I'm now over 70...in my 20's I embroidered on handkerchiefs, home decor and my children's and friend's clothes. Along the way, I stopped my embroidery but want to take it back up again. I want to start with hankies and am so happy to find your great information.
@@221b-Maker-Street Thank you for asking! I gave up for several months, then started back up. Very slowly...cataracts are worse. I'm now looking for a larger magnifier! But I decided I won't give up this time. How is YOUR embroidery doing?
When you showed your embroidered eggs, all I could do was bow in respect. You are in a league I think neither I nor very many will ever achieve. Amazing!
I have been watching your videos and want to say that you are an excellent teacher! Thank you for all the information. It has helped me so much! I’m retired and learning a new skill set.
I have to say, I really appreciate your beautifully manicured nails and it is a privilege to watch your pretty hands at work! Also, the blouse you are wearing in this one is lovely, and I am waiting to hear (still watching the video) if you say anything about it, I'm guessing that you have made it yourself?
Sarah, thank you so much for this very comprehensive tutorial on different types of fabric and their application for embroidery. I am 77 years old…an old dog, who has just now learned some new tricks. I am currently trying my hand at wool appliqué and embroidery. Do you have a tutorial on just that?
When I was first learning embroidery I would practice on well washed pillow ticking. The stripes are so helpful. Something I saw & always wanted to try. A reproduction of 18/19th century American Sampler stitched on burlap. Since the cross stitch is counted using burlap, results in 4' to 6' sampler. The thread used was tapestry wool. Given my aging eyesight, I'm thinking I'll give it a try.
Your denim jacket reminded me of a denim jacket done for my late husband many years ago. This jacket was the one he always wore when out on his motorbike. He wanted the whole jacket back embroidered and together we worked out a design. It was a spider web done in sunset/sunrise colors with a road leading to the center. It had something like 12 legs of the spider web of which two were taken up with the applique road made of Naugahide, and artificial leather. I stitched the web its spokes and rounds with three strands of DMC and at every intersection of spokes and round, I put in a French knot. It was a fairly large and long project as you can imagine, but it turned out fabulously--yes, even the French knots. He got many compliments from friends and even more from complete strangers; many compliments were accompanied by requests (which I did not accept because of the time involved and people don't like the price). That jacket lasted many washes over many years. The stitching was still bright when I sadly relinquished it to a charity shop after his passing. Aside from that I've put embroidery on pillow cases, some other clothing items, a few linen calendars, doll clothes, handkerchiefs, and a few kitchen towels. Years ago, when my husband and I had a huge tent that looked like everyone else's I wanted to cross stitch our name on the screen door; it had holes so I thought it would be easy. That never happened because between one camping season and another, a baby came and time was scarce. My current slightly different project is stitching the names of the grandchildren on the taffeta cuff of their Christmas stocking. I was first going to do it on my machine but then I thought of all the marvelous stitches that can be done by hand so I've been looking for just the right stitch and just the right alphabet to match their personalities. That taffeta will be a challenge of its own since that kind of fabric frays exceedingly easily. Plus, like velvet and leather, you only get one chance to place the stitch correctly or you get a hole that won't go away. (Don't ask how I know. 😂) Yes, I do regular cross stitching from charts or kits or crewel work. But I do love a challenge so my latest thing is finding chart reproductions of really ancient works from the 1600s and 1700s where huge varieties of stitches and motifs are used. And if I come across anything else that needs a needle and thread put through it, I will. I've not tried gold work but it's on my list of things to try along with various types of white work.
Embroidery on egg shells? With beaded spangles??? You are my hero!!! 💖 Thank you for the great overview of all these fabrics and their uses; seeing your projects on the different fabrics and your descriptions of the hand of the fabrics are especially helpful. The unusual fabrics are really tantalizing. The sheer muslin-like fabric with the goldwork and beetle wing embroidery makes me swoon. The cotton velvet with the goldwork is also gorgeous. I think I need to learn how to do goldwork so that I can give some of these a try!
Oh goody! I was glad when you said Calico was a good one to use. It's plentiful and cheap around here. I like the way it looks too. I use it to see if a clothing pattern fits me so I got lots on hand. I may not have to buy any.
I love the eggs!!! I learned so much from this video. I have been struggling with what kind of fabric to use and I was limiting myself to just a few I knew were commonly used. Now I have a lovely excuse to head off to the fabric store. 🤗
I think I watched my first of your excellent videos last week. Now I've downloaded some of your free patterns (and will observe your requests) and tomorrow I will buy some floss. Fabric abounds here. My earlier embroidery forays have been less than satisfactory, but I so appreciate your clear presentations and I think I need the "simple" things. Fabrics abound in my stash, linen, cotton and a few other things. I spin (hand spinner - mostly wool, preferably rare breeds) and have done some cotton, silk, linen, nettle... Understand your reaction to synthetic fibers! The slubs in the silk you mention is because the silk was not reeled. The silk I spin hasn't been reeled either - I neither have the set up nor interest to reel silk. Anyhow. thank you again for providing genuinely interesting content in a very approachable and personable manner.
Linen is one of my favorite especially with counted cross stitch. I’m loving learning more designs that you are explaining. I’m an a avid Quilter and counted cross stitcher. ❤
I wished I’d seen this video when I first started. So helpful. Just one thing you didn’t mention is silk organza for tambour and stumpwork. Definitely don’t want to use the synthetic organza for tambour. Btw, I love the set!
Glad someone has noticed the new set Wanda, it took us ages! We talk about tambour materials separately in the tambour videos; it's a whole beast of it's own!
I saw embroidery on leaves but on eggs, that's quite new to me. 👌👌👌👍👍👍👏👏👏😍😍😍 You're absolutely right: we can embroider on anything that our needle is able to go through. 25.03.2022, 23:11
Thank you so much for sharing your invaluable experiences with all of us! I will be eternally thankful to you for your RUclips Channel, your books and everything you make ❤
This is funny because I was just looking at some cross-stitch patterns that called for canvas and I didn't know what it was. Beautiful work. the work on the eggs is amazing. I didn't know that could be done.
Even weave linen is also good for cut and drawn thread work. Be aware that not all linen is even weave. Linen made for garments is not even weave and if used for counted work you stitches will be rectangular. You can do counted work on eveweave as fine as 50 ct...with magnifier of course! Lovely video with lots of information. Am glad that I discovered your channel.
I got into embroidery more for using it as decoration on other things. In particular for minky plushies. However, I don't have the tools to do it the usual way which is with plastic and stablizer and all that with a sewing machine. So instead I'm stitching it by hand and intend to heatnpress and sew it on when I'm done. I'm actually embroidering right now on Midweight stablizer that my best friend sent me. I have mostly just minky and faux fur (a very small collection) and I didn't really have cotton or felt or anything to use as I'm just barely venturing into fabric and sewing. It's actually working pretty well so far. The stablizer is delicate and transparent but I'm using wash away transfer stablizer. So I print it out, stick it on to the stablizer and embroider. So the actually process is pretty sturdy (though I really dislike using the transfer because it's sticky and a little thick.) I really look forward to trying the stick and pounce method. i.imgur.com/gsGTuGDl.jpg - This is a link to what I'm working on. They're for a little kitty plushy for my best friend. It'll be my first fabric plushy and hopefully it'll leave me with some left over Anti-pill fleece to play with ^-^ Let me know what you think, I've struggled a while trying to figure out how to do this by hand. I really struggle to get my satin stitch straight so instead I used the split stitch technique you taught me and left that as a border. I didn't try it til the eye so unfortunately the second eyebrow is going to be a bit of a nightmare. I really hope the prick and pounce could work for this sort of design because getting the needle to come up exactly where I want to is really difficult with how thick the transfer is.
Oh my goodness, those Indian shoes! I don’t think I will be using velvet cotton is about my limit atm! Thanks very much Sarah, I really enjoy the little bits of historical info you give us. I’d welcome a video about ancient technique’s and materials if you ever want to make something a bit different!
Thank you for your videos. I am going to give embroidery a try. I needle felt and wet felt. So now I will try this. Your great at educating and easy to listen to..
This video was sooo helpful. I have acquired several different fabrics and i have lots of thread, and i have been very confused as what thread goes with what fabric. Thank you so much!
I did stitch on birch bark and made a bracelet out of it. I had done quill work first and figured, why not thread. That was about 25 years ago and it is still going strong although I don't wear it that much. Love the eggs, very tricky to do. Thank you for all the tutorials, I am very glad I found your channel.
Very informative thank you Sarah and yes U agree I was expecting to see organza as well. Great explanations about all the fabrics - to a newbie this is most helpful.
Very excellent video, thank you very much. I’ve used all sorts of fabric over the years but I’ve never used an egg!!!!!! I must tell you about a disaster I had one time with velvet…… I had bought many yards of velvet to make a single curtain for my front door. It was floor to ceiling in the hall and I had to sew 2 lengths together. You can guess, I’m sure:), what happened, I machined sewed one length to the other UPSIDEDOWN. When you shook it out and hung it over the ironing board, one looked the gorgeous, deep red and the other looked dark orange. I can still hear my mother’s voice saying, “I told you velvet could be tricky”. Lesson learned for sure but I have to say, 40 + yrs, washed many times, line dried and still as gorgeous as it was when new. Granted it’s against a dark wall and it’s had no sunlight damage, yes I still love it and it has a good time at Christmas. I was pricing velvet recently and was shocked…. my old curtain would have been out of price range 2021! I absolutely love all your videos, have only recently discovered them so thank you for giving me so much pleasure.
@@jeanettereynolds3151 if you watch it to the very end you will see that Sarah ‘blew’ an egg, dried it and pierced little holes to stitch through. She has done two of them and made them into very pretty, delicate ornaments for hanging on branches or a Christmas tree. (I use the polystyrene ones)🙂.
An easy mistake to make Christine!! Did you undo it and turn it around?! I was making a pair of trousers once and made two left legs.... I'm glad you are enjoying the videos, welcome onboard!
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery yes, I had to unpick the whole length of the curtain and turn it around😱. It put me off dressmaking for my two little girls using velvet.
Interesting. I'd like to learn embroidery for a practical use, not as a pure decoration piece. It means embroiding anything but standard plain weave cotton or linnen, as majority of my clothes are mare from other materials. Currently testing different stitches and thread thickness on boiled wool :)
Sarah I didn't know what material to buy being a beginner so I bought a single sheet of Egyptian cotton and using that to practice stitches on.lol now I have seen your vision which is so helpful I'm abit more educated not a lot but a bit thank you
Thanks it was lovely to see all the different fabrics and media. I stitch quite a lot but my primary passion is jewelry and I have actually stitched on the fine metal mesh with thread and a studier metal mesh with thin wire, telephone wire has lots of colors and gives a great effect. I haven't had a chance to try bending it much, but with fine with the thread makes for interesting beads and wraps for other metal components. The sturdier is probs more suited to sculptural pieces or smaller flat pendant or earring pieces.
This is a wonderful video. I learned so much. Thank you. I know you expect us to be blown away by your last item - which I am - but I’m also blown away by all of your samples. You are a great artist and teacher. Thank you for including links to your various projects. I’m looking forward to trying them.
I’ve been collecting several of your videos to reference for a project I hope to practice for and finish. These have been very helpful and certainly boost my confidence with stitching. Thank you for all these informative videos!
I'm about to stitch a shawl I'm making out of faux suede. The fabric hasn't arrived yet but I think I'll probably be backing it with something. Wish I could attach pics here. You should see the weeping willow tree I did on my jean jacket.
Which are better to use a common fabric to start - what is calico? that you recommended? Also the needles are preferred with your embroidery? Too many questions😂❤️💕
I love English smocking and always try to think of innovative ways to play with smocking. I once made smocked leaves using that gold colored metal mesh. Just made them really long so they pleated up to a normal shaped leaf...similar to an ash tree leaf. I used the smocking stitches with silk twist ( similar to perle cotton) to simulate the leaf veins. It was so much fun to see the idea in my head come to life.
Just enjoyed this lovely video and happy to become a new subscriber and watch some more of your videos Sarah! I'm keen to begin embroidery again as it is something that I used to enjoy man years ago. God bless from vera in Northern Ireland
Love, love, love all your videos! So informative. I’ve stitched on, Aida, eve weave, linen, silks and tulle. After watching this video, I am eager to try some unconventional fabrics! Thank you!
I think it could be interesting to do embroidery on multiple translucent layers of fabric and then place them on top of each other. This would be rather like doing glazes of acrylics when painting.
This is very informative! I had no clue what twill is! I work with upcycled fabric; preferring natural fibre in both my material and threads. I am currently doing the embroidery on what will be two functional Christmas stockings using vintage silk embroidery thread on solid cream vintage brocade (I think cotton but I have not done a burn test). Those eggs are amazing!
They sound lovely D'Ann! Have you checked your vintage silk threads for strength? I used some once and it took me ages to sift through and find ones that weren't rotten!
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Yes I sure did! From the labels I have dated it to about 1930 and it is still full strength and has vibrant colour. I always check my vintage supplies - after making a couple of mistakes.
Love it Sarah, Thank you so much❤, I stitched some paper, and ceramics can be stitched too, (holes must be made previously, of course) another thing was some fiber emballage I made, I embroidered to create texture. Once, I saw some colleage embroidering leaves. 😘
What about paper/cardboard? I am a beginner and I use cardboard for now to practice my stitches, before I move on to more valuable materials. I cut open empty tissue boxes and use whatever is printed on them as patterns. It works and it actually looks nice, even though I am just a beginner, so I can only imagine what you would be able to do with it. The only problem I had with paper is that you don't see where the needle is about to poke through, but I stab the cardboard from above and then put the needle through the prepared hole from below.
Thank you for all your videos. Very useful. Most of my work recently is on actual stretched artists canvas, and paper. Have to adjust methods just a bit (more down and up stitching, less running stitch; however most stitches work wit a little adjusting.)
I absolutely love linen for stitching. I've got grand plans for a table runner, but haven't gotten there yet. Thank you for this information abotu other fabrics!
I've been working on this coarse hessian/burlap and it was perhaps an unwise choice, but, it's kinda fun all the same. It distorts really easily and was too thick for my frame to hold, but I just wanted to use yarns and not be posh about it all since it was my first time stitching since childhood.
This is so so helpful Sarah, thank you very much. I must admit that I have never tried stitching on linen, but have always wanted to. Well, no, that’s not quite right, at present I’m am using linen twill for a piece of crewelwork. I did find it a bit of a challenge at first, because of the diagonal weave, but I seem to have got the hang of it now. As you will be aware, this weave has, what I refer to, as a ‘cord’ type thread running through it, and sometimes when I have wanted to place an exact stitch, I found the needle wanted to ‘roll’ to either side of it. This is the comical bit, at one point, when wanting to place a precise stitch, I would find myself holding my breath to get the needle to go exactly where I wanted it to go - needless to say, there were times when I’d finished stitching for the day, I’d be totally exhausted through lack of breath. I’m happy to say, I’ve got over that phase and can now stitch twill without an oxygen cylinder. I can’t imagine you ever having that problem Sarah - even when you were drilling your eggs, which are beautiful by the way. For many years I used to stitch on what America calls Southern Belle Muslin, I found this a really nice fabric, but I think manufacturing was moved overseas, and it ended up, not so good. I will certainly be trying your linen once I have finished with the twill. Referring to your little ‘slippers’ - I am sure I’ve read somewhere that in Jane Austen’s time, young girls would sew slipper for their Father’s Christmas present - or maybe I have dreamt that bit. While I am here, I would like to give a word of advice to some of your followers - I have seen many posts saying they are just starting out, and others saying they used to do embroidery when younger, but life got in the way, but have returned to it. All I would say is this, if you are just starting out and you really like embroidery, please don’t put it aside because of other life commitments, like I and others have done. Embroidery is such a calming pastime, and helps so much when ‘living’ gets a bit much sometimes. Even if you do a little a couple of times a week, at least you’ll be having a bit of ‘me’ time and be progressing with your stitching. Please don’t leave it until later in life, when you have more time, as you will find that you are constantly playing catch up. It will pay you dividends, of that, I am sure. Sorry for the long ramble.
Yes I too have held my breath while stitching; cutting away threads on whitework is one of those occasions! Do remember to breathe though, its very important! :) Great advice too, thank you for that...
Wow!!!! I’d love to try some clear plastic line drawings and maybe the egg if I’m particularly testing my patience one day. I’m new to embroidery but so far I’ve tried denim, cotton fabric, cotton framed canvas and linen. Denim was satisfying because it was one of my first projects and I made it for my little sister. The premade canvas was stiffer but conveniently already stretched. My next project will be some blue linen, maybe some wool and anything else. Thanks for all this info. You’re so talented and kind to share it with us.
