. If you are looking for your comment, please use the “older comments” and “newer comments” links at the top of the comments section. These will take you through all the comments pages, from newest to oldest.
I would just love to win one of these prizes, because I have never tried flat silk before, and although it would be a challenge, I could don some gloves to prevent it snagging. What attracts me is the lustrous sheen which would add so much to some of the projects I would like to tackle.
Hi Mary,
I think that the challenge of working with the thread and the opportunity to learn something new are the big attractions for me.
The beauty and the sheen definitely contribute to the appeal, but the learning opportunity is the reason I am entering the draw.
Heather (from Ontario)
OMG!!! Look at the silk!!! Oh I love those teal shades. Teal is my absolute favorite color and those are making my mouth water. Several years ago I saw a Shay Pendry episode where she was working with japanese flat silks. i thought the piece was absolutely gorgeous and the sheen of the silks were fantastic. I’ve flirted with the idea of getting some of the silks but could never really come up with sufficient justification to buying what i didn’t know how to use. That being said, If i get lucky enough to win these silks I would use them on the monograms for my granddaughters.
Jugding from what you’ve gifting for these first three days of Christmas once we get to the first day, we’ll all be on sensory overload with wanting and you’ll have so many entries it’ll take a bushel basket to hold them….lol….Thank you Mary and thanks to Michael Cook for giving them to you for us!
sharyn in Cincinnati
Hi Mary,
I love all silk for the beauty of it’s sheen and the color. I’d love to try using the flat silk because I recognize that the effect would be different from any of the other more twisted silks I’ve used in stitching. Both collections contain some of my favorite colors.
Lee C.
I just am delighted with the 12 days of Christmas. Today is very exciting in that silk is a thread that I would like to take to the design not only for its sheen, texture and ease of stitching, but the colors are distinct and bright and almost 3-D! It would be something to win this give a-way!
Oh my gosh! Such glorious colors! I would love a chance to win this. I have been reading your site for a few years now. Oh you are my hero. So brave to start new things. So adventurous with the fibers you use! You are my needlework idol! I would love to branch out and this would be something that would braver about doing so!
Regardless of winning or not, you will remain my needlework idol!
it is the sheen and beauty of the thread
I’d like to try the flat silk to see how it differs in appearance from other silk and to learn to use a laying tool.
I’m taking Japanese Embroidery lessons an d love working with flat silk. It gives a whole different dimension to a piece. And you can use it so many ways – either flat or twisted in so many different ways. I’d love to add these to my supply.
hello again Mary,
I like the lay of the silk on the ground. I like how one thread can either be one of many threads side by side or itself, a stroke of color. JoanB
Having never used flat silk but would love to try it. Such beautiful colors!
I love using silk thread for applique’ but have never seen or used flat silk and would love to give it a try. What brilliant colors.
I love silk! I applique with silk thread and I embroider with silk floss but have never tried flat silk. I’d love to be a winner of this give-away.
Mary, I would have to say “all of the above”! I’m going into a completely new realm of stitching here. Both sets are gorgeous! I want to thank you, Michael and Julie for ALL the possibilities that come with threads like these.
Those colors are SO incredible! BUT I’m glad there’s a pamphlet with it!!
Joyce Harrison
What attracts me to using flat silk? All sorts of things – most definitely the sheen, and I do love working with silk, both fabric and threads. There is NOTHING like it. My mum went out the other day with a ‘commission’ to buy me some silk fabric and came back saying, ‘I didn’t get it dear – it’s very expensive so I got you a sample of this artificial silk that’s half the price.’ I’m sure I don’t need to tell you it was hopeless.
Nothing like the real thing.
Japanese embroidery is something I’ve had one tiny go at, in a very short taster workshop with the wonderful Midori Matsushima – it’s on the long, long list of things I’d like to do more of and if I won this I would definitely be kicked in to gear and start something off!
Flat silk is gorgeous. The colours are so vibrant and it looks wonderful.Not the easiest thread to work with especially if your hands are rough but well worth the effort. I’d love to win a set. Japanese embroidery is mind blowing!
What attracts me to this silk is the sheen…this is like bling for needlework!!
Thanks for the lovely contest Mary…Merry Christmas!
Hi Mary,
my answer would be “All of the above”.
I love to try it on a fan design or a kimono or just pure and simple japanese flower design..Thank you.
Françoise Y. Beauchamp
Mafyb Créations Textiles
Bois-des-Filion, Québec, Canada
I am a beginner when it comes to working with flat silk. I love the color and feel of the silk which is why I am trying to learn how to use it. I have enrolled in a correspondence course with EGA to improve my skills. This give away got my attention!! Thanks for the opportunity!
I love the beautiful shiny colours of flat silk, the way the light catches the surface of the stitches. It gives a magical quality to quite simple stitches. I really admire Japanese embroidery.
But I have yet to try out working with this type of thread! So I would really enjoy the challenge of using some beautiful silk threads.
All the best for the New Year.
The beauty of the threads is the attraction to me. It would be a challenge to use the threads since I have limited experience with flat silk thread. But the thread is beautiful and would be a joy to work with.
The colors actually remind me of the beautiful shades we see at sunrise and sunset here in the southwest and the color intensity of desert flowers.
