Here’s a little give-away that spans a few historical styles of needlework. It’s not a huge, multi-item give-away, but in itself, it’s rather meaty. We’ve got 17th century embroidery, 18th – 19th century Quaker-style sampler needlework, and finally, surface embroidery from the 19th / early 20th century – all in one give-away!. Hey, what more could you want??! (Rhetorical question!)
I thought it would be fun to group together some embroidery items by era and style and give them away to someone interested in all kinds of embroidery! And, if you’re only interested in one thing represented here, I suppose the rest would make good gifts to other needleworking friends.
It’s an odd mix of needlework-related goods, actually…
First, representing the 17th century, I’ve selected four blank cards from the Plimoth Plantation Jacket notecards. These are nice cards, printed on quality paper, and featuring up-close photos of motifs embroidered on the Plimoth Jacket. The four cards each feature a different motif, so you’ll probably have a hard time deciding which to keep and which to give away! They’d make great birthday cards, thank you notes, or what-have-you for anyone interested in textiles. You can view the designs on all the cards on Thistle Threads. 10% of each purchase of the box of cards goes to the support of the Jacket Project.
Representing the late 18th and early 19th centuries, in the style of Quaker samplers, here’s the Ackworth school memory book. This is a nifty little book where you can record your stitching. It has a zipper pocket in it, and various sleeves and pages for affixing stitch samples and so forth, as well as areas for writing commentary, some card threadwinders to cut out and use, some postcards that can be cut out and sent through the mail, and even little stitch diagrams for Quaker motifs. Neat little book! You can see inside the memory book on Needleprint, which is the publisher of the book. I happened upon a special on these not a year ago, so I picked a couple up, thinking they’d make good gifts.
And, moving into the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we’ve got a pre-printed vintage linen (in fairly good shape). These are from the box of linens and threads I wrote about the other day.
And two skeins of M. Heminway & Sons silk. If you’ve been itching to see this silk up close, here’s your opportunity to get your hands on some!
The skeins are in fairly good shape – still braided with tags – but you can see that the pink is having a bad hair day. Still, it’s usable, and it’s beautiful!
Needlework Giveaway Participation Guidelines
To participate in the giveaway, please leave a comment below this post on the website. If you’re reading this in your feedreader or in the e-mail newsletter, just click on the title of the article, and that will take you straight to the website!
In your comment, please leave a name. If you comment annonymously, please make sure you sign a name inside the comment box before you submit it!
In your comment, please answer the following question:
What’s your favorite style and / or era of embroidery and why?
I’ll draw for a winner on August 14th at the end o’ the day, and I’ll let you know on the 15th who won. The winner will then need to contact me with a postal address. If for some reason contact isn’t made, I’ll re-draw for a new winner.
Thanks for participating!
Whomever wins this is going to be one lucky person! As far as favorite embroidery and era,,I couldn't say. I love all forms of embroidery. It would be hard to choose a favorite.
Oh Mary, how can I choose a favorite era of embroidery? I feel like I'm choosing a favorite child. I love most forms of embroidery and although I do not have a broad range of stitches under my belt yet it is just too hard to choose.
Favourite era: definitely the 18th c. Favourite technique: a pulled thread whitework technique called Dresden lace. It was used to decorate aprons, sleeve ruffles and other accessories.
Truly enjoy vintage linens and needlework.
I don't have a particular age or
style, since I find almost all a
true delight.
What a nice gesture to share with
your readers – thank you.
Arleen Schindler
asnorthwoods@centurytel.net
What a generous giveaway!
I like the early American samplers.
They have so much detail and depict the everyday lives of the people so well.
Thanks for the chance to enter!
I love 18th century first but love all embroidery…no matter what century. I do 18th centtury reenactment. I demonstrate bobbin lace, counted cross stitch and crewel work. I also spin and weave. I believe in caring on the traditions so that they can be share in the future. I just love your blog and newsletters. I have told all my friends about you. I can't wait to chek my email for the next installment.
By some miracle I am the first to comment, not sure if this is good or bad, grin.
I have been doing hand needlework for almost 54 years now and it is hard to say which I enjoy doing the most or which is prettier when done, maybe Jacobean.
The collection you have pulled together is wonderful, especially the book, grin, I have this thing for books, on any subject.
Opps, for some reason my name didn't show up on my post. I am Barb in WNC
Such a lovely give away!! My favorite is anything Victorian!! Embroidery and Crazy Quilting are the best!!
If I had to pick, I think my favorite would have to be goldwork. I love the sort of embroidery that decorates antique church vestments.
As a beginner, I love red work for their simplicity.
OH my… this is a wonderful giveaway! I love embroidery of all kinds, it's hard to pick. I did visit the Needleprint site yesterday and saw the book…WOW! My friend, Barbara, your first commenter, 🙂 introduced me to your blog and now I'm hooked.
I love to watch movies, for the fashion. Ok… movies like Braveheart, so I can see the embroidery on clothes, the clothes that are sewn, the fashion, and how it all goes together.
I guess I'd have to say pre 17th century… The Other Bolyn (sp) Girl was a fantastic collection of clothes with embroidery. And tapestries. Love them!
Karen
This is such an easy question! I love today's needlework era. How lucky we are! We have the privilege of being able to see all the previous styles and eras available at our fingertips via books and the internet. And we also have each other for inspiration. My crazy quilting friends from all over the world have shared their work and I can't help but be inspired by them as well!
