Category Archives: Embroidery styles

Crewel embroidery pillow

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Hannah

This crewel pillow was made by my great-grandmother. The dominant colors are shades of pink and green, plus brown. There are spots of yellow acting as an accent color. It’s an effective color scheme. The satin stitching is really pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, Grandma | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Plas Teg Bellpull Flowers

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Hannah

There’s another blue flower on the bellpull, and I decided to replace the long-and-short filling with Castelo Branco stitch on this flower too. Then I replaced long-and-short stitch filling for this leaf with split stitch. I like the texture. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, My work | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Castelo Branco Bird

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Hannah

I’m starting a new project! (post with an overview of Castelo Branco embroidery). I am working this bird design from the Castelo Branco magazine Méri sent, using the Portuguese silk and rayons she sent (previous post on the lovely gifts … Continue reading →

Posted in Castelo Branco, My work | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Continuing work on the crewel bellpull

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Hannah

This bellpull is just gorgeous. It’s really coming along. Here’s a closeup of the area I was discussing in the last post on the bellpull (I’ve added some leaves in fly stitch, and finished one of the cluster flowers): I … Continue reading →

Posted in Crewel, My work | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Candlewicking pillow

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Hannah

My grandma made this candlewicking pillow about 25 years ago. It’s a little hard to photograph since candlewicking is traditionally white-on-white, but the closeup photo is a little easier to see. The design shows a girl holding a bouquet. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Candlewicking, Grandma | Tagged , , | 5 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