Bobbie is an art historian, and she runs At Home Modern. When she lived in Philadelphia, she ran a business to help people create midcentury interiors. When she purchased a mid-century home, she went on the search for bargello pillows to complement the 1960′s house. Here’s a story about Bobbie and her pillows: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/03/06/erica-wilson-and-margaret-boyles-teach-bargello-needlepoint-pillows-to-bobbie/. Since moving to Maine, she became a fiber artist weaving pieces on looms. She returns to Philadelphia for an introduction to weaving class on June 11.
Make your own woven wall hanging!
In this workshop, Bobbie says that students will learn the essentials of tapestry weaving by creating woven wall hangings using a frame loom. We will cover: • loom basics • fiber selection • weaving tools • warping a loom • stitches and knots • shapes and space • removing a weaving from the loom • various finishing techniques This workshop includes a 10-inch loom and everything you need to complete your tapestry (all yours to keep)! You are welcome to bring your own favorite yarns if you wish – I suggest bulky yarns (weight 5 or above) for beginners. Contact me (Bobbie) if you would like a larger loom for an upcharge: 14 inch +$10, 20 inch +30, 36 inch +$210.
Date: Saturday, Jun 11, 2022 starting at 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Total of 1 session for 3 hours 30 minutes
Cost $200
Contact Details
Second State Press, North American Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA
267-237-5413
https://www.athomemodern.com/coursesandworkshops
I (Melita) am already signed up and requested an upgrade for the 14” loom. Hope to see others there.
Filed under: Needlework and Textile Guild of Media
The ANG definition of needlepoint is “Counted or free stitchery worked by hand with a threaded needle on a readily counted ground.” That is my preference but I do like to try other crafts occasionally.
Next craft to try is weaving on a loom. I signed up for a beginning class (https://www.athomemodern.com/coursesandworkshops) in June in Philadelphia.
And, I am joining the Needlework and Textile Guild of Media. We met for the first time last month and about 2 dozen folks showed up.
Here is the list of what everyone is doing and/or would like to do.
- Quilting
- Knitting
- Braid weaving
- Braiding
- Visible mending/sashiko
- Weaving
- Crocheting
- Sewing
- Embroidery
- Rug making
- French wire work
- Beading
- Needlepoint
- Hand weaving
- EPP crochet
- Fibers
- Macrame
- Felting
- Icording
- Paper piecing
- Collaging
- Lace making
- Applique
- Darning
- Repurposing
- Needle felting
There will be a demo on invisible and visible mending for the May 10 meeting at 7 pm at the Media Arts Council (11 E State St in Media). If you’re in the area, please join us.
I saw a darning loom advertised on Facebook and decided that I should try it. Not bad for a first attempt. I practiced on a sock. My husband has a favorite sweater that needs a new elbow. Hopefully, I’ll be able to save it.
Step 1 is place the hole over the wooden disc and attach to the loom.
Step 2 is to hook the yarn vertically over the hole.
Step 3 is to weave the thread back and forth.
I took the loom off here but should have added several more horizontal lines of thread.
It made attaching the ends more visible with such large loops so I weaved 2 more lines without the hooks but they weren’t tight enough.
Step 4 was to whip stitch the loops to secure them and tie off loose threads on the back.
This is a “Speedweaving” darning loom but the name is not accurate. It took me most of the evening as we watched the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team bounce back (pun intended) with a win because our “big” Embid was back on the court. Any number of colors of thread could be used to make a multi colored patch.
I’ll take this to the Tuesday night meeting.
Busy week! Monday night is my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter meeting. And, Friday and Saturday is the NJ Needle Fest.
Filed under: ANG CyberPointer's Chapter, ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter, Hearts of Gold by Michele Roberts
Back in March of 2020, ANG Cyberpointers offered Hearts of Gold: 20 Bargello Ornaments by Michele Roberts as a group Correspondence Course. It’s still available for individuals to sign up for. I didn’t get to it until now. Thanks to my ANG New Jersey Needle Artists chapter who has 42 of 53 members working on a bargello project, I plan on stitching 4 of them in the next couple of months. Five members are working on my Bargello Bowls!
The heart ornaments are not only great designs but Michele Roberts teaches classic techniques of stitching Bargello and combining different patterns.
I backstitched the heart shape with Londonderry Linen LNS #8085 Beige 80/3. It’s almost the same color as the sandstone canvas. The extra dip I added in the upper center portion defines the heart a little more. These are little hearts at 3″ x 3″.
The golds would be pretty but I want to have “seasonal” hearts. Green and white for St. Patrick’s Day, red and white for our Phillies and Valentine’s Day, multi-color for spring, and magenta for other times.
Since this project should have started in March, I will start with the green and white threads, Silk & Ivory in 86 Shamrock and 01 Natural.
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!
March means the Woodlawn Needlework Show. The weather did not cooperate with our schedule and Bill and I didn’t get to visit until March 30. It was chilly and sunny (so photos may not be great due to glare or appear washed out – sorry) but no rain. It is unfortunate to see the number of judged entries has dropped to 296. But, the quality is more important than sheer numbers and it is always a joy to share and celebrate needlework.
Plus, there was a wonderful display of over 60 pieces by the Winchester Chapter of EGA who were celebrating their 10-year anniversary. Among pieces displayed by the Winchester Chapter were 3 of Toni Gerdes designs Klimt Kimono (a WIP for me), Autumn 3-Ways (a class I’m taking in October 2022 with the Central Jersey Chapter), and Bronze Purse (I finished stitching it but never did anything with it – I love what this person did with it). The fourth, is Donna’s 32-count miniature tiger stitched on gauze that won 1st Place and the Pope-Leighey Award in 2020 and one of our favorites! Good to see it again.
And, there were a number of pieces by Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis aka Nelly for whom the Nelly’s Needlers were named after. The design for the fireplace screen is available in the gift store and the others are pieces from the 1800’s on perforated paper!
Speaking of Nelly’s Needlers, the folks who run the exhibit, always sell ginger cookies and we got some. I also picked up this bargello purse they called Nelly’s Purse. I love how the design looks open as much as when it’s closed. The finishing is impeccable. I found out the purse was designed by Pat Mazu for her journeyman level Master Teacher Program and named it Flowers on a Trailing Vine. Pat taught it 3 times, once in the Potomac/Washington DC area. No wonder I fell in love with it. Pat’s designs are amazing!
Now, on to the main exhibit. I did ask and was told that they will definitely be placing photos of the pieces in an online exhibit again this year. I don’t have an exact date. So, I am going to limit the photos I show in hopes you support them online. Looking at them online is like seeing the exhibit again but from a different viewpoint. It can be a lot to take in at one time. So, seeing it again online is great. And, their photos will not be taken with glare or sun streaming into the room.
Apparently, the Beach colorway of my Crescent Journey impressed these judges more than the original colorway did in 2019 because this version got a 2nd Place Award. They did not offer critiques but I do believe this colorway is more balanced and allows the crescents to be seen better.
I was one of the four ANG New Jersey Needle Artists (NJNA) to submit the Star of Stitches by Kathy Rees which was an ANG Stitch of the Month for 2020. Linda and I framed ours, Sue made hers into a tray, and Diane made hers into a pillow. Rosie, Sue (Honorable Mention), and Linda all members of the NJNA also sent Celestial Twist. The ANG Main Line Stitchers followed suite this year stitching Celestial Twist too and Heather got hers done quickly enough to enter it as well. Seeing multiple colorways of the same design is fantastic. You’ll be able to see the NJNA pieces on their blog at some point.
Speaking of Heather, Patti Lynn stitched her design called Once in a Blue Moon which was published in the EGA magazine, Needle Arts, in September 2020. And, Patti Lynn also stitched my design Overdyed Spools which I taught at the EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional meeting this past October using an overdyed thread of her choice. I love how Patti Lynn’s turned out. What is the chances the same woman would stitch both our designs and exhibit them in the same year! Very cool.
There were a good number of counted cross-stitch pieces that were stunning. In fact, Bill’s second People’s choice award went to Dimensions Lakeside Village by Elizabeth (readily found on a Google search). And, I love the Starry Night by Erin- several versions are available through a Google search but I think it might be by Artecy Cross Stitch. Both are cross stitch and such detail is achieved.
