I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
July 30, 2011
The next step on the Goldwork & Silk Tudor-style Rose project involves filling up the rest of the inside petal space with #7 tambour gold. If you’re just joining in on this project, feel free to read up on the rest of the stages. You’ll find the embroidery pattern, plus each developing stage of the project, listed in the goldwork & silk Tudor-style rose index.
July 29, 2011
So far, the Royal School of Needlework has released four good “essential stitch guides” in their new series of needlework books on specific topics: blackwork, crewelwork, silk shading, and stumpwork. Today, let’s look at their new stumpwork essential stitch guide!
July 28, 2011
A reader over on Ask & Share posted a photo the other day, asking for help identifying a stitch. I’ve already answered her question with what stitch technique I reckon is used here, but I thought I’d toss it up to you all to see what you make of it, hoping I’m not too off the mark!
July 27, 2011
When last we visited the Goldwork & Silk Tudor-Style Rose series, we outlined the inner petals with gold check thread. It would make sense at this point to fill the rest of the inner petals with gold, but that wasn’t actually my next step! Instead, I moved to the outside of the rose and outlined the gold petals on the outer layer with a stem stitch outline, using a dark red Soie Gobelins (#2546).
As simple as stem stitch outlining may seem, there are a few aspects of working with this thread that can make it frustrating, so I’ll see if I can help dispel some of that frustration. Here are a few tips on how to go about outlining the outer petals.
July 26, 2011
Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it? But I really do mean it literally – sanding (as in, with sandpaper) your embroidery patterns! It makes a Big Difference!
Lately, I’ve been using the prick-and-pounce method to transfer most of the embroidery designs I’ve been stitching. I like this method. It’s accurate. It’s “re-usable.” It works. So when a reader commented on my post about prick & pounce embroidery design transfers that she sands the back of her pattern and it really makes a difference in the transfer, I thought I should try that out.
July 25, 2011
A plunging lasso is a little get-up involving a piece of string and a needle, and it’s used to plunge couched embroidery threads – and most often, goldwork threads – to the back of the fabric.
I prefer using a plunging lasso to using a larger needle to plunge threads, although I use both methods. The plunging lasso is more convenient – it’s easier to thread the loop of string than it is to thread a needle eye. The lasso also works easily with short lengths of gold thread, so in the event that you accidentally cut your couched metal thread shorter than you intended and aren’t sure how to get the short end to the back of the fabric, the plunging lasso will save you!
Incidentally, the lasso can be used to plunge other threads in addition to metal threads – whenever you’re couching threads and need to pull your laid thread to the back and are having trouble getting it there with a needle, this little home-made devise works great.
July 23, 2011
Continuing with the Hungarian Hand Embroidery Patterns from Lilly’s Legacy, here’s one that I’m calling “Tulip Triangle.” I know, I know. It’s not a very telling name, but … what can one do?!
Below is the design as Lilly originally drew and painted it – you can click on it for a slightly larger version:
