Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Review of the Husqvarna Embroidery Machine
I will be reviewing here the Husqvarna Designer SE Limited Edition embroidery machine. This is a combination embroidery and sewing machine and is the latest in a large range of machines from the Swedish company Husqvarna.
The touch screen is possibly the largest screen around. You get an amazing 3D picture of your chosen design so that you can see exactly what you are going to get before you sew even a single stitch.
Everything you choose can be viewed first, this is such a boon, you won't make mistakes that are time consuming to rectify, you will be able to get it right the first time.
The presser feet are sensitized so that they can recognize different thicknesses of fabric and adjust themselves accordingly and the machine adjusts pressure too. You then have both hands free to guide your fabric. If you are sewing something large like a quilt this is really important to be able to support and guide with both hands.
You don't have to have little trials when you are using different material. Simply instruct the machine as to what type of material, what thickness and the type of sewing technique you want to use and the machine will do the rest. Setting everything just right for this particular project. So again, no mistakes.
You can save designs or transport them using the 32mb USB embroidery stick. You also have the choice of storing them straight onto a CD or floppy drive [if you have bought these options].
This limited edition is the happy result of collaboration between the engineers at the Swedish company Husqvarna Viking and dedicated skilled sewers worldwide.
The lighting system to illuminate your working area provides the optimum light required.
The Designer SE has an increased embroidery speed which is very good news indeed for anyone who does this kind of work as a business also you can find out how long each color will take to embroider.
I have seen reviews by several disgruntled owners of the Husqvarna embroidery machine, the Designer SE Limited Edition and I am sorry to say they regretted changing or upgrading from the model they had. On the other end of the scale everyone else is over the moon with the quality of performance.
This gives one pause for thought about why there is this discrepancy between different owners views. Have they all just got lemons, and if so why were their problems not sorted by the company?
In some instances the dealers who supplied the 'bad' machines were less than helpful and I can't help but think that Husqvarna should be more careful about the people who sell their machines. Their unhelpful responses must reflect badly on the manufacturer.
Find Out More
Click Here For More Free Information and Reviews
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Organize your Craft Supplies
When you start a craft project, you end up spending more time looking for your tools and supplies than you actually working on your craft? If you do this, you're not alone! If you do any type of crafting or creative work, the supplies that you use quickly spread and take over your home. The more crafts and hobbies you do, the more you need for organization.
Organize your supplies and tools you can quickly find the items that you must complete a craft. Organization will also save you money you don't have to walk at the last moment and buy a new pair of scissors or yarn strict replacing the ones you don't find it!
There are two different ways to organize your craft supplies, and opportunities are better for you than the other. If you are only one or two kinds of crafts, such as scrapbooking and knitting work, it is easier to get yourself a complete kit for each vessel. That way you can pull out your Pocket scrapbooking and getting started, without grabbing tools from a bunch of different locations.
If you have a large variety of crafts--one day, the following must do beading sewing and soap making a week later, then you can organize your deliveries per type. That way you don't have to dig through your sewing stuff to find your scissors whenever you want them for a project.
Organize by Craft:
If you decide to organize your supplies by the type of craft that they are for, make a kit for each vessel that you do. In the ideal case the kit include everything that you will use the craft, along with your tools and raw materials.
Begin collecting all of the supplies that you have in one area. This will allow you to get an idea of exactly how many items you have and how big of a container you must save them. Once you have everything in one place, or buy a container, select apply all items. Check out the storage of your local craft shop, and the scrapbook section also--punching machines have mastered the art of preserving, and you can check out their pieces for a craft that you desire. You should also check out the selection of address boxes on your local sports store, they are designed with small items in mind.
Choose a cheap pencil box for tools such as scissors, tweezers, needles and related items, so you can find what you need quickly. Use small containers such as plastic film barrels and storage containers in which little items so they don't get lost.
Place your objects in the storage container, with the largest things such as books, materials, and other large pieces on the bottom. Top with the smallest items, and close the lid. When you are ready to work on a project, just pull your box and get to work, without wasting time looking for loose objects and delivers.
Organize by Type of delivery:
Creative people often Excel in more than one area. It is not unusual for someone who enjoys on craft such as quilting, beading, embroidery to spread in or even knitting. As they learn more techniques, yet they more deliveries. If this sounds like you, you will probably work best if you sort your items by type.
Having all your fabrics on one location you can find out things for a project very quickly. If you sort by color, you can get a good sense of what you have and what you need before you head to the store. You can also save all your scissors and cutting tools together, and grab a few handy or you sewing or working at a paper craft.
To start your items by type-converts all the beads in one location, all substances in a different sort. Markers and pens that can be stored, such as adhesives. Choose a container for each type of item and the container a label. That way when you work on a project you can gather what you need, and get a good sense of what supplies you have at hand.
In this way can help to organize the creative process-sometimes just seeing that all your materials can help you see things together in a new light, and trigger new ideas.
Regardless of which technique you choose, organize your stash of craft supplies can help you quickly find things, and spend more time crafting and less time looking for lost objects.
Whether you're looking for craft supplies or items, factory direct Craft ready has it all. If you feel the creative urge, craft supplies you can just about any that you may have. Whatever you need we are certainly have!
Breast Cancer Awareness – Free Patterns from the Blog-o-Sphere
Many of you have been requesting more Stitch Pink patterns to stitch for Breast Cancer Awareness.
In addition to the wonderful patterns given here on the DMC blog site, including the ribbon, pink flower, pink bird and the crown, there are other patterns you may wish to stitch.
Check out the pretty pink ribbon with a yellow rose designed by M. Schier and featured on the crosstitch.com site, or the Angel Ribbon from Little MoJo.
Quilters can stitch these free Think Pink and Ribbon Angels quilt blocks, designed and offered by Sindy Rodenmayer over at the FatCat Patterns site.
Applique the designs to the blocks by machine using machine embroidery or quilting threads.
Crocheters can work up these gorgeous pink crochet and beaded earrings designed by Cynthia!
These would look terrific worked in DMC Color Variations Size 5 Pearl Cotton in colors 4180 or 4190!
A complete tutorial for working the stitches over the wire is included on her site.
Happy Stitching!
~Emma
Friday, December 23, 2011
Oct 7, Working Blackwork Embroidery Stitches
The double running stitch, also known as the Holbein stitch, is the cornerstone of blackwork embroidery stitches. Blackwork is often worked as a filled area with an outline. Usually, you use a thread of equal weight to the threads in the fabric as a fill and outline in a thicker thread.
To make the double running stitch, sew across the row in one direction and then sew back in the other direction, filling the gaps. It's easy and reversible. Double running stitch is the most common outline stitch. Filling stitches are usually made up of the cross stitch, backstitch, and running stitch. They're combined in various geometric patterns to create the fill.
Blackwork stitches offer good fills to cover large areas in mixed works, too, especially texture on buildings, houses, and roofs.
To stitch blackwork, you should use an evenweave fabric, or use waste canvas to stitch designs to clothing. It's best to stitch blackwork embroidery in a hoop or frame for even tension as you work.
Work from the center out. It's easier to do partial stitches as you reach the edges than it is to start there.