OH MY GOSH…we have to pick a favorite? Well, for some reason I feel connected to the 17th century. Everything about that era just fascinates me and I just love embroidery!!!!!
annie in hotter n heck Michigan
Favorite era? Depends on my current obsession, though most of my work now is 1600 or earlier (with a little tipping into the Plymouth Jacket Project time…) Current work: Bayeux style (so 1200s), with a piece inspired by Mary Queen of Scots' work in the pipe line. I'm drawn by the endless variety of styles, colors and materials.
In terms of favorite kind of embroidery to do, I'm only very good at modern surface embroidery, but I find so much intriguing, and would like to learn nearly every style of embroidery I come across.
I'm still learning about embroidery. I don't have a favorite yet. This package would be a great learning tool for me.
This is such a great giveaway. I would love to see the 19th Century pre-printed linen and the silk floss. The floss looks so soft and luxurious. I don't know that I have a favorite embroidery style. I do love to try techniques that are new to me, things I have not done before. I like things from 1850/1860 to 1940/1945. This is the history closest to my lifetime. If I don't know where my people and my country has been I won't know where my people or my country is going. Thank you for such a great giveaway. Miss Nancy
Mary…I so would love the Notebook not for me but to send to my friend! She is currently dealing with Breast Cancer and loves all needlework, antiques and more. I love to look at all things stitched. What a lovely give away!!
Karin
I think the Victorians are my favs – love silk ribbon work – although that has been around longer than Victorians hasn't it? Marie A., Queen of France – I have seen photos of her gowns with ribbonwork on them.
But I love the crazy quilts of the Victorians also – love that its so individual…
Hi Mary,
To be honest I never went deep in to know the history of embroidery. All I was doing is stitching which looks good for me. Very lately I started using internet and came to know different embroidery all over the world..Still have to study a lot. Gold work which fascinates me much of all..lukcy if i win..
Regards
lakshmi
And, here I was being envious of you receiving that treasure box! When I was a teenager a neighbor taught me basic needlepoint, but since I couldn't afford to do that well I got into cross-stitch. Then, I saw a book about Hardanger, so I taught myself that. All pretty easy stuff because they are based on squares. Then I got sick and needed something to keep me and my mind occupied for hours. Surface Embroidery! I recently found your site and have been spending money widely since! I love Art Nouveau: all the swoops and swirls, and nifty florals so I guess that would be my pick.
If I had to pick a favourite era, it would be Now! Purely because we have the wealth of embroidery over the ages, and from so many different countries and cultures, that we can pore over,learn from, and take inspiration and ideas from.Let alone that we have the net, which gives us this wonderful site,amongst others.
Lovely give away,Mary!
I, like others, have a hard time choosing a specific era, though I started embroidering with crewel and, I guess, like your first love, it always sticks in your heart as something special. I would to try the silk though. I've never embroidered with silk and would love to.
Martha
I love Victorian crazy quilts and modern ones, too. They stimulate creativity, use many different techniques and are very beautiful. I belong to the crazy quilt interest group of my local Embroidery Guild and love to share the joy with them. Thank you very much for this opportunity. Beautiful selections for the giveaway.
I love them all they are a part of our history and to think they last this long is amazing. I have always loved the history of garments and handwork. Who ever gets this will be one lucky person.
Beckie
How Lovely and generous! While I love to learn and see all types of needlework, I have to say my favorite is needlepainting, and I love the "Society Silk" era. I am trying hard to learn with the long-and-short project, but will probably never reach the level of those lovely ladies!
Wow, what a great giveaway. Before i came to the UK 3 3/4 years ago I didn't have much of an appreication for embroidery, until I got involved with a project at St Pauls Cathedral. Now I just love it, and really do appreicate the work involved. I especially love stumpwork, and the 17th – 18th Century time peroid.
Now I'm returning home to Oz, this little collection would be just fabulous to have as a litte reminder of my time here.
I've started your long and short stitch lessons, there are just great too.
Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize.
Arlene
http://arlenescrafts.ning.com/
Well, first I have to admit that I am a cross stitcher at heart but I've been trying my hand at different types of embroidery recently. I couldn't say what my favourite era would be. Everywhere I look, there's something just as cool that I want to try.
Catherine
I like all kinds of embroidery!
Goldenwork only to look at!
I love to try new things to me I've never expected to do! Like drawn threads work, openwork – love to do it!
Another great giveaway, as if you aren't giving us a daily gift – your posts!!!!
I guess I love all the eras of embroidery but the Plimoth jacket is breathtaking. The re-creation of the jacket is fascinating and a huge undertaking.
Hola !!!!!es un gran regalo, lástima que solo será una la afortunada ganadora, hace muy poco que estoy bordando , no conozco muchas tecnicas de bordado, su blog ha sido muy importante para aprender, muchas gracias.
Que tenga una buena semana.
Saludos de Odette
Chooseing is so hard in answer to both questions when you really love all embroidery. As I go thru phases of wanting to stitch any type, the current one is my favorite. Right now I am leaning toward items from 1920's and 1930's as so many estate sales are occuring with these types both finished and unfinished for sale. So I guess surface embroidery and the above mentioned era are my favorites.
Hi Mary,
I have always loved Jacobean embroidery. The detail is so lovely and the colors, oh the colors, make me smile.
