I've really been itching to do some goldwork lately, but I've got so many projects already going and several projects that I need to get started on, that all I can do when it comes to goldwork right now is dream. You know how that is, don't you? This one particular design has be besotted...

BibliOdyssey is one of those places I go to get inspired, and last week when I visited, I wasn't disappointed - there was no lack of inspirational stuff floating about the website. This post on The Tudor Pattern Book really caught my eye, and this one pattern in particular struck me as particularly suitable for goldwork.



When considering an picture or design that is not made specifically for embroidery, I usually try to isolate the elements within the design that would work as an embroidered image. So I took this picture from BibliOdyssey, opened it in Photoshop and got rid of the background. I didn't spand a lot of time cleaning the thing up - just a few button clicks - but I did at least isolate the part I like.

At this point, I figured I could trace the image in Inkscape or a similar program, to end up with a crisp line drawing, but instead, I started playing with a couple very basic filters in Photoshop and reduced the image to this:



For some reason, a black and white image is my preferred format for any kind of potential embroidery design. I seem to see more possibilities when I can reduce the image to outlines with a bit of shading but no color.

With this piece, I'm thinking in terms of a combination of silk shading and goldwork.

So what do you think? Should I just chuck everything else and launch into a completely senseless goldwork project?

Oh well! Since "chucking" everything else right now probably isn't prudent, I suppose I'll just stay the present course. However, if I do drift off...

... you'll know what I'm doing!

Labels: embroidery design, free embroidery patterns, goldwork, miscellaneous embroidery musings

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, October 29, 2009
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, October 22, 2009
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I'm still playing with the idea of translating Quaker motifs (that are normally worked in cross stitch) into designs suitable for surface embroidery. Here's a free hand embroidery pattern of a bird-in-tree Quaker motif suitable for surface stitches.

Now, this is a pattern I really want to stitch. The first Quaker pattern I posted for surface embroidery stitches looked fun, but since I had already stitched it on paper in cross stitch, I find I'm a bit more eager to try a different design. I played again with some of the Mary Wigham designs offered on Needleprint, and this is one that I like a lot. I think it could be fun.

I "updated" the bird a bit after finding it a bit difficult to translate the gridded bird into something smoother for surface work. If you don't particular like this bird, you can always sketch your own into the design, I suppose! (Don't worry - I won't be insulted!) In considering the bird, I wanted something suited to more than just an outline stitch. The wings, tail, and crest give some room for playing with fillings.

Here's the pattern:



The double lines around the outside of the pattern would be a good place to practice composite stitches, like the raised chain band, or double herringbone stitch. Ladder stitch would work well there, too.

I'm thinking about filling the trunk of the tree with stem stitch in several shades of brown, working the branches in stem stitch in brown, and working the leaves in a couple of colors of green using daisy stitch. The small berries would be worked in red French knots, and I think the bird would be worked in a variety of stitches in red, though I'm still contemplating that one.

I was thinking this might a good design for a Christmas ornament, too. What do you think?

Here's a PDF of the pattern:

Quaker Motif #2 for Surface Embroidery Stitches

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, Hand embroidery stitches, Quaker designs, sampler

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, October 07, 2009
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Right now, Quaker motifs are very popular for counted cross stitch, and I really love the look of them. When I was working on this perforated paper embroidery project last week, I couldn't help wondering if Quaker motifs would 'work' with surface embroidery stitches. So I'm going to try an experiment.

I've drawn up a hand embroidery pattern based on the Quaker motif I used on the paper project. It is, in shape and layout, pretty much the same design, but the use of surface embroidery stitches, I suspect, will change the look of the design quite a bit.

Here's my line version of the motif:



Here's a PDF of the same pattern:

Hand Embroidery Pattern: Quaker Motif for Surface Embroidery Stitches

Ussing the PDF, the pattern should print at approximately 4.5 inches square. It can probably be taken smaller, but for this test run, I thought a medium-sized medallion would work best.

I'm going to combine a variety of stitches on this piece, sticking with the notion that the Quaker motifs generally come from samplers. My plan so far includes the following stitches:

Palestrina Stitch
Mountmellick Stitch
Satin Stitch
Long and Short Stitch
Fly Stitch or Fishbone Stitch (haven't decided which on that one yet)
Daisy Stitch
French Knot

I'll be working on this project over the next few weeks. I'll be stitching on a sturdy linen (Thank you, Méi! I can't wait to use some Portuguese linen!), but I haven't decided 100% on the threads yet. I think it will take some playing to figure out the best options.

What think you? Will this come off, or should I leave the Quaker motifs in their regular form, as counted cross stitch pieces? What's your take?

Labels: Embroidery Projects, free embroidery patterns, Hand embroidery stitches, Quaker designs, sampler

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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Patterns for hand embroidery are extremely versatile - they are useful for a variety of arts and crafts. So even if you don't always go in for surface embroidery, you might find the plethora of embroidery designs available online and in books capable of producing Muse-juice for all other kinds of crafts. Here's an example to illustrate what I'm talking about...

Gitte doesn't hand embroider, but she does indulge in paper crafts. Taking one of my scrolly medallion embroidery designs, she used it to make a beautiful card out of vellum and cardstock.

First, she embossed the design from the back, then, using special scissors, she cut each individual tiny scallop around the embossed lines, creating a gorgeous lacy effect. WOW! The card is beautiful - a real work of art.

The picture below is clickable, and if you click on it, you'll be taken to a larger version.



Beautiful, isn't it?!

If you're one of those Have-to-Craft people who move from craft to craft, making things, I'm sure you've already discovered that you can cross from one craft to another, taking designs and ideas with you. This card is a perfect example of doing that. There are really only two categories of crafts I get into - textiles (from needlework to Kumihimo, felting, and so forth) and paper crafts. I love how this card uses something I intended for needlework in a whole different application in paper craft. It maketh the Muse-juice flow, and all kinds of ideas are popping up in my head now!

Labels: embroider on paper, free embroidery patterns, pictures, readers embroidery

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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Thematic designs in embroidery are really no new thing, right? You've got Day-of-the-Week towels, Nursery Rhyme quilt blocks, State Birds, State Flowers, and so on and so forth - all developed into embroidery designs over the years.

But I want to tell you a story about another thematic line of embroidery, available online, and for free!

Once upon a time, a little girl sat on the stool outside her cottage, bent over her handwork. Along a came a fox (yes, that's the bad guy - for some reason, the fox is always the bad guy!) who tempted her away from her work, telling her about the grapes he couldn't reach over in the vineyard, and that he insisted were sour anyway.

As the little girl walked toward the vineyard, a mouse skittered by her feet, holding a spinter between its tiny mouse teeth! "Yikes! A mouse!" cried the little girl.

But the mouse was nothing compared to the lion that was lumbering away in the other direction, limping slightly from some sligh foot infection undoubtedly caused by the splinter that just skittered by. The light girl was mighty glad the lion didn't see her.

She continued toward the vineyard, neglecting her embroidery left on the stoop outside the cottage door. Naughty girl!

Arriving at the vineyard with the beguiling fox beside her, the little girl reached up for a bunch of grapes. The cunning fox licked his lips, knowing that finally, those grapes would be within his reach! Yum! Grapes! The girl plucked one from the bunch, popped it in her mouth, simultaneously holding out some for the fox, who gobbled a few in a gulp. And simultaneously, they both started sputtering.

"Unbelievable!" cried the fox, perturbed. "They really ARE sour!"

With her worst sour face, the dismayed little girl returned to her stoop in front of the cottage door, with every intention of picking up her handwork and plying her needle diligently.

At that moment, though, the rooster (there's always a rooster!) perched himself on the edge of the thatched cottage roof, right above the stoop upon which rested the little girl's beautiful handwork. With all his rooster might, the bird began to crow. As the little girl approached the stoop, the rooster stopped his infernal crowing, paused, and then did what roosters and chickens so readily do at any given opportunity. Splat! Right on the embroidery. He then strutted away.

The moral of the story is... Well, there are numerous morals, some of which I'm sure are too deep to attempt drawing out here!

Fables are brief stories involving the personification of animals and ending with a clear moral. Aesop's fables are the most famous fables in Western literary tradition, and they've been re-told and re-written and illustrated in numerous books down the centuries.

Now, how does this all tie in with needlework? Well, how about embroidered fables, in cutwork? Sure enough, at Antique Pattern Library, there's a terrific illustrated book of fables, and the illustrations are ---- wait for it! ---- cutwork patterns! Really and truly!



Above, for example, is the design for the The Rooster (told you so!), the Cat, and the Young Mouse, which ends with the terse moral, "Remember while you live, It is by looks that men deceive."

In its 73-page PDF, the book, an edition of Broderies & Ouvrages de Dames titled "Les Fables de La Fontaine," includes the illustration of the fable by way of an embroidery pattern, followed by a translation in English of the fable illustrated. It's entertaining to read and the pictures are perfect for illustrative embroidery. Don't think they're limited to cutwork, either! You can easily turn the designs into regular surface embroidery projects!

So stop by Antique Pattern Library and brush up on your fables while perusing the patterns presented in this fun little book!

And if the books sparks any creative ideas, drop back by and let the rest of us know!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, online needlework books

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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One of my favorite resources for embroidery patterns and inspiration is Antique Pattern Library. There, you'll find such an extensive list of books in the Library that it's impossible to get through them all! But there are some real gems in there (like the one mentioned below), so it's definitely worth exploring...

This particular publication is called La Brodeuse, a periodical published in France in the early 1900's, featuring plenty of embroidery patterns. Somewhere, I have at least one original La Brodeuse pamphlet, sent to me by an antique-crazy fiend... I mean friend... who lives just outside Paris. (Thanks, Suzette!) I don't know if it's the same one, but one of these days, I suppose I'll go bookshelf-diving to find out.

These publications are very similar to La Broderie Blanche, which is the publication from which the first monogram alphabet posted here on Needle 'n Thread came.

In the meantime, though, it's there in electronic form on Antique Pattern Library for all to enjoy!



You can download the PDF copy of La Brodeuse and save it to your computer for a ready resource. It isn't too long (only six pages), so printing it out is an easy proposition, too. To enlarge the designs, a photocopier comes in handy.

For tips and tricks on transferring designs, please visit my Tips and Tricks for Hand Embroidery list, where you'll find a section on transferring patterns.

Enjoy!

Labels: embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, online needlework books

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, June 19, 2009
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At long last, the end of this monogram alphabet! I don't know if there's anyone out there who will ever embroider this particular "Z" onto anything, but still, there's a great sense in satisfaction about completing this alphabet! So, here it is, the last monogram...

I hope you like the monogram alphabets I've been posting - if you do, let me know, because I do have others that I still want to add to this online collection of monogram patterns. But sometimes I worry that I bore you to death with these repeated letters popping up every now and then!

Well, without further ado then, here's the large Z:



And here's the small Z:



You can find the rest of this alphabet, as well other monograms, on my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this particular alphabet, check out the Celtic A Monogram, where I went into a little detail on how you might stitch it.

Yippee! The END!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, May 29, 2009
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Coming close here to the finish of the Celtic Monograms for Hand Embroidery series, here is the letter Y. Only one more to go!!!

If you would like suggestions for stitching these monograms, including what stitches and threads to use, please visit the "A" in this alphabet. There, you'll find some more detail on the monograms. You'll also see how the inside areas between the loose knotwork is supposed to be shaded with a kind of "stippled" effect (easy to accomplish using seed stitch or French knots).

Here's the small Y:



And here's the large Y:



For the rest of this alphabet or for other monograms, please visit my list of monograms here on Needle 'n Thread. You'll also find plenty of other hand embroidery patterns here, if you're looking for something more to do with your needle and thread!

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, May 24, 2009
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Here's the X for the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery. Only two more to go, and the alphabet will be finished! I'm so glad. Whew. It'll be nice to do some other patterns without the guilt of an unfinished monogram alphabet hanging over my head!

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small X:



And here's the large X:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, May 14, 2009
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After a long pause in monograms for hand embroidery, I'm going to make every effort to finish up the Celtic alphabet this week! ('Bout time, I know!) Here is the letter V...

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small V:



And here's the large V:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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Yesterday, I showed you my "grab-and-go" embroidery project, a little Spring design for the corner of a towel that I'm going to use as a basket liner. Here's the embroidery pattern for that piece.

This embroidery design comes from a stack of hand embroidery transfers that I got at a garage sale. Most of the designs were loose; the few that were in booklets came from the 1950's, so I'm assuming this one is about the same time period. The original was a mess, so I scanned it and worked from the scanned image, cleaning it up into a vectorized image, which I've saved as a gif file (you can click on it to make it larger, then save it to your computer and resize it if you wish), and also as a PDF file, which you can also resize and print.

The design on my towel corner is about 8 inches wide - just wide enough to print on regular paper. The PDF should work out to about the same (hopefully!)



Here's the PDF:

Spring Garden Corner Design for Hand Embroidery

If you are interested in using the same colors I'm using, here's a list of DMC numbers:

Purples: 208 & 209
Green: 907
Yellow: 743
Bright Pink: 602

I have a blue, too (DMC 794) but so far, I haven't used it, and I'm not sure if I will. It doesn't seem "quite right" somehow.

Of course, you are more than welcomed to use any colors you want!

As I stitch, by the way, I'm just improvising. I'll try to finish enough of the design tonight so that each element is stitched, and then I'll explain which stitches I'm using.

In the meantime, if you want to stitch along, feel free. You can always get started with the leaves - they're all worked in fishbone stitch, except for the largest open one, which is outlined in stem stitch - and the stems, which are worked in stem stitch. The center of the flowers are worked in buttonhole wheels, then filled with French knots. You can see these up close on the introduction to this little project.

For a flour sack towel, I suggest using a better quality one, if you can find one. Some of the flour sack towels out there are very flimsy and seem almost like cheesecloth.

Labels: beginner embroidery, Embroidery for the Home, free embroidery patterns, stitch along

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, April 07, 2009
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I can hardly restrain my blissful giddiness over the fact that I'm almost finished with the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery! After this one, I think only four more to go! You're probably just as glad as I am, because these monograms are getting kinda... well... old. But then, after all, they are old. :-)

Here's the long and really short of it on the Celtic monograms: for stitch suggestions, check the Celtic A!

Here's the small version of the Celtic U:



And here's the large version:



Now, today, if all goes well, I will at least manage two things: setting up a simple embroidery project (for a grab-and-go project), and stitching a bit on my whitework sampler! Keep your fingers crossed for me, that I get something accomplished, because otherwise, I just may go nuts!

But, before I can launch into that, I have to frost my own birthday cake to take to my sister's for a birthday party this evening. It's somewhat strange, to make one's own cake, but hey - it's just dessert! I'm thinking about doing something really bizarre so that my sister officially proclaims that I shall never make the dessert again! Something like... oh, Pink Mountain Icing on a chocolate cake. That'll gross her out (but the kids'll love it!).

And, by the way, it's not my birthday (yet) - that's Wednesday, the 8th, which will be the perfect day for a give-away! So stay tuned for that on Wednesday. You can help me celebrate!

Have a terrific Sunday!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, April 05, 2009
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Here's a little needlelace pattern for you - it's oval (not quite egg shaped, but close enough) and perfect for decorating something Eastery.

It seems there are many names for this kind of lace. I call it needlelace, which is a more general term. In some books, it's also called point lace or reticella, and I've even seen it called needlepoint lace.

Needlelace is worked independent of fabric. In fact, it can be worked over paper, removed from the paper, and then added to fabric. When I venture into needlelace like this, though, I generally work it over my fabric, then cut the fabric behind it in an X shape, then turn the fabric back to the edges before working the final buttonholing or overcasting around the motif, catching the fold of the fabric. Then I cut the excess fabric away.

Still, I have worked it on paper, and it works up fine! The last step when working it on paper is overstitching it to the fabric (buttonhole or overcast on the outside lines) and then cutting away the fabric beneath it.

Mostly, needlelace is worked in conjunction with whitework. That's not to say it has to be worked on a whitework piece - no way! You can make little pieces of lace to decorate anything you want, really!

A very long time ago, I featured a tiny sample of needlelace here on Needle 'n Thread. If you want to see some nicer examples of needlelace, check out Textile Dreams, especially the reticella heart. There's also a very nice needlelace tutorial on Textile Dreams!

An excellent online book on needlelace is Therese Dillmont's Needle-made Laces, which you can find in two PDFs hosted at the On-line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics (that's a mouthful!) In the first PDF file, you'll find clear step-by-step directions for this type of needlelace. Here are the direct links to the PDFs:

Needle-made Laces, Part I
Needle-made Laces, Part II

This particular design is cleaned up from an old Variety magazine pattern. The original booklet was printed in 1926 by Carmela Testa & Company. If you come across any of these old booklets, they're really nice to have! (But they're not always in the best shape!) Still, snatch them up! They're worth it - a great addition to a needleworker's library. Keep in mind, though, that sometimes these old booklets - though full-up with wonderful little patterns like this - lack clear instruction, especially when compared to today's step-by-step photo books! They assume the stitcher has already achieved a certain level of skill.

Well, without further ado, the egg. Below it, you'll find a link to a PDF version.




Needlelace Egg (PDF)

Enjoy!

Labels: embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, needlelace, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, April 03, 2009
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Here's a nice resource for some free embroidery designs and some excellent embroidery instruction.

The last couple days, I've been mentioning Tricia Wilson-Nguyen's website, Thistle Threads, first in conjunction with the embroidered jacket at Plimoth Plantation, and second, when I was discussing needlework kits yesterday.

If you haven't perused her website deeply yet, you may have missed a couple real gems on there. The website, by the way, is newly over-hauled, so if you were familiar with her website, Thistle Threads, before but haven't been in a while, it's worth taking a look at it!

On the new Thistle Threads website, you'll find a section called Web Instructions, under which you will find two categories, projects and stitch diagrams.



Under projects, you'll find three little free projects, with thorough stitching instructions.



Under stitch diagrams, you'll find 8 PDFs for different stitches, and each one is detailed and easy to follow.

So, if you haven't visited Thistle Threads, you might want to take a look at these excellent offerings from Tricia!

Enjoy!

Labels: embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, March 29, 2009
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Continuing with the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery: the letter Q...

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small Q:



And here's the large Q:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, March 28, 2009
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Continuing with the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery: the letter P...

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small P:



And here's the large P:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, March 26, 2009
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Last time I was playing with my whitework embroidery sampler, I was beginning the cutwork motif. Here, I've got the pattern for you AND the incredible progress I've made on the cutwork motif! How exciting!

Well, I already feel bad about saying that - not a fib; rather an exaggerated jest: I have made very little progress on the cutwork motif. Still, every little bit counts, right?

Here's the design for you, in case you ever want to use it for cutwork - or for any other kind of embroidery or craft usage, for that matter. You can click on it for a slightly larger image (and a larger file size!).



And, if you want, here's a PDF version:

Cutwork Design for Hand Embroidery

You can size the pattern up or down if you want. If you size it up, it may take more time, but you could also work with heavier threads to cover more ground a little faster.

Here's my progress on the cutwork design so far:



Oh. I know you're impressed!

Actually, I was debating whether or not I should put progress photos up at all - it practically seems pointless! But, still, there it is!

I transferred the design using the tissue-paper-and-tacking-stitches method, which has worked well so far with this design.



There it is, up close. I was debating about whether or not I would go with fine bars. Sometimes, the attaching bars on cutwork are mere threads, you see... and that lends to a very delicate, lacy look - absolutely beautiful on fine white linen. But given that this fabric is a little coarser than normal (for most fine cutwork, that is), I decided to go with a heavier look on the bars and on the overcasting around the edges of the design.

I plan to get some photo tutorials up on cutwork eventually, once I make a little more progress on this piece.

Now, to step backwards a bit, remember the monogram I set up for the sampler? The plan on that seems to be taking a different direction in my head. Initially, I wanted to do some trailing (which is super-raised satin stitch, over a bunch of cords), but I'm thinking about another technique right now - something... something a bit odd. On the wide parts of the letter, what think you of a raised stem stitch? Or casalguidi? I was kind of thinking it might be fun to do something not-quite-as-typical-of-whitework, and with a bit of texture. Anyway, that idea's ripening right now. We'll see what it develops into... If I keep plugging away at the cutwork, it'll have plenty of time to ripen, that's certain!

Funny thing is, while I was working the bars in that tiny bit there, I had the sudden desire to finish up the Schwalm pomegranate right below the cutwork motif. If I had students bouncing around like this, I'd tell them to settle down, take a deep breath, and FOCUS! Physician, heal thyself!

I suppose the next time we come back to the whitework sampler, we'll all be surprised at what transpired!

Enjoy the pattern - hope you find it useful!

Labels: cutwork, drawn thread embroidery, free embroidery patterns, needlework pictures, pictures, sampler, Schwalm, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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Continuing with the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery: the letter O...

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small O:



And here's the large O:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, March 21, 2009
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Continuing with the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery: the letter N...

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small N:



And here's the large N:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, March 19, 2009
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Continuing with the Celtic monograms for hand embroidery: the letter K...

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small K:



And here's the large K:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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And yet another Celtic monogram for hand embroidery: the letter L...

I'm almost finished with this monogram alphabet!! Yippee! The funny thing is, I've got several more alphabets I wanted to clean up and post! This is turning into a never-ending project!

Again, you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small L:



And here's the large L:




For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, March 14, 2009
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I keep playing with scrolly medallions for hand embroidery patterns... deep down, it's because I want to work one. But, deep down, I think I should be working on other things. Still, they're fun - and maybe you can work one for the fun of it!

One of these days, I'm actually going to embroider one of my embroidery patterns first, before posting the pattern. Ideally, I'd be posting "finished" pictures with each pattern, but truth to tell, I haven't the time! I need a ... what's the word? An assistant stitcher? (But then the assistant stitcher would get all the fun! Forget that!)

This design is somewhat like the scrolly medallion embroidery pattern I posted last week. Again, I think it'd make a neat design on a pillow, or on the outside pocket of a tote, or something to that effect. It could be worked in a single color, or it could be worked in multiple colors - it just depends on what you want!

For stitching ideas, I'd use line stitches of some sort - chain, heavy chain, Portuguese knotted stem, stem stitch, coral stitch, split stitch, Palestrina stitch, etc., (or a combination) for the lines. For the dots, though I know it would take ten forevers and require some precision, I have to admit, I'd go with satin stitch. I'd at least try it, anyway!

Click on the design below for a larger image you can save to your computer (you can then resize it as you wish) ... or use the PDF file below.



Scrolly Medallion #3 (PDF)

For more free hand embroidery patterns, visit my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns.

Tomorrow, I'll show you a really pretty piece of reader's embroidery that's worked in silver threads on a blue background - really nice!

Today, I'm setting up my slate frame again, so I can experiment next week with a new piece of equipment that I can't wait to tell you about (but I'll wait, until the prototype is here!). I need to set up a project on my slate frame, but I haven't decided what project yet!

I hope you have a terrific weekend!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, March 14, 2009
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Continuing with this set of monograms for hand embroidery, here's the W.

