Sew Many Threads to Follow, One Monthly Newsletter

Roses are red, violets are blue.
I don't want to do chores -- I have embroidery to do!

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February 10, 2009

Table of Contents

• Sewing Circle -- Ribbon Roses
• To the Point -- Blackwork History
• Words of Wisdom
• Find of the Month -- Chicken Scratch Blackwork Hearts Pattern

Sewing Circle
The ribbon roses page on my website has had an unusually high level of activity recently. Stitchers must be getting ready for Valentine’s Day! Roses look complicated, but they're easy to make with the spider web technique. First create a star of 5 spokes. Then, starting at the center, weave around over and under until the spokes are full. You can also try it with 3 or 7 spokes, but stick to odd numbers so they all get covered up.

I'm inspired by the enthusiasm for the roses page, so I plan to add more ribbon flowers in the future. Which ones would you like to see?

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To the Point
I'm celebrating Black History Month embroidery style -- with blackwork! Blackwork has no relation to the African-American experience that I am aware of; it's just a play on words. (You know I think word plays are sew much fun!)

Blackwork was popular during the Renaissance. It was usually reversible and served as a substitute for lace. Lace and fine embroidery were status symbols. By law, only certain people could wear goldwork, in which the threads were covered with a fine gold wire, so blackwork was more popular.

Over the past month, I have designed and created a reversible blackwork bears pattern. Most designs today are not reversible, but this one is! These teddy bears are ideal for beginners, too, because I walk you through the complete process with many diagrams.

Words of Wisdom
"If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head almost nothing." ~ Marc Chagall

Find of the Month
Have you ever heard of chicken scratch? I found a really neat chicken scratch blackwork hearts pattern. It's a .pdf file. Chicken scratch is like a hybrid of blackwork and cross stitch, but it is worked on gingham instead of evenweave fabric. I love how it looks so lacy and intricate, but it's actually so simple! The illusion works because the threads are the same colors that are in the gingham.

You're Invited: Please share your stitching stories, ideas, words of wisdom, find of the month, or questions. Just reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think! I'd love to hear from you.

The most interesting feedback will be shared in next month's issue!