Monday, March 15, 2010

Revisiting Crewel Embroidery: Supplies and Resources
After finishing up the Crewel Rooster project, I had a few loose ends I wanted to tie up regarding crewel work, but I just haven't gotten around to it! For one thing, I wanted to stitch up some small samples of the different threads I used, side-by-side, to give you a better idea of what these threads are like. Have I done it yet? No! But since I am still receiving e-mail about the rooster project and a few readers have clamored for a list of recommendations and resources, I thought I'd put together the following list.

The two most obvious needs when undertaking a crewel embroidery project are fabrics and threads, so that's really all I'm going to talk about here: fabric and thread.

Fabric

For fabric, I've probably over-mentioned the linen twill from Legacy linen that I am quite besotted with right now. It's not a fabric limited to just crewel work, either - I'm working my current goldwork project on a linen twill ground, and it's working magnificently. And when I set up one of the flower motifs from Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth next weekend (yes, I am! and nothin's gonna stop me!), I'll be using linen twill for that, too. So this is a versatile fabric, and worth the investment a half a yard or so to have on hand for all kinds of embroidery projects. It's not inexpensive stuff, though, at $84 / yard. But if you can afford to have a half yard or so on hand, you'll find it useful and beautiful fabric. You can find it at Hedgehog Handworks, as well as Tristan Brooks Designs.

You aren't limited to twill, though, for crewel embroidery. You can use a sturdy linen, too. Strathaven linen works well. It is a plain-weave linen, very sturdy, and pretty much an all-around useful linen for crewel work or historical needlework projects. It's a more economical choice, when compared to the linen twill above, at $46 / yard. You can also find it at Hedgehog Handworks as well as Tristan Brooks Designs.

Threads

For threads, here's my take on what I Really Like, what I Sort of Like, and what (ahem) I don't really like much.

I Really Like the following threads, in no particular order of Really-Like:

Renaissance Dyeing wool, crewel weight - I found this a pleasure to stitch with, soft, with good coverage, and oh-so-easy to work. No pilling or annoying knotting or anything that comes with rougher threads. It's dreamy. It's pretty. I like it! You can find it in the US at Hedgehog Handworks, and you can also order directly from Renaissance Dyeing (in France). They're really nice folks to deal with. And they take Paypal. The skeins are reasonably priced - the color choices are beautiful! (They're vegetable-dyed threads). You get a 25 meter skein for $2.05 from Hedgehog. It's slightly less from the company, but if you're ordering from the US, you'll pay the difference in overseas postage!

D'Aubusson - this is a finer sized crewel wool, great for detail. It is easy to stitch with, it retains the traditional look of crewel wool without being scratchy or pill-proned. It comes in a nice color range, it has a nice woolly sheen to it (most wool does have a sheen to it - and in some cases, a kind of sparkle, because the fibers catch the light as they fray about in their wool-like way. True, it isn't silk, but it isn't matte cotton, either!). The price is pretty reasonable at $3.50 for 32 meters. Right now, there are about 50 colors available in the States, but if the thread is well-liked, I would imagine that Access Commodities will eventually import more. You can find it at Hedgehog Handworks.

Heathway - this is a soft, beautiful wool. It feels smooth and silky, and it has a very nice sheen. It makes a gorgeous satin stitch. And it is not troublesome to stitch with at all! It comes in 20 color families, with 9 shades in each color family. It's certainly more expensive than the other wools above - $2.75 per hank of only 10 yards. But it is nice thread. There's just a wonderful feel to it. I would dearly love to see a whole color card with thread samples on it! You can find Heathway at Tristan Brooks Designs.

Bella Lusso wool - This is an Italian wool that's very fine, indeed. It's another one that's a complete pleasure to stitch with - it's like working with coton a broder or floche, it's so smooth. It makes another beautiful satin stitch! It comes in a range of colors - about 78 from what I can tell - and runs about $2.50 for a 45 yard skein. You can find it at Nordic Needle for that price (most other places, it runs around $2.80)

I also did some stitching on the rooster with Gumnuts Poppies, which isn't 100% wool, so I'm not going to cover that here, beyond saying that it is a beautiful wool / silk blend, and I'll talk more about it soon, when I take a close look at the range of Gumnuts threads.

The thread I Sort of Like - there's really only one that falls in this category - is Appleton wool. Yes, I like it. I wouldn't say I love it. And if someone laid a skein of Appleton in front of me, and a skein of any of the others in front of me, and told me to pick one to stitch with, I'd pick any of the ones above. Still, I like Appleton. There's something about it that's "real wool" feeling, that's a bit on the rough and rugged side, but that, despite the occasional pills in stitching, it always comes out looking pretty darned nice. (The body and wing of the rooster were done with Appleton.) I can't really complain about this thread! And it is super-economical compared to the others above. It's about $1.40 for a 27-yard skein. And it comes in over 400 colors. The trick to working easily with Appleton wool is to work with short lengths and the right sized needle. I'm sure I'll use Appleton again. You can find the range at Wooly Thread, where the folks are very nice and helpful.

I don't like Paternayan crewel wool. I only had one skein to play around with, and maybe it was the skein, but oh. I have a feeling it'll never be a go-to thread for me! Everyone's tastes are different, though - you might like it, so don't let me turn you off it!

Now, what I would love to see would be a color conversion chart among all the threads listed above! Wouldn't that be something? But what a job! And of course, you'd have to have the actual threads or real thread cards.... so I won't be doing that - though I think it would be quite a fun and challenging project!

And finally, here are a few very random links that have to do with crewel embroidery, off the beaten path. Some inspiration, some projects, some reading - if you want to browse about a bit:

A Jacobean crewel embroidery project

PDF of stitch instructions and a project from the EGA

Some reading on the Caron website - with pictures!

Examples of household decor employing crewel from Matters of Style

Crewel Embroidery on Sheer Silk Fabric - this is a decorator's fabric site, but it's kind of an interesting concept. And why couldn't you?

Crewel Stones - yes, rocks, covered with felting and then with crewel embroidery

Vintage Crewel - kits worked by the author's mom. A nice treasure from a nice mom!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, March 15, 2010
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Friday, February 19, 2010

Embroidered Boxes: There are Kits for These Things!
The more I delve into the embroidered boxes question, the more I find out about them. I'm obviously not the only person who likes the idea of hand-made boxes that are made from textiles (fabric, embroidery, etc.). Thanks to several readers who sent me links, I've discovered that there are actually kits available for making your own boxes. They are, for the most part, étui boxes, and some of them are really neat!

The first embroidered box kit here is actually a crazy quilted étui from Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions.

Kits for Embroidered Boxes


The kit is for a 6-sided étui. The sides open when the lid is removed, and pulls closed with a drawstring, before putting the lid back on. It comes with precisely cut chipboard and instructions, as well as a cross stitch pattern for the box (if you wanted to go in that direction). However, using your own fabric and embellishments in your stash, you can doll up the box with all kinds of crazy quilting, which is how the sample is shown on the website.

Kits for Embroidered Boxes


Another place to find kits for fabric boxes is Needleboxes, Etc. Here, you can buy kits with specific fabrics for different kinds of boxes, including étuis, or you can order a finished box custom made with your choice of fabric. Right now, I'm hankering to make my own box, but I was thinking the custom made boxes would make an excellent gift for a needleworker!

Even though the kits here are for fabric covered boxes, you can always substitute the cover fabric for an embroidered piece. The site features lots of specialty shapes and designs for boxes, too - from birdhouses to pyramid-shaped "baubles" to hold your needlework goods. They look fun!

Kits for Embroidered Boxes


Yesterday, I mentioned that Inspirations Magazine, Issue 65, features an embroidered box - it's actually a whole étui / needlework accessory set called Tiny Treasures. It's embroidered in cross stitch, in a Quaker style, and they offer the whole embroidered box kit on their website. A bit pricy! But if it's your heart's desire, and if making it ends up being your entertainment for the year, well... you might spring for it!

Note: (added Feb. 20) Upon hearing from readers in the UK, I thought a little warning about customs fees appropriate! For readers in the UK, you might want to look carefully into custom fees before ordering kits from CB. One reader was charged, above and beyond the kit and shipping, a £32 customs duty! Yikes!

So if you're looking to go more the kit route in making an embroidered box, these resources might be helpful for you!

Yesterday, I also mentioned that I started another project. It's still in the planning stage, but later today and tomorrow, I plan to move it into the preparation stage, so I'll be showing you that soon. Yes, as a matter of fact, I'm planning for it to include a box. But first, the embroidery must be executed! The design? Well, I'm going with goldwork. Heh heh. It's about time!

Also, this weekend, I'll be setting up the glove project I mentioned in my whining post last week, when I didn't know what project to do next! (Finishing the rooster put everything else in a whole new light!)

On top of all that, I did set up a simple project earlier this week - another spring towel to use as a basket liner. It's a flop, though. I printed the design Way Too Large, because I thought I'd like a really Large design in a corner of the towel. But it's just too big - I'll start over on that eventually, but not before I get the aforementioned projects prepared to stitch on.

So that's what I'm up to. I hope you have a terrific weekend with your needle and thread. And keep your fingers crossed for me, that I actually manage to accomplish the things I have planned for the weekend! (Hey, if I get halfway there, I think I'll be pretty happy!)

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, February 19, 2010
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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Needlework Inspiration, Information, and Procrastination
More evidence that I've been procrastinating lately - I've collected some needlework, textile, embroidery and whatnot links that I thought I'd share with you. If you're in the mood to procrastinate, come along!

Over on Moonsilk Stitches, you'll find some interesting info developing on hem stitching. Be sure to check out her finishing work on a piece of Hardanger - really pretty finished product! You also must check out her first finish of 2010 - it's a little crewel work pillow, and very pretty! On that post, you'll also see her brilliant crewel chatelain.

A reader sent me a great link lately for a website called The Calligraphy Pen. Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with embroidery, but if you take a look at the creative process of designing borders for calligraphy, I think you'll find some concepts that cross over really nicely to needlework applications. Besides the details in the simple ink and gold border, take a look at the post on simple scatter borders, and then think "stumpwork." You might also like the post on full spiral borders - combined with embroidered lettering, this would be a great way to immortalize your favorite saying with needle and thread. This is a nice resource for design - thanks, Karen, for the link!

Over on The Textile Blog, there's a terrific article about May Morris, daughter of William Morris, along with a nice picture of one of her embroidered tapestries. Beautiful stuff! While you're there, you might want to check out the post on Finnish Embroidery, especially if you like to study regional or ethnic embroidery techniques.

If you're into canvas work (needlepoint), over on Possibilities, Etc! don't miss her latest information on gingham and plaid needlepoint designing. A couple years ago, a friend asked me to stitch a family crest (ahahahahah - ok, never mind - I won't laugh at him) in goldwork and surface embroidery, with the clan tartan as a background. As soon as the "plaid" idea crept in, I stopped considering it. I didn't want to figure out how to figure out a plaid! Well, if you follow along on Possibilities, Etc!, I think you'll have better luck than I did conquering plaids! You'll find her "Project in Plaid" Egg delightful - it's over on her website Freebies.

Here's a neat idea for artisans in any field out there - whether you're an artisan yourself and seeking a place to advertise your art, or you're looking for an artisan to create something for you. Laura Bullinger has established an arts and crafts site for those who are seeking or doing artistic things! The site is called LUXXEE, and on it, you'll find all kinds of arts and crafts categories. I think it's a neat idea, and it would be exciting to see the concept take off.

Have you seen Margaret Land's new website yet? She's an embroiderer and designer, and she's set up her own website to market her custom embroidery. She makes some beautiful embroidered pillows, but the really interesting thing is that she is willing to design and compile custom embroidery kits. I think that's a neat idea, too!

This one's from quite a while ago, but I just HAVE to point you to it - Jo in NZ stitched this really pretty embroidered postcard, and I love it! I love the sea and the flowers. Really nice! Go look at it. I think you'll like it, too.

Over on Agulhas da Meri, you can find Meri's finish on the Trish Burr Poppy kit she won from one of my give-aways last year. I think she did a beautiful job!

If one of your New Year's Resolutions was to learn how to embroider better, or if you've been hankering to take a class in embroidery, but can't find one locally, have you considered the option of online classes? It sounds a bit strange - online classes for something that is such a tactile pursuit - but there are some on offer around the traps. For those who want to learn how to loosen up and get creative with their embroidery, and especially if you like textured embroidery, you might consider Sharon Boggan's class Sumptuous Surfaces. Sharon's classes are very reasonably priced, at $60 for six weeks. They come with extensive supporting material, and students have access to a forum where they can troubleshoot, post pictures, and get feedback the whole time the classes are running. It's an excellent value! And a great way to "meet" online stitchers, too. If you've seen Sharon's work over on Pin Tangle, you know that the classes she offers are quality instructional classes!

For those who are interested in historical embroidery, goldwork, silk, and so forth, you might consider an online course through Thistle Threads with Tricia Wilson-Nguyen. She's one of the people behind the Plimoth Plantation Jacket, and she has recently launched some online embroidery courses in what I would consider more advanced forms of embroidery for very serious embroiderers. I say serious, because the classes are definitely an investment! Right now, registration for the first class has been closed, but the second class offered - a goldwork master class - is still open for registration, as is the third class presently offered. The classes extend anywhere from 6 months to 18 months in length. I haven't experienced them myself, but considering the quality of the various projects coming from Thistle Threads, I would imagine that they will be very well done! Again, they're an investment - they aren't inexpensive, but they're set up so that the student can pay monthly. The goldwork master class, paid monthly over 18 months, comes out to $645. All the supplies are included, plus an animated stitches CD (computer animation). The goldwork class looks interesting - but the overall price tag is a bit beyond me, plus 18 months is a long stretch for a class. A lot can happen in a year and a half! But if it's something you are interested in, and you don't have access to these kinds of classes in person, this just may be the way to go if you can afford it!

And speaking of affording things, don't forget that Hedgehog Handworks is having their January sale! Everything in their store is 15% off during January. At Hedgehog, you'll find the best embroidery hoops, you'll find slate frames, real metal threads for goldwork, beautiful needlework linen, the whole range of cotton floche (this was my big purchase this year - I bought the range!), wool threads, books - everything a needleworker could want. It's a good time to take advantage of a discount on needlework items that are not normally found at a discount.

Along those same lines, you might be interested in Tanja Berlin's extensive collection of embroidery kits, which are on sale for 10% off this month. She has beautiful needlepainting kits, goldwork kits, blackwork kits, Jacobean embroidery kits, shadow work kits, etc. etc. etc. Now's a good time to order from Tanja!

And that, my friends, is enough browsing and procrastinating for one day, don't you think? I'm sure there are things out there I meant to share, that I've let fall through the cracks! But for now, that'll have to do!

Enjoy browsing!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, January 17, 2010
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Friday, January 08, 2010

Great Resource for Needlework Fabric and Supplies - and a Great Sale!
 
