February 8, 2011

Book Review: More William Morris Applique

Michele Hill and Country Bumpkin have teamed up again to produce a sequel to Michele’s first William Morris appliqué book: More William Morris Appliqué. Though I’m not a quilter (more from lack of time rather than lack of desire!), I’m a huge Appreciator of Quilts. I love them! And this book has a few things to it that really recommends it to my liking: 1. It’s William Morris-related, with whom I tend to border on obsessed; 2. The subject leans towards a very heavy embroidery influence, and there’s definitely scope for embroidery here; and 3. Wow. There are some Really Beautiful quilting projects in here.

I know that many needleworkers are quilters, too, so I’m going to review More William Morris in Appliqué for those of you who are quilters and might be interested in adding the book to your library, and also for those of you who, like me, like Morris.

More William Morris Applique Book Review

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February 7, 2011

Jacobean Jumble Project – Wool Felt for Padding Goldwork and Silk Stitches

Have you forgotten about the silk “jumble” project I’m working on? I almost have! It’s a slow project, to say … Continue reading Jacobean Jumble Project – Wool Felt for Padding Goldwork and Silk Stitches

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February 5, 2011

15 Minute (& more!) Project Update: Micro Stitching on Cluny

Just a brief progress report on my current “15 Minute” project, this micro rendition of the Cluny tapestry “Sense of Hearing,” designed by Bobbie Schoonmaker of MicroStitchery.

Update, 2018: While MicroStitchery is still online, they are no longer honoring orders. I have heard from many folks who have placed orders with them, but have never received the orders and had to apply to PayPal for a refund. I’ve tried to contact Joy, the lady who took over the business, but with no luck. Just a word of caution, for those looking for miniature tapestries.

Admittedly, I’ve gotten in a LOT more then just 15 minutes here and there this week – with snow days, sick days and so forth. I didn’t realize how much I actually stitched on this over the past week until I took photos!

Stitching on Silk Gauze: Sense of Hearing Cluny Tapestry

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February 4, 2011

Threads of Light – A Book Worth Seeing

Last week, I had the pleasure of showing you a few samples up close of some gorgeous needlepainting from Su Embroidery. In the comment section of that post, Suzanna beat me to the punch on today’s blog post, which focuses on a book called Threads of Light. If you’re interested in textiles, and especially if you are interested in needlepainting, or the history of textiles in China, or silk embroidery, or the embroidery Suzhou, or photography – or a combination of all of the above – then you may very well find this book right up your alley.

Threads of Light: Book about Suzhou Embroidery

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February 3, 2011

Wool Embroidery Project: One Leaf. One Lousy Leaf.

Oh, I wanted to give you a marvelous step-by-step update today on the Pomegranate Corners Wool Embroidery Project! Instead, I have one leaf. And that’s all.

But it’s a better leaf – and I am actually happy with it, and ready to move on and finish up the leaves this weekend (at least on one corner!!).

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February 2, 2011

Following Up on Needles and Emery

Yesterday, I broached the subject of caring for embroidery needles and using emery (often found in the little strawberry on the tomato pincushions) to polish and sharpen them. Today, I’d like to follow up on that post, just to answer a few questions, mention a few resources, and perhaps get more input from some emery-using pros out there!

I’m not a pro on the subject of needle care, admittedly. I’ve never looked it up, found much information about it in books, or even talked to other stitchers about it until yesterday. Funny that the subject wouldn’t come up very often, given the fact that, in embroidery, the needle is pretty much the most essential tool!

First off, a timely resource:

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February 1, 2011

Taking Care of Embroidery Needles

Once upon a time, embroidery needles were precious commodities. They were hand made, sometimes made of precious metals, and they cost (relatively speaking) a pretty penny.

Today, needles aren’t so difficult to come by. In the scheme of things, they’re relatively inexpensive. I mean, what other embroidery supply can you buy, that you get 12 of for under $2? Because needles are so readily available, we have a tendency to replace our needles often, rather than caring for them.

But occasionally, you might have a favorite needle that you don’t want to get rid of so quickly, and yet, it needs… something. It’s not as sharp as it once was, it’s got a burr, or something is wrong with it.

And that’s where the strawberry comes in.

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Book Review: More William Morris Applique

Jacobean Jumble Project – Wool Felt for Padding Goldwork and Silk Stitches

15 Minute (& more!) Project Update: Micro Stitching on Cluny

Threads of Light – A Book Worth Seeing

Wool Embroidery Project: One Leaf. One Lousy Leaf.

Following Up on Needles and Emery

Taking Care of Embroidery Needles

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos