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

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



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



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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Labels: embroidered boxes, embroidery links, embroidery resources, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, February 19, 2010
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There are few of us - even the most avid needleworkers among us - who would undertake hand embroidering lengths of fabrics to use for household decor. That's ok. There are companies that make beautiful (and quality) embroidered fabric, and sometimes, it's just downright fun to browse through fabric and textile websites to enjoy a bit of inspiration without actually having to make the commitment to purchase yardage. I mean, we can dream, right? I bumped into just such a website yesterday. A beautiful place with beautiful embroidered fabric that I would love to get my beautiful paws on.

Lengths of embroidered fabric covered with vines, flowers, plants, animals, insects - browse through Chelsea Textiles and take a gander at the delectable offerings!



There are heaps of beautiful fabrics featured on this website, and with most of them, you can click on a link to see an up-close detail.



From simple motifs that scatter over the fabric ground...



... to gorgeous floral bunches - ah! They are all really beautiful!



How would you use this tiled design in household decor? I'm not sure how I would - but oh! Would I use it? You bet! (Ok, maybe not in my tiny house...)



A sofa upholstered in blackwork would be awfully chic. (I'd settle for a little chair...)



Besides hand embroidered fabrics, Chelsea Textiles also carries a line of nice printed fabrics. William Morris, anyone?



And this is a sweet printed design - it would make an excellent embroidery pattern. Check out the knots in the flower center.



Finally, the shop carries pre-made cushions and accessories that are pretty stunning, too.

If you live in London or the vicinity, Chelsea Textiles is having a sale (40 - 80% off) through February. I don't know what that means. Browsing through the website is a lot like looking at a menu without prices. You kinda get that funny feeling that things might be a bit beyond ye olde budget. But golly. Wouldn't it be fun just to see them in person? To touch them?

But even if you can't do that, you can still glean a lot of inspiration from the fabric details on the website! So go browse and enjoy yourself!

Labels: embroidery resources, fabric for embroidery, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, February 03, 2010
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I'll tell you a secret. I'm nuts about the 16th - 17th century embroidered boxes (or caskets), and I've always had this deep-down-secret desire to make one. I toy with the idea in my head, when I should be thinking about other things. I contemplate acting on the idea. And then... I never do. If I could do as they did Back in The Day, and send my pieces of embroidery off to the cabinet maker to have him construct a box around it, I suppose the whole idea would be more feasible. Or if someone could come up with a design or a plan for the actual box and I could do the rest, maybe that would work. Construction has never quite been my forte, and getting my head around the construction of a casket with doors and drawers and trays inside it - well. The thought results in immediate inactivity.

As I was squizzing about online the other day, though, I came across a tutorial for an embroidered box. It isn't quite the same as the 16th century caskets, but I was thinking it might be a good start for any other embroidered box people out there who have a secret desire to make their own embroidered casket - replete with drawers, removable trays, cubby holes, etc.... This one is just a simple box - four sides and a lid. A good starting place for embroidered box construction, methinks.



This lesson for making an embroidered box can be found on the V&A website. The lesson is meant to supplement a textile course with museum research, so it's kind of a neat idea, if you happen to live in the vicinity of a museum with a decent textile display. If you don't, though, and if you just want the nitty-gritty of the construction process, take a look at the PDF that explains how the box goes together.

If you'd like to browse the collections at the V&A for embroidered boxes, you'll want to visit their search page, and type in "Embroidered Caskets" or something to that effect.

What will amaze you is reading the descriptions of some of these embroidered boxes. The box featured in the screen shot above is described thus:

The panels of the casket would have been worked by a young girl, of about the age of 11 or 12, as the culmination of her needlework education, which would have begun with samplers, and the decoration of small objects like pin cushions. She would embroider a series of small panels drawn or printed with pictorial scenes, which would then be sent to a cabinet maker to be made up into a casket, the edges bound with braid. The caskets were fitted with a variety of drawers and compartments, suitable for keeping jewellery, writing equipment and letters, needlework tools, tiny toys or keepsakes. They often had one or two secret drawers, for their young owners' most precious or private possessions; this casket has five, concealed with considerable ingenuity.

If I had worked one of these at age 11 or 12, at the culmination of my needlework education, maybe I'd have this longing to make one out of my system by now!

Enjoy the links, and have a terrific (!) Monday!

Labels: embroidery resources, historical needlework, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, January 18, 2010
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, January 17, 2010
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Elena over at Coeur de Freesia contacted me a couple weeks ago regarding last year's tutorial series on long and short stitch lessons. She generously offered to translate the lessons into French, something that I jumped on with enthusiasm....

Elena will be posting highlighted lessons in the series on her website, Coeur de Freesia, with my permission. The lessons are available in PDF format for those who wish to have a copy in French. She's got the first long and short stitch lesson up already!



For those of you who speak French would like an accurate translation of the lessons, please do visit Elena at Coeur de Freesia! Thanks, Elena!

Other News & Musings

I would never think to blame you all for a lack of sleep. But last night, I barely slept a wink, thinking of your ideas that you posted in the comments section, in answer to my request for input on contents for 2010 on Needle 'n Thread. I should never let myself think too hard about these things before bedtime! Some readers have suggested some very good ideas, so I've been working out several ways to pursue them.

If you've got ideas of topics you'd like to see on Needle 'n Thread but haven't left a comment or dropped me an e-mail yet, feel free to do either!

Christmas is just around the corner! Aaack! Can someone please tell me how that happened?! I haven't decorated (the tree is not up, nor the nativity scene - no lights on the house - nothing), and today I'm going Christmas shopping for the first time. I haven't baked a thing, I haven't thought ahead to doing anything fun with nieces and nephews.... nothing. I am, in short, behind.

All that being said, this coming week, I'm planning on a great Give-Away, courtesy of Trish Burr. I received in the post yesterday a couple copies of her new CD of Long and Short Stitch Projects! Thank you, Trish! The CDs contain step by step instructions for various projects featured in her books and in kit form on her website, as well as the full-size patterns, materials lists, etc. The only things not included to finish the projects are the materials, which you supply. However, I do have one of Trish's kits that I'll be giving away with a CD, so that's coming up - look for it next week!

In between preparations for Christmas, I also have to finish my needlebook this coming week, so I hope to be able to share the finish with you on that, too.

What else is coming up? I suppose you'll have to wait and see. And so will I, actually!

Enjoy your weekend!

Labels: embroidery resources, long and short stitch, miscellaneous embroidery musings, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, December 19, 2009
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Ready to go browsing with me through favorite needlework haunts, blogs, shops, and so forth? When time allows it, I like to browse the online world to see what's going on in the needlework field - and heck, even when time doesn't allow it, I find it's a great way to procrastinate! So - grab your coffee and come procrastinate with me!

I categorize my online browsing in my head this way: Needlework Inspiration, Needlework Supplies, and Needlework Desires and Longings (or what should more accurately be called, "The Danger Zone").

Needlework Inspiration

There's been a heap of inspirational stuff online lately. Lots of it is holiday-related, and I admit I've shied away from glutting on Christmas embroidery ideas this year. No, I'm not a Scrooge. I just haven't had time to stitch on this particular theme, so the things that have really caught my eye have been entirely non-holiday-related embroidery items.



First, there's the big unveiling of "Faith" - the 17th century embroidered jacket - over at Thistle Threads for Plimoth Plantation. If you haven't seen the pictures yet or read up on the last days and weeks before the project was presented to the public, do jump over to The Embroiderers' Story and rest your eyes on an amazing and laudable achievement! Beautiful does not say enough about it! I remember first blogging about the whole project two years ago, after it had been underway for a good year - I was so excited about it and loved following along with the whole project! Now that it's over, it seems to me that we have all benefited from the jacket project in a lot of ways - one tangible way is the fact that we have Gilt Sylke Twist available on the market. Lucky us!



Now how about something springy? Allison Aller's been doing punchneedle ribbon embroidery on some CQ squares. Have you seen her results? Well, you should! It's a great take on ribbon embroidery - and there's nothing like looking at beautiful flowers when your feet and nose are frozen.



Speaking of flowers, colors, and so forth, I introduced you last week to Sandy Vass's new blog, Gold n' Stitches. Uh. WOW. She didn't crawl into blogging, here - she leapt in, and has put up some absolutely wonderful projects that she's working on. I'm totally hooked, and I'm afraid I'm going to be drooling over her blog daily. Take a look at her latest Jane Nicholas project, and her circular Or Nue design! What think you of this? Doesn't it just make you melt into a sea of gold and silk contentedness? I want to do what she is doing! And I want to do it Now! My green eyes are getting the better of me, as Shakespeare would say (or something along those lines.)



I keep up with what's going on over at Needleprint, because, though I don't do a lot of counted work, the kind of counted work I do like is this stuff with the historical twist to it. I really like the Quaker motifs, and I'm still fiddling with turning some more of them into Quaker Surface Motifs. In the meantime, though, Needleprint isn't devoted just to counted work - oh my, no! There's this gorgeous piece of needle painted art posted last week that completely bowled me over. The pomegranate in this piece is downright scrumptious looking. If I were Persephone, I'd not stop at six seeds...

Speaking of doing the things I want to do, Meri's been plugging away at Schwalm work, and although it's been a while since she posted this one, you should go see her project! We're both working on the same project - and she's leaps and bounds ahead of me.