Since I'm exploring a bit of crewel embroidery these days, I thought I'd share some resources with you for different things relevant to crewel embroidery. You'll find that most of these resources are relevant to other types of hand embroidery as well, though, so even if you aren't into crewel, you'll probably find something here that entices you!

Transferring Your Embroidery Design

For transferring crewel designs, a reader suggested using a sepia colored micron pen, as it will be less likely to show (with anything except white). I totally agree! But sepia colored art pens are not always available at craft and art stores, so they're harder to come by. I just ordered a couple from Blick Art Materials. They have both the Sakura Micron Pens and the Prismacolor Illustration Markers. I like both. A product search for "micron" pens will bring these up.


www.DickBlick.com - Online Art Supplies


A light table is also a great instrument for transferring designs. If you like to embroider your own designs instead of pre-printed designs, investing in one of these is a good idea. You can use it for all kinds of applications - not just for tracing onto fabric. I use mine for lots of things - card-making, embossing, designing layouts for needlework, etc. You can find these at Blick's as well, in all sorts of types and price ranges.

Fabric for Crewel Embroidery - Hedgehog Handworks Sale!

Hedgehog Handworks January Sale!


Traditionally, linen twill is favored for crewel work. Besides linen twill, you can also use a plain weave linen. Hedgehog Handworks carries Legacy linen twill for $84 / yard - and right now (through January) they're having a 15% off sale (on everything!), but the twill is 30% off - so it's $58.80 yard. That's an absolute steal. If you want to use plain-weave linen, they also carry Strathaven linen, which works well for crewel when backed by muslin. Both linens can be used for other needlework applications as well. I was thinking the twill would make a nice ground fabric for goldwork and needlepainting, so I'm planning on trying that out later. Hedgehog Handworks is also a great place to pick up Renaissance Dying wool, cotton floche, Gilt Sylke Twist, Soie d'Alger (best price online, while it's on sale!), and Hardwicke Manor hoops.... not to mention goldwork threads... and the list could go on. Do check out their January sale - it's a great time to stock up!

So whether you're exploring crewel embroidery with me right now, or you're playing with other surface embroidery endeavors, the above resources will help you find the tools and supplies you need for your needlework.

Try not to go hog-wild at Hedgehog! (Well.... I suppose you can if you want to!)




(I did.)

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, January 08, 2010
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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Some Embroidery Related Links and AWOL
 
I've been absent without leave the last few days. My apologies - I've been really sick with whatever is going around! I plan to put more tutorials together for later in the week once I get to feeling better, but for today, I'd like to share with you a few embroidery-related links I've come across lately that I hope you find interesting.

First up - I'm a sucker for free hand embroidery patterns. Given the current and upcoming seasons (fall and winter), I thought these free patterns were worth taking a look at:

-- Jacobian leaves: I've mentioned these before. Now that it's autumn, methinks these leaf patterns are even more significant. While you're checking out Kelly's Jacobean leaves, take a few minutes to check out two new patterns she's put up lately - Bloomin' Marvellous 1 and Bloomin' Marvellous 2. They're a perfect way to practice a variety of stitches on small motifs. Bloomin' Marvellous 2 is my favorite - it looks like lots of fun!

-- Cute pumpkin tea towel design - from Bird Brain Designs.

-- Christmas ornaments: Twelve Days of Christmas - these designs from Tricia-Rennea would make darling hand embroidered ornmaments, and could also be used to decorate all kinds of Christmas items - tree skirt, table runner, bread basket liner, etc.

-- Heart Christmas Tree Ornament - from Matryoshka Biscornue, a counted cross stitch ornament that's very pretty.

I wonder if you've had a chance to check out these old Sajou patterns from Pattern Maker Charts that are free for the downloading. They are mostly Very Nice cross stitch alphabets, along with some pretty border designs and so forth. I like keeping up with this blog!

Moving out of the realm of free patterns, here's some good needlework news:

You know I'm a Trish Burr fan. I don't know if you know I'm a bird fan. I am, I am! Trish Burr's kingfisher stole my bird-loving heart..... and then she made another bird kit, and ... it ... is ... gorgeous. If you haven't seen her Lilac Breasted Roller that she has added to her embroidery kits page, do check it out. If you like beautiful birds and you're a lover of needlepainting (long and short stitch shading), then you'll probably be taken by this beautiful creature.

And finally, Yvette Stanton of White Threads (and Vetty Creations) has finished her Left-Handed stitch dictionary - The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion - and has sent it off to press! Yvette's stitch samples - worked on beautiful colors of felt - look absolutely lucious. There's inspiration to be had in this book, I tell you! And I can't wait to get my hands on it! It's not due out until January, but it's available for pre-order now.

I think that about does it from this end. I'm going back to "recovery" mode. In the meantime, I've fallen behind a bit on website e-mail, so if you haven't heard from me, this is why. If you have an urgent-urgent question, feel free to e-mail me again, and your question will move to the top of the list.

To LISA (in San Francisco?) I did try to reply to your e-mail, but it bounced back (AOL addresses always bounce back on me). If you want to try again with an alternate e-mail address, please do!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, October 22, 2009
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Saturday, April 04, 2009

Hectic Stitch-Free Saturday... and some Needlework Links
 
I had a looong list of embroidery-related plans for today, most of which were in preparation for Easter break, which begins next Wednesday at noon! But some things just aren't meant to be...

Besides straightening up my studio, where I do the set-up work for all embroidery projects and where I store (sometimes rather haphazardly) all my supplies, I was supposed to get the following done today:

1. Catalog all my needlework books!
2. Set up two future embroidery projects!
3. Frame up four blank pieces of fabric for filming some videos!
4. Work up three technique tutorials: overcast stitch, trailing, and twisted bars for drawn thread work.

As far as cataloging the books are concerned, though it sounds like a mammoth project, I don't think it would have taken too long. I have a new book cataloging program and a scanner to help things along! I've got about 20 books in the database so far - all the needlework books inside the house right now. The rest would require toting in to the computer, then back out again to the studio. Hm. Doesn't sound so enticing, come to think of it! A laptop would come in really handy right now - unfortunately, mine has a dead backlight. I considered hooking it up to my digital projector and projecting on the wall, while I cataloged the books. But... that might be going a bit too far. (Though, come to think of it - it might be worth it!)

The funny thing about the two future embroidery projects... they're the two Inspirations kits I wrote about the other day. I've been an Inspirations subscriber for a long time. I know I had #50 (for the Summer Harvest stumpwork project). As luck would have it, it's the only one I can't find! Another good reason for cataloging books! I have leant many a book and many a magazine over the years, and lost several, so now I will keeping strict track of them!

I have four stretcher bar frames specifically to use for filming stitches in the next couple weeks. I wanted to set them up with four different types of fabric - white plain-weave linen, a good cotton muslin, a beige even-weave, and a white even-weave. I'm out of thumb tacks... they were on my shopping list for my quick trip into town early this morning - but more on that in a moment!

Finally, later this afternoon, my plan was to work on some photo tutorials, one of which was actually supposed to be this blog post.

Unfortunately (not for me, but for my Mom!), all plans went a bit askew this morning when my Mom and I were at our first shopping stop on our quick trip into town. Walking out of the store, poor Mom (she's 75) stepped on an uneven curb and fell. I took her to the emergency room with a broken foot, which will need to be further addressed on Monday morning by an orthopedic surgeon.

