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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Give-Away! Crewel Wool by Renaissance Dyeing Company

 

Amazon Books

Today’s give-away is courtesy of Renaissance Dyeing, a company that hand-dyes wool threads using natural dyes, creating gorgeous ranges of color on a beautiful wool that’s ideal for crewel embroidery and tapestry work.

The Elizabethan Embroidery Range (crewel embroidery wool) is what’s up for grabs today – 27 skeins of naturally dyed wool, dyed using the same dyes available in the 16th century.

The first time I used the Renaissance Dyeing threads was after I bought a sample pack from Hedgehog Handworks (Update, 2017: Hedgehog Handworks has since closed, as the owner retired).

I was struck right off the bat by their softness and the fact that they stitch up very nicely – they’re easy to work with. The color range also impressed me – and I didn’t even know, at that time, all the work that goes into hand-dyeing this beautiful wool.

If you have time, you should browse through the Renaissance Dyeing website and take a look at their blog. It’s a real eye-opener about the work behind the threads we like to use!

I used Renaissance Dyeing wool on my crewel rooster project, by the way – especially on the flowers:

Renaissance Dyeing Wool used on crewel embroidery project

It makes a wonderful satin stitch and very nice French knots!

Renaissance Dyeing Wool Give-Away

After discovering the wonderful thread on my own and buying a bit of it, I made use of it in my crewel rooster project and linked back to their website. And they very kindly wrote and offered a packet of their wool for a give-away! I took Andie up on the offer – I couldn’t quite pass up the opportunity to let one of my readers build a nice starter-stash of a good thread!

Renaissance Dyeing Wool Give-Away

So, what I’m giving away is a beautiful color range of “Elizabethan” colors – colors typical of the 16th century, and dyed in the same manner as threads were back then!

Renaissance Dyeing Wool Give-Away

Beautiful, aren’t they??

If you would like an opportunity to win this package of threads, please read the following Rules of the Give-Away:

This give-away is now closed. Thanks for participating!

1. All eligible comments must be left on the website, on this post. Comments left on other posts or sent via e-mail (in reply to the daily newsletter) will not be eligible. So please make sure you visit the website to leave your comment! For those who read Needle ‘n Thread via RSS feed or in your e-mail, just click on the title of the post, and it’ll take you straight to the right post on the website.

2. Please make sure you sign your comment, if you choose to comment using the “anonymous” feature.

3. Answer the following question in your comment:

(This is predictable!)

What type of design would you stitch with this collection of threads? (Feel free to daydream a bit here, if you don’t really have any set idea at this point!)

4. The give-away ends on Thursday, March 25, at 5:00 am CST (Kansas, USA).

I’m happy to mail the package of threads anywhere in the world, so all are welcomed to sign up! (Overseas mailings will be sent by the least expensive airmail option, and the receiver is responsible for any custom duties, etc. I am not liable for any postal misdirection or loss for overseas mailings…. That has only happened once with my give-aways, but should it happen again, please understand that I cannot replace the parcel.)

Best of luck!

 
 

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(325) Comments

  1. Hello Mary!

    Another lovely giveawy that I probably won't win, but I certainly won't if I don't enter, right?

    I think I'd be interested in doing something like the fish in the RSN's book in crewel style, but also perhaps some nice cushion/pillow covers for our living room sofa for when we get back home.

    Enjoying the goldwork project very much. I have one on the go, but it's nothing on yours! I don't really have enough patience for that, but I admire your project very much. Thanks for sharing.=)

    Elizabeth in Taiwan.

    1
  2. Good Morning Mary,
    OH my…what luscious colors! I would be threading up and learning some traditional crewel with those threads. I have the books, the fabric and the desire…all I need are the threads 🙂
    Thanks for the generous giveaway.
    Suzanne Bruno
    Raymond, Maine

    2
  3. Ohh this is such a generous giveaway! Thank you! I'm happy to at least have a chance to participate and perhaps be able to try out something other than Anchor which is the only thing available here.

    Aaanyway what I'd do with these – the moment I saw them, I thought oooh pillowcases! I've had an idea for pillows for my sofa for ages, sort of scrolly medieval-looking design but well Anchor mercerized cotton is too shiny and just plain wrong for it. So I'd love to get my little grabby hands on these to finally make the pillows I've dreamt of for so long 🙂

    3
  4. Hi Mary
    I would use the "Elizabethan" range of Renaissance Dyeing in an African Tree of Life design eg an Acacia tree with a giraffe,a porcupine, a lion and a masked weaver. Understand, they wouldn't normally all be on or under the tree, especially if that lion is snooping around! But it is meant to be a stylised tree, after all. It would be a bit of a stretch for me. I think I'm going to try it even if I don't win those beautiful threads.
    Cheryl

    4
  5. Hi Mary,
    wonderful giveaway as always..
    I would like to fill a floral design completely with french knots for wall hanging.

    Lakshmi

    5
  6. Good morning, Mary. What beautiful fibers! Just looking at the colors I can see flowers, trees, and sky so for me it would have to be an outdoor scene, something woodsy with tiny flowers blooming and trees just getting ready to pop their leaves under a brilliant sky.

    Thank you so much for the opportunity to win theses beautiful fibers.

    Brenda Schiesser

    6
  7. Great giveaway,Mary. Thanks to Renaissance Dyeing for the chance.Here's my not so adventurous answer to the giveaway question –
    I would use these threads for crewel embroidery .Ever since I've seen your crewel project I've wanted to try this form of embroidery atleast once.You even provided a whole lot of info on where to get the supplies and what to get in one of the later posts.If I win this giveaway,it'll be a great start towards gathering the necessary stuff.
    Regards,
    Deepa

    7
  8. Hi Mary,
    As always you have a great give-a-way. I always called this product Broider Wul, but I guess Renaissance Dyeing tread sounds more romantic. I love this great crewel fiber. The colors are fabulous, and its easy on the fingers when stitching. I'd probably stitch up a floral pillow,or a have a little bench that needs a new cushion cover,maybe in a tree of life design.
    I hope is thread finds a good home.
    Elaine in WV

    8
  9. Ooooooh! What beautiful wools and such a generous give-away! I'd love to be able to try them! I'm always intrigued by all the lovely threads you've reviewed here and wishing I could try them all, but not having a local needlework shop makes me a bit overly cautious in racking up shipping charges. If I were to win these threads, I think I'd have to give your rooster design a try. My kitchen is decorated with roosters and hens and he'd fit right in!

    9
  10. To think insomnia gets me the first post! All those beautiful colors! They need to come home to me. I loved the flowers you did and would love to try my hand at them and lots of other flowers as well. I just don't have a clue as to how far that many skeins will get me but I am willing to find out. Karen

    10
  11. Dear Mary,
    First, I want to thank for your wonderful tutorial video. What a HELP.I am dreaming… I would love to tackle a beautiful bird with the Renaisssance wool.
    Thank you
    France Riddell

    11
  12. I'd really like to create a slightly Art Nouveau design for something for the house. Alternatively, I have some crewelwork ideas of my own I would like to explore!

    12
  13. Hi, Mary! What a beautiful prize! I would certainly try them on floral designs… maybe Trish Burr's projects, how about that? I think the results would be stunning! And her books are sitting on my shelf daring me to do something with their contents, so… why not? Thank you and Andie both!

    14
  14. I've just started getting back into crewel work after seeing your rooster. I am having a go at some of the designs in the Anchor book of crewel stitches and patterns. The next design I'll be trying will be an oak tree

    16
  15. Good Morning Mary! Oooohhhh these colors are delicious looking – like ice cream in the ice cream shop and they are all calling me! How generous of the folks at Renaissance Dyeing to offer this beautiful packet, and how kind of you to spend time writing about the thread and sharing with us. I would love to work a piece in this wool thread on a pillow top in an Elizabethan design because that is my favorite style of embroidery. Thank you Mary!
    Beverly

    17
  16. Mary, i do love your web-site and that beautifulwool thread. if i win the give away,i'd like to try that wonderful rooster and then use some of it on my R.R… i'm just now getting to be in one ,that would be alot of fun to use on my friends block.. thanks aheadfor the oppertunity, molly[sewnmom7@yahoo.com

    18
  17. Mary- Thanks for another great give-away. I've been watching your goldwork project with interest. As soon as my UFO's get finished, I'd like to give some goldwork a try. As for the wool, I'd love to try my hand at designing an updated version of the twining vine with flowers that were so common with traditional crewel – maybe a pillow, or seat back, or footstool? Hmm, have to think about that part.

    19
  18. I'm not sure exactly how I'd use this crewl yarn except it would have to be something with a "field of flowers" my favorite thing to crewl/embroider.
    sue ames

    20
  19. Such beautiful threads!! I have always wanted to try wool threads but haven't done it yet. What would I make with these beautiful threads??? If I win these threads I might would need to purchase the book in your last give a way and buy some wool fabric and try to make that beautiful floral quilt. Those wool threads are totally beautiful!! Someone is going to be a very lucky winner! Thelma

    21
  20. I've recently rediscovered the beauty of William Morris designs. Since I was given a set of books with charts of a number of favorite designs, one of those is what I would stitch. Strawberry Thief, Brer Rabbit – or perhaps design something of my own that factors in the natural beauty near my home, the towering pines, the flaming sunsets, the quail and deer, morning dawn as it sparkles on the lake. Deb-in-Idaho
    http://www.temptingtangles.com/

    22
  21. Hi,
    With that beautiful range of color, I would give a try on one of "Susan O'Connor" Flowers for Elizabeth design. I just receive my book, the yarn would be berfect to start one of the blanket motif.

    Thank you for all the inspiration you bring me. Live a beautiful day.

    Francoise (Mafyb)
    mafyb@videotron.ca

    23
  22. What a beautiful assortment of yarn. You had shown some "doodle art I think you called it a month or so ago and that definitely peaked my interest. I can remember in high school making these and filling in with rich colors the size of poster boards. I think these great colors would look wonderful doing a nice size of a "doodle" print into a one of a kind project.

    24
  23. I am a feltmaker. I love to stitch on to my hand made felt with wool threads and I have been making felt bags with a hand embroidered crewel work paisley design. I would most definitely stitch this design using Renaissance wool and have done in the past. The woollen threads just sink into the felt and become part of the fabric – stunning!
    Christine B

    25
  24. How beautiful! What a great give away Mary! I would probably attempt to design a stylized spring garden.
    Nita Carroll

    26
  25. What type of design would you stitch with this collection of threads?

