Anyone else interested in traditional embroidery?

Elizabeth_Braun

I love cross stitch and other counted thread techniques as well, but I was wondering if any other forum members were into surface/freestyle techniques too?

CharlieRabbit01

Hello

I cross stitch but I'm not overly keen on the "pixelated" look of cross stitch but would love to try my hand at embroidery but no idea where to start.

Elizabeth_Braun

Have you come across Mary Corbet's site, Needle'n'Thread? She has loads of free patterns and stitch tutorials - even some on video, so you might be able to learn something useful there. She also does book reviews and, as some might be available from your local library, you may not need to spend a single penny!

lindens

I am about to embark on year 4 of a 4 year city and guilds course in creative embroidery - although most of it is far from traditional.

It's alot of experimentation and mixed media too. Last year we did some gold work - a traditional piece and then one where we stretched the boundaries and used non-traditional subject matter and materials.

Up until this course all i had done was cross stitch too!

Elizabeth_Braun

I did year one of that course in 2008/9. I didn't finish owing to health problems and then moving abroad for a year.

The teachers we had (who now have their own micro centre:) ) used both contemporary and traditional styles and gave a good deal of freedom to the students as far as design went. If you liked very realistic sort of work, then you could do it. If you preferred the modern abstract look, then that was OK too.

True though, there were squillions of new textile techniques to learn!!

PS Love your sig line! 'Your' for 'you're' gets me too. You could also add 'a lot', not 'alot'!!!LOL (Sorry, couldn't resist teasing.....:p)

lindens

I love the course - it's completely opened my eyes.

Sorry about the alot - it's one i'm never quite sure about ;p

Elizabeth_Braun

I've got Jan Messent's 'Embroiderers Workbook' out of the library on constant renewal at the mo. It's like a C&G Design for embroidery module all in one book.

Love libraries! Saves a fortune.

lindens

I love Jan messent. i will look for that book.
Have you seen the work of Michelle Carragher - she did all the costumes for game of thrones on TV? she has a website and she used alot of traditional techniques. awesome work.

Elizabeth_Braun

Alot of traditional techniques? Or a lot of them???:D LOL!

lindens

haha see i told you!

sweetcarer

Hi

Can I come in?

I am in the cross stitch cafe and projects for Soulie. So some of you may know me and my work.

I am doing 2 projects this year with lots of new stitches - other than cross stitch.

The first one is the learning sampler - so far I have done satin stitch, cross stitch, smyrna cross, rice stitch, upright cross stitch, eyelets, double leviathan, rhodes stiches, algerian eyes, double herringbone, lattice and the band I am on just now has queen (which I can't get to work on my material 36hpi - so doing a version which I call ½ queen), norwich stitch and cushion stitch. Here is where I am up to before the band I am on now.



I am also doing by the same designer - the twisted band sampler (specialty stitch version) - so far in this one I have done - cross stitch, herringbone variation, smyrna stitch, round eyelet, scallop stitch, rice stitch, ray stitch, diamond four side stitch, sprat's head, norwich stitch, sheaf stitch, diamond smyrna, elongated diamond smyrna and in the band I am currently on I am doing satin stitch, rhodes stitch and tied windmill. I am doing this one in memory of my Mum, who died earlier this year. Here is where I am up to before the band I am on now.



The designer is so very clear in her directions (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NorthernExpressions1), so much so that it inspired me to do a wee book of the new stitches I am learning - think its up to 20 - here is the link to my photobucket pages with them all in it so far - http://s891.photobucket.com/user/sweetcarer/library/Stitch%20Book

I am using DMC threads in both, and searched for the best places to buy material. I also won one of the patterns via Nicoles facebook page. Please note I hold no responsibility of spending on the Nicoles website.

I would love to do a course but I guess it is alot of money and I need to work (only me in house working at present).

Thank you for reading my post - hope I haven't bored you all.

Kind wishes,

sweetcarer