Again, you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small version of the W:



And here's the large version:



For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, March 13, 2009
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I'm getting there!! I'm utterly determined to finish this alphabet, so I can move on to other hand embroidery patterns without having this unfinished business hanging over my head! So, on that note, here is the Celtic I...

Again, you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the small version of the I:



And here's the large version:



For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, March 12, 2009
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Here's the next monogram for hand embroidery, the Celtic H.

If you're looking for embroidery stitch suggestions, please visit Celtic A monogram, where you'll find several ideas for stitching up the monograms in this series.

Here's the large version of the H:



And here's the smaller version:



For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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Continuing with the Celtic-styled monograms for hand embroidery, here's the T.

If you're looking for stitching suggestions, check out the Celtic A monogram, where you'll find stitching recommendations. But don't just rely on my recommendations! Feel free to experiment!

Here's the large version of the Celtic T:



And here's the smaller version of the monogram:



For more hand embroidery monograms, check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. If you're looking for other hand embroidery designs in general, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns, where you'll find an updated list of hand embroidery designs here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, March 09, 2009
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It's been a long while since I've posted a free monogram for hand embroidery! I'm determined to finish up this Celtic alphabet, though... so here's the J.

You'll find suggestions for embroidering these monograms under the Celtic A. You'll also notice, on the Celtic A, that the area inside the loops formed by the knots are seeded with little dots. To cut down on the time spent cleaning up the monograms, I skipped the dots, but you can certainly add them into your embroidery, using seed stitch or French knots, if you wish!

Here's the large version of the J:



And here's the smaller version of the J:



For more monograms - in this alphabet and one other floral alphabet - please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. You'll also find a bunch of free embroidery patterns here on Needle 'n Thread under my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, March 08, 2009
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... but is it cheating?

You see, I just love daffodils, and I don't go outside this time of year without seeing them, and thinking, "Golly. I just love daffodils." I've never embroidered daffodils, and in fact, I've never seen them in any needlepainting kits or books... Why not, I ask! The daffodil is the Cheeriest Flower of All! And it is the harbinger of that happy season, Spring! Woe is me! Why hath the poor daffodil been overlooked??!

With such thoughts bouncing around in my head, I began to think of the daffodil as a subject for embroidery. Needle painting, of course! Sure, it could be cross stitched, it could be needlepointed - but needlepainting would do it justice!

I'm not an artist, when it comes to good sketching of realistic things. Oh, yes - I try, but ... wow. Never mind! That's one skill I'd love to have - to be able to sit down, whip out a sketch book, and produce something that looks real, with the correct proportions, shading, and so forth. Some people say it just takes practice. I think it probably takes a wee bit of specialized talent.

So, I jumped online and started looking for images, which brought me to the popular site, How Stuff Works. I don't get how this fits under the heading of "how stuff works," but they do have a section on there on "how to draw a ___ in 5 easy steps."

I bet you're thinking I sat right down and taught myself to draw a realistic daffodil in five easy steps, right? WRONG!

It's the finished product on the "how to" pages that caught my eye.



The finished product of the five easy steps is supposed to resemble these daffodils. Well, there they are! I figure you can print out these black and white drawings, make some adjustments if you like, play around a bit with color using pencils or watercolors, then match threads and there's a good needlepainting project!

Now, to make things really exciting, I started roving through the list of "how to" drawings and found the following plants, flowers, and fruits, all of which would make nice embroidery patterns:

Grapes

Daffodils

Irises

Poinsettias

Lily of the Valley

Daisies

Flower Arrangement

Orchid

Cacti Scene

Wheat Field

Geraniums

Lilacs

Lily

Marigolds

Palm plant

Pansies

Plant Arrangement

Poppies

Pumpkin on a vine

Roses

Strawberry and Blossoms

Tulips

African Violets

I especially like the grapes, daffodils, tulips, lilies, and strawberries. The cacti scene and the wheat field could be the beginning of a highly textured landscape piece.

All in all, it was a successful search for the daffodil. I'm afraid I probably won't be paying homage to the chipper little flower any time soon by setting it down in thread, but some day, some day...

I hope you find these drawings useful for your own embroidery projects!

In the meantime, I'm still plugging away on my goldwork iris, as well as the whitework sampler. I'll show you a bit of both of those this week!

Labels: embroidery design, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, needlepainting

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, March 08, 2009
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Sticking with the scrolly theme and following up on my scrolly medallion for hand embroidery, here's a scrolly design that can be hand embroidered as a corner, an edge, the top of something - you name it.

This type of scrolly design is a good way to practice line stitches, especially stitches such as stem stitch, coral stitch, Palestrina stitch, and chain stitch. The design itself would be easy to embroider, and you can add a bit of variety to it by varying your stitches or your threads, or by working different types of stitches side by side.

Think placemats, table cloths, cloth napkins, towels, aprons, dresser scarf, pillow cases ... You can even create a mirror image of the pattern to fill up a square area for pillows, etc.

This is actually a take-off from a sconce on my sister's wall in her living room, with a bit of elaboration to it.

Here's the design. You can click on it for a larger version and resize however you wish. A PDF version follows.



Scrolly Design (PDF)

If you're looking for more hand embroidery designs, check out my Index of Hand Embroidery designs - you'll find all kinds of stuff there, including a long list of patterns available at other websites. Feel free to recommend a website, too, if you know of anyone offering hand embroidery designs...

Enjoy!

Labels: beginner embroidery, free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, March 07, 2009
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I've been playing around with some scrolly medallions and other motifs for hand embroidery, doodling in trusty Inkscape (hey, it's free, and it works! I like it a lot!).

Lately, I've been looking at all things from the point of view of potential embroidery designs. I live close to a beautiful historical site, where the old buildings, built in brick and some in native limestone, are adorned with wonderful little bits of art - from wrought iron railing to caps on buttresses, to little stonework designs over windows. It's funny how I never really thought in terms of embroidery whenever I saw these buildings - but now, I do! (In fact, I think of so many things I see daily in terms of embroidery, that it's starting to worry me!)

So, here's a design that can be used for anything - you can size it up or down. I think it'd be great in multiple layers of stitches. For example, you could "bolden" up some lines - like the parallel lines in the center - with a nice line of Palestrina stitch, then, right next to it, a tiny line of chain stitch or backstitch (as is done in Schwalm work, with coral stitch and chain stitch right next to each other for the bold lines). Then you could work the other scrolly bits with lighter lines, for a good contrast and to give interest and dimension to the design.

The dots (center and tips) can be filled or outlined. If you're not up to satin stitch on dots, just outline them!

Here's the design. You can click on it for a larger version, which you can save and resize as you wish... or you can pick up the PDF version below and resize before printing.



Scrolly Medallion Hand Embroidery Pattern (PDF)

I think this would look really pretty in white, by the way, on a natural linen background - perhaps on the outside pocket of a bag? Or on a square journal cover? Hmmm... lots of possibilities!

For more free hand embroidery patterns, I've got an Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns that includes those here on Needle 'n Thread, as well as free embroidery patterns online. And, if you're wondering how to stitch, feel free to check out my Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches!

Have a terrific Friday, and have fun with the new pattern! (Hey, if you do anything with it, let me know!)

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, March 06, 2009
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Here's a little hand embroidery pattern that's quite simple. It can be used for a number of items - whatever use your imagination can concoct, really - but it has one specific purpose to which it is quite well suited.

This little design is typical of the "frames" that encase a hand embroidered monogram. You can put anything in the middle, really, but, back in the day, it was often common for little embroidered monograms to be surrounded by a frame such as this one.

I think this will print around 4" square. You can save the design straight to your computer (in gif format), or you can use the PDF of the design below. To enlarge it or shrink it, you can play with it in a photocopy machine or on your computer, or you can simply reset the PDF settings for a different print size.



Medallion Frame for Hand Embroidery (PDF)

The piece could always be worked in satin stitch, but I think it would look better with the lines stitched in Palestrina stitch (or something similar), and then either the square frame or the shaped frame to be filled with seed stitches, to enhance the distinction and the intertwining.

I think the design would be very pretty, worked small, in the corner of a fine handkerchief - white on white, with delicate threads (perhaps white YLI silk?) - with a tiny initial in the middle. Perfect for a bride, or for mom for Mother's Day...

Those are just ideas, of course! I'm sure you can come up with plenty of stitching ideas for the design!

For more hand embroidery patterns, please visit my Index of Hand Embroidery Patterns here on Needle 'n Thread. If you're looking for stitch suggestions or directions, try the Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches. And if you need a monogram for the middle of the medallion frame, try the Monograms Index!

Check back this weekend for my stash giveaway for February! I've got all kinds of weird ideas milling around in my head for this one, thanks to a cleaning bout in the studio. I'm organizing threads with a new thread rack - and it's about time, let me tell ya!

Enjoy the weekend!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, February 20, 2009
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The hand embroidery design I'm posting below is psuedo-original - weirdly not quite original, though I thought it was at first, and was disappointed to find out that I was hardly the first on the block to do this...

It all started around Christmas, when I was playing with my monogram alphabets, wanting to put them together into "tiles" that made up words. For example, I was kind of excited about messing around with N-O-E-L... but then I realized that had been done before (in cross stitch, myriad times), and wasn't really that original, and the monograms weren't that Christmassy, and so I dropped it.

I went back to it the other day, playing with L-O-V-E. I'm not sure what inspired it - perhaps it was the over-abundance of Valentine stuff floating around on the internet, or perhaps it was the idea of my folks' 52nd wedding anniversary in a few months, perhaps it was the idea that I needed to post a free pattern for "something" soon and I wanted something larger than usual, or perhaps it was just that urge to do SOMETHING with those blasted monograms that I cleaned up but have never bothered using.

Whatever the case was, I decided to go back to the word-tile concept with a nice four letter word (! no - really - a nice one !), L-O-V-E.

I played and fiddled and had fun with it - making it more complex, then less complex. I had vines running hither and thither, filling stitches between the tiles, and so forth... but it was too much. Finally, I simplified, and is the result of all the tinkering:



If you click on the image above, you'll get a very-much-larger (in the realm of huge) image, which you can scale to a smaller size, or slice up to make a large pattern.

You can also have the PDF of the pattern:

Free Hand Embroidery Design: Love

I liked the design when I was first playing with it, but then my sister looked at it. And do you know, she told me it looked like a counted cross stitch pillow. Then she told me she has seen it as a counted cross stitch pillow. L-O-V-E, in four tiles like this.

"Oh, surely," said I, "you cannot have seen this design in counted cross stitch."

"Well, maybe not that design, but it's the same idea."

She just wasn't impressed. Sheesh. Some people...

So, out there somewhere, in counted cross stitch land, there is a design with the same idea behind it. But this, my friends, is surface embroidery. And it can be made into a pillow - or something for the wall - or the center square of a quilt - or what-so-ever you wish to make out of it. It can be traced for paper crafts, painted on wood, made into a wall mural, or etched onto your front door. You can do whatever you want with it!

I'd like to work it in white, on a colored linen - not necessarily red! - to give as a gift.

It would make a great anniversary gift, wedding gift, Valentine, Mother's Day gift, birthday present, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

But not for my sister...

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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Squizzing around the craft, embroidery, and art blogs - not to mention a few favorite cooking websites - I counted no less than 41 Valentine-related projects, ideas, patterns, or recipes. Wow. People really get into Valentine's Day.

Just so I wouldn't seem too entirely cold-hearted, I decided to get into the spirit and make up a tiny little simple heart pattern for hand embroidery that I could set up for my eight-year-old niece, who is needling me to embroider with her. So, here's the little design we're going to use (she's going to use!), and I thought I'd pass it on to you, if you want it.



