Goals?

Do you have any goals for 2017? I want to stitch something every day even if it is just a few stitches. Last year, I started to do this on a scrap of fabric but did not follow through. I experimented with some different yarns and threads but other things took over. I used all kinds of unusual fibers, some were so thick that couching was the only way to tack them down. Now I'm going to give it another try. Some of the stitches below were used in several underwater scenes.

I also have another small snowman in one of my hoops. It may get done by next Christmas!

Here's a few embroidery links for you to check.

• Needlework and Embroidery Techniques  
• Artfabrik - Wool Stitch Along 
• Aventures Textiles 
• Let's Learn Embroidery 
• The Splendid Sampler 
• Penguin & Fish - Embroidery Stitches   

Enjoy!              

Stitch Samplers

A while back, I posted about my stitch sampler and a photo of one I did a number of years ago. Today, I'm showing you what I've done so far. I get at it periodically to practise stitches and to experiment with various types of threads, ribbons and some yarns. I think some of my stitching will be used for some under water themed pieces.

Before showing my sampler, have a look at theses from Mary Corbet:

• Stitches and Samplers
• Jacobean Jumble
• Basic Embroidery Sampler
• Stitch Fun: Lattice Sampler
• Stitch Fun Index
• Embroidered Spot Sampler
• Sampler Archives

I also did a search for Embroidery Samplers showing lots of PHOTOS.
For those of you interested in a bit of history on samplers, check HERE and HERE.

As I posted before, my intention wasn't to embroider a 'pretty' one but try out various stitches and embroidery threads, floss, yarns . . . I am making it colourful and I use a hoop for most of the stitching.

Enjoy!



Note the magnet to the right corner holding needles.

The green ribbon is not silk but it works well.

The two variegated flowers are done in an eyelet stitch.
I used an awl to poke a hole in the center for the yarn.

Practice Makes Perfect?

I've started to do some experiments with different stitches. It's sort of a sampler of stitches using various weights of threads. My intention is not to have a 'pretty' piece when the cloth is all stitched but a practise piece that I can reference when needed. I have a length of fabric that I've hooped. When the hoop is filled, I'll just move it down to the next clear space. It's not pretty but it works for me!  Some stitchers have been recording on fabric sheets that they bind together into a book. Others do line samplers. Mine will just get rolled when this length is filled out!

I'm using the book by Judith Baker Montano, Free-Form Embroidery as a guide. This is Judith's third book in her stitch dictionary series. Sixty traditional stitches are featured along with her watercolour illustrations, which shows the reader how to distort the stitch into organic shapes. The final chapter covers “Thinking Like a Painter” and features some of her land/seascapes and underwater projects. 

Personally, I like this book.

For online reference I usually default to Mary Corbet's Needle'n Thread web site. Have you looked at her Stitch Fun Index. "Stitch Fun is a series of articles featuring step-by-step photo tutorials that explore various hand embroidery stitches and the fun things you can do with them."  However, Tips & Techniques is another section to explore.

This is the 'pretty' stitch sampler that I did for a hand embroidery program a number of years ago. There are over 50 different stitches in this piece. Wool was used on linen. I was a bit of a challenge but I'm pleased with the result!

Folk Art Christmas Sampler - BOM

I just discovered another Block of the Month Christmas Quilt Sampler from Angie's Bits 'n Pieces. This BOM will run for five months starting in July. The quilt layout is the first thing given to you so that you can start cutting the background blocks and sewing the sashing strips. Just click on the download now for the folk art Christmas. Check out Angie's blog.

Canada Wins Gold!!! Congratulations to all

To celebrate Canada's gold medals at the Olympics in Vancouver, here's gold worth stitching! According to Wikipedia, 'goldwork is the art of embroidery using metal threads'. This is a very specialized type of embroidery requiring a certain level of expertise. Using the proper materials is important.

The gold and blue sampler piece was stitched as part of a hand embroidery (level 5 ) course I took. It is worked on silk.

Inspirational pieces! Have a look at this sampler and this piece.







Check out these books on Goldwork:   
Beginner's Guide to Goldwork by Ruth Chamberlin provides a good introduction to Goldwork embroidery. This book explains the historical development of the style and includes a complete introduction to supplies and techniques used. The photos are excellent!

Goldwork by Valerie Campbell-Harding, Jane Lemon and Kit Pyman
New Ideas in Goldwork by Tracy A. Franklin
Metal Thread Embroidery by Jane Lemon

These are excellent books for Goldwork but I find them to be inspirational as well. You never know what will lead to a new piece of work!

Tanja Berlin has a free Goldwork Heart Design on her site. She has excellent instructions for anyone wishing to try out this particular technique. I've been fortunate to have taken a course with Tanja (not in this technique) and I hightly recommend her as a teacher.