I mostly stitch on linen and cotton, but I love experimental stitching so I’ve stitched on cork, and leaves (I live in the southern US so we have magnolia trees, which have nice, thick leaves) and I bought a sieve from a thrift store to stitch on next. I do have some metal mesh that I want to test out and do a 3d sculpture, but that will take some planning, I think. Thank you for the video!
You're really creative with your materials Kristi! I love the idea of stitching on leaves, I've seen some before and it was beautiful. Do you stitch on them as they are or treat them first?
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I definitely subscribe to the idea that you can stitch on anything you can get a needle through (I say that all the time too). I'm still experimenting on the leaves (I'm planning another experiment for October), but I've found that there's no need to treat the magnolia leaves. But that's why I use that species. They're very robust and feel almost like leather, but more brittle when dried. So I stitch on them when green. No idea how long they'll last, but that's part of the adventure!
I was surprised to hear how much you like calico, I stitch mostly on that fabric and love it. I also dye pieces, yes it's cheap but I find it difficult to work with anything else now. Really good video, Thank you.
I have used only cotton and aida for my embroidery so far. However, my next embroidery project will be on some linen. I have 4 preprinted projects that I can't wait to do. Thanks for giving all these other options I hadn't considered or imagined!!!
This was very interesting thank you. Are spangles what us old people call sequins? I've only recently discovered you and have been binge watching. You are so clear and concise and demonstrate everything so clearly. Thank you so much. xx
Love your eggs !! So Precious … i read somewhere on the web that somebody stitched on bread 🤦♀️🤷♀️…lol. Who am I to judge 😜 thank you for sharing 🌸🌺🌸
I love the design that you made on the canvas❣️ I really wanted to practice some samplers and I got linen but it’s rarely see through…now that I’m watching your video, I should have gotten linen that was more dense oh well I’m learning…I do have to use a more dainty needle because my fabric is not forgiving….🙏🏽🙋🏻♀️👍🏽Mia
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I don’t have calico right now but adding a second square of same was genius! The tension in 2 fabrics made all the difference…I was amazed…thank you so much! I appreciate you! 🙏🏽🙋🏻♀️👍🏽
Very interesting Sarah, and helpful too. Love the eggs at the end. I know you have had a video on your butterfly stump work, I wonder if you might have a more in depth video to explain the techniques, just a thought. I winged it with a frangipani stump work flower taking a bit from your butterfly and from others, while it worked I feel that a more explained video would have prevented a few mistakes, although I am at the end pleased with my effort.
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I'm now over 70...in my 20's I embroidered on handkerchiefs, home decor and my children's and friend's clothes. Along the way, I stopped my embroidery but want to take it back up again. I want to start with hankies and am so happy to find your great information.
It's like riding a bike, you may be a bit rusty at first but you don't forget!
How are you getting on? 🤗
@@221b-Maker-Street Thank you for asking! I gave up for several months, then started back up. Very slowly...cataracts are worse. I'm now looking for a larger magnifier! But I decided I won't give up this time. How is YOUR embroidery doing?
Quick question regarding silk: I find when I sew on silk I get runs in the fabric. Anyway to avoid this?
Me too, I'm almost 70 and getting back into it. My friends used to ask me to embroidery on their clothes as well. I'm an old hippie you know.
OMG! Embroidery on eggs!! What an amazing talent you have! I am not very creative but when I see your work and videos I want to try everything you do!
Yeah, I only did that twice!
When you showed your embroidered eggs, all I could do was bow in respect. You are in a league I think neither I nor very many will ever achieve. Amazing!
I embroided,50 years ago, forgotten quit a bit,thank you so much,for going over the best fabrics,to use😁😁🌟🌟🌟
I have been watching your videos and want to say that you are an excellent teacher! Thank you for all the information. It has helped me so much! I’m retired and learning a new skill set.
I have to say, I really appreciate your beautifully manicured nails and it is a privilege to watch your pretty hands at work! Also, the blouse you are wearing in this one is lovely, and I am waiting to hear (still watching the video) if you say anything about it, I'm guessing that you have made it yourself?
Sarah, thank you so much for this very comprehensive tutorial on different types of fabric and their application for embroidery. I am 77 years old…an old dog, who has just now learned some new tricks. I am currently trying my hand at wool appliqué and embroidery. Do you have a tutorial on just that?
When I was first learning embroidery I would practice on well washed pillow ticking. The stripes are so helpful. Something I saw & always wanted to try. A reproduction of 18/19th century American Sampler stitched on burlap. Since the cross stitch is counted using burlap, results in 4' to 6' sampler. The thread used was tapestry wool. Given my aging eyesight, I'm thinking I'll give it a try.
Your denim jacket reminded me of a denim jacket done for my late husband many years ago. This jacket was the one he always wore when out on his motorbike. He wanted the whole jacket back embroidered and together we worked out a design. It was a spider web done in sunset/sunrise colors with a road leading to the center. It had something like 12 legs of the spider web of which two were taken up with the applique road made of Naugahide, and artificial leather. I stitched the web its spokes and rounds with three strands of DMC and at every intersection of spokes and round, I put in a French knot. It was a fairly large and long project as you can imagine, but it turned out fabulously--yes, even the French knots. He got many compliments from friends and even more from complete strangers; many compliments were accompanied by requests (which I did not accept because of the time involved and people don't like the price). That jacket lasted many washes over many years. The stitching was still bright when I sadly relinquished it to a charity shop after his passing.
Aside from that I've put embroidery on pillow cases, some other clothing items, a few linen calendars, doll clothes, handkerchiefs, and a few kitchen towels. Years ago, when my husband and I had a huge tent that looked like everyone else's I wanted to cross stitch our name on the screen door; it had holes so I thought it would be easy. That never happened because between one camping season and another, a baby came and time was scarce.
My current slightly different project is stitching the names of the grandchildren on the taffeta cuff of their Christmas stocking. I was first going to do it on my machine but then I thought of all the marvelous stitches that can be done by hand so I've been looking for just the right stitch and just the right alphabet to match their personalities. That taffeta will be a challenge of its own since that kind of fabric frays exceedingly easily. Plus, like velvet and leather, you only get one chance to place the stitch correctly or you get a hole that won't go away. (Don't ask how I know. 😂)
Yes, I do regular cross stitching from charts or kits or crewel work. But I do love a challenge so my latest thing is finding chart reproductions of really ancient works from the 1600s and 1700s where huge varieties of stitches and motifs are used. And if I come across anything else that needs a needle and thread put through it, I will. I've not tried gold work but it's on my list of things to try along with various types of white work.
Amazing your work on the eggs, very interesting 😊
Embroidery on egg shells? With beaded spangles??? You are my hero!!! 💖 Thank you for the great overview of all these fabrics and their uses; seeing your projects on the different fabrics and your descriptions of the hand of the fabrics are especially helpful. The unusual fabrics are really tantalizing. The sheer muslin-like fabric with the goldwork and beetle wing embroidery makes me swoon. The cotton velvet with the goldwork is also gorgeous. I think I need to learn how to do goldwork so that I can give some of these a try!
God Bless you for giving us all the free designs ❤😊
I’m amazed at your blouse. I joined your channel over it. It looks like you took a nice blouse and embroidered it so beautifully, I love it!
You have the most soothing voice. Thank you so much for all the great information you shared on this video.
Oh goody! I was glad when you said Calico was a good one to use. It's plentiful and cheap around here. I like the way it looks too. I use it to see if a clothing pattern fits me so I got lots on hand. I may not have to buy any.
Thank you for spelling out the names of fabrics that might not be common. That's super helpful when looking for fabrics that are mentioned in videos.
🎯💯
You are definitely much more glamorous in later videos than earlier. I love your sparkling nail varnishes too. 😍
I don't think anyone has ever described me as glamorous Claire! We try to improve everything constantly...:)
This was so fun! I love the embroidered eggs! Very creative!
I love the eggs!!! I learned so much from this video. I have been struggling with what kind of fabric to use and I was limiting myself to just a few I knew were commonly used. Now I have a lovely excuse to head off to the fabric store. 🤗
I use calico for embroidery, painting and patch work. I like the natural look of it that's the reason why I use it most of the time.
I think I watched my first of your excellent videos last week. Now I've downloaded some of your free patterns (and will observe your requests) and tomorrow I will buy some floss. Fabric abounds here. My earlier embroidery forays have been less than satisfactory, but I so appreciate your clear presentations and I think I need the "simple" things. Fabrics abound in my stash, linen, cotton and a few other things. I spin (hand spinner - mostly wool, preferably rare breeds) and have done some cotton, silk, linen, nettle... Understand your reaction to synthetic fibers! The slubs in the silk you mention is because the silk was not reeled. The silk I spin hasn't been reeled either - I neither have the set up nor interest to reel silk. Anyhow. thank you again for providing genuinely interesting content in a very approachable and personable manner.
Calico, such a versatile underrated fabric. I love it, it's so easy to use. As for synthetics, very good quality needles are a must.
A fun chat to listen to while I hand quilt! Thank you for this video, it was informative!!
Oh this is great, thank you! This is a question I have often asked myself.
Linen is one of my favorite especially with counted cross stitch. I’m loving learning more designs that you are explaining. I’m an a avid Quilter and counted cross stitcher. ❤
Always enjoy your videos. ❤
I wished I’d seen this video when I first started. So helpful. Just one thing you didn’t mention is silk organza for tambour and stumpwork. Definitely don’t want to use the synthetic organza for tambour. Btw, I love the set!
Glad someone has noticed the new set Wanda, it took us ages! We talk about tambour materials separately in the tambour videos; it's a whole beast of it's own!
Thank you Professor Homfray
I saw embroidery on leaves but on eggs, that's quite new to me. 👌👌👌👍👍👍👏👏👏😍😍😍 You're absolutely right: we can embroider on anything that our needle is able to go through. 25.03.2022, 23:11
Wow! The eggs are very pretty. So much great information. Thank you. 🪡
Very interesting. And the eggs are lovely!
Thank you so much for sharing your invaluable experiences with all of us! I will be eternally thankful to you for your RUclips Channel, your books and everything you make ❤
This is funny because I was just looking at some cross-stitch patterns that called for canvas and I didn't know what it was. Beautiful work. the work on the eggs is amazing. I didn't know that could be done.
If you can make a hole in it you can stitch on it Heather!
Even weave linen is also good for cut and drawn thread work. Be aware that not all linen is even weave. Linen made for garments is not even weave and if used for counted work you stitches will be rectangular. You can do counted work on eveweave as fine as 50 ct...with magnifier of course! Lovely video with lots of information. Am glad that I discovered your channel.
I do talk about those points in the video Ragath, it is the thing I get asked the most about linens I think!
