For all you history buffs out there who like to combine embroidery with historical interests, there’s something fun going on over in the UK!

And, since it’s Monday, and Monday’s a great day to start thinking of new projects (because you really need another new project, right?!), I thought I’d point you to the Lady’s Magazine Stitch Off, in case you haven’t already seen it.

I think it’s a neat idea, and it would be great fun to participate!

You can find the information behind the Stitch Off idea here, and you can find the patterns from the magazines here.

The idea is to use the patterns in modern interpretations, however you wish. Most of them are perfect for tambour embroidery, but they would work up well in many other types of surface stitching, too. I could easily see any rendition of the five patterns incorporated into crazy quilting, and they definitely all suit for whitework.

The challenge is to use your imagination to see how the patterns can still be relevant for today’s embroiderer.

Even if you’re not up to taking on a new project right now, it’ll be fun to follow along and see what other stitchers from around the world come up with! And, of course, you can always save the patterns for a later date!

I hope you enjoy reading about the project! Is it something you’d join in on? Do you have any scathingly brilliant ideas on how to incorporate these historical patterns into modern embroidery? If you’d like to chat about it with other embroiderers, feel free to use the comment section below!

Enjoy your Monday!