Embroidery! Who does, and who wishes they could

Embroidery!

What IS that?	2.3%	[ 1 ]
I learned!	51.2%	[ 22 ]
I'm interested in learning	46.5%	[ 20 ]
didn't like it	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Total Votes:			[ 43 ]

[DrJHWatson]

Hi! Just wondering how many people around here can embroider and if anyone still wishes they could?

I was taught by my grandmother the basic X stitch for a tortilla napkin pattern when I was about 12. A few years after that, I picked it up again, seeing as how I inherited a bunch of embroidering floss (this stuff dates from 1920s!!) from a great-aunt, decided to continue learning. I'm still very basic but I have to take breaks from it or else I get fed up and it could lead me to forever quit it and I wouldn't want that.

If you do know it, what do you use it for? biggrin

[Hippie Ladybird]

I was introduced to embroidery when I was in middle school. I really don't embroider much, just here and there for decorating and embellishing other projects, like something I've crocheted or putting the face on an amigurumi. Those little details sometimes make all the difference to the finished work.

How cool to inherit such an old collection! I would love to compare the quality of the 20's floss to today's.


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[Lychee Fruit]

How neat, I also inherited a lot of floss from a relative. ^^ Mine all came from the 90s. I'm curious to see how it was packaged and sold back in the day!

[Niamh the Fae]

I learned as a kid, probably it was one of those kits. I started doing it again to make eyes and faces on plushies. And then my friend challenged me to make a Marquis Evremonde plushie, which is going to mean lots and lots of embroidery, since the clothes would be really decorative. I don't know a lot about if there are formal rules for how to do it, I just kinda do what looks good and sometimes look up stitches when I can't figure out how to do something.

[efterapare]

I started learning it recently. A friend used a kit while she was weaning herself off of nicotine ^^; and gave me the floss and frame after. I got a book on stitches.

[DrJHWatson]

The curious thing is, my grandmother brought me the old aunt's embroidering floss from mexico, and most of them are american brands. Of course they smell a bit weird from being in storage, but the quality seems pretty good as far as I can tell. Me being quite interested in history/antiques I was thrilled to receive such old things, as heirloom. Funny thing, it WAS supposed to be my mother's heirloom from her aunt, but I took it, because I'll definitely use it. biggrin

[Ethel Sanguis]

Funny this topic should come up... I've recently been thinking about learning embroidery. I still have a lot of half-finished projects lying around, so I don't know if it would be a good idea to start now, as I won't be able to spend too much time on it.
Does anyone have any tips? Should I just start now and work on it during short periods of time (with who knows how much time in between...)? Or would it be best to wait a while to be able to work on a more structured basis?

[efterapare]

Ethel Sanguis

Funny this topic should come up... I've recently been thinking about learning embroidery. I still have a lot of half-finished projects lying around, so I don't know if it would be a good idea to start now, as I won't be able to spend too much time on it.
Does anyone have any tips? Should I just start now and work on it during short periods of time (with who knows how much time in between...)? Or would it be best to wait a while to be able to work on a more structured basis?

I would say it helps a lot if you can spend at least two days on just embroidery. You can do it for 5 hours ea or so. It gives you an idea on how much time it takes when you decide to create a project. Plus over time you get used to the motions, get the basic idea and can go faster. You may not notice these changes in yourself if you only do it for an hour a day. You might also learn what position your body prefers to prevent pain.
I'm on my third day today and it feels like nothing now, hehe. On the first day I had some physical pain ^^. I could have easily given up.

[BreathLessX]

I want to learn embroidery soooo badly. The things you can do with it heart

[DrJHWatson]

BreathLessX

I want to learn embroidery soooo badly. The things you can do with it heart

Decoration, for one. Last year I decorated a set of pillowcases (a bit boring, I know, but it's what was available to me).

[Ethel Sanguis]

la balena

Ethel Sanguis

Funny this topic should come up... I've recently been thinking about learning embroidery. I still have a lot of half-finished projects lying around, so I don't know if it would be a good idea to start now, as I won't be able to spend too much time on it.
Does anyone have any tips? Should I just start now and work on it during short periods of time (with who knows how much time in between...)? Or would it be best to wait a while to be able to work on a more structured basis?

I would say it helps a lot if you can spend at least two days on just embroidery. You can do it for 5 hours ea or so. It gives you an idea on how much time it takes when you decide to create a project. Plus over time you get used to the motions, get the basic idea and can go faster. You may not notice these changes in yourself if you only do it for an hour a day. You might also learn what position your body prefers to prevent pain.
I'm on my third day today and it feels like nothing now, hehe. On the first day I had some physical pain ^^. I could have easily given up.

Thanks smile I hadn't really thought about being able to see progression better when spending more time on it (especially in the beginning) or even just getting a grasp of the time it takes... I'll probably go and hunt down some supplies the coming days and wait until I have a few days in a row where I have lots of hours off 3nodding
When it comes to 'physical issues' I'd thought I'd start out by just sitting at my desk. I would probably feel safest when I'd have all my tools and things spread out before me, just in case something goes wrong. I thought that maybe that would also be the best for my back as I would sit more or less upright. What have you found out that works for you so far? And seeing as you've also just started out, I'm curious as to what kind of project you are working on 3nodding

[TheRedPandaNinja]

Embroidery~ heart

I've always loved how it looks, but I've never found the time or motivation to try it.

I really love Ukrainian embroidery, and I recently found a book in the basement of my mom's that has different patterns and such for Ukrainian embroidery.

I took it as a sign that maybe I should start.

[DittoDitto]

Just thought I'd add my two cents heart I've been doing embroidery for about 10 years now and, although I don't do it regularly at the moment, it is nice to have a few projects laying around I can pick up whenever the mood strikes.

I started out with a few kits I got from my local craft store. I quickly became interested in antique samplers and thought it was a neat way to show the various stitching techniques. That said, I pored through a bunch of books and had a blast designing and creating my own sampler. It took a long time to make the design, assemble just the right materials, and stitch it, but I was immensly proud of the end result smile For anyone just starting out, I would say have fun and, if you enjoy it, stick with it--you'll be glad in the end. wink

[princesspearl8]

ya, my granny taught me in 3rd grade. I still embroider a lot, but not as much as i did in middle school. i've a;so started needlepoint and latch hook. i paint and write poetry too. But i embroider the most. saves me money on xmas gifts 4laugh

[AndreaHarper]

I embroider everything. Seriously. Cross stitch, free hand, you name it, I've probably got a dozen examples somewhere in my room.

I like it because it's usually portable, which is good for my daily commute of four hours, unlike quilting or sewing or weaving or even knitting sometimes, or any of the other things I do in my spare time.