Janice Miller
This is a wonderful giveaway. Right now I would say my favorite era is the 1900's,but taht is the only embroidery I have been exposed to. (seen in person) I owuld love to actually see more.
Donna D
There are many types of embroidery that interest me, and though I have yet to do any, I am especially drawn to the Jacobean style. I think Stumpwork would come in a close second.
Carol B.
Though it is hard to choose, I would have to say that Hardanger embroidery is my favorite. I love it because it is beautiful on its own (as a doily or tablerunner), and when it is combined with other forms of embroidery (as in a sampler).
Thank you so much for the chance to win this wonderful give-away!
Shirley Crockett
I love crewel embroidery, but sometimes get a bit scared of how much work/time it takes. I enjoy working with silk threads, so frequently find projects where those are necessary. 🙂
Love Jacobean style! Justine
It is a beautiful giveaway, really all these styles together! A dream for every stitcher. Forgive my mistakes, I am Frenchspeaking. I love all eras, but the most I love the 17 th century, because it looks very "pure " , very modern and the colours are very vivid. I like to learn about different cultures and eras and I think I need 3 lives to make all projects I intend to !
I just spent oodles of time at "Needleprint" yesterday via your post. It set my wheels to spinning and looking up the different versions of that particular sampler on the cover.
I'm eclectic in what attracts me so I can best say what I dislike. I posted, on one of my blogs, a brief mention of the repulsiveness evil of what some call "Art" in the form of stitchery just this morning. I happened upon an image on the web that was linked to my query of a particular stitch which left me thoroughly disgusted.
So I think it's fair to say I do "not" like modern, alternative or mainly anything that borders on…well, I can't even think of a word for the mess, so give me anything "biblically lovely".
Sorry for the wordiness. I would love to get my hands on all the goodies, but if this is a bit much for posting, I'll understand.
Tammy T.
My favorite era would have to be 20th century because that is what I grew up sewing. BUT, I am learning so much from our rich past of needlework that I now say I`m excited about all embroidery! Sometimes I`m overwhelmed by the beauty.
I'm torn between 16th century English–I love what they did with blackwork and I love the surface embroidery before it got as excessive as the Jacobean stuff–and modern stumpwork, which I think is some of the most creative stuff I've seen with thread. As a reenactor, I think I have to favor 16th century because I'm more likely to do something with it.
-Melissa (I'll be out of town until the 31st, on the off chance I get drawn)
I like the late 1800s because of its rich character.
Contact: info [AT] bombaycreative.com
I love all things victorian. So much so, that I am sure I was born in the wrong era. However, I wouldn't be offended if I was given a gift inspired from another time. Embroidery is beautiful, no matter when it is from
I have just discovered the Quaker samplers and am interested in learning more about them. I'd love to have the book on them.
Ellen (ellenhartman@verizon.net)
My favorite style – for me to stitch would diffinetly be Brazilian embroidery.
Era – I don't have a favorite era.
Each era has its own story to tell. The evoluntion of needleart is facinating. The new fibers, techniques and designs; expanding and combining. What I have seen in just 50 years is amazing. What story will this era say to the future ?
Put me in for the give-away. Just to touch the floss, listen to it's stories would be wonderful.
Sharon – Modesto
This question is easy to answer (at least it is for me!)…crazy quilting, either from the late 1800's or modern. I love the fact that so many different forms of needlework and embellishment can be wrapped up into one whole. Having said that, I have an interest in pretty much any type of needlework.
I would love to win these items. I am interested in learning all types of embroidery. Thanks for the opportunity to win these beautiful items
My favourite era? Hard to pick but right now I'm utterly fascinated by the Quaker samplers, so I suppose that puts me in the late 18th/early 19th century. At the moment, I'm really enjoying cross-stitch, although I am very close to trying some hardanger and flirting with the idea of some blackwork. I think I love it all!
Being a rather eclectic novice at this, I'd have to say, My favorite style/era is whatever makes me happy at the moment….I play a lot, finish nothing so far, and just enjoy watching the colors and figures spring forth…however mutilated they may wind up. 🙂
I don't know which era is my favorite, but I love doing hand embroidery in general. I would love to win 🙂
shanawoodman (at) yahoo (dot) com
I think my favorite era for embroidery is the 18th Century. Right now I'm reading 18th Century Embroidery Techniques by Gail Marsh and it's a beautiful book. My favorite technique, at the moment anyway, is surface embroidery; but, I do love pulled thread, drawn thread, whitework, hardanger and others. I am really enjoying the silk shading lessons – thanks Mary!
Betsy
What a generous giveaway. My new love is Quaker. But, I like all things embroidered. Whom, ever wins is going to be a very happy person. Kate
I love all styles of embroidery needleart – I come from a family of fabric artists – quilters, embroiderers, weavers and dressmakers, embroidery is my niche, my personal favorite to work is a toss up between Jacobean and Victorian (kinda depends on the application). Just an old fashioned gal I guess!
Pam – Duluth, MN
Hi,
Mary you have done it again, what a lovely gift someone will receive. I guess my favorite at this point in time is Blackwork, have just finished a design which turned out really nice. However I like many others love & enjoy all techniques and as for era, either 18th century or present date, all of them are equally beautiful.
Take care,
Joan from Richmond B.C. Canada
How kind of you, Mary, to offer this lovely gift. I know the lucky winner will be thrilled!
My favorite era? I guess it would be a toss between Jacobean embroidery and Elizabethan blackwork. I love the swirling, organic and imaginative Jacobean style but I am also a sucker for black and white anything. So there you have it.
My favorit emboridery? Gee, that would depend on my current project. I tend to go on a binge and do one type of work for a year or two. When I tire of that I move onto another type of embroidery that catches my eye and teases my mind. It is is not just the style of emboridery that excites, me it is the history, the people who did that work, the materials used, and reading about the lives and producers of period work. If a needle goes through a fabric I am interested. But if I had to chose just one… this is hard… I believe it would be the look of wool on linen. So lovely in any period!
Ahh! well, after many years of doing "a lot" of different styles of needlework I finally settled on the free form of "thread painting" as my favorite. I have found all historical eras to peak my interest in some form or another. My enjoyment comes from seeing the thread colors moving together to create a stunning finish!
Annie
I just love the book and as a beginner could record the new stitches I learn. Dont know about era as every bit of embroidery I see I just say 'wow, wish I could do it that neatly!' I'm getting there and it is an absolute obsession, I just love it love it love it.
Ali x
What a fantastic giveaway! thanks Mary. I think my favourite embroidery style is Jacobean. Love the rich colours and bold patterns. On the other hand, I love all embroidery, so perhaps there is not really a favourite. Anne
Wendy said…
"I'd have to say that 17th century band samplers are my current favorite, as I'm doing a correspondence course through EGA on them right now."
I love seeing the older motifs. They are inspiration for me in the embroidery work I do on Crazy Quilts. The Ackworth school memory book is very interesting. Just the motifs on the cover are wetting my whistle.
Purple butterfly
I love embroidery from the turn of the century. I think the fact that the embroiderer may actually put a pattern on the linen herself appeals to my artistic side. The unpredictability of linen is appealing, too. A fine cotten or a coarse linen; either lends itself to beautiful results. My favorite is the coarse linen which I think of as almost primitive and, opposite a delicate silk makes for a delighful contrast of texture.
Although I'm not well-read in the art of prick and pounce, imagining it's conception-the design idea, the search for the right materials to mark the blank fabric, the trial and error-well, to me it just feels like I'm part of history. Even the society projects echo back to a long-lost era and lets the liberated new millenium woman in me "bond" with my ancestors; sisters of needlework!
Laurinda Crawford
goddessofwax@gmail.com
I have not tried too many forms of embroidery but would love to. I have mainly done crewel, cross stitch, and redwork embroidery. Redwork is my favorite although I don't always use red. I would love to get brave and try something new like what is in this giveaway. I love the look of those silk threads and am dying to see what they feel like to work with. Thank you for all your great information and wonderful work. Dianna Hamilton
Mary, I forgot to leave my name in the first comment I left to you. Thelma Bradshaw
I don't think I can choose a favorite era! Seeing something that has been worked by a person's hand just makes me happy – doesn't matter when it was made!
Thanks for having this great giveaway! And thanks too for everything you share. I've learned a lot so far! (I just started embroidering in January, so there's still a lottttt to learn.)
Angelina
I guess my favorite embroidery type is stumpwork, although I only do a little of it in my crazy quilting and nothing so fancy as I have seen in books. I find it fascinating how much detail and dimension can be put into a little bird or person. I do an occasional dimensional leaf or bud. Someday I might try to make a cute bug.
Wow! What a wonderful giveaway 🙂
My favorite style of embroidery is hardanger, because I can DO hardanger. However, I've always been fond of embroideries from the 14th-16th centuries and someday I'll have time to do quite a bit of research on them and do some of my own 🙂
I love most forms of embroidery but I am particularly taken with Elizabethan embroidery.I have also been following the progress of the Plimoth Plantation jacket. It is so beautiful and intricately worked and inspires me to continue learning all the stitches so I can make something beautiful for myself. Thank you so much for offering us the chance to win your generous give away Mary. I look forward to reading your post each day and am going along well with my thread painting lesson. This is the first time I have posted a comment after months of reading but couldn't help myself with the chance of winning this beautiful selection!
My favorite era of needlework is 17th century, particularly English samplers. I love reading about them, and attempting the stitches used (some more successful than others).The wealth of sumptious threads and the variety of stitches are what keep me fascinated.
I read and comment on your blog quite regularly…I don`t do freehand embroidery, but I love seeing what you are doing. This ia a fabulous giveaway! Those silks look soooo pretty!
I think I like this era of needlework because I am able to choose whatever style I want. I do crewel, hardanger, brazilion embroidery, counted crossstitch, most decorative stitches. I have been embroidering since my mother taught me as a child and have loved it for all those years. (I don't like to think of the number of years.)
I would love the selection of embroidery items you are giving away.
Dixie
What a great giveaway! I think that the 18TH-19th century sampler would be my favorite but I would love to learn more about the earlier periods. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome package.
This may be contentious but I'd have to say my favourite period of embroidery is now…contemporary embroidery. We have all the wealth of information from those who have gone before us and only the limitations of our own ideas from which to draw inspiration.
My favorite is Jacobean embroidery; I love the sylized flowers and weird animals, not to mention the gorgoeus colors and the ridiculous ornateness of it all. Before I had even seen any Jacobean embroidery, I had already been doodling things in a similar style. I guess it's just a style that I'm naturally attracted to.
If I had to choose, it would probably be crewel work as wool is more forgiving of my amateur skills. I am still daunted by silk work although I would like to take up Japanese embroidery someday,
My favorite is Jacobean Embroidery. There is a sense of mystery to the objects embroidered. It takes me to a time of visionaries.
Lorraine L.
What a delightful package you've put together!! It's perfect for a beginner or experienced embroider. I don't have a favourite style, however goldwork fascinates me. I greatly admire Tracy Franklin's goldwork – it looks so modern and fresh, yet it's museum quality embroidery. Lately I've gotten back to crazy quilting and I love trying out different seam treatments.
I love Elizabethan embroidery, the look of it, the colours and mostly the history behind it all. I haven't done much, some stumpwork, and have been hoping to work on some motifs from a book I have.
I like all eras of needlework. I especially like the Akworth School Memory Book because I would utilize it as a teaching tool for my granddaughter and me. She is only three but I already have her helping me pull my needles up through my linen. The memory book would not only be a learning tool but it would also become "our" keepsake. A book she could someday pass along to her daughters or granddaughters.
Needlepoint, blackwork & cross stitch for stress relief. Favorite era Elizabethan.
My favourite era is the 17thC – with stumpwork. To me, it is the 'comic' form of embroidery – like pop-up books – but in the form of flowers, which I love.
My favorite period in embroider is the early part of the 20th Century because I was lucky enough to have known several extremely talented ladies who cut their teeth (on thread — literally!) during this time.
The women in my family are quite long-lived, and they considered that no family wedding was complete unless they had done their duty to help fill out the bride's trousseau. As a result, I "inherited" a number of exquisitely stitched items that were simply meant to be used as household items when my parents divorced. Knowing that my great-aunts had made them makes them especially precious.
Karen from Arcadia, CA.
Thanks for offering these valuable gifts, Mary. While I haven't done it in many years, one of the first types of embroidery that I was taught as a child was crewel embroidery. I made quite a few Erica Wilson kits throughout my teens! I still love looking at it and admiring it.
Although I've never done any, I have really enjoyed your posts about ecclesiastical needlework. My husband is an ordained minister and I think it would be wonderful to be able to prepare some work for his use in worship.
I love to do cross stitch (every day) and redwork, I sometimes use specialety stitches if needed, and I admire stumpwork.
I'm reading (and "watching") Jane Austen's work at the moment, so the Regency period, 18th/19th century speaks to me.
Oh those clothes!
(but I'm very happy we live today, with all our modern Things) :o)
Quaker samplers and all kind of other cross stitch samplers old and new ones, if a design calls my name: I'm game. *Ü*
Thank you for all your work on this site, and this lovely give a way.
Please count me in.
:o)
I truly don't have a favorite. I like to mix them all in different ways on pillow cases, baby blankets, dish towels, etc and on clothing for my grandaughters. When I pick up a needle and sort through my threads I am in heaven.
Hi Mary,
It's difficult to tell what form of embroidery I like because every time I see hand embroidery I get mesmerised by beauty of it and hard work and patience of the embroiderer.I have tried free style embroidery,Brazilian embroidery,cross stitch, and crochet till date and dream of trying crewel embroidery,long and short stitch,ribbon embroidery,gold work and the list goes on…….all in all I love hand embroidery and love inspiration magazines too….they are lovely.
Regards,
Kirti
Though I've done very little of it, I'm fascinated by reversible blackwork embroidery. It's a technical challenge to make it all work.
Goldwork is a close second – I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I love the look of it and I'm determined to try as soon as I can justify buying more embroidery supplies!
Mel VT
Hello Mary, researching about embroidery I found your site since then I became addicted and I can't stop so my preference is the past because it is what I am learning now like stamp work, flowers, ribbon embroidering, stiches etc. this art in endlell less and beatifull and addicted!!! and I am going broke!!!!
Thank you Mary from Inez
This is fablous! You are being so kind to share these. My mother's ancestors had a castle in England in 1200. It is still there. I am finding the many types of embroidery work so beautiful. With the new way of doing things with the old designs there is a wonderful new feeling and new look. It would be an honor to have these special items to cherish and frame some for others to enjoy.
Debra from Los Gatos, Ca.
I am fairly new to embroidery but I love the turn of the century silk embriodery. It was when we found some done by my Great great Auntie Leo (and all of her old threads, linens, hoops and needles)that I decided to take it up.
I’d have to say Elizabethan embroidery just because of the floral influence from printing..but they also did silk and metal embroidery! So guess they were ‘ahead’ of their time! Love your work and blog!!
Mary, your post made me think that maybe, someday in 100 years, someone might give away one of our Short an Long Stitch lessons… imagine that! A piece of the 21st century! That would be nice, huh?
Anyway, I'm not sure you're sending the give-aways abroad, but here's my preference: anything that looks medieval, because they are so well done and so delicate. But for now, since all I know how to embroider is cross-stitch, that's what I do most. 🙂 Your lessons are opening a whole world to me!
I just love embroidery—but I am not knowledgeable enough about any point in time to say what I love best. I also love gifts—this sounds like the perfect combination. Thank you
I love your articles about all the needleworking thechniques, but I would like to learn stumpfwork, goldwork and needlepaint best…
I am glad you began the needlepainting lessons.
