Filed under: Books in My Library, Borderlines by Jean Hilton, Light 'n Lacy by Jean Hilton, Needlepoint Books, Needlepoint Stitches by Jean Hilton, Stimulating Stitches by Jean Hilton
The books by Jean Hilton are presented in order of publication.
Jean experiments with stitches in Needlepoint Stitches (1988) right from the start with the same size Jessica but by shifting just the 1-2 stitch, she creates a small medium and large opening. Mind blowing and that’s just page 2! She explores the Amadeus stitch patterns, Jessicas, Walneto, Elongated Smyrnas, Rhodes, Sprats Heads, Waffles, and a bunch of miscellaneous ones (Bowtie, Mistake stitch, Mistake pinwheel, Helen’s Lace, Hesitation stitch, Hungarian Hearts, wrapped coils, cross and tuck, double tied, Ashland stitch, offset Scotch, tied Mosaic variation, a huge star and superimposed waffle, diagonal weaving, short Mosaic, and spatula). Her wrapped sheaf fit well in my Lady Sybil design. It’ll look better when I stitch it correctly too. I stitched it last night incorrectly, just ripped it out, and will get it correct tonight! That’s why I was writing this post – to find that error.
After using Stimulating Stitches (1992) for years, I just saw the Table of Contents divides the stitches into “motifs where all stitches go over previous ones” and “motifs where the stitches slide under” in all uppercase letters. In just three years, Jean “discovered” variations of stitches discussed in Needlepoint Stitches and revisits Jessicas, wrapped sheaf, Amadeus, and Waffles. Jean gets into crescents, exotic crescents, Fleur-De-Lis crescents, Sprats Heads, Plaited Rays, and Double Fans. I was able to learn how to make them fit the space I had in my Lady Sybil design.
In Borderlines (1994), Jean teaches you how turn a corner. There are borders within borders, narrow borders, dividing borders, straight borders, curving borders, heart borders, diagonal borders, and miscellaneous borders. Her imagination and ability to create these combinations is astounding. And, she describes how she developed them. There is a pattern of squares with 9 empty canvas threads and another with octagons and squares both of which looks like they would be fun to play with. One of her special corner treatments worked out perfectly for my Lady Sybil design although I nested 3 Jessicas. Speaking of Lady Sybil, that piece had something wrong with it and I ripped out a section and is now waiting for me to decide what to try next.
Jean Hilton’s Light ‘n Lacy is a booklet of 30 “Delicate Designs”, name tag designs, and an alphabet consisting of what else other than Smyrnas and Jessicas. This is from 1995 and I only recognize 2 of the 44 contributing stitchers. Reading this Introduction as with her other books is like having Jean sitting nearby talking right to you. These are not complicated designs using cross stitches, Smyrnas, crescents, eyelets, and Rhodes stitches. I got this more to see how she developed designs.
The Woodlawn Virtual Needlework Show opened April 15. The link is shown below.
Tickets are $12.00 and the purchase allows you to access as often as you like through May 31, 2022. You are also able to access the recordings of three of the programs that were held during March – African American Needlework in the Colonial and Antebellum South (Kathy Staples); Shared Sampler Threads (Barbara Hutson of Queenstown Sampler Designs); and Passing on the Tradition of Needlearts: Community Conversation.
http://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2022-virtual-needlework-tickets
Thanks to Linda M from ANG New Jersey Needle Artists for sending a reminder to chapter members.
Filed under: A Background Stitch Reference Book by the Golden Gate Canvas Workers Chapter, Grab -n- Go Stitches by Lone Star Chapter
There are two spiral bound booklets created by ANG chapters that I am aware of. It’s quite an undertaking involving many people and kudos to both groups.
A Background Stitch Reference Book by the Golden Gate Canvas Workers Chapter is the older of the two booklets and as far as I know is out of print and no longer available. Stitches are placed into 7 sections including straight, slanted, cross, eyelet, woven/tied, specialty, and exposed canvas techniques. They do not cite where stitch patterns were sourced nor is there a bibliography. Some are described as “special stitch variations and patterns developed by some chapter members” but many can be found in other books such as Pavillion, Criss Cross Hungarian, and others. However, be sure to read the added comments. For the Criss Cross Hungarian, “When using a colored canvas, an interesting contrast develops by not using the Cross stitches.” I’ve used beads before but never thought about not adding anything. There are 2 Trame with Blackwork patterns that look very interesting. When I think of backgrounds, I usually gravitate towards non-directional and small uncomplicated patterns so they don’t distract. But, I can see trying a few of these larger patterns especially worked in the same colored threads which would add texture and interest.
The Lone Star Chapter released the Grab -n- Go Stitches at the ANG Seminar in 2019 and it is available through Houston Needlepoint stores which are listed at lonestarang.com. Members shared their favorite stitches which are also placed into 7 sections including “Stitches that Read Straight”, “Stitches that Read Diagonal”, “Stitches that Read Oblique”, Leaf stitches, Laid Fillings, Blackwork, Darning patterns, and Lagniappe (which means bonus or extra). Patterns are not named or numbered. There are many composite stitches with interesting patterns I’ve not seen before. The 92-page booklet is 5″ x 8.5″ but most pages have 6 patterns on each side. So, there are around 500 patterns including the Lagniappe diagrams. So, it is one jam-packed booklet and only $30.
A stitch book would be a great fund raiser for a chapter but a lot of work!
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