Remember, it can be in color, too! Try redwork or bluework for a change. It looks really neat worked in some of the new DMC Color Variations multicolored embroidery threads.
A lot of people have asked me about the order for working the stitches in the complex fill patterns. That is only important if you're trying to do reversible blackwork. Otherwise, do whatever order you want to, just try to keep the back from turning into a tangled bird nest!
Check out this advice when you're ready to end a thread in the double running stitch.
Aug 5, When to Use Different Stitches
by Amy
(Pennsylvania)
I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am older, I love it and want to learn it so I can pass it on to my daughter.
I ordered and received some patterns and tools from Jenny Hart at Sublime Stitching. She described in wonderful detail how to do all the different types of stitches, but the patterns don't explain or recommend what stitches to use.
So, my question is, how do I know when to use what stitch while embroidering? Is it all a personal preference, or do certain stitches work better with certain patterns?
Thank you in advance for any and all help and advice!
Amy's Answer
Hi, Amy, love your name! ;-)
Usually patterns have a chart with a key that will tell you which stitch to use where. Are you talking about cross stitch or crewel embroidery?
Crewel is sometimes up to the stitcher. Some stitches are naturally better for lines and some are better for filling areas. Usually you go back and outline filled areas with the backstitch or running stitch, but be sure to do that last.
Recommended Reading
Basic Crewel Embroidery Stitches
Cross Stitch Beginner Guide
Silk Ribbon Embroidery Stitches
Needlepoint Novice
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Arts & Crafts Supplies For Your Next Project
If you have some spare time in your hands and you think you have a flair for the arts then why not start a hobby in arts & crafts? There are different ways to develop your skills in creating things that have practical and decorative uses. Arts & crafts have different types which include those involving textiles, wood, metal, clay, paper, canvas, and plants among many others. You just need to choose which one interests you the most and purchase arts & crafts supplies in the nearest shopping mall, arts & crafts supply store or online.
Arts & crafts supplies can be bought from stores or can be recycled from stuff you can find right at your home. It only takes patience and a lot of creativity to create handicrafts which you can use as accessories and decorations. Arts & crafts can serve as a hobby or a way to earn some extra money. This is why most schools have programs and subjects which include creating things manually to give children a chance to discover and develop skills which can be useful in the future. Parents in turn can help their kids to enhance their interests in the arts and crafts because this can also be a way to spend quality family time together.
Arts & crafts supplies can be bought in kits according to their different types such as:
* Textile arts & crafts - calligraphy, cross-stitch, crocheting, embroidery, knitting, macramé, needlepoint, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, weaving and t-shirt art.
* Wood, metal or clay arts & crafts - woodworking, jewelry making, pottery, sculpture and metalworking.
* Paper or canvas arts & crafts - card-making, collage, origami, paper craft, papier-mâché, and rubber stamping.
* Plants arts & crafts - basket weaving, floral design, pressed flower craft and flower arrangement.
* Other arts & crafts - balloon animals, beadwork, doll and dollhouse making, mosaics and toy making.
Supplies may include the following:
* Brushes
* Canvasses
* Paints & inks
* Pencils, pens & markers
* Yarns & wools
* Glue & adhesives
* Fabric
* Foam
* Ribbons
* Candle & soap
* Leather
* Glass
* Beads
* Paper
* Dried flowers & leaves
* Clay
* Crayons & oil pastels
The easiest arts & crafts projects you can do with your kids are those involving paper and some crayons. You can do coloring and drawing activities, card-making for all occasions and the Asian art of folding paper called the origami. These are fun ways to spend time with the children and which can be done by everyone all at the same time. Arts & crafts supplies for these activities can be easily purchased from the bookstore or stationery shop. Your kids may even have these materials right in their school bags. However for more ambitious projects, it would be best to purchase arts & crafts supply kits which come complete with illustrations and instructions.
Zipcodez.com is a widely-used local business listings service and search engine. It features a complementary collection of useful topics and resources from "Arts & Entertainment" to "Wireless & Telecommunications." If you are interested in the topic of "Arts & Crafts" you might also want to read "A Variety of Craft Art Products - Craft Shops" and "Liven Up Your Fabrics with Simple to Intricate Designs - Embroidery" available at [http://www.zipcodez.com/article/featured-articles.htm].
Enjoying The Art of Embroidering Using a Sewing Machine
One of the oldest hobbies that women have been enjoying for many generations is embroidering. In numerous different countries throughout the world, the art of embroidering is an integral part of their culture. Women assemble into a group and work together as a unit on some designs. Because they work within a group, women also get to socialize and talk amongst themselves as they work on embroidery.
A Stitch In Time
Many centuries ago, and still in some areas nowadays, women embroider by hand. Because they work with just their bare hands, intricate embroidery designs would quite often require many months of hard work. Women who used to work many long hours doing intricate embroidery designs very often strained their eyes as well as their back in the process.
Many hours of straining her eyes to follow along some embroidery designs would cause vision problems. In some cases, women who have been creating intricate embroidery designs might end up having difficulty with their eyesight at a very early age.
With the introduction of the embroidery sewing machine, the job of embroidering had become less taxing. With the utilization of the embroidery sewing machine, a complex design could now be completed in just a matter of hours dependent upon the speed of the embroidery sewing machine.
Although quite a few people would still claim that hand embroidered items are much better quality compared to those that are completed with an embroidery machine, having a machine is certainly a more convenient way of completing jobs. Besides, having an embroidery sewing machine in your house will assist you to save both money and time when you wish to have something embroidered.
Complete Pattern for Your Linens and Other Household Items
Decorating your house can be a very enjoyable job. Nevertheless, if you actually wish to make your home look homey and warm, you will need to spend some time, effort and money into achieving the hoped-for look as well as ambiance.
If you have an embroidery sewing machine in your house, you can save quite a bit of money by creating your own embroidered linens. The great thing about your own embroidery is that you get to select the patterns and designs that you prefer without actually spending a fortune.
Having your own embroidery sewing machine at your house has some excellent advantages. If you have such a machine in your house, you can create some exquisitely embroidered linen to make your dining table appear really personalized. You can create your own unique designs and patterns to make everything distinct and uniquely you.
Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of embroidery. If you would like to learn more go to Sewing Fun Stuff [http://www.sewingfunstuffpro.com/] advice and at Sewing Machine [http://www.sewingfunstuffpro.com/sewing-machine/] tips.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Essential Cross Stitch Supplies You Will Want to Buy
Are you planning to present a cross stitched item made by you as a gift for your friend's birthday or as a Christmas present for your grandmother? It is an excellent and very innovative idea and you will be thanked for giving them such unique gifts. Cross stitch is very easy and if you are a beginner then also it is hassle free. You can start with simple designs and migrate to complicated ones once you are accustomed with the process. There are some important necessities like the cross stitch materials that you need for your creation.
Fabric
The most favored fabric for cross stitch is the Aida. It is made of cotton and has large pores. So this is a very good material to work on if you are a novice or if your eyesight is not good. You can use some other cross stitch materials also such as linen which give very good effects. It is better that you first try out your handiwork on inexpensive fabrics. Make sure to use an embroidery hoop which helps in keeping your fabric taut and facilitates easy stitching This also ensures no oil staining problems on your fabric and prevents your hands from becoming moist. Leave a gap of 3-4 inches on each side of the design.
