Originally posted 2010-08-21 07:02:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter This week we finish up Star’s delightful Berlinwork-inspired set of small designs. The last three sections: Swan Cat & Mouse Garland of Roses Here are links to the other parts: Part 1 Part 2 Frame & finishing (next week)
Monthly Archive:: October 2012
John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 978-1-118-35997-6. $21.99 Anna Maria Horner is well-known for her quilting, fabric design, and blog. Earlier this year she added needlepoint designer to her accomplishments with her line of kits for Anchor. This new book covers four needlework techniques (cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, and crewel) with several projects in her bright contemporary style for each technique. The book is nicely divided into two main sections grid work (cross stitch and needlepoint) and free work (embroidery and crewel). This emphasizes the similarity in the technique, which is rarely done. Each technique has a short introductory section that talks about materials, basic stitches, and working techniques. Following this are the projects. They include both decorative and fashion projects and have something for people of all ages. It’s a good selection of designs. Each project lists the materials she used, has working instructions, and notes. Each project begins with
Originally posted 2008-12-17 08:16:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter The last thing to do on your sampler is to sign and date it, which I finished last night. I modified my initials to make them into a monogram using this alphabet, Bungalow, which I designed several years ago. (Click on the picture to get the full-size graph to print.) Then I used the Bungalow numbers to add the date. I put one thread between the numbers, making the date 21 threads wide. Since the block is 28 threads wide, I went in four threads and up two threads to add the date. (Click on the picture to get the full-size graph to print.) Next your need to center your name above the date. Because the date is symmetrical the open thread between the zeroes is the center. I found the middle of my initials (also easy, it’s the top of
When stitchers tell you about their difficulties one topic keeps coming up — how can I “see” the end result in the unstitched canvas so that I get what I want. My November 15 mini-class is designed to teach you how to do just this. You’ll learn how to: analyze a canvas find a focal point and pick ways to enhance it pick threads to give life to your canvas pick stitches to give dimension choose a background create a stitching plan This email class is perfect for stitchers at any level. By looking at an actual example you’ll learn the methods you need to plan your future stitching. The class requires no stitching and no additional purchases.It’s done entirely by email, so you can take the class any time. It’s only $15 for the class and accompanying chat room. Click on the button below to sign up. You can
Originally posted 2009-04-04 05:35:50. Republished by Blog Post PromoterThis week Rittenhouse Needlepoint features Hungarian Stitch as the stitch of the week. Hungarian is a great stitch and one which every stitcher should know and use. There are a couple of applications where it’s just perfect, better than any other stitch. Do you need something which has a true diamond pattern? Like this pyramid at the Louvre? Use Hungarian, you’ll get the diamonds easily and perfectly. The other place where I love to use Hungarian is stitching clothing. If you have sleeves against the main part of the clothes, finding a stitch to make them distinct, but not obvious, can be a problem. Vertical and Horizontal Hungarians are the perfect solutions. The overall pattern is the same, but since the stitches go in different directions, they look distinct. Problem solved! Try Hungarian, it’s a great stitch
I’d almost rather find a great new stitch than get a diamond. They are more generally useful and are significantly less expensive. If you are like me, finding new stitches is almost addictive. In fact in the last week I’ve created one new variation and found a new stitch to try. That’s why I’m being an enabler and giving you an easy, and very inexpensive way to get tons of new stitches. I’ve done several ebooks and projects that focus on stitches and stitch variations. Due to popular demand, I’ve extended this special offer until November 15, 2012 for the special “Stitches Galore” ebook bundle. In it you’ll find: Heart Sampler I The Sapphires (Heart Sampler II) Stitch Annual Celebrate! Sampler Arts & Crafts Trees Sampler Stitch Sampler Mantle Stockings If you bought these six projects separately, the cost would be close to $40. But the special Stitches Galore Sampler
Originally posted 2008-11-28 06:54:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter Plaids are one of the easiest types of fabric to adapt to needlepoint. Especially symmetrical plaids, such as tartans, make wonderful needlepoint. First we’ll talk about plaids and how they are constructed, then we’ll cover how to turn that into needlepoint. Plaids are woven patterns of different colored stripes. Because of the way the stripes interact in the weave, we get the type of pattern we call plaid. Plaids can be classified into two types. Most plaids you see are symmetrical, with both the horizontal and vertical stripes the same. The plaids pictured above are symmetrical plaids. A less common type of plaid is an asymmetrical plaid where one set of stripes is different from the other. Personal plaids, like my Birthday Plaid Mini-sock, are asymmetrical. Tartans are a particular type of symmetrical plaid and must be registered to be an
Originally posted 2007-09-17 20:00:48. Republished by Blog Post PromoterNeedlepoint Trade Secrets is featured on one of my favorite craft blogs, Craft Gossip. Check it out at http://needlework.craftgossip.com/ And stay tuned for more stops on my Virtual Book Tour all month. Re,emebr that you can get your copy of the book at your local needlework store and through Amazon.com
CRESUS artisanat is not likely to be a name you’ve heard before. But this delightful Etsy shop is owned by Haruhi, a Japanese stitcher who makes delightfully original needlepoint. Her paisley needlepoint coasters are pictured here. She also has a lovely blog with pictures of many of her projects. Although it’s in Japanese, you’ll love the close-up pictures of her work. I also like that there is so much here that we can apply to our own work. Single & Simple – Notice that each piece only uses one stitch and often it is a simple one. As we progress in stitching we often forget just how powerful the most basic of stitches can be. Stick to one type of color – The coasters pictured here use a mostly neutral palette with lots of whites. Other pieces of hers use brights with white. She uses a polychrome (many-colored) scheme but
Does this thread always end up in a tangled heap when you try to open it? Me too. Much as I love this thread, I tend to avoid it because I hate that heap. I just don’t have the patience to find ends. If I do my usual routine of cutting at the bottom of the twist, the strands are too small. I even tried unwinding it once. THAT made even more of a mess. But happily the manufacturer has put up an instructional video to show us exactly how to unwind one of these skeins. I see more of this great thread in my future,
Originally posted 2009-06-06 06:20:20. Republished by Blog Post PromoterIn the past ten days or so, I have been prepping or starting lots of new needlepoint projects. I have to say, and you might be like this too, that much of the fun of needlepoint is in the beginnings. I’m not too good with endings and often I get bored with the piece long before I’m done stitching it. But starting is always a measure of hope. There are all the possibilities of threads and stitches which are part of every project. There is the endless potential that the blank canvas holds. And, sometimes, there is the probability of learning something new. For Maker Faire I put together lots of Bargello projects, tracing outlines, charting patterns, and pulling threads. I worked on 4 of them (and have finished two so far). But I was getting two others ready a couple of
DMC has a remarkable history. To celebrate the embroidery floss manufacturer is sponsoring the Needlework Memories Contest. For three months beginning Nov. 1, DMC will collect memories from stitchers across the U.S. and will award one participant a week in Paris with a friend. If the winner notes her/his favorite independent needlework shop on their entry form, the shop owner will also win a week in Paris with a friend. Both prizes include a tour of the 280-year-old DMC factory. Needlework enthusiasts are encouraged to submit their most memorable needlework moments to DMC in 250 words or less using official entry forms available online and at needlework shops. A panel of industry experts will determine the winning memory based on its ability to be inspiring, memorable, sentimental, nostalgic, and relevant to needlework and DMC. The winner receives round-trip airfare to Paris, hotel accommodations, train travel to Mulhouse for a DMC
Stitching fur that is both realistic and easy to stitch can be a real puzzler for needlepoint. Many of the solutions that come to mind are just too difficult or time-consuming. This delightful Quail Run canvas (from Nancy Coffelt’s The Wild Life Collection) is perfect for showing off these techniques. I stitched this to remind me of my three cats: Wakko, Yakko, & Dot, now, sadly, all deceased. Tips for Stitching Fur If you are going to be using a very furry thread, do not stitch this area until last. Otherwise you will get bits of the thread in all the other stitches around it. If your animals have whiskers, put them on after you have done the fur (and brushed it if needed). Use a thin metallic to give them a bit more sparkle. If you are making a stiff mane, or using a stitch like Turkeywork for your