Archive for the 'Hand Embroidery Designs' Category

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What Is A Blackwork Embroidery Design?

Published on November 26, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs and Hand Embroidery Designs.

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Most embroidery enthusiasts at some point of time in their path do come across this field of embroidery called blackwork. They pause a little to practise this form and either get completely hooked on to it or move on to something else…

So what exactly is blackwork? Blackwork Embroidery is an ancient and simple form of embroidery, stitched in black thread on white or off-white fabric. It is often called simply “blackwork”. The basic stitch is called Holbein or the double running stitch. This stitch is reversible and looks the same on the back and the front.

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A counted-thread form of embroidery that is stitched on even-weave fabric is the easier way to denote a blackwork. Any black thread can be used, but firmly twisted threads give a better look than embroidery floss. Traditionally blackwork is stitched in silk thread on white or off-white linen or cotton fabric. Sometimes metallic threads or coloured threads are used for accents. Here comes the difference between blackwork and scarletwork. Blackwork is compulsory used with black thread, while scarletwork embroidery is sewn with red thread.

Historically, there are three common styles of blackwork:
a) In the earliest blackwork, counted stitches are worked to make a geometric or small floral pattern. Most modern blackwork is in this style, especially the commercially-produced patterns that are marketed for hobby stitchers.

blackwork-embroidery-1.jpgb) Later blackwork features large designs of flowers, fruit, and other patterns connected by curvilinear stems. These are outlined with stem stitch, and the outlined patterns are filled with geometric counted designs.

c) In the third style of blackwork, the outlined patterns are “shaded” with random stitches called seed stitches. This style of blackwork imitates etchings or woodcuts.

Blackwork has been historically been used as designs on shirts, chemises or smocks during the time of Henry VII. Blackwork in silk on linen was the most common domestic embroidery technique for clothing (shirts, smocks, sleeves, ruffs, and caps) and for household items such as cushion covers throughout the reign of Elizabeth I, but it lost its popularity by the 17th century.

If you want to know exactly how to do a blackwork, you could take these tutorials at Blackwork Archives.

Amazing Cross Stitch Projects – Mysteries Of Egypt

Published on September 28, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs, Cross Stitch Embroidery Designs and Hand Embroidery Designs.

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Cross stitch is an innovative form of embroidery which is basically a double stitch forming a X in sewing and embroidery. It could also be needlework made of X stitches.

One of the stunning cross stitch projects I came across was : Capture The Mystery Of Egypt project – Ancient Egyptian Cross Stitch. This features 25 glittering and historically accurate projects from the pyramids, the Great Sphinx to the hieroglyphics. It covers the scarabs to the river Nile. Few of the larger projects include King Tutankhamen, Sphinx and a goddess. It also has quite a large amount of smaller motifs ideal for bookmarks including Osiris, the eye of Horus, Isis, Anubis. At the end of the book you can find a few border designs. This book uses quite a lot of color mostly green, red, yellow, and blue. It provides colored charts containing symbols for easy identification. A definite must have for any cross stitcher!

The inner powers really reveal themselves in this creative guide. You could use these as attractive wall hangings or bag adornments.

Elegant Embroidery Pouches And Accessories

Published on September 18, 2007 in Hand Embroidery Designs and Indian Embroidery Designs.

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I came across this resource called Jersey Forms, Body Forms (you see this just above this post and below the image) – on elegant accessories done using flower and beadwork embroidery techniques. It is called “A touch of Asia” and features various jewellery containers, lipstick cases and change purses. This collection contains some unique and simple beadwork on an otherwise ordinary purse. The beadwork fruit motif and rooster are good examples of these. The watermelon (shaped like a cut piece) is sized at 5″ x 3.5″ and the pineapple is 4″ x 4″. The rooster purse which comes with a blue background (sized at 4.25″ x 3.88″) and multi color combination looks awesome.

The jewellery container is a satin folding pouch sized at 8.63″ x 5.5″. The highlight of this piece is the flower embroidery on its outer covers. Some other products are the coin purse with side charm, 5 in 1 Asian multipurpose accessories clutch and the satin covered lipstick case with mirror.

Brazilian Embroidery Stitching Techniques!

Published on September 3, 2007 in Hand Embroidery Designs.

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Here is a preview to a world class style of stitching – the Brazilian embroidery stitching technique. The Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild Inc began in 1991 with the single objective of promoting the art of Brazilian embroidery. This non profit organisation used the platform of seminars, newsletters, websites and workshops as a tool to popularise this amazing art.

