review

Originally posted 2006-02-18 14:51:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Carolyn Hedge Baird. 2004.

Whimsical and bursting with ideas, Carolyn Hedge Baird has written a book of stitch ideas
which covers much more than just Easter Eggs. It contains “ideas for borders and stripes,
backgrounds, details, threads, finishing, and displaying your needlepoint eggs!”

The book can roughly be divided into four sections; introduction, stitch suggestions, stitch
dictionary and additional techniques. Each section is packed with ideas.

The introduction is short and includes an introduction (and a great story about the Easter
Raccoon (who now lives at my house, I think), an introduction, some thoughts about
needlepointing, and a wonderful set of outlines of Easter eggs (for designing your own).

The second section is called Easter Needlepoint. It is divided by types of objects (straw
hats, bunnies, etc.) and lists stitch and thread suggestions for all parts of the object.
Needing to stitch some dots? This section includes suggestions for evenly spaced dots,
random dots, dots over 4 threads, and dotted areas. Along with some stitch diagrams,
there are list of stitches for all these areas, as well as hints and comments. Blank pages
and graph paper are included throughout this section to record your own choices.

The largest section of the book is the stitch dictionary. It is divided into sections including
tiny and small stitches, backgrounds, stitches for details, laid fillings and more. The
sections begin with a listing of stitches in them and then each stitch is diagrammed, and
many have additional information. In the tiny stitches section, for example, she has a great
description of Chottie’s Plaid. Once again idea, blank pages, graph paper and clip art are
interspersed throughout the section.

Specialized techniques, finishing and display information make up the last section of the
book. This included information which often is not seen in needlepoint books with
sections on silk ribbon embroidery, wired ribbon, and beading as well as finishing and
display information.

I love this book and find myself turning to it often for ideas, but I would add a small word
of caution. For people who have difficulty reading or who don’t like densely packed
information on a page, Baird’s style could be difficult. Her typeface can be hard to read
(especially in small sizes) and with clip art, text and diagrams on a page, it can be difficult
for some people to see what is most important.

But these are small problems with a book which is joyous, fun and full of ideas, even if you
never stitch and Easter Egg.

Continue reading here:
Merry Easter Eggs – book review

Anna Maria Horner Makes Needlepoint Kits

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

One of several new needlepoint kits designed by Anna Maria Horner

Anna Maria Horner has branched out into needlepoint kits. They are created in conjunction with Anchor UK and will be available later this year (no firm date or price yet).

If you are not familiar with her work, she is a multi=talented designer in needlework, sewing, and other crafts.

Horner plans to sell them in her shop.

Pictured is just one of four pieces she show off in a recent post on her blog.

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Anna Maria Horner Makes Needlepoint Kits

Dyed and Gone to Heaven – Caron Collection Web Site Review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2009-05-26 06:40:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Have you been to the Caron Collection site, Dyed and Gone to Heaven lately?

No?

Then go visit this superb, redesigned site. I am so completely impressed with its style I can’t recommend it enough.

The Caron Collection really embraced the possibilities of the Internet when they first did their site more than 10 years ago. It has tons of information, galleries, profiles, and free patterns of the finest quality.

But it wasn’t easy to navigate and often I found myself wondering where certain information could be found.

The new site showcases the information and products in a newspaper-like format. There are stories, with links, pointing you to new, larger, and greatly improved on-line color cards. The latest designer profile is summarized with a column and free projects as well as new products are showcased.

Across the top are buttons to the various parts of the site. These include information about products, each of the major divisions of information and two types of retail outlets. One is a shop locator for brick and mortar shops. The other is a list of mail order and on-line sources for those who do not have a convenient shop close by.

The free patterns have new larger pictures as well, so it’s very easy to find the project you want. There is a gallery of work by many talented people. And clicking on archives gets you to a nicely organizes text list of what it available.

You may only think of The Caron Collection when you think of threads, but the other areas of their line are now easy to find. Click on hand painted canvases to get a gallery page of the pieces, each listed with a thumbnail, name, and dimensions. Click on designs to learn about booklets. (There are several there I’ve been seeking.)

And if you can’t find what you are looking for, there is a search box, which uses Google to search this site (or the Web) to find what you need. The results come back in the familiar Google format so they are easy to use.

I’m so impressed and so happy, this is going to be a favorite stop.

Continue reading here:
Dyed and Gone to Heaven – Caron Collection Web Site Review

Pocket Stitch Books from Needlepoint, Inc and Threadworx – Product Review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Recently I got two little stitch books that cover basic stitches and that are just the right size to pop into your project bag or purse. Needlepoint Inc’s book is called Simply Stitches and Thread Candy Studio’s book is called Simple Stitches. Both books are small and cover a variety of stitches, suitable for beginning stitchers.

