ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR CROSS STITCHERS

ISSUE 4 MAY 2006 FeatureFeature PatternsPatterns SeasonalSeasonal VVintintageage LadiesLadies byby KaedeeKaedee DuFresneDuFresne

WINWIN OverOver 200200 HandHand DyedDyed Threads!Threads! MysteryMystery SamplerSampler PartPart 44 www.thegiftofstitching.com Editorial Page Contents2 It seems that we are always either greeting Featured Pattern - Seasonal Vintage Ladies - Spring or bidding farewell to summer, so it is nice and Summer to be reminded of the two favourite seasons: summer and spring. In this issue we are Page 12 honoring these seasons with two vintage Column - Investigate with Marie by Marie Chantal- ladies designed by new designer Kaedee Lord. Includes Assisi history and pattern. DeFresne. You’ll enjoy stitching these delicate pictures. Winter and autumn will Page 15 appear in a future issue. Article - Hand Dyed Threads. Includes sample pattern This month we have a section devoted to and directory of hand dyed thread companies. hand dyed threads. There is an article answering every question you’ve ever had Page 22 about these threads, and a directory of dyers. Competition - Huge assortment of Hand Dyed Threads Make sure you enter the competition for a large assortment of hand dyed threads. So Page 23 many beautiful colours and textures, I don’t Column - With My Grandmother’s Hands by Kirsten want to give them away! Edwards. Includes Mother’s Day Card rose pattern Our three columns this month include and Coronation Reproduction . antique patterns from the era of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, , Page 29 and Jacinta’s continuing saga as a new Column - Test-Tubes to Chart-Packs by Jacinta Lodge designer. Last but not least, part 4 of the mystery Page 32 sampler is ready for you to stitch. Part 4 of the Mystery Sampler by Yvonne Horn of Enjoy your warmer days stitching in the Papillon Creations sun or your cooler days stitching by the fire. Page 30 With love, Excursions - Marie Chantal-Lord goes to the Bunka Kirsten Edwards exhibition and Jacinta Lodge takes a trip to London’s Editor Stitch 2006. Page 34 Stitch diagrams

our featured designer is Brooke’s Books Publishing,In our the finalnext part issue of the Mystery Sampler will be revealed, and we’ll have an article about framing.

I would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this issue: Andrew Edwards - Proofing, Kaedee DuFresne - Designer, Marie Chantal-Lord - Columnist, Yvonne Horn - Designer, Heather Harrison - Research, Jacinta Lodge - Columnist, Andrew Moore - Photography, Monique Keylon - Writer and Designer, Ozark Sampler, Supplier, and all the companies in the hand dyed thread directory. This magazine has been written in Australasian English. Any queries regarding this magazine should be sent to the Editor, Kirsten Edwards at [email protected] Copyright: The Gift of Stitching 2006. All patterns in this issue have been published with permission from the designers. This magazine is under copyright. It is illegal to republish or distribute it in print or electronically, either in part or whole. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 1 Feature Pattern Seasonal Vintage Ladies - Spring and Summer by Kaedee DuFresne About the Designer Our feature designer this month is Kaedee DuFresne. Her original work were under the name of Playing with Colour, but as her designs have focused in a certain direction, the name has changed to Mirabile Visu. Kaedee is a stay at home mum from New Zealand. She loves to take her time designing, making sure each pattern represents the object realistically. She incorporates half and quarter stitches, and uses beads and metallics to help lift the design and give it a unique look. You can view Kaedee’s developing website at http://playingwithcolor.kdsplaygound.ezikiwi.com Spring Design Information

Design size: 95W x 139H stitches

Finished stitched area for 28ct: 7x10 inches or 17.5x25.5 cms

Stitch on off-white linen or evenweave fabric allowing 4” (10cms) all round for framing.

Use two strands of DMC floss for all . Where a symbol has a circle around it, do a French Knot instead. Stitches Used

Cross Stitch Quarter Stitch French Knot

See page 34 for stitch diagrams

DMC Symbol Chart L 3771 Y 3855 Blended Colours U 3856 J 3823 (1 strand each) C 3722 R 301 H 746 K 818 G 402 b 166 e 818/746 E 819 D 400 a 3819 7 754/3771 S 223 F 3776 Z 165 8 948/White P 152 I 948 c 581 6 948/754 T 224 B 300 O 225 W 3853 M 754 X 3854 www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 2 Spring Top Left

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www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 6 Feature Pattern Seasonal Vintage Ladies - Spring and Summer by Kaedee DuFresne Summer Design Information Design size: 95W x 131H stitches Finished stitched area for 28ct: 7x10 inches or 17.5x25.5 cms Stitch on off-white linen or evenweave fabric allowing 4” (10cms) all round for framing. Use two strands of DMC floss over two threads for all cross stitches. Where a symbol has a circle around it, do a French Knot instead. Backstitching Use 1 strand of DMC thread to the following: Outline of eyes: 801 Earring: 3750 Neck and throat: 543 Hat brim: 3864 Stitches Used

Cross Stitch Quarter Stitch French Knot See page 34 for stitch diagrams

DMC Symbol Key

DMC Key - Blended Colours (1 strand each)

