Monthly Archives: May 2011

Suzanis from Uzbekistan

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Hannah

My aunt and uncle picked up this traditional embroidered wall hanging while visiting the Emir’s Summer Palace in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It’s called a suzani. Below is a map with Bukhara, Uzebkistan marked (I was a little vague on exactly where … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery around the world | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Elegant Oriole: Stitch guide

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Hannah

I made quite a few alterations to the Elegant Oriole kit! I thought folks might be interested in a labeled photo indicating the stitches I used. It’s practically a sampler. I’ve decided I adore Cretan stitch, but I definitely need … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, My work, Surface embroidery | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Elegant Oriole Finished

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Hannah

Continuing my progress photos from the last post: Next I added in the branches in Portuguese stem stitch. I love the texture. It makes a bold twisted line, very branchlike. For the second red flower I decided to try out … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, My work, Surface embroidery | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Elegant Oriole

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Hannah

I’ve been working on a secret project! I worked up a modified version of the quick 5×7 inch crewel kit Elegant Oriole, from Dimensions (it’s about $9). It’s a graduation present for a friend of mine. I gave it to her … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, My work, Surface embroidery | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Book review: Embroidery designs from the sea

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Hannah

This is a review of Embroidery designs from the sea, by Barbara Snook. Taplinger Publishing Company, New York, 1977. ISBN 0-8008-2403-2. Embroidery designs from the sea is an inspirational design book – it is definitely not a step-by-step embroidery book, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Surface embroidery | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Hardanger Table Runner, 1910

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Hannah

I’ve been visiting my grandparents, so I have photos of more treasures to show you! My great-great-great-grandmother made this hardanger table runner in 1910. It’s a hundred years old! Here it is lying flat: I couldn’t get the camera to … Continue reading →

Posted in Grandma, Hardanger, Historical | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Debate: Flower cluster colors

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Hannah

I’m traveling, y’all, that’s why my posting is off schedule. I resolved my trunk color debate: I am keeping the gray tones (dark, medium, light), but I switched to a darker gray for the shaded side of the trunk. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, My work | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Kiswah: Religious goldwork on an enormous scale

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Hannah

My Saudi friend helped me out again! The picture below shows the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba (Arabic: الكعبة‎) is a cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam. The Qur’an states … Continue reading →

Posted in Embroidery around the world, Goldwork | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Book review: Crewel Embroidery

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Hannah

This is a review of the book Crewel Embroidery, edited by F. Anderson. Octopus Books Limited, London, 1974. ISBN 0-7064-0319-3. A tip I picked up from this book, which will entertain my fellow Americans no end: remember the rainbow (red, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Crewel | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Machine Embroidered Portraits

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Hannah

I saw a post about artist Harriet Maxwell on Mr. X Stitch, and just had to pass the word along. She uses an Irish sewing machine to create detailed portraits. Y’all, what is an Irish sewing machine? Is it just … Continue reading →

Posted in Surface embroidery | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments