Laid Work is an old technique.  A variation of it was used in the Bayeux Tapestry but it was widely used before then in the Medieval Days.  The English Embroiderers were masters of their trade using gold and silk threads to create the most elaborate Copes that featured the difficult technique of Or Nué.  The Syon Cope is an excellent example of the skill current at that time.  This Cope was moved to France during the time of Henry VIII to prevent it from being melted down for the bullion contained in the stitching,

Laid Work minimizes the amount of thread used in embroidery.  It is useful when the thread is expensive or in short supply.  Think of the Deerfield Embroideries.  Immigrants did not have access to their accustomed thread supplies and had to wait until the boat arrived from Europe.  That could be a long time in the future. (Necessity is the spur to invention.)   Another feature is that all the thread is visible on the front of the fabric. If the item is a piece of clothing this reduces the weight of the garment.  If satin or long and short is used, there is as much thread on the back as on the front. Some threads are expensive.  Even in this era, they are expensive.  Laid Work will minimize the amount of thread you will use.  You may only need three skeins rather than five which could be relevant for commissioned work.  It is also fairly fast to work which is another posoitive expecially if you are working on a commission.

When silk threads are used for this technique the result is gorgeous.  The long uninterrupted stitches and large areas covered with the thread gleam and show off off both the thread and the colour to advantage.  Although any thread can be used for learning,  DMC Floss and Perlé,  for instance, and exploring this technique, silk thread, either flat or twisted is the best.

This piece was embroidered by Erica Wilson while she was a student at The Royal School of Needlework in the early 1950s. She used  Pearsall’s Silk Thread. I remember her stitching this.  It gleamed;  it was dazzling and it shows off the thread and the technique most wonderfully.  The design is the result of sketching in the Natural History Museum.

Snowdrops

There have been some lovely photos of this years crop of snowdrops on Facebook.

The following embroidered panel was created by myself about 40 years ago.  All the flowers, trees, birds and insects that are in the song are in the panel.

This picture is of stitched snowdrops.

“In an English Country Garden.”

The photos I took 40 years ago are now faded and lack their focus.  I took this one of the original panel today.  The colour of the background fabric is not accurate.  It is a turquoise furnishing fabric.  The pink flowers are wild roses and the birds in the grass are Pigeons.

How to stitch Snowdrops.

Snowdrops are vivid white and bloom early in the spring. Perlé White No 3 gives the flowers sparkle. Perlé No 5 can be used if you are stitching on a larger scale. White DMC works well, too. The leaves are stitched in Straight Stitch using only three threads as the snowdrop is a smaller plant than daffodils or narcissi. The stalks become invisible among the flowers and leaves.

Strand your threads: Use one thread of each of the following greens.

Green:  319 (1) + 320 (1) + 987 (1) = 3.

Straight Stitches:

Flowers: White Perlé No 3 or No 5 or DMC white (4).

There are three ways to stitch a snowdrop flower.

1) Chain Stitch upside down with the catch stitch at the top.`

2) Chain stitch upside down but make the catch stitch slightly longer. Add a stitch on the outside by threading it under the catch stitch. Hold the thread firmly under your work and use the eye of the needle first to go under the catch stitch. This prevents splitting the thread. This is called a Slipped Chain Stitch.

Stitch some leaves, add some flowers, add more leaves and flowers until the group is the size you wish. You will find that you will be over-stitching flowers on top of leaves.

To complete the flowers, use the green thread and over-stitch the white catch threads.

This is one of the 23 spring flowers in my book Handstitch Recognizable Spring Flowers.

Hello Stitchers.

Today, I am a day late.  Inspirations, All Stitched Up! is a newsletter, as distinct to their Magazine, is published every Friday.  This makes it always current.  This week, among many items, are frogs playing musical instruments, making and decorating lampshades, a stitching of a large fossil stitchasaurous in a wonderful textured green background and the usual sweetness of items for children.

And that is just the tip of the stitching iceberg.

Inspirations publishes items sent in for sharing. Their phography is excellent.  Embroiderers are a world wide community with many different ideas and abilities. I always find something of interest to see in this weekly email publication.  Today, the musical trio of frogs was it, especially the one playing the banjo. (or was that a different instrument.)

There is a new book publication. Bonnie the Cow and Friends by

Claire Gelder

Inspirations are a source for Kits and fabrics as well.  Australia has many Embroidery Guilds and a lot of very active members.  There is lots of activities going now leading into their winter months.

Inspirations Newsletter <news@inspirationsstudios.com>

Published by ZINIO App

Dr Jessica Grimm <info@jessicagrimm.com>

Please contact her via her email and say Hello from me.

Last Monday was embarressing for me.  Despite my saying that Jessica Grimm publishes every Monday without fail, she did mot publish last Monday.  So be it, she is/was somewhere other that at home.  Her website is always interesting and it gives us a peek into the life of a classical stitcher.

You have two totally different publications to peruse.  They both feature stitching that is totally different to each other  They both publish weekly; one on a Monday and the other, from the opposite side of the world, on a Friday.