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www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 11 Investigate with Marie by Marie-Chantal Lord Assisi Embroidery

This month we are investigating Assisi embroidery. traditional techniques and fibres for their local co- This form of embroidery can be described by its other operative embroidery shop. names: void work or silhouette work. When worked, the motif is left blank and the space around it is filled Modern stitchers have embraced Assisi work and it is with stitches to give the motif its shape. You could say now a predominately counted thread work. Cross stitch it is like a negative image. is the main stitch used to fill the background and Holbein The name Assisi was given to this embroidery because stitch or backstitch is used to outline the motif. The of its origins in the Italian town of Assisi where St. range of colours and fabrics used is limitless and all Francis lived. After he was canonized in 1228, the types of motifs are incorporated into designs. Hand dyed Francisican sisters under St. Clara created Assisi work threads look particularly nice when worked in this type by making simple line drawings of items in the murals of embroidery. in their church of St. Francis’ life. These drawings were This month I have created a small pop art design in transferred to linen, outlined with a stitch, and then the the Assisi style. I have worked it with a regular cross background was filled with stitches. They chose themes stitch, but if you want to try it with long armed or Italian true to St. Francis’ patronage of birds, beasts and plant stitch, I would love to see your piece in the magazine’s life. These pieces were used to decorate alter cloths and Yahoo! Group. other ecclesiastical items. Next month we will investigate Bunka embroidery, was used to outline the motif, then long- also know as Japanese punch needle embroidery. See armed stitch was used to fill the background. Dark reds, the Excursions section of this magazine will examples. blues and greens were traditionally used in this form of work. References: By the 17th century, Assisi embroidery had been Lachatelainedesigns.homestead.com/assisiwork.html The West Kingdom Guild, “Stalking the Wild Assisi” exported to other countries that had a tradition of counted Assisi Embroidery by Jane Zimmerman work, but as with many types of embroidery, Assisi DMC Librairies, Assisi Embroidery, Mulhouse, France, Éditions work almost disappeared during the 18th and 19th Thérèse de Dilmont. centuries. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org In the 20th century it took on a new life. It was revived The Embroiders’ Guild of America: http://www.ega-gpr.org Needlework Antiques: by the women in the town of Assisi. If you go there http://www.needleworkantiques.com/index.html today you can still observe them stitching using the

Here is an example of a modern interpretation of Assisi embroidery. This border was copied from a 16th Century sampler. For more information about this piece see the Needleworks Antique website at: http://www.needleworkantiques.c om/sampler_gallery_-_page_8.html

If you would like help with finding a rare pattern, or patterns around a theme then send your request to [email protected]

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 12 Investigate with Marie - May Bee

Design Information Symbol Key Symbol Number Type of Thread The model above is stitched on 14 count antique white 210 DMC Aida using DMC and DMC Light-Effects threads. The ! bee is from a child’s button card, but an equivalent can 7 744 DMC be found at Buttons Galore: www.morebuttons.com, Pack 776 DMC #735. (Put ‘bee’ in the search box to find the pack easily) " % E211 DMC-Light Effects Design size: 60W x 60H stitches $ E818 DMC-Light Effects Finished stitched area: # E966 DMC-Light Effects 14 ct: 4.2x4.2” (10.8x10.8 cms) & E3747 DMC-Light Effects Use two strands of thread for all cross stitches. Refer to the colour key. Stitches Used Use 1 strand of floss for all backstitching: Top left flower: DMC 966 Cross Stitch Top right flower: DMC 776 Half Stitch Quarter Stitch Bottom left flower: DMC 210 Backstitch Bottom right flower: DMC 341 Bee flight path: DMC 744 See page 34 for stitch diagrams. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 13 Investigate with Marie - May Bee

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 14 HandHand DyedDyed ThreadsThreads byby MoniqueMonique KeylonKeylon ofof MyMy MarkMark DesignsDesigns