And here it is in a PDF: Little Heart Design for Hand Embroidery

It's not super-complicated. For an eight year old, it will be well worked in back stitch, French knots, and daisy stitches. You could dress it up a bit - making the scallops half buttonhole wheels so they show up better, or what-have-you. Emma's going to work hers on a red cloth napkin, in white. I'll show it to you if she ever actually finishes! And, who knows, maybe I'll stitch one along with her, to keep her going.

If you do decide to go with a red towel or cloth napkin or something of that sort, make sure you pre-wash the fabric first! (Several times, even, if necessary!) I like to rinse darker colored fabrics (like the red cloth napkins we'll be using) with either vinegar, or with salt if I don't have vinegar on hand. This is something my sister does when she buys fabric to make children's clothes. She says it fixes the color, and I believe her. I've never actually tested the theory by doing any comparisons, but maybe some day I will...

I wrote a Valentine's poem, once upon a time and as a bit of a jest, for a fellow I worked with a while ago - and all this heartsy stuff just makes me feel like sharing it with you. (It actually surprises me that I do things like this, and still come back to face you the next day!)

Will You Be Mine?
(by me)

I thought I'd ask
If you'd be mine,
Could you be
My Valentine?

There's no one else,
This much is true...
So I'll have to settle,
And just take you.

I want no hearts,
I don't eat candy,
But flowers are nice,
And jewelry's dandy.

You have no money?
You can't buy flowers?
No jewelry either?
My heart sours.

On second thought,
If you don't mind,
To be your sweety,
I'm disinclined.

Yes, it's true. I'm sorry. I tend to be a bit of a cynic sometimes.

Well, I hope the pattern comes in handy, anyway!

Enjoy your weekend!

Labels: embroidery tips and tricks, free embroidery patterns, miscellaneous embroidery musings

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, February 07, 2009
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Here's another free hand embroidery pattern - a motif suitable for goldwork or any kind of surface embroidery, really. I've been having fun playing with repeat patterns in Inkscape, and this is one of the ones I was fiddling with, so I thought I'd share it with you.

This design is originally from an old church embroidery book that's now in the free domain. The book is called Church Vestments by Anastasia Dolby, and it's available on Google books. She's the same one who wrote Church Embroidery, Ancient and Modern, where I found this embroidery design and cleaned it up.

This little design in the book is actually a black and white line drawing that's rather small. I took a screen shot of it and exported it into Inkscape, where I enlarged it then traced it. The original was really unsymmetrical, with each swashy leaf area being completely different from the other - fat arms on the scollies, skinny arms on the scrollies, etc. So I tried evening it up a bit, just in one quarter, and then I repeated the quarter, mirroring it around the image. I like Inkscape!

Here's the embroidery design. You can click on it for a larger image.



And here's a link to the same design in PDF format:

Hand Embroidery Design suitable for goldwork or other surface embroidery

Now, to speak of the design itself, I'd really like to work this one. Do you have so many ideas rattling around in your head, but absolutely no time to execute them? That's the situation I'm in right now! Anyway, I'd love to do the arms of the design in gold passing thread. The rest of it, I haven't really thought about...

I hope you like the design as much as I do!

Enjoy!

Labels: embroidery design, free embroidery patterns, goldwork

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, January 29, 2009
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It's been a while since I've posted a monogram pattern for hand embroidery! One of these days, I really do plan to end this alphabet! In the meantime, here's the G.

To speed up the process of cleaning up this set of letters, I've not put the little shading dots in. You'll see where they fit if you check out the first monogram in this alphabet - the A. You'll also find some ideas there for stitches to use.

Here's the small version:



And here's a larger version:



For other patterns that can be used for hand embroidery, please check out my index of hand embroidery patterns, and, for more monograms, you can check out my index of monograms for hand embroidery. Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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I've been dabbling around with ideas for my whitework embroidery sampler. Bouncing around in my head for a few days was this rather oxymoronic idea of doing some blackwork whitework.

I just couldn't chase away this idea, and it probably isn't all that original. But this is it: I like the look of blackwork. I love whitework. I was thinking that a band of blackwork (the counted kind) done in white would actually be pretty. You'd think you wouldn't be able to see it, but on the contrary, if it were worked on a very fine linen with a somewhat heavy white thread, the white on white would probably look subtly lace-ish, in a way.

In the long-run, the whole question of whether or not it would work on white became rather moot. I'm working the sampler on natural colored linen, which means I won't be doing whatever type of whitework pops into my head. I'll be limiting it those appropriate to natural colored, even-weave linen. Well - who knows what else may develop?

In the meantime, this is the blackwork whitework pattern I drummed up:



That's it without the graph behind it....



Here it is, with the grid, if you want to print it as a .gif. I don't know how it will turn out, actually - I don't have a printer to test it on right now!

You can take the design and move the individual motifs around, or eliminate the top row, or whatever you want. I'll be duplicating the motifs into a longer row on my sampler.



You can even take each motif and move them closer together.

And, finally, I saved it as a PDF as well, so that you can print a much cleaner copy than the one provided with the .gif file, if you want. When you print the PDF version, you can rotate the piece, shrink it to fit, or print the present view (if you've enlarged it on your screen)... Again, I haven't printed it, so I'm not sure quite how it looks in print, but still... here's the PDF file:

Blackwork Embroidery Design #1 (PDF file - you'll need Adobe Acrobat to read it.)

I'm going to be working this in Holbein stitch, which looks like backstitch from the front, but is actually running stitch worked back on itself. I'll be using a #40 white coton a broder, I think, on an even-weave, natural colored linen (it's either 32 or 36 count linen - I'll let you know when I start playing with the fabric). I may decide on a different thread. I'll also be stitching a border of some sort above and below the design.

I'm hoping (I keep saying this) to get this next project set up today! I plan to spend tomorrow filming new stitches for the Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches (if you have a request, leave a comment...)

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the pattern and can find some use for it!

Labels: counted thread embroidery techniques, free embroidery patterns, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, January 22, 2009
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The other day, I posted links to an online needlework book on church embroidery. In the book, there are some nice embroidery patterns, but they aren't very clear and they require some adjusting if you want to use them for your own embroidery patterns. One in particular struck my fancy, so I cleaned it up and here it is...

In the book, Church Embroidery, Ancient and Modern, this particular embroidery design is shown as a sample showing how to frame up a piece. It's on page 125 of the actual book (plate 18) and 178 of the PDF.

In looking at the original drawing, the piece looks as if it is worked in silk shading (on the leaves) and goldwork on the undersides of the leaves, outlining the leaves, and on the main body of what appears to be a stylized pomegranate-type design. I don't know what else to call these types of designs - I've seen them listed under pomegranates in different books of design, such as 4000 Flower & Plant Motifs: A Sourcebook by Graham McCallum. If you happen to know if designs like this have a particular technical name, please let me know!

If you click on the design below, you'll get a larger version. I've also included below a PDF link for those who are interested in a PDF version of this pattern.



Free Hand Embroidery Pattern for Surface Embroidery or Goldwork: Stylized Pomegranate (PDF)

Truth is, I really like this little design. I'm itching to start another project, and I think this would be a fun way to combine goldwork with a tiny bit of silk shading here and there. In fact, it could just be a fun goldwork design, without any silk shading... better yet, it would work well in goldwork with some of the couching done in colored silks. Oooooh - the possibilities!

We'll see if this one works into my list of "smaller" projects for this year! In the meantime, if you can find a use for the pattern, I hope you really enjoy it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, goldwork, silk

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, January 12, 2009
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This week, I came across a little old gem of a church embroidery book online. When I came upon it as a free PDF, I was delighted, so I thought I'd share it with those of you interested in church embroidery.

The name of the book is Church Embroidery, Ancient and Modern, by Anastasia Marice Dolby. Typical of older church embroidery books, while there are some black and white drawings - and some little patterns that can be elaborated upon or adapted - the book is mostly text.

In it, you'll find instruction on older forms of church embroidery, so if you've ever looked at old church vestments and vesture and wondered "how they did that," this might be a book that answers those questions.

There are also plenty of tips in the book on goldwork, embroidery on linen, applique techniques, and so forth. Of course, since the book was written quite a while ago (1867), some of the instructions are a bit dated. For example, Mrs. Dobly's instructions on making a paste made me chuckle:

To make a needlework paste. - Paste which is sure to bind, and will never come through on the surface of the material, is shoemaker's paste; two pennyworth of which may be had from any adjacent shoemaker.

But supposing a shoemaker be not always adjacent, we give our receipt for an excellent paste, which may be made at home.

Take 3 table-spoonfuls of flour, and as much powdered resin as will lie on a shilling; mix them smoothly with half a pint of water, pour into an iron saucepan, and stir till it boils. Let it boil 5 minutes; then turn it into a basin, and when quite cold, it is fit for use.

Since I don't have an adjacent shoemaker, I suppose I would have to go for the home-made recipe!



Some of the little patterns in the book are nice, and would adapt well to individual motifs for goldwork or silk shading, even for secular use. I may play around with some of them to see if I can work them into clean images to use as patterns. If I do, I'll certainly share them with you!

The book is available on Google Books: Church Embroidery, Ancient and Modern, by Anastasia Dolby.

I don't know about you, but I really love these nice old needlework books that are generously being made available by those who take the time to digitize them.

Feel free to check out my list of free online needlework books to see some similar books available online.

Enjoy your weekend!

Labels: book review, embroidery books, free embroidery patterns, online needlework books

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, January 10, 2009
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If you've been reading Needle 'n Thread for a while, you know I have a great love for long and short stitch and needle or thread painting techniques. The techniques of thread painting - and especially of long and short stitch - can often be intimidating to new stitchers, or even to old! It helps to delve into thread painting with a little project, and here is a perfect one to get you started.

You also know, if you've been hanging out with me for a while, that I have a great admiration for the work of Trish Burr - and this little thread painting project comes straight from her. You can find it on her website, Trish Burr Long and Short Stitch Embroidery. If you haven't seen her beautiful website - oh, do take the time! It's just a pleasure to spend time browsing there!

If the holiday crunch has let up for you, now might be the time to take up a wee little project, just for the fun of it, and perhaps to learn a new technique. Trish's free long and short stitch project is just the perfect size - it's a beautiful little pansy, and it comes with a pattern, all the supplies you'll need listed, as well as step-by-step photos as the piece is completed.



Isn't it pretty?

Just for the sake of relaxation and something different, I thought this would be a fun weekend project - maybe something I could work on with my niece, who wants to learn the ins and outs of thread painting. But low and behold, a little needlework emergency came up on my end, and I have a "volunteer" project I must complete by this Monday night. I'll show you that, but not right now, as I've got to plan it, transfer a design and get stitching. I think the next three days will be spent embroidering - very simple line stitches of text - but I'll show it to you as I make progress on it and tell you what it's about.

Other than that, I've got another project on the books, due January 4th, that's been heaps of fun so far, but now I'm getting into the nitty gritty details, which would be fine without the Tuesday deadline hanging over my head - but that's ok. I think I work best under pressure! I'll be sharing this other project with you, too!

So that's what's going on in my life, now that the holiday crunch is over - it's just a different kind of crunch!

I hope you have a chance to enjoy the weekend and relax a bit with friends and family - Christmas isn't entirely OVER yet, you know! Now's the chance to enjoy it, really!

Have a great weekend!

Labels: embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, needlepainting, needlework websites, Trish Burr

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, December 27, 2008
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I've been a wee bit slow about posting these monograms for hand embroidery, haven't I?! Well, if you have someone whose name (first or last) begins with an "R" on your Christmas list, perhaps you can do something with this "R" monogram!

I gave stitching suggestions for this set of monograms under the Celtic A, if you want some tips on how you could hand embroider something with a monogram like this. You can also use the monograms for other applications... a reader sent me an e-mail and said she was using them to etch beer mugs as Christmas gifts! What a terrific idea! (If you know how to etch beer mugs....)

Anyway, here's the R, in a smaller format:



And here it is, a bit larger:



If you're looking for something to stitch, check out the other free hand embroidery patterns on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, December 14, 2008
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Thanks to Margaret Cobleigh for her genius in converting this image of carnations into a design for hand embroidery. The image is taken from A Treatise on Embroidery with Twenty Color Illustrations from Original Models. Art Needlework Series No. 8 by M. Heminway & Sons Silk Company.

In the original book (which you can find online), the carnations are worked in silk in long and short stitch or thread painting techniques. The colors are gorgeous! It would be an exciting embroidery project to work on!

Margaret took the image of the carnations and traced it as a vector image (in Inkscape), so that you could view it with the outline and the colors, or just with the outlines. So I'm going to give it to you both ways here, but in jpg format, so that you can save it to your computer and print it if you like.

It's nice to have the color version as well, if you plan on stitching this project, since it gives you a good guideline for color choices and shading.

You can click the following images for slightly larger versions, and if you want them bigger or smaller, you can resize them on your computer or on a photocopier.

The first one here is the image with the color, though you can also see the outline around the image, and the addition of a few leaves.



And here is the line drawing to trace for a pattern.



Many thanks to Margaret for the pattern!

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, needlepainting, silk

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, December 13, 2008
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Subonnet Sue is one of those almost-iconic figures in needlework. She's shown up lots of places over time, in many different forms, sometimes sophisticated and sometimes juvenile, but always with a following. A while ago, I embroidered a square for a baby quilt using an old-fashioned Sue pattern, and I've had lots of requests since then for the pattern or similar patterns...

This is my original embroidered quilt square, which I called Sunbonnet Garden:



I've blogged about it previously, so if you've been around for a while, you might find this redundant. I really enjoyed doing this piece! I'm not really die-hard Sue fan, though I do like these "baby Sue" drawings better than the other Sues that have developed over the years. Still, I really enjoyed stitching this particular piece, despite the fact that I'm not that much of a Sue follower. Well, I wouldn't say I dislike Sue - I like Sue ok - but I'm not a Sue-a-holic, if you know what I mean!

These Sue patterns belong to the earliest origins of Sunbonnet Sue, drawn by Bertha Corbett who was later Bertha Corbett Melcher. She's the "mother of the sunbonnet babies." Her pictures that illustrated primers at the beginning of the 1900's have been popular every since, and they've taken on all kinds of different looks. But the characteristic thing about Sue is that generally she has a large bonnet on (sometimes a hat, as she developed later), and you can't see her face. This larger, floppier bonnet in my garden version above and the puffy sleeves and simple arms are characteristic of Mrs. Corbett-Melcher's original Sunbonnet Babies, and they're the style of Sue that I like best.

Thanks to Denise at Needlework News, I discovered another great needlework blog out there called Lace 'n Ribbon Roses, where you can find several of these Sunbonnet patterns available for free.

Right off, if you visit Lace 'n Ribbon Roses, you'll notice that CC's header is the same Sunbonnet Sue as mine above. The difference is the garden. I think in the original pattern I had, Sue's apron was actually full of chicken eggs and she had chickens scratching around her. I just made a few minor adjustments!

If you're looking for these old-fashioned Sue patterns, you might want to start, then, with CC's website. You'll find Sue and Hannah playing with a kitty, Sue and Hannah feeding the chickens, and Sue and Friends dancing in a circle. All three are sweet little patterns of this old-fashioned Sue. While there, check out her embroidered Sue pillowcases, too - really cute!

On a different note, you'll also find this old pamplet on chicken scratch embroidery (embroidery on gingham) on Lace 'n Ribbon Roses, so if you like chicken scratch, check that out, too!

News 'n Such

If you haven't signed up yet for my October Stash Give-Away, called Autumn Abundance, don't forget to do so some time today! The give-away ends tomorrow morning (Tuesday, October 14, at 5:00 am CST). All the details are on the original post.

I intend to get some serious stitching done this week! I'll keep you abreast of anything I accomplish. I hope you have a great Monday, and plenty of time this week to enjoy your needle 'n thread!

Labels: embroidery for children, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, needlework pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, October 13, 2008
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Here's another letter to add to my free hand embroidery monogram alphabets: a D with a Celtic flavor.

I should apologize for the time it's taking to get this whole alphabet on! I hope no one has an embroidery project awaiting a specific letter! If you do, leave a comment below, and I'll put that letter at the top of the list!

For stitching ideas, you may wish to check out the Celtic A monogram. I mentioned a couple ideas in that post on how you might want to stitch these letters. Of course, you can stitch them any way your imagination prompts you to do so!

Without further ado, then, here's the D.

The small version:



And the larger version:



Enjoy!

Coming up this week: an October stash give-away. I've been scrounging for some goodies to put together as a nice stash give-away, so keep an eye out for this month's stash contest as the week progresses!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, October 07, 2008
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, September 29, 2008
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Continuing on with the latest monogram alphabet for your hand embroidery projects, featuring a kind of Celtic-flavor alphabet of loose knotwork - here's the letter C.

I posted stitching ideas for this alphabet with the letter A, if you're looking for any ideas on how to embroider these letters.

Here's the small version of the C:



Here's the large version:



For more monograms for hand embroidery, visit my index of monograms, which can be found under Free Hand Embroidery Patterns here on Needle 'n Thread.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, September 28, 2008
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Here's the next requested letter for the current monogram alphabet for hand embroidery (or other craft) project - the letter E.

I've posted some stitching suggestions for this alphabet with the letter A, if you are interested in checking those out. You can also see what letters are currently available for this alphabet by checking the Monogram Index.

If you have a particular letter you'd like to see in this alphabet, just leave a comment below, and I'll move that letter to the top of my list!

Here's the small E:



And here's the larger version:



Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, September 20, 2008
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This is a continuation of the Celtic "flavor" monogram alphabet I've been posting lately - today's free hand embroidery pattern is for the letter M.

You can find stitching ideas on the post for the letter A of this alphabet, and you can also find more monograms for hand embroidery on the index page for the monograms available here on Needle 'n Thread.

Here's the smaller version of the M:



And here's the larger version:



Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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Continuing on with the Celtic monogram alphabet, here's another free embroidery pattern for you: the letter F.

If you're looking for embroidery ideas for this particular alphabet, check out the post for the Celtic monogram letter A.

You can save these letters directly to your own computer and resize them as you wish, either in a photo editing program or by printing them out and using a copy machine.

Here's the small version of the F:



Here's the larger version of the F:



For more letters in this alphabet, or for other monogram alphabets, please check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, September 14, 2008
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Here's the next monogram for hand embroidery - the Celtic B...

If you check out the post on the celtic A monogram, you'll find some stitching suggestions for this set of monograms.

Here's the small version of the B:



And here's the large version:



For more monograms for hand embroidery, feel free to visit my Index of Monograms.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, September 09, 2008
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Continuing with the new set of monograms for hand embroidery, here's an "S" for you...

You can find stitching ideas for this monogram pattern on the page with the "A" on it. If you have any ideas for good embroidery stitches for this monogram set, please don't hesitate to share them!

Here's the small S:



And here's the larger version:



For some reason, I really like the smaller version of this alphabet better, but in case you have some project that requires a Really Large Celtic letter, there you have one!

For more monograms, please don't hesitate to visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery!

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, September 07, 2008
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Here's the beginning of a new set of monograms for hand embroidery. This set is a bit Celtic in flavor, as it features some loose knotwork.

I like this alphabet a lot - there are many embroidery options for the letters. The original alphabet, from Journal des Demoiselles, features a specked area inside the curves of the knotwork. These areas can be filled with tiny seed stitching, or left empty. The shape of the letters can be satin stitched or simply outlined. You could also try a variety of different types of fillings that would take curves well. For a lighter look, you could try feather stitch, or fly stitch. You could also work the letters in chain stitch or any variations - rope stitch, heavy chain, etc.

I thought I'd offer two sizes of the monogram here, to make it easier for saving and printing. The original alphabet was small - about an inch and a half to two inches high.

Here's the small version of the Celtic A:



Here's the large version of the Celtic A:



You'll find more free monograms for hand embroidery on my Monogram Index. Just click on the letter you're looking for!

I'm a bit slow cleaning up the individual letters for the monogram alphabets, so if you have a particular letter you'd like soon, just leave a comment and let me know. I'll try to do popular letters first.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, September 05, 2008
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Finally! My first alphabet of monograms for hand embroidery is finally finished! The letter Z completes the set! Here it is...

I still have a little tiny bit of work to do on the monogram alphabet. Thanks to Margaret, I've got the first half of the alphabet traced in vectors, so they'll have the same smooth lines. I just need to replace the fuzzier letters - so I'll be doing that in the next couple days!

I have a Celtic-like alphabet I'm thinking of doing next. The letters are smaller than these, and a little more intricate, but I like the alphabet! I've got it on my list of Things to Do... you know the list - the kind that keeps growing!

Here's the Z:



And for the rest of this particular alphabet, you can visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery, and you'll find them all there!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, August 15, 2008
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It's been about a week since I've posted a free monogram pattern for hand embroidery - I'm slowly dragging to the end of this alphabet - not to draw it out, but just because life has been hectic! Here's the "Y"!

All that's left to give you to complete this whole monogram alphabet is the "Z." I'll be updating the first half of this alphabet with the cleaner patterns made from vector drawings (thanks to Margaret, who traced the first half of the alphabet for me!)

And then, I've got some letter combinations and a smaller alphabet I was thinking about cleaning up next...

Here's the Y:



For the rest of this alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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I'm finally getting down to the last three letters for the monogram alphabet that you can use for your hand embroidery projects that just beg for monogramming!

If you're looking for the whole alphabet for the hand embroidery monograms, check out the Index of Monograms that you'll find on my Free Hand Embroidery Patterns Page.

Here's the X:



If you ever do anything with any of the monograms, I'd love to hear about it, and even to see photos! Just drop me a line, and I'll get back to you with an e-mail address!

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, July 19, 2008
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I have to admit, it's getting difficult to think of an "original" way to begin these posts for each monogram. I almost started off this one by singing the "W" song - but I thought I'd spare everyone! Here's the next monogram for hand embroidery - the W.

Oh, what is the letter we love? What sound are we extra-fond of? It's not any trouble, you know it's a "W" when you hear wuh, wuh, wuh, wuh... (or something along those lines... I couldn't resist.) I didn't grow up with Earnie and Bert, but I had a niece who used to listen to that tape over and over and over again!

I think it would be fun to embroider the "W" - lots of curves and smooth long lines.

Here's the letter:



You can find the rest of this alphabet (it's almost complete) at the Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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Slowly but surely, this monogram alphabet is filling up! Here's the U...

I figure "U" is probably not the most commonly used letter for monograms, but I know that someone out there is bound to want it, at some point! So, without further ado, here is the U... (I'm such a poet...)



For more monograms from this alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Have fun with it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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Straying from the monogram theme, here's a free pattern for hand embroidery. Actually, it's not straying all that far from the monogram theme, because it would make a perfect setting for a monogram!

I could see this embroidered (reduced in size) across the corner and sides of a hankie - with tiny satin stitched leaves, or fishbone stitch leaves, it would make a very pretty corner setting for any fine linen, handkerchief, towel, pillow case - you name it. It would also make a pretty motif around the edge of a quilt block or on a handbag. In fact, you could probably come up with more ideas for it than I can, so I'll leave it to your imagination!

I saved this one rather large, in case you want a "big" version. You can click on it for the larger version before saving it to your computer!

