Crewel birds; Jacobean embroidery takes flight

Search Press has been prolific this year! I’ve just reviewed two books of crewel work projects published by them – neither of which use wool, the traditional thread for crewel, although one does have a conversion chart from DMC to Appleton’s crewel wool colours. Both books have the usual Materials and Tools section. Both have well illustrated, extensive stitch dictionaries which include some interesting variations on familiar stitches and some stitches which look challenging. I suggest that you have your doodle cloth handy. Do read the introduction in both books. They reveal so much of the authors’ passion for what they create.
The second book is… Crewel Birds

The six (male) birds in this book all have Hazel’s unique exuberant stamp on them. They are worked in DMC threads with a few others thrown in. There is a ‘tips’ section – essential reading before embarking on a bird! Do you know that a wee dab of superglue on your finger is a useful part of your tool kit? General instructions cover all six designs. Hazel is adamant that the embroidery needs to be done in a hoop or on stretcher bars. She is making her six birds into a rag book but she has suggestions for other ways they may be displayed. Each bird is preceded with a list of materials, threads and beads needed. Then come numbered stitching instructions. They look straightforward to follow. If fantastical birds are your thing, do have a look at this book. I rather fancy Kevin myself – a very colourful sort of pheasant – he has a gorgeous floral and fruity tail.

Each book has templates in the back which can be photocopied and transferred onto fabric. Having tested them, Hazel likes Frixion pens. So do I. I was surprised at the size of the templates in both books. Tatiana’s are slightly larger than Hazel’s but except for Tatiana’s Tree of Happiness design, none need to be enlarged. Both authors encourage you to change colours and/or stitches. Given the complexity of some of the stitches, especially in Hazel’s projects, which include needle weaving and needle lace, it’s nice to feel one has that freedom straight from the designers’ pens.

Both this and Tatiana Popova’s Crewel Embroidery have templates in the back which can be photocopied and transferred onto fabric. Having tested them, Hazel likes Frixion pens. So do I. I was surprised at the size of the templates in both books. Tatiana’s are slightly larger than Hazel’s but except for Tatiana’s Tree of Happiness design, none need to be enlarged. Both authors encourage you to change colours and/or stitches. Given the complexity of some of the stitches, especially in Hazel’s projects, which include needle weaving and needle lace, it’s nice to feel one has that freedom straight from the designers’ pens.

Do have a look at this and Popova’s Crewel Embroidery. They both offer unique, fun but challenging embroidery projects. Even if you aren’t fussed on the projects but would like to extend your stitch repertoire, the wonderful stitch dictionaries in each book are worth a perusal.

Erica Marsden