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BLACKWORK: A blast from the past

The Victoria & Albert Museum textile collection is superb, but one piece really takes the cake – a blackwork jacket from the early 17th Century, embroidered all over with flowers, birds, insects, and fantastical beats. The design is worked free-form in backstitch and tiny straight stitches, to imitate the woodcuts of the period. The embroideryContinue reading “BLACKWORK: A blast from the past”

Stitched textiles: seascapes

Authors: Hislop, Amanda I have reviewed most of the books in this series and most have inspired me to think outside the box – not that much of that thinking has resulted in actual embroideries! The author trained in woven textiles at a tertiary college but has since moved on to become a textile artist andContinue reading “Stitched textiles: seascapes”

Cat Lady Embroidery: 380 ways to stitch a cat

Authors: APPLEMINTS Creative Publishing, Minneapolis Review: 2018 ISBN: 978 1 58923 964 7 120 pages Originally published in Japan two years ago, those of you who love cats will be grateful that someone picked it up and decided that it was worth translating into English. Now, don’t get me wrong, I adore Daisy and Fumi, cats whoContinue reading “Cat Lady Embroidery: 380 ways to stitch a cat”

Embroidered Boxes: Techniques and projects

Authors: Broughton, Emma Review: Ramsbury, Marlborough, Crowood Press, 2019 ISBN: 978 1 78500 563 3 192 pages I wanted the last review for 2019 to be a positive one. I was beginning to despair. A book on appliquéing was, I thought, too technical. One on stumpwork, made by an Australian, now deceased, I did not find particularlyContinue reading “Embroidered Boxes: Techniques and projects”

Needleweaving Picots

These wee picots form the sepals for the Bluebell scissor fobs some of you will make for sale at the Display in October. The link below is very clear and makes it look easy, which it is, however I found I needed a little practice in order to get my tension right stitching on aContinue reading “Needleweaving Picots”

The intentional thread: A guide to drawing, gesture and color in stitch

Brandeis, SusanThe intentional thread: A guide to drawing, gesture and color in stitch. Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing, 2019ISBN: 978 0 7643 5743 5224 pages Susan Brandeis is a Distinguished Professor Emerita and a member of an academy of outstanding teachers. As well as being a studio artist, she holds graduate degrees in both art educationContinue reading “The intentional thread: A guide to drawing, gesture and color in stitch”

Blackwork pattern of the month – ‘Facing Tortoiseshell’

Sashiko, a traditional form of Japanese embroidery using the running stitch, is a great source of inspiration for blackwork. Both techniques employ geometric patterns, and both rely on the contrast between the embroidery and the ground cloth – although Sashiko is not counted and typically uses white thread on indigo fabric. This month’s blackwork patternContinue reading “Blackwork pattern of the month – ‘Facing Tortoiseshell’”

Jane Austen Embroidery

Book Review: Jane Austen Embroidery Authors: Batchelor, Jennie and Alison LarkinLondon, Pavilion, 2020ISBN: 978 1 911624 40 0 160 pages One of my daughters-in-law loves Jane Austen’s novels, even naming their daughter Cassandra – after Jane’s sister. I have to confess I am not a fan of Jane’s writing. I am though, a fan ofContinue reading “Jane Austen Embroidery”

Ladder Stitch

This stitch will be required for assembling the name-badges. Attaching the decorated front of the badge, to the back piece in the most invisible manner. References:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K27hokg1gpkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2B_fgEGMlMThank you, Raewyn Aprea

Blackwork Pattern of the Month – ‘Falling Fans’

This pattern was created by repeating a little fan (or leaf?) that I extracted from a larger motif in Blackwork Made Easy by Lesley Wilkins. In the diagram, 1 grid square equals 1 square on Aida or 2 threads on evenweave / linen. The sample is stitched with 1 strand of DMC 3051 (Dark GreenContinue reading “Blackwork Pattern of the Month – ‘Falling Fans’”