By: Pat Sloan
I am a crafter… there … the truth is out! I have done some sort of ‘making of things’ all my life. Most of it I taught myself, as my family does not have any crafty types in it.
But my mom is so amazing that she bought me whatever I wanted in the way of craft supplies. So I was able to try a lot of things. This is my embroidery book. I used it to teach myself all kinds of amazing stitches and I’m so happy to still have it.
This is my childhood embroidery basket. Being a child of the late 60s and early 70s a bold PLASTIC basket was the in thing to have… it’s sure durable!
In the world of quilting we don’t work just with fabrics cut and pieced together… oh no… we love to ADD to that fabric with amazing embroidery! There are many types of embroidery. Today I’m touching on three areas and have two guests sharing about their particular embroidery passion.
First up is a Q & A with Bari J. of Bari J. Designs. I thought she was perfect to give us some insider tips! She has videos on her “WLFK” blog as well.. so you’ll want to cruise over there.
Embroidery with Bari J.
What are the common thread weights you like to do embroidery with?
It really depends on the project and what effect I might be going for or if I need to fill in a large space. However, I do use a lot of Cosmo multi-work which is a two strand floss. Honestly, I can’t figure out what the weight is according to the packaging. I also like the Aurifil Sashiko which is a 30 weight. (Stay tuned to the end folks.. you could WIN some of this amazing thread!)
What size needles do you use?
I use a size ten for most of my work. However, if you are going to use perl cotton you’ll need a needle with a bigger eye.
What fabrics do you like for the base of your design? Do you back the fabric with a interfacing or a batting?
I use a lot of plain old quilt weight cotton. I do put interfacing on the back of the fabric. I use form flex which is a light weight woven cotton fusible.
What is your favorite way to transfer designs?
I love the product, transfer-eze. You print your design out, it sticks to the top of your work, you stitch right through and then dissolves in water when you are finished. I also like to use a light box and frixion pens.
When is it important to hoop your work?
For many stitches, using a hoop is nearly imperative in my opinion. This is so that your stitches are nice and tight (not too tight) and not loopy and bumpy. However, there are stitches that are best done without the use of a hoop like the bullion stitch.
When you’re done, what are the ways you like to use the embroidery?
I like embroidery on pillows and in quilts and I especially like to use it on a smaller item such as a bag. The work is so small and intricate I think it makes a great impact on small projects.
Visit Bari J. at Bari J. Designs.
Here at the Quilting Gallery we have a great series of posts by Lenna Green. She wrote and video taped an entire series on embroidery … check out her posts.
This year I’m the host for Aurifil’s Designer of the Month mystery blocks. And the featured style is embroidery!! Bari J. is one of our upcoming designers. And we already have four fabulous FREE blocks for you to download and print!
Find all the interviews and download the patterns here. Plus read how you can get in on a chance to win Aurifil thread!
Crazy Quilting
When we first announced our Learning Center topics we received a lovely note from Connie Eyberg about crazy quilting. Since Crazy Quilting is Connie’s passion I asked her to guest post about it today!
Crazy Quilting is one of America’s earliest quilt styles. It gained popularity in the 1800s through the early 1900s (roughly 1876-1910) and is a style of quilting associated with the Victorian quilts. It is easy to identify a crazy quilt by the use of irregular shaped patches in various sizes joined together in a random manner with no pattern in particular; it is then embellished with decorative stitching.
The seams were embroidered with intricate stitches and some areas on the quilts were then adorned with fine stitchery and sometimes painted designs. Originally stitched by wealthy women using fancy fabrics such as silks, velvets or brocades, women of lower income were soon creating their own crazy quilts through the use of castoff clothing of wealthier relatives, scraps sold by factories at reasonable prices, etc. Denim, flannels, cottons and other more common fabrics were also eventually used to create crazy quilts.
Crazy quilting has been experiencing a new appreciation and resurgence in recent years and although still having the same characteristics as the historical quilts have evolved due to newly developed and more readily available materials, products and techniques. Anything goes, from solid fabrics to patterned fabrics, basic stitching to more elaborate creations with lots of embellishing. Options for embellishing are almost unlimited. It is perfectly acceptable to embellish such things as jewelry pieces, ribbon embroidery, buttons, sequins, beads, keys, ciggies or other images on cloth, doilies, laces, fancy fibers and charms for instance.
Two techniques used to construct crazy quilts are (1) paper piecing or (2) flip and sew (at times may be referred to as stitch and turn, stitch and flip, flip and stitch, or fold and sew among others). The pieces are constructed onto a base fabric such as muslin.
Crazy quilting has no hard and fast rules. It is a wonderful means of expression as an art form in itself. Animals, flowers, insects and/or birds seem to be the favorite subjects used to decorate crazy quilts. You will very often see spiders in their webs on crazy quilts which is a symbol of good luck. Crazy quilting is not just used for quilts, but many items are now made using a crazy quilt patterning and embellishing techniques.
Some great links to learn more about crazy quilting and see more examples:
- A wonderful sample of an antique CQ from 1885 was shared by Deb of Mosaic Magpie on a co-authored crazy quilt blog. You will also find many CQ related links to other sites on the sidebar of this blog: http://simplyCQ.blogspot.com
- A variety of entries for a year-long crazy quilt project are shared on this site. Lots of eye candy here: http://www.cqjp2012.blogspot.com/
- Pat Winter is a mentor to many of us and shares so much of her knowledge with others on her blog. She also produces a magazine devoted to CQ and the link to find it is on her blog: http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/
- This is a site for CQ lovers from around the world. They host many round robins, challenges, etc. http://crazyquiltinginternational.blogspot.com/
Visit Connie Eyberg at http://ceoriginals.blogspot.com/ and http://ceostudiosolutions.blogspot.com/.
Interested in more? Mosaic Magpie has a lovely write up with more photos of the full quilt at the beginning of this article!
Sashiko
Do you personally challenge yourself to learn something new in quilting every so often? I do! This year I’ve become interested in not only learning more about embroidery but also taking a dip into the world of Sashiko quilting. I don’t know much about this.. but I have friends that do!
Today I’m going to give you a little overview, some links to videos and articles.. then later this year we’ll dive a little deeper with an expert.
What IS Sashiko?
Wikipedia says “Sashiko (literally “little stabs”) is a form of decorative reinforcement stitching (or functional embroidery) from Japan. Traditionally used to reinforce points of wear, or to repair worn places or tears with patches, this running stitch technique is often used for purely decorative purposes in quilting and embroidery. The white cotton thread on the traditional indigo blue cloth gives Sashiko its distinctive appearance, though decorative items sometimes use red thread.
Many Sashiko patterns were derived from Chinese designs, but just as many were developed by the Japanese themselves. The artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) published the book New Forms for Design in 1824, and these designs have inspired many Sashiko patterns.” Source
Sashiko is an embroidery pattern you put on the top of the fabric, just like the crazy quilting and regular embroidery. I’m drawn to the traditional navy with cream thread, it’s so beautiful! I can’t wait to try this!
If you can’t wait and want to try Sashiko now.. there is a nice tutorial at Purlbee. Here is more info at About.com with some freebies to download.
Did you know there is now a Sashiko machine by Baby Lock? I found this fascinating and will be taking a look at one next time I can!
Thread Give-Away
Our friends at Aurifil are sponsoring a thread giveaway to celebrate MY interest in Sashiko! This beautiful box of colors was selected by quilter Sharon Pederson. You can learn about the threads from Sharon at these videos: Video 1 and Video 2.
To be in the running to win… Answer one of these reader questions in the comment section below:
- What kind of thread to use for embroidery? There are so many choices!
- What type of embroidery is your favorite?
- What is your preferred size and brand of needles to use for embroidery?
One winner will be randomly selected next Wednesday, April 25, 2012. One entry per person please.
