Melitastitches4fun's Blog

Back in May, I went to the EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional Spring meeting held in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I went up because the Take Home a Project (THaP) class was Stitching with Crewel Stitches with Judy Jerow, an expert in Crewel.

There really are 3 different greens, purples, and yellows Appleton wools but they are so close, the shading isn’t as evident as I expected. I had greens: 355, 354, 352; first 2 too close; purples: 103, 104, 105; first 2 too close (differences showed up the least of the 3 colors, probably because they are darker threads); yellows: 471, 472, 474; first 2 too close.

The stitching is done but this will not get “finished”. Nothing really wrong with it but can’t hang everything. I never came to like Appleton wool as I continued to stitch with it. Maintaining the twist is constantly required, it’s a hairy thread which looks messy to me, and the feel is rough. I was threading the correct end. More crewel work is not in my future. I’m also not comfortable working on a hoop – it feels awkward which would probably pass if I used it more often. Working on Twill Linen wasn’t easy because I pulled too hard (maybe?) which makes it pucker (I can flatten it in the hoop). Again, something that might not happen with practice.

I do want to use the Burden stitch and love her French Knots. The Raised Outline and Stem make great leaves. These stitches could all be done with different threads and on a different ground. It’s always fun to learn something new from a project and teacher. I throughly enjoyed Judy and her class.

The EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional Spring meeting was held Saturday May 6 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I went up on Friday because the Take Home a Project (THaP) class, Stitching with Crewel Stitches, with Judy Jerow started at 8:30 am. THaPs are geared towards chapter representatives returning to teach it to their chapter members. It’s my 2nd class as a student after teaching Overdyed Spools as a THaP in 2021.

Judy published Creative Crewel Embroidery: Traditions and Innovations. I don’t own the book but wanted to mention it because she is extremely knowledgeable and talented. One student had just gotten a copy of the book (used for a steal at a library sale-lucky lady-Donna!) and got it autographed.

With this design, we learned to use stitches other than long and short to shade a floral design. We learned how Judy makes chain, burden, French Knots, Coral Knots, stem, and outline stitches. She was frank and funny particularly when she said you can show me how you make these stitches but I’m here to show you how I make them. Then, you can do whatever you want!

I bought polyester Twill tape to wrap the inner hoop. There are 3 issues with the hoop (that I can live with for this project but a purist might find troublesome). 1. The hoop is plastic. Wood is preferred because they grip the ground fabric better and apparently don’t distort as easily. 2. The Twill tape is polyester. Natural cotton is preferred. The ground fabric can grab the cotton better keeping it stretched better. 3. The fabric is linen Twill and so wrapping the hoop wasn’t even necessary!

It was a 3-hour class that felt like half that long. The first stitches, chain (right sise in photo) and Coral Knot (left side of photo), weren’t worked on the hoop. And, I didn’t get to stitch the others. So, I didn’t use the hoop! I can’t stitch and listen. As I heard someone in class say, it’s not a race. With that said, this was my progress in class (except for the French Knots that I practiced on a napkin). There is no shading evident. But, there will be.

Cindy, one of my tablemates from Williamsburg, joined me at my table – nice to see her again. Several of the ladies let me know how much they and their chapter members have enjoyed Overdyed Spools.

Class was over in a flash. I learned how to start a thread and Judy even discussed her blocking method. I’m glad I got to get a lesson from her before she retires. She recently celebrated her 64th Wedding Anniversary!

Using 2 stranded wool is required to make it Crewel. This design and techniques are applicable to other threads but then is would be called Surface Embroidery. Good to know. Appleton wool is THE wool to use. And, I don’t care for it. It feels almost rough. We had 2 colorways to select from. One had pinks and the one I selected had yellows. We got 9 needles. Once I start shading, I’ll need them.