May 14, 2018

Ukrainian Rushnyk – Beautifully Embroidered Swaths of Cloth

So, I’ve been traveling about in the Northeast lately, where I met up week before last with my six sisters and spent a splendid time (albeit too short!) hanging out together.

After we dispersed as a group, I continued my excursions.

One of my sisters recommended a visit to the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Massachusetts.

I thought it was somewhat odd that there was a Russian icon museum in Clinton, MA, and so my curiosity was piqued. I looked it up, and sure enough – there is one. It’s a well-known museum with a fantastic collection of icons. But, better yet, they’re currently running an exhibit (until June 3rd) that made me doubly eager to go: Rushnyky: Sacred Ukrainian Textiles.

Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton MA - Ukrainian embroidery

Hand Embroidery Patterns

May 9, 2018

Penbroidery Bird – A Pattern & a Project

Today, we’re going to revisit a project I did a long time ago, for a book called BiblioCraft. You can find my review of the book here.

The moratorium on using the project has long passed, so I thought I’d pass the design on to you, and tell you how I worked this particular redwork version of my Penbroidery Bird.

Hand Embroidery Patterns

May 7, 2018

Free Hand Embroidery Design: Hinda Hands, Small I

Today, a quick little embroidery design!

This is a design I’ve re-worked from Hinda Hands’s book, Church Needlework: A Manual of Practical Instruction.

Even though the book is on church needlework, the design can be worked for secular embroidery, too. In her book, the author presents several designs that are perfect for practicing types of embroidery typical in church needlework, but also perfectly suitable for other decorative embroidery as well.

Hinda Hands Embroidery Design for Goldwork and Silk - Small 1

Hand Embroidery Books

May 4, 2018

Embroidered Garden Flowers – Book Review

Today, let’s talk embroidered flowers! I want to show you an embroidery project book I’ve had for a while, that I think is utterly charming.

Hopefully, if you’re in the same hemisphere I’m in, you’re finally enjoying some spring weather. It’s been slow coming this year, hasn’t it? No matter where you are, though, Embroidered Garden Flowers will certainly put you in the mood for All Things Growing!

Let’s take a look at it!

Embroidered Garden Flowers - Book Review

Uncategorized

May 2, 2018

Revisiting the Loreto Embroideries and Anichini

Last year, I wrote this article about finding the illustrator behind the Loreto Embroideries in the Royal School of Needlework’s collections.

Today, for enthusiasts of historical embroidery and art in general, I’d like to share with you, with permission from the author, a short article by John Shaffer, retired Director of Arts Programming at the State University of New York, Oswego.

John is also a fan of Anichini’s illustrations. We’ve corresponded back and forth for a little while about Anichini, so I was thrilled to read his insightful article. I think you will enjoy it, too, especially if you’ve experienced the Loreto embroideries at the RSN.

Mother of Christ illustration by Anichini

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

April 30, 2018

Oh, those Knotty Stitches! 12 Knot Stitches, Terrific for Texture

When you think “knots” in embroidery, does your mind automatically fly to the French knot? Or perhaps the colonial knot is more Your Knot Thing?

It seems that, when it comes to knots, French knot is the best known knot stitch, followed by colonial knot, which some stitchers prefer to the French knot.

But there are other knot stitches and knot-like stitches out there, and if you’re keen to add a lot of texture to your embroidery, you might try a few of them. They’re all super fun, and, with the linked tutorials, you’ll find it easy to add them to your stitching projects!

So, here they are – twelve knot stitches to add to your embroidery repertoire! Try them!

Uncategorized

April 27, 2018

Ecclesiastical Embroidery: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

It almost seems irreverent to refer to any church embroidery as ugly. But … the fact is, some church embroidery is ugly. The case in point: parts of an old vestment I’m going to show you.

While overall, the vestment has its ugly aspects, there are still several commendable elements on this old piece. And there’s a lot to look at, think about, and study in it.

But oh! There are several things that really bug me about it!

Christ and Angel - Embroidered Chasuble - Church Embroidery

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Embroidery Tips & Techniques

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Ukrainian Rushnyk – Beautifully Embroidered Swaths of Cloth

Penbroidery Bird – A Pattern & a Project

Free Hand Embroidery Design: Hinda Hands, Small I

Embroidered Garden Flowers – Book Review

Revisiting the Loreto Embroideries and Anichini

Oh, those Knotty Stitches! 12 Knot Stitches, Terrific for Texture

Ecclesiastical Embroidery: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos