Comments on: Hooked

By: The Embroiderers’ Story » Blog Archive » Ceylon squiggles

The Embroiderers’ Story » Blog Archive » Ceylon squiggles — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:06:55 +0000

[...] R left this in the comments on “Hooked” from May 24, 2007 about how I got hooked on embroidery: I came from a family of knitters, quilters, [...]

By: Nicole Roussos

Nicole Roussos — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:07:37 +0000

I came from a family of knitters, quilters, and crocheters too, but I’m the only one so far for whom embroidery is the needlework of choice. But we all know how to do it, and learning it seems to have been a matter of course, because I really don’t remember not knowing how. Until I was about 20, though, it was the other thing I did. I was primarily quilting and making garments then, but I wanted more of a challenge. A friend showed me counted cross stitch, and soon after that, I saw Sharon Cohen’s pieces in Just Cross Stitch and decided to try. JCS used to publish much more challenging pieces then, and I taught myself detached buttonhole, trellis, cutwork, etc. from those illustrations. I’m working to learn crewel now–if I can find the time! Of all the things that have been cut back since we started a family, I miss my stitching time the most.

By: carol scheele

carol scheele — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:33:32 +0000

When I was a child I had an aunt who quilted, and my Mom was an expert knitter - but I’d never really seen true embroidery being done until I was in high school. A girlfriend of mine had the flu - and when I called her up to ask her if she needed anything, she said she wondered if I’d mind going to the store to buy her an embroidery kit for her to pass the time with. I drove to Macy’s, because back in the late 60’s/early 70’s, Macy’s had an enormous needlework section in their store. I spent about 3 hours just looking - in total amazement. I finally bought my friend a kit to make into a piano bench cover, because her entire family played piano. When I walked into her living room she was sitting on the couch in her pajamas, and she immediately opened the kit, plopped on the floor, and began stitching the leaves with a pale green floss. Next came a pink flower. I stayed for about 2 hours watching her stitch, and on the way home I drove back to Macy’s and bought myself 2 Elsa Williams crewel kits - one of a rose, the other of an iris - and I still have them. They’re not bad for a first attempt either - I must say! And yes - I got the flu about 2 days after that visit with my friend. It was worth it - I remember staying in bed learning to do embroidery.

By: Fastusminimus

Fastusminimus — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:55:53 +0000

Hi
I also was hooked early on–me Mum did some Xstitch and then got me a small kit of an American Eagle, which I still have around here somewhere. I *think* I was all of 5 when I started it.
The Packet arrived today–hoorah!!! Hopefully it will be less hot and sticky by next week so I can stitch without dripping on it. It is a very loverly little kit.
Are you going to put the patterns used on the jacket up on the Blog?

By: Robbin

Robbin — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:20:53 +0000

I can\’t wait to see the samplers in person, meet the other people, and most importantly, work on the jacket! My kit arrived yesterday and since I have almost all of tomorrow to myself I\’m planning to dive into working on it and get it back to you. I\’ll really look forward to seeing the schedule for June.