I love “architectural “ embroidery like Elin & Charles channels provide. I also love “painting with thread or needle painting” for landscape, scenery. I remember doing basic embroidery as a kid back in the 1950’s, on pillow cases or dish towels. I am not into florals at all. The nice thing is…there is something for everyone with embroidery. The only thing I hate is having to change thread/floss so damn often! 😂
Yes! Satin stitch haunts my nightmares, it never looks right, it's only advantage is that it's pretty fast to stitch but it really lacks any visual interest...it's so flat it reminds me of what a sewing machine would do. I also have big feelings about how embroidery is not considered art and I think this is because it's traditionally something women learn and do, and it's been marginalized as an art form because of it. But if I guy does it? He's called a "fine art embroiderer" (I won't name names, but there is an artist who works on toile de jouy and that is how he's described.) I've yet to see a woman be called a "fine art embroiderer" but their work is every bit as elevated. Another thing sort of tangential to points you've brought up is that I also think it can become boring to stitch on a square of brand new fabric ad infinitum. I've been incorporating thrifted textiles into my practice and it's so much fun! Anyway, thanks for the work you do and another thought-provoking video, as a RUclips creator myself I love discovering other creators and going in deep. I appreciate you!
Yes! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I love reflecting on and reading about the rich history of embroidery and it's relationship to art and craft. There is so much there...a whole lot of feelings it brings up for me in regards to how it is viewed. Maybe one day I'll try to make a video talking more about it and it's history; I think there is a whole lot there to talk about! Thrifting textiles is the absolute best, it really sparks some inspiration when you find an interesting color or pattern of fabric. Thanks Helen!
I just barely got into embroidery, but I've formed strong opinions on most of these points already! I dont want to embroider kitschy sayings in a floral wreath, then hang them up on my wall. I want to add animals and all kind of 'lil guys' to my, and my kids', clothes! I want to Use what I make. Your points were spot on!
Omg I agree with you on EVERYTHING!! We are literally on the same page with all those topics!. I knot my stitches, I don't care bout the back I actually love seeing a messy back lol. I would love to see a video on how you display your work. Looking forward to it! ❤❤❤❤
Hi. I don't enjoy the satin stitch either. Something else I didn't enjoy, is the music you chose.. OMG it's awful! I would have preferred you didn't have any music at all while you were talking. But that's just me. 😉
Part of this is an unpopular comment 😅: I like satin stitch a lot. Yes it does take a ton of practice to get it right, it took me a really long time, but I really like combining it in projects with other stitches when I want an object to look really smooth. You can shade with it too to an extent, you'll just be switching floss every couple stitches. I am working on a project right now that has blueberries and leaves, the leaves I did a lot of shading with long and short, the blueberries I did with shading satin stitch and it looks super realistic. I'm with you though on not really caring what the back looks like for a wall hanging, and flowers all the time do get very boring. It IS definitely an art form. Anyone who says it's not can go embroider quaint sayings, lol. I don't like the hoops hanging on the wall either, looks so country to me.
I'm so glad to hear someone say they do mostly knots to secure their thread! I often felt I was "doing it wrong" but I agree it feels more secure. And it's faster!
Yes! I think there are many fundamental skills and guidelines that are helpful to follow, especially when you’re first starting out. But once you get the hang of things and develop your own practice, I truly believe it should be whatever works best for you. :)
I like knots and hate satin stitch. It’s too fiddly. My mother would check the back of my work and yours too if she could. lol. She was definitely judgy. The only real mess I know of on the back is the use of any clear thread. But I discovered monofilament fishing line and it’s been so much nicer since.
I couldn't agree more about the mounting/presenting embroidery in a hoop! I get all of my work professionally framed and I think that's the best way. If I want it to be perceived as art, then I need to present it as art. To me, a hoop is a working frame. Presenting the finished piece in a hoop seems to me to be the equivalent of presenting a beautiful cake in the baking tin. 😂 Admittedly, my work is rather on the detailed, tradional side that wouldn't look good finished in a hoop, whereas some other styles look more at home there.
As someone who does cross stitch AND embroidery, I had to laugh when you said you use knots and that cross-stitchers might hate you. LOL I typically don't because other stitchers have shamed me out of it, but heavens, I wish I could! You may have just given me permission... 😁
Haha! Yes, it never hurts to try! At this point I’m all about experimenting a little to see if certain “truths” actually make that much of a difference ☺️
I guess I'm the odd one out. I find satin stitch just ok. It is a little boring and can be unsatisfing when you take time to get everything even and on second glance I see every irregularity, which is annoying. Maybe more practice on my part is needed. I also use knots, just waste knots that gets clipped away.
Loved this video. I find myself rather violently resistant to round embroidery patterns quickly tucked into round wooden hoops and put up....where? Except for the commenter creatng a gallery wall. I get that. Otherwise it feels very diminishing or infantalizing to me somehow. Plus such works are often small compared to other approaches. So please make that video too about other ways to display and incorporate such work!
