Embroidery

Many of you have come in and asked us for "embroidery" projects…and were perhaps confused by our response. To simplify things I wanted to clarify the word "embroidery".

Embroidery includes many types of needle art; i.e. free-style embroidery, crewel embroidery, stamped cross stitch, counted cross stitch, samplers, needlepoint, hardanger, long stitch, bargello, and more! All of these are methods of embroidery. So please don't take offense when we question you about the type of embroidery you are looking for. I will attempt to explain a bit more, with your indulgence.

• Free-style embroidery (for lack of a better term) is when you apply needle and thread to the surface of a piece of blank fabric that embellishes it with decorative stitches. This is an uncounted design but often has an image of some sort as a guide.


• Stamped embroidery is when you apply needle and thread to a printed design on fabric to embellish it with decorative stitches. Some of you might remember pillow cases being done that way.


• Crewel embroidery is usually a stamped pattern on a piece of fabric that you stitch, or a printed image on fabric that your can embellish with decorative stitches using yarn.


• Stamped Cross Stitch is where you make an "X" on a design that is stamped on a piece of fabric.


• Counted Cross Stitch is where you work from a chart, placing the design on a piece of blank Aida cloth, linen, or even weave fabric by counting the stitches on the chart.


• Samplers are historically a piece of embroidery created with a variety of stitches done in rows. This was also how many young ladies learned their numbers and alphabet. Today they are very decorative and fun.


• Needlepoint is done on canvas and can be either charted, stamped, drawn, or hand painted. In this type of embroidery you can either do just a tent stitch or decorative stitches to embellish your work.


• Hardanger is a type of embroidery where you remove interior threads after you have done some stitches creating openings in your fabric and then decorative stitches are added to further enhance the piece.


• Long stitch is basically just what the name implies, they are long stitches applied to needlepoint canvas to form a design.


• Bargello is also done on needlepoint canvas and is done in a series of mathematical flat upright stitches to create a design. This type of embroidery is extremely durable and good for pillows and chair covers.

Our focus at Stitcher's Treasures is all forms of needlepoint, cross stitch, and Hardanger
but we can support all your "embroidery" needs.