Needle Work

Art, patterns and techniques

Cheryl Fall Interview and Giveaway

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I am so excited that I had a chance to interview Cheryl Fall and review her newest book, Simply Samplers. The book is a wonderful mix of projects and tutorials for the beginner and advanced stitcher. The directions are easy to follow and I feel like she is right there with me, teaching me a new technique.

Lucky for you, I have a copy of her book to give away. Just leave a comment to the following question: What is your favorite needlework tool? A random winner will be picked on Monday, September 15th.

Looking for more Christmas Embroidery Patterns? Check these out on Etsy

Now, let’s find out more about this amazing woman.

How did you get started in embroidery/needlework?
My love of needlework started around age 6 (circa 1968) when my mother gave me a small, metal cookie tin full of pearl cotton balls, skeins of floss, and several half-finished pieces of needlework. They were started by her aunt back in the 40’s and were the typical gaudy pink of the day, but I immediately fell in love with the threads, designs and the entire process. My great-grandmother saw what I was up to and decided to teach me to stitch properly. I’ve been stitching ever since.

What advice would your give to someone just starting out?
Read up and follow the tips that have been handed down by generations of stitchers – especially the tip about “no knots”. Knots really take away from the beauty of a project, cause lumps and bumps in the reverse side, and can come unraveled during laundering, which can destroy your hard work. Weaving in tails and using the proper starting techniques secures the thread perfectly. Also, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Start small and build up to larger or more complicated projects to learn the processes involved. I learned that the hard way when I bought a needlepoint kit as a teenager, stitched the square design in half cross stitch and ended up with a trapezoid that was useless.

 Do you have a favorite stitch, fabric, tool that you use?
I LOVE using counted thread and needlepoint stitches in unusual ways. My favorite fabric is 32 counted linen – pure linen feels so nice in the hands – and I love silk threads.  If I had to choose a favorite thread color, it would be DMC floss in color #115 – a variegated red.  I just used several dozen skeins of it while stitching an upcoming Christmas embroidery book.
What plans do you have for the future?
I’m finishing up a Christmas embroidery book that will be released in about a year.  I’ve always wanted to do one for the holidays, and this one features lots of surface embroidery and counted designs.  It’s been a fun one to work on.  Future plans are anyone’s guess.
Fun bonus question: What is your favorite food/beverage?
I like to sip a glass of wine while stitching. A sip here, a stitch there… I’m relaxing and enjoying the evening in my happy place.

Related Ideas:

Comments

  2. What a wonderful interview and book! My favorite tool for needlework, believe it or not, are books. Especially ones with tons of fun and different patterns to try. I can easily spend hours slowly looking through them.

  5. Favourite tool – I have two, actually. A roll of 1/4″ painters tape (perfect for ‘marking’ stitching lines) and waste canvas. I’m a crazy quilter so I use both those items a lot. Thank you for a chance to win what appears to be a book that I would love to own!

  10. I’m not great at needlework, but am getting better. My favourite tool owuld be my embroidery scissowo

  14. My favourite tool is my good light, so much easier to see when the light is on. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter for the book.

  16. My rectangle wood frame is my favorite. It keeps the work neat, straight, rolled. I don’t have to unhoop at the end of the day. Would love to learn how to make new stitches.

  17. My rectangle wood frame is my favorite tool. It keeps the work straight, neat and rolled. You don’t have to unhoop at the end of stitching. Would love to learn how to make new stitches.

  20. My favorite tool is my magnifying light–it sure makes it more enjoyable to stitch now. Thanks for the chance to win.

  21. My favorite tool is my needle… a good needle suited to the particular project makes all the difference in the finished embroidery!

  23. My favorite tool is the right sized hoop for whatever hand embroidery project I’m working on. I’ve always wanted to do a proper sampler. Thanx for the opportunity to win this book.

  24. Needles…all of ’em. I’ve ones for this and ones for that! But do hate it when I lose one hither and yon.

    from VT where all are present and accounted for at the moment,
    the Vermonster–Patty M.

  25. i dont have a favourite needlework tool yet because ive never done any needlework but i really want to learn so thank you for this opportunity!!!

  26. My favorite tool is an old hoop passed down from my Mother. I just know she is smiling down on my project each time I use it. Thank you for the delightful giveaway.

  30. I don’t know? I haven’t really done a lot of hand embroidery, so this would be a great. opportunity. thank you

  31. My Favorite Tool Is A Sharp Needle .Can not Go Wrong With having A Sharp Needle. Thanks For The Chance To Win This
    book. Can Not Wait To See Who Wins.

  32. I have a pair of scissors that belonged to my mother-in-law that I keep to use in my sewing basket. She was a wonderful seamstress.

  33. I have a tool with no name. It’s long and comes to a point – the closest thing to it would be a laying tool but officially, it’s not. Anyway, I use this tool for everything – tightening and loosening thread, pulling out knots, pushing thread through, smoothing out the back of the canvas. I use it ALL the time. I really should name the poor thing …. I think I’ll call her Georgette. 😀

  35. My favorite tool is a good pair of scissors. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to work on a project using crappy scissors.

  36. I have a pair of scissors that were given to me by my husband over 30 years ago, I keep them well sharpened and they are my favorite tool.

  38. My favorite keeps changing. I love my little stork scissors, I love the little tray I put random spools of thread on, I love my leather thimble, I love my tiney little needles, and I love my little apple pincushion made of scraps. 🙂

  42. My favorite tool is the frame. I have had this one so long that it is just about gone. It is a metal hoop that they do not make any more.

  45. My favorite stitching tool is a small, oval hoop. I am never without it, it holds my fabric to the very edge!

  48. My rectangle wood frame, it lets me roll my project, work a section at a time. I don’t have to dehoop at the end of the day, it is ready and waiting whenever I have the time.

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