I'm hoping to catch up this vacation. Look out, Meri! But - better than the Schwalm whitework as far as resources go, do check out Meri's Multi-Lingual Picture Stitch Glossary that she put together. You'll find pictures of embroidery stitches accompanied by the name of the stitch in many languages. You can download it and save it to your computer as an excellent reference work.

Over on Coeur de Freesia, you must see this beautiful blue embroidery project that Elena has been working on. Scroll through all the posts, so that you can see this piece as it is developing. I love it! I want it! I want to make that. I don't. I don't have time. Stop.

Over on Maureen Greeson's blog, Vintage Acquisitions, she's been working up some ribbon embroidery flowers as well, like the ones in this vintage basket design (she's got the pattern there, too, if you want it!). I love the flowers. They look like mums. While you're there, she's also got an informative post on using silk chenille for hand embroidery.



Have you seen what Carol-Anne is doing over at Threads Across the Web? I love watching her Japanese embroidery projects unfold. They always looks so sharp, crisp, and beautiful. Her current project is particularly enchanting - I love the different patterns and colors of the cords!

Needlework Supplies



Every needleworker needs needles. Needleworkers need needles. Say that ten times fast! There are needles, and then there are needles. Bohin needles are fast becoming my faves. I'd LIKE to find them in size 10, 11, and 12 crewel. But in the meantime, Sharon over at Threads in Bloom has a small shipment of Bohin Needles - Milliners, Chenille, and Tapestry - available in assorted sizes. Get them now, before they're gone. And hope she gets more soon!

Are you looking for coton a broder in colors? You can find a set of #25 coton a broder (in 18 colors) from Vaune French Heirloom Sewing and Smocking supplies. I haven't ever ordered from them, but this is rather enticing... I just wish they had a picture of it on their website.

The Danger Zone

The Danger Zone is comprised of things I've come across that I have added to a wish list. Some of them, I will probably never purchase. But some are definites for the upcoming year. Now, if you think you might succumb, and you don't want to succumb, just stop reading now.... just move on. Click the X. Close your browser. Don't let me lead you astray!

There are some books coming out in 2010 that look intriguing - Country Bumpkin's Flowers for Elizabeth is on my list. I always get in trouble when I start wandering around the Country Bumpkin website!

Going back to the subject of colors, Hedgehog Handworks has added "Silk Collections" to their website. These are packs of different types of threads, grouped by color. They include silks and metallics, and they all look pretty sumptuous. The prices are reasonable, too. They range from $18.50 - $25-ish, depending on the number of thread types in the pack (some have as many as 10 different types of threads grouped together). You can also find that Thread of Threads Beyond Compare at Hedgehog - Gilt Sylke Twist - in all the colors that are currently available, at the most reasonable online price you'll find. I've got to get some of that Gawdie Grene. I don't have that color yet, and the name intrigues me. I think I should put it in my Christmas stocking. As a stuffer. From me. (Pathetic, isn't it?)

Ok, enough?! For now, yes! I have over-procrastinated! I hope I didn't distract you too much from what you should be doing, too...!!

Have a great day with your needle and thread!

Labels: embroidery resources, miscellaneous embroidery musings, needlework news, needlework websites, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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Lately, I've received several e-mails asking for a source for Pearsall's silk in the US. I like this question, because it requires me to refer people to a really nice website...

In case you haven't visited the Tristan Brook's Designs website lately, you might want to stop in! You're in a for a treat - even if you're just stopping in to look at a pretty website.



As far as I know, Tristan Brooks Designs is one of the few sources for Pearsall's silk in the US. I like Pearsall's silk. It reminds me of the silk I see on ecclesiastical embroidery pieces from the late 1800's and early 1900's. In fact, right now, I'm designing a new ecclesiastical piece that I'm supposed to start in earnest on over the Christmas break, and I'm debating whether or not the use Pearsall's. The difficulty: it's somewhat expensive, compared to other silks out there! We'll see what happens when I get to the thread selection stage!

I like the way threads are arranged on the Tristan Brooks website, by the way - the threads are grouped in color family.



I prefer this type of clear grouping of ALL blues, ALL reds, ALL browns, ALL greens, etc - rather than having to sift through all the colors to find the different groups of blues, reds, browns, etc. (For example, the latter scenario is pretty much how you have to shop for Eterna floss).

Of course, a website like Tristan Brooks Designs offers more than just thread. Oh boy. Does it ever.



You'll find a gorgeous selection of crewel embroidery kits on the website! And I love these little ones - they're called "smalls", and they're about 3" x 3" - perfect to practice crewel embroidery, but not big enough to be intimidating! And the designs are Really Pretty. They include Heathway merino wool thread and Gumnuts poppies. So if you've wanted to try both of those threads, this would be a good way to do it!

