Fiber Talk Interviews Margaret Kinsey of MAK Inc. Designs

Fiber Talk's latest interview is with Margaret Kinsey of MAK Inc. Designs.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2021/09/19/fiber-talk-with-margaret-kinsey/

You can see some of her amazing work on her website.  She specializes in Japanese Embroidery, rozashi, and silk and metal designs, many of which are on Congress cloth.

https://www.makincdesigns.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 19, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What the Heck is a Broche? UPDATED

People who are intrigued by needlework tools and those who do goldwork will be fascinated by Jessica Grimm's article on the goldwork spindle known as a broche in French.  (In Dutch it is called a brodse; Germans call it a Bretsche.)  Basically, it is a spool for goldwork threads so that you can protect them from tarnishing by not touching them once they are rolled onto the spindle.   Jessica has a nice video demonstrating how these are used in her article and a lot of history of this specialty tool.  If you are familiar with the koma used in Japanese embroidery, you'll understand how these are used instantly.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche

Jessica has arranged to have a local craftsman reproduce these.  Keep an eye on her webstore if you want one.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/store/c1/Afgebeelde_producten.html

UPDATE:  Here's more about a broche in a new film about their history and use.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche-part-ii

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Cherry Blossom Rule

Threads Across the Web just posted some of the Japanese Embroidery designs she's stitched with cherry blossom motifs on them. I had no idea that you always stitch the foreground items first in Japanese Embroidery, or that the cherry blossoms are also stitched in a specific order.
https://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2019/01/sake-boxes-cherry-blossoms.html

Thanks for this interesting and thought-provoking article, Carol-Anne!  I almost always stitch my background first—and I have never stitched flower petals in any specific order—so this gives me food for thought.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 30, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Beading Koma UPDATED

I've seen mention of something called a beading koma recently but I had never seen photos or a clear explanation of how beading komas are used in Japanese bead embroidery until this explanation.   Basically you string beads on your thread, then wind the length around the koma.  This allows you to unroll a section as you couch it down on your design.  Thanks, Margaret!
http://www.sharpneedler.com/2018/07/beading-koma-what-great-tool.html

Regular komas are used in Japanese embroidery to hold and control pairs of gold thread as they are couched. This is what they look like—
https://berlinembroidery.com/product/japanese-koma/

They are used in a pair, one for each of the pair of gold threads that you will be couching.
https://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/05/need-another-pair-of-hands.html

You can see a photo of two koma being used in gold embroidery on Mary Corbet's website.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2012/04/goldwork-embroidery-never-ending-but-so-worth-it.html

Obviously a beading koma is not used in quite this way.  It is shaped slightly differently and intended to be used when you have a long line of beads to couch on something.  You can purchase a beading koma from Mary Alice here.  Looks like you need to buy the hair elastic separately and add it to your wooden beading koma.  (UPDATE:  DD says she bought a beading coma from Mary Alice and the elastic band came with it.)  But they are easily available at drug stores and places like Target and Walmart, which enables you to find a fat one in just the color you prefer.
https://bluebonnetstudio.com/wood-products/beading-koma-various-woods

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 13, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: NAN Best of Show Winners Announced

The National Academy of Needlearts has posted photos of the two Best in Show winners at their 2018 Exemplary.  Use the right side arrow to see the other winner.
https://www.facebook.com/118153386709/photos/pcb.10155062893306710/10155062891461710/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 17, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Silk Threads: A Tutorial

Mary Corbet just published a wonderful beginner's guide to stranded silk floss.  Mary doesn't do needlepoint, but what she says about spun silks is still relevant.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/03/silk-hand-embroidery-thread-spun-silk.html

Next Mary tackled twisted filament silk.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/03/hand-embroidery-twisted-filament-silk.html

Mary promises information about flat filament silk next….
https://www.needlenthread.com/2017/03/silk-hand-embroidery-thread-101-flat-silk.html

(By the way, this is the place where you can watch the video on twisting flat silk that Mary mentions in the last link above.)
https://www.needlenthread.com/2012/03/twisting-flat-silk-video-tutorial.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Pilot Frixion Erasable Gel Pen

I thought folks who like to draw their own designs and then have the lines disappear would like to hear what Helen has to say about Pilot's Frixion erasable pens.  Heat erases the lines and cold brings them back.  Helen mostly does Japanese Embroidery so she is using her pen on fabrics, not needlepoint canvas, so I cannot say whether they work well or not for needlepointers.
http://hgotts.blogspot.com/2017/01/more-gatsby-tools.html

