STITCHERS' PARADISE

   BARGELLO (more info)

      General Bargello

   BLACKWORK (more info)

      General Blackwork
      Blackwork by Laura J Perin

   CANDLEWICKING (more info)
      Candlewicking

   CHICKEN SCRATCH (more info)

      Chicken Scratch

   CREWEL (more info)

      Crewel Embroidery

   HARDANGER (more info)

      Hardanger

   SAMPLERS (more info)

      Blue Ribbon Designs
      Patricia Ann Designs
      Samplers by Laura J Perin
      Samplers by Rosewood Manor
      The Victoria Sampler
      With My Needle

   SWEDISH WEAVING (aka HUCK WEAVING) (more info)

      Huck Weaving

Bargello is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello palace in Florence, which have a "flame stitch& pattern. Traditionally, Bargello was stitched in wool on canvas. Embroidery done this way is remarkably durable, and is well suited for use on pillows, upholstery and even carpets. In most traditional pieces, all stitches are vertical with stitches going over two or more threads. Traditional designs are very colourful, and use many hues of one colour, which produces intricate shading effects. The patterns are naturally geometric, but can also resemble very stylised flowers or fruits.

Picture on right shows a typical Bargello design

Blackwork is a classic embroidery technique in which monochromatic designs are created using a wide variety of counted-thread patterns with one color of thread (usually black, but increasingly red and other colors are used). By using different patterns a wide variety of shading and images can be achieved. Some Blackwork designs are reversible so that they appear identical on front and back.

Pictures on right shows two typical Blackwork patterns

Candlewicking is a form of whitework embroidery that traditionally uses an unbleached cotton thread on a piece of unbleached muslin. Motifs are created using a variety of traditional embroidery stitches as well as a tufted stitch. Subject matter is usually taken from nature - flowers, insects, pine trees, and so on. Modern designs include colored floss embroidery as well as the traditional white on white stitching. Contemporary candlewicking is most commonly used as a cushion/pillow cover.

Picture on right shows Candlewicking on a cushion/pillow.

Chicken Scratch is a revival of an old needlecraft known by many names - Norwegian Embroidery, Amish Embroidery, Mountain Lace, Depression Lace and many more. The stitches are simple embroidery stitches and a basic needleweaving stitch, and when worked on Gingham fabric, the stitches produce a beautiful lace effect. When worked on evenweave it appears more like intricate Blackwork.

Picture on the right shows one of the Chicken Scratch books we stock

Crewel embroidery is a decorative form of surface embroidery using wool and a variety of different embroidery stitches to follow a design printed on the fabric. The technique is at least a thousand years old. It was used in the Bayeux Tapestry and in Jacobean embroidery.
The crewel technique is not a counted-thread embroidery (like canvas work), but a style of free embroidery worked on a closely woven linen twill. A firm fabric is required to support the weight of the stitching. Special crewel needles are required, with a wide body, large eye and a sharp point.

Pictures on right show typical Crewel designs

A form of openwork embroidery traditionally worked with white thread on white even-weave cloth, using counted-thread and drawn-thread techniques. Klostern blocks form a framework within which many threads are cut and removed, and different filling stitches are used. It is also referred to as a form of whitework embroidery.

Pictures on right shows typical Hardanger designs.

A sampler is a piece of embroidery produced as a demonstration or test of skill in needlework. It often includes the alphabet, figures, motifs, decorative borders and sometimes the name of the person who embroidered it and the date.
Samplers are widely stitched today, some using kits and some from charts. Patterns range from simple (using only one stitch), to complex (using 15 to 20 and more stitches). Designs range widely in style, from accurate reproductions of historic pieces to much more contemporary and modern styles. Many sampler reproductions are also available, copying colors and imperfect stitches from the originals

Pictures on right shows two Sampler styles

Swedish Weaving (aka Huck Embroidery or Huck Weaving) is woven on Huck fabric. The thread is woven under the top threads of the material and does not go through to the other side of the material. It is a combination of embroidery, weaving and darning, and is used on towels, blankets, tablecloths, placemats, aprons, runners, pillows, tote bags, gift bags, Christmas tree skirt and stockings, and many other items.

Pictures on right shows two types of Swedish Weaving patterns

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