Recently, I was working up a list of social media posts for my Needle ‘n Thread Facebook page.
I was putting together a “revitalization” series on Facebook for older content, when it struck me that it might be a good idea to do that here on the website, too. There are about 20 years of content here, and I figure newcomers and old friends alike might appreciate a reminder about some of the tutorials, tools, designs, projects and more that they kind find tucked away in the archives.
Every series needs a theme. I decided my revitalization theme would be the alphabet, in the old “A is for Apple” format. With each letter of the alphabet, I’ll find some corresponding tidbit of content to revitalize for you. I won’t do one every day. This will just be a running series that I’ll include here and there.
And while I’m doing something similar on Facebook, the content here will be slightly different and explored a little more deeply.
Ready?
Let’s kick off the series with A is for… Ampersand! Here are a couple examples of embroidered ampersands that are accompanied by tutorials that you might find helpful in your stitching and creative journey.
Here is a lovely embroidered ampersand! This is part of a pennant banner made for me by members of the Valley Quail Chapter of the EGA.
You can read about this pennant banner here – the story behind it and how it was made.
You’ll also find a free tutorial for creating your own embroidered pennant banner – it’s definitely worth downloading and saving, if you have any desire to make your own pennant banner.
The pennant banner from Valley Quail is now a permanent fixture in the studio. It hangs on our cubbies – one of the first things that visitors see when they enter the front door. It is always a conversation piece!
And here’s another embroidered ampersand – this one worked in plaited braid stitch using Au Ver a Soie metallic braid.
You can find out all about the plaited braid stitch here, including a video tutorial for working the stitch.
This particular ampersand is part of my Stitch Printable tutorial for Plaited Braid Stitch, which includes step by step photo and diagrammed instructions of the stitch, as well as exercises to work it in various configurations.
And you can read even more about the plaited braid stitch in this article, which tackles the stitch and some of its nuances – including the fact that it’s a thread hog.
More to Come!
Down the road, we’ll explore some ancient content related to the letter “B”! Keep an eye out!
If you think you will enjoy this series and you don’t want to miss any of it, consider subscribing to my (free) email newsletter. You can do that here. I have it listed as a “daily” newsletter, but in fact, it generally appears in your inbox only 2 – 3 times per week.
Hope your Monday is off to a great start!
Wonderful idea!! Love your blog, website, tutorials and designs. Creative and bringing beauty to our daily lives.
Inspiring post ~ getting ideas as I type ~ and especially love the heartwarming, eye filling story behind it! Thank you!
This is a great idea! I’ve been getting your emails for at least 5 years and still find reasons to hunt for a different stitch, an explanation for something-or-other, or to help a friend find some help. Recently our EGA chapter started a two-month look at crewel work and one member asked me where to find crewel patterns – not kits. I dug through needlenthread and came up with a 2012 article “Free Jacobean Embroidery Pattern Resource”! That was before my time “with you” and was so pleased to find it. I can’t wait to take the time to get into that one!! So, clearly, your idea to revitalize older content will be great for even old followers of you like me! Thanks for all you do, Mary!!
Thanks, Judi! I’m glad you’re finding your way around in the archives of the website! I’ll do my best to highlight some old content!
This looks killer like so much fun. Even though I get your newsletter there are thinks I missed or love to review again. Thanks for your love of all things embroidered.
I just love that the little blue bird stands in as the “foot” on the ampersand. Makes me smile.
Isn’t that adorable? Someone designed the ampersand independently of Stitch Sampler Alphabet, and I just think that little bird is the Best! LOL!
Hey Mary,
Love the new alphabet idea. When I go to sign up for your newsletter through your link I get a message after I have typed in my email address that the “Form” is not secure and that others will see the information. Is there a way to correct that? It may discourage some folks like me who want to sign up to your newsletter.
Becky
I’ll look into it, but it is more likely having to do with your browser settings. Still, the form may need an update. Are you trying to sign up through the form on the sign-up page, or are you going through the form that’s found in the left column of the website (when on a desktop) or in the menu (the small hamburger in the top right) when on mobile? In any case, thanks for letting me know! I’ll look into that!
Hello Mary,
Did you know that at one time the Ampersand was an actual part of the alphabet? You can see it on many samplers after Z. It is a short, but interesting Wikipedia article – especially how it was used verbally.
Best,
Lois
Hi, Lois – thanks for that little bit! Yes, the ampersand was not a letter proper, as much as a “ligature” – that is, a combined letter (like the a-e ligature you might see in Latin texts or Old English texts, or o-e that you might see in French). The ampersand is a ligature for “et” meaning “and” in Latin. So not a letter proper, but more of a shortcut used in writing, and it would’ve been included in samplers kind of the way we include “special characters” in font samples these days.
Thanks, Mary. I love this!
Beth