I know how wonderful it is to work with silk threads but I have never used flat silk. How beautiful are the colours – like a garden full of summer flowers – and the sheen just like the sun shining on those flowers. How dreamlike it would be to produce a piece of embroidery using such sumptiousness.
I’ve never used flat silk, and would love the opportunity to learn. Thanks for the chance!
The sheen says it all for me, not to mention the rich colors! I would like to use then in my peacock feather project : )
all the above, i have never used silk thread. it would be a great opporunity to try it.
Joanie M in W TN
Good Morning! What attracts me to this is working with these colors in silk and the texture/beauty created in the finished design. Thank you.
What a beautiful selection of silk! I would love to try it having never used it before…love the sheen and the colors. Would be a challenge, I imagine, the first few times of working with it. Trying to imagine it being flat…maybe like a tiny ribbon?
what wonerful colours, I could do a thousand things with these silks. I can feel the texture already.
I love the sheen and soft feel of silk threads.
I have read your posts on working with flat silk and it sounds a little daunting but I have never been one to shy away from a new technique in needlework. And I just made a new batch of lotion and tried a new oil that is really wonderful for keeping my hands smooth so I’d love to try working with the flat silk.
Have never used flat silk and would like to learn to use it.
Happy Third Day Mary.
I’m having so much fun with this! My answer to today’s question is: ALL OF THE ABOVE!!
I have been attracted to the flat silks for quite some time. The physical beauty has grabbed me … I love the challenge I would face in working with it … and, of course, working with silk is satisfying and the results it renders are beautiful. And, Oh, the colors!
I’m going to use LOTS of hand cream for the next few weeks just in case I’m chosen to receive this one. Can’t have any rough spots snagging the precious fiber.
Thanks, Mary!
G’day Mary…
…And good on you Michael and Julie.
Yes, the fact that it’s silk, and is natural. Enjoyed raising silkworms as a kid and the fascination remains. And the memory of Mum’s mulberry pies and jams off the same tree.
I’d like to use flat silk for all the reasons you named, plus one more. It’d make me go to the manicurist more often! I need that external push to pamper myself.
I have never seen this type of thread. The colours in both sets are amazing . It would be an experience to use the thread.
G’day Mary, woops, sorry, should be in bed but…my comment just now, forgot to sign off!
So, cheers, Kath from Oz.
Can these Christmas gifts get any more exciting? It just makes me sing inside to know such beauty is out there. Whoever wins this will be one lucky person. Good luck to everyone!
Dear Mary, To me it is definitely the sheen and the beauty of silk. With the soft sheen it brings anything you embroider to life. The way it catches the light which makes it appear that you have used more than one shade of a colour, is an added bonus. Looking at the prize I can just sigh in admiration.
Kind regards, Elza Bester,Cape Town
I have never worked with flat silk before, but am intrigued. I am learning embroidery for my 18th century costuming. I also work with knotting shuttles, and want to try making fly fringe with it. I would love to win a set!
Hi Mary,
I have never worked in Japanese flat silks before – they appeared to be very challenging to use, but the colours and sheen are truly beautiful. It would be great to experiment. Your 12 days of Christmas are certainly broadening my outlook. Thank you.
Jenny
gorgeous colors!
i’ve never used silk to embroider but i’d like to try. we used to have a store in the local mall called ‘the jade tree’ ; i’d go in there just to lust after all the beautiful silk embroideries.
thanks
Mary,
I’ll be dreaming about these silks. Gorgeous looking.
I started working with silk on a project kitted up by a local shop. Had always thought silk was expensive, but it was $5 difference on the kit. And I was hooked!
Love the look and feel of silk. Have been noticing how different one silk is from another, and learning to appreciate them. Haven’t really worked with flat silk and want to give it a try. Yes, the lustre attracts me. (One of the things I like about Caron Waterlilies & Soie Cristale). Yes working with it will be a challenge — avoiding snags.
You’ll be making two people very happy, while the rest of us drool.
Hi Mary, To be honest, the only thing that attracts me to the silks is the amazing colours. I have never worked in the medium or even know how to work in it. So maybe having a book to teach me and having the silks would go a long way to getting me hooked. Love this 12 Days of Christmas! Makes us look at alot more stuff then we would normally! Anne Lemke Durban, RSA
My answer: All of the above! Thank you Mary, Michael Cook of Wormspit and Julie of Julie Mar Designs.
I love working with silk on a silk dupioni ground because it looks so elegant. Japanese silk is an item I’ve had my eye on, but not yet tried. I would love to win either of these collecgtions.
Oh my, these are just fabulous silks!! I can see a LOT of beautiful projects coming out of these.
I’ve worked with silk once before and love its sheen and color. It is a bit of a challenge, especially with winter-rough hands, but so beatiful! This collection would be a treasure.
It is all of the above. The sheen and the beauty – I love working with flat silk – I do twist it when required, but like best to work with it flat, and when finished it looks so shining and gorgeous – a special reward.
Peggy of Thornbury.
Hmm-my computer hiccuped right before I hit “submit my comment” so here it goes again! I intended to embroider my husband’s wedding vest with silk–a first project–but got inimidated and ran out of time, so it didn’t get done. He tells me that I still owe him a vest! Before I try that though, I would try something small–maybe for my new step son and his wife who have both traveled in China and Japan. A vest was maybe too ambitious for a first attempt!
The blues are absolutely gorgeous! I’m so glad that silk was able to make the 12 days give away! It makes any work done with it brighter. I love the texture and sheen of the silk. I have been wanting to make some Japanese art for my younger sister who is in love with the culture. But never had the guts to try it because I wasn’t for sure how to work with it.
The silk is gorgeous. I have never worked with flat silk and am always interested in learning new things and enhancing my stash.
What draws me to working with silk is the fancy nature of the materials. Silk makes even the most mundane subject matter seem somehow more rich.
Happy 3rd day!
My answer to today’s question would be “all of the above” AND I have never done embroidery in silk and would love to learn. The instructions for learning to embroider with flat silk would be a great help to a stumbling beginner like me, who is a bit intimidated by the idea of working in silk.
Thanks so much,
Vivian M.
LOVE SILK – my fav thread/ribbon to work with. Its the sheen and the feel of it that I love – oh and vibrancy of the colors!
All of the above and another major reason : unlike any other thread, flat silk directly reflects your inner calmness or turmoil – it teaches me many things, it is a meditative process, a way to reflect on the day’s activities, focus on the important, forgive and forget the rest. It had taught me much and most of all in it’s aplendour it has taught me thankfulness for all the things that make up our world.
N.
Oh, Mary! What beautiful colors! and in Silk! I love the colors, the shine, the feel… everything about them!!! It was so very nice of Michael Cook and Julie Mar to offer them. I would love to have the chance to embroider with such lovely thread.
I love the sheen of the silk and would love to enhance my stash.
Hi Mary!
Gorgeous threads.I love those blues.
The challenge of working with flat silks attracts me more.I’m planning to learn Japanese embroidery soon,so if I’m lucky enough to win this maybe I’ll use it while learning.Thank you Mary for this give away.Also thanks to Michael Cook and Julie Mar.
Anita-MM
How luxurious! One of my favorite things to stitch is Sashiko–great to see the Japanese pattern affiliated with this give away. I’ve used silk thread for applique. Love how it buries itself into the folds of the fabric.
Wow – those colours and that sheen! Silk is challenging to stitch but the results are just so beautiful. I have never used Japanese flat silk but I would love to try.
The challenge of working with this silk is definitely the attraction. There is nothing as beautiful as a well-executed piece made with flat silk. The effort to master this is well worth it.
Hello Mary,
Another fantastic giveaway..I could not believe my eyes when I saw the beautiful silk.
Everything about silk attracts me, I only own black silk to work blackwork patterns and I would love to try other projects with silk.
Good luck to all of us, this is a great giveaway. Thank You.
France from Canada.
I would love to try the Japanese silk! I love quilting with silk so I can just imagine how embroidering in silk would be. And of course, the colors you have are just yummy.
What attracts me to work with flat silk is the sheen, the softness of the beautiful colors, & the challenge of doing something I haven’t done before. Thank you for presenting the information & the possibility!
Thank you for your giveaway. It is fun to see what it will be every day. I would like to try silk primarily because of reading your posts. I can’t afford to invest in it right now, but it looks beautiful. I would have to say that the shine and smoothness of it would be what attracts me. Also, the whole concept that my work has graduated into something that deserves to be done with quality materials.
What attract me to flat silk threads is the beauty that it displays for the greater honor and glory of God when on vestments used for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Nothing more beautiful or breath-taking!
the colours are beautiful. what a unique opportunity! thanx for offer your dedicated readers a chance to win.
I’ve been using silk ribbon embroidery thread lately and would love to accent this with silk thread…thanks for this opportunity
Hi mary, i’m mary varma and i’m from india. Thanks for such a lovely & beautiful gift for the 3rd day of christmas. I’d really love to win it as you had said it the mere fact that its silk that gives the thrill, and the sheer beauty and softness of silk makes it even more appealling. Thank you for the phamplet on how to use the silk, because i have no expirence in using it, but i would love to learn how to use it. Thanks again for this great gift which i’m hoping to win. Thank you
I am attracted to the idea of working with flat silk for its sheen and beauty. I Also appreciate the experience needed to learn to use flat silk well. Michael, thank you for your generosity!
I remember the trouble you had with this silk and gardeners fingers! My attraction to flat silk is the luster and sheen. It’s richness and changeability make it perfect for a project which changes with light.
I’ve been conquering kalocsa and buzaki Hungarian embroidery the last few months and really enjoy working satin stitch. I have recently been to Japan, and I’d be very interested to work traditional patterns in the traditional materials, of flat silk. It’s a really beautiful material.
Wow! This just gets better and better!SILK! I love working with silk fibers and am so excited about these flat silks! I wonder how they will be to work with? So far, I’ve used silk thread from Clover, YLI, and got off Ebay from India. Hair of my mermaids and the Queen were done in silk and I love the sheen and softness of the threads. It would be glorious to work a bird in the colors shown I’m thinking…
Silk! Silk! I love how it shines when properly laid. A friend is working on Japanese embroidery and her work is beautiful! It is a challenge though, especially in the winter in Illinios. But so worth the effort!
The attraction of using flat silk is because of the sheen. I’ve used black flat silk to stitch hair. It was beautiful! The shine is fabulous and it is much easier to use than I had expected. I have a spool of green flat silk to use someday but it is hard to find here unless I mail order, which I hesitate to do since picking colors is difficult sight unseen. So this would be a great treat to use and to share with my stitching friends.
What beautiful threads! Thanks to you, Michael Cook & Julie Mar for these beautiful threads.
I’m exploring all facets of embroidery. I fell in love with this beautiful thread while following your posts about the Marian medallion project. It’s a challenge I’m eager to explore.
“Is it the sheen and beauty of the thread? The challenge of working with it? The mere fact that it’s silk?” For me, the answer would have to be “all of the above.”
Phyllis
The sheen is what I love about flat silk — the difficulty/frustration is what has held me back! Perhaps it is time to get over that and just jump in!
I enjoy the feel and look of wonderful silk. After 65 years old, I need monthly challenges to keep my brain working. Learning to use flat silk for my sampler would do the job.
It’s SILK! that’s what attracts me, and those yummy colors – wow! Beautiful shading, I can see. As I do love anything to do with thread, AND the fact that they are silk – double win!
karen gass
Work with silk is so beautiful! I just love silk anyway but would welcome the challenge of trying the flat silk in the beautiful colors. Thank you for such a wonderful offering!
Mary,
What gorgeous threads! I definitely LOVE the beauty of the colors and the sheen- the way the threads shimmer once applied to fabric. What a lovely giveaway! Thank you
Peg F. in NJ
Of course my first thought was “shiny” — and my second and third, too, but that’s because my brain is still in pre-coffee fog. Using flat silk would bring some of my historic embroidery closer to the original look and feel and would be a delight to get to use.
Hi Mary
Yet another wonderful give-away! Silk has to be the embroiders dream material. I have not often used it but when I have it is heavenly to work with and the effect is spectacular – probably because it is a natural fibre and gives that dream sheen – what more can one say! Luv it!
Thanks
Eleanor – Isle of Man
SILK, SILK, even the name sounds wonderful. I have used YLI silk, and loved the sheen. I am hoping to win today, so that I can try flat silk. Thanks to your generous gift givers, a couple of us will be able to do just that.
Wow!! I’m sitting here drooling on my keyboard. Gorgeous threads! I would love to win this!! I’m trying to teach DGD (age 10) to sew and embroider. This would be a wonderful new skill to teach her.
Becky in upstate SC
bmgilliam@bellsouth.net
The attraction I have for the flat silk is the beauty of it and the look it achieves when used in embroidery. The first set of silks just happen to be in my favorite colors also. I would love to have the opportunity to use them.
Donna D in Arkansas
I have done embroidery work for many years but it has only been in the last year that I wanted to use silk. It has a gorgrous shine and the feel of silk is an experience in itself. The colors in silk also seem to be more vibrant which I love.
Oh silk! I LOVE SILK! I’ve never worked with flat silk before and I would love to try it.
The sheen and color is what attracks me to wanting to work with it. The colors are so beautiful! I’m so glad that you didn’t make us pick which one is our favorite, that would be a very difficult choice.
Hi Mary and everyone!
For me, it’s the luscious shine that makes the colours so strong and bright. Glorious! The only trouble with one of these packs would be that I would then want to get a goodly number more to complete a palette….
Silk is like wearing your very best dress to a fabulous party! Being adept at laying it into fabric would be a new and interesting challenge for me. The smoothness just begs to be touched by the eye. The colors are fabulous. These will indeed be lucky winners! Thanks for the try. Chris Beresford from Michigan
Oh, my!! My love of silk goes back to my parent’s living in Thailand and being friends with Jim Thompson who took Thai silk from a small production to a business for export. I grew up with raw silk curtains and adore the sturdiness, imperfections, feel, and colors that come from “insect made” silk. I watch videos of it being made and still can not believe that it is possible. I covet the pieces handed down to me by my parents.
The colors of the silk thread sing joyously to me. I would stare at the colors and glow of the threads for hours. For a project, I would use the silk threads on two projects. I am designing a crazy quilt with silks and much embroidery work to keep me occupied for the next 40 years! And, for my stump work beetles, dragonflies and bugs (of course).
This flat silk thread looks just gorgeous! I have never yet worked with silk, but would really like to learn how to do it, as I love the colours and the sheen and I appreciate the quality of the material. Wouldn’t it be great if I could win this?
You had me at “silk”. This was the gateway to a new world of embroidery-the sheen and the deep colors just sucked me in! Using silk has improved all my stitching as I slow down and enjoy the process and resuts. Praise the caterpillar and bless all the workers!
I did Japanese Embroidery years ago and have just started doing it again. I love working with flat silk – especially as you say the sheen, beauty and feel of it. There is so much you can do with it – flat or twisted.
Never having worked with silk before I would love the challenge but the colors and sheen of the threads are what attract me the most. Beautiful.
Would love to learn how to and use flat silk.
Thanks once again, Mary
What an exciting gift, Mary. Honestly, getting up each morning to read the next “Day” of Christmas, is better than being a child in front of a row of penny candy
(Ooops! No such thing as penny candy anymore, I’ll be bound. But back to your question, I think what draws me to the idea of working with silk is my lifelong fascination with the whole idea of wearing something that a worm spun. When I was a very little girl I remember hearing about silk worms, and though I am sure my memory could be flawed, I believe I recall that they eat the leaves of the mulberry tree. I have a silk robe that is from when I was much smaller that I keep thinking I might cut for a project one day. Wouldn’t it be great to use it to form the framework around my first flat silk embroidery if I were to be the winner?