Hand dyed threads are no longer just have two sections - runs of colours If you have never tried hand dyed a craze, but now an established part (colour blocks) and transitions of threads, a good starting place is to and a much coveted item of a colours. These repeat throughout the purchase a single skein from several stitcher’s ‘stash’. What are hand dyed thread either regularly or irregularly different companies. These types of threads? What makes them special? depending on the dying process. threads are not commonly found in And how do you stitch with them? There are variegated threads large chain stores so you will have Monique Keylon of My Mark manufactured by companies such as to go to your local needlework shop Designs uses hand dyed threads in DMC and Anchor which are dyed by and see what ranges they have, or many of her designs and has written machine. These threads are usually check out our directory starting on this article to teach us what it is all six stranded , and the page 18 for a list of companies. about. variegation is in consistent lengths By trying several different brands, throughout the whole skein. you will get a feel for which ones What are hand dyed threads? Dyers use a variety of dyes from you prefer. Such things as the length natural elements to chemical of colour blocks, transitions between “Hand dyed” is a term that we have compounds. Here are some colours, and texture of the threads used to cover every thread on the explanations of different dying will vary greatly between market that is either dyed by hand or techniques... manufacturers, but tend to stay variegated in some way. Generally consistent within a manufacturer’s they are not solid colours; the thread Hand dyed thread line. Some manufacturers’ of one skein can change between Basically a plain thread such as white threads specialise in different types shades or different colours, boldly or or ecru is dipped into dye and then of embroidery. For example, threads subtly. manipulated in various ways to for tend to be thicker, These threads can also be called produce different effects in colour. shorter colour blocks and transitions, overdyed, space dyed, hand painted, then the dyer may keep dipping, twist highly textured and bold colours. sampler threads and variegated the thread, tie it in knots or let the There are threads that are used threads. They come in a range of dye run through in its own time. The for very fine embroidery such as mediums - , rayon, other thread is then washed and hung to thread painting, and there are synthetic, wool and silk. They can dry. Each manufacturer has their own companies that produce threads in a also be found in a variety of sizes - process which is their ‘trade secret’. range of muted colours, which are six stranded, perles, , , I know of one dyer that dyes without good for antique sampler threads, flouche, metallic, and gloves so she can feel when the reproductions. many types of textured threads. threads are ‘ready’. If you are buying hand dyed threads You can often recognise a hand for a certain project make sure you dyed thread because of its packaging. Over dyed buy enough to finish the project. The They are hung in shops by cards, or Over dyed threads go through much colour of threads will differ between twisted onto a bobbin card. The skein the same process as a hand dyed dye lots. Be on the safe side and buy is often in one twist and they have thread, but they are dipped in one or a little more than you need. wonderful names like lollipop yellow more colours to produce a final As you try different patterns, threads and dazed honey dew! colour. By using this process a dyer and colours, you will quickly begin Hand dyed threads are wonderful can produce very unique shades and to have your preferences. because they give a piece of threads with multiple colours. embroidery a whole new dimension. How do you cross stitch with hand They are flexible because they can Space dyed dyed threads? be cross stitched in a variety of ways Here a thread is placed in a tray and to produce different affects all in the splattered with dye! Sounds like fun. How you stitch with hand dyed same project. This process produces threads that threads will make a huge difference have irregular colour blocks and to their appearance. What process does a hand dyed thread transitions between them. The recommended way to stitch is go through? the ‘English’ method where you How do you chose a hand dyed thread complete a whole cross stitch before Each thread when laid out fully, will to stitch with? moving onto the next.

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 15 With this method you can make the shows this effect. The beauty of the thread, begin with the waste knot or thread colours ‘travel’ around the thread still shines through, but in a stitch over tail method rather than the design, which allows for the most less obvious way. This is a great loop method. This will give the variety of colour to show though. For technique to use when you love the clearest variegation when stitching. example, you may want to stitch colours of a particular variegated There is nothing stopping a stitcher horizontally or vertically, depending thread, but prefer a more sedate feel, from folding a single thread randomly on the look you are trying to achieve. particularly on reproduction samplers. and creating a whole new effect! Consider stitching in a circular pattern Designers who incorporate hand when working on round design dyed threads into their designs will How do you wash and care for hand elements, or diagonally when stitching give conversions for colours. Many dyed threads? an angular motif. Varying the direction manufacturers will also provide of your stitches can really add depth conversion charts (between solid Most manufacturers will tell you and dimension to your projects. The colours and their line of threads), so that their threads are not colourfast, stitched sample below shows the same you can pick and chose if you want and they recommend not washing thread used in diagonal, horizontal, to learn and experiment with these your piece after stitching in case the and vertical patterns. threads. colours bleed or run. This also means For a more tweedy or subtle look, Another technique is to remove a having the steam turned off when stitch in the ‘Danish’ method. This is colour block from a skin of thread if ironing. However some hand dyed when you make a row of half cross it is not suitable for the design. To do threads are colourfast though. stitches one way / / / / / then come this, lay the thread and cut the colour We recommend following all the back going the other \ \ \ \ \. block out, then stitch with the rest. manufacturers instructions. If you The fourth block in the sample below If you are using six stranded cotton pre-wash threads they may not run, but you may change their colour. Hand Dyed Stitched Sample Stitch with clean hands and consider using these types of threas on projects that will not require future washing such as ornaments and framed pieces. If you do have to wash and the colours bleed, you may have some success if you immediately soak the piece in water and pure soap solution. All the best!

Diagonal Horizontal Vertical Tweedy Practise Chart This chart, Fanciful Alphabet, is a great design for playing with your hand dyed threads. Choose a highly variegated floss for the alphabet, then chose two colours in the thread for the two solid colours to stitch the border. Depending on the base thread you choose, this design can have a traditional feel or a more playful one. Since fall is my favourite season, I chose “Falling Leaves” by The Dye is Cast for my main colour. You can choose a green, red, and white variegated floss to make a holiday alphabet, pastels for a spring theme, school colours - the list is endless. Explore, imagine, create, but most of all have fun using your hand dyed threads. Pattern and instructions are on the next page. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 16 Fanciful Alphabet by Monique Keylon of My Mark Designs Design Information About Monique Keylon Design size: 102W x 79H stitches Monique, lives with her husband, daugher and cat in rural Finished stitched area: Missouri, USA. She was first taught to embroider by her 28 ct: 18.5x14.3cms (7.2x5.6”) grandmother at seven. Her first piece was a clown entirely 32 ct: 16.2x12.5cms (6.3x5”) in French Knots! Trained as a graphic designer, Monique Add 10 cm (4”) to each of the above measurements to decided to think about combining her artistic training and allow for framing. talent with cross stitch so she attended the Nashville Needlework Market. Model (previous page) was stitched on 32 count Belfast linen, using two strands of thread over two linen threads. “I met so many wonderful and helpful people that I came This design is perfect for experimenting with hand dyed back home full of enthusiasm, got myself in gear and threads. Chose your favourite hand dyed thread for the launched My Mark in April of 2005 at the online alphabet and then use two matching solid colours for Needlework Show. My Mark has really come a long way the border. in a short time...I can't wait to see what 2006 brings!” The model was stitched with the following: You can see Monique’s designs at her website: Solid squares: Falling Leaves by The Dye is Cast http://www.mymarkdesigns.com Hearts: DMC 422 Upward arrows: DMC 522

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 17 Carrie’s Creation Threads www.carriesthreads.com www.dinkydyes.com Hand dyed six strand suitable for any kind of needlework. Dinky-Dyes began business in Perth, Western Australia in 2002 and a year ago we moved to Houston, Texas. Tips for stitching with our threads... All Australasian orders are shipped from our distributor in Western Australia. All threads are 100% cotton, and are created from We have 105 beautiful colours in our silk range and white or ecru DMC floss. They are not colourfast, 67 in our stranded cotton and perle 5, 8 and 12 range. and it is recommended that you rinse the colours At this time we only dye the multicoloured threads in thoroughly if you plan to wash your work, or use a the cotton. colour fixing agent. We use the best quality six stranded or perle, 100% cotton thread and six stranded spun silk as a base product Variegated threads can have many colours or variations on which to create the wonderfully unique colours on one strand. It is advisable to cross each stitch as found in Dinky-Dyes. The silk is manufactured to our you go, so that the colours will flow as they do on own specifications in Thailand. Each stranded skein of the thread. cotton and silk is approximately 8m in length and the 5, 8 and 12 perle skeins are 15m in length. Our threads are suitable for all kinds of embroidery, cross stitch, hardanger and where a unique and visual pleasing thread is required. As Dinky-Dyes are hand dyed, dye lots will vary. Every effort is made to ensure consistency in floss colours but inevitably, there will be some subtle differences. We encourage you to purchase enough threads from the same dye lot to complete your project. Although most Dinky-Dyes appear to be colourfast, we cannot guarantee this, especially with the darker colours. We don’t recommend that the darker colours Ozark Sampler be washed. For the lighter colours, we recommend the www.ozarksampler.com stitcher hand wash the floss and silk in cold water before use if they intend to wash their finished article. When Hand dyed cotton floss and floche fibres, cross stitch washing a finished article, do so in as possible cold designs and fabrics. We specialize in designs that use water. our own hand dyed fibres and whole cross stitches only. When cross stitching with Dinky-Dyes we recommend No speciality or partial stitches. that you complete each stitch as you go to get a flowing Our cotton floss starts life as white DMC, and is hand effect of colour. If you want a different or mottled dyed in small lots in multi-tonal and multi-colour skeins. colour effect you could strip two strands of thread and We use random colour runs when we dye our threads. put them end to end so the colour runs don't match and Every skein is a little different. Our floche is hand dyed stitch each stitch like this. Another way to achieve a on a DMC white base. Floche is a cotton fibre the different effect is to stitch a row of the bottom leg of thickness of two strands of regular floss. the cross stitch then come back and stitch with top leg. We suggest you complete each cross stitch individually This will give you an usual effect that isn't recommended before moving on to the next stitch, to fully enjoy the for normal cross stitching. colour changes of our hand dyed fibres. For a more Many needlework designers from all over the world muted appearance, we suggest you take two strands of are now using Dinky-Dyes threads and we also have floss and turn one around end to end before loading our own design company. All our designs and the your needle, but continue to do each cross stitch uniquely beautiful designs from 'The Cat's Whiskers individually. Design Studio' in Perth can be seen on our website. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 18 Olde Willow Stitcher Threads, Inc. www.oldewillowstitchery.com Olde Willow Stitchery Threads, Inc offers beautiful cotton, linen and perle floss collections for your stitching pleasure. Our floss has been described by our customers as "Smooth as Silk". Our "Original Cotton" collection The Dye is Cast consists of 132 colours, the famous "Quaker Colours" www.thedyeiscast.com - 48 colours, "My First Colours" - 8 colours, Christmas in Williamsburg - 14 colours and P5, P8, P12 in five Six strand cotton threads - 216 colours popular colours. The newest collection is our linen floss which currently Our soft threads are 100% cotton, six stranded threads comes in 33 colours. This newest addition, is great for that are available in 5 yard skeins. We have recently sampler lovers. We also offer beautiful designs and kits. revised our dyeing process that minimizes possibilities Olde Willow Stitchery Threads are continuous 5 yd. of colour bleed, but we do not consider them to be skeins (6 ply) and are very easy to work with. The 5 colourfast. Some of our threads are one colour with yd. continuous length allows for using our floss for tonal variations; whereas, others are bolder with 2 or finishing. Please look for our threads in many designs. more colours. We have a line, Old Salem Collection, which is much softer colours and tones. These were created to evoke memories or thoughts of the Moravian Settlers of Salem, NC, now known as Winston Salem. We enjoy our Jane van Keulen Artist/Educator location in NC and hope some of our thread colours www.janevk.com and names in our regular line and our Old Salem Collection line express it. We are now offering thread packs for some of the designers' complimentary charts. Those currently available are shown on our website. Stop by our website for a visit and y’all come back now.

I hand dye a range of Embroidery/Textile art threads. The range includes 16 stock types supplemented by interesting extras as I find them.

Stranded cotton (10m skeins) Perle 5, 8 & 12 (20m Skeins) Rayon Chenille (10m Skeins) Glitter Tape (5m Skeins) Glitter Cord (10m skeins) Viscise Ribbon (10m Skeins) Viscose Tape (5m Skeins) Cotton Tape (5m Skeins) Tencel (20m Skeins) Fine Tencel (20m Skeins) Organza Ribbon (5m Skeins) Rayon (5m Skeins) Heavy Chenille (5m Skeins) 4 strand Rayon (10m Skeins)

I hand dye the threads in batches of approximately 6 skeins. These batches are all one off colour schemes. I am very happy to dye to order. No minimum amounts. I am now releasing kits: Kiwiana cross stitch kits series of 4 at this point - "Arrowtown", "Koru", "Fern Frond1" & "Maori Arm". Full kit including all materials - DMC stranded cotton on 28ct linen. RRP = $39.90 I have a series of Canvaswork kits using my hand dyed threads. Full instructions & materials included. These make up into either a scissor keep or pincushion. RRP $15.00 & $18.00 My special tip would be try Tencel thread. This is created out of wood pulp. It is gorgeous to work with - like working with a very high quality cotton. It has a sheen similar to rayon. Tencel is a similar weight to perle 8. Fine Tencel is similar to one or two strands of stranded cotton. It sits between the two and is gorgeous for cross stitch, and other counted techniques. I dye a selection in plain colours as well as my variegated ones. The plain colours are not completely even as they are hand produced. This adds gorgeous shading to your work. I will dye to order & match colours for you. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 19 Gloriana Threads www.glorianathreads.com

At this time, Gloriana offers several lines of hand dyed threads and ribbons for fine embroidery. They are Gloriana Silk, Gloriana Silk Ribbons, Gloriana Princess Perle, Gloriana Princess Perle Petite, and Gloriana Luminescence.

Six Strand Sweets www.sixstrandsweets.com

Six Strand Sweets are a lovely and soft hand dyed six stranded cotton thread. We use a gentle dye in water and a gentle drying system; this results in a soft yet strong thread. There are many ways you can use Six Strand Sweets, and you should not be limited by what other stitchers say! Experiment, unpick, and experiment again. By trying all different stitching methods with hand dyed threads, you make each stitched piece even more unique! We have a great article on our website about using hand dyed threads which thoroughly explains alternative and suggested uses: Colour Streams www.sixstrandsweets.com/howto.html www.colourstreams.com.au

Embroidery supplies of luscious silk hand dyed yarns to create unique embroidery designs! An embroiderer of many years, Robyn Alexander appreciates the style and flair that unusual threads can add to your work. As the creator of Colour Streams, Robyn delights in supplying an extensive range of colours - 40 variegated or overdyed colours in four thicknesses and three widths of silk embroidery ribbons - to give that special something to your designs.

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 20 Hand-Dyed Hues (part of Uppity Fabrics Ltd) Tentakulum Manufaktur www.dianaparkes.co.nz www.tentakulum.de (click on hand-Dyed Hues) We have produced a large range of space dyed threads. Cotton Perle threads in three weights Perle 5, Perle 8 Our specialty is "Painter's Threads", which come in and Perle 12. There are 25 colour combinations, each many different types and colours. Presently there is 63 skein has 20 metres. Established in 1996, the thread regular space dyed colours and 10 Painter's Thread colours have remained very consistant. Ideal for all colours. We also supply most of the threads in solid counted thread work, in particular Hardanger, due to colours as well. On the other hand, we supply many the available weights. Retail sales but also wholesale accessories necessary for needlework like needles, to established shops. Sold worldwide. embroidery frames and threads. We have just started distributing our unique threads Perle 5 NZ$4.50 each in Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Perle 8 NZ$3.50 each We also publish leaflets on basic embroidery knowledge Perle 12 NZ$3 each and how to use space dyed threads. We work closely with the German Embroiderer's Guild and the Embroidery Academy which offers an exclusive and unique distance learning class on basic and advanced embroidery techniques. Our Painter's Threads range is different from other variegated threads, as each skein is unique and the colours are not "reproducible". This is due to the special way in which these threads are dyed. For example, the colour "Kandinsky" can be blueish this time and greenish Victoria Clayton, Dyer the next time. The resulting embroidery appears very www.hand-dyedfibers.com different to regular space dyed threads (which we do as well). I have attached two pictures of cross stitch samples in two different colours for your information. Hand dyed silks including five types of silk fibers, two types of silk fabrics and two types of silk ribbons in 12 different sizes. Dyed using silk dyes and acid. On going lightfast testing articles and results. Finishing articles available. Conversion charts to DMC for easy use of silks in other patterns on my website.