    I'd love to have something art nouveau to hang on the wall, like one of the patterns from the William Morris pattern book [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486431835/]
    I think it would look beautiful in crewel work.

    27
  26. Mary,
    They are beautiful and the first thing I thought of was Angels. These colors are soft and would make angels look angelic!
    Annie in Va.

    28
  27. Hello Mary,
    How can you give away so many beautiful threads ?
    I never tried crewel embroidery, but if I had to use these ones, sure I would stitch a pattern I found in Inspiration magazine : Beautiful flowers, pomegranate and birds.
    Have a nice day

    Coeur de freesia

    29
  28. Hi Mary,
    this is very delicious give-away, like all your give-aways.
    I think I would make a sampler of crewel stitches with my favorite design of peace helmets, of course. lol.
    The colors will make great flowers and the greys and greens will be great for the helmet.
    i am drooling. haha.

    vince

    30
  29. Dear Mary, Wow these treads are beautiful. I do not possess one single shred of this type of yarn as it is not so readily available here. When you ask what we would use it for, I remembered I have this pretty design of a bird of paradise. It is printed on cotton. The bird is sitting on a branch with stunning flowers around it! Now with what I have already learned with your rooster and gold work this wool will be just what I need. Thank you for your generosity in sharing so many things with us. Kind regards Elza Bester. Cape Town

    31
  30. Oh this is easy Mary!
    Remeber when you reviewed the book History of Crewelwork in England? I was so interested I found a used copy at Amazon in the UK. It is such an interesting book but, like you, I was inspired by the patterns. I would use this wool to stitch one of the flower designs in the book – something that is from about the same time as the colors of the wool.

    Best of luck to everyone!

    Kathy

    32
  31. What gorgeous threads and generous giveaway! I know exactly what I would make with them. Last summer while visiting friends I fell in love with the mirror in her downstairs bathroom. She had made a crewel work frame for the mirror. It is gorgeous and I want to stitch a similar one for me. Those threads would be perfect for the project.

    33
  32. Wow beautiful! I would stitch something befitting their colourings – something elizabethan, perhaps something period in crewel work? Many ideas.

    34
  33. Mary I would love to win this crewel wool! The colours are beautiful and would be wonderful for either a celtic or jacobean design I've been hankering to do.I can be reached at susancuss@yahoo.com. Thank you for this opportunity.
    Susan Cuss

    35
  34. Mary, I think this is the best give-away ever. I have some Elizabethan patterns, and I have one that I would especially love to do with this thread. If there was enough, I would use it for my 'casket' that I am going to make. Eitherway, I would love to have the thread.

    36
  35. Mary,
    I would love to win the beautiful collection of threads. I am new using different fibers. I have several designs of flowers in mind that I want to embroider. I am currently enjoying using silks on a small Helen M. Stevens design. I throughly enjoy your daily newsletter!!Your video showed me how to easily do a bullion stitch!!! Mary Burton

    37
  36. Uh oh. I commented, but when I clicked to leave the comment I got a page not found error. Don't know if original comment went through.

    Anyway. The colors are gorgeous!

    38
  37. Of course I'd like to win the thread, and since we are daydreaming, I'd buy the best book I could find on crewel and do everything in it.

    39
  38. I have never tried crewel embroidery before, but it looks like a bunch of fun. I recently went to a beautiful estate and they had crewel embroidery on all of their magnificent upholstered chairs. I also loved the picture you had of the crewel buttons with designs on them. So, i would start off with the buttons and work my way up to the chair! Thanks
    -Emily Richards

    40
  39. this thread looks wonderful. i dont have any nice thread, only regular cotton embroidery thread and this wold be lovely to use for a wedding sampler for my husband and i. i have always wanted to make one but think the kits look cheesy and all the same. i would design something unique for us and then use this thread to embroider it for an heirloom keepsake. ooh, i hope i win!

    41
  40. Can't get these threads in the Uk so I would be the envy of all my friends as I have a dream of a collection of crewel flowers, a whole bouquet of them!
    Suzyp

    42
  41. Good Day, I have been receiving your blog with all the stunning work and ideas since late last year.i live in South Africa and have shared the details of your site with 3 other avid embroiderers around the world. I belong to the Cape Embroiderers Guild and have also shared it with friends there. I love crewel embroidery and all the variety of stitches one can use and find this type of embroidery thrilling and very creative because many embroiderers could stitch the same pattern with such a variety of results.Ihave a beautiful floral crewel work pattern which i am going to use in a wooden firescreen. Living in South Africa we dont have much access to a variety of wools so i buy a lot of mine at our sales table at guild where ladies sell off any unwanted items and am always thrilled when i spot any wools available.Over the years i have collected quite a bit of appleton and paterna wools but those you have available look "yummy" Are they availabe from the stockest and do they post to South Africa? Your rooster looks devine I followed his creation closely as well as all the unpicking!!!So nice to be able to chat across the world, keep looking forward to your letter everyday Take care, Fond regards Heather Basson Cape town South Africa

    43
  42. Thank you for this opportunity!

    I would like to stitch up a vintage Elsa Williams pattern, printed on linen. I found it buried unopened and untouched in a bin of tatty household linens at an antiques store. The design is a standard Stuart pomegranate on tree. There are no instructions for color or working method, so I am free to let my imagination wander, much as you did for the rooster. You can see the piece here:

    I haven't done crewel in a very long time, so I have no stash of appropriate wool at hand as a starter. A core set of colors would make choosing the rest from color cards much easier.

    Thank you again for your explorations so generously posted here. Happy stitching – kbsalazar

    44
  43. Hello Mary –

    These are scrumptious looking threads that I would love to use in my next "Flowers for Elizabeth" project; I'm thinking the motif with the pomegranates – after having stitched two smalls with Appleton.

    Thank you for this lovely – and too tempting! – giveaway. Good luck to all.
    Sharon

    45
  44. Hi Mary

    I'm just getting started on crewel embroidery, but I think I would use this amazing stash to do a piece I've been promising my mother for ages and ages – a tree of life design, with lots of wonderful leaves and flowers on the tree to practice different stitches with, lots of interesting animals on the ground beneath (especially rabbits and deer – I like those!), and perhaps a bird or two to round it off. I've got a nice piece of legacy linen twill I've been saving just for this, and the wool will complement it well!

    What a brilliant give away!

    Marika

    46
  45. I'm planning to enter the Regional Embroiderers Guild competition this year and these threads would be fabulous to incorporate into my design. Usually I'm a 'dyed in the wool' (pun intended!) machine embroiderer but your work has made me want to dust off my hand embroidery frames and these would be great to use.

    Keep up the inspirational blog!

    47
  46. Such beautiful colors! If I were to win, the threads would definitely become part of a crazy quilt. I might even try to do some bobbin work with some of the thread. Not exactly traditional uses, but why limit a thread to one type of work.

    48
  47. Mary~
    These are beautiful and I have never embroidered with this type of thread before and would love to be able to try them. I would use them on a Victorian design, since those are my favorite. Lovely give away!

    49
  48. I would love to win. I would use it on my first sampler. I'm new at crewel and the colors are so beautiful. Thanks

    50
  49. Oh wow!! when I read about your newest giveaway I got very excited-I love anything wool, and especially hand dyed-I would so love to win this one.
    I am not sure yet what I would make with these yet-I am really into the 1830's period of history so would probably adapt a pattern to that. I have been wanting to make a crazy wool quilt so thinking these would be lovely embroidery on there thank you again for these wonderful giveaways

    51
  50. I loved your rooster so much, it started me thinking about making multiple roosters for my daughter in law. I wouldn't make the one you did, however, I would use it for inspiration, as well as Maggie Walker's rooster quilt designs; and Florine Johnson's Radical Rooster quilt designs.

    Lynn D

    52
  51. Dear Mary,
    The threads are beautiful and I think I would stitch two floral designs based on my china. It is Botanic Garden.
    sincerely,
    Ruth Ann Woolford

    53
  52. Ohhhhhhh they're gorgeous! I have several needlepoint projects planned using William Morris designs and these would be lovely to work with.

    Thanks so much for another great giveaway 🙂

    Christine R., PA

    54
  53. Hi Mary,
    What a lovely giveaway! I would love to have them to make a pillow to accompany my living room wing chair and ottoman, which is upholstered with a Jacobean fabric.

    55
  54. Oh Wow, such beautiful threads!! I just am not sure what I'd do with them, but since french knots and satin stitch are stitches that I love, they would definitely be involved. What a great give-away!

    56
  55. OOOOH, Mary! – Please excuse my drooling!!! I just got back from a trip to Williamsburg, where my friends literally had to drag me away from the exhibits of antique embroidery! I was absolutely amazed by the skills of those long-ago stitchers! So, having said that, I would probably want to do a lovely piece of crewel using lots of satin stitching to show off the sheen and colors of the threads. Maybe something wearable? Oh, dear – my mind is spinning again! Thanks for the chance, and for the inspiration!
    Pat Danco

    57
  56. Hi Mary, I just received samples from Andie as I am considering carrying Renaissance crewel wool in my shop. I was very impressed by the softness and vivid colors. What would I stitch? I want to give it a try on 18 count canvas. I think some kind of landscape or still life where color is so important to the mood and feel of a piece. Frankly I just want to stitch with it! Also curious that it is priced well, and significantly more than Daisies or Blossoms. Thanks for the delight to the eyes on this grey and rainy Monday. Karen Milano

    58
  57. What an interesting thread. My EGA chapter has an annual stitching challenge. This year it is a personal challenge. You must do something that is a challenge to you for whatever reason. I think I would make my challenge creating a design that took advantage of the historically correct nature of the colors of these threads.

    Elaine
    Norman, OK

    59
  58. WOW, wht gorgeous colors!
    Because of your recomendations,Mary, I was just beginning to save my pennies for this line of yarn 🙂
    Will crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes help do you think ?????
    Seriously though, I have been itching to get back into crewel, especially historic crewel, after a thirty year drought.
    Back then all I could get my hands on were the kits sold locally (no such thing as internet shopping ) and the yarn included in the kits were all the choice there was.
    I can't wait to try my hand on beautiful stitching in some awesome fibers 🙂
    Thanks so much Mary for all your inspiration, humor, know how, and….enabling.

    Hugs, Marlon

    60
  59. Well, add me in to the long list of those who would love to try these threads. I am just a threadaholic who would probably use them on some heedlepoint projects I have planned. Thanks for your interesting blogs! Ellen Hartman in VA

    61
  60. OMG, what an awesome giveaway! If (by some miracle) I got those threads in my hot little hands, I'd probably make a new Elizabethan-era coif, in some kind of lovely scrolling floral pattern. Hopefully I'd have just enough of each color left over to make a little swatch book for Elizabethan needlework reference.

