Winter Solstice (Eleanor Grosch and Ruth Schmuff)

Ruth Schmuff shows off her latest class piece, Eleanor Grosch's "Winter Solstice."

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/12/most-elegant/

As always, you can get the canvas and Ruth's guide from her shop, Bedecked and Beadazzled.  Just follow the links.  But as a bonus, Ruth has posted directions for her clever version of padded satin stitch on her YouTube channel and also shows you how to use a pair of koma when you are laying pairs of metallics for couching like her passing thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOaWq4_ckXE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V71ZRppCmpA

Thanks, Ruth!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 10, 2024 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 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.

Koma: How to Use and Where to Buy UPDATED

The Kreinik blog has posted an interesting article about koma and how they are used.  If you do a lot of goldwork or are familiar with Japanese Embroidery, you will be familiar with koma, but if not, this is a great introductory article.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/05/need-another-pair-of-hands.html

If you want to buy koma (they are traditionally sold in a set of two) here are some good places to shop.  They are all about the same price but the wood used seems to vary slightly.
http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/accessories.htm

http://www.berlinembroidery.com/toolsgoldwork.htm#koma

http://www.jecstore.com/Koma---Cherry-(pair).php

UPDATE:  Kreinik also sells koma but I can't find them on their website. You'll have to ask your shop to order from them for you if you want to use their brand.  Dena from Kreinik read Blog this morning, checked the Kreinik site and discovered the koma was there but just not visible.  The web guy has fixed it so you can pick up a pair of Kreinik koma if you prefer.  THANK YOU, DENA!

http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Japanese-Komas.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com