Welcome to my Blog. This a place to share and learn all things embroidery. Here I post inspirational stories and free lessons in the form of tutorials and guides. I also share tips, tricks and teach stitches and techniques.
You will also find free patterns and designs for you to unlock your creativity. It is a great place for any creative looking to learn or find inspiration in this art form.
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Bruce has sent you another stunning photograph of African Sunshine to brighten up your day :) [singlepic id=853 w=320 h=240 float=center] Click on the image to enlarge This is the beautiful Lilac-Breasted-Roller, which is the national bird of both Kenya and Botswana. If you would like to embroider a Lilac- Breasted Roller, you are welcome to buy the printed panel from this page: Thank you...
What’s new? Good morning and how are you all on this lovely Monday morning? I thought I would tell you about a new addition to the Box full of Lessons series, and it is a beauty! [singlepic id=850 w=320 h=240 float=center] Click on the image to enlarge Titled: Box Full of Lessons 8 – PM025 Dream Cottage for silk ribbon embroidery Info: Ideal for the beginner...
Make one or many French knots in the centre of the rose. Use two strands of thread, and wrap two or three times around the needle. Or you could use 2 or 4mm silk ribbon and wrap it once or twice around your needle. Form the petals of the rose with a stem or straight stitch, working in a circular pattern. Keep going back between the previous stitches as...
French knot French knots are ideal filling stitches for background trees and other detail. Also useful for the centre of flowers. For finer detail, use one strand of thread (separate one strand from the six) For a heavier texture: use 2 or 4mm silk ribbon or perlé thread. Come up from the back and wrap the thread or ribbon two or three times around the needle. Insert the needle...
To form loose, puffed leaves, work over a spare tapestry needle (or similar object). Work with a gentle tension so that the stitches are raised off the surface of the fabric. Stitch diagram is © Metz Press and Di van Niekerk.
[singlepic id=832 w=320 h=240 float=] Click on image to enlarge Good morning stitching world :) This is the latest design from the Dreamscapes series and I just love the tranquil shades and the interesting dimensional effects that were created with simple stitches by Emma Kriegler. See how the leaves are made with ribbon stitch? I will tell you a little more about the leaves and the bicycle wheels in...
Click on image to enlarge Couching: To form interesting stems and branches, or to make basket handles or bicycle wheels, couch thicker yarns or wire in place. This is a good stitch to use when the yarn is too thick to thread up in a needle. Use one or two strands of thread and couch in place as shown. See page 22 of my book: Flower Fairies™ in ribbon...
Detached chain stitch or lazy daisy: A single stitch is formed at a time for interesting leaves and a circle of stitches makes a lazy daisy flower. Come up and make a loop. Take the needle and ribbon all the way to the back, holding the loop in place. Come up inside the loop and secure it in place with a tiny stab stitch. Take the needle and ribbon...
Straight stitches, worked with ribbon in different lengths, are ideal for making stems, blades of grass and thin, pointed leaves. Best worked with the fabric stretched in a hoop or frame. It is a good idea to work over a spare tapestry needle (or similar object) when you make the stitch. This way, the stitch is slightly raised up off the surface of the design. Remember to work with a...
Ribbon stitch is probably the stitch which is the most used stitch of all the stitches in ribbon embroidery. To make the stitch, pierce the ribbon before taking the needle to the back. Hold the stitch with your finger as you pull the ribbon through your fabric and stop pulling as soon as the stitch curls up on the edge. If you pull the ribbon too far, it becomes...
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