Oh… I am a cross stitcher. 🙂
Like most comments, I enjoy all forms of needlework. But, I like stitching Quaker/traditional samplers and embroidering pillowcases/linens and clothes. Both let me use various stitches but are elegant and comforting somehow.
I can't wait to see the next lesson in shading. Thanks for all the lessons and tips.
Michelle S.
Hi Mary,
You are really very kind to give away such wonderful collection of embroidery.
I'm a novice in embroidery, and to admit the truth, I have no idea about how the embroidery evolved across the eras, but certainly I'm proud to say that whatever knowledge of embroidery I have acquired is entirely due to your blog Mary 🙂
I always had a fancy towards Jacobean embroidery, and of late I've grown as a fan of needle painting, thanks to your shading lessons…
Wonder whether I am lucky enough to take away this treasure you have so generously shared 🙂
Dhivya
What a question! Favourite type of needlework. I could go on for ages but for antique work I love Elizabethan embroidery.
Susan
Easy. I am drawn to Elizabethan and Jacobean styles of needlework. It has to do with design, color, execution, history and innovation. Those are my VERY favorite, but of course, I have many more. We are lucky in that we have so much at our finger tips.
Thank you for the chance at a giveaway!
Julie
Quaker samplers, the Ackworth set in particular, enthrall me. I was a mathematician by profession and find that the geometric designs, from simple to complex, turn numbers into visual beauty. Quaker samplers complete the link between left and right brain!
Deborah in Idaho
Wow that is tough to answer I appreciate and love so many types of embroidery.
But I'll have to say the most favorite piece of hand embroidery I have is a small counted cross stitch my youngest daughter gave to me one Christmas.
~~Holly
Looks like a great give-away.I'm not good with every stitch butI love all kinds of needlework and it would be hard to choose a favorite
I am enjoying primitive embroidery. I love its simple, homespun flavor. I have done many types, but this is now my favorite. Wish I could find more examples to help me do my own designing. laurelpedersen@aol.com
Mary I definitely love the Jacobean style…..the embroidery that gives "depth" to the piece. For this reason, I shy away from cross-stitch. It's too "sterile" for me. I love depth, various embroidery stitches and pieces such as flower petals that "pop off the piece" with 3D texture. I'm so enjoying your short and long lessons. They're helping me to perfect my neophyte pieces and you also give me much encouragement with offering other websites to check out. Thanks again for your diversity in trying to have something to offer everyone. You're definitely my favorite Feed…..Judy in PIttsburgh
Since I`ve been doing embroidery work since I was 4 yrs old.I would have to say that the 17th century is the best.You can see how the colors just flow into each other.Though,I`m not that expreinced with certain stitches or techniques I enjoy looking at what others have done.
Although I have already commented, I just needed to say this. I just watched a wonderful PBS show entitled "Craft in America" which highlighted quilting, pottery, glassblowing and jewelry making and artists who have worked in artists' communities to learn and grow and pass on their craft. I was disappointed to not see embroidery, but feel that what we do – and websites like this, as well as workshops and classes – are vital in passing on to generations to follow the handwrok of our foremothers (and fathers)and to grow in our knowledge of this artform. There! That's off my chest – goodnight!
I am beginner and dont think I have a favorite yet. Anything new thing I learn becomes my favorite. Recently I am trying my hands on BE.
I am really thankfull for your site, it is my virtual teacher.. keep up the good work..
Kanmani
Hi Mary, I like all sorts of embroidery and I envy those who can stitch and make the embroidery look like a painting.
For me to work myself, I always come back to cross stitch, but I do have to say, that the first piece of surface embroidery I worked was a piece of pre-printed linen. I was able to choose which stitches and colours I did, and when I finished the piece, I gave it to my youngest sister as a present. She still has this piece and whenever it is on the coffee table in her lounge. When the nieces and nephew found out that I had worked the embroidery the were quite amazed and now they move it away from any food or drink they have on the table so that it doesn't get spoiled by a spills that may happen.
The short answer would be, if I had to choose, it would be pre-printed linen as it give me the ability to choose colours, threads and stitches and I can truely call it my own work.
Just popping in for a second here (don't worry – I'm not entering myself in the drawing!) to say, first, thanks to everyone for partipating, and Janice – yes, I agree with you entirely about passing on to the next generation what we have in the arts. Very important stuff! I'll have to look up that episode on the PBS website – I'd be interested in seeing it! Thanks for the heads up on it!
MC
That's a tricky one! and I guess I would have to say contempory embroidery.
I love seeing pieces using traditional techniques – Jacobean or blackwork – but with a modern twist..
This looks like a fabulous give away – I especially like the book from Ackworth – I grew up just down the road from there..
I've done cross stich for many many years. Only in the last year have I really stopped and looked at other forms of embroidery and that is mostly due to your blog. I'm also taking baby steps to try out crewl work on felt and then hope to try it on linen.
I am always amazed by Jacobeab work. The colours, the variety of motifs and stitches, and imagining what it would have looked like originally.
I like blackwork. I suppose what I really like is more modern blackwork, where it's used to make a picture with shading and textures and such, rather than blackwork used to decorate clothing.
Hi! What a fabulous giveaway! I used to work in a living museum and so enjoyed the rustic needlework used for decor and function of the late new england 1800's, but i also really like the kitchy retro that seems to on a come back! So, smile, i guess i am a bit uncommited!
