Welcome to the third issue of The Embroidery Sampler. Third time is a charm, right? This time we'll do a summer needlework sampler. Thank you for subscribing!

** If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a big favor and "pay it forward."

** If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting the embroidery-methods.com website


July 10, 2007

Table of Contents

• Sewing Circle -- Summer Reading with an Embroidered Bookmark
• To the Point -- Reupholster a Stool or Chair
• Words of Wisdom
• Find of the Month -- Garden of Stitches Sampler Pattern

Sewing Circle
For me, summer is a chance to catch up on reading. In the winter, I like to stitch on something big and warm like an afghan, but summer means sitting outside in the shade and looking at books of new patterns or reading a novel. And what makes a better bookmark than an embroidered experiment with leftover scraps?

You've probably already discovered the bookmark page on my website, and know that I think bookmarks are a useful sampler, so here's a link to my friend's website where she tells you how to make a needlepoint bookmark. The tips on working with metallic threads are priceless!

Reminder: Subscribe to the Embroidery Blog for the most up to date news and website additions. www.embroidery-methods.com/sign-up

To the Point
Does your favorite chair's seat pad or your favorite footstool need to be reupholstered? Coordinate the colors and designs to match your room perfectly this time with needlepoint canvas that you've hand embroidered! Chair seats and footrests take a lot of wear. Some call it "use and abuse," but when something is worn out, I like to say that it has been loved. With all that love, you need to make the cover as durable as possible. Use a heavy wool yarn and stitches that are flat with good coverage. Please visit for detailed step by step instructions on how to reupholster.

Words of Wisdom
I couldn't afford to buy cotton so I decided to be abrasive, and steel wool.

Find of the Month
I found a lovely sampler from the Caron Collection to share for the special free pattern this month. It's a needlepoint sampler, but you could adapt it to crewel embroidery if you wanted to. And as always, you are free to choose materials and thread colors that you like. Click here.

I chose it because the instructions are very easy to follow. It goes through each section of the garden one step at a time with large numbered diagrams that show where to place the needle to create the different stitches.

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!