    Ashley Aedo

    62
  61. This thread, to me, screams
    Berlin Wool Work. I would pull out one of my traditional patterns and make a chair back with it.
    Anything remaining would be used for fireplace bellow motif embellishment surrounded by brass nailheads. It's a project I've been meaning to begin. This would be a great jumpstart!

    63
  62. Hi Mary,
    I'm a crazy quilter and have only used cotton and silk threads, but I'd love to try these beautiful wools for both seam embroidery and motifs!

    64
  63. Those are beautiful, and a range of threads I've been hoping to try but hadn't gotten around to yet.

    I'm sure some would go into some "Bayeux Stitch" or laid and couched work. Probably some more in some canvas work inspired by Mary QOS work. Possibly some trim for 12th century tunics ….

    Kandy in PA

    65
  64. Oh my they are gorgeous!! Who wouldn't love to have them in their collection? 🙂 If I were to win them, I'd have find an amazing design to use them – something from Trish Burr leaps to mind 🙂 I have books by her, but I also think something larger for my living room. Oh the possibilities are endless and so luscious!

    66
  65. Hi Mary, the colors look so warm and soft.
    I think I would embroider a Jacobean design with roses.
    Marjolein

    67
  66. Please do enter me in this giveaway. I love the colors and can't wait to feel the softness.

    Project: I thing a lovely pincushion. I would need to make at least four of them to give to my friends.

    Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful gift.
    Sandi

    68
  67. Good morning, Mary!

    I ordered the "Elizabethan" book and would use the collection for flowers.
    Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.
    Best,
    Maria

    69
  68. Good morning Mary. Wow what lovely thread. I have only worked with Anchor and DMC and have never done any crewel work but I do love the look and went as far as getting a book for crewel work I just do not have the means at the moment to go ahead and give it a try. I think I would love to do a pillow for my living room with birds and flowers and think the colors are so delicious that they need to portray something outdoorsy.. Thanks for the opportunity and have a wonderful week.

    70
  69. OMG! Those are lovely!

    I've been wanting to try crewel work for a while, and I think I would probably go for a dead traditional jacobean design. I'd have lots of fun researching authentic designs, and digging around in the Online Pattern Library and Project Gutenberg, and looking at musum pieces.

    71
  70. Mary-

    What a lovely set of threads-I would love to win this and I would use it to make a men's night cap with the pattern I just ordered from the website I got to from one of your links-reconstructing history!

    I love your BLOG and read it everyday now!

    tina tdwjohnson@yahoo.com

    72
  71. Dear Mary,

    I live in a house that is 171 years old. This summer, my gardens are being displayed on a garden tour. I would use the beautiful yarns to make a pillow that I would display during the tour. Thank you for this opportunity.

    73
  72. HI,

    Absolutely gorgeous colors. I have
    done crewel and would love to stitch a project with these beautiful colors.

    Thanks,
    Teri Sanfilippo

    74
  73. Hi Mary,
    I have never used these threads but am intrigued. I think if I won, I would try a Jacobean design that I've always admired but was afraid to tackle. Thanks for doing the giveaways! Sheila from CA

    75
  74. hi Mary
    Living in a very rural area i haven't ever ventured much past DMC but your posts have certainly educated me and got me thinking.
    as for the crewel work it would definetly have to be something

    now if I could find a needlework shop next door to a big box hardware store in town that would be just the ticket-he could spend time in housepaint and i could look at some new threads.

    thanks for taking the time to teach all of us new techniques

    76
  75. Hi Mary–Thanks for another FABULOUS giveaway!

    What would I stitch? The colors to me are too bright to use for traditional crewel designs–I see them and my brain says Laurel Burch! Especially those purples!

    I think it would also be neat to do some designs of vegetables. I see eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, squash, lots of yummy things.

    Carol Sylvester

    77
  76. Hi Mary:
    Thank you for your webbsite. I enjoy it so much and would truly love to win the renaissance Elizabethan crewel embroidery wool so that i may use it on your "Crewel Rooster Project"
    Thank you,
    Pat

    78
  77. These are gorgeous! I think I'd want to make a Jacobean design that could be turned into an evening bag. Fruit and flowers, maybe the odd bug or two. 🙂

    79
  78. Lovely colours. I think I'd use these threads as they were intended and stitch up a classical crewl piece – a pillow would definitely appeal but then again, a tapestry piece, worked on canvas, might also be fun.

    So many choices! 🙂

    Claire

    80
  79. What a generous offer! This takes my breath away!

    There are so many things I would sew… starting with some portraits I've got sketched up and using reclaimed wool sweater felt.

    81
  80. Hi, Mary. This is really a wonderful give away, and I sure appreciate the manufacturers being willing to do this through you.

    I have a crewel project in the planning stages, based on one of the designs in the RSN book, and was thinking of trying the Appleton crewel wools on it, but would LOVE to have these wools to use instead. I have a skein of Broder Wol, which I believe was the same thread, but with a new name. It is wonderful to work with!

    Thanks for the giveaway. Sandi Hersh

    82
  81. I would love to do a pair of birds–something that would show off the beautiful colors of these threads. The shades of pinks/reds would be nice for stitching some sweet peas, too. Having nice thread makes all the difference in how a piece goes together. I would love a chance to work with something like that. Thanks for giving all of us the chance to win this collection!
    Kitty

    83
  82. Mary what a gorgeous collection of wool and the colours so beautiful. If I won, I think I would work them into a blanket all on their own, sort of a medallion to keep the colours together as one.

    I can picture a lovely medallion in the centre with the four corners accenting and a trail of flowers cascading from the medallion.

    84
  83. Dear Mary,
    INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!! Those threads would make me speechless!! The delicious colors would be perfect for an Elizabethan design. I love embroidery from that time period and would feel quite excited attempting something on my own with these threads. Perhaps stumpwork- mix in some gold work and -oh-see the places I go!! I so appreciate all you do to further the education of embroidery! I have learned SO MUCH!!
    Thank you! Peg from NJ

    85
  84. Wow!! The colours are wonderful. I haven't tried crewel embroidery since the early 80's. I'm thinking it would be gorgeous on a crazy quilt wall hanging I am presently working on — as motifs on the actual "squares".

    Your goldwork project is gorgeous and I'm enjoyed watching your progress. Grovenore

    86
  85. Mary, the thread colours are beautiful! Hmmm. I'd have to think a bit before deciding what I would do with them. Perhaps a floral design for a cushion. I certainly wouldn't want to waste these.
    Cheers,
    Linda Adam

    87
  86. Oh my goodness – this would really get anyone started – so I guess the question is what couldn't you stitch with these beautiful threads? They really are beautiful. I would buy the book from the last give away and do some of the flower designs as I really want to do those! I have some material left from when my grandmother passed and have been waiting for something very special and this would be it!

    Debbie Czerwionka
    Chicago, IL

    88
  87. Hi Mary,
    I have wanted to try a Jacobean piece for a long time. These beautiful wools would be perfect. Thank you for another terrific give away.
    JoAnn

    89
  88. Wow, Mary! What a luscious collection of threads! As I am an SCA person, I would do a wool-on-linen sweet bag using a design from the late 1500's. So, these threads would be perfect. Hope I win! Thanks to you and Renaissance Dyeing for this awesome giveaway. Pamphilene the Bag Maker

    90
  89. OH WOW, what a giveaway and I know exactly what I will do with them, I am working on a wool crazy quilt and have been looking for some great wool threads. I am working on the Wool Crazy Quilt out of the book called Wool Crazy by Joann Mallaly. I think I spelled that correctly. Thanks for the chance to win these awesome threads.

    91
  90. I can visualise a Jacobean tree of life for a firescreen with this lovely collection of threads. I'd love to do smooth satin stitches and knobbly French knots and all the textures in between.

    92
  91. Oh my gosh!!! Such gorgeous threads!!! I don't do a lot of embroidery, but I love to cross-stitch. I can see myself making some gorgeous Christmas ornaments or pincushions with these threads…gosh, I just don't know what I'd do with them, other than try not to let the drool get them too wet! LOL

    93
  92. I would love to somehow add an element of embroidery to my Renaissance Festival costume (well, wardrobe- I've been working the local one for a decade, and it kind of builds up). It would call for some fun research, in the very least.

    Other than that: an octopus. Oh yes. Octopus make everything better.

    corvus.melloriATgmailDOTcom

    94
  93. Hi, Mary,
    I am new to embroidery and having recently discovered your tutorials, I'm learning a lot! I am a knitter and my goal is to embellish some of my knitting. But, even if I do not win, I am glad to have discovered your website and the opportunity to learn!
    Melody James, Atlanta, GA.

    95
  94. Dear Mary,
    Greetings from UK!
    Please may I be entered into the draw for these threads…what a dream to win them:O)
    Oh how very unique and original they all are.
    Thank you so much Mary for introducing me to them.
    If I were to win, would use to embroider a wedding ring cushion for our daughter's wedding in Sept.
    I have an idea for bird's and ribbon swags' plus initials.
    Also another project is for the Elizabethan sweet bags I love to embroider…how original these threads would be to use?

    Warm wishes from Pam

    96
  95. Mary,
    What a wonderful giveaway! The colors and the texture look so fantastic!
    Ever since I have seen your work on crewel embroidery, I have wanted to do one and if I win the giveaway I will work a nice floral design with those lovely colors in satin stitch and french knots.

    Thanks for your generosity!

    97
  96. Hello Mary!
    What an exiting giveaway…!
    I would love to use those beautiful threads on decorative children pillows i'm making.I do ballerina's figure skaters vintage airplanes westfalia's ect.. I'd love to experience with these threads!
    Caroline D Montreal, Québec

    98
  97. If I would ever be so incredibly lucky to win this set of thread, I would use them on a Jacobean-type pattern that I have been playing around with for a pillow for my couch! Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for good luck (which is making it incredibly hard to knit my lace shawl)!

    99
  98. This is a dream come true give-away! Sticking to my New Year resolutions of branching out into the deep for new techniques,yarns,material,goldwork,and not be afraid;this fits two goals:yarn and technique. I would use these yarns on projects from the Trish Burr needle painting CD and Jane Nicholas Stumpwork book.It`s all so exciting!
    Karole King

    101
  99. Wow! How wonderful! I have been looking at the website for a while now, wishing some shop nearby carried these – I am very interested in the dyeing techniques of the past and would love these! I'd use them on my needlebook that I will be working on as my summer project.