I like all kinds of embroidery. No specific favorites but I like Chikan the white embroidery in the Indian sub-continent.
I like all kinds of embroidery. No specific favorites but I like Chikan the white embroidery in the Indian sub-continent.
i'm currently learning Redwork and as of right now, its my fav
thanks for the great contest and the opportunity to win
I have no favorite. It's just whatever catches my eye. What a great giveaway.
Billie
bigmick@austin.rr.com
WOW! How generous!
My favorite embroidery is the early samplers that were done as reference – before patterns were available. I'm quite interested in stitches and designs being passed and collected hand by hand all over the world.
jodie.marie
at
verizon.net
Frankly, I like what is happening in today's embroidery circles. I enjoy needlepoint, cross stitch and am learning punch needle.
hi
I like the cross stitch its timeless and simple yet can be used in very elegant pieces
It was a delight for me to see the treasures that you received and I am hoping that you might make post a design of the printed linen that all of us could embroider.
The 19th and 20th Century period is my favorite as it is the embroidery that I remember my Mother stitching.
jmmarteney
at
earthlink.net
First of all, thank you Mary for all the knowledge you've shared with so many. It's difficult to pick just one era, so I'll pick the entire 19th century, from the Regency thru the Victorian. Everything was so deliberate & embellished back then. It wasn't considered frivolous to "paint" linens with silk, nor to tat & crochet. Thanks again, Dianne
I love embroidery from the early twentieth century. I really like seeing piece from the era of early transfers, like early Aunt Martha's transfers. I like thinking of all the different women who probably were embroidering for the first time, taking it up because it came in a kit.
that is so nice of you, Ms. Mary Corbet, to share some treasures of yours.
Maybe we become lucky here in Germany and get picked. lol!
We love all kinds of embroidery from the past to the present, because we can never get enough of them.
–vincent
that is so nice of you, Ms. Mary Corbet, to share some treasures of yours.
Maybe we become lucky here in Germany and get picked. lol!
We love all kinds of embroidery from the past to the present, because we can never get enough of them.
–vincent
I'm just learning about embroidery so I guess I don't have a favorite yet. I love the look of that M. Heminway & Sons silk thread – it looks like it would be wonderful to work with.
My favorite are samplers of all kinds – especially the Quakers! Please enter me in this wonderful giveaway – Thanks!
kimberlybreid@hotmail.com
What a wonderful giveaway and especially enticing to those of us who live and breathe needlework. Of the historical eras, I love Elizabethan best. The colors and especially the textures just resonate with me. However, I am so thankful to be a modern stitcher where ALL styles and looks are available to learn. I'm primarily a crazy quilter, and love incorporating nice stitching into my work. Today's fibers and materials (for example, waste canvas) make this possible. Cathy K.
I love gold braid work, and just because there so innocent, I love the pre-printed linens of the 40s
Just got back from holidays, Mary! I missed your blog! Thought of you in London at the V&A;, though!
Favorite era: pre-Renaissance. Love the ancient embroidery artifacts. Love Opus Anglicanum.
Also love the 16th century work like the Plimoth project is. But Victorian is too ornate for me!
Have always wanted to try the Hemingway silks. They look luscious.
Christiana (K)
I love the era of Victorian Flowers – they are beautiful and detailed. I would love to make my first try of the silk threads on something like that. Thank you!
I am enamored with 15th and 16th century blackwork. I like taking paintings from that time period, plotting it out, and recreating it. I should mention I also do historical recreation of that time period, so I use it on the clothes I make as well.
Ok, forgive me, but I love the "kitchy" stuff from the 40s & 50s… I know it's not the high point of the embroiderer's art, but everytime I see or work on a tea towel with a day of the week and some silly creature (often bunnies, or cats or bears, sometimes people) doing some kind of weekly chore… well, it reminds me of my mother-in-law (Memory Eternal).
So there, now you know one of my guilty pleasures.
Nestor
Embroidery is amazing! There are so many areas to follow and learn. I began with Crazy Quilting and found that all the images I have inside me from youth and on can be done with embroidery.
I can't paint or draw on paper like an artist but I can create with fabric, embellishments and embroidery. I get to bring out the artist in me that has been suppressed for so many years.
I have been following your site since you were mentioned on the HGTV quilting boards telling us about your tutorials, they are how I learned to embroider and I live through all your travels, work and fun.
I love all embroidery and I Thank You for all you have done for people like me who were lost and needed direction. At this point I am still learning there are so many different techniques to learn so right now I have no specific favorite because they are all amazing.I buy books to learn more and follow anything I can to make my work even better.
Your giveaway would be an awesome addition to my growing knowledge and work – I do not only CQ I have tried a few different techniques thanks to your emails and many of the stores & products you suggest. Thanks Mary for being you and sharing with us! Racine
Oh dear. It's difficult to choose.I love Jacobean and I agree with so much of what others have said. I just love needlework. Thank you Mary once again.
Pam
Oooh, pretties! I love Elizabethan/Stewart Embroidery, and I regularly drool over the Plymouth jacket from my computer screen. I think I particularly like the black-on-white holbein stitches of the Tudor Era, they're so classy.
