Embroidered and Woven Treasures from Our Readers’ Hands

World Embroidery Day Recap

Frequently, I ask readers to share what they’re making or have made. On World Embroidery Day, I encouraged readers to tell us how they celebrated—and to send photos. And they did. The Fine Art Embroidery Guild in Pretoria, South Africa, told us they celebrated World Embroidery Day in front of a needlework shop and a liquor store! Tina wrote to us that on a beautiful sunny day (in winter), “26 ladies showed up with folding chairs and embroidery or other handwork, and we just enjoyed each other’s company for about 4 hours. People visiting the shop or walking by to other shops stopped, chatted, and admired a little display of our embroideries.”

Our northern neighbor, Céline Legault, who works as an embroidery artist in Québec, sent us a photo of her recent “Once Upon a Time” piece, all handsewn or embroidered in satin stitch, running stitch, and couching.

Natalie Lubbe finished her stunning cross-stitched King Tut. Photos courtesy of Tina Ainslie Members of the Fine Art Embroidery Guild in Pretoria, South Africa, gather for World Embroidery Day. World Embroidery Day in South Africa. Celine’s “Once Upon a Time” embroidery piece. Photo courtesy of the maker

World Embroidery Day celebrations.

The embroidery artists at Multicolores in Guatemala sent us a video of their happy day embroidering. To learn more about this nonprofit organization, read Mary Anne Wise’s article The Makers of Multicolores.

Biscornu, I Do!

Pam Farmer answered the call for biscornu photos. “I attach a picture of my lovely biscornu. What a joy to embroider! I must say that now I can do bullion knots!” The pattern is from the Royal School of Needlework book Raised Embroidery, by Kelley Aldridge. And lovely it is, Pam!

Pam Farmer’s gorgeous biscornu. Photo courtesy of the maker

Creative Cushion

Needing no prompt, Little Looms and PieceWork subscriber Susan Carver wrote to us recently, too: “Kaffe Fassett’s article and project in the Fall 2024 PieceWork magazine inspired me to make a seat cushion for the chair that I use for spinning and rigid heddle weaving. I used my Hazel Rose 4" square loom and scrap Bartlett yarn to make the cushion. It was a fun project and I thank you all for the inspiration.” Beautiful, Susan, and what a perfect project!

Susan’s Kaffe Fassett-inspired seat cusion. Photo courtesy of the maker

Thank you, everyone, for sending us photos and stories about your needlework adventures. You inspire us—and each other. Keep it coming! We’d love to learn what’s on your hooks and needles or in your linen or your dye pot. And it makes our day to see what you’re making, so be sure to share your creations with us via email.

Happy stitching,

Karen