Jul
3
You can be Matisse!
July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Okay, maybe you can’t actually become Matisse. But you can use his cutouts as design elements in your own needlework creations. See this great post by Janet Perry of Nuts About Needlepoint about how to take advantage of the Mastisse Artist Widget from Abrakadoodle.com. Thanks so much for the heads-up, Janet!
Jul
3
Great stitch tutorial
July 3, 2008 | 2 Comments
Jeanne at Just String blog has posted an excellent tutorial on spiral trellis stitch. The explanation is clear, and lots of photos guide us through the steps. Be aware that, because the post is picture heavy, it may take a while to load. But hang in there; it’s worth it!
Jul
3
Free fireworks pattern
July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
With Independence Day coming up in the U.S. on Friday, patriotic patterns seem to be on everyone’s minds. Here’s a great free cross-stitch pattern with a seasonal flair. Thanks to designer Erica Michaels and Rainbow Gallery web site.
Jul
2
Free embroidery pattern
July 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Badbird’s free embroidery pattern for July is available for download, and it’s a cutie. Meet Jacob the Octopus, another brainchild of Andrea Zuill. Download the free pattern from the Badbird’s blog.
Jul
2
Teeny tiny tutorials
July 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Janet Granger is a goddess of miniature needlepoint; and her site, Dollshouse Embroidery Kits, will help you become one, too. Janet’s free online tutorials walk you through everything from basic equipment to working with fine fabrics such as 32-count silk gauze. Several additional tutorials are coming soon. Even if you’re not likely to take up this tiny artform, take a look at Janet’s kits. The scale and detail are fascinating.
Jul
2
Great idea: Filigree + embroidery
July 2, 2008 | 1 Comment
I’ve just discovered Guyot Brothers, a manufacturer of filigree jewelry findings. The Guyot Brothers site notes a use for these metal bits and baubles that never before occurred to me: They can be used as miniature needlepoint or embroidery canvases.
The site says, “Another product more recently considered as a base for needlepoint is filigree stampings. With its symmetry and range of sizes and shapes, filigree is an interesting alternative for those who want to mix stitchery with jewelry making. Brooches, pendants, and even earrings can be made with needlepoint, adding new dimension, textures for the needlepoint artist, and a multitude of color choices for the jewelry maker…Guyot Bros. manufactures scores of filigree items that can be used as needlepoint canvases including brooches, buttons or even Christmas tree ornaments.”
As the example shown here proves, the results can be spectacular. Guyot sells directly only to manufacturers and volume users. But the site offers a list of outlets that sell in retail quantities.
Jul
1
Help Brenda find a threader
July 1, 2008 | 4 Comments
Reader Brenda Gomez asks, “I need a REALLY good needle threader. Or a better way to thread a needle. I hand embroider. I have broken 12 threaders in 2 months. The wires come out.”
I hear you, Brenda! A needle threader is a necessity for me. I’m not only at the bifocal stage of my life, but also I have a tremor that makes precise tasks difficult. I don’t like the little threaders that look like a shred of wire on a piece of tinfoil. They don’t hold up for me, either. So I looked around on line to see what other options might be available. Here are some of my finds. I can’t vouch for them from personal experience - I haven’t tried any of them. But they all look as if they have potential.
Wire needle threader in a tube
DMS needle threader 3 in 1
Clover embroidery needle threader
Black oval needle threader
Needle threader that works like a stapler
Timeless Touches needle threader for thick fibers
So what’s my tried-and-true personal needle-threading technique? I use dental-floss threaders. (This is another side-effect of aging: I have bridgework; and my dentist gave me some floss threaders to help me clean the area between bridge and gums. I immediately saw the crafting potential!) Floss threaders are little loops of a material that feels like fishing line - thin but strong. They eventually break apart under pressure; but because they’re so inexpensive (or free, if your dentist is generous), it’s no problem just to grab a new one. Check the toothpaste aisle of your discount store.
If you’ve tried one of the threaders I’ve listed and you have an opinion about it, or if you have a favorite threader that isn’t mentioned here, please add a comment to this post. Brenda - and I - would appreciate it.
Jul
1
Needlepoint “twinchy” challenge
July 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Janet Perry at Nuts About Needlepoint blog invites us to participate in a monthly challenge, creating tiny works of needlepoint called “twinchies.” These 2-inch-square pieces can be completed in an evening. Janet says, “The rules are simple, take the theme and do with it what you will. I’ll announce the theme in a blog post on the first of every month. The last day of the month, I’ll have an entry showing you what I’ve come up with for the theme.” if you’d like to stitch along, check out the details on this blog post.
Jul
1
More SRE video tutes
July 1, 2008 | 2 Comments
Melissa keeps adding video tutorials for silk ribbon embroidery to the Honey Bee’s Bliss blog. Her tutes for the spiderweb rose and sweetheart rose, in particular, are outstanding. (I see now that I’ve been doing these the hard way. And my results weren’t that great. From now on, I’m doing it Melissa’s way.) Better bookmark this site. It looks as if there are lots of good things ahead!
Jun
30
Win a Janome embroidery machine
June 30, 2008 | 2 Comments
SWAKembroidery.com is celebrating its grand opening through July 5, and Janome is helping SWAK celebrate by sponsoring a giveaway. You can get in the running for a Janome 350e embroidery machine by signing up for SWAKembroidery.com’s free newsletter or by submitting a postcard. The contest is limited to continental-US customers who are at least 18 years old. Get the details on SWAKembroidery.com.
And thanks to Jennifer Stern at Craftstylish for the heads-up!
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