If you want to see what some popular needlework vendors are offering new this spring, make sure you stop by the Online Needlework Show, which opens for general viewing at 2:00 pm (EDT) today. Most of the offerings fall in the needlepoint and cross stitch categories, but there are a few thread vendors on there, as well as accessory-related people. For example, I like Kelmscott Designs – their thread rings and keeps are nice accessories and make great gifts for needleworkers. For those of you lucky enough to have a local needlework shop, you can make note of what you like at the show and ask your shop to order it for you. There are a couple online retail stores that will take orders directly from the show, too, and most of the vendors at the show have company websites you can order from. It’s an easy way to browse from your home and create your wishlist for the year! Enjoy!
April 15, 2009
Thanks for letting us in such a yummy show online. I had fun browsing. One question – why are samplers mainly done with cross-stich? I am looking for something that looks great but highlights a variety of stitch types (a sampler of stitch types). I loved your Easter towel. I am hoping to use that idea/design to teach my girls embroidery stitches. I was hoping to find a kit, but maybe deciding on stitch varieties and putting them into a design is the way to go. Any help in that line would be appreciated. I thought of getting one of the basic books from your review section, and using that as a jumping point. Then maybe putting it into a picture like your Easter towel. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Thanks for your comment!
Fact is, early samplers weren’t worked in just cross stitch, although it often formed the basis for lettering and other motifs. All kinds of stitches were used, from other “canvas” stitches (that is, stitches used on even weave) to dimensional-type stitches (like those used in stumpwork) to plaited braid and other complex stitches to regular crewel work stitches (if you work a whole Jacobian / crewel work piece of the typical “tree of life” – and similar – variety, you are practically working a sampler…)
Samplers are fascinating, and they aren’t relegated just to cross stitch! You could certainly take a cross stitch base or chart and turn it into a “varied” stitch sampler… which is what I’m doing right now. I’ll show you in the upcoming days!