I love all embroidery, but I'm particularly drawn to vintage 30's & 40's baskets, belles, flowere, etc. The pillowcases are so romantic to me. Of course, that's where I started learning, so that's probably why. They make me think of my Mom when she was young.
Of course I haven't come across any embroidery that didn't thrill me and I suppose I never will.
Thanks for the chance to enter.
Lin Taylor
I'm not choosy, but if I HAD to, I'd love to work with that silk thread. Just looking at it makes my fingers want to touch it!
Thanks for all you do for us stitchers.
Odette Bragg
obragg@aarp.org
I love all forms of embroidery. Each and everyone are memories, even the ones I first did years ago. If I would win it would be a very cherished moment.
I would say that my favourite embroidery style is silk ribbon embroidery. I have tried my hand at it and while the results were less than perfect at least the motifs were recognizable. I aspire to one day embroider a piece of heirloom quality clothing, perhaps a newborn gown for a grandchild and since my firstborn isn't even a year yet that gives me tons of time to practice!
To tell the truth, I thought, I will not write this time. I was lucky to win one gift, so I tried not to be rapacious (if this word is write… my English is not perfect). Of course, to get a gift always is great.
But then I've read about leaving our stitchings for next generations. And I have one very important suggestion: if you want not to finish some work, put it into some place with all the threads for it. This spring I have finished one stitching, which was started by my grandmother, stitched by my mother… My friends were joking, that I should stitch a little and leave it for next generations. It was started some 60 years ago using some Russian "muline" threads. Of course, they had no numbers to help finding the threads. At that times eople were buying the colours, which were in the shops, because these threads also were difficult to get and you possible could not find the ones you needed when you needed them… I have quite a big collection of these threads. Some are quite good, some not so much. But I had to change the colours, because I could not find the ones, which were used in the stitching. Of course, DMC, Anchor have numbers, but who knows, wthat they look like after some 50 or 100 years…
And about my likes. For some time I was cross stitching and was very happy because of that. But now I am interested in many different stitchings, learning them and trying to finish my old cross stitch projects. I want to participate in your lessons and I hope, next week I will. Maybe I know more than I have tried. Sometimes I learn myself by preparing some lessons for others (of course, it is not good, but if people ask and I know at least theoretically). I like different historical stitching. And the list of my likes becomes longer and longer because it is equal to the list of my wishes to learn…
So far I have limited experience with a lot of different types of embroidery, but when my brain wants something relaxing to do I reach for my cross stitch. With all of my other crafty endeavors, regardless of how much fun they are, they are not as relaxing as cross stitch. I prefer the sampler style of patterns which I don’t just use for cross stitch but also knitting and crocheting. /Matilda
Whomever wins this is going to be one lucky person! I could not agree with the others more about choosing a favorite style or embroidery period. It is almost impossible.
Carol
Mary,
I love every kind of embroidery style, design and era. Anything to keep these busy hands creating for friends, family, nieces, nephews, my grandson.
But, I do especially love the very first basic stitches I teach to kids who are interested in learning this wonderful craft.
Good Luck everyone.
Virginia
My favorite form of embroidery is
stump work; something fairly new
in my experience. It's dimensional aspect fascinates me.
Pat S.
I enjoy doing 30's style redwork and contemporary embroidery but really–I like it all!! Karen in Breezy Point
Wow! Don't know if it's too late to enter, I am on Alaska time and it's 7:30 pm on the 14th – not sure what time zone you use!
My favorite embroidery is the crewel and similar work done in the 70's. Partly because that's when I grew up, and partly because of the wild colors and designs. I like the way that bright colors were used for all kinds of decorations around the house, and for clothes. I remember I had a pair of bell-bottoms that had bright pink and yellow flowers – I can't believe I actually wore those!
I JUST READ IN MY LOCAL PAPER ,ABOUT ' STUMP ' WORK .SO I WAS LOOKING IT UP TO SEE WHAT IT WAS , AS I LOVE TO CANDLEWICK ,JUST GOT ANOTHER BED SPREAD TO DO AND THEN QUILT IT . BUT I STILL LOVE EMBORIDERY. JUST HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING CANDLEWICKING , AND HAVE TO ORDER THE THREAD EVEN JOANNS' DON'T SELL IT ….
MY FAVORITE IS CANDLEWICKING, LOVE LOVE I. I JUST FINISHED ANOTHER BED SPREAD, I DID ONE IN THE EARLY 90'S AND WANT TO DO ANOTHER , SO IF ANY ONE KNOWS OF A 'TREE OF LIFE ' BED SPREAD OUT THERE LET ME KNOW DNLKEENE55@VERIZON.NET , I ALWAYS HAVE LOVED EMBORIDERY BUT CANDLEWICKING IS MY FAVORITE … WAS ON THIS SIT TO SEE WHAT 'STUMPWORK ' WAS LOOKS VERY PRETTY ,,, LOUISE
I don’t know if you can help me at all, but I have to try. I am now 72 yrs old and I am really trying to find an Irish linen table cloth the is printed and ready to hand embroider. That is how I first learned this work in Wales, at my mothers knee when I was eight. That first piece was a large bowl of Lilacs in each corner and a bouquet of Lilac in the center. I know I won’t be able to find this 1940’s/50’s work exactly, but I can not even find anything with Lilacs at all. Can you possibly point me in the right direction. Irish linen table cloth that is pre-printed for hand work/home work. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance, Your, Georgette C. Lynch.