November 14, 2013

Tambour Embroidered Flower: Finished & Materials List

All the waste knots cut, all the threads secured – ’tis the finish of this second practice piece on my quest to learn how to wield a tambour hook with accuracy, (relative) speed, and ease.

When working with the tambour needle – and really, when working in any embroidery technique – practice is essential if you want to be perfectly comfortable with the tools, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.

I prefer practicing on a particular design, rather than in random blobs, rows, and patches. When practicing on a design, there’s that whole Sense-of-Accomplishment Thing going on, you know?

Keep in mind that this project was a practice piece. There wasn’t much planning that went into it. With a little tweaking in shades and placement of colors in the design, I think the finished piece could be much improved. But here it is, anyway, for what it’s worth!

Tambour Embroidery: Flower Practice Piece

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November 13, 2013

Couching Thread for Goldwork

Whenever I’m in the middle of a goldwork project (the current one being the Mission Rose), there’s a fair certitude that one question will slip into the inbox at least ten times. It is this:

What thread are you using for couching the goldwork?

Although I usually mention it within articles on the different goldwork techniques, I’ve never written an article devoted entirely to The Couching Threads.

But you know, they deserve their moment in the limelight. They have an arduous task and they work hard to get it done. So they are, in fact, Important. Essential. Critical, even!

Today, I’ll show you exactly which ones I use and tell you why.

And, with an article devoted just to these indispensable little spools, from now on, I can just send a link when anyone asks.

(I’m lazy that way.)

Couching Threads for Goldwork Embroidery

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November 12, 2013

Tambour Embroidery: Learning Odds & Ends

After I finished Gertie, my first filling experiment with tambour embroidery, I immediately set up another project to keep me going through my practice regime.

With the next project, I wanted to work with shades of color and filling odd shapes. I picked another one of the free hand embroidery patterns here on Needle ‘n Thread – this sprouting floral drawing – and selected colors of coton a broder 25 to use for the embroidery.

While working through this practice piece a little bit each day, I’ve learned a few more bits about tambour embroidery, which I thought I’d share with you.

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November 11, 2013

The Embroiderer’s Dream Vacation… Come Dream With Me!

It’s a dream vacation for any embroiderer: surrounded by embroideries rich in history and beauty, tutored by specialists and professionals, pampered in comfortable accommodations, shopping quaint English and Scottish high streets, exploring castles and manor houses, rubbing elbows with lords and ladies.

Silk. Goldwork. Crewel Embroidery.

Castles. Country gardens. Cathedrals.

Tea. Scones. Shops. Sumptuous meals.

Perhaps even a pub or two on the sly….

Ahhhh… come dream with me!

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November 9, 2013

Magnificent Embroidery on Display in Cleveland (& back to normal!)

A heads-up for those of you who live in the Cleveland area, or who will be passing through Cleveland anytime soon.

There’s a magnificent piece of 15th century embroidery on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

It’s a stunning example of split stitch shading, Or Nué, sculptured goldwork, and silk embroidery.

Thanks to Susan, a reader here on Needle ‘n Thread, who recently visited the CMA, and shared some images!

15th Century Embroidery on Altar Frontal: Coronation of the Virgin, Cleveland Museum of Art

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November 8, 2013

A Beautiful Needlework Tool Caddy (& A Give-Away!)

Earlier this year, I showed you my absolutely favorite – and beautiful – laying tool made by Jack & John, a father-and-son team, at JR Crafter.

If you want to know what a laying tool is, you can read this article on the subject. You can also watch this video on how to use a laying tool.

The JR Crafter laying tools are my favorite needlework tools that I own. What they did was take the BLT (Best Laying Tool by Shay Pendray) and encase it in exotic wood or colorful acrylic – they’re the perfect size to hold (the BLT on its own is quite small and fiddly to hold), they’re the perfect weight, and – doggonit – they’re just pretty.

I have another JR Crafter “tool” that has been my constant stitching companion for the last six months. It’s an organizational tool. And it has solved that Where-Did-I-Put-It Dilemma. I no longer shuffle around for this tool or that while I’m in the middle of stitching.

And that, my friends, is a Wonder and a Miracle. And that’s why I’m showing you this pretty little tool caddy today – and giving one away. I also think this little beauty is a terrific gift idea, for those putting together Christmas lists.

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November 7, 2013

Stitch Fun: The Easiest Shisha Embroidery Technique Ever

Lately, in the Stitch Fun series, we’ve been playing with shisha embroidery. Shisha is the application of mirrors or similar shiny objects to the surface of fabric, using embroidery stitches.

So far, we’ve looked at the traditional shisha embroidery method and two variations: one shisha variation with a squared outline and a rather hairy looking decorative stitch, and the other shisha variation with an overlapping, couched fly stitch for the decorative part of the stitch.

All three of the approaches listed above are admittedly a little complex. For beginners, then, who want to add mirrors and sparkly things to their embroidered masterpieces, but would like a simpler approach to shisha, here’s an alternative that works and that is super-duper easy.

Shisha Mirror Embroidery Stitch: Easy Variation

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How-To
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Embroidery Tips & Techniques

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Tambour Embroidered Flower: Finished & Materials List

Couching Thread for Goldwork

Tambour Embroidery: Learning Odds & Ends

The Embroiderer’s Dream Vacation… Come Dream With Me!

Magnificent Embroidery on Display in Cleveland (& back to normal!)

A Beautiful Needlework Tool Caddy (& A Give-Away!)

Stitch Fun: The Easiest Shisha Embroidery Technique Ever

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos