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!
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"
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
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"
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].
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
More information about your Cross Stitch supplies
As with any other hobby, cross stitching has a number of items that are essential for the implementation of, and as with most other hobbies, there are fundamental supplies and the nice extras, but not always necessary. This article gives you an overview and some insight into this hobby needlework in General.
To begin with, there is the cloth. The most common type of used is called "Aida substance". This substance is described, not only by width, length and color, but also by her "count". Aida fabric is an open-weave and even woven fabric, usually made of cotton. It has many tiny holes very regular intervals, a grid that makes easier stitching. The "count" of the tissue refers to the number of holes per linear inch. For example, 10-count Aida fabric, or "Aida 10" refers to cross stitch substrate with 10 holes for every inch in one direction.
The next item on our list of cross stitch supplies is the wire, also known as "floss". These threads come in a wide variety of colors and thicknesses. As you can probably imagine, not all thicknesses wire compatible with all Aida substances, if the use of threads that are too thick can warp and distort from the tissue. In addition to color choices there are also some variants including metal wires.
Of course, you should have a needle. You can change the default sewing needle, but these are often sharper than necessary-Aida substance already has the holes. Cross stitching needles have been completed, and can even be found in the shortened versions that can make cross stitching easier and faster. Just as with floss, the thickness of your needle will depend on the count of your fabric Aida.
Following is on this list of supplies you'll want to have the pattern or chart. The pattern is printed on paper to easier crossing from ready areas. The designs vary greatly and may have something of everyday objects to derivative works of the Visual Arts. Free cross stitch patterns you can even find on the internet if you want to use that to work.
Because of the many colors that are involved in the contemporary modern cross stitch, these cards use a wide variety of symbols to represent colors such that a symbol in a square means that you want a certain color of thread about that square must stitch on your fabric.
Scissors are also needed. As long as the scissors are easy to handle and can cut neatly by the floss than you can use it. You don't have to buy fancy embroidery scissors if you don't want to still do that.
Additional cross stitch supplies include everything from materials in the product to tools that make it easier for the stitcher to use. You have beads, fabrics with the patterns really printed on them, magnifiers, needle organizers, color charts, needle real, table lamps, etc. In the case of beads and textured flosses, they are strongly recommended for the designs that use them, but the rest are optional.
Hopefully, this short article you understand a bit more about deliveries and concept behind the beautiful classic needle work hobby helped.
For more visit tips tricks and ideas for projects StitchingtheNightAway.com where you will find free cross stitch suppliescross stitch patterns, and more great cross stitch information.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Celtic Embroidery Designs - Basic Medieval Cross Stitch Patterns For Celtic
Embroidery, all around the globe is considered as a piece of heritage. This heritage has been with us for many centuries. Embroidery as an art form is so aged that none of us could pin point the accuracy of its ancientness. Since the time of our mothers, grandmothers and their ancestors have followed this art, despite the world being poles apart.
Where we reside doesn't make a difference we all have been introduced to embroidery as cross stitch embroidery. That's because it's so easy to learn. It requires the most common of obtainable supplies. Therefore how much ever I go gaga over celtic cross stitch it will be little because I love its patterns.
Cross stitch is not without its impressions of varied civilizations and regions and tribes. Patterns of cross stitch are a great mixture of some primitive, ethnic, modern as well as contemporary variations. While some regional patterns are evident other too have their impressions. Like Victorian cross stitch is revered for its classic designs, African stitch is applauded for their ethnicity and Celtic for their intricacy.
COMMON PATTERNS IN CELTIC EMBROIDERY
Celtic embroidery is an ancient form of embroidery. Its archetypal patterns are well known, also the diversity of its patterns are something that we can take pride in. Since Celts were predominantly nomads therefore the impressions of their art knew no boundaries. These patterns could be seen on probably every possession of theirs.
On their possessions the motifs and design work had minute details that some work could well be a masterpiece in our contemporary life. Cross stitch patterns used by Celts had impressions of their daily lifestyles. Patterns like geometrical shapes, mythological creatures, flowers, alphabets and more. They didn't just stop with creating patterns with embroideries, actually they were so found of these patterns that even their swords, utensils walls and bodies would engraved with such patterns.
WHERE TO FIND CELTIC CROSS STITCH PATTERNS?