Enjoy the weekend.  It is a long weekend in Canada when we celebrate Queen Victoria’s Birthday.  As many people as can, go to their cottage. They reinstall their water supply and electricity, clean up the cobwebs and dust, launch their boats, have a celebratory barbecue and drink beer.

Summer has begun.  Makes a nice change from winter.

Just as regular as Monday happening at the beginning of every week, it’s impact is softened by the arrival of the Newsletter by Dr Jessica Grimm.  She is based in southern Germany, I think, and lives a very different life with resources that are different to ours.  This is a neat portrait of her

Jessica specializes in Medieval Gold Work.  She researches, uses genuine designs, works out the methodology and has produced many beautiful pieces you would not see unless you visited special collections the way she does.  She teaches in class and online.  She also stocks and sells specialist gold thread and many other threads.  Jessica is a great resource and on this Monday in May, I wanted you to know about her.

Dr Jessica Grimm <info@jessicagrimm.com>

Please contact her via her email and say Hello from me.

My computer is being ornery and will not put the pictures where I want them!

Mary Corbet of Needle’nThread runs a great website that includes videos on how to do stitches, reviews of books, equipment, lighting and stitching products.  She will start a large and glamorous project and you can stitch along with her.  She is starting a new one right now.

The project is a tool holder for stitching tools,  So far, she has prepared the fabric and sewn on some beads.  She has kits available from her website.  But, even if you do not wish to make a tool holder, you can stitch along at home on your own fabric and learn all sorts of information and techniques that will be in your knowledge basket forever.  Mary is an excellent and thorough teacher.  Her writing style is clear and complete.  If you are a beginning stitcher or someone who would like to add to their knowledge base, Mary is a good resource.  You will find a lot of interest on her website.  I watch it regularly and always find it interesting.

This is her last project.  A Bee-Jewelled Pin cushion.

Enjoy browsing her website and stitching along with her.

Needle ‘n Thread

My last letter to you did not transmit properly.  The lovely site from Hand and Lock went into the draft as usual but did not transmit from there to you.

Frustrating for all of us.

They are a company of gifted professional embroiderers who do remarkable work.  It is always a pleasure to see what they are creating and what they publish.

You can make better contact with them at the links below.

Hand & Lock

Hand & Lock
86, Margaret Street,
London, W1W 8TE
TEL: 0207 580 7488

Get In Touch

Founded in 1767, Hand and Lock specializes in creating for the luxury fashion houses, Saville Row tailors and European Royalty.

A feast for your eyes.  I do hope that you will be able to attend.

LONDON CRAFT WEEK 9 – 15 May 2022 Once again, Britain’s oldest embroidery house will open its doors to provide a glimpse into the history of embroidery as well as host a Goldwork Taster class, working with precious metal bullions. Since 1767, producing breathtaking embroideries for luxury fashion houses, Savile Row tailors, and European royalty. As the esteemed holders of the Royal Warrant combine ancient embroidery skills with modern design, we continue to champion hand embroidery while embracing modern digital machine embroidery. EVENT DETAIL  Guided Tour9 May 2022 – 13 May 2022, 11:30 – 13:00 14 May 2022, 12:00 – 13:30 Open house   :00 – 17:00 12 May 2022, 14:00 – 17:00 Guests are free to talk to their expert staff about the long history of the company and the many famous projects they have worked on for celebrities and the royal family. Visitors can also enjoy examples of ancient and modern embroidery. Rarely seen items from Hand & Lock’s 250-year-old archive are displayed alongside contemporary award-winning embroidered garments and works of art from the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery. London Craft Week Guided Tour Our expert guided tours get you exclusive access to parts of the studio that are not open to the public. During the tour you will be guided around the newly refurbished studio, learning about the history of Hand & Lock and the ancient techniques we still use today. You will see key pieces held in our on-site archive as well as seeing live embroidery demonstrations. Book Your Tour » Goldwork Taster Class EVENT DETAILS  Guided Tour 9 May 2022 – 13 May 2022, 11:30 – 13:00 14 May 2022, 12:00 – 13:30 Open house 9 May 2022 – 14 May 2022, 10:00 – 16:00 15 May 2022, 11:00 – 16:00 Goldwork Taster Class Workshop 10 May 2022, 14:00 – 17:00 12 May 2022, 14:00 – 17:00 Hand & Lock, Goldwork specialists since 1767, bring you a taster class for complete beginners, providing an insight into the possibilities of working with gold metal bullions. Goldwork is the art of embroidery using metal threads. Historically associated with ceremonial and military uniform the technique is now also popular in customisation, couture and interior design. Using threads that are imitation gold, silver, copper, or coloured allows embroiderers to create metallic surface designs that reflect light and create dazzling effects. In this special 3 hour class, during London Craft Week, you will learn the basic stitches involved in goldwork. I have tried to copy the information from Hand and Lock accurately but computers can create problems.   Please phone or email them for information and for booking a tour or class.  Enjoy. handembroidery.us16.list-manage.com/…/click CLICK HERE FOR MORE

SNAD.  If you have not already heard of SNAD, you are now formally introduced.