Thank you Sarah! So many great ideas. Those Easter eggs you made such an intricate work. Amazing!👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
Nou je hebt al veel geprobeerd, en zoveel prachtige werkstukken wauw, thank you😍
I got into embroidery more for using it as decoration on other things. In particular for minky plushies. However, I don't have the tools to do it the usual way which is with plastic and stablizer and all that with a sewing machine. So instead I'm stitching it by hand and intend to heatnpress and sew it on when I'm done. I'm actually embroidering right now on Midweight stablizer that my best friend sent me. I have mostly just minky and faux fur (a very small collection) and I didn't really have cotton or felt or anything to use as I'm just barely venturing into fabric and sewing. It's actually working pretty well so far. The stablizer is delicate and transparent but I'm using wash away transfer stablizer. So I print it out, stick it on to the stablizer and embroider. So the actually process is pretty sturdy (though I really dislike using the transfer because it's sticky and a little thick.) I really look forward to trying the stick and pounce method.
i.imgur.com/gsGTuGDl.jpg - This is a link to what I'm working on. They're for a little kitty plushy for my best friend. It'll be my first fabric plushy and hopefully it'll leave me with some left over Anti-pill fleece to play with ^-^
Let me know what you think, I've struggled a while trying to figure out how to do this by hand. I really struggle to get my satin stitch straight so instead I used the split stitch technique you taught me and left that as a border. I didn't try it til the eye so unfortunately the second eyebrow is going to be a bit of a nightmare. I really hope the prick and pounce could work for this sort of design because getting the needle to come up exactly where I want to is really difficult with how thick the transfer is.
Oh my goodness, those Indian shoes! I don’t think I will be using velvet cotton is about my limit atm! Thanks very much Sarah, I really enjoy the little bits of historical info you give us. I’d welcome a video about ancient technique’s and materials if you ever want to make something a bit different!
Thank you for your videos. I am going to give embroidery a try. I needle felt and wet felt. So now I will try this. Your great at educating and easy to listen to..
Embroidery on felt looks really good Krista!
Thank you...I have been a cross stitcher for years but am branching out to 'proper' embroidery so this is great info.
You have all the skills then to leave the safety of the holes Helen!
Hello Sarah! I am glad to see you again. Thanks for all the wonderful info.
This video was sooo helpful. I have acquired several different fabrics and i have lots of thread, and i have been very confused as what thread goes with what fabric. Thank you so much!
I did stitch on birch bark and made a bracelet out of it. I had done quill work first and figured, why not thread. That was about 25 years ago and it is still going strong although I don't wear it that much. Love the eggs, very tricky to do. Thank you for all the tutorials, I am very glad I found your channel.
Very informative thank you Sarah and yes U agree I was expecting to see organza as well. Great explanations about all the fabrics - to a newbie this is most helpful.
Thank you ButtonsH, glad you found it useful! Organza comes under the sheer fabrics part!
Thanks for such a thorough review of fabrics and their uses; your take on the experience of stitching on them
Great video. Thanks for the unusual ideas. Embroidery on a real egg!!! Crazy cool. And beautiful.
Austin,TX USA
Yes it was a bit of a mad moment Barbara!
Incredible video. Thank you so much. Very informative & inspiring. You are SO creative. Loved the egg work!
Very excellent video, thank you very much. I’ve used all sorts of fabric over the years but I’ve never used an egg!!!!!! I must tell you about a disaster I had one time with velvet…… I had bought many yards of velvet to make a single curtain for my front door. It was floor to ceiling in the hall and I had to sew 2 lengths together. You can guess, I’m sure:), what happened, I machined sewed one length to the other UPSIDEDOWN. When you shook it out and hung it over the ironing board, one looked the gorgeous, deep red and the other looked dark orange. I can still hear my mother’s voice saying, “I told you velvet could be tricky”. Lesson learned for sure but I have to say, 40 + yrs, washed many times, line dried and still as gorgeous as it was when new. Granted it’s against a dark wall and it’s had no sunlight damage, yes I still love it and it has a good time at Christmas. I was pricing velvet recently and was shocked…. my old curtain would have been out of price range 2021! I absolutely love all your videos, have only recently discovered them so thank you for giving me so much pleasure.
An egg? Must have missed something lol
@@jeanettereynolds3151 if you watch it to the very end you will see that Sarah ‘blew’ an egg, dried it and pierced little holes to stitch through. She has done two of them and made them into very pretty, delicate ornaments for hanging on branches or a Christmas tree. (I use the polystyrene ones)🙂.
You need to watch the whole video Jeanette!
An easy mistake to make Christine!! Did you undo it and turn it around?! I was making a pair of trousers once and made two left legs....
I'm glad you are enjoying the videos, welcome onboard!
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery yes, I had to unpick the whole length of the curtain and turn it around😱. It put me off dressmaking for my two little girls using velvet.
Interesting. I'd like to learn embroidery for a practical use, not as a pure decoration piece. It means embroiding anything but standard plain weave cotton or linnen, as majority of my clothes are mare from other materials. Currently testing different stitches and thread thickness on boiled wool :)
Sarah I didn't know what material to buy being a beginner so I bought a single sheet of Egyptian cotton and using that to practice stitches on.lol now I have seen your vision which is so helpful I'm abit more educated not a lot but a bit thank you
Egyptian cotton is a really nice quality cotton Jeanette so a great place to start!
Oooh what a beautiful blouse 😍🥰🥰🥰 a self-made work of art ❣great ❣great ❣great ❣ You are a real artist!👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have to confess I didn't so the embroidery on the blouse Cordula, some other talented person did!
Oh sorry, but I'm sure it could be yours❣👍🏻🥰
Thanks it was lovely to see all the different fabrics and media. I stitch quite a lot but my primary passion is jewelry and I have actually stitched on the fine metal mesh with thread and a studier metal mesh with thin wire, telephone wire has lots of colors and gives a great effect. I haven't had a chance to try bending it much, but with fine with the thread makes for interesting beads and wraps for other metal components. The sturdier is probs more suited to sculptural pieces or smaller flat pendant or earring pieces.
Wow! Embroidered eggs! I'm amazed. 😮
Thanks so so much. Now I know I can try anything!! Just live your videos.
Thank you so much. This tutorial, like all of them, opens up my fabric collection and the possibilities. Best regards.
You can stitch on anything Annie!
You are a treasure Sarah! Thank you for your invaluable advice. You are so through.
This is a wonderful video. I learned so much. Thank you. I know you expect us to be blown away by your last item - which I am - but I’m also blown away by all of your samples. You are a great artist and teacher. Thank you for including links to your various projects. I’m looking forward to trying them.
Thank you Rebecca!
I’ve been collecting several of your videos to reference for a project I hope to practice for and finish. These have been very helpful and certainly boost my confidence with stitching. Thank you for all these informative videos!
Thankyou Sarah.Its great to have all of this information on one chanel.Love the feather on the jacket.
I'm about to stitch a shawl I'm making out of faux suede. The fabric hasn't arrived yet but I think I'll probably be backing it with something. Wish I could attach pics here. You should see the weeping willow tree I did on my jean jacket.
Wow! The painted goldwork egg is amazing. Stunning. Really beautiful. Congratulations, outstanding creation ❤️
Which are better to use a common fabric to start - what is calico? that you recommended? Also the needles are preferred with your embroidery? Too many questions😂❤️💕
I love English smocking and always try to think of innovative ways to play with smocking. I once made smocked leaves using that gold colored metal mesh. Just made them really long so they pleated up to a normal shaped leaf...similar to an ash tree leaf. I used the smocking stitches with silk twist ( similar to perle cotton) to simulate the leaf veins. It was so much fun to see the idea in my head come to life.
Just enjoyed this lovely video and happy to become a new subscriber and watch some more of your videos Sarah! I'm keen to begin embroidery again as it is something that I used to enjoy man years ago. God bless from vera in Northern Ireland
Love, love, love all your videos! So informative. I’ve stitched on, Aida, eve weave, linen, silks and tulle. After watching this video, I am eager to try some unconventional fabrics! Thank you!
It sounds like you have lots of experience Sylvie and are ready to challenge yourself!
I think it could be interesting to do embroidery on multiple translucent layers of fabric and then place them on top of each other. This would be rather like doing glazes of acrylics when painting.
This is very informative! I had no clue what twill is! I work with upcycled fabric; preferring natural fibre in both my material and threads. I am currently doing the embroidery on what will be two functional Christmas stockings using vintage silk embroidery thread on solid cream vintage brocade (I think cotton but I have not done a burn test). Those eggs are amazing!
They sound lovely D'Ann! Have you checked your vintage silk threads for strength? I used some once and it took me ages to sift through and find ones that weren't rotten!
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Yes I sure did! From the labels I have dated it to about 1930 and it is still full strength and has vibrant colour. I always check my vintage supplies - after making a couple of mistakes.
Really love the work on the eggs beautiful!
Love it Sarah, Thank you so much❤, I stitched some paper, and ceramics can be stitched too, (holes must be made previously, of course) another thing was some fiber emballage I made, I embroidered to create texture. Once, I saw some colleage embroidering leaves. 😘
What about paper/cardboard? I am a beginner and I use cardboard for now to practice my stitches, before I move on to more valuable materials. I cut open empty tissue boxes and use whatever is printed on them as patterns. It works and it actually looks nice, even though I am just a beginner, so I can only imagine what you would be able to do with it.
The only problem I had with paper is that you don't see where the needle is about to poke through, but I stab the cardboard from above and then put the needle through the prepared hole from below.
I just loved the gold work on the egg! So creative. Thanks for the explanation on different materials, very informative .
I have just used a piece of scrap wild silk. That was a joy to embroider. Shame I have very little of it left.
Thank you for all your videos. Very useful. Most of my work recently is on actual stretched artists canvas, and paper. Have to adjust methods just a bit (more down and up stitching, less running stitch; however most stitches work wit a little adjusting.)
Really comprehensive and enjoyable! Thanks, I have learned much from your many tutorials.
wow im so impressed with the egg thank you for sharing and your videos are wonderful im learning so much as im a neewbie to embroidery
I absolutely love linen for stitching. I've got grand plans for a table runner, but haven't gotten there yet. Thank you for this information abotu other fabrics!
I've been working on this coarse hessian/burlap and it was perhaps an unwise choice, but, it's kinda fun all the same. It distorts really easily and was too thick for my frame to hold, but I just wanted to use yarns and not be posh about it all since it was my first time stitching since childhood.
I should imageine that has some problems of it's own KrisCrash but I'm glad you are enjoying it!
A very enjoyable video to watch. The eggs are precious.
I've seen some beautiful colors of cotton duck fabric. Is that able to be stitched on?
This is so so helpful Sarah, thank you very much.
I must admit that I have never tried stitching on linen, but have always wanted to. Well, no, that’s not quite right, at present I’m am using linen twill for a piece of crewelwork. I did find it a bit of a challenge at first, because of the diagonal weave, but I seem to have got the hang of it now. As you will be aware, this weave has, what I refer to, as a ‘cord’ type thread running through it, and sometimes when I have wanted to place an exact stitch, I found the needle wanted to ‘roll’ to either side of it. This is the comical bit, at one point, when wanting to place a precise stitch, I would find myself holding my breath to get the needle to go exactly where I wanted it to go - needless to say, there were times when I’d finished stitching for the day, I’d be totally exhausted through lack of breath. I’m happy to say, I’ve got over that phase and can now stitch twill without an oxygen cylinder. I can’t imagine you ever having that problem Sarah - even when you were drilling your eggs, which are beautiful by the way.
For many years I used to stitch on what America calls Southern Belle Muslin, I found this a really nice fabric, but I think manufacturing was moved overseas, and it ended up, not so good. I will certainly be trying your linen once I have finished with the twill.
Referring to your little ‘slippers’ - I am sure I’ve read somewhere that in Jane Austen’s time, young girls would sew slipper for their Father’s Christmas present - or maybe I have dreamt that bit.
While I am here, I would like to give a word of advice to some of your followers - I have seen many posts saying they are just starting out, and others saying they used to do embroidery when younger, but life got in the way, but have returned to it. All I would say is this, if you are just starting out and you really like embroidery, please don’t put it aside because of other life commitments, like I and others have done. Embroidery is such a calming pastime, and helps so much when ‘living’ gets a bit much sometimes. Even if you do a little a couple of times a week, at least you’ll be having a bit of ‘me’ time and be progressing with your stitching. Please don’t leave it until later in life, when you have more time, as you will find that you are constantly playing catch up. It will pay you dividends, of that, I am sure. Sorry for the long ramble.
Yes I too have held my breath while stitching; cutting away threads on whitework is one of those occasions! Do remember to breathe though, its very important! :)
Great advice too, thank you for that...
Wow!!!! I’d love to try some clear plastic line drawings and maybe the egg if I’m particularly testing my patience one day. I’m new to embroidery but so far I’ve tried denim, cotton fabric, cotton framed canvas and linen. Denim was satisfying because it was one of my first projects and I made it for my little sister. The premade canvas was stiffer but conveniently already stretched. My next project will be some blue linen, maybe some wool and anything else. Thanks for all this info. You’re so talented and kind to share it with us.
And thank you for watching and supporting my channel Shopitybop!
I mostly stitch on linen and cotton, but I love experimental stitching so I’ve stitched on cork, and leaves (I live in the southern US so we have magnolia trees, which have nice, thick leaves) and I bought a sieve from a thrift store to stitch on next. I do have some metal mesh that I want to test out and do a 3d sculpture, but that will take some planning, I think. Thank you for the video!
You're really creative with your materials Kristi! I love the idea of stitching on leaves, I've seen some before and it was beautiful. Do you stitch on them as they are or treat them first?
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I definitely subscribe to the idea that you can stitch on anything you can get a needle through (I say that all the time too). I'm still experimenting on the leaves (I'm planning another experiment for October), but I've found that there's no need to treat the magnolia leaves. But that's why I use that species. They're very robust and feel almost like leather, but more brittle when dried. So I stitch on them when green. No idea how long they'll last, but that's part of the adventure!
I’m using silk taffeta for a needle painting project. Love the Easter eggs you did.
Thank you so much . Those eggs are fabulous and the explanation about the different fabrics was very helpful.💕
I have just found your channel Sarah - thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful knowledge. You cover so much and it’s so interesting!
Welcome onboard Maaike!
I was surprised to hear how much you like calico, I stitch mostly on that fabric and love it. I also dye pieces, yes it's cheap but I find it difficult to work with anything else now. Really good video, Thank you.
You can do so much with it!
Thank you
What about the blouse you are wearing? It looks quite beautiful.
I meant to mention the blouse and I forgot Mary! Embroidery on sheer fabric :)
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I was waiting for you to talk about that too. The lovely blouse is very flattering on you💁🏼♀️💞
Wonderful Sarah! Thank you for the tips for stitching on velvet. I have a project I want to try on that fabric.
Buy cotton velvet not silk velvet Lori if you can, you will thank me later! :)x
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Thank you Sarah! I will be sure to follow your expert guidance!
I have used only cotton and aida for my embroidery so far. However, my next embroidery project will be on some linen. I have 4 preprinted projects that I can't wait to do. Thanks for giving all these other options I hadn't considered or imagined!!!
I've been embroidering on a lot of denim lately, love the video.
You are a fabulous embroiderer. I love all your helpful advice. Thank you so much 😊🌻🌼🌺
This was very interesting thank you. Are spangles what us old people call sequins? I've only recently discovered you and have been binge watching. You are so clear and concise and demonstrate everything so clearly. Thank you so much. xx
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Very interesting and informative.
Thanks so much, Sarah! This is exactly the video I have been hoping for! Fantastic, so helpful.
Love your eggs !! So Precious … i read somewhere on the web that somebody stitched on bread 🤦♀️🤷♀️…lol. Who am I to judge 😜 thank you for sharing 🌸🌺🌸
Google it Cindy, it's pretty funny!
I love the design that you made on the canvas❣️ I really wanted to practice some samplers and I got linen but it’s rarely see through…now that I’m watching your video, I should have gotten linen that was more dense oh well I’m learning…I do have to use a more dainty needle because my fabric is not forgiving….🙏🏽🙋🏻♀️👍🏽Mia
Stick a background fabric behind the linen Mia, it will be fine!
@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I don’t have calico right now but adding a second square of same was genius! The tension in 2 fabrics made all the difference…I was amazed…thank you so much! I appreciate you! 🙏🏽🙋🏻♀️👍🏽
Very interesting Sarah, and helpful too. Love the eggs at the end. I know you have had a video on your butterfly stump work, I wonder if you might have a more in depth video to explain the techniques, just a thought. I winged it with a frangipani stump work flower taking a bit from your butterfly and from others, while it worked I feel that a more explained video would have prevented a few mistakes, although I am at the end pleased with my effort.
I LOVE the peacock feather! Beautiful!
My 2nd time thru the vid. How do you keep the egg from stinking? Egg shells always start to smell for me. How do you do it?