All of you would by now be asking on the ways to get these gorgeous and unique patterns. 25 odd years ago I wouldn't have been in a position to answer any of this. But today I am fortunate enough to have enough knowledge about this art to be able to share it with you.
Simply visit your nearest store or art and craft vendor to get yourself that really nice Celtic cross stitch design kit. If you fail in your effort to locate a crafts store nearby, then you might find one at a bookshop. And just in case you do not want to do away with the comfort of your house for this purpose I can help you here too.
You can easily place an online order requesting your kit. While if you wouldn't like to spend a dime on the pattern, try locating free patterns on the Internet. There are plenty of sites that offer these patterns for free. Make your selections depending upon your skill level. I sincerely hope that I have left no stone unturned that you do not take up Celtic cross stitch embroidery. I hope I do not have to push you further.
Now you can quickly and easily learn celtic cross stitch the better way when you visit http://www.mycelticcrossstitch.com, the online portal for patterns, designs and projects for the art of celtic cross stitch
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
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...
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.
Click for more info
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"
Jun 3, 2011Become your own free designer and be a cross stitch pattern maker. It's easier than you think!
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Cross Stitch Pattern Maker Advice"
May 27, 2011As I continue to prepare for my marriage, I found this sweet wedding cross stitch pattern from Leisure Arts.
Click to open the .pdf file. The verse is "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, But in looking together in the same direction."
Click for more info
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Aug 25, What is the difference between Embroidery and Cross Stitch
by Kim
(Vero Beach, Florida, USA)
Thanks,
Kim
Amy's Answer
Embroidery is a larger term that refers to any type of decorative thread work stitched on top of fabric. So under that umbrella fall different types of embroidery methods such as needlepoint, cross stitch, punch needle, crewel, blackwork, and many others.
So cross stitch is a type of embroidery. Needlepoint is another type of embroidery. You can learn more about each method in the different sections on the website.
Great question, Kim! Thanks for asking.
Recommended Reading
Cross Stitch Beginner Guide
Needlepoint Canvas Work
Basic Crewel Embroidery Stitches
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Apr 29, Blackwork Embroidery: The Royal Cousin of Cross Stitch
Blackwork embroidery, the royal cousin of cross stitch, is also known as Spanish work because the princess of Spain, Catherine of Aragon, who married Henry VIII of England in 1509, popularized it.
This embroidery method was used in the Renaissance during the 16th century to decorate clothing because it was against the law for certain lower classes of people to wear lace. Embroidery was also a sign of wealth that the wife didn't have to do hard labor. The woman showed off her skill and the man showed off that the household could afford the expensive materials of linen and silk. Furthermore, embroidered clothing was a sign of love and affection to remain in each other's thoughts.
Hans Holbein the Younger, who has a basic stitch named after him, included a historical record of designs in many court paintings.
Traditionally, it has been stitched in black on white, but modern embroiderers experiment with other colors. High contrast draws more attention to details, but tonal gradation also creates some beautiful effects. The nice texture of this embroidery method makes it excellent for filling large areas.
Learn the techniques of blackwork embroidery and stitch the eight exclusive projects as you learn step by step.
This ebook shows you which threads and fabrics to use, explains how a design is created, advises when and where to add a little gold or silver accent, helps you add shading to give depth and dimension, explains how to use multi-colored threads and much more.
It's a great resource for any beginner!
Give this technique a try. It looks difficult, but it's actually quite fun!
Why do you love that pattern? Share your story, tips, and a photo of the blackwork embroidery that you made or plan to make!
What Other Visitors Are StitchingClick below to see favorite blackwork embroidery patterns from other visitors to this page...
Monday, November 7, 2011
Mar 7, Cross Stitch Embroidery Social Work
by Hala
(Palestine)
Tote Bag
Scarf
Recipe for a Happy Home
Pocketbook
One day I decided to leave my work at the institution, and to start my new hand made embroidery art work from home, which enabled me to be in touch with my interests in art, and also at the same time to help some unemployed uneducated mothers (as a social worker) who need financial help so as to raise their families.
So instead of giving them money as a charity, I give them the art materials, then I show them how to do the work (stitch), after that I finalize it.
Leaving a job in an institution is really something not easy, but I think achieving goals in life is more worthy, by doing a combination between your study and your interests as well.
If you are interested in buying any of these or similar items, please contact me at hslab811@gmail.com and thank you very much for your interest.
More photos:
Saturday, November 5, 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!