November 27 - First Steps

As I said a few days ago, I learned to embroider at the age of eight. By my mother's hand I learned the outline and satin stitches I needed to bring the face of a happy dog to life. Mom then made my creation into a baby's bib. From there I made simple samplers, pillow cases, and handkerchiefs. My repertoire grew over the years.  

This was the start my journey into a whole new world of art, endless learning, and community. I lived in a time when you could buy needlework supplies at the finest department stores. I loved walking through the magical department of yarns, and threads, kits, and fabrics, the walls covered with beautiful things to make. Supplies could also be purchased at any 5 and dime, like Woolworth's. Also, in the 70s independent needlework stores became a popular place to buy yarns, cottons, linens and other needlework supplies. For a time I worked at a shop on Main Street in downtown SLC. Since I was also a lover of books, I bought every new book available. Over the years I collected books right along with supplies, gaining a varied needlework library. 

While I was working at the needlepoint shop a new phenomenon came about, in which artists painted right onto the canvas. I bought the tulips and without any instruction started stitching. Working at a shop does not mean you know everything there is to know. I was a rank beginner when it came to needlepoint. I was daunted by the outline around each motif and decided the lines would be too heavy if I filled every hole. Instead I tried to give the "impression" of a line and ended up with "ants" all over my tulips. I could see this was a mistake, but I didn't know what to else to do. I stuck it away and years later I found it, stitched in the yellow background, and had it made into a pillow. I thought it a good way to show my students how not to outline a motif. 

The other pillow was made following a chart and counting each stitch. The bottom right corner design shows a bit of hardanger, a technique in which an area is stitched and then threads cut away to create a lace effect. Stitching through my 70s and 80s continued along this line, trying this, self-learning that. It was at the end of the 80s I discovered the joy of taking classes from professionals and that changed my life. 

To be continued...

Comments

[Carole]

Your needlework is beautiful and I love that you kept the pillow to show as a mistake and didn't just trash it. I did a lot of cross stitch in the 80s and 90s and there was a wonderful needlepoint shop near me. I could spend HOURS in there! One year they ran an "ornament of the month" club and that was super fun. Each month we got a kit with all of our supplies to stitch the ornament and then in December they held a class where we came in with our stitching and then finished the projects and turned them into ornaments.

[Bonny]

Your needlework is beautiful and I love that you're sharing it with us, along with your learning journey. I did a bit of counted cross stitch as a teenager, but what I liked most was looking through all the gorgeous threads, kits, and supplies, deciding what to spend my babysitting money on at Woolworth's. It was a struggle to decide between the new Rolling Stones album or colorful floss! Looking forward to your continuation ...

[AsKatKnits]

Your needlework is amazing, Margene! Thank you so much for sharing! Wow, your library of stitch books! Incredible! I have had no stitching classes, either... but perhaps I should! I am truly a rank amateur at this process. I have tried (and did not enjoy) counted cross stitch. But your hardanger stitchwork... wow! I can't wait to read more of your stitching! XO

[Mary]

Margene - your work is beautiful! I look forward to seeing more of it and following along with your re-inspired exploration of another craft.

[Patty]

What a great journey to follow! I’ve never done any stitching...this is so interesting:

[Kym]

Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Margene. Your needlework is just stunning (even more so when you get to see it up-close-and-in-person!). I loved embroidery when I was a little girl/adolescent, and I tried some counted cross stitch in the 80s -- but never learned from a teacher. (Maybe my satin stitch would be more even if I had . . . ) I love hearing about your experiences and can't wait to learn (and see!) more. XO

[Vicki]

I read this on my phone last night... photos too small!! :) I love your story about the tulips! I am reminded of a mug that my grandmother made; the glaze was so thick it dripped right off, so the design is blurred and the mug has three little drip-glaze "feet." She kept it as both a reminder to herself, and to show her students that everyone makes mistakes!! I am so looking forward to reading more!!

[Jo]

You have effectively disabused my idea that this kind of needlework skips a generation. I learned about needlework from my grandmother. Mom disliked that sort of thing. As a youngster she was a tomboy lol! Anyway, your work is pretty as can be and a nice way to cherish memories.

[Vera]

Your stitching is beautiful! I, too, love that you kept the tulips to demonstrate what not to do. I've done a lot of cross stitch, hardanger, pulled & drawn work, and now I seem more drawn to knitting though I occasionally pull out some stitching to work on. Looking forward to your future posts on this.