For the 2024 ANG Seminar exhibit in the Original Design category, I sent in my Fireside Sampler created for Step 6 of the EGA Master Craftsman in Canvas. But the ANG judges moved it to from the Original Design category to the Adaptation category because my artist statement included a photo and description of how I revised my 20-year old design. The second one is considered an adaptation of the first one. Had the original design not been mentioned, it would have remained in the Original Design category.
It is my second year being in the professional category. It did not get a ribbon from the ANG Seminar judges (it had gotten a 3rd place ribbon from Woodlawn judges). It scored well enough.
The score that is particularly confusing is for Workmanship/Technique because I lost 6 points while the critique has no negative comments regarding this area. It states: “The brick work in the fireplace surround shows immaculate thread control. This indicates a full understanding of the stitches chosen, thread pull while working each area, and control of stitch tension. The inner fireplace bricks and andirons are also finely worked, and the satin stitches creating the logs are even in both tension and thread twist maintenance. The long stitches used for mortar between individual bricks are well controlled. There are no loose or sagging stitches in this area.” So, why did I lose 6 points? It makes no sense.
There was no comment on why Finishing/Presentation lost 2 points. I’m just curious.
I can agree that the size ratio of the mirror is small compared to the size of the candles. I’ll also agree that the flames are very intense and a slight change in temperature of the flames would have added a more realistic appearance to the design. However, I can’t see that because the bottom flame row is very symmetrical, it detracts from the effort taken to add interest in the top row.
I was really pleased to see the judge felt it was a well-written artist’s statement and helped them understand just how much thought went into improving upon the original work and the efforts taken to create depth perspective on a flat surface.
And, I was happy to read, “I commend your thread blending efforts on the rug . . the result is worth the time and effort. Well done.” Again, a positive for Workmanship/Technique.
Once again, here is my Fireside Sampler.
Lynn from Fireside Stitchery has asked to display this in her store. She wanted a fireplace in her store! I just hope nobody wants instructions. It would take a lot of effort. I left it at the store after I discussed this at our Main Line Stitchers chapter meeting.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, Brandywine Chapter, Embroidery Guild of America
My skinny version of A Spring Sampler in a fall colorway is done! I started this with my EGA Brandywine Chapter in October 2023. I did this one less wide (5″) and with an overdyed thread that doesn’t have a lot of color change. So, I had to modify 2 bands to remain symmetrical. I also worked out the half motifs in case anyone was interested and less worried about symmetry. At least one other member was making it smaller.
Using an overdyed thread without much color change within the skein looks pretty. It reinforces my thought that contrast of values is very important.
What should I do with this 5″ x 9″ stitched design? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Filed under: Embroidery Guild of America
My EGA magazine (September 2024 issue) arrived today, and I see Linda M from ANG’s New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter and EGA’s Skylands Stitchers Chapter wrote an article, Rosena Disery 1820: An Important Artifact of Black History which is all about Rosena’s sampler.
Linda stitched the reproduction piece. The over 200 year old original is too delicate, so the reproduction will be available for loans to other institutions. A second reproduction piece will be installed at NYHS’s DiMenna Children’s History Museum.
I’ve been fortunate to see it in person as she worked on it and when it was finished. Recently, I heard her give a talk on it too.
Congratulations, Linda, on your contribution to the history of the artifact and an excellent article.
Filed under: Brandywine Chapter, Embroidery Guild of America, Roman Ruins by Joan Rinehart
My EGA Brandywine Chapter decided to try Casalguidoli embroidery, which turned out to be easy enough thanks to Joan Rinehart’s design, Roman Ruins, an EGA Petite Project. There is a Group Correspondence Course of a dragon that would be tougher because the width varies from head to tail.
Roman Ruins is good for beginners in this technique but takes more than “a few” hours to complete. I worked on it 3 nights for quite a few hours each night. But it’s not a difficult project (5″ x 7″). It’s diagrammed like a cross stitch pattern, which now that I’ve been away from large cross stitch pieces for some time, I got off count slightly but not significantly.
Then, it was decided to teach it on linen because one of the board members found this project, Casalguidi Flower by Becky Quine, on Etsy. So, I found a piece of Lugana 28 count (yellow) in my stash (the model was on blue), purchased the piece, and stitched it. One of the challenges was the padding under the column, but the rest of the embroidery stitches were even more challenging. I learned the curl stitch for stems and woven picot (attached and detached). For a first attempt with these types of stitches, it’s good.
