The Embroideress

What has that woman been doing you ask? Nose very much to grindstone printing up an order for Nordic Needle. You'll soon be able to buy my latest books along with other fine items on their space.

Thank you ladies for ordering up Alphabets from a Little Red Book and Hans Hofer Bands. I think they might have despaired that I'd ever manage any new work, but we're back in creative mode now.

Labels: Alphabets, Blackwork, Nordic Needle

Well, at least I've been painting the heads of some pins. Don't ask because I won't tell. All will become clear at a later date.

I finally decided to upload the updated web pages piecemeal. Not the ideal sort of a way to do things but seeing just a few pages sorted out and uploaded gives me incentive to go forward. So I've gotten three of the catalog pages done for the moment -- Alphabets, Blackwork and Needlework Tools. No, not all the links lead anywhere yet, but they will in the next few days.

It takes time because I have to dig through boxes of discs and files to find the graphics I need. Some are rubbish and have to be rescanned/photographed. Just the sort of picky stuff that happens to all of us.

More pages tomorrow. Confessing in public always spurs me on.....

Labels: Alphabets, Blackwork, Needlework tools, Skinner Sisters Books

At last, the first books of the two new series are finished.

My research leads me to rather obsure modelbuchen and I chart a lot of the double-running designs from the originals into computer design programs to produce charts and stitch diagrams. I will be publishing a series of books focusing on the work of the early (16th-17th century) publishers.

The first book features the work of Hans Hofer of Augsberg, Germany (1545) . This edition is cataloged in Professor Lotz' s bibliography as Lotz 18.

The second series of books is drawn from my personal collection of Victorian pattern books which we often lump together under the misnomer of "Sajous". Sajou was not the only publisher of these little booklets although they were prolific producers.

I've chosen as first in the series a little booklet whose publisher is unknown but believed to be German in origin. It is a tiny little red book, hence the title of my book "Alphabets From A Little Red Book". Each chart has been digitally reproduced and a modern chart created as well. I've included the doodles that an early owner of the book pencilled on the original pages as well.

Now to get the catalog updated. If anyone lusts for a copy before they appear in the catalog and the shopping cart, let me know and we'll get them out to you.

Labels: Blackwork, Modelbuch, Needlework Design, Sajou, Skinner Sisters Books

It's been four years since I've published a new book/booklet. Nothing since the Knotwork Alphabet. It seems as if I had a great many starts that had approached finish when I hit the disabled list over two years ago. Then the world seemed to stop.

I've had in mind for some years a series of books dedicated to the various early printers of modelbuchen. A look at the patterns in their books that are readily stitched as counted thread designs.

The first one is finished. Twenty-one bands from Hans Hofer of Augsberg's New Formbuch’len of 1545. I've used software not previously available to me when preparing diagrams of double-running stitches. It is cumbersome but does the job. So each band has a black and white chart, a color coded chart, black and white stitch diagrams and colored stitch diagrams for any side journeys a few tips and tricks and a bit of text around the edges. 30+ pages of hard work my friends.

I sent the first 6 beta copies off to Catherine Kinsey for sale in her merchant stall at Lilies. Anyone who gets them will have unique copies because I've found a few page numbering wonkynesses which have not been corrected. Anyone owning one of those six copies who wants to trade it in for a tweaked copy in the future is welcome to do so. Linn's rule - you always find the little mistakes after the first batch has been printed and after you've proofed the master at least a dozen times. At least as a self-publisher, I can sit right down and fix them myself.

Labels: Blackwork, Modelbuch, Needlework history, Needlework Patterns

I got the message folks. I've been getting messages from folks wanting a sampler with bands for all of the Tyranical Tudor's wives. Is it the cable network production fueling this interest?

I've put it as number 2 on my list of must do designs. I have to put the polishing touches on the new book of reversible bands from Hans Hofer's 1545 New Formbuch'len so that my friend CK can introduce it at Lillies War. She will have the first copies. I'll release it after that event.

Then the Queens' Sampler, I promise. It will be all blackwork.

Labels: Blackwork, Hans Hofer, Needlework Design

I'm working on charts for a new blackwork book of reversible bands. It can be a dreary task. Very fiddley!

First I chart the design in Pattern Maker Professional by HobbyWare.

At this time, I only use black lines to chart the design.

If the design is simple with only an outward journey and a return journey, I need only to change the appropriate stitches by overlaying red and blue lines.

BUT if side journeys are required it means first laying in stitches in other colors on the HobbyWare Chart and often preparing a StitchWiz stitch diagram with matching colors, and numbering of the stitch sequence.

We won't even discuss proofreading.

Labels: Blackwork, Charting Programs, Needlework Design, Skinner Sisters Books