And so... you can see how my weekend will go! I hope to have something more interesting for you tomorrow, depending on how tonight goes! In the meantime, if you want to browse online through some interesting links, here's a list:

The Stitchin' Fingers Gallery - prepare to be inspired!

Allison Aller's blog - she's got some really bright, springy projects going, involving lace, embroidery, and crazy quilting - really flowery, cheery stuff!

Spring flowers and birds patterns - over at Stitchado, Claudia posted a nice page of flowery patterns.

Pinbroidery - a new stitching cards website, in the "spirograph" style. A few interesting flower designs on there for your spring cards, plus a couple free patterns.

The Embroiderers' Story - check out the lace for the Plimoth jacket - it's gorgeous - bobbin lace with metal threads and spangles!

Threads Across the Web - Carol-Anne has been embroidering some gorgeous cherry blossoms!

Completely unrelated to Embroidery! Silk-Dyed Easter Eggs - yes, I want to do this. It just looks cool.

Beadlust - Robin Atkins has a really pretty piece full of French knots and colonial knots.

Needle in a Haystack - they have some interesting weekly specials, including 40% off Gamnut threads!

Easter Egg Design - would be really cute embroidered - simple and sweet.

Wool Felted and Embroidered Easter Eggs - this look fun, and they're pretty! And heck, they'll last til next year, too!

From Old Books - lots of scanned images from out-of-copyright books... some neat illustrations that could serve as needlework inspiration.

Whew. That'll have to do! Until next time, enjoy your needle 'n thread!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, April 04, 2009
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Saturday, March 07, 2009

Browsing Through Needlework Websites
 
It's been a while since I've done a lot of needlework website hopping! I try to keep up with all the neat things I see going on in the needlework world so that I can pass on a few links to you... so, here are the things I've noticed lately that you might enjoy checking out, too.

For those of you interested in drawn and pulled thread embroidery, you might enjoy looking at Broderibloggen, a website in Swedish that has some really nice embroidery on it! I like this post especially titled Hopdragssommar, which has a pretty little pulled thread sampler featured on it. There are quite a few other really nice projects on the site - scroll through! You're sure to find some inspiration there!

Yvette Stanton (of White Threads) posted a nice thanks to her textiles teacher from high school - something that every teacher does love to hear now and then!! Check out the photo of the Hardanger piece! It's really gorgeous!

On Craftstylish this week, there's a Dorset Button tutorial. I like Dorset Buttons. I made a couple to match a whitework pouch a while back, and the one I chose worked out really well. I reviewed my favorite tutorial for Dorset Buttons a while ago, which is where I originally learned how to make them. Dorset Buttons make great additions to sweaters and totes, by the way!

Sharon on Pintangle has been documenting the development of her band sampler, line by line. If you haven't seen any of these posts, do check them out! They're great for stitch variation inspiration! It's fun to see each line on the sampler upclose!

Speaking of Sharon, I mentioned earlier that one of my other online haunts is Stitchin' Fingers. There's been some pretty interesting conversations going on in the pulled thread group, and also in the goldwork group. I haven't had a lot of time to spend interacting in the past couple weeks, but I hope to catch up there soon! If nothing else, though, have a look at the photo gallery on Stitchin' Fingers! It's a collection of amazing needlework from talented stitchers around the world, and really fun just to browse through!

JoWynn of Parkview 616 posted some magnificent photos of goldwork bonnets used in traditional Austrian costumes. Very nice! I don't know if I'd ever be able to make, by hand, something like that, and to have it be fully functional! They're gorgeous! (And, oh - the kids are really cute!!)

Megan posted some neat Elizabethan embroidery links on her blog recently. I love the butterfly wing that stands up from the fabric! Nice!

Di van Niekerk has been adding a lot of stuff to her website lately - don't miss her little downloadable lessons on embroidery and silk ribbon embroidery. I think I may have mentioned these already, but they're worth mentioning again. I like the idea of these small, manageable projects that help stitchers learn techniques! And the projects are attractive and colorful, and very reasonably priced.

The Victoria & Albert museum have these nice designs for embroidery, available to print.

I was completely twitterpated (yes, that's a Thumper-ism) when I visited Robin's site, Beadlust, and saw these darling beaded rabbits. I can't help it. I think they are so adorable. I like bunnies, by the way. I'm not really a "cuddly pet person," but for some reason, I've always had a penchant for bunnies.

My visit to Robin's site corresponded with my seeking tiny beads to use in my miniature embroidery project. Susan Elliot (of Plays with Needles) very kindly responded to my comment about miniature beads, and directed me to Beadcats, where I was able to find vintage beads all the way down to (or up to, depending on how you look at it!) size 24/0. I ordered some little beads, TINY beads - and I'll share those with you a little later. Nice colors, and ... did I mention TINY?

Check out this little cross-stitch jousting knight on Maria del Valle's website! He makes me chuckle! Such a valiant little fellow!

In response to my miniature embroidery project, I got several recommendations for places to purchase silk gauze in high counts (up to 100! oh yes! I am!!). One of the shops recommended was Micro-Stitchery. I haven't ordered from them personally, but I couldn't help mentioning that I'm enamored by (with?) some of their projects - little tapestries and so forth for miniature embroidery. Check out their "kits" link and just take a look at some of those tiny things! I kind of want to do one of those wee medieval tapestries on 100 ct gauze. I don't know why. I don't know when. But some day...

Speaking of Medieval, have you seen this website called Reconstructing History? They have an embroidery section with patterns available for purchase. Though the patterns aren't free, they are certainly interesting and worth looking at! If you're into historical costuming, this is a neat resource! (No, I'm not making a coif. Could you see me in a coif? Me neither!) Thanks, Margaret, for sending the link!

I have been watching Allie's Cottage CQ develop since she started it, and I've really enjoyed the process of development - the piece has blossomed into something really amazing. Allie recently posted a photo with the center complete - so do take a look at it! I love the trees and the grasses and the look of the sky glinting in. She says she still has work to do on the water section --- ooooooooh. Fun! Can't wait to see it!

Ok, completely unrelated to embroidery, but one of the "cross over" areas of inspiration, I have to admit that I spent some time looking and looking and looking at these mosaics of the Galla Placidia Mausoleum. Embroidery inspiration can come from a lot of places, you know!

I've also spent far too much time trolling around Alison Cole's website. Have you looked at her goldwork kits? Have you ever worked one? I'm dying too! I especially like Alison's mini-goldwork kits (scroll down). If you click on those - the strawberry, frog, gecko, etc., you can see a larger version that will enchant you. The gecko - I want to work the gecko! I love the gecko. And I'm quite partial to the frog. I think part of the reason I find them so enticing is that I would have never thought of working a gecko or a frog in Or Nué! They are whimsical and darling. I've got them on my "list." I have a most expansive list.

Speaking of Most Expansive Lists, I think I am done for the day! I've run out of typing time, and you've probably run out of reading time!

Enjoy the links - I hope there's something in here somewhere that appeals to you, too!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, March 07, 2009
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Sunday, February 01, 2009

Needlelace Tutorial - Excellent Step-by-Step Instructions!
 
I came across a fabulous step-by-step tutorial for making needle lace when I was looking for (of all things) images of the plaited braid stitch. I was about 10 pages into google's images under "plaited braid stitch" - long past the point where plaited braid stitches were showing up! - when my attention was arrested by the image of a most intriguing piece of needle lace.

Needle lace - or "needlepoint lace" (as it is called on the website I was viewing) is lace that is really made by a series of embroidery stitches worked between couched thread outlines of shapes. There are a variety of different styles of needle lace, and a variety of ways of going about setting up the foundation to work the stitches that make the lace.