    102
  100. Hi, Mary
    Those threads and colors are inspiring. I would love to do a firescreen in a Jacobean pattern, I think. Of course, I would never put it in front of a fire where it could get scortched or discolored with smoke and ash! I can see a flowing vine of birds and flower…..daydreams!
    Diane G

    103
  101. Oh, those are so beautiful! This would be a wonderful excuse to buy that Elizabeth's Flower Garden book that I long for, OR I already have a book of Elizabethan/Jacobean embroidery that has some lovely patterns…

    104
  102. Oooooh such lovely colors! I think I'd like to try some doodle stitching with them. I've seen some really beautiful pieces on flickr, where people have just stitched as you might doodle on a piece of paper. I love the random beauty of that & I bet these threads would work up nicely! Thanks for the chance to win!

    figure8angel@gmail.com

    105
  103. Wow…gorgeous! I've always wanted to stitch a bird and after seeing your fabulous rooster I am inspired to give it a try. Thank you for the extremely generous giveaway!

    106
  104. I would love to try these threads in Elizabethan crewel work. I haven't had a chance to work with many different threads. This would be a treat. June Winnop

    107
  105. Mary, thanks so much for the giveaways – I love reading what your other readers plan to do with various materials, and it's so much fun seeing where all your readers live.

    I've been planning a small pouch for a pocket prayerbook my son-in-law wants, and these threads would be perfect for the stylized tree I want to embroider on the cover.

    Miriam Marlin, Santa Rosa, CA

    108
  106. What gorgeous colors!! My first project would be your rooster and then a floral one. Thank you for such wonderful giveaways.

    Jean B.
    Puyallup WA

    110
  107. I bought the book. I have some English Linen Twill. I'm going to embroider some "Flowers for Elizabeth". I'd love to be able to use the Elizabethan Embroidery wools.

    111
  108. OOOOOOOOOOh Mary, since I have started crazy quilting I am learning so much about different threads, I think I am becoming a "thread" collector. I don't have any wool threads and would love to win these and use them on my crazy quilt blocks. They are gorgeous!

    112
  109. i would love this. i think i'd like to try my hand at the tree design on the cover of "crewel embroidery". and i'm only one state over so shipping would be a breeze. 🙂

    113
  110. Oh my! So many beautiful ideas stimulated by those beautiful wools. I would use them for a floral design on a lovely purse designed and made by me for my daughter who is getting married in October. It would be of Art Nouveau or Elizabethan in style. She would carry it on her wedding day with her vintage wedding dress. A very proud Mom I would be. Thank you for your generosity. Marianne Udell

    114
  111. Thank you for another great give-[away. I've never tried crewel but have been itching to do so. I have 3 books just waiting for a try out. Most likely floral to fit in my log house.

    115
  112. I love Renaissance Dyeing Wools. I discovered them the Cotswolds on my first trip to the U.K. (too long ago!) They are a delight to use. I've been working on my own design, based on crewel in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago (from Virginia Churchill Bath's book on them). I combined several and have a design I like, colored it in, bought a deep red silk for the ground and am at the point of needing threads. The colors in the giveaway are perfect !

    116
  113. Oh, these are just wonderful! I'd love to use them on a tablecloth project or a floral that's been running around in my head for ages. Love the blog!
    Rebekah D. in Ohio

    117
  114. Hi Mary,

    Thank you and Andie for this lovely giveaway. If I had the opportunity of stitching with the Rennaissance wool, I would love to stitch a design which also is represenatative of that period since dyes of the 16th century are still being used. So I would want to stitch a project like The Secret Squirrel By Phillipa Turnbull with the browns and earth tones and a Project like Ariel by Jane Goodwin with the peaches, corals and pinks.

    118
  115. I would be thrilled to win the Elizabethan Embroidery threads. If I win I am planning a crewel embroidery design featuring something appropriate for a late summer season throw pillow. I think these colors just lend themselves so well to this design. Thanks for the chance you provide to be creative!
    Mary Ann
    Cinti.,Ohio

    119
  116. Lovely, soothing colours! The first thing that comes to mind is a fairy in the forest themed picture for my grand daughter. The colours suit her to a T.

    Teresa
    East Lothian, Scotland

    120
  117. Hi Mary,
    Thanks for such an enjoyable and informative newsletter…like getting a mini lesson in embroidery each day.
    I would love to stitch your rooster design, other designs similar to the goldwork pattern you are now doing, and some from a small instructional book of crewel stitches, I have, which has a different pattern to do with each type stitch.
    Andrea

    122
  118. G'day Mary,

    Without hesitation, a woollen blanket for THE grand daughter.
    An animal design, cats, pups or sheep.
    There are some nice French knot sheep in an Inspirations mag I've always wanted to do. Natural colour for sheep is not a concern. These colours would be lovely for a childs flock of sheep.

    Thanks Mary, Kath from Oz

    123
  119. I ordered a small sample selection of Renaissance Wool after you first mentioned it in the rooster. The colors are simply fantastic! Were I the lucky winner of the Elizabethan range, I would begin work on a fairly large wall panel. The 'tree of life' format would be the beginning, but I know that it would evolve 'into something rich and strange' as I stitched. Good luck to all!

    124
  120. Hi Mary,
    I love the colors! I would love to recreate a crewel embroidery from the Elizabethan era and use that design for a pillow or framed art. Thank you for the wonderful giveaways opportunity.

    125
  121. I would use the wool threads with my new book; Flowers for Elizabeth! We can't get any wool threads locally and I'm itching to get into those beautiful flowers.
    thank you for making this available.
    julie candler

    126
  122. When I was around 8-9 years old my mother started me embroidering with crewel wool yarn. My first project was my birth sign. I have always loved working with crewel yarn and would love to be picked for your beautiful giveaway.
    I feel any design would look wonderful using the crewel yarn. The colors are astounding. I am excited!

    Sincerely,

    Sherrylou

    127
  123. Oh how gorgeous! I just love seeing all the colors together lined up like a rainbow ☺ I've never done any crewel work but am definitely interested in it and I see those colors some kind of floral motif.

    128
  124. Oh Mary,
    You have the most wonderful give-aways. I love crewel embroidery. I have always used a kit. I have worked up quite a few. I love working on flowers and it would be great to stitch some with really good wool threads.
    Janice

    129
  125. Your giveaways are so generous & fun! I've longed for these threads since seeing them on the Reconstructing History website – what a place that is! If I won, I'd stitch Philippa Turnbull's pattern from last fall's issue of Cross Stitch & Needlework. It's a lovely scene with dogs & hills from a 17th Century bedhanging – which is gorgeous. Thank you for the opportunity to win these lovely threads. Dianne in UT dkspinner@q.com

    130
  126. Oh, I would love to try this wool! I have a crewel kit that has Paternayan wools; I would switch out those wools for the Renaissance Dyeing wools.

    131
  127. Oh, how beautiful. I have several designs that are Pennsylvania Dutch and would love to do a double bird motif.

    Gretchen in Georgia

    132
  128. I would choose a pattern from one of my many embroidery books and have tons of fun with this thread!!! Thanks for another amazing giveaway. You are very generous.

    Colleen Lim

    133
  129. Dear Marymentor:
    I am astounded that such wools are still manufactured in the old old world way.

    I will definitely, if I win, use the wool, desperately needed, to fill in the "scenery" on the religious piece I'm doing, which the goldwork is really looking very professional thanks to you.

    I'll be "painting" with wool, a 16th 17th Century pastoral scene at the bottom of my piece. The appropo wool would really put a stamp of authenticity on it. Thanks Again……Judy in Pittsburgh

    134
  130. Hi Mary! Those wools are beautiful! I have been considering a traditional Jacobean design to use on the lid of a stationary box (that I would induce my husband to build!)The colors would be perfect. I am very interested in the historical aspect of the crewel work that I love and I think its wonderful how this company dyes its threads.

    Beth Graham Siegel
    Sandia Park, NM

    136
  131. Ooh such pretty threads! Thank you(and Renaissance Dyeing)for this giveaway <3

    What I would stitch with it..I'm making a costume at the moment of a old fishwife, and I plan to embroider her cap and a piece of the bodice, and I was planning on using wool because it fits the very textured outfit. These colors are perfect too, and the whole thing is a bit elizabethan in style, so it would fit. A bit of a fancy do for selling fish, but it's the only dress the poor dear has left!

    ~Eveline

    137
  132. Oh whagt a lot of people want these threads – including me. What a wonderfull giveaway. I would create a blanket full of all different butterflies, one to put a smile on peoples faces when they see it.

    138
  133. Three times in the last couple of weeks I've had dreams about doing crewel embroidery! I've been happily stitching away on a beautiful Elizabethan design that is meant to be a purse, but I plan to turn it into a wall hanging. Most of the work I do in real life is crazy quilting, so my threads are silk, cotton and rayon. I haven't done any crewel in a long time, and I think my subconscious wants me to get back to it.

    Nancy Larsen

    139
  134. Hello Mary – Thank you for a great opportunity. I recently purchased the "Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth" book that you reviewed. A very beautiful addition to my embroidery book collection! I would love to use the treads on one of those designs.

    140
  135. What beautiful wools these are. I would love to use these for tulips or any of the projects in a book I've just treated myself to – A to Z of Crewelwork.

    141
  136. Since these colors are perfect for Elizabethan embroidery, why not apply it to Elizabethan-style motifs? I don't know what item I would produce (maybe pillowcases or a book jacket) but it would feature Elizabethan-style designs.

    Heather W.

    142
  137. What beautiful colors of thread…

    A rooster – yes, a rooster. I've started but definitely could use some more threads…

    Julie In San Diego

    143
  138. I would love to use these beautiful colours to embroider an English country garden in late Spring/early Summer so that the whole palette of threads could be used.
    Jacqui S

    144
  139. hi mary,
    i have the book "crewel & surface embroidery inspirational floral designs" by trish burr that i would love to do some projects out of. the colors in this giveaway match so many of them. it would be a treat to do some of her designs as i never have before. i also would love to do your rooster! i fell in love with him while you were working on him. thank you for the chance for winning these beautiful threads.

    terri sue

    145
  140. Oh, wow! I would love a chance to try these threads.

    I've been thinking about 16th/17th century home furnishings for a while, and I'm really enamored of the fruit/tree animal slips at Traquair house, especially the pomegranate tree/griffon one. I think it would be lovely either as wool needlepoint for a pillow or something or modified to a crewel design.

    146
  141. What a wonderful giveaway Mary. I haven't done any crewel work in a while, but these threads would tempt me to did out a project I have had an eye on in Inspirations for a while and also give me an excuse to get some of that Linen Twill you like!

