Embroidery

We’ve seen a lot of traditional hand embroidery patterns here at Havel’s Sewing. We’re not knocking ‘em, but we wanted fresh and contemporary patterns to apply to our current batch of bibs and onesies and tea towels (oh my!). We wanted to discover a life beyond the selection of leaves and scrolls and cupcake patterns we see every day. And we’re thrilled to find an embroidery world of mid-century modern lamps and mermaids! Jenny Hart from Sublime Stitching is a very talented embroidery artist who sells unique patterns, kits and embroidery supplies, as well as promotes hand embroidery as an art form.

Havel’s Sewing is also fond of Urban Threads. Here you can find featured artists who’ve designed patterns for the site, a blog and tutorials. Besides the large variety of contemporary hand embroidery patterns, Urban Threads also offers machine embroidery patterns. Just think of the crazy cool designs you can apply to hoodies and jeans, socks and scarves. Pillows and purses could also use a little embroidery love. Stitch your mark to make a statement!

The very talented desigers at the Husqvarna Embroidery Center in Sweden developed a very beautiful embroidery technique that is best completed with Havel’s Sewing Ultra-Pro Seam Ripper.

The technique does not refer to velvet thread or velvet fabric. The name “thread velvet” comes from the feel of the threads once they are cut. If you run your finger over the finished product, the embroidery design feels like velvet. The Husqvarna Viking “Designer Diamond” embroiders the design of your choice – and completes the design so that the backside is secure and the threads will not come out. Once the machine is finished, you simply take your Havel’s Sewing Ultra-Pro Seam Ripper and cut through the middle of the threads in the design. Be careful not to cut through to the fabric. Give the threads a little fluff and the result is an elegant design with a rich feel.

Martha Stewart features the thread velvet technique on her television program. You can watch her demonstrate the technique here.

Sue Hausmann also features the thread velvet technique on America Sews with Sue Hausmann. She offers step-by-step instructions in PDF format you can print out for reference here.

Thread Velvet designs are available for garments and home decor. See Sue Hausmann’s list of supplies, gather your materials and create something glamorous.

Diane Lewandowski is the proprieter of Heritage Shoppe, a website “…devoted to promoting embroidery in all its forms.” She stitched her first stich at age five. Her mother taught her a stitch and she completed her first project – a red rabbit outline. And off she went. She caught the bug to make things.

She’s studied with masters in white work, the intricate embroidery characterized by white stiches on white material. She took lessons through the mail and met other embroiderers on the internet. She took lessons from Italy in open work and in schwalm, another form of white work, from Germany. Along the way, she developed her expertise in surface embroideries, such as ayrshire. Ms. Lewandowski is now the Chair of The Master Craftsman Program in Surface Embroidery offered by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. She sets the standards for the certification program. If you need to know what makes an embroidered piece a work of fine art, she’s the artist who can tell you.

Ms. Lewandowski recognizes that hand embroidery is a lost art. “There was a resurgence in interest twelve to fifteen years ago, but that’s leveled off in the last few years,” she says. Possible reasons for the loss of interest include the availability of machines that do more intricate work and the amount of time involved in completing a hand embroidered piece.

“It can take months, depending on the size of the project,” Lewandowski says. “And it’s very intense. You can get carpel tunnel or wreck your fingers.”

Hand care might be another reason for the decline in interest. She describes “chikan embroidery” as a lost art. “It was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It’s taught to kids in India at ages four and five because you can’t teach an adult. You must train hands when they’re little. And it has almost disappeared. It has disappeared,” she says. “The designs are East Indian. Gorgeous stuff.”

There are, fortunately, a select few who are still interested in the art and tradition of hand embroidery. Thus, Heritage Shoppe. Just browse through the gallery to get a feel for the amazing work people are pouring their time and energy into. It’s truly stunning.

Dianne Lewandowski is currently teaching a correspondence course through the Embroiderers’ Guild of America in the Australian embroidery technique of using wool threads on wool grounds. The result is “Molly,” the bear in the photo. Students use dollmaking techniques, as well, to make the bear by hand and machine.

To learn more about embroidery arts, read Ms. Lewandowski’s Primer.

For over 25 years, Havel’s Sewing has manufactured innovative cutting tools to meet your sewing and embroidery needs.  We are pleased to introduce the newest innovation from Havel’s Sewing: the Sew Creative blog!  Visit us often to read about successful sewing projects, patterns and fabrics, and links to sites that offer instructions and guides on a variety of crafty undertakings.  We’ll also be posting occasional time-saving techniques and interviews with creative professionals.  Feel free to browse through our blogroll for inspiration.  We’re excited for this new development at Havel’s Sewing.  Join us in our creative journey.  Check back often!