But one thing most needle laces have in common is the use - in some variety or another - of the buttonhole stitch.

For example, take this tiny sample of needle lace I worked up about a year ago, when I was fiddling with Italian cutwork. The fill stitches in the triangle parts of the center are all buttonhole stitch, as are all the stitches covering the lines and the outline. It's not the most well-executed piece of needle lace in the world, but I recall thinking it was really fun to do at the time!

Anyway, to get to the link!

So there I was, looking for images of plaited braid stitch, when I came across a picture, which led me to this website:

Needlepoint Lace Tutorial on Textile Dreams website


The fact that the photo I came across (featured there on the website image above) was needle lace was the first thing that arrested my attention. When I clicked on the photo and enlarged it, without knowing at all where it came from, I was furthered intrigued by it because it looked like....

What?

What does it look like to you?

Well, childhood memories came into play here. It looked to me like a pile of "helicopters." Did you call them "helicopters"? Those seed pod things with the wings, that circled around and around as they fell? We called them helicopters, and I said to myself when I saw the needlelace, "Oh. Helicopters."

Guess what? I went to the source of the photo, a website called Textile Dreams - Fibery Wake-up, and found an excellent tutorial on making needle lace, from beginning to end - making the pattern, setting up, laying the foundations threads (with hints and tips along the way), filling the sections with different lace stitches, finishing the edges, and removing the piece from the pattern. An excellent, thorough tutorial! And I was really excited! Someone went to a lot of trouble to put that together, and it's really well done!

The other thing that excited me - silly as it may sound - is that I was right!

Needlepoint Lace Tutorial on Textile Dreams website


They were helicopters!

If you you'd like to see a great tutorial on making needlepoint lace, do stop in and check out the nine steps posted on Textile Dreams! I think you'll enjoy the thorough tutorial! I know I did.

Don't forget, by the way, to sign up for my January stash give-away if you're interested in a chance to receive a really nice book and collection of new threads. To enter the drawing, read the original post, follow the directions, and leave a comment on the original post before Wednesday morning, February 4th.

Have a great Sunday!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, February 01, 2009
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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Needlework Around the Traps
 
Now that the holiday rush has come to a grinding halt and life is back to normal, I've had a chance to squiz around other needlework websites and do some reading and some viewing. It's great fun to see what everyone's up to! I looked, I lingered... and I made a list of the things I saw that I liked! Ready to browse?

There are different types of needlework and embroidery websites and blogs online that will cause me to pause, look, and read. Some, I pause to read because I enjoy the writer's work and find the writing itself informative, fun, or refreshing. Others strike me because the pictures grabe me right away - there's something unique or beautiful to look at. I'll linger over others because they're introducing me to a good idea or inspiring me with something new. And sometimes, I even stop to look because I find something that's just ... well, too far out. Whatever the case, there's endless variety in browsing needlework websites. A good browse is like one of those vacation road trips, where I enjoy the regular route and the side trips, and I don't even mind getting lost!

Katy of Kathryn Estelle made a darling monogrammed pillow recently. It's embroidered in red on a white background, and has a little hanging ribbon attached. This isn't really "shameless schilling" here - it's true that she used one of the monograms from my monograms pattern page - but I just thought the red monogram on the white was so perfect! I love the idea of the hanging pillow, too - a perfect accent that would make a nice little gift for someone special.

I know I already mentioned Yvette Stanton's Elizabethan Embroidery project, but I have to mention it again, because I keep going back to it. I think ... I think.... I think I want to do something similar! Now that the holidays are over, I'm in a quandary over what project to start next. I'm not quite sure this type of broject will be the thing... but I keep going back to look at it and drool a bit...

Carol-Anne of Threads Across the Web has been working on some gorgeous beading. She's working on a red background, with blue and goldish beads... I'm a sucker for red. And of course, her work is always gorgeous. I love the flowers, too - especially the fact that the petals are pointed. Nice!!

Sharon Boggan on her blog Pintangle has been documenting her band sampler and all the various stitches used in it. You'll enjoy browsing each section of the band sampler so far, but the one that really caught my eye was Band 10, on lacing running stitches. I love the effect of this, and I think it would make a great fill pattern. While you're visiting Pintangle, notice in the right hand column that Sharon teaches online classes. Her Personal Library of Stitches class begins March 4th. If you're interested in really learning a variety of stitches and developing overall stitch know-how, this would be a terrific class! It's offered through Joggles, for only $60, which is more than reasonable for a class like this. If you're a crazy quilter, or just getting into crazy quilting, she's also offering an Encrusted Crazy Quilting class beginning at the end of February. Either class would be terrific - I've heard heaps of happy comments on them! So if your New Year's Resolutions included expanding your horizons a bit in the stitch world, you should check these classes out!

Gosh, I meant to point this one out ages ago! I may have mentioned them? But, if I didn't, here they are - Romilly embroidered the camels I love. I keep going back to these, too. They're on my list for this year. How soon? I don't know - but I keep going back to Romilly's blog, Stitching with a Shimmy, and contemplating them!

Have you seen Allie's Cottage Crazy Quilt? This link is a little outdated - she's made more progress on it since then - but it's one of my favorite run-downs on the progress on this project! I love it! When she first started the cottage, I had no idea how such a piece would come together, but as she progresses with the embellishment, I find myself completely enchanted with the whole piece! Check out the waves and bubbles while you're there, too.

For those of you who like counted thread techniques, cross stitch, and blackwork, you should check out Maria del Valle's New Year's Greetings post, where she includes a beautiful counted thread pattern for free. It's a filigree heart, which would make a wonderful Valentine project. The chart is available in a PDF download below the colored graphic design of the piece. I was thinking about making a tiny version on 40 count linen, in pinks and reds.... I haven't done any counted work in a long time, but I do love the filigree on this pattern! It would be fun for a little something different, don't you think?

Megan on Elmsley Rose recently published a comprehensive post on Elizabethan embroidery stitches, listing several sources for information on Elizabethan embroidery. Included in the post, she has charted the different stitches she's been experimenting with on her historical sampler. If you like Elizabethan embroidery, or historical embroidery techniques in general, you'll find the resources Megan lists very interesting and informative!

And speaking of Elizabethan embroidery, Jeanne on Just String has made beautiful progress on an Elizabethan motif that includes plaited braid stitch. This is one stitch I'm determined to master this year, and in fact, early this year. I especially like the look of Jeanne's stitch, which is slightly different from other varieties I've seen. Notice the center of the vine, and how it has a kind of openwork pattern to it. I really like that!

Speaking of Valentine's Day (I seem to be jumping around!), there's a pretty little heart and bird embroidery pattern available for free on Andrea Zuill's blog, Badbird's.

Before she left to go camping (hard to believe, when I'm sitting here in Kansas shivering my teeth out), Jo in NZ posted some really nice samples of her crazy quilt post cards for this year. Having only briefly ventured into crazy quilting recently, I am prone to stop and ponder all seam treatments lately. These seam treatments on Jo's crazy quilt postcards are so precise and pretty! My favorite's the second one down....

Deepa on This and That recently posted a picture of a beautifully embellished Indian outfit (skirt and top). It's stunning - I love the fabric, the colors, and the embroidery. Do look at it! While you're there, check out Deepa's various stitch tutorials - she's got some excellent Indian embroidery stitch tutorials on her website, including this one on the Chinese knot used in Indian embroidery.