Needles
Tapestry needles are best suited for your cross stitching purposes and one of the most essential cross stitch materials The blunt end and the large eye of the needle prevents damage to the fabric. Select the right sized needles that can pass through the holes in the fabric effortlessly without enlarging them or distorting the fabric. Also never leave your needles on the fabric as it could leave a stain.
Threads
Use single strands of embroidery floss when you are using 2 threads for stitching. If you are uncertain about the color fastness of the floss make sure that you wash them before you use them. Immerse the individual skeins separately in distilled water. If the color of the embroidery floss bleeds when you move it in water remove the skein and use the same procedure with fresh water till the color stops running. Remove and dry it.
Frames and Hoops
Embroidery frames and hoops are good options among cross stitch materials to mount your fabric onto so that it is easy to handle and the stitches are smooth. Select a frame that envelops your entire design without you having to fold the fabric or bend it. If you use white bias tape on the outer ring of the hoop this will hold the fabric in place and prevent it from staining as well. Using a tissue paper between your fabric and the wooden hoop also helps to prevent your fabrics from getting stained by the wooden hoops.
Scissors
Always use a sharp pair of embroidery scissors for cutting the threads neatly.
April owns website Cross Stitch Supplies which has details of where to purchase cheap cross stitch frames [http://crossstitchsupplier.com/Store/cross-stitch-frame] and cheapest cross stitch kits [http://crossstitchsupplier.com/Store/cross-stitch-kit]
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Jun 3, Cross Stitch Pattern Maker Advice
Designing your own free cross stitch design is easier than you think. You can be a cross stitch pattern maker and transform your photos or original artwork into cross stitch patterns.
When you develop a chart from a pre-existing work, you are making derivative artwork. Copyright holders own the rights to derivative artwork as well. If you are not using your own photo or artwork, please check that what you are using is public domain. For more information, read about the Idea-Expression divide on Wikipedia (opens in a new window).
Make a chart If you are computer savvy, you can develop a chart yourself. Or there are software packages that you can buy.
Regardless, you need to select a photo or artwork with good contrast. The process will limit the color palette, so subtle shading disappears.
Use a photo or scanned artwork that is 640 x 480 pixels or larger.Pixilate or mosaic the cell size to 5. This editing option is usually found in the special effects area, depending on which program you use.Adjust the brightness and contrast to whatever looks best.Time to posterize! This is also normally under special effects. Choose a number to set the number of colors in the image, which translates to the number of floss colors in your chart. Something between 5 and 20 is best. The higher the number, the more details and shading you'll have.Open a new image file that's 5 x 5 pixels, since you used a cell size of 5 earlier. Give it a transparent background and a black foreground. Zoom in to 1600%.Choose a pencil tool with size 1 pixel. Draw a 1 pixel wide line up the left side and across the top. You'll repeat this image to create a grid, so you only need lines on two sides.Select all then define the image as a pattern. You may need to save the file to use it as a pattern, but some programs will let you just select all.Go back to the original photo or artwork. Fill with the pattern as your contents. It should form a black grid around the pixilated squares.Save your chart as a new file and print it out.Almost done! Now you need to calculate the floss colors. Visit this website with a DMC to RGB color conversion chart (opens in a new window). Check the RGB value of each color square in the file using your photo software, and you'll know which floss to use. You're now a DIY cross stitch pattern maker!This software is compatible with Windows?. It will convert your photos to charts and makes it easy for anyone to be a cross stitch pattern maker.
The PC Stitch Pro Cross Stitch Software-Version 7.0 allows photo conversion, the creation of pattern libraries, and the insertion of text or borders.
Whichever method you use, you'll soon become a cross stitch pattern maker so can design your own projects!
75th birthday Gift Guide and 75th Birthday Party Supplies
Turning 75 is a huge milestone event. Whether you are throwing a huge party or just having a small get together you'll want to acknowledge this special event. Here are several tips on finding the right present and other party accessories to make your event a success.
Personalized 75th Birthday Gifts-A personalized gift makes a unique present. From engraving to embroidery you can have anything custom made, but take time to consider who you are buying for before you commit to having anything set in stone. A personalized gift shows you put extra time and effort into your present. A personalized 75th birthday poem makes a great gift for a man or woman. You can find sentimental poems or funny poems about aging that will let you input your own information.
Practical 75 Gifts-Functional gifts make great presents because they can be used and have a purpose. Just because a gift is useful doesn't mean it can't highlight the birthday that is being celebrated. Take for instance a clock, a 75th clock will not only tell time and be a valued asset to whatever room it is placed in, but also serves as a memento of that special day they received it. This gift would be a timeless treasure.
75th Birthday Party Supplies-Planning a 75th birthday party means you not only need to arrange for the food but also are in charge of decorating the party location. Although finding 75th party supplies may require some additional effort. Older birthday celebrations tend to have a narrower market and many party stores will not carry these supplies, as always try to find what you need online. Items to look for range from 75th garland to 75th centerpieces.
75th Birthday Gift Basket-Want to give the ultimate 75th birthday present? A gift basket makes a great gift for someone turning 75! You can always make your own 75th birthday gift basket, tailoring it to their needs, their personality or just a 75th theme. A 75th gift basket can include a 75th mosquito, a 1935 CD, a 1935 trivia booklet and a 75th picture frame or photo album. Don't forget to look for items online, as you will get a better selection for you birthday basket.
Special Interest 75th Gift-Think not only about hobbies and what they do in their free time, but also about what they enjoy. Many older people love to watch movies and television, so a boxed classic movie set may be the perfect gift for your older loved one. Do they like to listen to music? A classic CD or 1945 music from when they were born makes a unique gift or consider a gift of music hits from when they were in their youth, a gift that is sure to bring back memories.
OvertheHillGifts.comLisa Klima is the owner or 75th birthday ideas, specializing in the 75th birthday gifts, and best.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Friday Blog Round Up 10/28/11
First up today is an inspiring story of a three day walk to help fight breast cancer. Angie from AKDesigns did the walk, and it seems like it was an amazing experience. As someone who lost her mother to cancer, and who has other family members who are fighting it, I applaud anyone who does something to help fight it. Judging by the post and the pictures, the experience was memorable and inspiring.
Second on the list is another in the great How To post from the NNEP blog. This time the post is about training salespeople on how to price embroidery. There are some very helpful tips here. I especially like the idea of a binder with samples to which the salesperson can refer. This is a very helpful series, and I hope it continues.
Third on the list is a terrific post from Erich Campbell about what we’re really selling when we think we’re selling embroidery. His post delves into what that embroidery can do for the people that buy it, and really helps present a different view of the work that embroiderers do. As usual, I love Erich’s work, and the new perspective he brings to things.
Fourth on the list, just because I can, and because I think it’s an important topic, is my post on the DecQuorum blog about making sure you’re advertising where your market is and not where you think they are. I see so many people wasting money and time advertising people who aren’t looking for what they have to offer. We all need to be more aware of who we’re trying to sell to and where those people are online and offline.
