November 12, 2010

Spontaneous Hand Embroidery, Spontaneous Musing

Remember that felt and floche embroidery project I started the other day? It’s the only project I’ve ever named that actually had some sense in the name – Embroidered Chaos! Thank you all so much for your name input on yesterday’s embroidery pattern – your comments were so fun to read! It was fun to see how people’s perceptions are in many ways the same, and in many ways completely different!

Beginning the felt and floche embroidery project was rather fortuitous. It’s gotten an interesting reaction from among my students, and has raised a compelling question.

Hand Embroidery Patterns

November 11, 2010

Free Hand Embroidery Pattern: A Circular Thing

I need to come up with a better way of naming embroidery designs. I mean, really. “Circular Thing” doesn’t say much.

Anyway, this is a motif taken from an old ecclesiastical embroidery book, but obviously, the design itself is adaptable to anything. You can turn it, arrange it, make it into a connect vine-type pattern…. and on and on. Or you can just work it as is. It reminds me of something that would be suitably adapted to crewel embroidery, but any thread and any fabric would work, pretty much.

Uncategorized

November 10, 2010

Felt and Floche and Embroidered Chaos

Once upon a time (it was actually just the other day!), I found myself in a situation. A dilemma. A quandary, even.

How To Videos

November 9, 2010

French Knot Video Updated

I promise I won’t write a special post for each and every hand embroidery video that I update on Needle ‘n Thread in the future! But just to let you know what I’m doing behind the scenes, I thought I’d point out the update to the video on how to make a French knot. It’s the first of many updates to the Embroidery How-To Videos that will be rolling out in the next month or so. I plan, by the end of December, to replace many of the current videos. Most will be completely re-recorded, but the filming on a couple of them can be salvaged, I think, and just re-edited and re-processed. (If not, they’re out, too!)

Uncategorized

November 8, 2010

Embroidered Spot Sampler Update

I’m in a tight fix. I’ve let the spot sampler slide a bit, because at one point, I had gotten pretty far ahead on it… so I haven’t embroidered on it for quite a while. But rats. My students are almost caught up with me! This week, they’re filling in a few leaf motifs and learning the stitches associated with those, and then they’ll be where I am.

This could be a good thing. It could also be a bad thing. It could be a good thing, because it might motivate me to move ahead quickly with some stitching. It could be a bad thing, because I don’t have a lot of time for stitching right now! But I’m pretty certain I’m not supposed to fall behind my students. Hmmmm……

In the meantime, I thought I’d show you what my spotty spot sampler looks like. This isn’t really my favorite type of stitching, but I have enjoyed working on the sampler. I just need to get back to it!

Uncategorized

November 7, 2010

ThreadworX Hand Embroidery Threads – Here’s a Look!

Are you familiar with ThreadworX embroidery threads? ThreadworX has an extensive line of different types of overdyed threads for hand embroidery, so if you love overdyed threads, you might want to take a look at what they offer. I’ve been playing with some ThreadworX threads, and while I was at it, I thought a few photos were in order, to entice you!

Well, what can I say? I’m a thread junkie. You know I am. And I’m not afraid to admit it!

How To Videos

November 5, 2010

How to Use a Laying Tool Video Tutorial

A laying tool is an instrument used in hand embroidery to help keep multiple strands of thread that are being used at one time, flat and parallel. It can be used for a number of stitches, but I use it especially for satin stitch when stitching with multiple threads. It’s also used extensively in Japanese embroidery (the tool is called a tekobari) to stroke flat silk, and in cross stitch and needlepoint as well. Pretty much any needlework technique that involves a smooth-lying stitch made from multiple strands of floss would benefit from the use of a laying tool.

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

Spontaneous Hand Embroidery, Spontaneous Musing

Free Hand Embroidery Pattern: A Circular Thing

Felt and Floche and Embroidered Chaos

French Knot Video Updated

Embroidered Spot Sampler Update

ThreadworX Hand Embroidery Threads – Here’s a Look!

How to Use a Laying Tool Video Tutorial