Flat silk – wow! I’ve never worked with flat silk but have always wanted to – this would be my chance! I just love the sheen and when you look at it at different angles how it just glows! I can see beautiful flowers or butterflies! Thank you Mary for the opportunity!
I love these give-aways. Each day I wonder what the next day will bring. I love the colour and sheen of the Japanese flatsilk. I haven’t used it before, but with Japanese embroidery it will be a new path to explore in terms of embroidery. Gay B, South Africa
It’s all of the above. There is just something about the luster of silk thread that captures light even on a drab day.
Oh my, how beautiful! I would love the challenge of working with these beautiful threads! They are really amazing. I hope I’m the winner!
What attracts you to the idea of working with flat silk? The joy of working with natural fibers first off. Much of my work is done in wool, cotton and silk.
Is it the sheen and beauty of the thread? Partly. Especially the juxtaposition of the sheen of silk on the matte surface of wool.
The challenge of working with it? Figuring out what it wants to do, using it’s natural tendencies.
The mere fact that it’s silk? Silk is a 4 letter word with allure.
The colors in either set are awesome. Thanks again for a great giveaway.
Oooohhh that is so pretty! I’d say its definitely the sheen of the silk that most draws me in… But the colors are great too.
Mary,
The sheen of the silk is what attracts me.
Merry 3rd day!
I love stitching with silk threads, and would love to learn the difference in ‘flat’ silk. The sheen and soft texture are a pure joy to work with! Thanks for these grand opportunities!
Dear Needle’n Thread, When I was a child, I used to play with my mother’s color swatches–owning this silk rainbow would be reliving that experience,so many times over! It’s the rainbow of colors that draw me and the texture of silk itself–for the eye and the touch. I work in bargello and would like to experiment with silk. I have used silk in petit point, but not bargello. I imagine its luster would be beautiful.
And–on vanity’s side, –after reading your post on moisturizing your hands, I’ve been doing that! No more snags–well, with cotton anyway! I wonder what would happen with silk….
I love the luxuriant, radiant beauty of well laid flat silk. Whether the simple shine of satin stitch, or some of the more complex geometric Japanese stitches, divided into small precise single threads or the full width for great coverage, I love that flat silk is both gorgeous and very versatile.
I’m really intrigued by the idea of working with flat silk since, yes, its silk. the sheen and luxury of the pieces I’ve seen worked in it are amazing. On the other hand, I’m sort of terrified of the challenge of it. My hands are never that smooth, Guess it would be the perfect excuse to try some of those lotions you’ve reviewed.
I love the idea of doing something shimmery. The sheen is what grabs me. I’ve always been drawn to that look, but have not really achieve a level of expertise to invest in this very high quality stuff. The silk is so gorgeous – I am drawn to the idea of doing fairy sprites with water and flowers – I’d have to find the right picture to make a design from.
Hello Mary,
What attracts me to working with flat silk?
I have recently retired from work and have found an interest in embroidery. I have planned a project for a monogram ‘thingy’ as a wedding present for my brother; so far I have been trying out samples with various different threads and I have to say that any silk thread stands out as special compared with the other threads I have tried; the lustre, finish and quality of the threads are wonderful. None of my samples have been with flat silk so I would be excited to try that out for this project.
I have been wanting to try a flat silk piece. These would be gorgeous to use.
Wow! I’ve never used silk…always heard it was very tricky to get the hang of. I would be willing to try it since it’s free after all. Hope I win!
The colours are magnificent and so tempting. I will need the pamphlet, but I would just adore having a go at using these silks.
I am very interested in working with flat silk because of the sheen and depth of color. It is beautiful!
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the 12 days series.
Lovely silks! I would LOVE to try them – I never have. I have travelled often, and lived in Asia, and have many examples of both embroidery painting and flat silk embroidery in my ‘collection.’. Otherwise known as pretty things I saw abroad…:). The colors are amazing…..ESP the purples and greens. I’d be proud with either set!
Well, yesterday I have written that I would love to receive the gold thread set because with the purpose of embroidering a small curtain for the church altar my hometown in Brazil using one of Mary’s church pattern. I think that for the religious embroidery the best choice is silk and gold; the flat silk has such a elegant lustre, the wonderful colors can be see from a far distance, beeing perfect for the church presentation. Since I have since the blue medallion work in this site, I am dreaming about silk and gold. Thank you for these beautiful images.Greetings Rita Violante
My answer is “All of the above”.
I love the color and feel of the silk.
Greetings, Aaltje
You are amazing Mary, everyday is getting more exciting. I am a silk “Junkie”, I collect silk in all forms, fabric, new and old even collect old silk Kimonos and pieces of antique silk. Silk threads also in every form. I have tried the flat silk to sew with, but as usual my impatience gets the better of me and it is not perfect, so I buy books to learn. The thought of having these delectable colours and a book to show you how to use them is mind boggling………..I even collect old silk ties and cannot throw any old silk fabric cloths out just in case!!!!!!!!. So to answer the question…….just because it is silk with some instruction thrown in for good measure.
OOHHHHHHHHHH
I would love to try stitching with Japanese flat silk because I have never tried it. I love a challenge. The colors and sheen of the thread are beautiful and can only add to the challenge of using the thread to bring out the best, to make any design come alive.
