July 18, 2010
Looking for Blackwork Designs?
If you’re into blackwork, or if you’re looking for some designs to get you started with blackwork embroidery, here’s a resource that might come in handy.
July 16, 2010
Victorian Perforated Paper Embroidery
While enjoying life in the Canadian Maritimes on my recent break, I ran into a few needlework-related items. The first one was a piece of Victorian perforated paper embroidery, hung on the wall of the “rectory” in the idyllic (and fictitious) town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. Since I took a few photos of the piece, I thought I’d share them with you and tell you a bit about this embroidery fad that lasted from the 1820’s through 1910, reaching its zenith of popularity in the 1880’s and 90’s.
(You can click on the image below for a larger version.)
July 15, 2010
Getting Back to Needlework
After returning from vacation, it’s awfully hard to get back into the swing of things, and my needlework has been suffering because of my relative lethargy when it comes to picking up handwork! Admittedly, I’m in a bit of a slump!
So, how does one crawl out of a needlework slump? I’ll tell you what I do, and then you can give me your advice on how you get out of similar slumpy situations!
There are two things I do to work myself out of a needlework slump: First, I evaluate. Then, I anticipate.
To evaluate, I take a good look at my current situation. There are really only two projects that I was concentrating on with any intensity before vacation – the Floral Glove Project from Thistle Threads and the Blackwork Fish.
July 13, 2010
Miniature Embroidery: How Small Can You Go?
Even though I’m officially back from vacation, I still have two more guest posts on needlework that I want to share with you. Both are really good – and they touch on needlework topics that I don’t often visit. This first one is by Patricia Richards, who operates Patricia Richards Miniatures, a website devoted to hand made dollhouse miniatures, as well as kits for miniature pillows. Patricia stitches incredibly tiny miniature items in unbelievable detail! She enticed me with the topic of her miniature embroidery projects by sending me a picture of her reproduction 17th century embroidered casket, which you can see in the article below. The casket is beautiful – full-size, it would be amazing in itself. When I realized the piece was about an inch wide, it took me a while to pick up my jaw! I hope you enjoy the article and are just as amazed as I am at the micro-stitched art!
July 12, 2010
Garniture: Trim Out Your Needlework
What’s in my Stash? Here’s another look at a something in my needlework stash. The purpose of these “stash” posts is to show you some things I have in my supply closet that you might find interesting. It’s not to “sell” you on anything, but just to let you know that this stuff is out there, in case it’s something that you would find fun or useful for your stitching needs.
Today, I’ll show you some Garniture! Garniture, by definition, is something that decorates or embellishes. And there’s a whole line of Garniture on the market that is perfect for finishing needlework items. Have you ever made a pin cushion, an ornament, a needlebook, or some other item, and been stumped about how to finish the edge? Garniture helps solve that problem!
July 11, 2010
I’m Back!
I’m happy to be back in the blog-o-sphere again, and am so thankful that Needle ‘n Thread wasn’t “empty” for the last couple weeks! Thanks to all the generous guest writers who shared a glimpse of their needlework worlds!
Here’s a little glimpse of my vacation:
View of North Rustico Harbor, Prince Edward IslandJuly 10, 2010
Embroidered Faces: Perspective
When hand embroidering faces in a needlepainting style for ecclesiastical embroidery, the saying “less is more” often produces the best results. Today, I want to show an embroidered face up close and point out a few things about it.