I am glad the board agreed I could teach it on canvas because it’s so much easier on 18 count canvas. Then, people can stitch a project on canvas, linen, or just store the stitch away for reference. These stitches could all be done on canvas. We just did a 2″ sample to get the hang of it.
Roman Ruins uses a running stitch along the sides that isn’t used in Casalguidi Flower, doesn’t incorporate the typical four sided stitch seen in the background of Casalguidi Flower, and the columns in Roman Ruins are not padded but it is padded in Casalguidi Flower.
Further investigation on the technique from Mary Corbet’s website reveals that Roman Ruins is probably more accurately called a raised stem stitch. See needlenthread.com/raised-stem-stitch and needlenthread.com/casalguidi-stitch. Mary has great photos and instructions. Give it a go!
Filed under: Brandywine Chapter, Crewel Wreath by Lucy Edmison, Embroidery Guild of America, Petite Projects
A hot start to summer seems like a good time to post this.
Members of my EGA Brandywine chapter gathered to stitch The Crewel Wreath by Lucy Edmison in mid-March. Joann had gathered all the materials for the kits, which were given out free to members. And, I led folks through the EGA Petite Project, although they really didn’t need much guidance.
Joann supplied Appleton wool, which is the preferred wool for crewel. I used it and it worked ok but I am just not a fan of it or wool in general. In the 3 hours I got pretty far along but Barbara was almost done! I know it’s not a race. Barbara said she just allowed the stitching to flow and that is how you should let random placement progress. I used up almost all of the wool. So this one is a little fuller.
I am particularly happy with how the bow turned out. Joann shared how bows were made from “Sandy’s Finishing Touches” by Sandy Higgins. It took me 2 attempts to get the correct size. Joanne had given us plenty of ribbon.
My first wreath is on the left and my second on the right.
I did the finishing myself.
Crewel Wreath 1 was posted previously at https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/12/03/post-dec-6-crewel-wreath-by-lucy-edmison-from-egas-website-for-the-brandywine-chapter/
Filed under: ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter, Embroidery Guild of America, General comments, Ruby Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz, Seminar 2023 - Boston, Threads, Understanding Color Relationships: Luster and Luminosity with Patricia Goaley
I’ve got a lot of small stuff to finish. I decided to get back into the swing of it with new coasters for us.
For Bill’s coaster (on the left), I folded over along the edges and tacked them into place with invisible thread. Details on how I stitched the 4 corners differently are at: https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/03/02/manipulating-overdyed-threads/
For mine (on the right), I folded over along the edges and practiced the buttonhole stitch. I used black DMC Perle #8 and could have used #5 because some canvas is showing through. The design is from a class on Color and Luminosity with Pat Goaley during the EGA Seminar in Boston (more on that at https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/09/03/ega-seminar-class-2-understanding-color-relationships-luster-and-luminosity-with-patricia-goaley/).
For both, I glued black ultrasuede on the bottom using Aleene’s Fabric Adhesive.
Next up is a blue sample from Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz that I made into a bookmark. More on this at: https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/02/16/ruby-razzle-dazzle-by-ann-strite-kurz/
I used black DMC Perle #5 this time to make the buttonhole edging across 3 canvas threads. It has less white showing. I didn’t fold back the edges to make it a thinner, lighter finished piece (compared to the coasters that have the edges folded over). Then, I cut very slowly, carefully, and close to the stitching without cutting the threads. Here’s the back before covering it with a dark blue ultrasuede.
Again, I glued a piece of ultrasuede to the back (Aleene’s). I placed the glue all along the edges so that the glue touched only the DMC Perle buttonhole stitching. The width of three canvas threads accommodated a nice amount of glue.
It’s thin enough for a bookmark. A pretty one too!
Filed under: Cardinal Ornament - Liz Kisielewski, Embroidery Guild of America, Mid-Atlantic Region
The EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional Spring Meeting occurred this past weekend in King of Prussia sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter (no, I am not a member!). They did a lovely job. Teacup pincushion favors (one per table) were awarded to half of the class participants (two per table but not me). There were about 24-26 students. There were table favors, one per table of 6 people, at lunch (again not me). They handed out large carry bags and a snap tray to everyone.