On the other hand, they seem to be readily available, come in many colors (even metallics), so the mad scientists among us might want to experiment.  Just let us know what you think, ok?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pilot-FriXion-Clicker-Erasable-Gel-Pens-7-Pack/22477879#about-item

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 8, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Lace Needlepoint Canvas

Kay Stanis of The Gilded Edge shows how to frame up and then lace needlepoint canvas on frames to keep them very taut. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7QR9iPeSKU

There are more videos on Kay's website in case you are curious about laying flat silk or adding fabric backing to your fabric in Japanese embroidery.
http://www.the-gilded-edge.com/techniques/

Many thanks to Helen for alerting me to the video.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Frame with Arm Rest

Here's something totally new in the world of frames--an arm rest! 
http://www.margaretlee.com.au/store/frames--accessories/supporting-frame-with-hand.html

The frame is from Margaret Lee Embroideries which is an Australian company specializing in Japanese and Chinese embroidery.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 24, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Judy Souliotis is Gone UPDATED

Folks are announcing on Facebook that Judy Souliotis is gone.  
https://www.facebook.com/860462527326471/photos/a.860479107324813.1073741828.860462527326471/921095594596497/?type=1&theater

http://driscollfuneralhome.tributes.com/obituary/read/Judy-Basso-Souliotis-102760815

Well known for her silk and metal embroidery classes and her Asian themed designs, she will be much missed.  Her website has disappeared but I did manage to find photographs of some of her teaching pieces.  This is Ocean Waves.
http://juststring.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/OceanWaves-Final.jpg

This is Celestial Dimension.
http://www.egascr.org/sem2006/images/310_Celestial.jpg

This is her Oriental Flower Cart, done in Japanese Embroidery.
http://www.janezimmerman.com/Site/Guest_Artist_Gallery/IMAG007.JPG

This is her Mating Season.
http://www.janezimmerman.com/Temp/Guest_Artist_Gallery/IMAG019.JPG

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SNS_Mating_Season/info

I don't know the name of this one, sorry, but it appears to be Japanese Embroidery as well.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXtTuTeJnkCR9xG_Ys6lZO3jKABvzHC_hvatG-ZnGELrycKOdnQF312rXDBmNj2Sg1u-vhtmbYOhdnA2FErSw1gMUcYqL2G7Zv3XGrhUnYRP27S6gzv1IbL1srBsiOvqYmV_lvhsGt_4/s320/camelia.jpg

This is Asian Journey, one of Judy's lovely teaching pieces.  I hope these few images will show the range and depth of her stitching.  She'll be greatly missed by her students and many friends,
http://www.canvasesbegone.com/product/asian-journey-by-judy-souliotis-needlepoint-chart-thread-beads-22-count-canvas

UPDATE:  Gay Ann Rogers is asking folks to send her memories of and thoughts about Judy and her impact on the stitching world.  You may email her at GayAnnRogers@me.com or you can post a note on Gay Ann's Facebook page. These are being gathered and posted on Gay Ann's website.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

UPDATED AGAIN:  Ann's thoughts on Judy and her impact on Ann's stitching world.
http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2015/08/judy-souliotis.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I Hate Rayon Thread But

Helen is creating a red rose using bullion stitches for padding and to create the curve of an opening bud.  The trick is to use DMC's rayon thread to create the bullions.
http://hgotts.blogspot.com/2015/06/dimensional-rose.html

I don't mind doing bullion stitches but I loathe rayon threads.  Still, this looks pretty durn good....

I never would have thought to try rayon threads for bullions.  Or covered padding with what appears to be blanket stitch to make the petals.  Very creative, Helen!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 25, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips on Using Metallic Threads

Kreinik recently answered a question on Facebook about how to best use blending filament and got plenty of tips from stitchers on how to handle their blending filament and other types of metallics they sell. The tips are all summarized on their blog. Thanks, Dena!
http://www.kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/10/stitching-tips-from-experts-you.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 31, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Whys and Hows of Koma and Japanese Gold Thread

If you ever wondered what koma are used for in Japanese Embroidery, Susan at Plays with Needles lays it all out. (By the way, koma come in pairs because in Japanese Embroidery, gold threads are laid in pairs, so you need two, one for each thread in the pair.) 
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-second-pair-of-hands.html

If you'd like to read more about koma, the Kreinik blog has a great article.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/05/need-another-pair-of-hands.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Beauty for a Winter's Day