Speaking of Bill’s People Choice vote, his went to Heather’s Philadelphia Sunrise (Honorable Mention) which she did as Step 4 of the EGA Master Craftsman Canvas program. It incorporated 8 bargello patterns (all had to touch but did not have to cover the entire canvas). It is an original design that has not been published and so I will not show it here. It really does capture our city skyline. My People’s Choice vote went to an original work by Beth called Triptych on Blue which is all beads in 3 different yet coordinated designs. Her other original designs were equally as impressive: Fall Leaves (better than the next 2 that won awards in my opinion), Silver Roots (1st Place), and Blue Waterfall (2nd Place and Judge’s Choice Award) which were all beading draped on/around different bottles. Again, I won’t post pictures of original designs – you’ll have to see the exhibit online!
I was interested to see 3 versions of Maharajah’s Elephant by Kathy (left), Patti Lynn (center), and Kathleen (right) because the ear is appliqued onto the main canvas. The applique technique appears to be slightly different than what must be done for Step 5 of the EGA Master Craftsman program that I am working on now. The elephant is a design by Mary Long and was available through EGA (https://egausa.org/courses/maharajahs-elephant/). Again, seeing multiple colorways of a piece is such fun and these were all in the same room making it easy to view in person.
Under the category of Counted Thread: Blackwork, Cheryl submitted 2 pieces from Peppermint Purple’s (Google search finds them easily) 2020 and 2021 Stitch-a-longs (First Place). There are many lovely designs on their website. The only other Blackwork on display was in the Winchester Chapter exhibit of one of a butterfly and another of some flowers. I have only done a very small square of Blackwork. It’s lovely but didn’t seem easy which may be why there aren’t a lot of them on display any given year. It probably would get easier once you get used to it. I’m not sure if the addition of the text is Chery’s idea or was part of the design but it’s cute.
The following award winners are all submitted under a Commercial design heading which means they are available to the public. If anyone knows who the designer is for any of these, please leave a comment. There are lots more in these and other categories.
Under the category of Canvaswork: Multi-stitch (4+) was Sonoma Rose by Joanne (Second Place; left photo). She had to lay long threads and they are perfect.
Under Canvaswork: Traditional (which must mean less than 4 different canvas stitches were employed) was Cheri’s Favorite by Cheri (First Place; center photo). I love the use of all overdyed threads.
Under the category of Embroidery: Goldwork was Kingfisher by Stephanie (First Place; shown in the right photo as a close up without the frame for details). I don’t recall seeing any colored goldwork and the way she applied the gold to appear like feathers is fantastic.
Hopefully, you will enjoy the online exhibit once it is made available because you’ll see lots more great needlework. A few of the special award winners can be found on the Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House Facebook page (keep scrolling down).
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG Seminar 2017, Orange Orchid & Bamboo
The Main Line Stitchers chapter held our Stitch-in on Saturday in person (3 members) and on Zoom (3 members and baby Hallie!). The church is working great and with small numbers on both “sides”, the conversation flowed well as we stitched. Hallie slept through most of the 4 hours but did wake up long enough to eat and let us see how cute she is. I’m so glad Meghan Mom can join us.
I got started on the Band 4 background beforehand and finished it Sunday during the first NCAA basketball game.
This background (red one for Band 4) is easier to compensate than the outside bands. I also stitched the stem as Cynthia Thomas recommended in her stitch guide which is a wrapped double chain with 4 strands of floss. I used all dark on the left side and 2 dark/2 medium for the outer part and the wrap.
Lorraine has thread kits for Framed Sevens which is in the current issue of Needlepoint Now (March/April 2022) at Colour Complements: https://colourcomplements.com/product/framed-sevens-thread-kit
She has 8 other custom thread kits with designs either published in Needlepoint Now (love those hearts) or as a download at https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/custom-thread-kits
My design, Framed Sevens is in the current issue of Needlepoint Now (https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/march-april-2022/). Elizabeth, the publisher/editor/art director, does a lovely job displaying pieces for the magazine. The issue in the mail and hitting our area this week! It is bigger than Prime Examples (https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/september-october-2021/) but still works off the number seven and inspired by another Mary Legallet article. But, I found stitches covering 7 canvas threads from a variety of stitch books. And, the threads are from Colour Complements. Lorraine makes such pretty and wonderfully coordinating hand-dyed threads.
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