Category Archives: Cross-stitch

Rooster: More Feathers

I’ve been working away on the feathers. Maybe the upper layer of feathers could have a vertical pattern, as if they are drooping. I’m afraid the PhD dissertation takes priority, so I’ve got limited time for embroidery and posting.

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Rooster: Feather Experiment

I tried a couple of experimental feathers (on the right) before finding an arrangement I liked: solid outline on one side with horizontal lines filling it in, which creates stylized feather shapes. This covers the same blocks that the cross-stitching … Continue reading

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Rooster: Body in Blackwork

I started work on the blackwork body. I’m glad I chose a darker ground fabric. If I was working the pattern on white I’d consider backing it with something. I think it would be tricky to keep the tails on … Continue reading

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Rooster: Gold feathers

I cross-stitched the gold feathers plus some decorative dots. I’m still thinking about the large black feathers – maybe fill them in with double running stitch over two squares? That would be quicker and easier than cross-stitch, and still fit … Continue reading

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Rooster Project: Start

I can resist no longer. New project! This is the blackwork/cross-stitch rooster from Carol Leather of X-Calibre Designs. I am swapping out the suggested threads for DMC Floche 815, 310, and 437. I like this fabric, though it isn’t even-weave, … Continue reading

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Bedouin Wedding Veil

This cross-stitched face veil is for a bride from a Bedouin tribe in Jordan (red is the color of brides!). The shiny coins are for reflecting the evil eye away. You can see Dr. Shirazi modeling it in this article … Continue reading

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Hmong Jacket/Dress

Folks, over winter break I visited Hmong Village again (it’s an indoor marketplace in St Paul, Minnesota, with a lot of shops run by Hmong-Americans). See this lovely, lovely jacket or dress? You can wear it either way. All mine. … Continue reading

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More Palestinian Cross-stitch

Here is another Palestinian cross stitch piece from Dr. Shirazi’s collection. I absolutely love the warm colors and the geometric motifs. The stitches are tiny and careful. The stitcher used the variegated thread to great effect. A lot of these … Continue reading

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Book review: Palestinian Embroidery Motifs

I found a wonderful cross-stitch book, “Palestinian Embroidery Motifs: A treasury of stitches 1850-1950, ” by Margarita Skinner and Widad Kamel Kawar. Melisende Publishing, London and Rimal Publications, Nicosia, 2007. ISBN 978-1-901764-47-5. It has over 150 pages of charts and … Continue reading

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Egyptian Cross-Stitch

Something exciting came in the mail yesterday! My friend moved to Egypt in July, and has been having all kinds of adventures in Cairo. She knows about my blog, so she sent me a present! The tag says it’s from … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-stitch, Embroidery around the world, Finishing techniques | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments