August 5, 2014
Secret Garden Embroidery: A Bit of a Tail
The last time we looked at the Secret Garden embroidery project, I had finished (for the time being) with the hummingbird’s upper body.
The Next Step: Tackle the the Top of the Tail!
August 4, 2014
Tool Talk: The Making of Scissors
Embroiderers love their scissors!
I’m no exception. I am easily infatuated by scissors, but only under certain conditions.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am not really a collector of scissors. I don’t collect embroidery scissors just to have them. If they’re just cute or pretty, that’s not quite enough for me.
This doesn’t mean I don’t have a small collection of favorite scissors. I do. They just aren’t collectibles. They’re functional tools that I use over and over and over again, and I don’t care if they are trendy, cute, beautiful.
To me, when it comes to scissors, the beauty is in the functionality and workmanship that makes them a Good Pair of Scissors.
August 1, 2014
Secret Garden Embroidery: Fiddling with Stitches
I’m still fiddling with embroidery stitches on the hummingbird.
Last time, we chatted about the neck band and some textured stitching there, but I was still hemming and hawing about the embroidery on the bird’s chest, where the emerald green fly stitch outlines were bugging me.
As usual, you’ve come through with lots of constructive criticism and suggestions!
Today, I’ll show you where I’ve arrived and clear up a couple issues that keep coming up.
July 31, 2014
What Was that Satin For, Anyway?
After writing about this satin fabric the other day, using it as a ground for hand embroidery and mounting it on an embroidery frame, the inbox played host to many curious visitors who were excited to see a new project developing here on the website, with the champagne-colored satin as the ground fabric.
What’s it for?
I can’t wait to see this new project!
I love that fabric! Can’t wait to see the new project!
Are you using this for the silk version of the Secret Garden?
Where can I get that fabric? I want to stitch along with your next project!
Well, I would be excited, too, if that were the case, but … it isn’t.
To satisfy the curious out there, I’ll show you what happened with the satin fabric.
I’m afraid some of you might have to brace yourselves for a let-down, for which I apologize in advance!
July 30, 2014
Secret Garden Hummingbird: Adding Texture
You came through with tons of feedback on the question of the embroidered “scales” on the hummingbird’s chest that I showed you the other day! Thank you – I do love reading all the ideas!
At this point, I haven’t put any idea to the test yet, though. But I have worked the hummingbird’s neck, and it might terrify some of you, especially if you’re opposed to the brighter blues.
It features a bit of texture, and I’ll just admit it now… I like it!
July 29, 2014
Framing Up Satin Fabrics for Embroidery
There are all types of “satin” fabrics out there, and many of them are well-suited to hand embroidery.
Satin, just to make it clear from the start, is a weave. It doesn’t refer to the fiber make-up of the fabric, but to the weave of the fabric. Satin fabric (unless it’s double-faced) is normally dull on one side of the fabric and shiny on the other.
Good satin made with natural fibers will often have a nice body to it – it’s not slick, limp and slippery. Rather, it’s a little stiffish, but “buttery” in a way. Smooth, easy to cut, substantial – it just feels good.
Silk satin, cotton satin (or sateen), and some natural fiber blends (silk / cotton and silk / wool) in satin weave are all suitable for hand embroidery, and all of them have one thing in common that you might want to be aware of before you start working with them:
They roll and shed.
The cut edges of most satin fabrics tend to roll up, making it a little more difficult and fiddly to mount satin fabric on an embroidery frame. They also tend to shed wispy bits of thread that can catch in your embroidery.
Today, I’m going to show you a quick cheat for working with fabrics that have a tendency to roll and shed on the edges.
July 28, 2014
Embroidered Scales on a Hummingbird
Ok, maybe they aren’t supposed to be scales. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’re supposed to be feathers.
But I made what I think is a bad choice when embroidering the feathers on the hummingbird chest.
I liked the initial colors and stitches I showed you last week, but then I got carried away with the emerald green. Instead of feathers, I ended up with scales.