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 21 COMPETITION Win over 200 hand dyed threads!

I am thrilled this month to give away this wonderful prize. It consists of over 200 top quality hand dyed threads, including the whole set of Six Strand Sweets and the Olde Willow Stitcher’s top 25 Quaker threads. I am sitting here arranging them for the photo below and it is like being in a candy store!! The colours and textures are beautiful and I don’t want to give them away, but... Enter Now! Go to: www.thegiftofstitching.com/competition.html

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 22 An amazing thing happened as I was researching for and the dashing Prince Phillip. It was no wonder then my column this month! I had chosen a piece of antique that this magazine was exported and sold in New needlework to write about and was trying to find out Zealand. Royal emblems and symbols were popular who had done it and when. It’s a white tablerunner themes for needlework during this era. featuring thistles, daffodils, shamrocks and roses, in The pattern for the tablerunner is called Symbolic and and cut work. Last week, I bought measures 23 x 14 inches. It is stitched with six strand an antique magazine of an auction website in New Anchor threads on cream linen, in buttonhole and stem Zealand. I had never done this before, I was just stitch. The areas around each motif are cut away. It has interested to see what the magazine contained. I paid, stood the test of time well, still is starched, with some it was posted, I opened the envelope, turned the page minor wear holes. There is no discolouring or fading. and there it was - the table runner! It was exactly the Who stitched it? We narrowed it down to two members same one. I couldn’t believe my eyes! of my family. It’s definitely from my mother’s side. This magazine is called Needlewoman and Needlecraft Either my Late Grandmother, or Late Aunty Margaret and was published in Manchester, England. I found out Pole - a close friend of my Grandfather. When she died that this magazine was in print from 1940 to 1970. It I was given her sewing machine and some of her featured a variety of projects from to cross embroidered pieces. In the end we couldn’t decide (or stitch. You can still find copies selling on auction remember), but netherless it is a piece of very fine websites. needlework that I have the honour of treasuring. The issue I bought is No 54, April 1953. The cover So fine in fact that I have reproduced a features a picture of Queen Elizabeth’s version, but also provided some instructions for stitching coronation coach. Every project in this issue celebrates it in just cross stitch. The piece is a rose motif and it Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. would make a wonderful Mother’s Day card. How did this magazine come all the way from England I am also thrilled to introduce to my column the hand to New Zealand? I bought the magazine of a woman dyed threads from Ozark Sampler. Every month they from Invercargill (the bottom of the South Island of are going to send a mystery pack of hand dyed fabric New Zealand). She said it had been passed down from and threads from their collection and I will design using her mother and Great Aunt. During their era, ties with them. England were still very strong. Immigration to NZ from I also produced another pattern from this magazine Britain was also at its highest, so many New Zealanders of the cross stitch coronation sampler. It features called England ‘home’ and looked to its Monarch for Beefeaters, roses, daffodils, crowns, a throne, a an example of values and family life. In 1953 the Royals coronation coach and St. George killing the dragon! toured NZ and it was a huge event. For the first time a Definitely a unique piece for your reproduction sampler reigning monarch was going to tour this small, but collection. bustling south sea colony and it was a very memorable See the following pages for pattern pictures, moment for many New Zealanders. Crowds lined streets instructions, and charts. for hours to get a glimpse of the beautiful young Queen

The antique tablerunner The pattern found in Needlecraft & Needlewoman No 54 www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 23 Rose Motif Mother’s Day Card Design Information

Stitch on 28 count Water Cress evenweave from Wichelt Hand Dyed using six stranded Ozark Sampler Threads. Design size: 54W x 49H stitches

Finished stitched area: 28 ct: 3.86x3.5” (10x9 cms)

Cross stitch the rose with 2 strands over 2 threads of Pomegranate. Cross stitch the leaves with 2 strands over 2 threads of Jungle Rain. Complete each stitch before going onto the next. Backstitch the leaves’ veins with 1 strand of Key Lime. Using 1 strand of At the Beach, stitch with cutwork borders with simple border stitch. Use 1 strand of At the Beach, the border making sure the edge faces outwards. Cut out the inside threads of the simple border stitch’s borders as per instructions on the next page. Simpler Version Cut away excess fabric up to buttonhole border. This simpler version can be stitch on Aida or evenweave/linen. Press on the wrong side with a dry iron. Cross stitch and backstitch the rose and leaves as per the It is now ready to place on a card front. instructions. Replace the simple border stitch and buttonhole stitch with cross stitch in 2 strands of At the Beach. Backstitch the outer edge of the border with 1 strand of At the Beach. Stitches Used Count out 6 threads (evenweave) or 3 holes (Aida) on each Cross Stitch side of the border and cut. Remove threads to create a frayed Backstitch edge. Buttonhole Stitch Press on the wrong side with a dry iron and it is now ready to Simple Border Stitch place on a card front.

See page 34 for cross stitch diagram. Ozark Sampler produces a range of hand dyed threads for six stranded cotton and flouche. Their colours are bright and pretty with lovely variegations. You can purchase the threads and fabric for the above piece from... www.ozarksampler.com

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 24 Rose Mother’s Day Card

Completing the Cutwork Use this method to create cut edges that are free from visible thread ends. Complete all stitching first. Start inside one of the blocks and chose a middle thread that is at right angles to the border. Place your needle under the thread and lift so it is pulled firm. (See fig 1) Cut as close to the border line as possible. Turn your work around and using tweezers hold the cut thread tight. (See fig 2) Cut as close to the border line as possible. Only cut one thread at a time. Fig 1 Fig 2 www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 25 Reproduction Coronation Sampler Design Information

This sampler uses full cross stitch and backstitch, so it can be stitched on Aida or linen. I have included two virtual finished pictures in cream and in blue. Design size: 114W x 147H stitches

Finished stitched area: Aida 14 ct and Linen/Evenweave 28 ct: 8.14x10.5” or 20.7x26.7 cms

Add 4” (10cms) all round for framing. Stitch all cross stitches with 2 strands of DMC thread as per symbol key below.

Backstitch the following with 1 strand of DMC threads: Throne: 310 Beefeaters jackets: 3822 Jacket bottoms and leg divide: 310 Coach: 869

Stitches Used Cross Stitch Backstitch See page 34 for stitch diagrams.

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 26 www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 27 www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 28 From Test-Tubes to Chart-Packs A scientist becomes a cross stitch designer and tells it like it is!

have a particular knack at creating “Catch-22” situations - Office #1 needs a document from Office #2, who needs a document from Office #3 who needs the document from Office #1 - who, of course, needs the By Jacinta Lodge document from Office #2 . Finally I wrangled out a letter from Office #1 saying IF I had the document Jacinta, a scientist in Germany, has decided to take the from Office #2 THEN they would let me set up a plunge and start her own cross stitch design business. business, which let the sequence flow smoothly from Each month she will summarise her thoughts and events there. It eventually worked out, and the added exercise in journal form on this page. This month we continue from running all over town was enough to counteract with Part 2... the waiting room spread that was developing. In addition to that, I had to learn all about Tax. In my previous life as mild-mannered employee, I paid tax-with-a-small-t. To deal with Tax, I’ve found a tax Grrrrrr That’s all I can say. The past month has been advisor called Mr Loyal. No, I’m not joking – why do taken up with all the official business start-up things you think I picked him? He spent an hour with me - things I hadn’t the foggiest idea about until recently. explaining how the system works, what applies to me It is possible that Germany is a bit more complicated and what I have to do from now on. In a further two than the United States, Australia or England. In fact, hours he explained his explanation. As a small start- I’d believe that quite easily, having already lost large up I’m going to be putting in monthly tax returns, at portions of my youth in office waiting lines here. They least for the first year. I can feel my blood pressure rising already... is that heart palpitations? My final major task for the month was to learn about building web pages. Exponential learning curve indeed. Although it may not be brain surgery, I’m afraid I’m not a natural talent with all things HTML. A week of video tutorials, help files and Google has helped me create a Site Under Construction page. It certainly isn’t much yet but I’m taking heart in that famous old saying “A Great Webpage Wasn’t Built In A Day”. To finish the month off in style, my computer suffered massive meltdown, taking everything from the last two weeks with it. Luckily my trusty local computer expert managed to restore most of it and, after a lost week and hefty whack to the budget, I’m back to work. That’ll teach me to be lax with back-ups. My study is now bristling with CD’s, DVD’s and external hard drives. So now, although I know I have a thousand things to do, although a guilty little voice is whispering “You should be getting quotes for printing Why aren’t you looking at advertising You STILL haven’t finished that design ,” I think I’ll go and put the kettle on and start stitching a model. After all, that’s part of the job too, right? Right? The journal continues next month...

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 29 Excursions Our two columnists, Marie and Jacinta, have been skipping round town attending needlework exhibitions and fairs. The following pages have some photos from their adventures. Marie’s Bunka Vernissage, Kirkland, Canada Last April 7th, Élise Marchand and Ruth Morin, both following a design printed on the fabric. I won’t tell you winners in the Intermediate category of The American more this month. You’ll have to wait till next month in Bunka Embroidery Association's annual competition, my column! gave there first vernissage. For now I have some photos to share of the work at Japanese Bunka Embroidery is often referred to as oil the exhibition. I wish I could show you every single painting with thread. When you do bunka, you work a piece special knitted rayon into a fabric backing, whilst