Here's the pattern:



You can flip it in any graphics editing program, if you want a different corner! Or, heck, you could duplicate it four times for all four corners!

The original pattern came from the old French publication (turn of last century), Journal des Demoiselles.

Cleaned up, it isn't bad, is it?!

Have fun with it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, July 13, 2008
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Yet another monogram for hand embroidery - the letter T...

The T is a little different from the other monograms patterns so far - it has slight points at the top of each arm. It makes the whole thing look a bit more angular than the rest of the alphabet, although it still has the curves on the stems and the base. I like it!



If you want other letters in this particular alphabet, check out the list of monograms - which is slowly but surely filling up!

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, July 12, 2008
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Here's the next monogram for hand embroidery - the letter P.

I'm still playing with these embroidery patterns in vector format. Has anyone tried printing them yet? Just curious - I (ahem) don't have a printer right now! Bad situation, I know!

There are quite a few areas I'd like to straighten up on this, but anything that is too worbly, I think you can straighten up in the transfer... but if you think it's just impossible, let me know! I neeeeeed to perfect this whole graphics thing!

Here's the P - any feedback would be wonderfully appreciated!



For more monograms in this alphabet, check out the monogram list!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, July 11, 2008
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Here's the letter G, in its own official spot, without a confusing title!

For more letters of this monogram alphabet, please visit the Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, July 11, 2008
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Here's one more hand embroidery monogram for today - the letter R - but you'll probably notice something a bit different about this pattern...

I mentioned earlier today in my post on the O and Q monograms that I was working on cleaner versions of these monogram patterns, thanks to Margaret's tutorials she sent me on how to trace a design as a vector image. So here's my first attempt! There are little points that are a bit more wobbly than I like, but overall the lines are smoother and clearer, and I think they will print a lot clearer on your printer!

Anyway, what do you think? Do you like them better this way? I thought I'd poll readers to hear your impressions. What do you like better, since the patterns are here for you, after all!

Here's the R:



For the rest of the alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery!

And let me know what you think about the different look of the letters!

Thanks!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, July 10, 2008
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Here are two monograms for hand embroidery - the "O" and the "Q."

Since these are the same letters, I thought I'd post them in the same post. The only difference between the two is the "tail" on the "Q."

I hope you enjoy these! If you embroider anything with them, let me know! I had an e-mail from someone yesterday who said she was going to embroider a whole quilt with the whole alphabet! I can't wait to see the restults of that!

Here's the O:



And here's the Q:



If you're looking for a specific letter, check out the rest of the alphabet at my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

EXCITING NEWS: Ahhh - breaking news. I'm very excited about this! Thanks to Margaret C. (the other MC!), who developed and sent me an excellent series of video tutorials on using Inkscape (free software for creating vector images), I can now give you a Much Cleaner Version (no comparison, really) of these letters! I'm hoping to show you what I mean when I post the "R," which still needs a lot of tweaking, but which will be up soon! THANK YOU, MARGARET!!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, July 10, 2008
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Here's the latest monogram for hand embroidery - the letter N.

Because of the turns on the N, if you're planning to satin stitch this monogram, you should think in advance of your stitch direction. When you embroider a letter, you want the stitch direction to make sense - that is, you don't necessarily want to change the direction of your stitching on each different "leg" of the embroidery. Try to keep an overall consistent stitch direction in the main parts of the monogram.

When you start thinking about stitch direction on something like this letter, things can start getting confusing. I suggest marking in your stitch direction lines before you begin to embroider, using a very light pencil.

Of course, monograms are not relegated to satin stitch only - you can use all kinds of stitches to fill, including long and short stitch, stem stitch used as a filling, chain stitch, split stitch, and so forth.

Well, here's the "N" - I hope you like it!



Check out the rest of the available letters of this monogram alphabet, which you'll find listed in the Monogram Index.

And, next up is the O and the Q, which are incidentally the same monogram - you have to remove the tail for the Q - which I may do in advance for you, just to avoid the confusion!

Have fun with it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, July 09, 2008
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Here's another monogram for hand embroidery - this time, the letter "L."

Slowly but surely, the monogram alphabet is filling up! Before you know it, I'll reach "Z." I wonder if there will be any takers for the "Z"??!! More likely than "X," I suppose....

In the last few days, I've received four requests for the "L," so I'm glad to get it out here for you all. I responded to all the e-mail requests, but two of them failed in delivery (I think AOL users need to add me to their address book, or something, before I can get through!).

Ok, without further ado - here 'tis:



For more letters of this alphabet, please visit my Monogram Index!

Have fun with it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, July 08, 2008
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Continuing on with the monogram alphabet here... I'm trying to double up on the letters to get them finished a bit sooner! So, here are the I and the J for your embroidering pleasure!

If you want to check out the rest of this monogram alphabet, visit my index of monograms for hand embroidery. I think I'm a good half-way finished now on this particular alphabet!

Here's the "I":



And here's the "J":



Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, July 07, 2008
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This time, two monograms for your hand embroidery projects - letters E and F!

For more free monogram patterns for hand embroidery, please visit my Free Embroidery Patterns page, where you'll find the link for an index of monograms here on Needle 'n Thread.

Here's the E:



And here's the F:

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, July 06, 2008
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Back onto my schedule of supplying you with the whole monogram alphabet for your hand embroidery projects, here's the letter D...

I just received an e-mail from a reader who sent pictures of her latest embroidery project - she used one of the monograms on a dark guest towel, stitched in white with seed stitching and satin stitch. It's really beautiful. Once I have permission, I'll post it for you to see, too!

In the meantime, here's the letter D:



For more monograms from this alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, July 05, 2008
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Here's the next monogram for hand embroidery - the letter "B." I think it's a bit fuzzier than I would like, but if you're tracing or transferring the design onto fabric, I think it'll work fine.

This whole alphabet of monograms for embroidery is filling out ok, but it seems like a slow process at this pace! I keep forgetting that, at one letter a day, it will take 26 days to finish one alphabet. I shall pursue a solution to that!

But in the meantime, enjoy the B:



For the rest of the alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, July 03, 2008
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Continuing with the whole alphabet for hand embroidered monograms, here's a free pattern for those of you wish might wish to embroidery the letter "H" on household linens, towels, wedding gifts, and whatever else you can think to use a monogram on!

To get down to business and keep this post somewhat short, here's the free embroidery pattern for the letter H:



For those of you using a PC, you can right click that and save it to your computer, then do whatever you want with it!

For more letters in this alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, July 02, 2008
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Here's another monogram for hand embroidery, this time, the letter "V."

I'd love to hear if anyone is planning on doing anything in particular with these monograms. I suppose they could be used for other applications besides hand embroidery, but when I think monograms, I automatically think hand embroidery. And, well... this is an embroidery website, after all!

For more monograms, please visit the Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery, where I'm trying to fill in this whole alphabet!

Here's the V:



Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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Yet another monogram for hand embroidery - the letter "S." I've been posting twice a day, with the intention of getting this whole monogram alphabet online for you - but I don't know if I'll be able to keep up the pace! We'll see. It's been kind of fun and challenging, anyway! If you've liked this monogram alphabet so far, I think you'll really like the "S." It's pretty!

I think I may have given the impression previously that monograms can only be hand embroidered using specialty threads, like coton a broder. Not so, not so! In the next couple weeks, one of my summer embroider classes will begin monogramming a hankie. They're using DMC stranded cotton, and I'm sure it will turn out just fine! I'll post photos of the class sample as soon as I work it up!

For the rest of this monogram alphabet, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery. You'll also find it listed on my Free Hand Embroidery Patterns page!

And so, here's the S - Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, June 30, 2008
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Here's the next free monogram for hand embroidery... the letter K. At this rate, it should only take about ten forevers to finish one monogram alphabet! I may have to find a different approach! Be that as it may, in the meantime, I hope you are enjoying these particular embroidery designs!

In the previous articles featuring these free embroidery monograms, I've gone on at some length about techniques, so if you haven't read those, you might want to check out the posts on the letters A, C, G, and M. You can also visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery, which you'll find listed on my embroidery patterns page.

Without further ado, here's the K:



I tried cleaning this one up a little differently, scanning it first as a bmp, then cleaning it up and saving it as a gif. The others I worked on as jpgs, which allowed me a little more leeway in smoothing up the lines and filling in the gaps. I may have to go back to jpgs for the clean up...

But, whatever the case, enjoy the monograms!!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, June 29, 2008
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So do you LOVE them, or do you HATE them? Vintage Vogart embroidery transfers have made a big come-back in popularity, and a lot of younger generation embroiderers are not only stitching them, but are also collecting them.

There are many resources online about vintage Vogart embroidery transfers, but the nicest resources are the ones that provide cleaned up versions of the patterns, with a good index. By far the best one I've seen online is Floresita's "Hoop Love" page. The index includes mostly Vogart patterns, and some Walker's as well. Not all the patterns are cute little animals - floral motifs for bedroom linens can be found in there as well.



Here, you'll find vintage Vogart transfers cataloged by number and name, with a link to the website that hosts the design.

I've discussed these kinds of embroidery patterns with many embroiderers over the years - and what it boils down to, it seems to me, is that there are two schools of thought on them. They're either loved, or they're hated!

Perhaps I should say there are three schools of thought, because I fall somewhere in between. While I don't normally use the designs myself for my own projects, I do like them. I like their simplicity. I like the fact that they make embroidery accessible to beginners and that they give beginners and beyond a fun way to embroider something light.

I like the fact that kids LOVE these designs. They do! My little students in the summer really go for these, and it's so fun to see them get excited over them!

I like the fact that you can go a little further with them - you can embellish them beyond their original design. For example, I took a similar old Sunbonnet Sue pattern (not necessarily Vogart, but the concept's the same) and embellished her to the gills for a baby quilt, adding a garden and a bee and decorating her dress and bonnet. It was fun.

So I think it's a great thing that the patterns are collected and made available to you and me through the generous efforts of people like Floresita!

Think of all the people over the past decades who have really enjoyed stitching those patterns! Think of all the embroiderers who have developed a life-long love of stitching because they started on these patterns when their fingers were just learning to hold a needle! Think of all the grandmas who have stitched quilts for their grandchildren using the Vogart patterns, or the expectant moms, making their first Embroidered Something for their Little On-coming Offspring!

Yep. I belong to the third camp. And I like them.

Now, talk about controversy... what do YOU think? Are you first camp (love them), second camp (hate them), third camp (like me - you see something valuable in them, but don't necessarily stitch them for your own pleasure or purposes), or... are you completely and entirely indifferent to them???

I'd love to hear your opinion, your thoughts, your feelings, your observations, your experiences, and your reasons....!

And remember, you can always comment anonymously! ;-)

Labels: embroidery for children, embroidery for fun, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, miscellaneous embroidery musings, vintage embroidery

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, June 29, 2008
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As promised, I'm adding the "M" to my index of monograms for hand embroidery. Here's the free embroidery pattern...

This was another messy monogram - when I scanned it, despite the resolution, I ended up with lots of broken or absent little line fragments, lots of fuzz, and there was also a slight wrinkle in the page, so a there was some creasing. Anyway, I think it's ok now to use for an embroidery pattern! It's no perfect graphic, but it will certainly serve for transferring an embroidery design, don't you think?

I'm slowly cleaning up the whole alphabet. In the order of "most wanted," the "S" will be up next. Then the "K" and the "V." So keep an eye out!

Here's the "M"...



Feel free to check out my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery for other letters.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, June 28, 2008
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Sorry about that big blunder yesterday! If you want to embroider a "C" on something, here's the design for the monogram!