Pat Winter, on Pat Winter Gatherings, recently made beaded Kumihimo cords (bracelets) that are fascinating. I'm a big fan of kumihimo, but I don't take the marudai out often enough to become proficient at making cords. I use it here and there for smaller projects that need a touch of cord on them, but I've yet to make cord for cord's sake... The beaded cords here are pretty neat!

For those of you who like canvas work, check out Barbara Bergsten's Create Needlepoint! website, where you'll find a nice glossary of needlepoint stitches with clear diagrams and photos of the finished stitches. I recently discovered this blog and added to my RSS feed right away! I thought her latest post on Nobuko stitch was really interesting, as I hadn't seen this stitch before.

Di Van Niekerk has a new book out called Flower Fairies. For those of you who enjoy silk ribbon or dimensional embroidery and sweet little fairies and flowers, you're certain to enjoy this book! It looks like a lot of fun. Along with the book, you can order thread and ribbon packs for the various projects in the book. Don't be put off by the prices - they're listed by South African rands, so the exchange rate is about 10 to the US dollar. Incidentally, Di van Niekerk also offers downloadable ribbon embroidery lessons on her website. The first lesson that's available features little chickens in a barnyard. If you've ever seen any of her books, you know that the author is very thorough in instructional techniques - the lessons are bound to be a terrific way to learn silk ribbon embroidery.

And, finally, I couldn't help it. I paused on this one! The Wooly Thread blog is the blog connected with Wooly Thread, which is a great resource for Country Bumpkin's A-Z books, all kinds of wool for needlework and sewing, and satin ribbon binding for blankets, among lots of other things. The blog is used to update readers on specials and current events at Wooly Thread. Well, I just couldn't help chuckling over the heading "Needle and Nibble," announcing a needlework gathering that centers around... well, chocolate. If you live in the area (Seattle, Washington, and Surrounds) and you like needlework and chocolate, you just might want to look up this event! It sounds kind of fun! (I mean, really. What's not to like?)

Well, that's not exactly an exhaustive list, but those were my website wanderings this week. It was an exercise in procrastination. I don't really need a lot of practice in the fine art of procrastination, but now and then, I do like to make sure I'm still in shape! Now, I must get back to work. I hope you enjoy wandering as much as I did!



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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, January 15, 2009
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Great Tutorial for Smockers!
 
Just a quick note to let you know about this terrific tutorial for honeycomb smocking on Tumbling Blocks. It's an excellent picture tutorial for a really neat smocking technique. It makes it look really easy and fun! I hope you enjoy it!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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Monday, September 08, 2008

Needlework Inspiration - or Inspirational Gluttony?
 
Now and then, I like to see what the rest of the world is doing, needlework-wise. I don't always have time for leisurely browsing, though! I did yesterday, and I was delighted with everything I came across (very dangerous, I know). It was kind of a binge of sorts - meandering through different internet haunts to see what creative things are going on in the world - and taking my time doing it! So, in case you haven't discovered some of these online treats yet, I thought I'd share some goings-on that particularly caught my fancy.

These are in completely random disorder. About halfway through my glut on needlework sites, I started keeping a brief list of sorts, to see where things took me!

I always like to pop in at Jeanne's blog, Just String, and this week - oh boy oh boy - she's got some photos up of some gorgeous embroidery, including whitework, drawn thread, shading techniques, and even ecclesiastical embroidery. I was thrilled to see her post on Marion Scoular's Royal School of Needlework experience. If you haven't seen these photos yet, do stop in and look at them. You'll be impressed.

Last week, Maria del Valle posted a link to a website called Randa - Handmade Lace. Now, I like lace. I do - I admit it - and I love netting. Filet lace, filet guiperre - oh, they make me shiver. I'm not a "lacer" myself by a long shot, but I'd like to be. I particular like this white point lace (hand-made netting) with the filet flowers. I can't wait to see what it turns into. The flowers, if you look close, are worked in two different techniques of filet (which is more like weaving than embroidery). The middle is the simple over-under-over-under type of filling that doesn't cross back into itself, as "real" filet filling does. The two on the sides are the "original" filet filling technique. I need to show this to my mom! She's bent on taking up filet lace (the real stuff - not crocheted), but I keep trying to explain specifically these two different techniques to her. I prefer the flowers on the sides. She thinks all filet lace is worked as the flower in the middle!

While you're visiting Maria's blog, if you haven't seen it yet, you absolutely must take a look at this masterpiece - her Angel in blackwork. I never visit her website that I don't go look at that. I think it's an amazing piece of work, and ever-so-enchanting.

Allison Aller is possibly the busiest needleworking gardener (gardening needleworker?) I've ever seen. If you aren't familiar with her blog, Allie's in Stitches, you should be - it's a source of inspiration for the needleworker in every regard. Her focus is generally crazy quilting, but even if you aren't a crazy quilter, you will appreciate her use of color, stitch variety, tutorials, and all else. And then... there's her garden. I don't know about the rest of you, but to this Kansas corn-dweller, that garden looks like something akin to Paradise. If you haven't seen Allie's Spring CQ, you need to take a look at it - it's vibrant and colorful and really detailed. Squiz through her posts on that piece to see up close the various details. Um... I wasn't quite sure about the whole burner bag thing, but... ok. I'm kinda glad to see you spring back to the flowers, there, Allie!

Elmsley Rose has been plugging away at a sampler using historical embroidery techniques and elements. The whole sampler has a 16th / 17th century look to it, and she's using all kinds of exciting threads and such to work the piece. It will be fun to watch this develop! I loved the recent snail photo she posted, and the link to the tutorial, which comes from the Floss Box, via Paula Hewitt's website, The Beauty of Life. Paula has an excellent list of stumpwork tutorial links on her site - if you haven't seen all these resources, you should check them out! They're a grand source of inspiration and a great place to get started if you've ever wanted to give stumpwork or dimensional embroidery a try.

While you're at the Floss Box, if you have an inclination towards counted thread techniques and like biscornu, do check out Emily's biscornu pattern page - there are some neat ones on there, in PDF, for download.

I love following the goings-on at Plimoth Plantation! The jacket is really coming along, and if you haven't seen the post about Playing with Sparkle, you should! The combination of lace, gold, and color is mesmerizing. And it doesn't help when they post links about handy-dandy organizers and such. Via the Embroiderers' Story at Plimoth Plantation, I ended up looking at this Travis Case at Creative Imaginations - a really perfect-looking storage box for needlework supplies. While I was squizzing around looking at sources for this box, I came across a dressed-up version of the Travis case. This one is perhaps a bit too dressed up for my tastes, but it's nice to know the box can be embellished.

Though I'm a bit perturbed with Wooly Thread right now because I still haven't received my goldwork book (I know it isn't their fault! They actually have very good service and are an excellent shop!), I must mention that I was excited to see that they have some back issues of Inspirations on sale right now, particularly Inspirations # 33. This is a "rare" issue, selling through CB at $60 / copy. Wooly Thread's selling it for $8 + $2 shipping. This is the issue that has Jenny McWhinney's gorgeous camels in it. I want this issue. But I can't have it right now. It's really weird to think that I can't even spend $10 on embroidery goods right now. (Daunting medical bills... I mean, I gave them my gall bladder - you'd think they'd pay ME!) But you know, denial is actually a good thing sometimes! It builds character, I think. We can't always have what we want, and that is a-ok. But I hope someone else can buy it and enjoy it! And if you ever make the camels, I want photos!