Founded about 10 or more years ago by graduates from RSN, it is taking on a life and purpose of its own.  Recently moved to new accommodation, its program now features embroidery courses on site but also, on line.  In the interest of us all becoming motivated to stitch again after the gap caused by Covid19, I thought that you should know about SNAD.  This may not apply to you, the reader,  but I think it may be appropriate for some members of the embroidery community, including myself.  It has been a long and boring intermission in our lives but we are now ready to stitch again and a brand new project is always exciting.

These are just two of the several On Line Courses ad there are more  on their Marvellous May Newsletters. They have an excellent Library, are a resource for teachers and supplies plus lots of enthusiasm.  Enjoy browsing and I hope you find a course that will interest you.

San Francisco School of Needlework & Design <info@sfsnad.org>

Covid19 is not a subject to joke upon.  Every one, everywhere, is hoping that it is history but we still cannot be sure that this is correct. There are still many people infected and we wish them a recovery that is free of complications.

I hope you have all survived the last two years.  I live in an Independent Seniors Residence and we had a number of shut downs which were tedious but worked.  We had no resident with a serious illness but staff experienced a lot of time off work because of testing positive.  My husband died in early March of this year but he had Parkinson’s and neither of us had Covid19.  This, and Covid19 explains my two year silence on this Blog.

The stitching world is becoming active again.  Here is some information you should know about.  Virtual courses are now a reality. Even if you are unable to travel, you might like to explore an on-line course.

This is the year that The Royal School of Needlework celebrates their 150th Anniversary. It is a hugely busy year for them.  Here is their information copied for you,

Royal School of Needlework is at Fashion and Textile Museum.

2ummpnh5sg2ti1h03r07l5eh1d  · London, United Kingdom  ·

‘In celebration of the RSN’s 150th Anniversary and our exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum London, we have created a series of films which share captivating insights into our acclaimed collection of contemporary and archival objects.⁠

In this film, Chief Executive & Exhibition Curator, Dr Susan Kay-Williams talks about the story behind the design for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Robe of Estate in 1953.

A selection of our archival lingerie collection is on display at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London. In our exhibition, ‘150 years of the Royal School of Needlework:  Crown to Catwalk’. Follow the link to book your tickets: https://bit.ly/38eGdd1 The exhibition is now open and will run until 4 September. * * #RSN150 Fashion and Textile Museum #royalschoolofneedlework #royalneedlework #crowntocatwalk #bridaltrousseau #trousseau #1930s #1930sfashion #1930slingerie #dresshistory #textilehistory #embroidery #handembroidery #embroiderydesign #embroiderydesigner #historicaltextiles #fashionandtextilemuseum #embroiderersoffacebook #bordado #broderie

The Royal School of Needlework is located in Hampton Court Palace which is upstream from London on the River Thames.  Their skills and knowledge are remarkable and you will be privileged if you are able to attend in person. There will be Summer School as usual.

They will also be having courses On Line and if you are unable to get to London this summer.   This is your chance to participate in the celebrations. The courses look really tempting.

I hope that this information is correct. There is a lot of reading and pictures of gorgeous embroideries for you to enjoy.  Do not miss the section introducing the Members of the Board of RSN.

I will also be sharing information on other courses that are happening this summer somewhere in the wonderful planet we all live on.  If you have, or know of a source for Courses on Embroidery, please let me know and I will include them in this Blog.

Apologies that there are no pictures this time but you will find plenty when you go browsing.

Today, I am featuring the embroidery of Joan who is a member of our very special Broiderers group.

Joan has her own ideas and always creates something that is a little different from anyone else.  She also has grandchildren and these embroideries were created for her young people.  The mouse is the latest piece she has stitched.  It would have been finished a year ago if we had stayed another 10 minutes at our last gathering which was just before Covid shut us down.  Perhaps, this is just the right moment to display him as it is exactly one year that he has been waiting patiently in his box.  The brown part of the body is applique but all the rest of the mouse and the strawberries is stitched by hand.

The background fabric is definitely grey but when I took another look after he was mounted on foam-core board, the grey had taken a tinge of pink from the strawberries.  Interesting!

Almost everyone I know has stitched a garden but only Joan thought of a river or stream rather than a path. The overhanging tree is wisteria with lots of texture in the bark.  The bush is a magnolia.

The hedgehog was Joan’s first piece and already belongs to a grandchild.  It is wandering over a hillock of plants and earth. How do you like the pink pea plant?  His coat is all prickly just like a real hedgehog.

Joan is a creative soul whether it is gardening, interior decorating or making a door decoration.  On her door one day, she had a swag of woven twigs and forsythia which was absolutely stunning.  She is also a champion swimmer and has been able to resume this activity now that the pool here has reopened for a limited number of people.

Joan’s husband is an avid photographer and he took this last photo which is way better than the ones I took.

Hope that everyone is staying well and that you are enjoying the more springlike weather if you are living in the northern hemisphere.