I wish I could do this right now, so I thought I would pass it on. Sharon B. of www.inaminuteago.com is teaching an online class to help us all master the basic stitches. I think this is a great way for people not only to learn embroidery but for experienced stitchers to improve their technique.

Sharon’s work is amazing, and she’s the mind behind the Take a Stitch Tuesday challenge. If you’ve ever wanted to pick up a needle and thread, but just didn’t know what to do — here’s your chance.

Technorati Tags: embroidery, fiber art, textile art, classes, sharon b

I know this is a bit off topic, but as I use embroidery as part of my spiritual practice — and it’s my website — indulge me!

I just came across this great new embroidery resource via the In A Minute Ago blog. It’s a complete scan of an old “Fancy Work” book. The book can be distributed for free, because it’s long since passed copyright expiration. Sharon, of In a Minute Ago, also pointed readers to the Antique Pattern Library where she found this great book.

I love books like this because they are a great way for me to connect to my ancestors of blood and spirit. Seeing the stitches they used, how they would have learned them, and using them myself just connects the dots for me. I also love it because it’s part of women’s history. It’s a part that we don’t honor as much because it’s part of what used to be “women’s work.” But that work was astonishing. Just because we have many, many more options doesn’t mean we shouldn’t honor the work of those who came before us.

As the book can be distributed freely, I thought I would pass it along.

Fancy Designs: Ornamenting Oriental Work (pdf)

Technorati Tags: embroidery, patterns, designs, resources, women’s history, fancy work