The Cardinal Ornament class was designed and led by Liz Kisielewski. It is 6.5″ x 4″ and made from wool felt (6 colors), floss (3 colors), and stuffing. You know how sometimes you just need the right person to show you how to do something. Well, I finally understand how to do the buttonhole stitch. I was always trying to work it left to right but on the top edge. Liz showed me working it left to right on the bottom edge. It works so much better for me!
This was a Take Home a Project (THaP) class which means most of the students are going back to their chapters as teachers for this project. Instructions are free to chapters to use. The kit materials are supposed to be $10 or less so it is an affordable price. My EGA Brandywine Chapter has a Board meeting on Tuesday (I am a co-VP for projects) and I wanted to have it done. I will teach it if they decide to do it.
The branch was done during class. I almost forgot to add the hanger but thanks to my neighbor for reminding me to add it and thanks to tweezers (and Linda for giving them to me), I was able to get it through an opening between 2 stitches. Phew!
The Cardinal worked up quickly during a Phillies game later that day. Because there are only a few red stitches on the black felt, she didn’t have us switch threads. I used a black marker on those couple of stitches.
Sunday basketball allowed me to complete the ornament. I found a perfect bead for the eye. I couldn’t see the French knot that was on the demo bird because it was black on black. But, the bead has just a tad of light reflecting off it to be seen. It really wasn’t a difficult project. Needlepoint pieces take so long that doing something with more immediate gratification was fun. And, the 3D effect is much more apparent on this than on needlepoint. I won’t seek felt projects out, but it’s always fun to try something new.
I bet the gang on Tuesday night at the Needlework and Fiber Guild of Media will enjoy seeing this! The group meets at the Media Arts Council in Media, PA at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of the month.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, Brandywine Chapter, Embroidery Guild of America
I had a Stitch-in Tuesday with my EGA Brandywine Chapter members. Patrick has been stitching on this project with regularity, and it’s coming along nicely.
I can’t remember when I stitched Bands 5 and 17, but all Tuesday, I kept looking at them, thinking something wasn’t right. It wasn’t until I got home and finishing up the now bottom Band 18 that I realized I had used the wrong thread for Bands 5 (second from top) and 17 (second from bottom).
It really pays to start and end your threads carefully enough to be able to rip out without disrupting the adjoining area.
And, here are Bands 5 and 17 looking much better. Agreed?
Filed under: ANG Chapter Book Projects, Embroidery Guild of America, Needlepoint Shops, Nimble Needle, Overdyed Spools THaP, Petite Projects
My closest needlepoint store is Nimble Needle in NJ. Karen relocated to Merchantville a few years ago, making her a 20-minute drive for me. She has a great variety of everything, gives a 10% discount for ANG and EGA members, and always has the threads I need in stock. As if that isn’t good enough, I was even more thrilled when Karen showed me Overdyed Spools with her store name stitched where the spools originally would have been!
Patti, a customer and current President of EGA Colonial West NJ chapter, stitched it for Karen. Apparently, Patti has stitched a few of them as gifts. This is an EGA Petite Project, free to all members. It’s also a free project for ANG Chapters through the 2017 Chapter Project Book. One skein of Watercolours is used, and the thread is manipulated to create the color flow in the upper left and lower right corners.
It seems to be more popular with EGA than ANG, and I’ve seen several exhibited at Woodlawn (one of which was Patti’s with spools as seen in this 2022 post: https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/03/31/woodlawn-needlework-exhibit-2022/). In this one, the spools have been replaced by a name tag and even made into a picture frame. Karen is going to attach it to a small project bag. I love it. Patti’s stitched another great one and Karen said I could post this!
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, Brandywine Chapter, Embroidery Guild of America
At the end of October, we had a 4-hour workshop for A Spring Sampler with members from my EGA Brandywine Chapter.
Since it had been a while since I designed and stitched the piece, I decided I better stitch along with them. So, I selected threads from my stash and decided to make it less wide than the original. The overdyed thread, Gloriana Cinnamon 151, has much less variation than I expected, but I am interested in finding out how it’ll look. So far, I like it.
Earlier today, we had a second workshop.
Brenda is coming along nicely on hers (https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2024/01/spring-sampler-updated-1624.html). She’s got Bands 7 through 17 done in the original width. Unfortunately, Brenda couldn’t join us today, but I do hope we’ll both make it to our EGA Brandywine Quarterly meeting on January 18th (weather permitting).
Patrick’s using an overdyed thread with quite a few colors, and it’s turning out great. The holidays got in the way for others in the group. Hopefully, today, they got back on track.
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