Some other Stuff worth perusing at Tristan Brooks Designs: they have Legacy Linen Twill for all your special crewel work projects. They also have a great little tools section, where you'll find slate frames, Evertite stretcher bars, good hoops, and twitchetts.

Twitchetts? What are twitchetts? Well, you'll just have to look and see. (If you're a nut about thread organization during projects, I think you might be interested in them!)

And that is Tristan Brooks Designs. It's also the only source I know for Pearsall's in the US - but if you know of another source, will you let me know?

Enjoy browsing!

Labels: crewel work, embroidery resources, needlework websites, silk

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, December 10, 2009
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Looking for a stitching challenge - a beautiful, small stumpwork embroidery project perfect for Christmas?

I've been a fan of Sandra Vass's beautiful embroidery - her stumpwork and goldwork - for a while, enjoying her photos posted on Stitchin' Fingers, a vast social network for needleworkers established and maintained by Sharon Boggan (of Pintangle) down in Australia. My favorites among Sandy's work include her goldwork gecko and this beautiful piece:



This is Sandy's rendition of the Goldwork Sampler by Hinda Hands, from the book Church Embroidery.

Isn't it Stunning?

Well, the good news is that Sandy has started a blog! It's called Gold n' Stitches. The first project she's featuring is a little goldwork and stumpwork holly project.



In her first post on the Christmas Holly Stumpwork design, you'll find a downloadable pattern, a thorough supply list, and the first instructions for completing this pretty project.

This is a perfect little project for delving into stumpwork - it's small enough to be manageable (without being overwhelming), and it's perfectly suited to the season. I was thinking it would make a really pretty inset for a box lid - a nice gift idea!

Please take a minute to stop by Sandy's new blog, Gold n' Stitches and welcome her to the world of blogging. I'm sure that she will have much to give us, when it comes to beautiful goldwork and stumpwork projects. I'm looking forward to seeing her website develop!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, goldwork, needlework websites, pictures, stumpwork

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, December 08, 2009
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There are only a few needlework magazines that I regularly subscribe to: Inspirations, Piecework, and Sampler & Antique Needlework. Occasionally, though, other needlework magazines will catch my eye when the feature a project that I find particularly appealing. Here's one such case...

In Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine - the November, 2009 issue - there is apparently a project by Phillipa Turnbull of The Crewel Work Company. I haven't actually seen the issue yet (maybe some of you have?), but on the Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine website, under their freebies, they have step-by-step photo instructions for a project titled "Jacobean Idyll" by Phillipa Turnbull (that's a PDF link). According to those instructions, the project is in the November, 2009, issue of the magazine.



Is it not lovely?! I am tempted to invest in the November, 2009 back issue!

Even if you don't have that issue of the magazine and you just wanted the instructions for reference for crewel work, it's worthwhile to check out the PDF of Jacobean Idyll. If nothing else, you can revel in the colors! I think the piece is quite magnificent.

The November, 2009 back issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine is available on their website right now, but I was a little miffed at the cost of shipping one issue, actually - the cost of shipping is about the same price as the magazine!

Another thing that suprised me was that this piece - which is so colorful and really eye-catching - does not seem to be featured on the front cover!

While you're squizzing around the Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine website, you might also enjoy these crewel stitch instructions (PDF) - black and white drawn diagrams for a variety of crewel stitches.

If I ever bite the bullet and pay the shipping cost for this issue of the magazine, I'll let you know a bit more about this particular project. It's so pretty, that I'm mightily tempted! And I do have a nice piece of linen twill that would serve as a perfect ground fabric..... (See, I never have a hard time talking myself into such things!)

Enjoy the resources!

Labels: crewel work, embroidery resources, Jacobean embroidery, needlework websites, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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If you're looking for something inspirational and different for needlework projects, here are a couple resources!

Tricia Wilson Nguyen of Thistle Threads (and of Plimoth Jacket reknown) has recently published a new Needlework Nibble that makes good use of Gilt Sylke Twist and some of the stitches used on the Plimoth Jacket. Tricia's Needlework Nibbles are tiny projects - usually only a couple inches in either direction, size-wise - that employ some interesting threads and techniques, so that you can get a taste of these without launching into a big time-consuming project. I love the idea!



Her latest Needlework Nibble is a bunch of grapes worked with Gilt Sylke Twist. She sells the little kit for a reasonable price - less than $20 - and offers the embroidery pattern and instructions for free on her website. Now, this is really generous! For those of us who might have some GST in our stash, this is a great little project to try with it, and we can do it without purchasing any supplies. But, if you don't have GST in your stash, her kit is a wonderful way to try many colors of this gorgeous thread, at a reasonable price (less than the cost of a spool of GST). Among the instructions for the project, you'll also find a Gilt Sylke Twist Primer (PDF), which details very clearly how to work with GST.

Another interesting tidbit from Tricia is a great little video on the sparkle of Gilt Sylke Twist. Yep, that alone should get you drooling over those threads!

And speaking of historical threads and so forth, recently, I've become quite avidly enchanted with the Needlprint blog and all the goings-on with the Mary Wigham samplers all around the globe. It really is fascinating to read the interesting stuff on that website! Recently, Jacqueline featured a beautiful border from a Scottish sampler, which is available for free to download, if you have the right design software for cross stitch. You can get the software through her website - look for the Infinity Beatrix Potter deal, where you get the software and all the Beatrix Potter design motifs for $20.

I think these Infinity charts that Jacqueline sells on her website are super-duper interesting, and would make a good resource especially for designers. They are counted thread designs, but I can't help thinking that many of them can be adapted to other forms of surface embroidery, too. I like the Quaker and antique-type sampler motifs that are featured on Needleprint. Have you seen them? What do you think? I did something with one of them the other day, and I'll share it with you soon. Hopefully. (I haven't actually finished it. In fact, I'm not finishing much lately. Argh.)

Now, on to the excuse... for those of you who were expecting the second-to-the-last Long and Short Stitch Lesson today, never fear - it's coming! It'll be up tomorrow! I got tied up yesterday and couldn't finish the lesson! Sorry about that!

Have a terrific Thursday!

Labels: embroidery resources, Gilt Sylke Twist, historical needlework, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, September 17, 2009
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When Ruth O'Leary contacted me about her taking an embroidery commission on a banner for Durham Cathedral, I was really intrigued about her banner-making plans. Since then, she has undertaken the commission and begun the work. And best yet, she's blogging the whole process!

If you haven't had an opportunity to stop by Ruth O'Leary Textile Arts, now would be a good time to do so, while she's still in the relative beginning stages of the St. Cuthbert's Banner.



Of course, if you like goldwork, you should stop by just to take a look at her header on her blog. I love it.

Ruth has been commissioned to re-create the St. Cuthbert's Banner, a banner of which there is no surviving image, but which was described in detail some five hundred years ago in writing. From the written description, she is creating her version of the banner.

So far, on the St. Cuthbert's banner, you can see Ruth's fabric choices, the conceptual design, a mock-up, the appliqué process, and the first leg of the cross, which is worked in red velvet, with red satin pieces appliqued on to create the design. You can also see a very nice goldwork circle already finished. She also shows how she neatened the edge of the applique cross with couched gold Jap - all the steps being interesting and suspense-building components of the whole creative process behind this banner. I can't wait to see it finished!

This year, I agreed to make a banner for a church-related event that takes place at the end of October. Oh golly, October is coming up fast! While Ruth's banner is much more complex, much more artistic, and much more historically relevant to the church for which it is commissioned, mine is - at least in concept so far - relatively simple, and mostly appliquéd. The color scheme, though, is the same - red, white, and gold, which are typical (and glorious) liturgical colors. Though time seems to be somewhat scarce, I have to admit that watching Ruth's process inspires me to want to push through my banner project and make some headway on it!

You reckon I can manage it? Realistically speaking, I'm somewhat doubtful. And if I don't, that's ok, I suppose. I can still enjoy the whole banner-making process (and actually, I can enjoy it a whole lot more!) by watching Ruth's St. Cuthbert Banner unfold.

I hope you get a chance to check out her website and watch this historical re-creation come to life!

Enjoy!

Labels: ecclesiastical embroidery, embroidery resources, goldwork, historical needlework, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, September 12, 2009
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Kreinik is an embroidery thread company here in the US that's been around since the 1970's. It's a family run business that has become very well known in the embroidery world - I've never been in a needlework shop or the needlework section of a craft, sewing, or hobby store that didn't have some kind of Kreinik thread available for purchase. While they are probably best known for their different metallic cords and blending filaments (that's just a guess...), they also manufacture some beautiful threads. I want to show you three of their silks and tell you a little bit about them.

Silk Serica, Silk Bella, and Silk Mori by Kreinik are all 100% silk threads for hand embroidery. The first two threads - Silk Serica and Silk Bella - are filament silks, while Silk Mori is a spun silk.

The difference between filament and spun silk is found in the silk fibers that are used for manufacturing the thread, and how the threads are manufactured. Filament silk is spun straight off the cocoon in long lengths. It is a very high sheen thread and quite strong. Spun silk is made from the "left-overs" after the cocoon has been unraveled. The silk is spun much like wool or cotton, in small pieces that, through the spinning process, work into a long strand. Spun silk has a nice lustre to it - it is soft, and generally it is "stranded" - that is, it's put up in a certain number of strands per thread off the skein (like DMC or Anchor cotton, which are stranded cottons).



Silk Serica is a 3-ply filament silk. It works well on 18-ct canvas, for good coverage with tent stitch. It's also a beautiful thread for techniques such as Hardanger, where it makes very nice Kloster blocks.



It can be used in any application in which you would use a silk buttonhole twist, but, from what I can see, the Serica is a looser twisted thread. Because it is looser, you can actually separate the plies (carefully), to use in satin stitching and so forth. When separated, the three ply thread becomes even more "shiny," and any waves that are the result of being twisted can be smoothed out by slightly dampening the thread.

Silk Serica comes in 142 colors that match Silk Mori.



Silk Bella (the second row of spools) is also a 3-ply filament silk, but it is much finer than Silk Serica. Unlike Silk Serica, it can't be separated into individual plies.



This fine thread is perfect for any application where tiny detailing is desired. It works well on high count fabrics for stitching over one thread, in counted work. It's great for blackwork, and can be used well in needle lace and pulled thread techniques.

Silk Bella comes in 46 colors.



This little picture is a sample given in the Kreinik brochure. The Kloster blocks (those are the heavier white stitching) are worked in Silk Serica. The woven bars and the tiny filler stitch in the center are worked in Silk Bella. The leaves on the outside are worked in Silk Mori.



Silk Mori (the pull skeins in the last row) is a typical stranded silk, used in the same applications you'd use stranded cotton. It's a six-strand spun silk, and, because it is silk, it has a higher lustre than cotton, and that lustre will last indefinitely. (Mercerized cotton tends to lose its sheen over the years...) Silk Mori comes in 142 colors, like Silk Serica.



Another little sample here from the Kreinik brochure helps demonstrate the differences in these three silks.

The color selection for these silks is really nice, and I'm eager to stitch with them. I've stitched with Silk Mori, but haven't personally done any embroidery with the Silk Serica or the Silk Bella. I hope to soon! You can find color charts for these silks available on Kreinik's website.

To help you get a better idea of the threads, I'll write up a comparison between them and other similar threads, so you can see these threads in relation to more familiar needlework threads. In the meantime, though, if you're looking for some beautiful silks to try out, you might want to give these a look! I love the feel of them, and I think they're going to be very nice for stitching.

Have you used any of these Kreinik silks? Any tips? Any information? Let us know!

Labels: embroidery resources, needlework websites, pictures, silk, threads

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, August 24, 2009
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Lately, you've seen a few mentions of Society Silk embroidery - also called Silk Art embroidery, needle painting, thread painting, silk shading, and ... on and on - here on Needle 'n Thread. The box of vintage needlework supplies (including silk threads and stamped linens from the early part of the 20th century) was, for me, a catalyst for further explorations into Society Silk. I also featured some of these historic needlework items in my give-away a couple weeks ago. Since then, it's been a case of Silk-Art-Embroidery-on-the-Brain.

Needless to say, then, I was super-duper delighted when a reader left a comment directing me to her Flickr page that is jam-packed full of 192 photos of Society Silk embroidery! Oh, wow! I was in Silk-Shaded Heaven.



This particular collection on Flickr includes color plates from books published by silk companies and now in the public domain. The collector has put her images together in one place, so that the rest of us can meander through some really gorgeous examples of silk shading and other embroidery in silk.



Even if nothing else in the collection thrills you to the tips of your toes (a scenario which is highly unlikely!), then this embroidered peacock surely will. It is... it's - amazing.



While you're meandering around Embroiderist's Flickr collection, make sure to click on Embroidery Collection, which will take you to a more general page that includes all her collections related to embroidery. Beware, though - you might spend hours browsing! There are heaps of vintage designs there!



I hope you enjoy browsing the Embroiderist's collections - and thank you, Embroiderist, for commenting on Needle 'n Thread and posting your link! I thought it was far too good a source of inspiration to leave it lost in the comments - hope you don't mind the write-up!

Labels: embroidery resources, long and short stitch, needlepainting, needlework pictures, needlework websites, pictures, silk

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, August 24, 2009
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Here are two terrific resources online for charting text for counted thread techniques (cross stitch, back stitch, blackwork, canvas work, etc.) and for calculating fabric needs when setting up a new project.

The first resource is Crosstitch.com's "Fontform," where you can chart your own text in 21 different fonts, and print the chart from the generated PDF.



All you have to do is select your font, the width of the piece in stitches, and the color, then type in your text, check off whether you want it centered or not, and then preview and get the chart. It's that simple!



