Sampler of the Month - Raised Stitches

Life here in Brooklyn has been hectic, my friends.  I am writing a book, and I am so excited about it.  It's taking every last bit of my energy but it is going to be worth it.  I rounded a big corner this week, and I'm feeling so psyched about it.  I can't wait for the day when I can tell you MORE!

In the meantime, life goes on.....I mailed out the samplers *Raised Stitches* this month from my kitchen table, with the Tigers (who were winning at that point) playing in the play offs in the background.  I wore my Michigan T-Shirt and cheered as loudly as I could, knowing that my cousins and Grandpa in Michigan were doing the same thing at the same moment.  It made me smile.

This month the stitches are Raised; Woven Picots, Spider Webs, Bullion Stitches, all my favorites.  These stitches are the ones that are most requested when I teach any kind of workshop.  "How did you do THAT?" Everyone asks.  The great secret is that they are not so hard.  They are fancy looking, but not so hard.  Like so many of the greatest things in life.  Like homemade bread- with a KitchenAid. Not so hard at all.  Like applesauce in the crockpot.  Easy squeasy.   Woven Picots with a blunt tapestry needle?  Easy!  You can do it. I am sure that you have an embroidery handbook in your sewing kit, but I would also be happy to walk you through these.  This workshop contains most of the stitches......

Layered Floral Embroidery Workshop

I highly recommend using your thickest wildest threads with these.  Since a lot  of these stitches are essentially weaving stitches, you can use threads that would otherwise be difficult to stitch through your fabrics.  Metallic threads, silk ribbons, yarn, chenille, crewel threads....dig deep into your embroidery baskets, and raid your knitting baskets.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.  Please do post to the Samplers of the Month Group, and if you're on instagram, tag it with #dropclothsamplers so we can see what you made.  Thanks!