Sharon Boggan at the In A Minute Ago blog has posted another list of links to other great textile-related blogs. These lists of blogs get me in trouble. I could spend lots of time meandering through them all! She's already done A through J, so if you're looking to spend some really long hours online, check out her blog lists. Better yet, though, check out her Diamond Block crazy quilt and her tips for finishing projects. Even better yet, though, I clicked under one of the diamond blocks and ended up at Sharon's picasa photo page, where... well... yes. I got a bit lost looking at detail after detail after detail of some really pretty stitching. This particular embellished block is really pretty - I've seen it often, but if you haven't seen it, you should! And finally, best yet, Sharon offers online classes. I've never taken one, but I've heard from people who have, and they say they learn so much, and they really love them. One of the classes she offers is called Sumptuous Surfaces, which is a perfect name. When I think of Sharon's embroidery, that is precisely what I think of. If you want to see what they do, Sharon provided a link to her students' needlework projects on Flickr.

Alicia in Hawaii is doing crewel work! Yippee!! She's got a stash of medici wools she's putting to good use, and I can't wait to see how her Tree of Life design develops. If you haven't seen her various wristlet projects, you might want to check those out - they're neat step-by-steps on creating this little wrist bag that is just so cute. I love the one made with the pinks and greens in the middle picture. *Sigh* I have got to learn to sew better.

Mary Grace McNamara at Hooked on Needles has been posting lots of video tutorials on knitting. I don't knit. I might try some day, though, and when I do, I know where to go for tutorials. The one that caught my eye this past week was on adding seed stitch to your knitting. I'm probably knot saying that right. (Yes, that was on purpose...) Anyway, I'm a huge fan of seed stitch in embroidery, and I think I rather like the look of it in knitting, too. Some day, I might learn to knit. Maybe I'll put that on the list, after learning to sew better. Anyway, MGM has a whole list of video tutorials developing - I like the ones on knitting and crocheting especially. Some day, I may take up those kinds of needles and threads...

JoWynn at Parkview 616 always has something pretty to look at on her website. Lately, she made a card for her friend Gina, and it's stunning! On Gina's card, JoWynn laid down a background of gold lattice, and then, in the monogram "G", she worked a colorful selection of embroidered flowers. Take a look! This is no "Hallmark" card - it's a real, true, sincere, meaningful, and beautiful greeting masterpiece!

I was sad to hear about Carol-Anne's recent mishap, and I hope she's stitching again soon. At Threads Across the Web, you will run into some of the most delightful goldwork and Japanese embroidery and other kinds of embroidery and neat needlework stuff and other interesting pictures and ... and... well. It's a favorite stopping point for me! I'm closely monitoring Carol-Anne's Karahana project. What could be more stunning than goldwork worked on a red background? It's so beautiful! If you're new to the needlework blogging scene and haven't seen Carol-Anne's Flutterbies, you might want to check them out. Even if Japanese embroidery isn't your particular fancy, these butterflies will impress you! I remember the first time I happened upon Threads Across the Web - Carol-Anne was working on the first blue butterfly. It's been a heap of fun watching her projects progress!

Another stop I made yesterday was Hooroo Christine's blog, Lady Jane's Journal. I know that's not really your name, Christine, but for some reason, that's how I think of you! Christine recently ventured into this piece of cutwork and needlelace, and I like it. I like it A LOT. I love the colors, the stitches, the design of the needlelace. My prob is that I see things like this and it makes me say, "Oh. Yes. I want to do some of that..." There isn't TIME to do everything I see that I like!

See what happens when you spend time squizzing around like this? Inspirational Gluttony can be rather hard on the system, you know.

But I'm not quite finished....

Where else did I go on my binge? Let's see...

I visited Deepa's blog, This and That, where I scrolled through her various tutorials on different techniques of Indian embroidery. I especially like this Pachis work, and the tutorial on kamal kadai. I think, in both techniques she demonstrates, it's the red that gets me. I love the flower in the kamal kadai tutorial!

And I jumped over to Wormspit, to finally look at those silk reeling videos. Neat stuff! It blows my mind how silk is spun and dyed and everything else, just so that I can enjoy stitching with my favorite fiber.

Finally, to top off my gluttonous overload, I ended up at Stitchin Fingers. I started off at my page on Stitchin Fingers (I have no idea what my page looks like when I'm not me looking at it)... then I moved on to everyone else's - and all the interesting discussions - and looking at everyone's photos. I ended up seeing too much. I had to shut down. It was like over-indulging on a super-rich dessert! To state the obvious: there are heaps of super-dee-duper talented people out there!

Creativity is a great gift! While I'm an advocate of the rule "moderation in all things," I think creativity is something worth indulging in! So, thanks, all you creative people out there, for the hours (H-O-U-R-S) of indulgence! 'Twas fun, and just what the doctor ordered. I'm heading back to work today. I finished Breath of Spring, by the way, so I suppose I may as well go back to work! I'm looking forward to getting back into a productive routine (of sorts)...

Enjoy the week!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, September 08, 2008
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Monday, July 07, 2008

Chemanthy Work - an Indian Embroidery Technique: Tutorial Link
 
Deepa, who checks in and comments now and then on Needle'nThread, has a blog called This and That, and on it, she is presently featuring a very interesting embroidery technique from India called Chemanthy work. I've never seen this stitch before, so I thought I'd point the post and the tutorial out to you, so you could take a look at it and add it to your stitching repertoire, too.

The stitch itself is worked in several steps, and it makes a really neat looking filler for shapes. I can see this being added to my embroidered flowers samplers! It would look great in an embroidered garden!

For a look at the stitches, check out Deepa's post with pictures of Chemanthy work, and then step over to her photo tutorial on Chemanthy work, which features more pictures of the completed technique, as well as a very clear step-by-step on how to do it.

Thanks, Deepa, for the clear tutorial and the introduction to this technique!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, July 07, 2008
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Monday, June 09, 2008

Where to Find Free Embroidery Patterns, Ideas, Tips, Tricks and all kinds of Other Stuff
 
How many craft magazines are on the market, do you think? How many needlework magazines? I suppose there are lots, but I'm not a big subscriber to magazines (except Inspirations - I can't get enough of that publication!) But even if you aren't a subscriber to craft or needlework magazines, they can still come in handy. I'll show you what I mean...

Take, for example, Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine. They have a website, and if you visit it, you'll notice something:

Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine - Freebies


Freebies! Now, doesn't that just make your heart flutter?? It's needlework stuff, and it's free!

On this particular website, you'll find good information - various tips and tricks for the hand embroiderer. For example, they have an very nice selection of PDF articles in their archives. Three that I find most interesting are: Introduction to Hardanger, an excellent article on hemstitching, and a great idea for organization - notebook pages for keeping track of your stitches, your embroidery threads, and your embroidery projects.

Besides the PDF articles with pictures and so forth, you'll also find a good section of tips, with information on things like how to strip your floss, how to calculate design fabric counts, and why it's sometimes good to use a larger needle.

So even if you don't generally subscribe to magazines, it's always a good idea to check out websites of craft and needlework magazines - you never know what little treasures you'll find... for free!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, June 09, 2008
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Thursday, May 01, 2008

Great Online Source for Free Embroidery Patterns
 
I like expanding my list of online sources for Free Embroidery Patterns. So here's a fun site - you could get lost in it, as it's got All Kinds of Stuff besides embroidery on it: tips for just about ... well, anything!

TipNut has a categorized list of tips and tricks and shortcuts and saving solutions and craft projects and embroidery patterns and crochet information and do-it-yourself projects ... and... and... and the list goes on and on! It's a fun site, and a super-duper clever idea for organizing all those interesting tips one builds up over the years - whether online or in writing. Whoever's behind TipNut is brilliant! (Well, if nothing else, you've got to love the name!)

There are plenty of embroidery pattern links on TipNut - lots of vintage ones. You'll also find a good page of links to various sites for organizing your sewing and needlework area. But what drew me to the site was the list of tutorials for needle books and needle cases.

Browse about the site for a bit - you will probably enjoy it. My tip: don't spend tooooo much time browsing, or you'll forget to get back to your needle 'n thread!

Back to cramming!

Enjoy!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, May 01, 2008
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Monday, April 28, 2008

Embroidered Clothing: Vintage from the New York Times
 
During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, embroidery on fine clothing was the norm. By the time the Industrial Revolution finished off the cottage industries, embroidery on clothing could be done by machine. But that didn't stop some people from undertaking the embellishment of their own wardrobes, as this New York Times article attests.

Anyone interested in costuming, in vintage textiles, or even in general surface embroidery may find this "Message to Women" interesting. What's the message? "Gold Thread to be Used Lavishly in Many Fabrics this Season" with explanations on "Honeycomb Stitchery." Read the gold thread article if you get a chance - you can pick up some interesting instruction on how to work the techniques discussed. If nothing else, I think it's amusing!

NY Times Article on Gold Thread use on Clothing


Speaking of embroidery on clothing and vintage textiles, another interesting source of embroidery designs is The Costume Galler's Online Library of Vintage Publications, in particular the free page of McCall's Magazine Self Transferable Embroidery Patterns, from May of 1908.

McCall's Magazine, May, 1908: Embroidery for Clothing


The nice thing about the patterns offered on the McCall's page (there are five embroidery patterns altogether) is that you could easily modify the pattern for something other than the bodice of that dress you're making for your summer tea parties.... you could take just one section of a motif and use it on linens or whatever!

Enjoy!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, April 28, 2008
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Saturday, April 19, 2008

Dinky-Dyes Silk Line Door Prize at the Needlework Show
 
The Needlework Show is a twice-yearly online event where needlework designers and vendors set up a "booth" (web page) featuring their products, so that retailers and their customers can "shop" online. The customer (that would be you and me, if you don't own a retail shop) can see what's offered by different designers or vendors and request the products at their local needlework shop. The retailers can see what's new without having to visit a trade show. So all in all, it's a good deal. The fun part, though, are the door prizes... and one in particular caught my eye, so i thought I'd tell the rest of you about it.

The majority of the needlework featured at The Needlework Show are from designers or vendors who supply counted-thread designs. There are very few free-style surface embroidery techniques featured.

You've probably guessed my forte is not counted thread work, although I do love to look at historical samplers and I am quite enchanted by certain types of counted thread designs. For example, I like this chart from The French Needle:

The French Needle Fleur de Lys Chart



I also like blackwork, the Quaker style samplers that are popular right now, the European / French-look designs that have a hint of historical and Provencial charm to them, Hardanger embroidery (there are some nice projects featured on the J. Design page), and some of the embellished biscornu designs that implement more than just cross stitch. If you, too, like these styles of counted thread techniques, you'll find plenty of designers' work to browse through at The Needlework Show.

Some of the vendors feature accessories for needlework, such as Kelmscott Designs, which offers mother-of-pearl thread winders and keeps, and those pretty magnets for holding extra needles on your projects while you stitch.

Some thread vendors feature their wares at The Needlework Show as well. For example, you'll find a Needlepoint Inc Silk page promoting their threads.

One thread vendor in particular that caught my eye was Dinky-Dyes. Dinky-Dyes is an Australian company that offers a vast range of dyed cottons and silks. I knew Dinky-Dyes offered cotton threads, but I didn't know they had such a fantastic line of dyed silks. The colors look really stunning, and I love the names! The exciting part about the Dinky-Dyes booth at The Needlework Show is that they are offering a really nice door prize: a full line of their silks to a lucky winner!! WOW! You probably realize I have a thing for thread. I love embroidery floss, I love silk especially, I love beautifully colored silks - and if you do, too, well... here's another source for thread and maybe you should check out their line. I'm going to!

Better yet, perhaps you should register for the door prize. Check out the Dinky-Dyes booth at the Needlework Show to register - by MONDAY, April 21st, at midnight!

Enjoy browsing through The Needlework Show, but get there before midnight, Monday, April 21st, or it'll be gone - until next fall.

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, April 19, 2008
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Embroidery Inspiration!
 
WOW. If you have not checked out this website, it's a must, for a lot of reasons, but most especially for one of the most enchanting examples of an embroidered face that you may ever see!

Maria del Valle's websites focus on needlework and her other creative interests, which include drawing and painting. Her main site, AlarTTex, is in Spanish, but she runs a parallel site in English and French, AlarTTis, and she also has the option to translate on her main site.

Her embroidery and needlework are really inspirational - but what caught my eye, and has been floating around in my head ever since I saw it, is her Da Vinci angel, in blackwork.

Blackwork Angel by Maria del Valle


It's not uncommon to see embroidered faces, but usually we see them worked in long and short stitch, split stitch, and so forth. But when you see one like this in shades of crimson, done in blackwork, with such detail, you can't help being mesmerized by it!

If you view the picture at AlarTTex, you can click on the image for a larger version. The eyes are amazing!

The angel is taken from DaVinci's painting, the Madonna of the Rocks.

Angel from DaVinci's Madonna of the Rocks


The Madonna of the Rocks is a beautiful paiting! If you want to click the link to see it at ARC (Art Renewal Center), please be aware it's a large file and takes a while to load. I have never looked very closely at the angel, but Maria's needlework prompted me to do so. It is really a lovely face!

Visit Maria's websites to enjoy other beautiful works of art! She is amazingly talented, and I think you'll really enjoy your visit.

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Embroidered Cap with Gilt Sylke Twist
 
Tricia Wilson Nguyen disclosed a beautiful project incorporating the Gilt Sylke Twist being used on the jacket at Plimoth Plantation. If you haven't seen this embroidered cap, do check it out! It's stunning! Be sure to click on the first photo for a really nice close-up. Enjoy!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, March 05, 2008
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Monday, March 03, 2008

Embroidery Patterns: Online Resource with Free Patterns
 
Free hand embroidery patters - can you ever get enough of them? I have an ever-growing collection of websites that offer free patterns, and I have to admit, I've got a folder on my computer that's filled to the brim, and then some, with patterns that someday... someday... I know I'll use! Well, here's another online resource for you - from Jennie Baer of Homeberries.

Homeberries is a neat little website devoted to hand embroidery, and the patterns available are a cross between primitive, cute, fun, and even sorta funky. If nothing else, check out the website's look - the use of ric-rac is really well done!

Free Hand Embroidery Pattern Resource - Homeberries.com


But while you're there, be sure to check out Jennie's free embroidery pattern page. You're bound to find something on there that will be perfect for embellising that little "something" - whether a baby gift, a housewarming gift, kitchen towels - you name it. When I saw her patterns, I immediately started thinking in terms of the hand embroidered greeting cards I've been playing around with lately. I'm working up my kids' summer workshops, and planning to do some embroidery on paper. A lot of these patterns would be great for that!

Jennie also has a page of my embroidery videos on her site... which made me realize that I was not consistent in using the same color for the background of the introduction! Darn. I would have never realized how bad they look if I hadn't seen them lined up on one page! (Noted for future revisions!)

So, when you get the chance, check out Homeberries - it's sure to be a fun visit!

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, March 03, 2008
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