The French Needle Blog
zen stitching...
I am not a particularly talented needlewoman... I knit and crochet in rectangles or squares only. Most of my blankets end up with the "Comfort for Critters" charity which gives blankets to displaced dogs and cats. I'm thinking my handiwork will keep them warm, especially the cashmere and alpaca ones. And the dogs don't judge.
When my husband asks for a button to be re-attached and I give him an indignant deer-in-the-headlights look, he actually should be grateful I won't do it, it would be...
pin cushion poetry
I met Deborah Heartwick at a Sully Plantation Quilt Show many years ago. We were actually booth neighbors. At that time it was news to me that one could make a career in pin cushions, but in fact, that is exactly what the talented Deb has done.
She originally learned sewing, tailoring and upholstery from a Japanese mentor after earning a design degree in college. Simultaneously she developed an interest in antiques, particularly vintage sewing items.
After many years collectin...
more simple things....
I mentioned a while back my new obesession in stitching....embroidering on printed fabrics... well who knew, there is a whole book on it ! The book, Broderies sur imprimes by Agnes Delage- Calvert (perhaps the twin from whom I was separated at birth) has broken the book into chapters: striped fabrics, damasks, novelty prints etc. The text is in French, but the photos say it all. You can see the book on my site here: http://www.frenchneedle.com/collections/embroidery-...
Simple things for simple people
My current Favorite Thing in Embroidery is something that I did not invent and I don't think has a name.
But it sure is fun. Most importantly it involves lots of colors and supplies.
Find yourself a printed piece of fabric. I think two tone is best, and I
really like the weight of a cotton linen blend. But as with all great crafts,
there are really no rules.
Now, the fun part. Embellish that bugger
within an inch of its life.
I use as many colors as possible f...
The French Needle has its own kits
Figurines kits by Helene Le Berre for the French Needle
I have wanted to work up my own kits for a while. It is a bit difficult to find small hand embroidery kits in my experience.
Of course, I grossly underestimated the amount of work and detail involved in such an endeavor.
It was fun, though. First I found a young graphic artist in France
named Helene Le Berre. She has done several books I love…her work is
fresh and retro-chic.
Helene drew a whole set of what she calls “figurin...
Surface Embroidery Flower Theme Linen Tablecloth Kit
NOTE: Originally posted in 2011
I wish I could say this is a recent project, but in fact I have been working on this since the summer of 2009…
Linen Embroidered Tablecloth Kit
I am thinking that posting it might make me accountable enough to
pick up the pace…as the Queen of Starting New Projects, something this
large is a major commitment and I get distracted…but I will finish it. Maybe getting sidelined is part and parcel of owning a needlework business…
Embroider...
