Connie G. Barwick, cross-stitch editor at About.com, has an awesome treat for us: the 2011 About.com Cross Stitch Calendar. In addition to space for notes about appointments and stitching projects, it includes a free monthly cross-stitch pattern. … Read More ...
Tutorial: Checkered chain stitch
Kim of bigB demos checkered chain stitch. See the tute.… Read More ...
S-twist vs. Z-twist thread
Mary Corbet of Needle ‘n’ Thread explains the difference between S-twist and Z-twist embroidery thread. She says,
… Read More ...In most commonly used embroidery stitches, you’re not going to see that much of a difference between the way the stitch looks, whether
Signs of the Apocalypse in Arkansas
You may or may not know that, although CraftGossip is based in Australia, I live in the state of Arkansas in the USA. That is, I live about 30 miles from the town of Beebe, where about 5,000 blackbirds dropped … Read More ...
Inspiration: Shirlee Fassell and Susan Elliott
I keep going back, over and over, to Susan Elliott‘s photos of Shirlee Fassell‘s Vintage Vignettes crazy quilt. The design and stitching are varied and perfect, and Susan’s photos are phenomenal. Each image captures techniques I want to … Read More ...
Take a look at filigree work
Rugosa of My Little Stitches shows off a technique I’m dying to try. She says,
… Read More ...Filigree work [is] embroidery on a surface so transparent that the thread that creates the aesthetic is the thread on the back of the work.
Marie-Antoinette was a tatter
Back in October, Penny Nickels posted a terrific article on MrXStitch about the history of tatting, which included this charming portrait of the young Archduchess Marie-Antoinette of Austria. (Is it just me, or is that shuttle huge.) You’ll enjoy … Read More ...
Paint fabric with acrylic inks
If you paint fabrics before you embroider them — or if you’ve been wanting to give this technique a try — you’ll definitely want to read Judy Coates Perez‘s review of FW Inks. See her post.… Read More ...
Free desktop calendar for January
This desktop calendar featuring Mountmellick embroidery by Janet M. Davies is free from JMD Designs. Download it now.… Read More ...
Free heart-pop-wrapper design
Check out this excellent freebie:
… Read More ...Make these simple heart treat wrappers entirely in the hoop! In less than 1 minute, you’ll have an adorable decoration, name place holder, special grandchild treat, and more! This exclusive design is yours for FREE
Machine-embroidery freebies from Anja Rieger
Here’s a sweet gift from Anja Rieger Designs: These little piggies are available as free downloads — in both hand- and machine-embroidery formats — through January 6 (Central European Time). Grab them.
Still looking for more patterns? Check … Read More ...
7 giveaways at Rossiter Designs
Stephanie Flynn of Rossiter Designs announces:
I’m giving away 7 x Celtic Obsessions patterns (valued at $7.95 USD) to celebrate the new year! Entries close 1st February 2011.
Freebie, tute, and sale at UT
Things are really hoppin over on Urban Threads. Check out these juicy tidbits from their e-newsletter:
… Read More ...Our highly scientific observations have determined that this is the Year of the Ebook. If you’re one of the many who got a
Giveaway: Letter It! machine-embroidery software
Here’s an awesome announcement from theSewcial.com:
… Read More ...Win a copy of Amazing Designs Letter It! Embroidery Software! Say it with style with Letter It! This feature-packed stand alone lettering program lets you create single or multi-line text in a variety
Free chart: Kwanzaa
We’ve been seeing plenty of free Christmas designs around the web and quite a few Hanukkah and winter solstice images, but Kwanzaa patterns are a bit scarce. So I was really happy to find this pattern by Connie G. Barwick… Read More ...