Oh wow, what a great gift! I love the sheen of silk, and would love to but it to good use with some satin stitching. Plus, it’s classy — I don’t think silk will ever go out of style.
I am just in love with silk. I do crazy quilting and collect discontinued buttonhole twist on the tiny spools. Can’t get enough of silk!
Greetings!! Any of these prizes will give me the opportunity to get into something new… and chanllenging. Thanks Mary for all these goodies!!
What beautiful thread — it is amazing. I want to work with it because I’ve never done it before. I’ve used silk/wool blends and love them. You have the most wonderful things, thank you,
Shelia in Oklahoma
Mary – I love the look of oriential designs and think that the silk would really look great! Though I’ve never worked with it and consider myself an embroidery noob. Thanks for the great giveaways!
Traci in OK
The flat silk appeals to me for the color intensity as well as sheen. We have very limited resources locally for embroidery supplies, I want to expand beyond the standard embroidery floss available at the local Michaels store.
Firstly the colors look gordeous and should look wonderful on the crazy quilts I am working on at the moment. Secondly I have never embroidered with flat silk,
Mary,
only the feeling of the silk, the luster, to see how the thread behaves. something that is so light (I dont’n know if that wordt is wright) and yet so strong. It is the most beautiful material where we can work with.If you work neatley (again I don’t know if that word is correct) than it does not matter what you are making. Your work will always be beautiful.
Anna
I have sewn with silk fabric several times, and love the luxurious crispness and sheen. Learning to embellish with beautiful silk threads is a skill I have wanted to accomplish. I love the colors!
I have used many different silks over the years, but for some reason, never flat silk – I don’t know why. Perhaps because it is not quite so readily available? Winning this set would be a wonderful opportunity to experiment with a new medium, which is always the most exciting and adventurous part of stitching. I’m already thinking about a design – just in case!
I love the beautiful, subtle colors in silk thread. I especially love the colors in the first selection because they match perfectly the colors prevalent in my home, so they are naturally my favorites. But all are beautiful!
The silk is beautiful! and a booklet to give tips on how to use it is another attraction. I’d love to win one of them.
Definitely the sheen does it for me, and surely the challenge of working with silk is more than worth the end result!
Thanks for another great giveaway
Mary
I think it is always fun to try something new. Especially if it doesn’t cost you anything to try it. The silk is so beauitful I would love to see it worked up. Thanks for your giveaways and all the info you give on your site.
Carrie
Silk is such an incredibly lustrous and beautiful fiber. It is my favorite! The colors on these threads are amazing in their depth. My mind is already imagining a beautiful creation! Thanks for the opportunity to receive the silk and instructions.
Jenny P. in Kansas City
Hi, the colours and their sheen invites me to work with them. till date i havent got any nor have tried silk threads,if i get them along with the pamphlet, that day will be my day to begin silk embroidery. thank you
ansu chennai.
Oh what a beautiful prize, such lovely colours all. What I would say that attracts me to silk thread would have to be both the colour and sheen. What a wonder to work with, lovely.
The flat silk is gorgeous! I would love to learn how to use it with my first slate frame.
… smooth, shiny, sensational ,serene, scrumptious, shiny, shimmer, shady, simple, spectacular – serendipitous, soft, sleek , slippery.. satiny, and… so much more than meets the eye of the needle.. I would love to own a few spools to add to my projects.. and a booklet on how to use it – very sweet!
joan in bryn mawr
Hi Mary,
I would love to win the silk because of it’s sheen, beauty and range of colors. I love my silk fabric for the same reasons. I have never used flat silk but I would love to learn how to stitch with it.
Silk? Did you say silk?!! Oh the sheen, the challenge, the colors. The challenge of learning to use such beautiful thread is a dream come true!!
Thank you Mary.
Jean B. in Greensboro NC
Mary, I’ve been wanting to work with silk of any kind since viewing your work here on Needl’n Thread. It looks like it would be beautiful to work with. I have some plain silk scarves that I would love to try these on.
Gorgeous you said ? The 12 spool collection would be great. You suggest Japanese embroidery, I suppose it would be perfect for thread painting with the Trish Burr technique. I am presently working with her DVD and the silk would come in handy. Have a nice day !
I would love to win one of these beautiful bundles. Silk is just so beautiful, sheen, color, texture and all. Never worked with flat silk, would love to give this a try!
i haven’t worked with silk yet, but i’m certainly looking forward to it…..the colors
are absolutely gorgeous and they just shine and
shimmer….how could one not want to learn to
work with them….excited to get started.
thanks, mary
Wow, those silk threads look gorgeous. I think my attraction to working with silk is the sheen and beauty of it. G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S! And just the fact that it is silk….so elegant!
Wow those silks are just to die for. I would love to try a new kind of embroidery every month for 2012 so these would make a great start on my new years resolution.
Hoping all who read have had a wonderful christmas and hope you all have a wonderful 2012.
Love the color range you can achieve in silk and have never worked with flat silk – challenge!!
My lifelong dream has always been to go to Japan
and see the beauty there. If I had these silks to work with, even though I haven’t made it to Japan,
I could create the wonder of Japan right now and
for now I’d dream as I’m creating with the silks.
Thank you.
