A few bits of embroidery-related news from various spots online, for your Saturday perusal!
First, we’ll start with a little information, to enrich your needlework-related knowledge. Dinner first, then dessert.
Threads Magazine has an excellent article and video out on how to test the fiber content of fabric, using a burn test. This is my favorite way of testing fabric, to find out of this particular piece is cotton or a cotton blend, if it’s linen, if it’s silk or a blend. They offer a clear chart in PDF format, so you can download it or print it. It’s handy – save it to your computer for future reference!
Surface Embroidery Kits
Rouge du Rhin has some surface embroidery kits out that look fun, and they’re now available at The French Needle.
I’m a sucker for white embroidery on a natural ground fabric, so I really like this one. The kits come with pre-printed ground fabric, instructions, threads, beads, ribbon, and so forth. They’re suitable for beginners.
You might also check out the Canevas Folies kits – they’re pretty floral kits from Switzerland and they involve all kinds of surface embroidery stitches. While these kits don’t come with threads, they are still a great way to explore a variety of stitches in a pretty design.
And speaking of embroidery kits, Wooly Thread is carrying Trish Burr’s Sacred Kingfisher kit, which includes the full color instructional booklet, pre-printed design on fabric, needles, and full skeins of all the DMC threads necessary to complete the project. Trish Burr’s kits are not usually available with a full thread pack, so this one is a nice exception.
Free Shipping Sale at Hedgehog!
Twice a year, Hedgehog Handworks does something that you don’t see too often in the world of fine needlework – they run a sale. The first one is usually towards the beginning of the year, and definitely worth keeping an eye out for. It’s their 15%-off-everything sale.
Their second event is their free shipping event, which usually takes place in the summer.
Well, right now, it’s their Free Shipping Event! If you regularly order your needlework supplies online, you’ll know what a good deal this is. Shipping adds significantly to the cost of materials, so it’s nice to get a break once in a while. Hedgehog is giving you a break on shipping through August 12th. It’s free domestic shipping (USA) and half-prince international shipping. You can find the details on the website.
If you’ve recently purchased my Lavender Honey & Other Little Things project book and you want to use the same materials I used, Hedgehog carries cotton floche, coton a broder, Soie d’Alger, and Fine d’Aubusson wool. There are all threads that I used in different Little Things. They also carry Strathaven natural linen, which makes an excellent ground fabric for Lavender Honey. It’s a great time to pick some of those up and save a bit on shipping.
Would You Travel for Needlework?
Well, if you would, then you might want to know these three tidbits, so you can start planning, saving, and dreaming:
Phillipa Turnbull’s 2014 Lady Anne’s Needlework Retreat has been announced and is accepting bookings. This is one of those Once-In-A-Lifetime Dream Trips. You can read about it at The Crewel Work Company website, here. Make sure you check out the brochure! I’ll be writing a little more about it later on.
And in September / October, 2014, Country Bumpkin is hosting Beating Around the Bush again! News has been trickling out about it on the Country Bumpkin page on Facebook. It looks like they’re going to have an Amazing line-up of instructors! Fun, fun!
Speaking of October, 2014, for those who don’t wish to travel quite so far, the EGA has announced their 2014 National Seminar dates and venue details. It’ll be in Phoenix, and the venue looks pretty spectacular.
So that’s your Saturday news – hope it gives you something interesting to explore! Enjoy your weekend!