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Some of the stiching styles can be viewed at their web page. The popular stitch types are the bullion, buttonhole, drizzle, leaf, pistil and stem categories. As you notice, nature has played a large role in moulding this art. This technique of hand embroidery has been explained in detail at the instructions page of the above mentioned website. For example in the leaf stitch, the formation of the knots and anchoring towards the tip of the leaf has been explained lucidly. The drizzle stitch is a version of cast-on-buttonhole stitch, which can be plain (which creates a spiralling effect) or up-down (which creates a firm drizzle and does not spiral).

7 Wonders Of The World – Taj Mahal – Monument Of Love – Pattern Embroidery

Published on July 12, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs, Hand Embroidery Designs and Indian Embroidery Designs.

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Millions of Indians all over the world rejoiced last week when it was announced that Taj Mahal was reinstated as one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. This was designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri along with skilled worksmen and craftsmen. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal Indian architecture, a style that combines Persian, Indian, Islamic and Turkish styles. The white domed marble mausoleum is most popular and many a time denoted as a national symbol (India). In 1983, this monument became a UNESCO World Heritage site and was cited as the “Jewel of Muslim Art in India”.

What does this edifice have anything to do with embroidery. Have you ever seen an embroidered Taj Mahal…! Check this out at Patterns Boutique. Isn’t it a beauty. This has been done through cross stitch embroidery. Since it is a pattern, it is important that the embroiderer uses the recommended fabric – Aida 18 and the recommended color – white to ensure the beautiful marvel of Taj Mahal comes out best on your embroidery. In the case of the pattern next to the post, the fabric size is 40*32 cm and there are a total of 30 color stitches.

Portraits like the Taj Mahal are great as wall hangings and door adornments.

I will try to follow this up sometime later with some of the portraits of the other wonders of the world.

Mirror (Shisha) Embroidery For You – Indian Embroidery Designs!

Published on July 4, 2007 in Hand Embroidery Designs and Indian Embroidery Designs.
indian-shisha-embroidery.jpgEmbellishments on Indian embroidery designs cannot be complete without the use of adornments like glass or mirrors at the right locations to give the right look and feel. The Hindi word for mirror is Shisha and embroidery using mirrors are known as shisha embroidery. The mirror glass used in embroidery, known as shisha or abla, can decorate clothing, torans (doorway hangings), household shrines, curtains and rumals (cloth wrappings).

How does one attach the mirror to the fabric?  The basic accessories needed are :

* Soft cotton fabric:
* Calico for backing
* Shisha glass generally of size 25 mm diameter
* Beads
* Embroidery frame
* Sewing thread to match the appliqué fabrics

The calico comes below the background fabric since it needs to support the weight of the mirror pieces. Stitching is done through both the fabrics. Once this is done, the panel is trimmed to the correct size and after turning under about 1 cm of fabric, the mirror embroidery is ironed in place (The information on iron-on appliques would be helpful here)

The common shape of shisha is round, but they do come in square and triangular sizes. There are no holes in the shisha, hence it has to be held in place with a network of stitches which forms the base for the decorative stitches.

The various types of shisha are :
* Handblown glass shisha is also known as antique shisha or mica. As it is hand cut, the sizes are more variable and the shape can be slightly irregular.
* Machine-cut glass is known in India as embroidery glass.
* Sequin shisha are in fact large flat sequins. They are thin and flat and have a hole at one side, but this is covered with the stitching.

Embroidered shisha rings are becoming popular, where you place the ring over the chosed mirror and slipstitch in place around the edge of the ring. The decorative ring around the mirror glass can be worked in various stitches, including shisha stitch, herringbone or cretan stitch.

Symbol Or Signs? – Mystic Embroidery For You!

Published on June 29, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs, Hand Embroidery Designs and Shrine Embroidery Designs.

alchemycopper.jpgThis time we are here with something quite different.. It’s time for a mystic approach to embroidery…A rather esoteric way of the unknown powers and spirits that rule our world! Many believe that each of us here on earth have certain symbols or signs which when associated with us individually or as groups – represent powerful attributes and could play an important role in moulding our lives. As for me, I do not really believe in these forces, but one never knows the truth unless one experiences it!

Anyway, to continue – let us first understand the difference between signs and symbols. A sign is a material object which points clearly to something – like a road sign or the weather. A symbol is a deeper connotation or reflection of something profound. For example, the moon symbolizes calmness, desires while a sun symbolizes victory, warmth.

The next important question for a person on this path is to determine one’s sign or symbol. The simpler ones are birthday symbols (determined by your birth date and time – You could also have precious stones related to your birthday). The tougher ones are symbols that are revealed to people through dreams, meditation or trance states.

