This exquisite humming bird is just one of the phenomenal embellishments Heather B of Canada added to a block for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project. Go to the blog post for an image you can enlarge for study.
Tutorial: Painting a background
Kathy Shaw (Shawkl) is trying her hand at painting backgrounds for embroidery, and she’s sharing her technique. See her tutorial.
Just as special from the back
This is such a lovely idea! I wish I’d thought of it when I made a ring-bearer pillow for my niece’s wedding a few years ago. Deborah of Woolen Sails has added a verse to the back of the pillow. … Read More...
Inspiration: Dog-Daisy Chains
I’m always excited to see a glimpse of a fiber artist’s process; doubly so when the artist is one whose work I follow regularly and would love to emulate. So I was thrilled to see the latest blog post by … Read More...
Inspiration: Susan S
I’m crazy about the colors of this block created by Susan S of Wisconsin for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project. The block has many gorgeous touches, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the long-stemmed … Read More...
I can has ears, please?
Victoria Crowder Payne is stitching this needlepainted kitteh as a donation for a Humane Society fundraiser. You can watch her in action–she’s stitching in public around the Kansas City area. Go to her blog to get details.
Can’t wait to get home!
Although cross-stitch is no longer part of my beat, I just have to share this work by Lisa Leggett of A Cuppa Tea with Me. If you’re female, the image probably brought a smile of agreement to your lips. But … Read More...
Tutorial: Framing in a flexi-hoop
You know those handy little flexi-hoops? The ones with a grooved plastic inner ring and a stretchy rubbery outer ring? Let’s say you want to hoop a small work for hanging, but you don’t like the plasticky-rubbery look of the … Read More...
Tutorial: ‘Knotty Christmas Trees’
These squeezable little ornaments will make excellent gift tie-ons or tree ornaments next Christmas. Get the stitching out of the way now! Go to Jenny Bartoy‘s Stumbles & Stitches post for the pattern and tutorial.
Tutorial: Felt needle threader
Mollie of Wild Olive shows step by step how to create this handy and adorable needle threader to tuck into your stitching kit. See her tutorial.
Make a stitching kit for a young one
Curly Birds shares an idea for making your little one a sewing or embroidery kit of his or her very own. This isn’t so much a tutorial as a suggestion, but the inspiration is irresistible. Go to the blog post
Hen’s Teeth: Divine recycling
Viv of Hen’s Teeth has been busily stitching up wares in her signature style: colorful modern images on bits and scraps of old cloth and quilts. For example, take these brooches. No, wait…don’t take them. I want them! See much … Read More...
You could make this Yorkie!
How I wish I could do bead embroidery like The Lone Beader! Now I have my chance–and so do you. TLB is offering the pattern and tutorial for this adorable Yorkie pin in her Etsy shop. Go to her … Read More...
Tutorial: Covered buttons
Debra Spincic of Debra’s Design Studio shows how she transforms scraps of fabric and needlework into luxurious covered buttons. See her tutorial.
Inspiration: Catherine Frere-Smith
The heavily embroidered bird soft sculptures of Catherine Frere-Smith are breathtaking in detail. See photos of her works as they emerge at her blog.
Many thanks to Carolyn Foley of Caro-Rose-Creations for pointing out Catherine’s work.
This week: ‘Needle Work Needle Play’
Needle Work Needle Play, a group show by nine Australian embroidery artists, opens Friday, August 10, at the Brunswick Street Gallery in Fitzroy. If you can’t make it to Australia to see the exhibit (or if you can, but you’d … Read More...
Hiding the beginning and end
Anita of Artistic Fingers shows how to start and end thread invisibly in shadow work. See her tutorial.
Inspiration: Chris Richards
How many stitches do you need to know to be able to create beautiful embroidery? Evidently, only one. Chris of Ella’s Craft Creations developed this breathtaking work using only running stitch. (OK, OK, she got a little fancy with the … Read More...
Transfer, stabilize, dissolve: Magic!
Wendi Gratz of Shiny Happy World demos a new product from her online store, Sulky’s Sticky Fabri-Solvy. Use your inkjet printer to print a design onto one of these self-adhesive stabilizer sheets. Then stick the sheet to your embroidery fabric, … Read More...
Win Vetty’s ‘Portuguese Whitework’
Into Craft has posted a review of the latest book by our beloved Yvette Stanton, Portuguese Whitework. And they’re also giving away a copy of the book! Go to the Into Craft post for entry details. The contest … Read More...