The sheen, the glow, the stunning colours, I can just picture the beauty of the stitching Oh, and definitely the challenge. My goal is to try as many different techniques as possible and I have yet to work with flat silk. I have been following your silk projects with intense interest. Your attention to detail is so inspiring.
What a beautiful array of color! There’s just something so rich and deep about the silk thread. I want a new challenge and silk is the next step for me.
Thanks!
I have never tried flat silk threads before. It would be a nice challenge for me to try something different this year. I’m attracted to the sheen and pretty colors.
I think silk embroidery looks so beautiful and delicate. To be honest I am a bit intimidated by the thought of using it and if I have the ability to do it justice.
If I got this silk, I would very carefully read the pamphlet, while I sat and just looked at the beautiful colors. Then I would try some monograms. I love your website and appreciate your generosity in keeping us up to date, and also these bountiful giveaways.
I am attracted to using flat silk because of the beauty of the thread. I also like the way it feels in my hand.
Actually, I am not attracted to working with flat silk–but I have a dear friend who is; she is working on her Level 10 in Japanese embroidery and the silk would go to good use. I would pack it up and send it to her immediately, if I were to win.
HI Mary!
I am amazed at your generosity! Thank you!!!
I love silk. The luscious sheen of the flat silk on your last project made me quickly add it to my “gotta try” list. I know it will be tricky, but what a gorgeous result. Maybe combine them with the gold threads, too!
The New Year is looking better by the moment.
Thanks again.
It would be wonderful to try using the flat silk.The colors are beautiful. I have used silk thread for applique, silk floss, and of course silk ribbon, but never flat silk. We don’t have shops around here that carry such wonderful items.
Louise
Wow! what a generous giveaway. The silks are so beautiful. I have never worked with silk like this before so it would be so great to give this a try. Thanks to Michael and Julie.
I am fascinated with the sheen of silk. I took one class in Japanese embroidery and have the piece languishing in a closet. These silks are an inspiration to get back at it.
The idea of working with something brand new is extremely appealing. The plus factor is that silk holds color and sheen beautifully. The feel of it is so rich it just simply seems to bring out “life” to anything that it is in. Thanks for the many oportunities to learn new techniques and products. Happy New Year
Thank you Michael and Julie for this splendid Third day of Christmas give-away.
Well, Mary, I feel I hardly need answer today’s question because I am sure you know by now that I love stitching with flat silk; I love the lusterous sheen of flat silk; I love twisting flat silk into an infinite range of different twist and stitching with those. To me, flat silk is absolutely the best thread available and I can’t get enough of it.
I have not heard of Julie before, so thank you for introducing me to another silk supplier as well ast for today’s give-away.
What wonderful sites the links took us to. Michael’s Wormspit is full of different types of info. Chickens to making a loom from copper pipes! Julie’s needlepoint canvases are beautiful. I love the section on her braclets. They would be so pretty stitched with this silk flat thread with beads added in. Is the silk thread fragile? Maybe it would not be suited for something like a bracelet that gets lots of wear. I think the fact that it is silk and has a sheen like no other thread would make it interesting to work with. Thank you for another day of giving.
Deb
What beautiful thread! It’s definitely the sheen of the silk that attracts me to flat silk, regardless of the finickiness of working with it. Thank you again for these marvelous giveaways.
Two years ago I visited Japan and was fortunate enough to visit an embroidery class. Subsequently I was invited to the home of the embroidery master and his family. The work is breathtaking and I would love to try it. I think the sheen and depth of the silk would be an incredible addition to the stumpwork I do. However, I’m not sure how to get started. This package would give me the information I need.
I love using silk, but have never gotten to try flat silk. Being in a medieval reenactment group, I try to use period materials in my pieces. I would love to try slap silk, and thank you for the opportunity to win a set!
What a range of colors. I have never used flat silk. They are lovely. What a generous thing for Michael to share from his stash for one of us to try them.
Wow! I just ordered my Japanese Bunka Fashion Design books and am taking a japanese draping class. I would love the threads! The colors are beautiful. Thx!
I like both the sheen and the way of working. Its perfect for satin stitch.
“All of the above” attracts me to the idea of working with flat silk. I want to touch it and know how it feels!
The silk is beautiful!! Years ago I watched a Japanese woman embroidering with it and I was mezmerised. I would love to try my hand at it.
I think my favorite thing about the silk is the vibrance of the colors and the texture of it. It is so delicate that it just calls for you to look closely at the finished piece of work.
Wellll….would want to try them all!!! the challenge, the beauty and the end results!! Yes!!!
It is a very generous giveaway!
Avis in VA
Oh, the sheen! The beauty! And in my favorite range of colors, blues and purples! What fun it would be to work with these luscious silks. And with the booklet to show one how, it would be even better. I’ve been intrigued since you wrote about using flat silk, so this would be a good time and way to learn more. Thank you for the opportunity to try for a collection.
Oh my goodness…what beautiful threads. I’ve always loved silk thread for applique. It’s so nice..I can’t imagine how nice it would be to do embroidery with!! I would LOVE to get one of these collections. My hands are itching to get at them! Thanks for such a nice collection and a chance to win them.
Like Pamela, I’ve dreamed for many years about going to Japan. I was going to go with my daughter’s Japanese class but she backed out of the class
Working with silk is a challenge, and I’m always up for a challenge, usually picking projects that are a stretch for my limited abilities.