    Penny B

    147
  142. Hi Mary

    I would use these threads to make a project from Trish Burr's new crewel book. Haven't done crewel work since I made a lap quilt from the Australian Inspirations magazine many years ago. A long time fan of that magazine also.

    Hugs

    FredaB

    148
  143. Hi Mary,
    what a wonderful giveaway, you know what I think that if I won I would use them to do your rooster, have never tried crewel and have not done very much with wool. Or, I just might do another design that I have which calls for wool, but then again the rooster keeps calling to me. Thanks again for such a wonderful site.
    Joan, Richmond BC

    149
  144. Hi Mary…the colors are beautiful and the yarn must be a joy to use. I am in the process of making my first wool Crazy Quilt. These would be perfect to use for the embellishments on the quilt. Would love to try them. At this point I am in the porcess of trying to have a variety of thread/yarn to use on my quilt. Thanks for being so kind to share with all of us. Love your daily newletters as they give me ideas about what I can use on my quilt. Kay Rains

    150
  145. Hi Mary:
    I am soooooo coveting this set of gorgeous thread!!!

    No doubt whatsoever, I'd make the painted rooster I shared with you a few weeks back…would use a number of these beautiful colors on his tail feathers!

    I already have my fingers crossed — Even though I know they will be cramped by Thursday a.m. (Yes, it IS hard to type with your fingers crossed…)

    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful, colorful goodies!!!!

    CarolynLPhillips@msn.com

    151
  146. Oh such an awesome treasure trove of threads. Should I win them, they would become stylized flowers on a wool hat.

    152
  147. I'd love to win these threads. I like to use wool threads which I combine with my hand felted items. I am in the process of working on a felted mandala and these colors would work perfectly with my color scheme.

    153
  148. Hola Maria,
    Estoy muy contenta de poder ver todas esas bellezas que haces.
    Este hilado es preciosisimo!!!
    Me gustaria poder hacer algun motivo floral, con arboles, algo bien bonito para mi casa.
    Es la primera vez que participo en algo asi en tu sitio. Muchas gracias!
    Desde Argentina…. Isabel
    http://isabelmarianemet.blogspot.com

    154
  149. What beautiful colors! I would use these to stitch out drawings my kids do (11 and 5 yrs old) Then frame them! Thanks for the opportunity!
    Martha

    155
  150. Hi Mary,

    Those yarns are to die for, they are so beautiful.

    I can visualize doing a crewel Victorian Sampler or a crewel similar to your rooster which I covet. Thank you for the opportunity to win these. You can send them any time.
    Carol in AL

    156
  151. Hola Maria!
    Me encantan los hilos que mostraste mas arriba! son preciosos!! y es realmente increíble la artesanía que son en si mismos!
    Si los tuviese haría un pequeño cuadro con un motivo o paisaje medieval, para poner en la tapa de una caja de madera.
    Yo recién me estoy iniciando en todo lo que es bordado pero sería todo un desafío para mi!! 🙂
    saludos desde Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Diana (dianaa.rodriguez@hotmail.com)

    157
  152. Hi Mary-

    I've very much enjoyed following your goldwork project. I've drooled over the Plimouth jacket, and would love to try a 16th century crewel design, should I win the drawing. If not, I'll be trying one of the Tristan Design smalls.

    Tricia , Rochester, NY
    trhoff@rochester.rr.com

    159
  153. Beautiful, is right! I would use them in Elizabethn and Jacobean embroidry designs and other embroidery design, use them in designs along with silk and cottons for a different textural look, and I would like to use them on counted stitch (not just cross stitch) samplers. You could also needle felt or add to silk paper pieces. Oh, the possibilities are endless.
    Thank you Mary, and Renaissance Dyeing Company for another great giveaway!

    160
  154. Hello Mary
    I enjoy your posts and learn something most times.
    I would love to use these threads to do a Poppy picture.
    Eileen in Winnipeg

    161
  155. What lovely threads! The blanket from "Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth" is still calling to me. Thanks so much for all the instruction you so freely share, it is inspiring.

    Nancy Fleming

    163
  156. What a delicious give-away. Thank you to Renaissance Threads and to you, Mary, for bringing it all together! You have whetted my appetite for a try at crewel embroidery with your magnificent rooster. I'm looking for a tray for him to live. I'm also thinking about purchasing Flowers for Elizabeth by Susan O'Connor and trying a few of the beautiful flowers. What a gorgeous book!

    164
  157. Oh what a crewel choice! I have a lot of Jacobean-type crewel projects on hand, but there is no place to get crewel wool nearby, so they are 'on-hold'.

    First up – a Tristan Brooks!

    Sally

    165
  158. I love the colors. I make a lot of historical clothing from this time period, so these colors would be perfect for the embroidery around the hem, cuffs, and necklines of my dresses and tunics! I am thinking something geometric, in satin stich, or maybe some sprays of flowers in a repeating design.

    Brittany Brain

    166
  159. It would give me a reason to buy that Elizabethan embroidery book you featured a couple of weeks ago… Enabler! 🙂

    167
  160. Mary,

    Watching you work the rooster and now the gold work has made me want to revisit crewel. When I did it years ago it was mostly kits and crappy wool on questionable fabric. I think that in part it is your use of the legacy twill that results in clean, sharp lines, and to try out those beautiful wools on some twill would just be heaven!

    168
  161. OOOOh, how delicious those colors look. I have just recently acquired three crewel books and two of them have some beautiful pattern, so my choice is open. I am not sure exactly what I would make at this time however, like every other one answering to this great giveaway, "I would love to add it to my thread and yarn collection". Thank you for giving someone (hopefully me) the opportunity to own them. Liz S.

    169
  162. Hi Mary,
    You have the greatest website, I'm always telling people about it, (which might work against me during these giveaways!). I just got Flowers for Elizabeth in the mail today so I would stitch one or many things from that book. Thanks! Lynn Stiglich

    170
  163. Hi Mary,
    I would embroider a tree of life. I think this particular embroidery wool would accentuate my design.
    Thanks for the opportunity and good luck everyone.
    VW

    171
  164. Thanks for the contest. I use crewel wool along with my handspun to create portraits and fine art pieces. I'm currently in the middle of a 3 year project of recreating all of the weapons my husband uses in the US military in wool.

    While I don't follow traditional stitches or patterns, I always read your blog to learn the correct technique.

    172
  165. Oh, oh, oh! Mary, you always have the BEST give-aways. I bought the Embroidered Elizabethan Flowers book because of you! And so you can guess what I'd use some of these threads for, my favourite flowers from that book. I might even have a stab at your rooster, he was so much fun to watch.

    I'll keep my fingers crossed!

    Cheers,
    Louise B.
    in Brisbane

    173
  166. I bought the "Flowers for Elizabeth" book and I'd like to try those floral designs with these beautiful threads. Oh I really want to win this time! Fingers crossed!! 🙂

    174
  167. Hiya, Mary! I read your blog every day, cup of coffee in hand. It's like having morning coffee with an old friend! I don't usually jump in on the giveaways because I'm not a stash builder, but this is one I can't pass up. I'd definately use these threads all up! What for, you ask. I'm making two decorative pillows from flowers book you sold me on a few weeks ago, Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth. If there are leftovers, I might even make three.

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    Now hurry up and get back to that gold work project. I want to see what happens next!

    Maggie McCullen

    175
  168. Like a lot of commenters, I've never done crewel–I think I would probably try a "typical" Jacobean design with them, though I may well end up doing a "young, hip" pillow and/or an Armenian interlacing skirt from the 70's . . . the possibilities are endless.

    176
  169. I have the Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth book on order and, if I should be lucky and win these threads, then I would HAVE to make something using the designs in the book wouldn't I?
    As always Mary…you're so generous and so are the people from renaissance Dyeing!

    177
  170. Mary,
    I would use the Renaissance Dyeing wools for Jacobean crewel work. Maybe a tree of life design for a box lid or purse. Thanks for thinking of your readers.
    Kim Kemmsies

    178
  171. Mary There is so many things running through my mind right now it would be hard to pick just one thing to do with the threads. One of my own designs I think would be in order for this I have a flower arrangement all drawn up and just wanting the right threads.

    179
  172. Great giveaway, Mary! I recently purchased Trish Burr's Crewel and
    Surface Embroidery book and would stitch one of the beginning designs from this book – actually starting a crewel project! Your blog is a joy to read and thanks for the opportunity.
    Katherine

    180
  173. I would love to win this giveaway. Such beautiful thread colors. I could see an outdoor themed wallhanging for my living room—flowers, trees and blue skies. So beautiful.

    Patsy Deaton

    181
  174. hello Mary, lovely colors and lovely threads. Already so many entries.
    I would love to have those threads.
    I would like to embroider a top for my daughter with those threads if i happen to win that is.

    182
  175. Hi Mary,
    Oh, the colors, the luscious colors! The possibilities are plentiful. However, what recently caught my eye, was the pomegranate/blueberries crewelwork that you recently posted about. Ah, I want that, I want it all over my house, on cushions, curtains, little dresses for my two monkeys. That's what I would do with all that lovely yarn!
    Best!
    Henna

    183
  176. Hi Mary,
    The best thing about threads of all kinds is that they can be made into anything you want. I like making hats and costumers. I could see myself using the threads on a wool felt hat and embroidering a design – perhaps autumn leaves.

    Sharon in Canberra.

    184
  177. Hello Mary,

    You are so generous! I have Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth but haven;t had the opportunity to start on any of the projects yet. If I get lucky, these would go towards those 😉 Thanks again!

    185
  178. Those threads really are beautiful. I love the Jacobean embroidery. Does that work with Crewel threads??? Maybe I'd try the Jacobean leaves and/or flowers over on the Materialistic blog.
    Sarah Steed

    187
  179. Hi Mary,

    What a beautiful set of threads and a lovely giveaway! I would like to try some crewel work but incorporating long and short stitch as well. Looking at the colours, I am thinking of a floral motif with some roses in those orangey tones.

    Alison in Sydney

    188
  180. These threads are delicious! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win them. I think I would like to do a 'tree of life' with the collection. That way the flowers could be any shape and color I wanted.

    189
  181. Hi Mary,

    Such beautiful threads – what inspiration.

    I would use them on a cushion cover with Jacobean crewel design – my first and only piece of crewel work so far was a needlecase and I have wanted to do more ever since – winning this generous giveaway would definately spur me on!