Signs and symbols embroidery is nothing but embroidering these signs and symbols. What is special is that you would find all of them as a category or group in one place.

alchemyanimalphoenix.jpgSome of the examples would be the embroidered alchemy group. There are 7 elements in alchemy. One of them is copper. Check out the alchemy copper embroidered image above. This is available for sale at “What’s your sign” in the form of embroidery patches, appliqued T-shirts, sweatshirts, wall hangings or just as an embroidered item. Finished alchemy sign embroidery designs (on shirts) are approximately 3.5″ x 3.5″. Finished Wallhangings are about 8″x8″. Patches/Badges are about 4″ x 4″. All shirts are high quality Jerzees, Hanes or Fruit of the Loom, 100% cotton.

You also have animal totems or animal symbols in the same resource website – an example is the alchemy phoenix which you see besides this post. The dimensions and product details of animal symbols embroidery are identical to alchemy embroidery. These are quite colorful and even feature peacocks, lions and other wild animals.

So, what’s your sign?

Amazing Hand Embroidery Designs For You!

Published on May 15, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs, Applique Embroidery Designs, Hand Embroidery Designs and Indian Embroidery Designs.
moth.jpgCheck out this great resource I came across on hand embroidery designs – “Knitting-and” The critters have come out really cute, haven’t they! This is one place where we could find some rarely embroidered creatures like dragonfly and redback spider. The Indian motifs especially the peacock design is worth a peek. You could find more information on cultural embroidery at Indian embroidery. Most of these embroideries can be knitted using Brother embroidery machines. But the one which takes the cake is the moth you see besides this post. A moth at the onset of its transformation to a butterfly is a beautiful sight and this embroidery manages to capture that moment. This knitting embroidery was done using 6 six strands for filling and 3 for the outline.

Knitting is a beautiful art and if you ever want to learn knitting, I would recommend the tutorial on Knitting Tips.  It has a basic 5 day free e-tutorial for you.

Crocheting Made Simple Guide For You!

Published on April 17, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs and Hand Embroidery Designs.
crochet.jpg What is crocheting? Crochet is an old craft centuries old – and the origin of the word comes from “croq” a French word, which means hook. This became extremely popular since you could create beautiful home décor projects such as ponchos, doilies, hats, tops, tablecloths as well as a host of baby items which has become a favourite of crocheters.Why is crochet popular? This is because of its simplicity. One needs only two basic items, a hook and a ball of thread or yarn, are needed to crochet. All crochet stitches are a series of loops and wraps of thread around the hook. Every pattern starts with a slip knot followed by a series of loops called chains. These chain stitches form a foundation row. The first row of a pattern is built on this chain foundation. Each successive row is crocheted on top of the previous row. Each row in a pattern may call for different stitches, but all stitches are variations of the basic single crochet which is very easy to master.
If you in search of a simple guide to teach you crocheting, try “Crocheting Made Simple“. It teaches in simple language the basic steps required for you to learn this adorable art.

Ethnic Special – Uzbek Silk Embroidery!

Published on February 27, 2007 in Amazing Embroidery Designs, Applique Embroidery Designs and Hand Embroidery Designs.

uzbek-silk-embroidery.jpgHi! I thought of going out of the beaten track for some scintillating embroidery designs for you from Uzbekistan – traditional Uzbek silk embroidery folk art. This exquisite silk embroidery panel you see next to this post was hand-stitched by women using age-old traditions.

The story goes back to the 19th century when Uzbek women produced beautiful bed covers, embroidered hangings, wrapping cloths, table covers, and prayer mats for their households. As the Soviet Era ended and Westerners became more familiar with the finest old Uzbek pieces, prices for antique examples escalated. Now gorgeous contemporary embroideries decorate not only Uzbekistan homes, but also grace European and American households, while talented and industrious Uzbek women have a welcome new source of family income. Fortunately, we now have access to beautiful contemporary textiles that are a natural outgrowth of the old traditions–at very reasonable prices. Most of this embroidery art work are focused in the Tashkent, Nurata, Samarkand, Bukhara and Shahrisabz areas. The new pieces are captivating, with inspired designing, excellent materials, and fine craftsmanship.

How is Uzbek embroidery done? – The embroidery foundation cloth are hand-woven fabrics. These fabrics are woven in narrow strips. Most current-day pieces are a silk/cotton blend: a silk warp is most usual, with cotton wefts. In satin-weave pieces the weft is also silk. Occasional ground fabrics are all cotton, especially for pieces expected to get hard use, such as horse covers. The fabrics are often lightly dyed to produce a soft beige tint. Occasionally other colors are used for the ground fabrics. Team work – generally part of the same family – gets together for large suzanis where several of the fabric strips are first sewn loosely together and the pattern is drawn on them. Later when the panels are rejoined, the pattern parts may not match perfectly, and extra stitches may be added in the areas along the seams.   You could hang these as tapestry or use as an applique,  bedspread, coverlet, curtain, or tablecloth.

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