Thread Candy Studio’s Simple Stitches has volume 1 on the cover. It begins with a section on thread use information that is organized by mesh size for 18 and 14 mesh canvas, 28 or 32 count linen over 2, and 7 + 10 count canvas. There is also a little box that has some general guidelines for choosing threads. While most of this information is correct, some of it, especially the suggestions for linen are only appropriate for cross stitch but this is never noted. The next page has an explanation of different types and sizes of needles. This is followed by a few pages of stitching tips, including specific tips for left-handers.

The stitches in this book are in alphabetical order by name with large numbered diagrams. Many stitches have two versions, one for right- and one for left-handers. By careful if you are learning a stitch to use the correct diagram. Each stitch has the stitch family listed, stitch tips, and, for many stitches suggestions for effects or threads.

All the stitches are listed in the index.

Needlepoint Inc’s Simply Stitches is designed to be a quick reference book of frequently used needlepoint stitches. It has no text, just one stitch per page with large clear diagrams. They are also in alphabetical order but a Table of Stitches at the front of the book allows you go directly to the stitch you want.

The stitches cover many beginning stitches as well as some unusual and more advanced stitches.

I prefer Needlepoint Inc’s approach to this kind of book, it has the information I need but in a compact format that will continue to be useful whether I am just learning to stitch or need an easy reference to carry with me.

But both are great little tools for any stitcher.

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Pocket Stitch Books from Needlepoint, Inc and Threadworx – Product Review

Stitch Notebook – Product Review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2009-07-28 07:00:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Little Shoppe Canvas Company has come up with a charming notebook to keep track of your project ideas. Unlike many other stitch diaries, this isn’t for the finished piece, but gives you a place to record your ideas for a work in progress or to be stitched.
Two pages are given to each project. The left page has lines for the project name and date, a listing of threads, and some notes. The right page has four areas of grid in two sizes for diagramming stitches. This is a feature not often seen in stitch notebooks and a useful tool. One thing I like to do with new stitches is draw them the way I would stitch them. This feature lets me do that easily.
Great product, available at your local shop.

See original here:
Stitch Notebook – Product Review

Backgrounds: The Finishing Touch – book review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2003-09-19 06:38:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

BACKGROUNDS: THE FINISHING TOUCH by Ann Strite-Kurz

The choice of a background which is both appropriate for the design and beautiful is a decision which often perplexes stitchers. But all stitchers agree that the right choice can really make the design.

Ann Strite-Kurz’s teaching projects project packs and stitching are well known for their wonderful open backgrounds. No matter what the design, you will find innovative open backgrounds enhancing her work.

In this book Ann has taken canvases (of her own and by many others) and used them as the basis for a book about open background techniques. It is comprehensive and dense with information.

The first chapter opens with a short history of needlepoint and then has what I think of as the heart of the book. Well over 100 canvases are pictured and the backgrounds are analyzed. Each design is pictured in black and white in the book and then in color on the accompanying CD. A second picture of a detail section of the background is also on the CD. Each canvas is analyzed and information is given about how the background was developed or why it is an appropriate choice. In the section Ann classifies the different types of backgrounds into classes such as mat backgrounds, painted backgrounds or partial backgrounds.

Following this chapter are six chapters of techniques which show you how to do many of the techniques seen in the pictured canvases. The second chapter covers planning and execution of open backgrounds including detailed suggestions for starting and stopping threads so they won’t show and how to plan a background to work with the design.

The remaining chapters are all devoted to specific techniques. In each chapter there is an explanation on how to work the technique (if needed) and then the patterns are discussed. Anyone who has read Ann’s previous books knows how thorough her diagrams and explanations are, and this book is no exception. For example, Pattern 11, Diamond Outlines in Tied Oblong Crosses has a large diagram of the over all pattern, a detailed explanation of the pattern and when to use it (it is a large scale pattern with oblique stitches, so it needs to be planned carefully). then there is another explanation with diagrams of how to stitch the pattern. The section ends with some suggestions (accompanied by diagrams) on how to make the pattern more dense.

Because the book is packed densely with information it is a book to be savored and read over and over again. Pick a canvas, page through the CD to find ideas, then through the book to find a background you like, everything you need to know to make these open patterns an asset to your canvas is there.

We are so lucky to have Ann and her wonderful way of analyzing patterns available to us.

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Backgrounds: The Finishing Touch – book review

Finishing Elements Tutorials from DMC

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Tassels and Twisted Cord are two basic elements of finishing. It’s simply fantastic if you can make your own.

Not only can they add lovely custom touches to items you finish yourself, by supplying them, you can also get a bit more control in what the final product may look like. When you make your own, you can incorporate so many different threads to get a unique look.

