August 1, 2012
Turkey Work Goes Haywire – And Other Tails
Turkey work (or Ghiordes Knot) is an embroidery technique that creates a thick carpet-like pile on the fabric. It’s great fun, and it’s a wonderful way to create, for example, animal tails.
July 31, 2012
Stitch Fun: Cast-On Stitch Rose
The cast-on stitch is a beautiful hand embroidery stitch that can be used to embroider gorgeous, rich, dimensional flowers. The stitch is used frequently in Brazilian Embroidery, and it can be used just as effectively in stumpwork embroidery.
Now that we’ve looked at how to work the cast-on stitch, and we’ve gone step-by-step through making a little cast-on stitch layered flower, we’ll look at building on that layered flower concept a bit, to create a cast-on stitch rose.
July 30, 2012
Whitework: RSN Essential Stitch Guide Review
The Royal School of Needlework has added to their collection of Essential Stitch Guides lately. The new title is Whitework, by Lizzy Lansberry. As soon as I heard the book was out, I ordered a copy right away – not only to review it for you, but also (and especially) because I love whitework. I figured if this book measures up to the other Stitch Guides produced by the RSN, then it’s bound to be a keeper!
And it does. And it is!
July 28, 2012
Chinese Knot Video Tutorial
In the world of hand embroidery, there is quite a variety of isolated knot stitches. The Chinese knot is yet another knot stitch that can be added to the list. The Chinese knot is often illustrated worked as a line or filling.
July 27, 2012
Stitch Fun: Simple Cast-On Stitch Flower
Yesterday, I posted a how-to video for the cast-on stitch, and today, as part of the Stitch Play series, I’d like to follow up with a tutorial for making a very simple cast-on stitch flower. It’s the same flower I showed you in yesterday’s post – and we’ll go through it step-by-step, so you can get an idea of how to play around with the cast-on stitch.
Incidentally, you can substitute the bullion knot for the cast-on stitch and create a similar flower with a slightly different look, so feel free to play with both stitches. (I updated the video for the bullion knot this week – it’s much better than the old one!)
This is the flower we’ll create:
July 26, 2012
Cast-On Stitch Video
The cast-on stitch is a dimensional embroidery stitch. It sits up off the fabric, creating a textures stitch that works well for flower petals and for anywhere that you want clusters of texture on your embroidery.
July 25, 2012
The Brockhampton Church Embroideries
Nestled in Herefordshire on the west boundary of England, up against Wales, and situated near the Wye River, is the little village of Brockhampton. In the little village of Brockhampton, there is a church – the church of All Saints. And inside the church of All Saints are some interesting textile-related items.
Today, thanks to Jac, who recently visited the church and took pictures, we get to travel to Brockhampton vicariously. Come along – let’s look at this pretty little church and its interior treasures!