Pat Sloan is owner and founder of the quilting design and publishing company Pat Sloan & Co. She has published over 25 books, more than 100 patterns, nearly 10 fabric lines, and has had her work featured in all the major Quilt magazines. In January 2010, Pat started hosting her weekly Internet Radio show called Creative Talk Radio.
Find Pat here:
Web Site | Blog | Radio Show | Facebook | Twitter
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Congratulations to the winner #100 Winona.. check your email for a message from me.
I’m fascinated with crazy quilting embroidery!
I have not tried Aurifil for embroidery, yet; but boy I would love to try Sashiko! Just look at those luscious colors!!!!!!
I’m sold. Thanks for hosting the give-away. Cheers.
I love to embroider! I have not tried aurafil before and would love to try it since I’ve heard so much about it.
Hi Pat, I have some Aurafil with my cotton use it only for special quilts as it is hard to come by in NZ
It Is a great thread for quilting
Cheers
Val
Right now, I have been doing a lot of redwork. But, I have always wanted to try crazy quilting, and I just bought a book to help me get started. I really love the Aurifil threads, but very difficult to find it locally. I can usually find it when I go to quilt shows, and then I try to pick up a few spools.
I love embroidery. My favorites are redwork and crazy quilt. I have never tried Aurifil threads, but would like to.
I am enjoying the African Embroidery right now, but I also love my embroidery machine and the shiny Mexican threads. Aurifil is also very pretty when I can find it.
I have tried many different embroidery threads and have recently discovered Aurifil. I am really happy with the results. I have been using 12 wt. I am planning a project were I can try the lana wool. I enjoy doing any type of hand embroidery (and needle turn applique) and always like to try something new. At my local quilt and craft show last year I did a Sashiko workshop and have a quilt design in mind to incorporate this technique. Clover number 9 embroidery needles are my favourite.
I love Aurafil Thread…and summer…and Pat Sloan’s blog…and chocolate!
I can remember when french knots were all the rage back in the 80’s. We made wonderful designs on pillows and table runners. They were the so beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway chance to win.
I haven’t tried embroidery for many years until recently. I have used my old DMC thread for a couple of towels I embellished with an embroidery design. I’d love to try a new thread and the Aurifil threads sound great!
I love crazy quilting embrodiery because you can use so many different stitches! Thanks for your give aways – they are the highlight of my day!
I first learned hand embroidery over 40 years ago in the Brownies. My Mom still has the pin cushion I made her. I’ve just started adding machine embroidery to some of my quilts.
I have used Aurifil 50 wt for piecing alot but not tried Aurifil for embroidery yet–sounds promising though. I’m currently “dusting off” my embroidery skills with “Snow Days” by Crabapple Hill. I want to make a Crazy Quilt some day though…
DMC is so readily available, that that is what I use. I would love to try other brands like Aurifil, but have nothing locally. I am glad I read this article because I had started a Stitch along online, but didn’t know how to transfer designs…I tried taping my fabric to a window and that worked for the design elements but not the words. I couldn’t figure out how to to it to embroider those words that I gave up. I need to go see that transfer paper that you stitch through and then dissolve in water! It sounds like the perfect solution to my problem! THanks!
Aurofil is the greatest. I ove it for applique.
I have used Aurifil but have a very hard time finding it. I enjoy counted cross stitch but would love to try Sashiko .
I LOVE Aurifil thread…..it stitches so nice !! I hope to add more colors to my “collection” very soon.
Have a great day !
I use Isacord, but I really like the colors in this box. I would love the opportunity to try this thread, I have heard a lot of good comments on the thread from a friend.
Thanks Pat for your web site! I’m learning a great deal about embroidery. I love sashiko and redwork. I use DMC and have no luck finding aurifil locally.
Best wishes with all your deadlines!
I love, love the Aurifil threads Ionly use these for my hand embroidery, Ilove the 12wt. and all the others AQurifil threads. vonda wise
I so love the Aurifil threads,I only use these for my hand embroidery,the 12wt. also love the other Aurifil threads. vonda wise
Currently I am using Cosmo thread…love it but am always looking for new things.