Here's my test run. I'm thinking this tool would be Particularly Handy for card-making and embroidery on perforated paper!

There's also a handy stitch calculator available on the same page.

The second resource is similar: Stitchpoint offers another text-charting program, but the format is different.



There are six fonts to choose from, four cross stitch and two backstitch. After selecting the font, you use the "keyboard" on the screen to select your text, then hit print. The image prints straight to your printer.



What I really like about the Stitchpoint page is their little fabric calculator.



Up in the right-hand corner of the page, you'll see three icons. The first one is a handy-dandy stitch calculator that tells you precisely what size to cut your fabric, taking into consideration the threads per inch (or centimeter - you can calculate it either way), the number of threads you are stitching over, the number of vertical and horizontal threads in the design, and the number of inches extra you want around the finished embroidery. Very handy, indeed!

So, if you're looking for a way to chart some simple text for your next project, check out both of these resources!

Thanks, Judith, for pointing these out!

Labels: counted thread embroidery techniques, embroidery resources, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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Hedgehog Handworks has recently been ... well, "updated," for lack of a better word. It's always been a wonderful online shop, and a great resource for needlework books, costuming supplies, goldwork supplies, and threads. But nooooow, they've gotten better! Let me tell you all about it!

Hedgehog Handworks is an online-only needlework shop; there's no brick-and-mortar Hedgehog. The online store is run by a super nice lady named Joady, and I love her taste in supplies!



What will you find new on the website?

For starters, Joady is now carrying some fantastic linen - Legacy linen in different weights as well as some Strathaven linen that's similar in weave to 17th century linen.

You'll also find at Hedgehog the whole range of Hardwicke Manor hoops, which I recently discussed with you here on Needle 'n Thread.

And - jolly, jolly! Are you looking for slate frames? She's got plenty of sizes available!

Recently, I reviewed the book Letters and Monograms from the House of Malbranche, and you'll find it available at Hedgehog, too.

But here's the icing on the cake: During August, to celebrate their 22 years in business, Hedgehog Handworks is offering FREE SHIPPING to US customers.

(Murphy's Law: I placed an order last week!)



Now would be a good time to indulge in a few trial supplies, like different goldwork threads (she also carries the range of Gilt Sylke Twist - and it's less expensive than anywhere else I've seen it!)



If you're looking for goldwork supplies, you'll find a whole range of real metal threads available. The last time I splurged on goldwork supplies, I bought them from Hedgehog. Maybe you just want to "try" a thread, but didn't want to pay shippingn on top of the cost? Now you can!

Another thing: You'll get fantastic customer service, I'm sure. It's sometimes difficult to say that about a shop absolutely , because everyone has their On Days and their Off Days. But I've never ordered anything from Hedgehog without having a pleasant experience - and quick delivery, too!

So, stop by Hedgehog during August, see what's new in the shop, and enjoy free shipping!

Labels: embroidery resources, goldwork, needlework websites

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, August 04, 2009
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, July 12, 2009
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After stopping in North Dakota at Nordic Needle for some needlework shopping - yes, I admit it, I bought embroidery supplies at each of these shops! - we struck out west towards the Seattle area of Washington, via Glacier National Park and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. On the way in to Seattle, very conveniently located off Interstate-90 in the town of Issaquah, is Threadneedle Street, a small needlework shop specializing predominantly in needlepoint and counted thread work.

On the way in to Washington, the scenery changes somewhat drastically after the mountains of Idaho and western Montana. The eastern part of Washington is rather desert-like and scrubby.



The Columbia River is an impressive site. There are a couple dams along the river in the middle part of the state, and one is in the vicinity of the highway, making for a nice scenic stopping point. So we stopped. And it was scenic.

Then we headed into the Seattle area, stopping at Issaquah. Really, when I say it's an easy stop, I mean it. If you're on I-90, you simply take the exit, drive into the town on the main street, and pull over to park. It's about that easy.



Of the four shops I visited, Threadneedle Street is certainly the smallest. In fact, if you weren't looking for it specifically, you might miss it altogether!



In case you're looking for the shop some day, though, the pink pig might help you find it. This gal sits at the end of the sidewalk on the same side of the street the shop is on... I didn't inspect her closely, so I'm not sure what she's all about. I suspect she's a grill...



Inside the shop, you'll find very closely arranged (as in, tight quarters!) merchandise - all kinds of threads, tools, accessories, beads, etc. - that are used in embroidery.



You'll find shelves of pre-cut fabric and racks of beads, buttons, and little items.



You'll find racks and baskets full of kits and charts and so forth. And tucked here and there, lines of neat books for sale. (I bought a terrific book here that I'm looking forward to showing you!)