This is a short one this week, but I’ve been pressed for time. I’m also looking for blog recommendations. I’d especially love to hear about some more blogs that deal with machine embroidery. I keep looking and I find a lot of blogs about hand embroidery, but not many about machine embroidery. If anyone knows of a good blog I should be reading, please do let me know.
Organizing Craft Supplies-creative Tips on how you manage clutter your craft
If you happen to like me and love making crafts, you can then itself with a tray full of little craft supplies, with no organization. Things such as ribbons, loose beads jewelry findings, glue sticks, sequins and scraps of decorative paper are difficult to find a place for things that can. A lot of craft supplies, such as beads, come in small plastic bags that be stapled to the top. Once you open them, they are hard to keep closed again and things can fall out and get lost.
Not only can things get lost, but everything can very quickly be disorganized. When you sit down to do a craft project, you can find something, or lack of motivation since you can waste a lot of time looking for supplies. If this sounds like you, then read on because I would like to share with you some useful tips about organizing your craft supplies.
The first thing that you need to do if you haven't already done so to designate is a craft place to keep everything. The size of this space depends on how much you have. Maybe a drawer of a dresser is enough space, or for those with larger collections you may need to point out of a closet. Cabinets are beautiful spaces where you different boards within the pile of boxes of craft items can add. If a Cabinet is not available, consider buying a dresser or Bookshelf that only will be dedicated to saving your craft supplies.
Once you have your location, you will want to organize your supplies in different boxes. At home, I use the transparent plastic shoe boxes with removable lids, so that I can see the content within. Divide your craft supplies in categories. Mark using some labeling tape (or make some labels on your computer), clear what within each shoebox. Here are examples of the boxes that I have in my own craft closet tagged: ribbons and cords, adhesive and varnishes, lacquers, jewelry making items, felt and foam board, pipe cleaners, embroidery floss, hot glue gun & glue sticks, tissue paper and decoupage paper ... and so on. Some items may have a box of different sizes. For example, I use a box shirt for my felt and foam board pieces.
Paint brushes and pipe cleaners can be stored in an empty coffee can or can chip. I keep all my scrap booking papers and templates into a portable hanging folder case. My scrap books glue, scissors, markers and stamps all fit nicely in a craft supply box (which resembles a fishing tackle box). I choose to these items together and in portable since I don't always scrapbook at home.
Small pots are perfect for keeping small craft articles. Keep your eyes open and save all the small pots when you are ready with them in the kitchen. Baby food jars are great, but other spices come in pots of the perfect size too. I have some small pots loved gastronomic mustard, sundried tomatoes and capers! These jars can keep safety pins, sequins, Rocailles, jewellery findings or anything small. The jars can then be stored in a shoebox. For easy search, tag the top of the pot lid with what's inside. I Tape the lid even the item (such as the sequin, or the safety pin) so I know exactly what's inside by just the box and watching my pot lids. Craft shops also sell organizational supplies for your small items. The plastic compartmentalized boxes are great for storing beads.
Helps you organize your next by time saving when you do craft. You know exactly what you have at hand and when you get low on something. Plus your craft area will looks great!
Karen is from Cleveland, Ohio and crafting her entire life has enjoyed. They created a craft website with free craft projects for each season of the year. Each project has step by step instructions with lots of pictures to help along the way. Please http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com come by for a visit to
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Jan 20, Cross Stitch Sweet Heart Sampler
The Embroidery Blog is my project scrapbook for what I've been working on lately. This blog will...
let you know whenever any new web pages appear on the Embroidery Methods website, sharing new tips and project ideaskeep you up-to-date with other postings or news about embroidery, like the latest new materials available for stitching and stabilizingpoint out some special past ideas and advice that you might have missed.To subscribe to my blog (no e-mail necessary!), click on one of the buttons to the left in the box that says "Subscribe to This Site". Choose the orange RSS button to use the feed or click the button for your favorite service (Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc.)
Learn how to share your photos and stories and how to comment on what others have made. You are also welcome to ask questions and give answers! This is an interactive website.
The most recent blog items are listed below...
Nov 3, 2011Who's that? It's Oscar the Owl!
This free cross stitch pattern comes from DMC and uses Pearl cotton.
Oct 28, 2011My great-aunt Helen Black made this religious cross stitch that says, Give us this day our daily bread. It's a line from the Lord's Prayer. Her husband
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Daily Bread"
Oct 7, 2011The double running stitch or Holbein stitch and some easy crewel form the basic blackwork embroidery stitches.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Working Blackwork Embroidery Stitches"
Sep 23, 2011I was taught by a wonderful teacher, Ellen Temkin who realized that the horizontal patterns of Swedish Weaving would be perfect for a tallit - a Jewish
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Tallit Prayer Shawl"
Sep 23, 2011It's a hand embroidery by cross stitch. It was embroidered for my mother's birthday as a present. It shows the famous clock Big Ben reflected in the Thames
Permalink -- click for full blog post "London - Heritage"
Sep 2, 2011I need a program that will convert embroidery formats .dst and .pes to True Type lettering on the computer. My computer does not recognize embroidery
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Format Conversion Software"
Aug 31, 2011DMC now makes a fabric covered wire to match embriodery thread colors. It's called Memory Thread and can be used to create 3D embroidery.
Have you tried it? Please share a photo!
Aug 25, 2011I have always wondered what the difference is between needlepoint, needlepoint embroidery, and cross stitch. Can you help me out with that, as I have patterns
Permalink -- click for full blog post "What is the difference between Embroidery and Cross Stitch"
Aug 25, 2011Learn useful advice about buying and using huck toweling or huck cloth.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Toweling for Swedish Huck Weaving"
Aug 13, 2011Here's a creative idea for what to do with extra embroidery hoops!
You can mount them on the wall and use them to store jars.
Aug 5, 2011Hi! I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am
Permalink -- click for full blog post "When to Use Different Stitches"
Jul 21, 2011My mother, Gale Court, has been making quilts for 17 years. To date she has made over 500. She has never sold a quilt, they have always been made as gifts
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Quilt: Believe in Happiness All Around You"
Jul 16, 2011I have been having a problem with my punchneedles. The thread keeps breaking and it doesn't matter which needle I use or how many plys of thread. What
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Needlepunch Thread Keeps Breaking"
Jul 1, 2011Hi, I'm Lien from Malaysia. I've just started to learn ribbon embroidery this year from books and internet. These are photos among the first. I hope you
Permalink -- click for full blog post "First Attempts at Ribbon Embroidery on a T-shirt"
Jun 10, 2011Looking for crewel embroidery kits that include everything you need to complete a project with crewel embroidery stitches? I found some nice embroidery kits and listed them here.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Crewel Embroidery Kits"
Custom Office Supplies maximized if fair hand-outs
It is a must for each Office to have the right supplies they need for their daily work. Some of these supplies are clipboards, rulers and even calculators that help them a lot in their respective line of work. Although these things are fairly normal, they also have a particular purpose. They can be carried out to promote a particular industry.
Geritste Corporate Office supplies are known to provide additional advertising points to companies that they have as their official trade show freebies. That is because they are extremely useful in the Office and even in other areas such as good as home, school or other public places. You can even use them as motivational items for your own employees. Once you provide them this handy items they will be more encouraged to do better because often they now forward will look at the incentives that they potentially can get.
