August 17, 2022
August 15, 2022
Flipping a Monogram
Monograms are a fabulous way to embroider something very personal, whether it’s for yourself or as a gift for someone else.
Once upon a time, monograms were used primarily among upper classes to mark their household linens and other goods with a certain level of distinction and as a clear designation of ownership. A monogram (or decorative initials or ciphers – there’s a difference, and you can find an article on this point here) clearly stated, “Not only can I afford this quality fabric (or silver or porcelain or gilding or stonework or jewelry or carriage or what-have-you), but I can afford to have it artistically marked as mine so that no one can confuse it with anyone else’s.”
Hurray for you.
Today, monograms (using it as an umbrella term) are much more widely used and much more accessible, but their purpose is still clearly to mark something in a distinctive way, designating ownership or connection. Your monogram is personal. It represents you, and it says something about you and your relationship to this particular thing – even if it’s just a dish towel.
August 12, 2022
A Tree Dilemma: Color & Fabric
I have a Tree Dilemma.
Remember Autumn Fire that we talked about the other day? Well, I just finished sample five.
It’s a good thing it’s a small project!
I’m in a quandary, and I don’t think I’m the only person in the embroidery world who has ever been in this quandary. I figured it might be worth discussing.
August 10, 2022
The Scissor Fob & the Laws of Gravity
Not too far into my stitching life, I was introduced to the scissor fob, an often-decorative Something that is looped or hooked to the handles of a pair of scissors.
I don’t remember how or when or why the introduction was made. But I remember being told that the scissor fob, besides being decorative, has a very useful purpose, and that I should “always keep a fob on my scissors.”
I never used scissor fobs much – and truthfully, I still don’t use them much in action. I have some that adorn some of my favorite scissors so that I can see at a glance where a particular pair is. But once I have a pair of scissors in play on a project, if it has a fob, I usually remove the fob. I find that it gets in my way when I’m intensely working.
Don’t get me wrong! I love the fob’s decorative aspect and I love the fact that a fob can help me hone in on a pair of scissors quickly. But these are not the reasons that I was told “You should always have a fob on your scissors…”
And the reason I was told this, in fact, isn’t even true. So here comes a little debunking.
August 5, 2022
Tool Talk: Simple Scissor Care Tips and the Sheath
Embroidery scissors! Nothing beats a Great Pair of Embroidery Scissors!
One thing that I’ve discovered over the years is that a great pair of embroidery scissors does not have to equate with a jaw-droopingly expensive pair of embroidery scissors.
In fact, I have it on very good authority that some of the most expensive embroidery scissors on the market today don’t hold a candle, mechanics & functionality-wise, to some of the comparatively moderate-to-lower-priced scissors that are available.
The measure of how good a pair of scissors is, then, doesn’t necessarily depend on the cost of the scissors.
That said, scissors that have a little more oversight and care in their design, production, and finishing are bound to be better scissors, and they often cost a little more than the blister-packet scissors you might pick up at a big-box store.
I’m going to venture a personal opinion (which isn’t unusually – I do it all the time), and it is this:
If you want a good pair of embroidery scissors, there’s more involved than just buying the scissors. Let me explain…
August 3, 2022
Autumn Fire: A (Very) Close-Up Sneak Peek
Well, here’s something fun – a little sneak peek on a wee project coming up. (Not-So-Subtle Hint: the next Stitch Snippet.)
It’s called Autumn Fire, and it’s a small snippet-of-a-project, in which we will learn many good embroidery things.
The launch date for this particular project, which will involve a kit, is yet uncertain, but it should happen before the end of August.
There are Big Things going on here, though – including a whole studio move – but I am hoping to launch the kit before the move happens. I will certainly keep you abreast!
August 1, 2022
The Goldwork Word Game
In the wee hours of the morning, when the sun was just coming up and the rooster was starting to crow, I put my down my needle, pulled out my phone, and took the following pictures.
(In other words, the pictures aren’t great!)
And as I looked back over them, I realized that we could play a game – almost as good as Wordle, only backwards.
Here in the studio, we’ve made more progress on the ongoing goldwork lettering that I’ve been writing about lately.
We are, in fact, over half-way way finished! Well, with the first half of the goldwork on more than half of the letters, anyway.
That’s almost like being “practically done” – only not really.
Here are the letters that are halfway (or close to it) finished so far – that is, the smooth passing thread areas have been filled, and we’re ready to move on to chip work.