I do cross stitch and embroidery... I would knot everything if I didn't worry about it coming undone. I usually knot and also just work over the little bit of an end.
I don't love satin stitch either, it's just not fun for me to try to get even. I'm doing a gift for someone with a lot of satin stitch and it's really teaching me a lot. I also do a huge amount of knots... Ive been embroidering 2 or 3 years and never thought of another way of doing it, so you saying that is kind of like 😅 wow I thought that was the ONLY way 😂 As for displaying: I actually hang all my favorite work I do in my house! So I have tons of different hoop sizes and I really like the way aesthetically it looks on the wall with various hoop sizes contrasted against obviously a flat square wall. But, stitching on clothes or blankets would be fun or at least starting in a hoop and putting them onto other things.
I reference a photo in an app called Procreate on my iPad. I have a bunch of pet portrait tutorials on my patreon and a couple of blog posts on my website if you’re interested in learning 🙂
That's awesome! I don't do cross stitch as often but I have always tucked the thread or done a loop start because I was always afraid it might show through the Aida. Good to know!
I love “architectural “ embroidery like Elin & Charles channels provide. I also love “painting with thread or needle painting” for landscape, scenery. I remember doing basic embroidery as a kid back in the 1950’s, on pillow cases or dish towels. I am not into florals at all. The nice thing is…there is something for everyone with embroidery. The only thing I hate is having to change thread/floss so damn often! 😂
I love “architectural “ embroidery like Elin & Charles channels provide. I also love “painting with thread or needle painting” for landscape, scenery. I remember doing basic embroidery as a kid back in the 1950’s, on pillow cases or dish towels. I am not into florals at all. The nice thing is…there is something for everyone with embroidery. The only thing I hate is having to change thread/floss so damn often! 😂
Yes! Satin stitch haunts my nightmares, it never looks right, it's only advantage is that it's pretty fast to stitch but it really lacks any visual interest...it's so flat it reminds me of what a sewing machine would do. I also have big feelings about how embroidery is not considered art and I think this is because it's traditionally something women learn and do, and it's been marginalized as an art form because of it. But if I guy does it? He's called a "fine art embroiderer" (I won't name names, but there is an artist who works on toile de jouy and that is how he's described.) I've yet to see a woman be called a "fine art embroiderer" but their work is every bit as elevated. Another thing sort of tangential to points you've brought up is that I also think it can become boring to stitch on a square of brand new fabric ad infinitum. I've been incorporating thrifted textiles into my practice and it's so much fun! Anyway, thanks for the work you do and another thought-provoking video, as a RUclips creator myself I love discovering other creators and going in deep. I appreciate you!
Yes! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I love reflecting on and reading about the rich history of embroidery and it's relationship to art and craft. There is so much there...a whole lot of feelings it brings up for me in regards to how it is viewed. Maybe one day I'll try to make a video talking more about it and it's history; I think there is a whole lot there to talk about! Thrifting textiles is the absolute best, it really sparks some inspiration when you find an interesting color or pattern of fabric. Thanks Helen!
@@crewelghoul Thanks for the reply! I agree with you, that would make a great video!
@crewelghoul please do make that video post haste! Lol. Meanwhile can you suggest reading materials along these lines? Thank you
I just barely got into embroidery, but I've formed strong opinions on most of these points already! I dont want to embroider kitschy sayings in a floral wreath, then hang them up on my wall. I want to add animals and all kind of 'lil guys' to my, and my kids', clothes! I want to Use what I make. Your points were spot on!
Thank you! I love that idea, stitching on clothes is the most fun ☺️
Omg I agree with you on EVERYTHING!! We are literally on the same page with all those topics!. I knot my stitches, I don't care bout the back I actually love seeing a messy back lol. I would love to see a video on how you display your work. Looking forward to it! ❤❤❤❤
Yesss thank you! I definitely plan to share one soon! ☺️
I would love to see this too
Hi. I don't enjoy the satin stitch either. Something else I didn't enjoy, is the music you chose.. OMG it's awful! I would have preferred you didn't have any music at all while you were talking. But that's just me. 😉
Haha thank you for the feedback!
Part of this is an unpopular comment 😅: I like satin stitch a lot. Yes it does take a ton of practice to get it right, it took me a really long time, but I really like combining it in projects with other stitches when I want an object to look really smooth. You can shade with it too to an extent, you'll just be switching floss every couple stitches. I am working on a project right now that has blueberries and leaves, the leaves I did a lot of shading with long and short, the blueberries I did with shading satin stitch and it looks super realistic. I'm with you though on not really caring what the back looks like for a wall hanging, and flowers all the time do get very boring. It IS definitely an art form. Anyone who says it's not can go embroider quaint sayings, lol. I don't like the hoops hanging on the wall either, looks so country to me.