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 30 Excursions Jacinta’s attend’s Stitch 2006, London, England From 23-26th of March 2006, the annual Stitch and Craft Show was held in London. This was my second visit and it brought back all those wonderful memories of the first, as well as a similar amount of damage to my credit card. Originally just called Stitch, the show has changed recently to appeal to a wider audience, bringing in , scrapbooking, jewellery-making and other crafts. The show was well set out – the main floor remained true to it´s embroidered origins and cross stitch models lined booths as far as the eye could see. Scrap booking and other crafts were relegated to the second floor, so the visitors could easily find the sections of their beloved hobby. Although the aisles seemed generously spacious, crammed as they were with enthusiastic needleworkers, it was slow going. Of course, this meant one had longer to peruse the wares of each booth. One thing that struck me moving between the stands, was how similar the cross stitch designs on display were to those Looking onto the ground floor I saw two years ago. Of course fairies and angels remain steady favourites, as do the many floral designs. However a certain amount of repetition did exist between booths, with only a few unique designers standing out in the crowd. Although cross stitch was the core business of the show, a number of retailers are now also offering designs for an exciting variety of techniques. Crewel poked its colourful nose here and there and beautiful silk shading shined sleekly on walls of smaller booths. One technique which seems to have taken off recently is goldwork, with a number of kits on offer. Always eager to improve my stitching repertoire I decided to learn more. Every day numerous courses were on offer downstairs near the cafeteria, where a harpist sat plucking quietly, calming us down from the hectic upstairs. I quickly signed up for a goldwork course with Tracy Franklin, graduate of the Royal School of Needlework, author and goldwork specialist. Her class was a quick introduction with a design covering several of the stitching techniques. I hadn't considered the uniqueness Jenny Adin teaching of the kinds of threads used before, but the effects achieved with twist, Japanese and coil were gorgeous. Definitely a method worth pursuing. The hour ended before my piece was fully finished, but that one class had whetted my appetite for more. Dashing upstairs again I found the Cross Stitch Guild were offering classes and quickly seated myself to learn the art of counting anything but cross stitch. What fun! Buoyed by my success at Rhodes and Queen stitch, I purchased my first needlepoint kit. To finish off, I ventured downstairs again for a class with Jenny Adin. She is also an alumnae of the Royal School of Needlework, and currently a teacher there. Her cute kit got us all busily needlelacing and learning the basics of this three dimensional method. The day finished at 5pm, with hordes of exhausted, broke and completely happy stitchers packing the Tube back into central London. It was my first time taking classes at a show and I encourage everyone to do so at their next local event. Stitch and Craft 2006 was certainly worth a visit and, judging Pattern panic at Stitch 2006! by the smoke off my credit card, quite a success. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 31 Design Information

Design size: 199W x 199H stitches

Finished stitched area: 28 ct: 36 x 36 cm (14.2” x 14.2”) 32 ct: 31.5 x 31.5 cm (12.5” x 12.5”) Add 20 cm (8”) to each of the above measurements to allow for framing. The design has cross stitches and speciality stitches, so is not suitable for . If you would like to stitch in silks, Vikki Clayton from Hand-Dyed Fibers has put together packs of her beautiful threads for this design. Order these packs from www.hand-dyedfibers.com No more than 4.5m (5 yards) is required of any colour. Stitches Used Thread Key

Cross Stitch Backstitch Rhodes Berry Stitch and Smyrna Cross Stitch (Motif 12) Norwich Stitch (Motif 13) Fly Stitch (Motif 14)

See page 33 for descriptions of each motif and page 34 for stitch diagrams.

www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 32 Mystery Sampler Part 4 - Pattern

Motif 12 - Rhodes Berry Stitch and Motif 13 - Norwich Stitch Motif 14 - Fly Stitch Smyrna Cross Stitch First work the cross stitch following the First work the cross stitch following Work the cross stitch first, following key. Then work the Norwich stitch in the key. Then work the fly stitch using the key. At the same time, work the Burnt Orange/DMC 402. This stitch Black Cherry/DMC 3740. NB: The Smyrna Cross Stitches using Indigo looks complicated, but it’s very easy as fly stitches share the same fabric hole. Ocean/DMC 924. Finally use long as you remember that no stitches Cranberry/DMC 3328 to work the cross on the back of the fabric, and all Rhodes Berries. stitches cross on the front. See page 34 for diagrams of how to stitch each motif. www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 33 Each thread you see here equals one thread on evenweave or linen fabric. Come up Stitch Diagrams to the right side of the fabric on odd numbers, and go down on even numbers. 4 2 2

2 4 2

1 1 3 1 1 3 3 4 1 2 Cross Stitch Half Stitch Quarter Stitch Petite Stitch Backstitch

1

16 3 Fly Stitch 14 5 Create a loop then bring your needle up at 3 (inside 1 5 3 loop) and then go down 12 7 at 4 to secure it. 1 10 9 2

8 7 8 11 3 6 13

4 6 2 Smyrna Cross 4 15 4

2 Rhodes Berry

3 11 19 27 35 43 51 50 42 34 18 10 2 Norwich Stitch 26 8 5

16 13

1 3 5 7 24 21 32 29 6 2 4 8 40 37 Simple Border Stitch 48 45

49 52

41 44

33 36

28 25 17 20 Buttonhole Stitch 9 12 1 4 6 14 22 30 38 46 47 39 31 23 15 7 www.thegiftofstitching.com Issue 4 May 2006 Page 34