    Thanks for the great blog. Regards,

    Trish Hughes, New Zealand

    190
  182. Hi Mary,
    Such beautiful colours and wool! Never used anything else than DMC. I think I would like to use the wool to do one of Di Van Niekerk's beautiful cottages, with a thatched roof and surrounded by english-style gardens, lots of flowers and bushes.

    191
  183. Hmmmm. Looking at those colors bring to my mind my garden. The earth tones on the right remind me of it today. Not much going on, save bare earth and mulch. The greens and warms colors are what I'm looking forward to. I think I'd like to stitch my imaginary garden with them.

    192
  184. hi Mary,
    Beauriful threads and wonderful colors. That rooster u did was really outstanding. I stand nowhere near u i my embroidery. still i would like to try my hand with these colors…hope to god that i will win these threads. Thank u for this opportunity.

    193
  185. Hello Mary – the shades of the wool are gorgeous. I have had a secret hankering for some time to design and work a crewel Tree of Life design with a New Zealand flavour. If I win these, I will be inspired to take the step to actually create the design, then work it!

    194
  186. I would use these threads to do a Sweete bag. The colours are so beautiful and it's wonderful that not only is the colour pallete typical 16th Century but that they are dyed in the same manner as then. We are very fortunate to have suppliers who take a chance and allow us the oppurtunity to buy and work with historically accurate products.

    195
  187. What a glorious range of colours! It is hard to decide what I would use them for – with so many colours I think it would become a section of threads that would be pulled out time and again. First thing I would do with them though I think is to get around to making the all wool crazy quilt I have been thinking about and to use these threads for wonderful stitching on it.
    Hugs,
    Kerry
    kerrykatiecakeskeb43@gmail.com

    196
  188. Hello Mary,

    I would use these threads to stitch a throw pillow with an Arts and Crafts design. It would be fun to experiment with so many wool colors.

    Thanks for the opportunity.

    Michelle Christopherson

    197
  189. Dear Mary,
    What a wonderful give away.. Its a dream.. so many beautiful colours of threads that too wool.. wow.. I definitely would like to do the same rooster which was posted by you..
    Regards
    Deepa

    198
  190. Oh what a generous giveaway.I would love to win this. I'm taking EAC Correspondence Individual Crewel Course and would probably use these threads when I'll come to a Lesson when I'll have to design my own piece.Most likely it will be Jacobean Scroll design.
    I love your website Mary and use it a lot for references.

    Marina P. in Montreal

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  191. These are some really nice colors! I also really love reading your blog. I don't really have a concrete design because that seems to be the hardest part for me, but a friend and I are planning on embroidering a coat. She'll sew and I'll embroider. The current design in the works is a fleur de lis underneath roses and white lilies.

    Thank you!

    Hannah Starr

    200
  192. I've always wanted to do some crewelwork poppies, and those luscious shades of reds, oranges and pinks would really make them seem three dimensional.

    To use up the other beautiful shades, I might just have to have the poppies be growing around a fallen log, perhaps with a bit of moss growing on the log. I'd mix in some other wildflowers like forget-me-nots from the blue and anemones from the mauves.

    What a beautiful garden those threads could make!

    Karen from Arcadia

    201
  193. I have some experience with Rennaissance Dyeing Wool, and I love , love, love, it!!! I would use it tp embroider homemade bags and clutches….
    Gwen Kok from Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

    202
  194. Oh my goodness, wouldn't it be fantastic to win this!

    I've seen some fantastic flowers done up in this thread, so I think that I would use it for flowers in CQ projects.

    Juli

    203
  195. hello Mary,

    Thank you for once again such nice initiative.
    With these inspiring threads I will embroider letters. Taking in example the latest serie of posts about writing with a needle.
    Kind regards,
    Laetizia

    204
  196. Dear Mary – My daughter Cathy is getting married in August and a friend and I plan to make her an embroidered knife sheath to cover a sterling silver knife that her Grandmother has left to her. She'll cut her wedding cake with that knife. My friend is an expert at counted thread embroidery, and I'm considered the "crewel queen" – so each side of the knife sheath will be embroidered in our own particular style. I am planning to stitch a true Elizabethan scrolling design on my side of the sheath; and what could be more perfect for such a timeless gift than the use of these wonderful threads?

    205
  197. I hope I'm not too late to enter! First I had to think about what I would do with the thread and then my internet went out for a while….Well, since I didn't win the Flowers for Elizabeth (either time!) to make that blanket as a wedding present for my son and his fiancee, maybe I will win this one to make them something else. I would use it to make a sampler-type piece to frame or hang on the wall to commemorate their wedding. Something like their initials intertwined and bordered by vines and leaves and flowers…haven't even begun to look for pattern ideas since you only gave me the idea with this give-away offer. Thanks for your great posts, lovely work, generous give-aways and the inspiration!
    barbobbi

    206
  198. I have a design in mind for a Narnia panel, and had planned on eventually buying some silks, but wool would also work beautifully, and give me a chance to try it out. I would really love to try these threads out 🙂

    207
  199. Hi Mary,
    Thanks for hosting this giveaway, the Renaissance Dying Co site had such an array of info and color.
    Just this week, I got into my box of collected wool and felt pieces and started dreaming up an idea for a large crazy quilted tote. These threads would meld perfectly in it's north woods design… deer motifs, fern fronds, birds and the wildflowers I wish to replicate as they show themselves this year.
    Your stitching videos are the best ever.
    Thanks again for entering me.
    Jane

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  200. I too love Renaissance Dyeworks. It's just amazing that Andie has developed such a rich range of colors using such old techniques. I would use her yarns to do a small handwoven tapestry, something inspired by medieval tapestries to make use of the historic color palette.

    Brenda, in New Jersey

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  201. Hi Mary, for the last few weeks I have been sketching on a crewel embroidery design with the tree of life and my son's house (that he built by himself) up in the the beautiful Roch Mountains of Colorado. His kids have turtles, rabbits, they raise turkeys and he is a great hunter of elk, which keeps us all in meat all through the winter! I wanted to embroider a scene incorporating this for him, and the give away set of crewel wools would be the only thing left to start the project on the gorgeous linen twill I got from the Hedgehog sale!
    Thanks Mary for you blog – I look forward to it every day as I fire up my computer!
    Anna

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  202. Hello, Mary!
    I'm italian and I would use these threads to an italian embroidery technique: BANDERA EMBROIDERY
    What a lovely Give-Away! Thank you very much, Barbara (longamar@libero.it)

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  203. Just before the second world war my mother stitched a firescreen in a Jacobean design using dark colours, browns, burgundy, ochres and dull greens. I would love to recreate her lovely design using these beautiful colours.
    Lesley-Anne

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  204. Just before the second world war my mother stitched a firescreen in a Jacobean design using dark colours, browns, burgundy, ochres and dull greens. I would love to recreate her lovely design using these beautiful colours.
    Lesley-Anne

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  205. These just have to be the most mouthwatering collection of colours I've seen. I would sew a top for an old piano stool that belonged to my husband's grandmother, with roses, paeonies and greenery. Have been following you for a few months now and love the tutorials.

    Margaret R, Scotland

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  206. Mary Thank you for your generous heart. You share knowledge,books,CD`s,threads.yarns,patterns,etc.All good things.
    Now as for me, I would start a lesson from the Trish Burr CD ,,long and short needlepainting. Then I need to delve into Jane Nicholas`s,Stumpwork. These projects will force me out into deep new areas I`ve never been befor. All to learn something beautiful.
    Karole King

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  207. I loved how the rooster turned out. I would de a creation of a large butterly with a modern twist of flowers inside it. I would use french knots and satin stich and many of the techniques you used on the rooster. I would also incorporate the butterfly on a branch of pussy willow and roses, daffadils and more. All my favorite flowers in a hodge podge of color creation.

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  208. Hi Mary,
    What an awesome giveaway! My favorite technique is crewel. I love the textures you can create with the yarns by using different stitches, and I love working with wool fibers.

    So what would I stitch? The tundra! I have been photographing the tiny, delicate plants on the tundra of Alaska, from Denali to Kenai to Lake Clark. I am intreged by the textures and colors of the mosses, lichens, and dwarf plants that cover every square inch of the tundra as well as under the forest canopy. I would use the threads to stitch up some of my photographed favorites!

    Kathy in Kenai

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  209. I got a living room rug recently with a Jacobean floral and paisley design, so I'd love to try something to coordinate with that.

    218
  210. I would use the yarn to stitch a project I saw in Inspirations about 2 issues ago that featured a cardinal.
    Louise B.

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  211. I LOVE the soft, blended look of the hand-dyed fibers! I'd love to use these for a beautiful vintage owl pattern I found. I wish I could remember the link but it's a magnificently detailed owl pattern that I intend to embellish with autumn-themed beads and charms and frame! I'd LOVE to use these nicely blended colors for a nature pattern!

    Thanks!
    Danya

    220
  212. Oh this is so lovely! I'd love to make something decorational for my apartment or maybe some embroidery on one of my sewing projects 🙂

    I am so excited >.< Best, Eva (a.k.a. MademoiselleChaos)

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  213. Thank you for this give-away. I would be thrilled to win. Crewel was my first love years ago when I only knew about working with kits. Very few such kits are available now. With these beautiful wool threads, I would search for a special Jacobean pattern and renew my love for crewel embroidery.
    JoyAnna

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  214. I would pick a traditional or historically accurate type of design since the threads are naturally dyed with the same recipes and color palette as period threads. I love natural dyes and the colors that you can get. I have taken a few classes on natural dyeing, and might have to try dyeing some threads in a palette like this. So far it has been wool yarn for sweaters.

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  215. I love this thread! I like to dye my own sometimes and have used this thread and dyed my own. I dye wool for rug hooking and throw one or two skeins into the dye pot and am always pleased in the way it takes up color. I also have used natural dyes on it and the color is even unless I squish it up and then it comes out varigated. Their colors are wonderful too and in tune with the colors I use. Guess I should have been born in the Renaissance era.
    If I win this thread, I am thinking of a very large punchneedle project using this thread and other threads and wools and yarns. It would be a welcome addition to my creativity. Thank you for having the giveaway.
    Bonnie

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  216. Such beautiful colors! If I won the threads, I would use them to embroider a couple cushions with Faberge egg motifs, to go with my Faberge egg needlepoint project!

    228
  217. Dear Mary,
    I would love to use them for some antique flowers by Elizabeth Bradley. I would like to use them in a vase and put it into a pillow. This wool threads are beautiful and would love to try the softness for this project.
    Debra Puma

    229
  218. Oooh! What lucious colors!
    I love roosters. I would love to see the rooster pattern made into a round pillow using these threads!