That’s very interesting, I have never tried shading with it! Thanks for sharing ☺️
@@crewelghoul I just use 2 threads at a time, otherwise the shading looks too chunky. If you try it, I hope you have fun!
I'm so glad to hear someone say they do mostly knots to secure their thread! I often felt I was "doing it wrong" but I agree it feels more secure. And it's faster!
Yes! I think there are many fundamental skills and guidelines that are helpful to follow, especially when you’re first starting out. But once you get the hang of things and develop your own practice, I truly believe it should be whatever works best for you. :)
I like knots and hate satin stitch. It’s too fiddly. My mother would check the back of my work and yours too if she could. lol. She was definitely judgy.
The only real mess I know of on the back is the use of any clear thread. But I discovered monofilament fishing line and it’s been so much nicer since.
Ohh interesting! How exactly do you use the fishing line?
I'm stitching book covers, book marks, blue jeans, a quilt block, etc. I love mixed textiles.
Sounds wonderful! Love things that are useful 😊
Oh thank you about the s satin stitch because I thought it was just me!
I couldn't agree more about the mounting/presenting embroidery in a hoop! I get all of my work professionally framed and I think that's the best way. If I want it to be perceived as art, then I need to present it as art.
To me, a hoop is a working frame. Presenting the finished piece in a hoop seems to me to be the equivalent of presenting a beautiful cake in the baking tin. 😂
Admittedly, my work is rather on the detailed, tradional side that wouldn't look good finished in a hoop, whereas some other styles look more at home there.
As someone who does cross stitch AND embroidery, I had to laugh when you said you use knots and that cross-stitchers might hate you. LOL I typically don't because other stitchers have shamed me out of it, but heavens, I wish I could! You may have just given me permission... 😁
Haha! Yes, it never hurts to try! At this point I’m all about experimenting a little to see if certain “truths” actually make that much of a difference ☺️
Anything other than keeping it in a hoop! Would love to see the options you choose.
I guess I'm the odd one out. I find satin stitch just ok. It is a little boring and can be unsatisfing when you take time to get everything even and on second glance I see every irregularity, which is annoying. Maybe more practice on my part is needed. I also use knots, just waste knots that gets clipped away.
I bet someone could 3d print cool elaborate frames that fit over an embroidery hoop 🤔
Yes that’s an amazing idea! There’s actually a company called acms needlework that makes really nice wood frames that go over hoops too.
The back of my embroidery is a horrible mess. I sure would love to see how you keep it neat. Thank you so much
Will hopefully make a video soon on this!
I have to be careful when embroidery on batiste for baby clothes but that's where it ends!
Loved this video. I find myself rather violently resistant to round embroidery patterns quickly tucked into round wooden hoops and put up....where? Except for the commenter creatng a gallery wall. I get that. Otherwise it feels very diminishing or infantalizing to me somehow. Plus such works are often small compared to other approaches. So please make that video too about other ways to display and incorporate such work!
Will do! Looking forward to sharing some ideas!
I find it so odd that people forget that the word craft comes from craftsmanship. Idk why people think that craft=cheap stuff that anyone could do.
This! I hope that one day people view it differently!
I do cross stitch and embroidery... I would knot everything if I didn't worry about it coming undone. I usually knot and also just work over the little bit of an end.
Yes! Always good to be extra careful!
I don't love satin stitch either, it's just not fun for me to try to get even. I'm doing a gift for someone with a lot of satin stitch and it's really teaching me a lot.
I also do a huge amount of knots... Ive been embroidering 2 or 3 years and never thought of another way of doing it, so you saying that is kind of like 😅 wow I thought that was the ONLY way 😂
As for displaying: I actually hang all my favorite work I do in my house! So I have tons of different hoop sizes and I really like the way aesthetically it looks on the wall with various hoop sizes contrasted against obviously a flat square wall. But, stitching on clothes or blankets would be fun or at least starting in a hoop and putting them onto other things.
I love the gallery wall idea for all of your projects!
I would love to thread paint my dog. I wonder how I would get a picture of her printed on fabric? Do you have any ideas?
I reference a photo in an app called Procreate on my iPad. I have a bunch of pet portrait tutorials on my patreon and a couple of blog posts on my website if you’re interested in learning 🙂
@@crewelghoul I sure would love to lesrn
Cross stitcher wanting to become an embroidery artists here. I use tiny knots. I hate tucking. My fabric lays better and my works are neater.
That's awesome! I don't do cross stitch as often but I have always tucked the thread or done a loop start because I was always afraid it might show through the Aida. Good to know!
I love “architectural “ embroidery like Elin & Charles channels provide. I also love “painting with thread or needle painting” for landscape, scenery. I remember doing basic embroidery as a kid back in the 1950’s, on pillow cases or dish towels. I am not into florals at all. The nice thing is…there is something for everyone with embroidery. The only thing I hate is having to change thread/floss so damn often! 😂
Their embroidery is lovely! And I totally agree with you; there really is something for everyone. And changing floss is annoying to me too 😆