Blog
From Thought to Thread
For insights, top tips, projects, workshop information and much more, explore my blog below.
Heart Bloom & Butterfly – Beginner Crewel Design
Heart Bloom & Butterfly is actually the 3rd in a series of beginner designs which I use for teaching workshops about Jacobean Crewelwork embroidery. This is my own design, inspired mostly by leaf, flower and butterfly shapes found on old Jacobean patterns and...
Embroidered Craft Bag – Step-by-step Instructions
Ever wondered what you could do with your crewelwork embroidery other than pop it into a frame? One of the things I love about crewelwork is that it’s meant to be used. Made with linen twill and Appletons wools my crewelwork kits can be made up into needle cases, fire...
Blocking – Jacobean Crewel Embroidery
Blocking is a traditional method used for stretching an embroidery. You might not need to block your embroidery if you have used a slate frame. However, if you have used a seat frame or a hoop you’ll experience circles and creases in the linen fibres that need...
The Blue Bow Bedroom Bedspread – Scampston
In the Spring of 2024 I was invited by Lady Caroline, to a private viewing of the stunning crewelwork bedspread in the South Bow Bay bedroom at Scampston hall. What a treat. This blog takes a closer look at this magnificent piece of embroidery. In the Spring of 2024 I...
Crewelwork workshop at Scampston Hall
In the Autumn of 2024 I ran my first crewelwork embroidery workshop at Scampston Hall. It’s a beautiful venue and I was really excited to get started. On Day 1 we were based in the magnificent Richardson conservatory, inside the walled garden. As a special treat, Day...
Silk Ribbon Embroidery Essentials
Silk ribbon embroidery is fun to do and fast to complete. There are examples of silk ribbon being used to embellish clothing in French courts from as early as the mid 18th century. Here in the UK and the British colonies, silk ribbon embroidery boomed with the...
Lotus Flower & Bud – Beginner Crewel Design
Lotus Flower & Bud is the second in a series of beginner designs used as kits for workshops to teach the 5 essential crewelwork stitches. With the addition of an introduction to long and short soft shading. Many of my designs include insects which is very typical...
Prick & Pounce – a useful design transfer technique
Prick & pounce is a fabulous traditional technique still used widely today that once mastered means you can transfer any design of your choice onto fabric. Kiss goodbye expensive printed kits and take ownership of your own creativity.Prick & pounce is a...
Lotus & Butterfly – Intermediate Crewel Design
Lotus & Butterfly is one of 3 designs. Each of the Intermediate designs have been created with the intermediate crewel work embroiderer in mind. There is scope within each design to practice the 5 essential stitches and also introduce a number of exciting new...