There are more advantages to the use of personalized Office supplies. Check out the others below give you more reasons to select these products:
Effortlessly customize-you'll discover that the duty of personalizing these products so effortlessly as ABC. Techniques such as embossing, screen printing and embroidery even you can customize it.
Very reasonable-what makes these items as affordable is the fact that a lot of vendors and suppliers to choose from so you wide range of prices. You also get a wide selection of stuff.
By now you are possibly convinced of their advertising potential and are already keyed to try them. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your custom printed office supplies make hunting:
Buy additional Items because these products are relatively inexpensive, you probably can afford to buy goods different kind of office. If you do, make sure that they each other in balance. For an illustration, you may want to also buy pens, notepads as a complement to the buy.
Other details Business-your company name and logo may not be enough to attract potential buyers. Try to set other information such as your website or telephone numbers.
Sarah Callister Kendra is a business Promotional Office Supplies logo gifts Adviser in Promotional Desktop supplies&. Read articles by Sarah Callister Kendra & know how you can market your products.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Seed beads-essential supplies for each Project Beading
Seed beads are so versatile, making them essential beading supplies to almost every beading project. This small glass beads come in a myriad of colors and are usually AB coated or lustred. They formed his pillow and come with a variety of opening sizes, so make sure you select appropriate size needles, beading cord or wire.
You can buy these beads strung in bunches or loose in containers. When you start making jewelry with seed beads, you will soon want to experiment and produce your own styles. They are generally cheap but if you want to complete multiple projects or jewelry for resale, then you should consider purchasing seed beads wholesale.
The best place for beads wholesale is on a local bead show.Bead Shows are very popular now days and can be found in most major cities.
Although, most shows are open to both retail and wholesale buyers, consider opening a resale tax number attend before each show. Buyers with a VAT number tend to be better treated and receive lower prices. Obtain a resale, VAT number is a simple process on your local tax authority carried out in an hour.
When selecting supplies try to go with colors that will blend or the colors of your larger beads and support pieces. Please bear in mind that these little beauties are there to serve as a forum to showcase your larger more colorful beads. Many times you will find containers of seed beads in coordinating colors. This small effort on the part of a supplier will guide the novice beader. Also consider the use of Bugles integration in your projects. Similar to Rocailles, bugles are small glass tubes in various lengths and colors available. The shorter the length of your bugle beads will reflect how lighter your piece. These beautiful pieces a reflective touch and looks great in embroidery work.
Make sure you seed beads in all your projects and miss the following wholesale bead show in your neck of the Woods. Good advise from one bead addict to another!
[http://www.all-bead-shows.com] Find a bead Show in your neck of the Woods!
Read featured articles about weekly bead shows, beads wholesale, jewelry supplies, beading projects and more
Thread - An Important Component When You Sew Or Stitch
Knitting, sewing and stitching have been known to be practiced for centuries, and the thread is an important part of this process. Grandmas and mothers have been knitting and sewing for the better part of the century, and have been able to create gorgeous designs and wonderful pieces using this art form.
Today, there are more colors and designs than ever imagined before. There is a wide range of different types of thread which can be used for even simple things. They also come in variety of colors to match any type of cloth or material. High quality items are essential if the work needs to last long and be in perfect shape years later.
Recognizing Thread Of Good Brands
For someone who works with needles and thread on a regular basis, it is important to recognize good brands. Once they start using these high quality raw materials, there is no doubt that the end result will be fabulous.
For their day-to-day activities, threads in crochet, Pearl cotton, heavy duty, wooly nylon and multi-colors among many others, can provide a lot when preparing and stitching clothes. These will go very well with high grade materials and will not tear off even in drastic cases. These shiny items will add an extra sparkle to the finished product and create repeat customers, where satisfaction is guaranteed.
Stitching Accessories Stitching a beautiful piece of cloth cannot simply be done with thread. To make it more attractive there are tons of other accessories that will only enhance the beauty of what you are working on. These accessories are embroidery backing, puffy foam, ribbon, and rhinestones.
These can be gifted along with an attractive set of the color coordinated thread with all the right embroidery supplies to go with it. They will warm the heart of the recipient if they have a deep love for the type of work that encourages the use of these items. A gift certificate will do just as well and convey feelings with the right touch.
If you need a blank canvas to create your masterpiece you can go ahead and look for embroidery blanks like market totes, plush fleece blankets and quilted duffel bags. With these the right person can surely create some great art. All the supplies that go along with this blank canvas are easily attainable and will provide much more impact than simply hassling yourself and spending time you don't have on this endeavor.
Some of the online sites, which supply customers with all they would ever require for their stitching and knitting needs, provide much more than that. If it is supplies for quilting or embroidery yarn that you require, you will get all these using the online suppliers. Just like any retail store you can browse through hundreds of selections that they have for your stitching needs, and you will definitely find something worthwhile for yourself.
If that's not all for all other enthusiasts who have never put a needle to cloth and still covet these masterpieces in shirts, bags, totes or quilts, you can get them from the online sites that have a collection of these along with the accessories like thread and ribbons.
ThreadArt.com is a good site that has everything you would ever need when it comes to thread, embroidery supplies and designs. Their vast range of raw materials will definitely bring a sparkle to anyone's eyes that have a yen for this sort of work or hobby.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Help Your Dojo Grow with Martial Arts Supplies
If you own a dojo that instructs students in karate, taekwondo, jujutsu, judo, or another form of martial arts, there are many martial arts supplies available to help make your dojo a huge success. You can provide uniforms and other martial arts supplies to students, making it easier for them to buy the items they need for training. You can also order materials and products to promote your dojo, to better equip your instructors, to aid students in advancement, and to participate in tournaments.
One way to help your dojo business grow is to provide uniforms for your students, either free (with their membership) or at low cost. You can provide uniforms that are specially designed with your dojo's colors or with personalized patches or badges. Karate, taekwondo, jujutsu, judo, and other types of uniforms can be purchased at wholesale prices easily online, so you can save money while passing savings on to your students. It will also save your students time so they can have the proper attire for their training immediately.
Be sure to order a variety of sizes and styles because each person is unique. Uniforms are different for men, women, and children, and they vary in material weight and quality. Choose only quality brand names such as Arawaza, Tokaido, or BudoNord to ensure each student's long-term satisfaction. If you offer several types of training at your dojo, it will make things easier if you can find an online store that provides uniforms for various types of martial arts training, such as karategi, judogi, or dobok. You'll likely receive a better wholesale discount when using only one source for martial arts supplies.
Customize Your Uniforms
For added personalization, you can have uniforms customized with embroidery and professional translations that will make your class really shine at competitions. Translations are often available at martial arts supply stores online from award winning masters from China, Japan, or Korea. These may specialize in calligraphy and artwork as well as translations from English into other languages for your logo, club name, or slogan. These can also be customized further with your choice of colors and letter styles including san serif, antique, traditional, manga, modern, or other styles.
Tip: If you provide uniforms for students, be sure to mention this in your advertising. It won't do any good to offer a valuable service if you never tell anyone!