DMC has posted two wonderful tutorials on their blog. They have lots of photos and step-by-step instructions. Visit them to learn how to:

make a basic tassel
make twisted cord

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Canvas Embroidery, vo. 1 – book review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2002-08-18 09:04:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Jane Zimmerman, self-published, 2005, ISBN:0-9646219-3-2.

Jane Zimmerman is a teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge of all types of needlework.
She has decided to create a comprehensive collection of stitch variations and patterns. It
will be a collection of three books, of which this is the first. It covers Mosaic, Cashmere,
Scotch, Gobelin, Eyelet, and Plaited Stitches.

This book contains 385 stitches. Each stitch has a photograph or a stitched sample. and a
diagram. Many diagrams have numbering, and virtually all have noted about the stitch, the
type of variation, or the name.

Each chapter is devoted to a type of stitch (Mosaic, Cashmere and Scotch are grouped
together). The chapter have a brief introduction which describes the type of stitch and
something about the variations.

One aspect which is different about this book, the stitches are not titled. Names of stitches, if any, are found in the notes under the stitch diagram. This makes the book great for browsing. There’s also plenty of space under the photos for your notes.

Needless to say, there is not index, but there is a list of reference sources at the end of the
book.

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The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Canvas Embroidery, vo. 1 – book review

Shay Pendray’s Inventive Needlework – book review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2004-09-18 06:30:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

For people who have watched her Needlearts show on PBS, Shay and her wonderful way with all forms of needlework needs no introduction. For those who haven’t let’s just say that Shay is one of the nicest and most innovative needleworkers around.

This beautiful book distills much of Shay’s wisdom covering Goldwork, painted canvas and shading. Each section is lavishly illustrated with detailed explanations of techniques. I’m not very familiar with Goldwork and I found Shay’s explanations clear enough so that I would feel confident tackling a beginner’s project. There is a charming one, a dove, in the book.

The section on painted canvas has a good overview of threads and techniques. It includes detailed instructions on techniques which often aren’t covered, stripped threads, using a laying tool, and properly starting and ending threads. A wonderful part of this section talks about choosing the right canvas. Further information covers how to change colors on a painted canvas as well as several techniques for optically mixing colors.

Following this chapter about painted canvas is a chapter which goes into depth discussing how three different painted canvas Christmas stockings were stitched. Several pages are devoted to each canvas with a picture of the entire canvas as well as close-up pictures of
the details. Even if these three Tapestry Tent designs aren’t your cup of tea, you will find many ideas for using on your own canvases.

The section on shading covers two different techniques to create realistic shading. While the techniques were developed for surface embroidery, a part of this section shows how they can be applied to canvas. In fact, the shaded canvas piece is photographed on the
cover of the book.

The book ends with a gallery of designs. Each of the pieces in the gallery shows Shay’s consummate skill as a designer and stitcher. They provide much food for inspiration.

While this book is not a book for beginners. Every stitcher will learn useful information and find plenty of inspiration in this wonderful book.

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Shay Pendray’s Inventive Needlework – book review

DMC’s New Website – Website Review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

DMC recently redesigned their website and I recently had a chance to explore it. For a company that has been in the needlework business for so long and who has many threads that are popular with needlepointers, this site is a huge disappointment.

There are several areas where you might look for needlepoint, and most of them are very disappointing. Let’s begin with “threads.” Go there and click on “needlepoint threads.”

What’s is listed there” Tapestry Wool and no other threads.

People stopped using only wool in needlepoint in the mid-70′s. Where are the many other threads that have been standards for needlepoint for decades, let alone DMC’s innovative new products?

Not under needlepoint, you’ll find them under embroidery threads. Couldn’t DMC have listed them under needlepoint as well, it isn’t hard to do.

A second section is education and this is the only good part of the site for needlepoint. It has a small stitch dictionary (that could use some kind of index) and a nice introduction to needlepoint. It could have been better if they had incorporated more of their recent blog series on needlepoint.

I was unhappy enough with the product area, but when I got to inspiration, I got very unhappy indeed. First there are two “projects” listed under needlepoint. One of those is the memory thread brochure, a product they couldn’t even be bothered to list as a needlepoint thread.

But look at “half cross stitch” which is essentially needlepoint done on fabric — there are 15 projects. Why aren’t they cross listed? If it has to do with materials, add the line or two to tell about canvas size and number of strands.

And there are more needlepoint gems, no doubt under other headings such as whole stitch cross stitch charts. And even free projects they have designed and promoted on their blog for needlepoint, such as their lovely bag, are not here.

I’m not happy, we deserve more, we deserve a site that is, as their blog said “a comprehensive resource for all artists, crafters and stitchers.” Instead of comprehensive except for needlepoint.

We shouldn’t be the poor stepsister of the embroidery world.

See more here:
DMC’s New Website – Website Review

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