In case you're debating how to transfer your monogram to your fabric before embroidering it, there are a number of ways to do that. For the oatmean colored guest towel I embroidered, I used an iron-on transfer, so I didn't really have to deal with that issue. When you're printing a design, though, you do.

I find the most accurate way to get a pattern down for a project is to trace it. If you don't have a light box, use a sunny window, taping your pattern to the window and your fabric on top of your pattern. Use a regular #2 pencil and trace it lightly. If you're sure the design will be completely covered by your stitching, after you've traced it with the pencil, you can go over it with a fine-tipped micron art pen.

The pencil will wash out! I generally starch my fabric and iron it well before tracing on it with a pencil, and the pencil always washes out. The pen will not wash out.

And, as I've mentioned before, if you don't want to trace, you can always use dressmaker's carbon - or turn your design over and trace it with pencil on the wrong side, place the pattern on your fabric (pencil-traced side down), and, using a ball point pen or a stylus, trace over the pattern. In effect, you're just making your own carbon paper...

Anyway, I know I harp on the design transfer point a lot. It's one of those questions I get asked a lot!

Here's the C - yes, it's the C!! This design was pretty messy, so you can probably tell where I've reconstructed some of the lines. I probably should have just reconstructed (redrawn) the whole thing!

For other monograms, check out the Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery!

Enjoy!

Labels: embroidery tips and tricks, free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, June 27, 2008
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, June 27, 2008
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I'm using this page to create an index for monogram patterns used for hand embroidery. As I clean up some old monogram patterns I have, I'll post them and add them to this index. I'll include a picture of one letter, so you can see what the monogram style looks like, and then links to the individual patterns for the monograms. I hope you find these patterns useful and inspiring for your needlework endeavors!

For each letter of each alphabet, there will be a post with a full sized pattern on it. I'll also include tips on how it might be hand embroidered. The individual letters are links to each full-sized monogram.

Flowered Monograms from La Broderie Blanche, 1912



A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Celtic Knotwork Monograms
This set, from Journal des Demoiselles, features a specked area inside the curves of loose knotwork.



A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Keep an eye out for future updates to the alphabet and additions of new alphabets.

Please note that all images here, to the best of my knowledge, are out of copyright. They come from old publications of magazines or needlework flyers that I'm trying to collect, most from the early 1900's. If you wish to link to these on your own website, please feel free to do so. If you wish to add the images to your own website, I ask that you please note Needle 'n Thread as the source, with a link. Thanks!

I'm always happy to hear about sources for these old publications, so if you know of any sources or have any that you are interested in selling, please contact me.

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, June 26, 2008
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I'm doing some clean-up work on posting mistakes, so here is really the Letter C - but I will repost the letter G in its own spot. If you added the monogram for the G to your favorites, you'll want to visit the list of monograms and go to the "real" G! Thanks for understanding!

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious when I tell you that monograms don't have to be white, and they don't have to be embroidered in satin stitch! If satin stitch intimidates you, try other stitches! For example, a simple stitch combination is the whipped backstitch as an edge, and seed stitch as a filler. Although I've shown it before, here's a leaf worked in that combination:



These are two very easy stitches, and the nice thing is that the whipped backstitch can be a very precise stitch, so it takes curves and points very well.

But for some of you, it may not be Intimidation by Satin Stitch that inhibits you from embroidering monograms. It may be that the satin stitch just doesn't thrill you.

If this is the case, you have GOT to check out Paule's website, where you will see a gorgeous variety of stitches used on monograms, in beautiful shades of roses and reds. They are stunning, and so perfectly stitched. Look, for example, at the "B" and "T" worked in feather stitch, or the outlined "O." Aren't they pretty? If you take the opportunity to browse through the images of Paule's sampler, I think you'll find some very inspiring ideas for working monograms!

So it's pretty feasible to embroider a monogram and completely avoid the satin stitch altogether. If nothing else, you could have fun experimenting with all kinds of stitch combinations!

Here's the "C," then:



Once the clean up work is done on the "M," I'll post it - and the "S" seems to be a popular request, too. If you haven't seen it yet, you can find the "A" here.

I'm also going to make up a monogram index page to make finding them a lot easier! I'll list that under my index of hand embroidery patterns, which probably needs the same kind of attention I gave my gallery last week!

Enjoy!

For more monogram patterns, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms, needlework pictures, pictures, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, June 26, 2008
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Since we're on the subject of hand embroidered monongrams (are you sick of it yet?!), I thought I'd share with you an alphabet! Unfortunately, it has to come in bits and pieces, since it requires a lot of clean-up work!

Here's the first letter! This is taken from an old publication (1912) called La Broderie Blanche, an old French magazine that sported lots of embroidery patterns. The image is not as clean as I would like, but it does suffice for a pattern!

You can enlarge the monogram or reduce it either on your computer or on a photocopier. An easy way to transfer the monogram onto white fabric is to use a sunny window. Tape the monogram onto a sunny window, tape your fabric over it, and trace it. If you have a light box, it may save your arm a bit!

You can also trace the monogram onto good tracing paper (use red ink), then turn the paper over and trace over the design with either a regular #2 pencil or with a white dressmaker's pencil (if you're transfering onto darker fabric). Place the monogram red-ink side up on your fabric where you want it, and use a ball point pen (don't break through the paper!) and trace back over the monogram. This should transfer your design clearly enough to see it, and then you can go back and touch up if needed.

Anyway, here's the A. I'll post the rest of the alphabet as I get it cleaned up.



Ain't it perty? I love this alphabet! I like it a lot better than the one I used on my guest towel project; it just lacks the convenience of an iron-on.

As far as embroidering, and what stitches to use, it really depends on your project. If you're doing something large, like a pillow case or sheets, or something medium-sized like a guest towel, you could outline the letter and fill in with tiny seed stitches, then satin stitch the flower petals and leaves, which would give a nice, light effect, and good contrast in texture and so forth. If you're doing something small, like a hanky, I'd probably go with overcast (barely padded, if at all) satin stitch. For hankies, the monogram needs to be pretty small, so in reducing this, I think you'd get to the point where you wouldn't have double lines on some parts of the letter. I think overcasting would work well in areas like that.

If anyone's positively antsy for a specific letter, let me know! I'll skip ahead.

For more monogram patterns, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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The Kreinik website offers several free hand embroidery projects, but the most interesting one - and the most detailed - is a little stumpwork bird pattern by Jean Fletcher. Guess what I like about it?

Well, besides the fact that it's stumpwork, it features a bird! And I'm really fond of birds. Besides the bird, though, there are very pretty blue flowers - what more could you want?!



When I first saw the pattern, I was, admittedly, a little distressed by the bird itself, as it wasn't familiar to me and I didn't much like the colors. But then I looked up the crimson chat, a bird native to Australia, and it grew on me! It's a great little bird!

This stumpwork freebie includes a full list of supplies, and detailed instructions for the Crimson Chat in PDF format.

The project features Kreinik's Silk Mori, a thread that I haven't actually used. I was turned off Kreinik silk a while ago, when there was some kind of strange cuffuffle in the Soie d'Alger line from Au Ver a Soie - about six years ago, the Soie d'Alger was sold with a Kreinik lable. The Kreinik threads did not match the Soie d'Alger color-wise (just slightly off) and they seemed stiffer and duller to me. So I gave Kreinik a miss for a while.

However, I've heard very good things about this thread from other stitchers and have added it to my "List of Threads to Try This Year."

If you've wanted to try stumpwork, this is an inexpensive way to venture into it: there's no kit fee. I suppose that you could substitute threads in your stash - which would be an economical way to experiment.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, stumpwork, threads

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, May 25, 2008
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Well, this embroidery pattern didn't end up being what I thought it would be. In fact, I don't know what it is...

I was playing around, trying to come up with a simple pattern for embroidering on paper for kids to do. I'm not sure why, but all I can see when I look at this is fortune cookies!

Anyway, it isn't quite what I wanted it to be, but I'll put it here anyway, because one never knows...

It's usable: cards, corners, shirt pocket, something! I don't know! What do YOU think? Any ingenius ideas for this pattern??

Here's the pattern:



News

Don't forget that this month's stash give-away ends tomorrow, Sunday, May 18th!

If you're looking for a neat "hub" for online needlework contacts, you may want to check out Sharon Boggan's new venture in social networking: Stitchin Fingers. I tend to shy away from social networking, because on many sites there's a lot of stuff I just don't want to run into, but this site is all needlework oriented, and very clean and tidy. So if you want to check it out, do! You'll find me on there now and then, so feel free to look me up.

If the fortune cookies just aren't your thing, and you're looking for more embroidery patterns, here's my index for free embroidery patterns that you'll find on this site and online.

Over the next two weeks will be the end-of-the-school-year CRUNCH for me, so if I manage to post daily, I will be amazed. Bear with me if I'm sporadic over the next 10 days!

With summer just around the corner, I'm gearing up for my kids' embroidery classes. You may remember that last summer we made wool felt notebook covers and embroidered draw string bags. This summer, I've got some new projects lined up that I think will be really fun! I'm taking youth up to 15 years old this summer and beginner adults, so I'll have 4 classes going each week, but the class sizes will be rather limited (8 students in each class). Well, that's assuming I get full enrollment! I'll be sharing my class plans and projects with you eventually. Actually, I'm considering putting together a coherent package of lesson plans / ideas for kids' projects, if anyone's interested?

Enjoy the weekend!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, May 17, 2008
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Here's another little hand embroidery pattern for surface work of just about any kind...

This little motif could be embroidered on the top of a square pincushion, it could be used for whitework in the corner of a table runner or on a guest towel - the only limitation is ... well, your imagination!

I think it's nice pattern suitable to simple outline stitching, using stem stitch, although you could always satin stitch the fleur de lys.

Whatever you do with it, have fun!

Here's the pattern - you can resize it as you wish to suit your needs.



For more free hand embroidery patterns, visit my index of hand embroidery patterns. You'll find lots of them on Needle'nThread, as well as a good list of online resources where you can find more!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, May 09, 2008
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Here's the embroidery pattern for the book cover I'm embroidering this week, in case you want to add it to your collection, too! I received a couple e-mails asking for it, so here 'tis.

I'm embroidering this design primarily in long and short stitch - the cross and the flowers are done, and I think, with the crown, I'll be using the same stitch, although I'll touch it up with something (I'm not sure what, yet!) for texture. I don't want it to look cheezy at all, so I want to be pretty careful with the crown! All the vines are worked in stem stitch, and the lettering will be done either in stem stitch or in a tiny whipped backstitch.

But you could use anything, really, with this design, as far as stitches go. You could outline instead of fill, using any variety of chain stitches. Or you could fill in with split stitch (in an Opus Anglicanum kind of way) or chain stitch or stem stitch.

If you go with a filled-in design, the design will stand out boldly - if you go with an outline design, it will look more delicate.

So, here's the design. I'll be adding it to my list of other hand embroidery patterns, too, so you'll be able to find it there.

Click on the design for an even larger version, then resize as you wish.

I took the bottom line off the crown, by the way, in my project...

Enjoy!

Labels: ecclesiastical embroidery, free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, May 01, 2008
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, May 01, 2008
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I like redwork - I think its simplicity is charming: pretty, delicate (or rustic, depending on the look), and normally executed with simple stitches. And of course, its usually red! I love red. Jeannine's redwork square here is her first attempt (you'll find it hard to believe she's an beginner, which makes it that much more impressive!)

The embroidery pattern is from Needlecrafter, where you can find some nice vintage embroidery patterns, all cleaned up and ready to go. For the first time in ages, it looks like Needlecrafter is busy again! There have been new additions, and, although there are some broken links in the photos (and the pictures in the new gallery don't display yet?), I'm excited to see that there may be life on the site again! So check that resource out for online patterns!

