World Embroidery Day

July the 30th was declared as a day for celebrating embroidery by a group of Swedish embroiderers in 2011. It is now recognized and celebrated around the world. I attended a delightful high tea held on Sunday at the Queensland Embroiderers' Guild in Brisbane to mark the occasion. 

It was good to see familiar faces in the crowded hall and also meet some of the members visiting from groups all around Queensland. The tables were beautifully set out with understated flower arrangements, pretty pink napkins, plates of sandwiches, and tiered stands of small delectable eats. We were asked to bring our own favourite cup and saucer which added a fun personal note to the occasion too. 

After tea we listened to three speakers. Keeping to the theme of our connection to embroidery around the world, they shared their experiences of visiting Mountmellick, the home of Mountmellick embroidery in Ireland; seeing the sixty eight metre long Bayeux tapestry on display in France; and finding some rare heirloom lace treasures in Italy. It was a most enjoyable and interesting morning.

Today, wherever you are, I hope you are either meeting up with stitching friends or contentedly working on your embroidery with a nice cup of tea. May you have a happy and peaceful World Embroidery Day!

If you are looking for a small project to do, please visit my Etsy shop here for pulled thread and canvas work pincushion patterns.

Now for my cup of tea...

'Till next time, happy stitching!

Hardanger Pincushion

This is a small sample that I finished off into a pincushion and donated to the Guild for sale at the exhibition. I wrote previously about the pretty Hardanger stitch here.

Once the centre motif was complete, I tried out several ideas around the edge to finish it off. The four-sided stitch over four didn't work at all.

In the end I tried four corner eyelets which I rather like with the open look of the Hardanger filling stitch. Then came the Kloster blocks to define the edge and tie in with the satin stitch surrounding the cut area. A few surface stitches gave the final touch to the eyelets.

Instead of ironing, I damp stretched the embroidery overnight. That always gives a nice, smooth finish.

I chose pink satin to line the embroidery and a pink and white butterfly print for the back of the pincushion. The filling is a polyester cushion stuffing. 

Next time I'll show you the other little sample that I completed and made up as a pincushion too.

Interestingly, pincushions and needlebooks on sale at this years exhibition were not as popular as previously. I'll have to give some thought as to what I can do with my little samples for next time.

The sun is shining beautifully today, but it's definitely winter here with a very chilly and windy cold snap. I hope its warmer wherever you are.

Happy stitching!