general Archive

An article in a 1903 issue of The Craftsman said It is … desirable that the work retain its original, pleasing characteristics of slight irregularity and imperfection, – not to say carelessness, – were it only to avoid the appearance of machine-wrought embroidery. This quote caught my eye because as stitchers we have different opinions about imperfection in needlework. Even more so the professional embroiderers of this period could easily produce perfect work, but instead chose to introduce imperfection in needlework as a virtue, showing it was, indeed, hand-made. I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum myself. I got a model back once that was so perfectly stitched it could have been done by machine. Every stitch had the same tension, every one was untwisted. I knew that here was a perfection I could only wish to attain. On the other hand I’ve seen, and stitched, plenty of sloppy work

Read More...

I know from my email how many of you rely on this blog as a source of needlepoint news, inspiration, and instruction. I also realize that I’m not always the most organized person on the planet. My organization strategy tends to be what I call “happy anarchy,” letting things just end up where they end up. And this blog has tended to be the same way. But, after 8 years (yes it’s been THAT long), I think both you and I deserve more order in our lives. So, I’m adding some order to the blog, so that you know when to look for particular kinds of articles. You’ll always know that if something is timely or important I’ll break the schedule, but if you are really interested in seeing what’s new, say, you’ll know to look on Fridays. Tuesdays-Thursdays every week you’ll find original content from me. This has been

Read More...

On Monday, my fantastic DH put together the lovely IKEA daybed pictured above in my studio. This, in turn, has set off a flurry of rearranging, going through my stash and rearranging everything in the room except the desk (too heavy to move), the new daybed (in its proper place) and the bookshelves (attached to the wall). So today, while I’m rearranging the room and cleaning up, I thought I’d give you an assortment of cool things I’ve found around the Web lately. Liz Morrow is celebrating the first anniversary of her website with a sheet of free small designs. They are just too cute and I keep on thinking about making a bunch using scrap threads and then finishing them on button rounds as ornaments. Download it as a PDF. Blue Dogwood Designs has a monthly series of 8″ square designs available free on their site. This month’s design

Read More...

In my book, Needlepoint Trade Secrets, I share hundreds of tips with you about doing needlepoint and other needlework. I like the book so much I keep a copy on my desk as a reference. It’s summer and I have two special offers for you, good through Labor Day (how’s that for a vacation special?) First you can download and read, completely free, the Traveling with Needlepoint chapter. It’s a PDF file, and you get it by clicking the link. Second, I am offering the book at a special price to my readers. The book, including shipping via first class mail in the US is only $16. That’s below retail, even with the shipping! Use the PayPal button below to order. California residents get charged sales tax. If you live outside the US you will be invoiced for additional shipping costs (which ought to be small). Take advantage of this

Read More...

Yesterday I had an occasion to look at the oldest needlepoint book I own, Needlepoint Made Easy, published in 1955. It gave me pause, because I was also looking at The Needlepoint Book, first published 21 years later. Since most of us started stitching after the needlepoint “revolution” of the early 70′s we probably don’t think about it much, but the needlepoint of the 50′s was very different. In the 50′s almost all needlepoint was pre-worked and very traditional in style. Furnishings inspired by the American colonies was popular and these designs fitted well in those decors. Wool ruled to the exclusion of almost anything else. Original design was not encouraged, in the 50′s book only a short chapter near the end covers it. Half-cross was the default stitch. Although Basketweave and Continental are covered, every picture of the back of stitching is half-cross. Only one non-tent stitch is even

Read More...

Thanks to Denise at Craft Gossip for pointing out this delightful Needlework Puzzle. It’s from Needlework Tips & Techniques, a fantastic reference source for needlework information. A lovely thing to do to take a break from stitching

Read More...

I have been busy the last couple of weeks, adding and updating pages on All about Needlepoint. Here’s a rundown of what’s new: Pearl Cotton Needlepoint Pattern Free Directories Pins Adaptation – Making a Needlepoint Plaid Adaptation – Change Ringing Adaptation – Clumping – formerly this was part of a $5 technique sheet Adaptation – Stained Glass Thread Stash Building How to Miter a Corner Ornament to Stand-up Conversion with Button Back – includes information on how to do this with already finished ornaments Ornament Finishing – Box Finish The Ornament Collection – my story Last Minute Needlepoint Gift Ideas Ornament Finishing – Covered Buttons Ornament Finishing – Folded Diamond Christmas Decorating Ideas Using Needlepoint I’m planning this week to add the ornament section of the free patterns, more Christmas articles, and a couple more adaptation articles

Read More...