I use DMC embroidery thread for hand work and I usually use Isacord for machine embroidery. I have not used Aurifil threads for embroidery, but I have used it to piece with. It is my favorite to use in my sewing machine. Would love to try the embroidery threads.
I have not tried Aurifil for embroidery yet but use it for quilting. I have always used DMC threads and recently tried some perle cotton. Thanks for a chance to win some Aurifil!
Hi. I have not yet tried Aurifil threads, but they look gorgeous. I have two favorite embroidery types – applique and in the hoop projects. Thanks for showing us this product.
Pat- I only hand embroidery, I never have felt the calling of the embroidery machine. But would love the chance to win some Aurifil as I haven’t tried it and maybe it could call me!!
Such gorgeous embroidery. I don’t know how, but you sure have me interested with all those beautiful examples. Auriful thread is the best!!
I have used only DMC for hand embroidery in the past. But I am a huge aurifil fan. My Bernina loves it and so do I.
I’ve been using perle cotton for embroidery. Seems the floss always gets tangled upon me! I also use size 10 needles, at Bari’s recommendation.
I use the John James Peppels for my redwork, and I would love to quilt with aurifil, thanks for the chance to win!
i love aurifil and have three different weights of the thread in my thread box…just in case. my favorite is plain old embroidery that my granma taught me.
DMC
I love Aurifil Threads and have several different projects in mind for these amazing threads! The colors are amazing!
I love Thread Painting and in need of threads….
I love Aurifil thread. I also use DMC because it is so readily available in so many colors. Aurifil lasts forever!! It’s great for all projects. I am trying some Sashiko right now :) I also like to do landscape projects and projects with multiple blocks that I can make into a quilt top.
Thanks for the great contest….hope I win !!
I’ve used several threads for embroidery, perle cotton, DMC, Anchor and even Sashiko thread (Olympus brand, I think) but I’ve never tried the Aurifil. I’ve recently completed my first Sashiko and I would love to try it again using Auriful!
I’ve used several threads for embroidery, perle cotton, DMC, Anchor and even Sashiko thread (Olympus brand, I think) but I’ve never tried the Aurifil. I’ve recently completed my first Sashiko and I would love to try it again using Aurifil!
my favorite is Aurifil 28. And Alex ;-)
Love to embellish quilt wall hangings with embroidery using Aurifil thread.
I love both hand and machine embroidery! I do some digitizing, and would love to try digitizing some sashiko designs. I’m a sucker for any beautiful thread!!! It’s fun to try all the different ones!!! Thanks for the opportunity to add to my stash of thread!!! Thanks, Auafil!!!
I Usually use alot of DMC, but if its a large piece with lots of color, I love Weeks or Cresants colors. thank you for the giveaway chance to win.
I usually use 6 strand embroidery floss, different brands, but often DMC.
I use DMC usually, but I just bought some Aurifil for hand quilting. I’d love to try the Aurifil for embroidery. Embroidery is the first stitching I learned. I do not come from a family of crafters. Much of what I do is self- taught.
I’ve mostly used DMC embroidery floss in the past, but I would love to try the Aurifil. I use their 50 cotton for my piecing, and I love it.
Great thread colors! Love them. I use Aurfil sewing & quilting. Love to read Alex’s articles too.
I think redwork is beautiful. I did, however, take a sashiko class last year and really like that too. I like to use a variety of threads and also a variety of needles – depends on thread that is used.
Count me in on the beautiful thread givaway.
I started my crafting with cross-stitch, and subsequently have a whole box of DMC which I am still trying to use up! My favorite type of embroidery is actually redwork, but I often spice it up with a rainbow of colors to keep things interesting!
My favorite is counted cross stitch and I use DMC floss, sometimes DMC Perle Cotton and Krenik blending fllament. Thanks for a chance to win! :)
I like to do needlepoint and have used mosty DMC thread. I just got a book on Blackwork so hope to try to do some of the designs in that one day. I still have sooo much to learn and love trying new things!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!