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  219. What a beautiful giveaway!!!

    I find it so odd that my heart would start beating so quickly just by looking at the beautiful colors and the amount of thread in the giveaway. Funny that I get so excited about possibilities….

    I have an 8 yr old daughter who is obsessed with rainbows and fairies…I would make something for her if I were to win.

    Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

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  220. Hi Mary, These threads look divine. I would like to experiment and come up with my own designs featuring some of our local and very unique flora and put them in a sampler. Your rooster is superb and I love NeedlenThread.
    Regards Dianne

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  221. What gorgeous colors! I am working on a project right now that these thread would be awesome in! I am doing a "my version" of Maureen Tarnok's "Well Wishes" that was published in Creative Embroidery and Cross Stitch's Masters of Embroidery. Those colors would fit so well with how I am doing this project!

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  222. Hi Mary, I love your blog, it is the first thing I read when I turn on my computer in the morning!

    I would love to have a chance to win these beautiful wool threads to stitch the drawing of my son’s house (which he built himself) up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My plan is to have a large tree of life, adding the animals they have, Toren’s turtle, Kaia’s rabbits and the elk my son hunts on his land. The colors in the give- away would be perfect for the design on the lovely linen twill I purchased from Hedgehog…

    Best
    AnnaK

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  223. Wow what a wonderfuland inspiring prize package.
    Ive been thinking of doing an elizabethan edging to my bedroom curtains. And these would be perfect to get the right "Look",
    The design would be on a long panel that was then attached to the curtain for ease of working.
    I have my fingers crossed . 🙂
    Thanks Renaissance Dying for the oppurtunity to win

    Phillipa from New Zealand

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  224. What gorgeous threads. Some gave me a skein of wool thread and I love it. Just wish we had stores here that sold them, so I could see them in person.

    Debbie

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  225. Dear Mary

    I receive your posts through an RSS feed and have recommended your blog to many of my students. I have particularly enjoyed your recent post on Goldwork (I have one started myself)and Crewel embroidery (I am currently teaching a Jacobean Style pillow). Your photography is excellent and make for wonderful teaching devices.

    As to what I would create with the Renaissance Dye works wool, I have a black wool felted waist length jacket just waiting for embellishment. Jacobean is my favorite style and I can see something large on the back with a floral something on the lapel.

    thank you for sharing your knowledge.

    Karen B. Anchorage Alaska USA

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  226. Hello, Mary!

    Please sign me up for the crewel wool give-away! I would like to use this wool to get some experience in long and short shading stitch on small fruit/floral/leaves designs, like the ones in the "blanket." Thanks for the opportunity and the great daily lessons. I have been learning so much!

    Didi

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  227. As a quilter, I am most familiar with so-called Jacobean (Elizabethan) applique designs. I'd love to use these threads to embellish and applique some of those designs!!

    🙂 Linda

    240
  228. I only like to use Renaissance…it has a magical power..even just to look at all wound on a skein. So that said I have been working on a denim shirt for my husband…slowly patching and embroidering every thin seam, hole & tear inspired by the book "Native Funk & Flash" although it is not just one image it's more of a narrative of my crafting life since it's taken so long and my ideas have evolved! I am so glad to have found this site so no matter what I win! best amylou

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  229. The colors are fantastic! I'd like to use them for something medieval in design – not sure what yet, but I would love to have them to play with!

    Linda R. in Florida

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  230. I'm a tatter with a good stash of cotton threads, but I'm hoping to start a stash of wool thread good for embroidery. I want to start doing some embroidery, probably on ATCs first to get going.

    243
  231. Isn't string lovely? I would make a sampler of embroidery stitches. I have made a few in the past with wool, but not this particular brand.

    Your website is beautiul.

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  232. Hello Mary
    Looks like another great give away!
    The colors are beauitful. I just purchased two books by Trish Barr so I am thinking I would like to try them with something out of one of the books. Thanks again for all your wonderful projects I love to follow a long.
    Carrie in Washington

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  233. Wonderful give-away Mary!!! This one is really tempting me, as I never had (or took!) a chance to work with crewel wool threads… Thanks to you and Andie of Renaissance dyeing for giving away such a generous gift!!

    As for the design, obviously, the first thought is a crewel flower, given the variegated shades in the give-away stash. And of course how could I forget your magnificent crewel rooster? That is a great source of inspiration for me.

    I'm also fascinated by designs of Indian girls, in colourful attire, carrying water pots on their head. I have seen such designs available in painting kits or anchor quick-stitch kits, but I would wish to try needle painting on such a design if I ever win this gift 🙂

    Once again a big thank you for this give-away and congrats to the lucky one…

    Dhivya Santosh

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  234. I am planning a Bayeux-style tapestry and this crewel wool would be absolutely perfect as the original was done in naturally-dyed woollen thread.

    Jo in Cape Town

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  235. Bonjour Mary! What a generous give away!
    I plan to do a sort of mysterious kitty well-dressed renaissance portrait…
    Have a nice day!

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  236. Hi Mary,

    I'd like to try stiching Celtic spiral designs in the wools. I think it could look great – similar to the Cross Carpet pages in the Book of Kells or the Lindisfarne Gospels.

    Ruth

    249
  237. Well, if I win this one (ya gotta be in it to win it!), I'm toying with the idea of doing something in needlepoint. Haven't done any needlepoint in years. Do you do any needlepoint, Mary? I guess I can search your site, but it's more fun if you talk about it! Thanks for counting me in.

    250
  238. Hi – Crewel embroidery was my first love, many years ago. I have several wonderful books with patterns and a Tree of Life pattern that is very complex and would look just wonderful in those wools. Hope I win!

    Pat Rogers
    Illinois

    251
  239. The colour scheme is fantastic and I think I would probably do a jacobean tree of life design including some kind of insect crawling around in the picture. Dreaming is free and we can all do it even if it’s only when we have the opportunity to win something. Win or not I will look into these wools as they look lovely.

    Thank you once again for this great opportunity.

    Gillian Gonzalez

    252
  240. What beautiful threads.

    What would I make with them? I have a collection of old patterns that were my mother's before she passed away. I would love to do one of her Jacobean patterns with those threads.

    Thrilled to have the opportunity to win them.

    lynngelston@yahoo.com

    253
  241. Once more a wonderful give-away. I would make some crewel embroidery. I guess, it would be some tree of life, designed usig traditional Lithuanian ornaments. It would look great on some pillow or small bag.
    Good luck for all dreaming about this give-away (for me too)
    Mary, thank you very much.

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  242. Would love to use these beautiful threads to embroider name of newest granddaughter. Off this morning to babysit the four other girls while daddy goes to work and mother is in the hosital on bed rest. Trying to make it to Thursday before c-section. Blood pressure problems as with the first. Mother homeschools, so I am a poor substitute, but we still have fun. Already teaching two oldest girls basic embroidery stitches. Love your blog!

    256
  243. Mary,
    I love the colors! I would do something with beasts – similar to 18th century English samplers. (I was so sidetracked browsing through them I almost missed the contest!) Thank you for your fascinating blog!
    KathyC

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  244. Mary,
    I love the colors! I would do something with beasts – similar to 18th century English samplers. (I was so sidetracked browsing through them I almost missed the contest!) Thank you for your fascinating blog!
    KathyC

    258
  245. Thanks for another lovely giveaway! Found a series of flower pillows and these threads would make it a joy to work on. Gosh, don't you just love fibre? Some people count sheep to sleep, I lay out skeins of delicous silk and wool…..

    Thanks again.
    Maureen Desilets

    259
  246. I believe these lovely crewels are just waiting to be hillcocks, fanciful flowers and "wee beasties" on my writing desk chair seat. As a rather "mature" woman I have done many types of embroidery over the years, but it is the look of wool on a linen twill that makes my heart sing. What fun it would be to design a chair seat featuring these lovely vegetable dyed wools in the stitches used in the 16th century.

    260
  247. Hi Mary, these are lovely threads. I would use them to try a project from the new book published by Country Bumpkin called "Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth" by Susan O'Connor. Thanks! Mara (in Ankara, Turkey)

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  248. yummmmm…what lovely threads…I am just getting ready to start a project with my quilting group and we will be working on wool applique embellished blocks…I will also be adding silks and batiks to my hand dyed wools…I think this thread will be a perfect addition…I am designing my own blocks with the inspiration coming from Alice in Wonderland and Elizabethan, stumpwork flowers…I do hope I win…joy (joyb87544@yahoo.com)

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  249. Thanks so much for providing this fun way for a chance to own such beautiful threads. I would choose to use them to stitch an Elizabethan floral design – possibly for a pillow. Anne

    263
  250. These colors inspire images of fairies dancing at dawn. My daughter loves dancing – I would make a wall-hanging for her.

    264
  251. Hi! I would love to use this collection of threads to stitch a slightly enlarged version of your Heart O' Flowers design. The colors of the threads are so beautiful.

    Dawn C.
    Southcoast, Ma

    265
  252. What project would I make, if I won the giveaway??? Maybe a crewel work stomacher, Or a german sweetbag?? Or, I have some linen that I,ve been saving for a "Syrian Dress". Or, or, or….

    Carrie Hulsing

    266
  253. I luv this giveaway, from someone who luvs hand embroidery! I think I would use these beautiful hand dyed threads to embellish a crazy quilt. These vibrant colors would stand out & add sooo much to this idea! Thanks Susan

    267
  254. Wow Mary, what beautiful threads. Following your recent recommendation I have bought Susan O'Connor's gorgeous book "Flowers for Elizabeth". These threads would be perfect for this.
    Thanks so much for everything you do.

    Kim J in the UK

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  255. This is an awesome giveaway- wow! I would love to do a flower garden, the colours are so vibrant. Thanks for the chance.

    269
  256. I have to design and stitch a crewel piece for a master craftsman course, and having these threads to use would be so much inspiration. I live in hope!

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  257. In the past I've done traditional crewel embroidery, but I would like to use this in a mixed media design.