I haven’t been quite as busy this week with the site as I had hoped, but there are still many new pages available. There are two new free patterns pages: quilt-based geometrics , and specific needlepoint techniques. Several of these patterns have been intregrated into the existing directories as well. And lots of new thread information, including an article about dyelots in Caron Collection overdyes , and finishes in Kreinik metallics. There is also a new main section, Needlepoint Projects, which gathers material from throughout the site for people wanting to make particular projects. An article on measuring and making a footstool or seat cover are new there this week. I’ve got a bunch more stuff in the queue to add and some questions to answer, so stop back often to see what’s there

Read More...

You know how to stitch, you aren’t teaching beginners, why would you ever use Continental if you knew Basketweave? There are occasions when you must use Continental and good reasons why you can sometimes. You may have thought, or even been taught several times, that Continental only has oblique stitches in every other row. This is not correct. That stitch is a combination stitch of Continental and Half-cross Stitch. Do not use it. Read my post from yesterday about how to stitch Continental, or watch Susan’s video to learn how to make the stitch. Once you learn, your needlepoint will be released for all kinds of new effects. First, Continental uses about a third less thread than Basketweave. Most kits have enough thread in them for Continental, not Basketweave, So you don’t have much of a choice here. Or you might be short on thread or can’t find the dyelot.

Read More...

A couple of things have come together in my mind. If they don’t entirely make sense blame it on my awful cold. On Sunday I was at a local knitting shop with a friend. This shop sells a small bit of needlepoint as well. We were talking about business and she said that she hoped knitting would pick up again after the “scarf craze.” Yesterday Cheryl posted a comment about the new site saying, “Kudos to you for bringing awareness of needlepoint back again. I am so concerned that it is going to become a lost art as young people have little time nowdays and tend to go to the hobbies that give instant results.” This got me thinking about what we want hobbies to be. We live busy lives, so we want a hobby which fits into our lives. It should be simple portable easy to do in little

Read More...

You probably know that you really should label your needlework. I’ve been stitching for close to 40 years and I’ve known that all along and have rarely done it. I also don’t keep many records of what I’ve stitched. I resolve to do so and then it last about a week or two. I don’t sign my work much because I tend to think signatures intrude. Ideally I’d like something which tells people I made it, doesn’t look like the labels my grandmother used to use, is archival and which won’t intrude on the needlework. I just found out about Namemaker, a company which makes custom fabric labels in a number of styles. I like their many options and their clean look. I think I’m going to make a bunch and sew them carefully to the back of my needlework as it gets finished. If it turns into a pillow,

Read More...

Mel Edward’s blog, Votre Vray celebrates creativity with profiles of all kinds of women artists. Visit the blog and read the profiles of many artists (including yours truly)

Read More...

Do you stitch in public? Do you want to show off your lovely needlework & get others interested in stitching? On September 3, you will have a perfect opportunity to do so, with National Stitch in Public Day. This event commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the found of EGA. There will be lots of public events in Louisville at that time (during EGA’s National Seminar that week). But let’s have a real show of stitching by having stitch in public events all across the country. Knitters have done this often to generate publicity, and we can do the same thing. Here are some ideas: Do you commute to work? Do you have friends who ride with you who stitch? Everyone bring a project and stitch on the bus, train, ferry, or carpool. Do you have time during the rush hour to hang out? Even if it’s only a couple of

Read More...

I promised I’d answer these today. Don’t forget to add your answers to the original post. How long have you been doing needlepoint? >> Almost 40 years, since 1970. Do you consider yourself a beginning, intermediate, or advanced stitcher? >> Most likely advanced, although there are many techniques I avoid doing. Do you do other kinds of needlework? >> Nope, just needlepoint, although I have done many others in the past. What kind of needlepoint projects do you do most often? >> It seems like mostly I stitch models, but when I stitch for myself, I love Bargello, and needlepoint influenced by quilt design. What is your dream needlepoint project? >> My dream needlepoint is sort of like my dream car, something I’d love but will never get. It’s a set of Bargello seats for dining room chairs. Not only wouldn’t I have the time or energy to do them,

Read More...

I just finished the last round of proofreading this afternoon (at last) and the book will be going to press next week. You can see the front cover above and learn more about the book on its webpage (http://www.napaneedlepoint.com/tips.html). Everyone who has the first edition (sold out since Spring 2006) and who has read the second edition loves it. Just rereading it this morning, I got so many good ideas, I wish I was stitching instead of typing. You’ll love it too. It’s a perfect size for slipping in your stitching bag and stitchers at any level will find great information. Needlework shops can order it immediately and I shop as soon as they arrive. The book will also be available in on-line and local bookstores, but that won’t be until mid-September. In September I will be doing a Virtual Book Tour visiting stitching blogs, chat rooms, and websites. If

Read More...