But first, check out Jeannine's redwork square:



This is a closer-up on the top half of the design - the stitching is nice and delicate.



And here's the whole thing! I love the feet and slippers, and the pretty dress!

I think the stitching is really well done on this! It's nice and neat and tidy, and just the right delicacy for the design. Jeannine used DMC 814, which is a deep, rich red. I think it was a good color choice!

Congratulations on your first redwork, Jeannine, and thanks for sending the pictures along!

I've got a few other readers' projects coming up soon. If you have pictures to share of your recent projects, drop me an e-mail and I'll reply!

And in the meantime, I'm crunching an embroidery project this week - I started it Saturday afternoon, and it has to be finished this Saturday. I'll show you photos tomorrow!

Labels: beginner embroidery, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, readers embroidery

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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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!



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.



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!

Labels: embroidery links, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns, goldwork, historical needlework, vintage embroidery

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, April 28, 2008
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Two days in a row on hand embroidery patterns! Hope you don't mind. This one is a leafy border, stylized and a little formal. There are lots of possibilities with this pattern - it could even make a good pattern for hand-quilting the border of a quilt.

Whenever I see an embroidery pattern like this, the first thing I think of is guest towels or pillow cases or something similar. White on white, or even a subtle color (green?) would look good.

It's a nice pattern for easy stitching, anyway - stem stitch would work, but I think chain stitch would look great!

Another thought just occured to me: what about the bottom edge of a skirt? And then that opens up a lot of possibilities - dressy or casual!

[When playing with patterns, it's fun thinking of hundreds of different ways they can be used. But I seem to have a problem finding time just to try one of those hundreds of ways.....!!!]

Click on the pattern below for a larger size, which you can resize as you wish.



For more hand embroidery patterns, check out my hand embroidery pattern index!

On another note altogether, I have an update on bullion knots with Gilt Sylke Twist coming up. That is, if it works out well! Even if it doesn't, I suppose you could learn from my mistakes!

Back to my needle 'n thread!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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I realized I haven't posted a free hand embroidery pattern in a long time, so I thought I'd share this little embroidery pattern with you!

This is a simple embroidery pattern that I think would look great on household linens: towels, table runner, cloth napkins, etc.

It would be quick to work - so it would be great for making a gift! What about a linen basket-liner (for a bread basket or something?), with this stitched in the corners?

As far as fabric goes - well, anything's fair game. If I had more natural-colored linen, I'd like to make a basket liner with this, and stitch it in white coton a broder, in stem stitch for all the lines, and the dots, leaves, and little tulip shapes on the sides would be worked in satin stitch. I think it'd be pretty - just a simple motif, but enough to mark it as hand-made and elegant.

Come to think of it, this would also make a fun exercise in gold couching.

So here's the pattern. Click on it for a larger version!

Personally, I'd keep it somewhat small - three inches square, maybe? You can resize it on your computer or on a copy machine.



For more hand-embroidery patterns, check these out:

Hand Embroidery Patterns available here on Needle 'n Thread
Ecclesiastical Patterns available here on Needle 'n Thread
An index of websites that offer free embroidery patterns online.

Have fun with it! And if you stitch something with it, do let me know!!!!! I love sharing readers' adventures in needlework!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, April 21, 2008
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, April 17, 2008
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If you like elaborate hand embroidery in a "classic" sort of style, you may very well like the latest embroidery patterns I'm playing with. I like repeat designs for embroidery, but I've noticed that, in general, repeatable embroidery patterns usually only consist of one section of the repeat, so I've been duplicating the sections and flipping them on some of my favorite repeatable patterns.

This particular embroidery pattern is from Therese Dillmont's books from the DMC collection - it's in French, and the title is La Broderie au Passe. You can find the same book on the Antique Pattern Library, in four parts in PDF format. (Section 2 & 3 are the sections with patterns. Section 1 has black and white plates of finished embroidery from which the patterns were taken.)

The book focuses on regular surface embroidery in shaded techniques - so, lots of long and short stitch, stem stitch filling, and so forth. Even though it isn't packed with patterns, there are some very nice ones in there, some of which are elaborate, but small motifs could certainly be separated from the overall pattern. When there's a repeat, generally you only get one section - the duplication is up to you and your tracing paper (or, in this case, scanner, tablet, and Photoshop).

Here's the pattern. You can click on it for a slightly larger image. To resize, you can play with it in a photocopy machine, or in your favorite graphics program.



I'd love to work this pattern in silks on linen, but I'd have to find a use for it. I can't imagine using such a pattern on a tablecloth - not after all the work! Any ideas how it could be used?

For more hand embroidery patterns, you can visit my list of free hand embroidery patterns here on Needle'nThread, a short list of church embroidery patterns, or my list of free hand embroidery patterns around the web.

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, March 14, 2008
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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!



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!

Labels: embroider on paper, embroidery for fun, embroidery links, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, March 03, 2008
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, February 08, 2008
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What a find! Here's a terrific resource for designs for hand embroidery. This is a site with all kinds of good design ideas on it! I don't usually get over excited about resources for embroidery patterns, but this one is really good!

Keep in mind, this site is not specifically an "embroidery" website - rather, it's a clip art and image site, but it is chock full of perfect images that can be adapted for embroidery. The site is hosted by the University of South Florida, and it's called Clipart ETC. At Clipart ETC you will find a searchable database of all kinds of images, which are presented in three sizes - small, medium, and large. You can also download a printable tif file for each image.



When you go to Clipart ETC, click on the "search database" link. Here, you can perform a keyword search, or you can search by category. The first search I performed was on the word "butterfly." There are 161 records, most of which have clear images of nice butterflies which would translate easily into embroidery designs.



Some of the butterflies are more complex than others. They are all black and white, which might pose a problem for choosing correct colors for embroidering.



But even if you were to pick a not-so-real color scheme, you could end up with a great embroidered butterfly, thanks to the clarity of the images.



I'm a fan of this particular butterfly, which is the Papilio Machaon - a swallowtail. If I were going to embroider it, though, I'd want to be pretty precise with the color scheme, and there's really nothing easier than coming up with the colors of the butterfly - simply do a Google image search. I came up with a pretty good image, which I then modified in PhotoShop.



If I wanted to translate this into a pattern for embroidery, I'd take my line drawing in black and white, trace it on good tracing paper, then go at it with colored pencils. I'd then thread match, and I'd be set to reproduce the swallowtail in thread.



Christmas is coming up. I seached the Clipart ETC database for holly, and here is a beautiful specimen that could be embroidered a number of ways - by outlining, or by filling with long and short stitch shading. Whatever way you want to reproduce it in thread, it's a lovely pattern!



I'm a fan of historical needlework, so I searched "Bayeux Tapestry" on a whim, and... here's a great image of one of the boats!! Perfect for reproducing a little bit of Bayeux.



On a whim, I searched the word "border." I came up with some beauties!



And, I'm a huge fan of daffodils, so I tried that term, too. Voila!

Clipart ETC hosted by the University of South Florida is an absolute gem of a source for embroidery design inspiration! Bookmark it!!

Labels: embroidery design, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, December 07, 2007
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Here's my attempt at a snowflake pattern for embroidering. It's a bit messy, admittedly! But I figured I'd share it anyway, and if you use it, you can clean it up a bit when you transfer the design. I want to embroider a snowflake something-or-other this weekend - perhaps to use on a card or maybe to make onto an ornament of sorts. I haven't decided yet!

On this particular embroidered snowflake, I want to work beads, so the dots all over the place represent different sized beads. Also, the hairy tips of the beaded branches are just there to give an idea of extra icy embellishment that could be added to the design.

I'm thinking of working a pale blue silk satin stitch on the double-lined branches, and all the rest in a small strand of silver metallic. If I can't get the silver metallic to work satisfactorily, I may switch to white for the double branches and a pale blue for the beaded branches. In any case, I want to work it on a darker fabric, if I have one in my scraps. The beads will probably be clear. Again, another "we'll see."

Well, anyway, it's not the best or cleanest pattern in the world, but I thought I'd share it with you nonetheless. Here 'tis:



You can click on it for a larger version. Once you save it to your computer, you can scale it down to a reasonable size.

Have fun with it!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, December 06, 2007
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Here's a pretty pattern that can be adapted to an embroidery project, or it could be used for other craft purposes as well.

This embroidery pattern (which I'd like to play with on white silk with gold and beetle wings and perhaps some color) is a cross between ... oh, I don't know - a flower, a somewhat paisley-ish thing, and a fleur de lys? In the long run, I may do away with the scale-like scrolly things in the middle "leaves" and do something different there, and I'll touch up the scrolly "vines" on the edges a bit - dress them up with something. When I get a chance to play with it, the shell-looking areas will be wings, as well as the tulip-shaped flower below the tip of the design. Then I'll use chips of wings here and there as well as accents. Of course, I've got it all in my head - if it comes to fruition, it'll probably change 100 times!

There are lots of possibilities with this one - the whole design could be simplified by erasing the interior filigree elements and just keeping the basic shape.

Here's the pattern:



You can enlarge or reduce it on a copy machine, or by playing with it in a graphics program.

Hope you like it! Have fun!

Labels: free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, December 05, 2007
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I've had a link for Windflower Embroidery in my list of free embroidery patterns around the web for a while. But sometime pretty recently, Windflower Embroidery has had a facelift! The new look on the website is very clean and neat and bright and sunny, which goes well with the stumpwork designs by Jan Kerton.

Jan Kerton specializes in stumpwork. On Windflower Embroidery, she features kits and designs for various types of stumpwork, embroidered blankets, and other projects. Right now, her products aren't currently available, but when they do become available, the site promises to be a good resource for kits, if you like working with kits.



The site hosts excellent information for the needlework enthusiast. You'll find a free stitch guide in PDF, which can be downloaded and printed. Better yet, you'll find some tutorials on finishing techniques for mounting your embroidery work in different settings, including wooden boxes, jar lids, and paperweights. While Jan concentrates on stumpwork, the techniques she covers for mounting are adaptable to all kinds of needlework. Jan also has a great tutorial (with good pictures) on making applique animals to use on blankets. And finally, you'll find a tiny berry garland free design, which is sweet.

So, if you're browsing about the web, stop in and give Windflower Embroidery a look. It looks like a site with a lot of potential - it will be fun to see how it develops!

Labels: embroidery links, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, December 03, 2007
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, December 01, 2007
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This was a fun embroidery pattern to draw up. I took the inspiration from this from a door plate, of all things. You know, sometimes I think it's a curse when everything you see - even the most mundane things around your house - scream, "Wouldn't I make a Great Embroidery Pattern?" That was certainly the case with this, and I've been thinking about it for a loooong time.

So this slender bunch of flowers could be embroidered a number of ways. Oh, yes - they would serve for needle painting - but... I was thinking that, worked on a very fine linen or batiste (probably linen, since it's a bit sturdier), the design would make an excellent study in whitework. If I were going to use whitework techniques on it, I'd make use of the typical outline type stitches and seed stitches, but I'd also try some more textured stitches, or even some pulled techniques, for the various leaves, just for variety.

Well, in any case, here's the design, and you can do with it whatever pleases you! Click on the pattern for a larger version, which you can save to your computer and scale up or down.



How would you see this pattern interpreted? What kind of technique do you think is suited to it? Any ideas??? I'd love to hear them!

Also, lately, I've mentioned to readers that I'd love to be able to share any photos of work they do with the patterns from Needle'NThread, and I've had two readers lately who have sent me photos! If you've used patterns from here and you want to share your work with other readers, don't hesitate to send me a photo. You can e-mail me at mary [at] needlenthread.com.

Labels: free embroidery patterns, whitework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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