I was stuck at home last weekend because of the 13(!) inches of snow we got on Friday and Saturday. I enjoyed being out in the snow with my kids, but I am also not a cold weather person. So, I also enjoyed being inside and warm and dry. And, with the electricity flickering (and eventually going out), I looked for a sewing project I could work on without needing my machines. I picked up the Little Folks Turkish Tunic embroidery pattern, my hoop, some waste canvas, and some organic silk Eri embroidery thread and set to work.
I decided to try and practice the Tunic embroidery suggestions for around the placket and hems, which use cross stitch and Holbein stitch. I put down a narrow section of waste canvas or scrim and was able to quickly embroider a long row with the madder red and mid-indigo silk thread. I only used 4 of the eight strands of thread to do this embroidery and I thought that was adequate. The thread was beautiful and I enjoy sewing with it. You can find the thread, now in 4 colors, in our store.
Instructions for these embroidery stitches are in the Handwork section of the 109 Little Folks pattern, which you can also get as a PDF file. I hope to get a video up soon with a demonstration of how to do these stitches, so stay tuned for that.
My favorite part of this kind of embroidery is taking apart the canvas to reveal what I've done. I admit that I need to keep practicing - my stitches are not perfect. But, I was satisfied with it and love the contract and colors.
Who else is out there embroidering anything?
I have not embroidered anything in a long time (aside from cross stitch marking on my 18th century shift and pockets, but even that was years ago! Like this: http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/howto/frauen/18chemise.shtml or https://textilis.net/2017/01/19/18th-19th-century-marking-of-linen-b-21/ ). I have some days off and I want to plan out or start a project…more than likely a Folkwear! Not sure which one yet.