The weekend is upon us! YAY!

I’ve drawn the random winners for the Virtual Threads needlework calendars (with 13 free downloadable projects to work throughout the year), so I’ll announce those today.

I’ve also put together a little list of inspiration, ideas, questions, needlework news and whatnot, for your weekend explorations.

So… pour yourself a hot little beverage, pull up a chair, and let’s have a chat!

We’ll take care of business first!

The five randomly drawn winners for the 2018 Virtual Threads calendars are:

Margaret Minneman, whose dream vacation includes needlework on the Outer Banks in fall and spring, and PEI in the summer.

Cheryl Kinkaid, whose dream vacation involves a beach, warm sunshine…and needlework. (That sounds really good right now!)

Susan, whose dream vacation list couldn’t be narrowed down, but it includes PEI and all the National Parks in the US – and needlework.

Karen Rockenbach, whose dream vacation is just to stay at their home in Florida and stitch.

Mary from AZ, who no longer does much traveling, but enjoyed her dream vacation a few years ago – Ireland, where she got to relax, stitch, sip tea and eat pastries.

Congratulations all around! I will drop each of you an email today.

I really enjoyed reading everyone’s answers to the give-away question about your dream vacation spot, and whether or not it would include needlework. I don’t think anyone mentioned a place that didn’t, somehow, resonate with me, too!

Old Needlework Books Worth Noting

Here are some wonderful public domain old needlework books available online. If you haven’t seen them yet, they’re worth taking a browse, and downloading for future reference or use!

Brigg’s & Co Patent Transferring Papers – this is a catalog of old embroidery designs that, in the day, could be purchases as iron-on transfers. The designs are clear and crisp. Download the ebook and print a design that catches your eye!

The Lady’s Guide to Needlework, Embroidery, Etc. – fun for a browse, and you can definitely extract some pattern ideas and technique info from it!

Needlework Sales

Needlework Stuff doesn’t often go on sale – at least, outside of the big box stores. So when a sale comes along, it’s worth noting!

If you’re looking for a little relief in your embroidery budget, take a look at these offers:

Colour Complements is having a thread sale. She’s moving house, so she needs to downsize some inventory. There are discounts up to 30% on different things, so if overdyed threads are your thing, check them out!

Nordic Needle has a bunch of stuff on sale right now. You may have heard the Very Disappointing news that they’re closing. I have no idea if they will continue Nordic Needle online – that hasn’t been announced yet – but the brick and mortar store in Fargo is closing, due to the cost of overhead. Besides checking out their sale category on their website, it’s worth signing up for their newsletter for the time being, too, because as they clear stock, they’re announcing special deals in their newsletter.

Thistle Threads has this terrific little category on their website for small cuts of Soie d’Alger and Silk Mori. It’s a great way to acquire a few colors of silk to try, without spending a bundle for whole skeins. In fact, check out their whole Special Deals page – there are some delightful items on there! Silks, ribbons, trims, and this beautiful enamel acorn button that would make an excellent accent on autumn stitchery.

Stitching & Soldiers & Sailors

Today is Veteran’s Day in the US. (Hi, Dad!)

Throughout history, soldiers and sailors have pursued stitching for various reasons and in various ways. Here are some articles that touch on the subject of military or naval men taking up needle and thread – they give interesting insight to a part of needlework that we might not often think about!

Sweetheart Pincushions – embroidered by soldiers during WWI and sent back home to their girls.

Stitching Lives Back Together – an article about embroidery used as rehabilitation in WWI.

Soldiers Sewing on The Fabrica – a brief look at some history of soldiers and sailors, sewing. Hussifs figure into the article, and there are some great photos!

Altar Cloth by Injured Soldiers – I’ve linked to this article before about an altar cloth stitched by injured WWI soldiers, on display at St. Paul’s in London.

Disabled Soldiers’ Embroidery Industry – Began by Ernest Thesiger, an article about the founding, etc. of the industry.

Embroidery and Sports

Finally! A way to incorporate needlework with sports. Great way to strive for fitness!

As my friend Margaret put it, that’s some seriously low count ground fabric.

Society Silk – The Old Stuff, Today

And speaking of Margaret, over on Sharp Needler, Margaret Cobleigh is delving into stitching a piece of real Society Silk with real materials from the heyday of Society Silk. They’re violets. And they’re pretty! It’ll be a fascinating project to follow!

Stitcher’s Christmas?

Last year, I ran a series of give-aways leading up to Christmas, featuring some Very Delectable Stuff for embroiderers from designers or needlework businesses who wanted to get in on the series. It proved quite popular. I’m thinking about running something similar – perhaps not as intense – this year.

If you were to participate in a special series of give-aways for needlework related stuff, what would especially entice you to participate? What would you like to have a chance of winning? Let me know! Feel free to chat me up in the comments below!

And on that note, I needs must fly!

I’m setting up a long project today. Not long in time, but long in length. You see, I have this strip of linen that I’ve been pondering. It’s long. It’s narrow. But it’s perfectly usable. So I’ve concocted something. I’ll share it with you soon!

Gosh, I love concocting!

Enjoy your weekend!