Equipment and Martial Arts Supplies for Your Dojo
Your students can benefit tremendously if your dojo provides up-to-date equipment and martial arts supplies for training. Items such as Japanese or Korean flags for tournaments, gongs, a scoreboard, and fight timers can be used in both training and the actual tournaments. During training, these items can help prepare students for the real event. Training equipment that will help enhance your students' learning experience includes punch bags, judo or karate mats, martial arts body shields, training strikepads, focus targets, self defense weapons, kids training gear, boxing equipment, kickboxing equipment, and coaching mitts. Martial arts supplies that can help you create a professional image for your dojo include certificates, seals, and stamps.
Do everything possible to make training pleasant and efficient for your instructors and students. This will give students an incentive to stay with your dojo establishment for years to come. They are also more likely to recommend your dojo to their family and friends.
Providing martial arts supplies is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to growing your dojo, but it's an important one. Keep a variety of martial arts supplies, uniforms, and gift items on-hand so your students can easily get the items they need. You'll be providing a useful service while gaining their loyalty.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Martial Arts Supplies for Your Dojo [http://www.kachi-do.com] or Majon's Sports directory
Make a Basic Tassel
Decorating a finished bookmark, scissor fob, pincushion or other needlework project with a tassel made from matching thread can really add a special touch, especially for gifts or ornaments you have stitched for the upcoming holidays.
In today’s blog, I’ll show you how to make a basic tassel.
I’ve shown the process in 2 colors for clarity – green for the tassel and yellow for the wrap and tie.
Tassels can be made in virtually any combination of colors, or solid. You can even make a one from specialty threads, like DMC Light Effects to give you a truly festive-looking tassel, perfect for the upcoming holidays!
Tassels can be skinny, medium or chunky. The choice is yours, and depends on what you prefer, and the type of embroidery thread used to make it.
My tassel is a bit chunky in this sample, because I’ve used nearly an entire skein of DMC #3 Pearl Cotton, but a finer tassel can be made using a narrower thread like DMC Embroidery Floss.
Here’s how to do it:
Wrap the thread around a piece of cardboard that has been cut to the desired length of the tassel. In my sample, I am making a 3-inch tassel, so I have cut my cardboard 3 inches in height.
When wrapping the thread, wrap fewer times for a skinny tassel, or wrap additional times for a larger tassel. I’ve wrapped about 65 times.
Next, slide a second piece of thread measuring about 10 inches under the wrapped threads. Slide the thread off the card carefully (without losing any loops) and tie the second piece of thread into a knot to secure the loops together.
From a third piece of thread measuring about 20 inches, make a loop near the knot. Wrap the remaining thread snuggly around the loop to make the neck of the tassle.
Slip the end of the thread through the loop you made before wrapping, and carefully pull the tail behind the wrapped threads. Trim the excess thread tails.
Clip the loops at the opposite end of the tassle, trimming the ends evenly if necessary.
That’s all there is to it. Tassel Accomplished!
~Emma
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Stitch Along with Emma!
‘
Tis the season for a Holiday Stitch-Along!
I was staring at the frost in my yard as the idea of this week’s project hit me. So I sketeched out this fun reindeer with stars hanging from his antlers to share with you!
I’m going to work the project in DMC Embroidery Floss, color #115 Varigated Garnet.
You can choose to work the pattern in the same color, choose your favorite single color, or work it in multiple colors. The choice is yours!
Work the design in basic surface embroidery stitches from our online stitch guide. Suggested stitches are stem stitch, back stitch, running stitch, or chain stitch.
You can get creative with the stars, saddle and interior of the reindeer’s body as well.
Try using seed stitch or French knots to fill an area, or herringbone stitch to outline the saddle.
I’m going to stitch the reindeer right along with you, and will post my progress on Thursday.
Meanwhile, print the free pattern, gather your favorite CharlesCraft embroidery fabric, your thread and needle, and a water-soluble DMC Transfer Pen and let’s get started!
~Emma
May 27, Free Wedding Cross Stitch Pattern
The Embroidery Blog is my project scrapbook for what I've been working on lately. This blog will...
let you know whenever any new web pages appear on the Embroidery Methods website, sharing new tips and project ideaskeep you up-to-date with other postings or news about embroidery, like the latest new materials available for stitching and stabilizingpoint out some special past ideas and advice that you might have missed.To subscribe to my blog (no e-mail necessary!), click on one of the buttons to the left in the box that says "Subscribe to This Site". Choose the orange RSS button to use the feed or click the button for your favorite service (Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc.)
Learn how to share your photos and stories and how to comment on what others have made. You are also welcome to ask questions and give answers! This is an interactive website.
The most recent blog items are listed below...
Nov 3, 2011Who's that? It's Oscar the Owl!
This free cross stitch pattern comes from DMC and uses Pearl cotton.
Oct 28, 2011My great-aunt Helen Black made this religious cross stitch that says, Give us this day our daily bread. It's a line from the Lord's Prayer. Her husband
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Daily Bread"
Oct 7, 2011The double running stitch or Holbein stitch and some easy crewel form the basic blackwork embroidery stitches.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Working Blackwork Embroidery Stitches"
Sep 23, 2011I was taught by a wonderful teacher, Ellen Temkin who realized that the horizontal patterns of Swedish Weaving would be perfect for a tallit - a Jewish
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Tallit Prayer Shawl"
Sep 23, 2011It's a hand embroidery by cross stitch. It was embroidered for my mother's birthday as a present. It shows the famous clock Big Ben reflected in the Thames
Permalink -- click for full blog post "London - Heritage"
Sep 2, 2011I need a program that will convert embroidery formats .dst and .pes to True Type lettering on the computer. My computer does not recognize embroidery
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Format Conversion Software"
Aug 31, 2011DMC now makes a fabric covered wire to match embriodery thread colors. It's called Memory Thread and can be used to create 3D embroidery.
Have you tried it? Please share a photo!
Aug 25, 2011I have always wondered what the difference is between needlepoint, needlepoint embroidery, and cross stitch. Can you help me out with that, as I have patterns
Permalink -- click for full blog post "What is the difference between Embroidery and Cross Stitch"
Aug 25, 2011Learn useful advice about buying and using huck toweling or huck cloth.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Toweling for Swedish Huck Weaving"
Aug 13, 2011Here's a creative idea for what to do with extra embroidery hoops!
You can mount them on the wall and use them to store jars.
Aug 5, 2011Hi! I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am
Permalink -- click for full blog post "When to Use Different Stitches"
Jul 21, 2011My mother, Gale Court, has been making quilts for 17 years. To date she has made over 500. She has never sold a quilt, they have always been made as gifts
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Quilt: Believe in Happiness All Around You"
Jul 16, 2011I have been having a problem with my punchneedles. The thread keeps breaking and it doesn't matter which needle I use or how many plys of thread. What
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Needlepunch Thread Keeps Breaking"
Jul 1, 2011Hi, I'm Lien from Malaysia. I've just started to learn ribbon embroidery this year from books and internet. These are photos among the first. I hope you
Permalink -- click for full blog post "First Attempts at Ribbon Embroidery on a T-shirt"
Jun 10, 2011Looking for crewel embroidery kits that include everything you need to complete a project with crewel embroidery stitches? I found some nice embroidery kits and listed them here.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Crewel Embroidery Kits"
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Mar 28, Closet Clearance
The Embroidery Blog is my project scrapbook for what I've been working on lately. This blog will...
let you know whenever any new web pages appear on the Embroidery Methods website, sharing new tips and project ideaskeep you up-to-date with other postings or news about embroidery, like the latest new materials available for stitching and stabilizingpoint out some special past ideas and advice that you might have missed.To subscribe to my blog (no e-mail necessary!), click on one of the buttons to the left in the box that says "Subscribe to This Site". Choose the orange RSS button to use the feed or click the button for your favorite service (Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc.)
Learn how to share your photos and stories and how to comment on what others have made. You are also welcome to ask questions and give answers! This is an interactive website.
The most recent blog items are listed below...
Nov 3, 2011Who's that? It's Oscar the Owl!
This free cross stitch pattern comes from DMC and uses Pearl cotton.
Oct 28, 2011My great-aunt Helen Black made this religious cross stitch that says, Give us this day our daily bread. It's a line from the Lord's Prayer. Her husband
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Daily Bread"
Oct 7, 2011The double running stitch or Holbein stitch and some easy crewel form the basic blackwork embroidery stitches.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Working Blackwork Embroidery Stitches"
Sep 23, 2011I was taught by a wonderful teacher, Ellen Temkin who realized that the horizontal patterns of Swedish Weaving would be perfect for a tallit - a Jewish
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Tallit Prayer Shawl"
Sep 23, 2011It's a hand embroidery by cross stitch. It was embroidered for my mother's birthday as a present. It shows the famous clock Big Ben reflected in the Thames
Permalink -- click for full blog post "London - Heritage"
Sep 2, 2011I need a program that will convert embroidery formats .dst and .pes to True Type lettering on the computer. My computer does not recognize embroidery
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Format Conversion Software"
Aug 31, 2011DMC now makes a fabric covered wire to match embriodery thread colors. It's called Memory Thread and can be used to create 3D embroidery.
Have you tried it? Please share a photo!
Aug 25, 2011I have always wondered what the difference is between needlepoint, needlepoint embroidery, and cross stitch. Can you help me out with that, as I have patterns
Permalink -- click for full blog post "What is the difference between Embroidery and Cross Stitch"
Aug 25, 2011Learn useful advice about buying and using huck toweling or huck cloth.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Toweling for Swedish Huck Weaving"
Aug 13, 2011Here's a creative idea for what to do with extra embroidery hoops!
You can mount them on the wall and use them to store jars.
Aug 5, 2011Hi! I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am
Permalink -- click for full blog post "When to Use Different Stitches"
Jul 21, 2011My mother, Gale Court, has been making quilts for 17 years. To date she has made over 500. She has never sold a quilt, they have always been made as gifts
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Quilt: Believe in Happiness All Around You"
Jul 16, 2011I have been having a problem with my punchneedles. The thread keeps breaking and it doesn't matter which needle I use or how many plys of thread. What
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Needlepunch Thread Keeps Breaking"
Jul 1, 2011Hi, I'm Lien from Malaysia. I've just started to learn ribbon embroidery this year from books and internet. These are photos among the first. I hope you
Permalink -- click for full blog post "First Attempts at Ribbon Embroidery on a T-shirt"
Jun 10, 2011Looking for crewel embroidery kits that include everything you need to complete a project with crewel embroidery stitches? I found some nice embroidery kits and listed them here.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Crewel Embroidery Kits"
Beads & Beading Supplies: The Right Place To Find It! It Is All Here
I am by no means a beading expert. I am much more proficient and capable when it comes to needlepoint and embroidery. You can guess my knowledge of beading supplies is practically as limited as my beading experience supplies is. However, I had the fortunate experience of working on a piece that called for said beading supplies. In other words, I got an instant lesson or two.
The first discovery I made, while viewing the pattern for the embroidery piece that called for beading supplies (which I found out AFTER I bought the beautiful pattern), was that beads are, of course, of different types. Okay you might think you know what I'm talking about but I doubt you appreciate the significance of it. There are literally hundreds of types and styles of beads in a typical store thousands (no exaggeration) in a large one. So for my particular pattern I needed 00275 coral glass seed beads; 02024 heather mauve glass seed beads; 02025 heather glass seed beads; 03005 platinum rose antique glass beads; and 05555 new penny glass pebble beads--all by a maker of bead supplies called Mill Hill.
Why do all these infinitesimal details matter? Why do I have to write everything down, including there specific codes? First, I live (by choice) way the hell out in the woods, the closest crafts stores twelve and nineteen miles away. I need to the right beads the first time I visit a store because I simply can't reverse the wheel upon discovering that I have bought the wrong color. Second, I have ADD--Attention Deficit Disorder. A missing bead means the piece cannot be completed. And third, the pattern, an elaborate one with thousands of stitches and almost fifty colors, would need the right bead supplies to make the color scheme and texture, etc., work. It does not make sense to substitute just any shade in there.
The first store, one I like very much and frequent, had limited bead supplies of the brand I needed. In fact, they didn't/don't carry Mill Hill. So I came back home and searched the Internet to see if I could identify the color and style of bead and try to find some substitutes. Back to the first store and to a wall of bead supplies, I felt dizzy and confused. So I tried the next store, another town away, on another day. There I encountered not just one but three walls of bead supplies, of numerous brands, colors, sizes, shapes, and usability degrees. I spent a good hour perusing the beautiful, the ugly, and the ill-fitting beads for my project. I gave up and moved on to the rest of the items on my list. After another half hour, I found, in the NEEDLEPOINT section, not in the bead supplies section, argggh, Mill Hill beads. And of the five styles I needed found 2 in the exact quantity required and one in half the amount I needed.
Sometimes a LOT is too much...and not nearly enough. Of probably five- to ten-thousand dollars' worth of bead supplies, I came away with five dollars' worth of the right beads. Thank God for the internet. It made my life so much easier. Perhaps next time I should order online in the first place.
Glen B. Porter provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles [http://www.the-arts-magazine.com], and reviews for entertainment, music, movies and other related information.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Feb 17, Free Embroidery Patterns and More in The Embroidery Sampler Newsletter
At last, an online monthly embroidery newsletter that not only contains free embroidery patterns, but is also creative, thoughtful, honest, and entertaining!
Embroidery -- It covers all methods of embroidery, just like this website.Sampler -? It contains a little bit of everything from news to words of wisdom to a "find of the month" free embroidery design.It's not just another email newsletter. It's The Embroidery Sampler.
Don't believe me? Take a look at our past issues to see the types of free patterns you'll receive (opens in a new window).
Among the archived issues, you'll find links to free hand embroidery patterns and a few downloadable free embroidery machine patterns.
Sign up today and receive a free Scissor Pouch + Needle Case pattern!
Mar 4, The Last Supper of Lord Jesus
First of all, the credit of this work is not mine, it was done by Peter Volna, but unfortunately he does not speak english language, so I am his speaker and I want to show the world the beauty of his masterpiece. Peter Volna started to make cross stiches after he had health problems and was unable to work 100%. One day he told himself to make something spectacular. The work on this piece of art began at the end of 20th century and it took 10 years to finish it. Here are some details of the cross stich
- its size is 134x194cm
- it took approximately 10,000 hours to make it
- it has 1,111,111 stiches
- approximately 3 hours of work a day
- it consists of 871 columns and 1276 rows
- 2000packets of 8m long cotton threads with total length of 48km
I am not expert in emboideries, but according to what I have read, it is called cross stich in english. It is already written as a record in one book and I have written several other world record books in breaking the world record, as it is for me the largest known cross stich in the world.