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  258. What a breathtaking array of fabulous colors! I too would be thrilled to be able to work with such a palette. I would like to embroider a Jacobean tree of life design using these yarns.
    Always hopeful
    Joan in Fair Oaks

    272
  259. I wopuld love to win this giveaway. I would use these threads to amke crewel images on my crazyb quilts. Thank you Karol

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  260. Hi, Mary,
    What a wonderful gesture! I have the perfect Rooster for these threads! He would look marvelous with my "Menagerie!"
    Thenks for the opportunity.
    Barb in Syracuse, NY

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  261. I am not sure that my previous comment was posted??
    The array of colors is just breathtaking. I just love the soft colors, yet they are vibrant and clear. Yum indeed.
    I would like to use them to embroider a Jacobean tree of life design, on some very high quality cream wool.
    Joan in Fair Oaks

    275
  262. Mary, I follow your blog daily, but I don't post much. I read your post for 3/24 and I'd just like to say that I've always seen that your work on this site is a labor of love.
    I have to tell you that I've learned more about embroidery from this site than anywhere else. I ususally search your site first when I have a specific question. When I don't search hear first and I search the web for an answer, your site pops up close to the top every time. I trust your advise and instruction and have always been plesed with the results of following your teaching.

    Thanks for all you do, Mary. I'd love to win the giveaway, but I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate what you do.

    Lin Taylor, Bradenton, FL

    276
  263. Hi Mary,

    What lovely wool skeins!! I was dreaming about owing crewel wool off lately and here comes the opportunity to win some :). I would like to stitch up some floral designs with it. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    regards,
    kirti

    277
  264. Wow. I think I would try an Elizabethan pillow. I have just since last summer been back at my stitching and I'm addicted again after 20 years of kids. Thanks for the opportunity to give a try at winning.

    Jackie from Canada

    278
  265. Hi Mary:

    Those threads are beautiful and their quality would deserve something special, so I would challenge myself if I won them. I love crewel work, so I think that is what I would use them for, except I would do alot of practising first.

    279
  266. What a generous giveaway!!! I received one of Trish Burr crewel embroiderie books for Christmas and I would stitch one of the flower bouquet! That would be so lovely!!!!

    280
  267. I enjoyed your column today. Thanks so much for the peek into your life. I was wondering if you ever enter your work in shows? My ANG chapter is putting on an exhibit on April 24 and 25th in So California and we would love to see an example of your fine work. The deadline for entries is 3/27. E-mail me if this sounds interesting.
    Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge.
    Laura Herrmann

    281
  268. Beautiful! I've got no real set ideas, but I'm thinking something floral, lots of texture, lots of color!!

    282
  269. What a delicious assortment of wools!
    I am currently enrolled in City and Guilds Level 3 Embroidery, and will at one point need to create my own crewel design. It would be wonderful to have these yarns teasing me to hurry up to that portion of the course to use them. I will probably use a floral theme for these wools.

    284
  270. Fabulous giveaway!
    I would probably do a wall-hanging, maybe something "foresty"–with animals, mushrooms…
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

    285
  271. I'd like to work up a very simple Jacobean type design, a vine with unusual flowers and leaves.

    Marti in PA

    286
  272. I'd love a chance to win your fabulous giveaway – I would love to stitch a antique reproduction sampler, Thanks!

    kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

    287
  273. Wow! What a nice thing to do. In reality I would use it for stitching on various CQ projects. In a dream I would use it for stitching something like Alabama Chanin does on clothing or pillows or tableclothes or …

    289
  274. I would love to have a package of the lovely threads. Please include me in the give-a-way count.
    I love all the lovely things that you discover and share with the group…please keep it up!

    290
  275. I was so excited about the give away that I sent my comment to be included in the drawing and forgot to include what I would do with the thread. I have several Jacobean designs that I have had laying around that I would like to make into pillow tops for my home…just haven;t found any thread to inspire me…what you have shown definitely has inspired me to hunt down some thread it I don't win.

    291
  276. I think I'd have to do a landscape with a setting sun! All of the colors are there – gorgeous reds and pinks for the sky, greens and browns for the land – it would be gorgeous!

    ~Susan

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  277. Lovely enough to be framed just as a rainbow of luscious color, I would use "Elizabethan" range of Renaissance Dyeing threads in a silk crazy quilt I have in the planning stage!

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  278. I'd use them in a special crazy quilt wall-hanging. Use some lovely muted fabrics and laces, with the soft wool complementing them. I see some flowering vines, maybe some sheep grazing a meadow for the centerpiece. It would be very calming, I think.

    294
  279. It'd have to either be
    : the rooster you did (I do love him)
    or
    : a Tree of Life, because that is so essentially "Jacobean"

    295
  280. Oh man! My heart skipped a beat looking at all those gorgeous threads!
    I am taking Sharon Boggon's Sumptuous surfaces and I would use them on this for sure!

    296
  281. So beautiful. I'd have to stitch a floral sampler of sorts and use every single color. Just lovely. Thank you for this opportunity.

    297
  282. These threads look beautiful. I would like to to stitch them in a traditional crewel design, probably a flower motif.

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  283. Mary,I am longing for those beautiful wool threads. I think I would like to do your rooster….
    Thanks for the opportunity….

    Dixie

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  284. Thank you for the opportunity to "be in line" for the beautiful thread give-away. I am visualizing an eccleiastical clerical stole. Thanks for your wonderful website and keep up the good work.

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  285. I would do something modern – maybe an impressionist style or art deco style piece. . . the colors may be renaissance, but the contrast would be great!

    301
  286. Oh my!! What a beautiful array of threads. I see an English cottage with a flower garden, including stone walkways, a few small animals, and a bird or 2 enjoying the scenery. What an enjoyable project this would be! Thanks for sharing your rooster design and techniques–I am relatively new to your site, and am really enjoying it. Barbara

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  287. What beautiful threads! I would love to use these beautiful threads in one of my projects. I make authentic looking Czech costumes for my daughter. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
    Sharon Middlebrook
    czechcostumesblogspot.com

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  288. You have the best giveaways. I sure would love to win this one. Everyone has given such wonderful suggestions for uses. I couldn't decide on just one project. I want to do a fish, a garden scene, I want to do it all. The colors of the wool are so luscious. Besides I'm a Taurus and we want to "own" and "have" everything. So I would love to win these beautiful embroidery threads. p.s. I really enjoy your posts and watching the progress on your projects. Thanks for sharing.

    Sharon Ihde
    Bakersfield, CA

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  289. Love this thread! I have done some natural dyeing in the past and love the colors you get from nature. I would do some beautiful hand embroidery/crewel work on some hand felted handbags that I create with my hand dyed wools.

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  290. Dear Mary,

    The lovely threads would be stitched into a wreath of my favorite floras such as columbine, violets and lilies. I have had a wonderful piece of wool blanketing from Australian tucked away in my embroidery stash for sometime just awaiting such a set of fine threads. The cozy blanket is to adorn the chaise in my bedroom. My favorite stitching nook. Thank you for the opportunity to acquire this luxurious set of threads.

    Stitching down south,
    Mary J. Marshall

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  291. hi mary
    this is just so beautiful…
    i would love to embroider van cogh's sunflower painting or something similar…
    it is so beautiful…
    thank you
    kiran seth

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  292. Hi, Mary:
    I've just discovered your site, I'm a return beginner to embroidery, did it as a teen, now about 60. I really love your photos of the work you have done. I just feel an urgent need to be creative, make my own designs, and maybe combine materials, felt, buttons, seeds, paper, with the embroidery. Could put the give away crewel threads to good use, I have a chronic illness and can't afford a lot of materials; need for creativity there! Thanks for the website and all the tutorials, it's been a big help to me.
    Emily Krahn, Virginia Beach
    bobodoll4@yahoo.com

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  293. I would use these threads to
    build the gingerbread house knitted
    tea cosy that I want to make.
    Thank you for a chance to win.

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  294. What beautiful threads that I have not seen before! I have a pattern for a woolen crazy quilt reproduction made in the 1800's by a girl from France and who was homesick for her flowers from home, so she filled the crazy quilt with the flowers all done in wool thread. These threads would be wonderful for that project.

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  295. Great give away if I win I will do a tablecloth completely cover with bird and flower , a personal design,I just start to do embroidery last month so I'm new and rather go with my imagination despite the wonderful designs I found on line and on on your very helpful web (inspiration) . Thank you for helping us learn more about this great Art.

    Pat Spring Tx

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  296. Greetings,
    Well, too late to enter the give away! I use Renaissance yarn in some of my embroidery..the colors are so beautiful.
    I also use the natural dye extrat. The shipping to the U.S. is not too expensive. In any case, it is worth the price.

    Monique

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  297. As a new embroiderier and Crazy Quilter I would love to have won this Giveaway. I would use this thread to do a tutorial I saw for making birds on felt and also for other animal stitching on my crazy quilt. I dont have any wool threads. I am also going to try kumihimo braiding and mixing this thread with other threads in braids would be great. sorry I don’t know how I missed it

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  298. When I see your beautiful work the stithes always have a lovely twist in them. When I split into 3 strands or 2 of dmc, the twist seems to go and daisy flowers and more look like they are made up of three separate strands. Any tips on this or is anchor better for retaining the twist.
    Thank you for your news letter almost everyday. Don’t know how you find the time but I’m glad you do
    Karen

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  299. I would love to win the threads because my new passion is wool appliqué and the crewel wool would be really nice to use

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  300. Hi Mary!
    Thanks for always having such great give-aways! These colors especially are dreamy.

    I’ve always admired your talent for embroidery and I’d love to dip my toes into this art! I saw a lamp-shade and pillow set for a children’s room online years ago, it’s what has set my love of embroidery in motion. It’s on a white background with Dr. Seuss-ian plants and flowers. Very much like this piece by ‘love to sew’

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/48068610@N06/4645998314/

    Anyways! I could go on and on. Thanks again! Much love

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  301. hola, me encantan las preciosas combinaciones de colores,estoy comenzando en esto del crewel y creo que sera una aventura genial. Me queda por decir ,muchas gracias por los tips, has sido muy bondadosa.
    Un abrazo Susana Abarca – Santiago de Chile
    PD. Si la oferta del regalo está en pie, quisiera algo en relacion apaisajes

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  302. I bought an all organic hemp unbleached cloth diaper cover to embroider for my cousin who is expecting in July. When it arrived–low and behold–the fabric is fuzzy! So, I’d like to try crewel. The rooster is tempting, but probably beyond me. They live on tiny Acorn St., so maybe the acorn pattern for the bottom of the littlest family member.

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  303. I have just started to do crewel work and found your website to buy wool as no outlet in NZ where I live.
    I love the rooster and am excited to do it. I recently lost my only child Vicky to a brain tumor aged 28 and brought some chickens as a therapy for myself to keep me company whilst gardening and I love them to bits as they scratch around with me, that’s why I love your rooster. I would like to give it to my 84y old mum who is in the UK as she taught me to embroider as a child. I would love to win your pack of crewel wool’s to get me started. thank you so much. Janice Wilcock in NZ

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