Susan at Plays with Needles just went to a Japanese Embroidery get-together hosted by her teacher. She took lots of photos which you will really enjoy.  It's a feast for the eyes in the midst of winter!  Pour a hot beverage and settle down to enjoy.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/mid-winter-matsuri_23.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper

Plays with Needles raves about these tweezers from Uncle Bill.   They appear to have a zillion uses for many things, not just picking stray paper and threads and pet hairs off stitching. Shop around. Prices vary.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/thank-you-uncle-bill.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Susan Explains Why She Studies Japanese Embroidery

I don't know how you feel about Japanese Embroidery but Susan's explanation of why she studies it made me take another look at an ethnic embroidery style I personally find static. 
 http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/why-study-japanese-embroidery.html

If you are charmed by the above, read what Carol-Anne has to say about her Japanese Embroidery adventure.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/happy-tenth-anniversary.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Repurposing a Bento Box

Carol-Anne does a very good job explaining the various styles of bento boxes on her Japanese Embroidery blog.  A bento box is a Japanese lunch box, often made of stackable trays that are divided into sections.  They are made in many styles and of many materials.  You can find some spectacular ones on eBay but shop cautiously.  Condition is key if you are going to splurge on an "antique" box.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/speaking-of-boxes.html

You can see modern bento boxes on these two websites.
http://www.jbox.com/category/820

http://en.bentoandco.com/collections/bento-boxes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Harikuyo 2015 UPDATED AGAIN

Today's the Japanese festival of Harikuyo which honors our needles. Susan has special plans to celebrate. 
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/two-days-until-harikuyo-2015.html

UPDATE:  Stay tuned for what Susan has planned!  I'll add the link once it goes live.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-gift-of-harikuyo.html

Me, I am too exhausted from celebrating NP Nation's Fourth Birthday to start making a new needle book.  Instead I will do what I always do on February 8th.  I will take all my old needles out of the pill bottle where I keep them, wrap them in aluminum foil, and then use pretty wrapping paper and ribbons to wrap the foil packet. Then I will ceremoniously put them in the trash.

Where would we be without our needles that have served us so well?  Thank you!

UPDATE #2:  Carol-Anne had an amazing needle adventure in Japan.  You will enjoy this.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-needle-in-market.html

UPDATE #4:  More about Carol-Anne's purchases.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/needles-and-pins.html

UPDATE #5:  Carol-Anne's sewing kit - I want one!
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/travelling-sewing-kit.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 6, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shading the Japanese Embroidery Way UPDATED

Hannah is working on a Japanese embroidery piece, and showing us Japanese embroidery techniques along the way that are unfamiliar to me.  Today's posting shows how Japanese embroidery practitioners blend two colors by adding an overlapping third color (or more) on top of the first two.  Interesting!
http://embroideryforducks.com/2014/10/21/lantern-plants-working-away/

If you want to read more about the lantern plant project, click on the Embroidery for Ducks header at the top of the page, then read the previous articles.  I think you'll find the Japanese way of layering different types of stitches to achieve various effects as interesting as I do.

I found the finished design on the Atlanta Japanese Embroidery Center's website.
http://jecstore.com/index.php/fabric-orders/publications/wkb08-061br-lantern-plants.html#.VEZj6b5H1jc

UPDATE:  Speaking of Japanese Embroidery, Coral Seas explains fuzzy stitch here.  Very interesting!  The second link below talks about the various stitches taught in the different phases of Japanese Embroidery, which I also found interesting as this is quite different than the way we teach ourselves needlepoint.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2014/11/phase-viii-queen-of-flowers.html

http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2014/11/phase-ix-sake-boxes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 21, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Fuzzy Effect (Improved)

There's big news for Japanese Embroidery fans in the United Kingdom -- Japanese Embroidery UK has decided to update and modify their teaching to make the lessons cheaper and more accessible.  Here is what Jane says about how this will work.
http://japanese-embroidery.blogspot.com/2014/08/its-been-long-time-since-i-updated-this.html

The new site that will represent many Japanese Embroidery tutors is here.  It's gorgeous!  Don't miss the videos.
http://thefuzzyeffect.co.uk

Here is the Japanese Embroidery Academy site, with descriptions of the modules.  It looks pretty bare bones until you start clicking on the links and discover the beauties within.
http://www.japaneseembroideryuk.academy

This sounds like very good news for people who want to study JE on the other side of the ocean.  Those of us who study it here, or who just admire the technique, will have a lot of fun exploring the sites.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 3, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.