The threads are beautiful, and I would love to learn to work with them. I’ve used other silks, but not Japanese.
I would love to try working with flat silk–the sheen is so beautiful, and the tactile experience is luscious. Japanese embroidery techniques in particular are meaningful to me, as I am part Japanese and it feels like part of my heritage and lineage. And the colors!!!
Ive been doing quite a bit of silk shading recently, but have never worked with silk – I imagine it makes such a difference! I don’t know if it’s the season, but the first batch of colours seem really festive – they could be worked into a really pretty heirloom piece for Christmas 2012!
Sumptuous! The purples in their gradations and the sheen would make such a great choice for an iris in full bloom. The technique would be a challenge to learn and help stop brain drain as I age.
The threads shown are absolutely beautiful, and while I have never used Japanese flat silk, I’m itching to try! Thanks for the opportunity. I love your blog!
Mary I think my attraction is to the lustre of silk. There is no comparison IMHO. I love to add the silk embroidery designs to my crazy quilt blocks and it is always a stunner in the silk.
Thanks to Michael and Mary for making this opportunity available to your followers.
Susie Jarosz in Omaha
The beautiful colours & sheen of silk threads attracts me. The challenge of working with silk threads scares the heck out of me. However, it’s time for me to put my fears aside, bite the bullet and give these lucious threads a try.
Incredible give-a-way, Mary.
Cheers,
Linda A
Ontario, Canada
Mary, I’m interested in trying to work with flat silk for the first time. It appeals to me as a touch of luster that my applique peacocks lack. I am at the embellishing stage on “My Tweets” (Erin Russik). I’ve used beautiful fabrics in blues greens and purples (with other colors as a little “pop”). The peacocks still lack the luster that nature gives them, despite those beautiful fabrics. Embroidery could fix that, especially with the right silks! I’d like to be included in Your drawing for some of those silks. Thank You.
What attracts me to the idea of working with silk is the sheen, the beauty and the colours of the silk, as well as the challenge of working with it.
Catalina
Silk has been my preferred choice for most projects for many years now. I normally use twisted silk because it is so much easier to stitch with, but I love to use flat silks when I REALLY want the impact and shine and rich colors of glorious silk. These colors definitely meet that description! Janet.
My mouth is watering at the wonderful rainbow shining in your pictures. I wasn’t going to enter this one because I’ve never stitched with flat silk and figured it was above my skill level. But then I thought, “If you don’t try and don’t stretch yourself some time, you will never grow.”
And the colors, Mary, the colors….
And above all, silk is my very favorite fiber to stitch with.
And the colors, did I mention the colors?
These Colors are like jewels. I love them. I have never used silk before, but this would be a wonderful opportunity to try something new to ski off winter blahs.
What attracts me is the different techniques that might be required to use flat silk. I’ve never tried it before and am curious as to how different stitches show off its luster.
I am always looking to incorporate new fibers (those I have not had opportunity to try) in to my knowledge base.
I give-up!!! On 3rd day you knock me out!! Japanese flat silk is everything that I what to have, know all about and use … A LOT!!! They are a chalenge on the begining … when we decide buy (many colors!!)… til start use!!(many ways!!) …. I want this too!! and the day 3 and 1 of your 12 days of Christmas … think I´ll need one of each of the 12 days!! What do you think about this my indecent proposal?!?
Walfrida
Oh my goodness, how beautiful is this silk. I have a few colors of silk and it is so smooth and the colors are wonderful. I have seen first hand in China how the silk thread is made by the silk cocoons, even went through the silk embrodiery school. I pruchased a piece of double silk work and still can’t believe it’s true beauty. Haveing this threat would allow me the oppurtunity to try this craft on my own. Thank you for providing this fantastic give away. Theresa N
Hi Mary – These threads are just gorgeous. I’m attracted to the beauty of silk thread – nice sheen, texture. They look stunning. I would love to win these.
Thanks.
Judy
I have worked with silk long time ago. yes , it is challenging. so, I work with cotton. But yes to bring back those memories I wold love to have them.
I looooove flat silk! It’s shiny, it’s soft, it’s silk- what’s not to love! I do medieval and renaissance style embroidery; I’ve been working with flat silk in opus anglicanum and or hue; next up is a piece using Italian stitch with flat silk.
What attracts me to the idea of working with flat silk? All of the above. I’ve never tried working with anything but DMC and it would be wonderful to give silk a try. There isn’t anywhere in my area to purchase such beautiful threads.
OMG! Those are beautiful! I have some embroidery projects that I would love to use silk on. I have seen embroidered works that they used silk, cotton, wool, etc all in the same picture and it was almost like 3D! The silk really popped it out! I am hungry to learn new things and I have never used silk. I think I felt I wasn’t worthy as an embroiderer to use it. But I would sure give it a try!
The challenge of working with a different (sort of ) medium has pushed me to try harder when it comes to embroidery and I love Japanese embroidery.
Shelly R. UT
I love working with silk, it just gives such elegance to hand work. I’ve never used flat silk but would love to learn how to do it, as any day you learn a new technique is a good day.. The colours are glorious and life like
I have always been attracted to Japanese style embroidery, which uses this type of silk floss, due to the interplay of light on the embroidered piece.
Thank you!