You'll also find some walls devoted to painted canvases, from elaborate Christmas stockings to geometric designs, etc. They're very pretty and colorful!



But to me, the greatest appeal of Threadneedle Street is this. It's the Needlework System 4 stand and all its accessories and parts - and she stocks the pieces in the shop, instead of special ordering each time a customer wants the stand. This means that chances are, if you stop in, you'll be able to pick up a part right then and there. Every other needlework shop I've dealt with regarding this stand keeps a demo model, and then has to special order the pieces you want (and you end up with a 10 - 14 day wait). But here, you can buy the pieces you want, in stock. AND - she has the best prices in the country! If you buy the stand and frame clamp from Threadneedle Street, you're spending almost $50 less here than anywhere else. And you're not having to wait. What a deal!

I bought the extension piece, by the way, for my Needlework System 4 stand. This allows the stand to easily work from the side, over the arm of a couch. (Feel free to read my review of the Needlework System 4 stand, if you aren't sure what I'm talking about!)

So, my review of Threadneedle Street in a nutshell:

Merchandise: There's a vast quantity of merchandise in this little store! She carries all the popular threads for cross stitch and needlepoint, including wools and blends and so forth, as well as a few different hand-dyed threads that I had not seen before. Lots of little accessories are available, as well. There's a good collection of interesting needlework-related books that you won't find on the shelf of a typical bookstore, and a few that I had not seen before, one of which I bought. Seeing some Access Commodities merchandise there, I figure that the folks at Threadneedle Street can pretty much order anything that you want, if they don't have it in stock.

Shop Layout: As needlework shops go, I'd call this one "average" in size. Most needlework shops I've been to are relatively small in general. Threadneedle Street is no exception - the shop is small and seems somewhat crowded, but when you start to look around and see what's in there, you realize there's a pretty clever use of space going on. No space is wasted.

Prices: They actually seem a little bit less, overall, than in most places, though I can't be sure of that with everything there. Certainly, it's the case with the Needlework System 4 stand, but I also thought the threads were just slightly less expensive than in other shops. In any case, there wasn't anything that struck me as outlandish, price-wise, at all.

Service: This is the one shop I can say without reserve that I met with great service - that perfect balance between warm and friendly and open, capped with professional knowledge, and not overwhelming. Just a nice, friendly, open personality, ready to help and having no hang-ups about answering questions. It was, in short, very refreshing to go to a needlework shop and receive really genuine, sincere, niceness for a change. You just don't see that often in needlework shops, thought it's unfortunate to have to say so. Now, their online service may be a bit different - the website notes that they are often busy with customers in the store and therefore may have to call you back if you call to place an order. I have the impression the shop is worked by very few people (I only saw one!), so if you do call them to place an order, expect to be either put on hold or called back.

I liked Threadneedle Street. If I lived in the vicinity, I think it would be the kind of shop that I'd establish a good working relationship with. There's a real niceness and enthusiasm about needlework there that I haven't met at too many needlework shops.

I'd love to see the Threadneedle Street website updated into a regular shopping-cart type website. I think this would ease the ordering situation for out-of-town customers and it would probably make the job on the selling end easier, too.

After leaving Issaquah, we headed to the Seattle area. My folks used to live on Whidby Island, so we went there to see the old haunts and so forth.



Deception Pass is gorgeous! Well, ok - it's water! You'll find that I get overly enthusiastic about anything that looks like abundant water! We drove through Whidby Island, took a ferry to Seattle, stayed overnight, did some looking around the next day, and then headed to Oregon...



...where we saw Crater Lake...



...which is blue beyond belief, and still, and quiet, and cold. Snow still lined the roads up at the top of the mountain, with four-foot cuts of the white stuff in some places along the road. The mosquitoes up there, by the way, were huge and Really Hungry.



From Oregon, we headed into California, where we drove through the Napa Valley, stopping at a few wineries along the way. The contrast between green and lush and dry and sandy in the area is quite intriguing and really beautiful. I love the grape vines! They are something else - I'd love to see them when they are fully laden with grapes.



My favorite stop was at Peju Winery, which is a little boutique winery in the Napa Valley. I prefer boutique wineries to the Big-Wigs (like Berringer, etc.). They're more fun, more intimate, more interesting, and they do fun stuff with their wine. I bought, untasted, a bottle of zinfandel port (port-style wine, anyway) as a gift. They only make this every so many years, and they were down to six bottles left. It was a risk to pay the price without knowing for sure if it was good, but we weren't disappointed! Good Stuff Indeed!

This leg of the trip took us into the Bay Area, where I visited two extraordinary needlework shops... coming up!

Labels: embroidery resources, needlework and travel, needlework websites, personal, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, July 06, 2009
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