This new pattern by Alicia Paulson (Posie Gets Cozy) has the perfect little touch of hand embroidery. Go to her blog post for ordering information.
Asylum embroidery
I’m touched by annekata‘s post about the embroidered works of patients in European psychiatric institutions during the 1800s. This is the first I’ve heard of the Prinzhorn Collection, but I want to know much more. Of the garment shown … Read More...
Inspiration: Dog-Daisy Chains
This “little hand-sized silk purse” takes my breath away. It’s the work of Jackie of Dog-Daisy Chains, whose embroidered velvet brooches give me tears every time she posts photos. And now: little reticules that look like blooms. Gorgeous. See … Read More...
Tutorial: Cross-stitch basics
Anna of Mochimochi Land blog is documenting the basics of cross-stitch. If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at this style of embroidery, you’ll enjoy her clear instructions and plentiful photos. Go to Anna’s blog post.
Giveaway from Rosie Geissler
Innovative machine embroiderer Rosie Geissler is starting a monthly giveaway! The first prize up for grabs: this awesome embroidered quote. Go to Rosie’s blog post for entry details. Deadline: March 31, 2011.
Freebie: Desktop calendar from Janet M. Davies
A free desktop calendar for March, featuring the needle art of Janet M. Davies, is available free from JMD Designs. Go get it.
Become a SWAK fan, get freebies!
Heads up!
Free patterns: Hand embroidery
This cross-stitch roundup is all about free patterns. We have created this quick list with links to each Cross stitch pattern. We have tried to choose free patterns to suit something for everyone.
Please note that these patterns were … Read More...
SharonB is such a tease
SharonB is sharing this “teaser” for the next set of worksheets she’s putting together. She says,
… Read More...This is one of the examples I am using for whipped spoke stitch…Worksheets are designed by me to build into a hand embroiderer’s resource
Inspiration: tinytoadstool
Ooooooooooo, gorgeous. Felted and embroidered pompoms from Shan Shan of tinytoadstool. See more photos at her blog post.
Stitch for Sarah Jane
Sarah Jane needs your help. She says,
… Read More...I am getting some new embroidery patterns ready for the shop, but I am hoping to have quite a few designs and I don’t think I’ll be able to hand embroider all of
Tutorial: Brazilian hydrangea
Kathy Shaw (Shawkl) demos a tricky but gorgeous Brazilian embroidery stitch. This hydrangea flower uses boucle thread, which gives it extra texture. See the tute.
Martha cross-stitches
For the March issue of Martha Stewart’s Living magazine, her crafty minions (known as The Crafts Dept.) forayed into cross-stitch. The upshot: a rockin tutorial for beginners, free patterns for some charming silhouette images and simple alphabets, and ideas … Read More...
The importance of stitch direction
Does it matter whether you stitch right-to-left or left-to-right? Mary Corbet says it does. Find out why from her Needle ‘n’ Thread blog post.
Free sampler charts: Sins and virtues
Kell of Kincavel Krosses follows up her individual Seven Deadly Sins charts with a pair of free samplers: Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues. You know you want them!
Stitchy tutes
The web is full of tutorials for basic and fancy embroidery stitches. If you’re new to embroidery or could use a refresher, check these out:
(1) Woven picots from Sarah Whittle
(2) Coral stitch from Carina’s Craftblog
(3) Crown stitch … Read More...
Needles for newbies
If you’re new to needlework, you may not yet realize that needles are not created equal. Betsy of She Twinkles gives a quick rundown of the most-used types of needles. See her post.
Inspiration: Creative Daily
This little pretty by Lorraine of Creative Daily makes me sing with delight. She says modestly, “I was practicing stitching and some more beading on this one! Background is strips of lace and a crocheted doily.” Imagine what she’ll create … Read More...
Enter Pat’s giveaway
Pat of Bird Nest on the Ground is celebrating her third blogaversary with an awesome giveaway: one of her gorgeous candlestick pin cushions, a mini appliqued and embroidered landscape, and more (including chocolate!). Go to her blog post to enter… Read More...