Martha Schmidt & Piecework
Dianne Lewandowski
the past, you might want to pick up the recent issue of Piecework. She
has a wonderful article on Mountmellick. It includes quite a bit of
family history, which was both informative and interesting. The pattern
that accompanies the article is lovely.
What I particularly enjoyed was Martha's stitch diagrams. She showed a
bullion stitch with the words "Martha's method" and Fr. knot with the
words "Erica Wilson method". I appreciated that. It accomplishes a lot
for students of embroidery, especially the understanding that an
approach may not be what was accomplished in prior times. I applaud
Martha for this unique way of explaining stitches.
Congrats, Martha! Great article.
Dianne
Martha Schmidt
"Dianne Lewandowski" <dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote in message
news:3ADCA3D3...@heritageshoppe.com...
Martha Schmidt
article. I just learned about your post from Cathy Shelton of CATS. I
haven't even been lurking for months now, and I've really missed all of
you. Some of you may know that my "day job" is as a substitute teacher,
and they keep me busy every day. Then I cloister myself in my office
until late at night working on designs, orders, deadlines (and I've had
oodles of those), etc. This week the schools have Spring break, and
after receiving Cathy's message, I decided to see what I've been
missing. Ten thousand messages were downloaded - can you believe that?
!!! I have certainly been out of the loop! I'll be up until the wee
hours tonight catching up.
My design on the cover of the magazine was a total surprise to me
because that is the last decision they make based on how the photographs
turn out. Photographing white on white is extremely difficult, but I
think their photographer did a terrific job, and I was thrilled with the
cover naturally.
In your post you mentioned "what was accomplished in prior times."
You'll notice that I also didn't use the historically correct matte
threads, and that was my decision after some serious thought. The linen
that I used had no sheen, as did the original cotton jean, and so I
decided to create more contrast by using threads with a sheen. Also,
I'm discovering that many stitchers have difficulty locating the matte
threads or are sometimes confused by their names, etc. I wanted every
stitcher to be able to find the products easily. I hope those who are
historically correct will understand.
Boy, am I looking forward to school hiatus this summer so that I
can contribute more frequently to this wonderful newsgroup and keep up
with the latest from all of you! Yours.
--
Martha Schmidt
http://needlemaid.home.att.net
needl...@worldnet.att.net
"Dianne Lewandowski" <dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote in message
news:3ADCA3D3...@heritageshoppe.com...
Linn Skinner
wonderful stories.
Now all you students of Martha's ask her about our dinner in Atlanta under
the supervision of an officer of the peace<EG>
Linn Skinner
Skinner Sisters
www.skinnersisters.com
"Martha Schmidt" <needl...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:9KsD6.6365$hH3.5...@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Dianne Lewandowski
drill? Isn't the "jean" a denim weave?
Regarding matte threads, DMC has No. 4, Rainbow galleries No. 18. Do
you know of other sources at the proper weights? I've been using broder
12 and 16, with matte 4 as a padding. But broder has a sheen. I'm
wondering if there are any knitting cotton threads out there???
Dianne
Martha Schmidt
> Now a question for you: Do you know a source for the linen jean or
> drill? Isn't the "jean" a denim weave?
>
> Regarding matte threads, DMC has No. 4, Rainbow galleries No. 18. Do
> you know of other sources at the proper weights? I've been using
broder
> 12 and 16, with matte 4 as a padding. But broder has a sheen. I'm
> wondering if there are any knitting cotton threads out there???
>
> Dianne
>
purchased cotton jean in a cream color from Elsa Williams. It was
readily available in the 1960's for use as dining room chair cushions.
It's great stuff, and yes, it has a denim-like weave on one side and a
soft satiny appearance on the other.
Lacis may be a good source this side of the pond since they have
published a book on Mountmellick Embroidery. The sources I have for
across the waters are the following - perhaps some of our friends over
there can tell us whether or not these sources are still accurate.
For both threads and fabric: Stitch In Time Ltd., 3a Lr.Georges Street,
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin For Cotton weaving yarn numbers 8/2: William
Hall & Co. (Monsall) Ltd. 177 Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, Dheadle,
Chesire SK8 6RF For Fabric with a minimum order of 3 meters: Whaley's
(Bradford) Ltd. Harris Court, Great Horton, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7
4EQ
I have a feeling that there is also a source in Mountmellick, Ireland
since they have a sizable needlework festival there each year, I think
in April. A dear friend brought me back an announcement of the 1999
festival after her trip to Ireland, but I can't put my fingers on it
right now. It's tucked away somewhere!
I hope an RCTNer from over there might help us out with this
information. Thanks for any help you can give us!
Martha Schmidt
"Linn Skinner" <skin...@sprynet.com> wrote in message
news:9blm9v$aob$1...@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
> Eat your hearts out folks, I get to see Martha 6 times a year and hear
her
> wonderful stories.
>
> Now all you students of Martha's ask her about our dinner in Atlanta
under
> the supervision of an officer of the peace<EG>
>
> Linn Skinner
> Skinner Sisters
> www.skinnersisters.com
And she was a delightful, delightful person AND a looooooong time friend
of Linn's. She didn't reveal any of the skeletons, though, darn it!
Something about lawyer, client, friend privilege, I guess. Looking
forward to another night out in Denver, Linn.
AND I hope I see lots of you all there, too! Yours,
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
mirjam
Dianne Lewandowski
newstands fairly soon.
Dianne
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
here ] but it takes AGES till it gets here Just got the march/ april
one . mirjam
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
for the nice advice.
mirjam
Meridel Abrams
> What I particularly enjoyed was Martha's stitch diagrams. She showed a
> bullion stitch with the words "Martha's method" and Fr. knot with the
> words "Erica Wilson method". I appreciated that. It accomplishes a lot
> for students of embroidery, especially the understanding that an
> approach may not be what was accomplished in prior times. I applaud
> Martha for this unique way of explaining stitches.
> Congrats, Martha! Great article.
Absolutely! It was also Martha Schmidt who taught me to finally stitch a
perfect bullion stitch -- at Denver CATS about this time last year. If you
ever get a chance to take one of Martha's classes, go for it. Adding my
congrats to Martha.
Meri Abrams
indy...@worldnet.att.net
Heather Lott
find Martha Schmidt. Or even if you already know how, take one of her classes
anyway! They are delightful and you're sure to learn something. I can't wait
to see the Piecework magazine, Martha! Congratulations!
-Heather Lott