Unfortunately, due to health problems (and with that related financial problems as well), Peter Volna would like to sell this piece of art. I would like to ask you if you don't know about some place, where it could be sold or if anyone would like to make some offers.
Thank you for your replies
contact - sashoMT@gmail.com
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Celtic Counted Cross Stitch - Basic Medieval Embroidery Samplers And Designs
Celtic cross stitch has a branch referred as Celtic counted cross stitch and this name is derived because of its unique method of sewing. Cross stitch is an effortless method to discover modus operandi. This method needs a specific fabric stitch and the material used should have identical shaped pores which shall allow the cross to be stitched in.
The primary reason of such name is that while making an embroidery the boxed are counted or numbered hence the name. Celtic counted cross stitch must have few scrupulous provisions. Let me tell you that these materials are famous and therefore easily found. For those who are still new this embroidery I would love to tell you where you could find the same.
1. FABRIC:
The material used should have a running pattern of the shape of a box/square that is countable. The celtic design pattern which is in square shape will have to be traced on to the fabric thus giving us a cross stitch fabric embedded with squares. The count of the boxes should be no more than 2.5cms per count. To illustrate better, when the fabric item number is 15 it states that the fabric consists of 15 squares/boxes in both vertical and horizontal directions. Here below are a few fine points of our material:
AIDA -
Aida giver beginners the perfect start. This fabric is freely obtainable, as it has been used over a lengthy period of time. The fabric is an average cotton cloth, which can be found in a mixture of colors and then you can dye it into multiple shades too. The Aida fabric is offered in 8, 11, 14, 16 and 18 slabs to 2.5cm (1inch). The pores are very much noticeable so all age groups can easily learn to make one.
2. EVEN WEAVE LINEN:
Another excellent choice of fabric is that of Linen when used with cross stitch embroideries. Linen has excellent variations in color and material. Linen is a touch more costly as compared to Aida but then the fabric effectively gives a real classy touch to the embroidery. There are 28 to 32 boxes/holes at every 2.5cms interval.
Note that linen by character has indiscretion, at any point to not get puzzled it would be advisable 2 threads are inserted to transcend at the junctures. As a matter of fact linen is simple when stitches such as quarter and 3 quarter stitches are implied. Cashel, Linda, Belfast and Jobelan are some fine examples of linen variety.
THREADS:
The simplicity of celtic cross stitch can be gauged by the fact that any type of thread may be used for embroidery. It will be quite a task for me to tell about all the various thread varieties but let me have the chance to enlighten about the ones that are widely used and hence comfortably available as well.
COTTON THREADS:
Cotton threads are the basic cotton threads, which is found as a 6 strand mercerized cotton. Anchor, Madeira and DMC brands produce this thread. The collection of threads out number most varieties and colors. You have the choice of Perle cotton and soft DMC cotton too.
SILK THREADS:
Threads of silk make are there too. Color is not a problem and the sheen them is ever lasting and the range never ending. Silk is like classy taste, fine in nature giving your product royal looks but difficult to maintain as they get easily tangled into one another
WOOL YARNS:
Best results when applied for tapestries. Curled authentic wool is needed for it.
BLENDID AND METALLIC THREADS:
Anchor, Kreinik and DMC are the universal merchants of these threads. The thickness is variable to suit your personal likings while colors and textures are awesome. When used with multiple thread combinations the outcome is fabulous.
3. NEEDLES AND SCISSORS:
What is required is a blunted embroidery needle with size of 24 or 26. The use of a gold or nickel-plated is permissible and least to say that you scissors need to be fine tipped to slash the thread.
Well I think that by now you enough knowledge to go and find the required supplies from your nearest store and get involved in this type of cross stitch. Wishing you a pleasant experience.
How to craft celtic cross stitch for your projects cheaply and easily when you visit http://www.mycelticcrossstitch.com, written and developed by Jennifer Walter, an expert in the art of celtic cross knot stitch [http://design.propeller.com/story/2008/01/05/basic-introduction-to-celtic-cross-stitch-patterns-designs-and-other-cross-stitch-instructions].
NEW Contest – Stitch the Reindeer In Your Favorite DMC Thread!
I have some awesome news – my DMC pals and I are turning the Reindeer Stitch Along Pattern into a contest!
Oh yes, my stitching friends… It’s time to stitch and win something really nice – and all you have to do it stitch along, using your favorite DMC Floss 0r combination of DMC Embroidery Threads.
The reindeer pattern can be found in Tuesday’s blog, and stitch in any size on your favorite embroidery fabric in basic embroidery stitches. Use your imagination when stitching the simple design.
You can stitch the outline, fill the shape completely or add decorative elements like beads and bells. If you want, adapt the reindeer to a different technique. Just use your imagination and make it special!
Here’s my project-in-progress (above right).
I’m going to add some decorative stitching to the body of the reindeer, and I’ve used some decorative surface embroidery stitches in the saddle so far.
The most creative use of the pattern and stitches will win the prize, chosen especially for the Holiday Season - a Limited Edition DMC Bamboo Bobbin Chest.
Entries need to be emailed to me no later than December 1st (please keep the file size under 2 mb). I’m looking forward to seeing the creative things you all do with the reindeer.
Meanwhile, go ahead and drool – it’s a pretty sweet prize…
~Emma
Feb 10, Win a Pair of Heart Embroidery Kits
by Amy
((embroidery-methods.com))
These kits could be yours!
Instructions include diagrams
I'm cleaning out my supplies, and I found 2 unopened Hardanger heart kits. That area on the website only has one submitted photo so far, so I'm using these kits as an incentive to get more submitted photos!
How to Enter:
Submit a Hardanger embroidery photo of something you made or own. Tell us about the pattern and where you got it, how easy or difficult it was to make, and anything else of interest. Limit 3 entries per person.
Dates:
The contest will be open on this website (embroidery-methods.com) during February 2011. The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2011, at midnight Eastern Time. Judging will be based on the beauty of the photo, the quality of the comments it receives, the quality of your comments on other submissions, and my personal opinion.
All accepted submissions will appear on the website for comments after they are approved. Obviously the sooner you submit, the more time you have to give and receive comments.
Winner Selection:
I will choose a winner during the first week of March and notify the winner by email. The winner must write back to acknowledge his/her acceptance of the prize and to give a mailing address within 1 week of notification or another winner will be chosen. Your contact information will be kept private in accordance with the Privacy Policy. The prize will be shipped free of charge to any US state within the lower 48. An international winner must supply $10 for shipping before the item will be sent.
Prize:
You will receive 2 Hardanger kits for heart ornaments as designed by Norsk Engros. One is in pink and the other is in blue. The stitches used in each heart are slightly different. The kits include fabric, threads, a needle, and instructions. The winning photo will also be featured on the homepage in March 2011.
I look forward to seeing your hardanger photos!