Fabulous Friday: Learn How to Embroider

(I set blogger to post this yesterday at 8am. Wonder why it did not?) 

Embroidery is like painting with thread. Don't know where I heard or read that, but it is true. 

It can delight, frustrate, calm, relax, and allow one to express themselves in an age old medium. Ancient civilizations used embroidery on garments.

There are almost as many styles of embroidery as there are brands of threads and fabrics from which to choose.

There is basic embroidery that can be utilized to create simple 

 or elaborate works.

(Sorry, that's sideways)

 These are some I've stitched.

There is redwork, blackwork, and chicken scratch.

There's the whole 'nother category of Cross-stitch which can be counted or not.

Yeppers, stitched this one too.

And there's crewel embroidery that usually means using wool or wool-like yarn for your stitching.

Whew!

It is always wonderful if you have someone to teach you - as my [Grand]Mama taught me. But, if not, there's a plethora of resources available!

Books are good - like any of the books written by Erica Wilson - THE Queen of Crewel Embroidery

Or by Jenny Hart - THE Queen of Embroidery's current revival!

I also like online tutorials.

My pal Wendi Gratz is on a mission to teach everyone how to sew but takes time to add embroidery to the fun!

http://www.dmc-usa.com/Education/Technique/Embroidery.aspx

http://www.sublimestitching.com/

http://wendigratz.blogspot.com/p/embroidery-lessons.html

Stop in next Fabulous Friday, February (already!?) 1st 

for some more resources, tips and 

some vintage patterns!!!

Have a Fabulous Friday and Weekend! 

Serendipity Handmade Blogoversary Give-Away

My Pal, Collette, writes the cutest blog,  
Serendipity Handmade.

Today is her 3rd Blogoversary.

Collette honored me with an interview about Sew In Stitches.

I answer all those questions that I am so sure you have wanted to ask but were afraid to do so. ;)

AND [sound the trumpet fanfare!]

we are sponsoring a joint Give-Away!!

 How would you like to have this fabulous, handmade,
rockabilly-inspired, full-size  

"That's Alright Mama" Apron 

(in homage to my [Grand]Mama, and the late Elvis Presley):

Collette came up with the name! 

I need her to name all my creations, yes?

And Collette is throwing in a $15 gift certificate to
Serendipity Vintage,
her fab online pattern shop,
for those of you who love to sew!

She has lots and lots of patterns - vintage and hard to find.

$15 Gift Certificate

All you have to do to enter is be a follower of Collette's blog (new or old!) and enter through the Rafflecopter widget on her blog.  

It's easy. 

Go visit Serendipity Handmade!

Show her some love.

Share the love too.

  

 If you have read this far then 

I have one more surprise for you! 

Shop my etsy shop, Sew In Stitches, and use the coupon code

SERENDIPITYVINTAGE25 

to receive 25% off your purchase.