Starting Needlework
darkrats
i.e. How to do needlework, what basic equipment and supplies are needed,
etc.
Any good Canadian online retailers?
Thanks.
Dr. Brat
> Can someone please direct me to resources for beginners?
> i.e. How to do needlework, what basic equipment and supplies are needed,
> etc.
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/
http://www.berlinembroidery.com/
Good luck!
Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jeanine3
A few of my favourite Canadian online retailers are:
http://www.traditionalstitches.com/
http://www.berlinembroidery.com/
http://www.buttonedup.com/
http://www.mrstwitchett.mb.ca/
All are highly recommended (by me!)
Resources for beginners:
http://home.comcast.net/~kathydyer/
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html
http://www.marthabeth.com/needlework.html
http://www.needlepoint.org/index.php (look under the headings
"Needlepointers" for the archived articles and "Needlepoint Information"
for the Stitch of the Month Archive)
That ought to keep you busy for a while but post again if you have any
further questions!
Welcome to Needlework, it's a fantastic hobby!
Jeanine in Canada (BC)
darkrats
I'm looking for a retirement hobby, and my Grandfather used to do
needlework, and I thought I might give it a try.
"Jeanine3" <Jea...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:x%bNj.54014$Cj7.10949@pd7urf2no...
ellice
> Thanks, Elizabeth and Jeanine, for the links.
> I'm looking for a retirement hobby, and my Grandfather used to do
> needlework, and I thought I might give it a try.
Just adding in one more, Carole Leather in the UK has an awesome site with
great instructions for beginners, and those continuing to learn techniques.
She also has some nice beginner oriented kits.
And, also don't forget - you might have a local Embroiderer's Guild chapter
nearby.
Have fun...
Ellice in Virginia
Dr. Brat
> Thanks, Elizabeth and Jeanine, for the links.
> I'm looking for a retirement hobby, and my Grandfather used to do
> needlework, and I thought I might give it a try.
The best thing to do, honestly, is to see if there is a brick and mortar
store near you that gives lessons or a local chapter of a needlework
guild. One of the best things about needlework is doing it with other
people. On line is great, but in person is best. If there aren't any
guilds or stores close enough for weekly or monthly gatherings, there
might be a weekend a bit farther that you could think about. I've
always wanted to do a Victoria Sampler retreat, for example:
http://www.victoriasampler.com/Catalogue/VS_Retreats/Default.aspx
or you could check out this one: http://www.stitchershideaway.com/
carol
For the kind words about my site. The link is www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com
Have fun.
Regards,
Carol
MargW
As you see there are lots of good resources on line, but I'll reiterate
Elizabeth's suggestion of the usefulness (and fun) of local suppliers
and other stitchers. Unfortunately, White Rose closed since they had
people on staff who knew stitching. Michael's can get you basic
supplies, but try to find a needlework store in your area. Check out the
Embroiderer's Association of Canada website
http://www.eac.ca/ and under Membership, look for Chapters. Depending
where you are there may be one in your area.
Most of all, don't be intimidated - we all started somewhere, and it is
a wonderful, rewarding avocation.
Marg
(in Ontario)
Gill Murray
darkrats wrote:
> Thanks, Elizabeth and Jeanine, for the links.
> I'm looking for a retirement hobby, and my Grandfather used to do
> needlework, and I thought I might give it a try.
>
Where in Canada are you? We have several Canadian stitchers who read
here, some post and some lurk.
However they may know where there is a learning resource in your neck of
the woods.
Gillian
Florida.
ellice
> Thanks Ellice,
>
> For the kind words about my site. The link is
> www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com
>
> Have fun.
>
> Regards,
>
> Carol
Carol,
Thanks, I thought I had pasted in the link, but I didn't check before
hitting send. Ooops..... It's a great site, I refer to it all the time when
I have novices in the shop. Thank you for doing such a fine service for all
the stitchers, and potential stitchers!
Ellice
lewmew
patterns. They cover everything from surface work to goldwork - and
everything in between. about.com is also a good place to find really
basic information and links.
Welcome!
Linda
Dianne Lewandowski
Primer just what you are looking for.
http://heritageshoppe.com/heritage/primer/primer.html
In pdf format, it mainly deals with surface embroidery, but also touches
on hemstitching so that you can "finish" a project. It also includes
two projects to practise what you've learned.
Dianne
--
Embroidery Discussions at http://www.heritageshoppe.com/smf
anne
beautiful is intriguing, you don't need to buy a lot of expensive
supplies to practise. Instead, get some plastic canvas, not too thick
yarn (wool), and a large eyed needle.
Here in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, used book stores are
treasure troves for reference materials and no longer loved leaflets.
--
another anne, add ingers to reply
ellice
> If you think the fancy stitches that make current canvas work oh sew
> beautiful is intriguing, you don't need to buy a lot of expensive
> supplies to practise. Instead, get some plastic canvas, not too thick
> yarn (wool), and a large eyed needle.
Even just try some 14 or 13 mesh canvas - it's not very expensive - usually
about 3 cents a sq in.
Lots of people working on canvas, and learning/improving their skills do
stitch notebooks. Kind of like a diary, only with swatches - say 2" x 2"
squares, with a couple of samples of a stitch, done in a couple of threads,
and stick that on a page with some notes.
There are so many gorgeous and fun stitches. And many, if not most,
translate well to a counted thread fabric.
> Here in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, used book stores are
> treasure troves for reference materials and no longer loved leaflets.
Great idea. Even some designers have charted canvas with instructions
designed for learning stitches. I believe Brenda Kocher is one, she has
some labelled with levels, and some of the Jean Hilton pieces, particularly
"Turnberry Ridge" which looks fabulous, but has great instructions for more
than just the featured stitches. Lots of books out there - the Jo Ippoleto
Christensen one, the Anchor book, with ideas. Also, if you're really
intriqued, the books "Stitches for Effect" "More Stitches for Effect" and
"Even More Stitches for Effect" by Suzanne Howeren & Beth Robertson are
invaluable as they detail stitches, along with the threads and uses for
those stitches.
Well, got to go.
Ellice