Needlecraft SuperiorCrafts, sewing, knitting, crochet, clothdolls, embroidery, dressmaking

Needlecraft Superior Embroidery Techniques!

WHAT IS EMBROIDERY?
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other
materials with designs stitched in strands of thread or yarn using
a needle.
Embroidery may also use other materials such as metal strips, pearls,
beads, quills, and sequins.
The word “embroidery” sometimes confuses people.
It is a term to describe all forms of needlework made with needle and
thread upon an embroidery fabric,including cross-stitch, needlepoint,
and samplers.
Actually, these techniques fall into the category of counted-thread work,
in which the stitcher follows a printed pattern on a chart or grid,
then counts the fabric threads to determine the exact placement of each
stitch.
Occasionally, an experienced embroiderer simply stitches directly onto
fabric using no pattern, creating a design much as a painter would paint
a canvas-an example of true artistic freedom!
Another name for this style of needlework is “surface”
embroidery, with the implication that the design-the thread,
actually-sits upon the surface of the fabric.
You may also encounter the term “flat” embroidery, which doesn’t really
take into consideration the raised effects of various knots, padded stitches,
and stitch overlays.
Traditional Chinese satin-stitch embroidery on a woman’s coat:
silk thread on silk fabric.

Types of embroidery!

Embroidery is classified according to the use of the underlying foundation fabric.
Embroidery styles can be described according to the relationship of stitch
placement to the fabric.

In free embroidery, designs are applied without regard to the weave of the
underlying fabric.
Examples include crewel and traditional Chinese embroidery.

In counted-thread embroidery, patterns are created by making
stitches over a pre-determined number of threads in the
foundation fabric.
Counted-thread embroidery is more easily worked on an even-weave foundation
fabric such as embroidery canvas, aida cloth, or specially woven cotton and
linen fabrics although non-even weave linen is used as well.
Examples include needlepoint and cross-stitch.

What we choose to call embroidery is free from these constraints, and is often
referred to as “free embroidery” to signify freedom from having to count fabric
threads.
Reduced to its most elemental essence, embroidery fills in shapes to make a picture,
using a variety of stitches.
Usually the picture already exists as an outline, either drawn directly onto the fabric,
or transferred by some other means You may follow this outline exactly or use it as an
informal guide, taking small liberties by making adjustments to suit individual idea’s.

Embroidery Fabrics fall into three categories.

The first group, common  weave (image below) common-weave fabrics includes most
tightly woven fabrics with ralatively smooth surface.
Although medium-weight linens and wool are the traditional preferences,fabrics
of other weights and fibres (such as cotton and synthetics)
are also acceptable as long as the working thread is not too heavy.
A coarsely woven cotton called head cloth is a common choice.
Most standard free-form embroidery (including crewel) is worked on common-weave fabrics.

Even weave fabrics the second classification, ( image below) are all plain weaves
with the number of thread per centimetre the same for both warp and weft.
One type,the single even-weave, is made from single strands of intersecting threads,
the thread count can vary from about 5 per centimetre (coarse) to about 15 per centimetre
(fine).
In Hardanger, another of the even weaves,pairs of threads intersect;9 pairs of threads
per centimetre is the usual count.
Still another type is Aida cloth, which consists of intersecting thread groups,
generally about 4 to the centimetre.
As a rule, even-weave fabrics are used for thread-counting techniques,such as blackwork
and openwork.They may be cotton, linen, wool, or blends with synthetics.

With the fabrics in the third group, woven patterned (image below) have in common is
a evenly spaced woven pattern that supplies guidelines for certain kinds of embroidery,
such as cross stitch and smocking.
Fabrics as damask or the pale brown floral pattern shown at the right allow embroidery
motif to be incorporated into their woven-in designs.

The list or embroidery fabrics is far from fixed-new ones are always appearing.
Printed fabrics can be used  for some free-form embroidery, but be careful:
the print design may not follow the straight grain of the fabric.Knits are rarely
satisfactory.

Needlecraft Superior!
Vintage Crochet Collar Inset

Before I continue with my second blog - I would like to make a special
tribute to these volunteers that I read about in a crochet article.
You are the best, it would be nice to think that there are a lot
more people living on this earth, that have some spare time or nothing
else to do, would take on this project (preemie baby hats) and help
all the innocent new born babies in this world no matter what part of
the world they are born in.
Here is a little peice taken from the item:

Pender women warm up preemie babies!
More than 2,000 knitted and crocheted preemie baby hats have been made
by the women of Pender Adult Services both at Topsail Senior Center in
Hampstead and Heritage Place in Burgaw, along with other volunteers
from the Pender and New Hanover County areas.
For the past two years, numerous women have worked on knitting and
crocheting brightly colored preemie hats.
The project started out as part of a national endeavor to help save
the millions of babies who die every year in underprivileged countries.
This project is a national endeavor that aimed to send 1 million baby hats
to Third World countries to needy babies in Malawi.- Under the coordination
of Hope Cusick, they continued to make hundreds of hats that were then sent
to other Third World countries.

VINTAGE CROCHET COLLAR INSET EDGING!
Here is a vintage crochet pattern, that I have had for many years and I am
sure that today with all those trendy young at hearts designing their own
fashion clothes these days,would like to add this to their lastest creation.

COLLAR INSET EDGING
1 ball selected colour No 60, Steel crochet hook No 5

Abbreviations: Ch. chain;  dc. double crochet; dbl tr. double treble;
ss, slip stitch.

FIRST MOTIF.
Commence with 10 ch, join with ss to form a ring * 4ch,
2 dbl tr into the ring, 4 ch, 1 ss into the ring; repeat from
* 5 times more (6 petals). Fasten off.

SECOND MOTIF.
Commence as first motif. 4 ch, join with ss into the top of
corresponding 4 ch on first motif, 2 dbl tr into ring on 2nd motif,
join with ss into top of corresponding 4 ch on same petal of first motif,
4 ch and complete motif as before.

Make 4 more motifs joining petals of one motif to corresponding petals
of next motif and forming a triangle.
Make another triangle of 6 motifs.

EDGING.
With right side of collar facing work a row of dc round outer edges having
a multiple of 8 plus 5 along fronts and back of collar, working 3 dc into
same place at corners.
Before working 2nd row of edging sew crochet triangles in position as shown
in the photo below.

2nd row; 5 ch turn, * miss 3 dc, 1 dc into next dc, 5 ch; repeat from * all
round working 1 dc into first dbl tr of each free petal of motifs, 1 ch, turn.

3rd row; 5 dc into first loop, * 3 dc into the next loop, 4 ch, 1 dc into top
of last dc (picot made), 3 dc into same loop, 5 dc into next loop; repeat from
*all round. Fasten off. Damp and press.

Compiled By Elsie Hagley, Urenui, New Zealand

NEEDLECRAFT SUPERIOR BLOG!
Welcome to my Trendy Corner of Needle Craft Superior.
Thanks for taking a interest in my hobby of crafts!

This blog on Needlecraft Superior is Crochet,
as it is a craft you can do no matter where you are, on holiday, at the beach,
traveling, on land, sea, flying, or just relaxing at home.

Needlecraft Joy’s with Crochet!

The great thing about handcrafted gifts is that they can be passed down from
generation to generation, as a great grandmother my grandchildren love these gift’s.

There are dozens of different crochet stitches and designs that you can produce.
Crocheting is a art form.
It takes talent and imagination to produce a beautiful baby blanket or afghan
or even a simple edging on a doily.
Not everyone can crochet. Just like any craft, you have to enjoy it and truly have
a passion for it, (which I have), even taught my 11 years old granddaughter.

How to Techniques: Learn Crochet!

Search the Internet for free crochet patterns. Choose your yarn and get started.
You just never know what works of art are hiding in your fingertips.
The basic idea behind crochet is to use a crochet hook (a needle with a hook at one end),
to pull a thread or yarn through knotted loops, thus creating a fabric from the thread or yarn.
There are quite a variety of different types of hooks available, and a number of ways of
performing crochet, and as a result, it is possible to produce a range of different fabrics
using crochet.

Creative Craft’s in Crochet Yarns!

Crocheting can be done with any string material from the finest cotton thread to raffia,
leather cords and fabric strips.

In Fact I have come across this the other day:
Bag Ladies Take Going Green To The Extreme - Women turn trash into purses.

Recycling grocery store bags,named Redneck Recyclers started crocheting and selling handbags
made from used plastic bags more than a year ago.
The finished purses are attractively soft and woven, bearing no resemblance to the cheap,
thin plastic bags that inspired them.
The women spend their free time cutting plastic grocery bags into strips and then using
crochet hooks, work them into lasting, creative handbags.

“These bags are going to live forever,and what better way to help the environment”?
To learn more about these Redneck Recyclers go to http://redneckrecyclersne.home.att.net

Below are same synthetic yarns which are traditionally used for crochet work such as edgings
and household items.

Pearl Cotton - Description:-Sizes 5, 8 and 12 loosely twisted, very high sheen, large colour
selection including shaded tones,  USES:- Edgings,Fashion Accessories.

Mercerized Cotton - Description:- Size 3 (heavy) available in limited colour range.
Sizes 10 heavy) available to 60 (very fine), very firmly twisted,
large colour selection including shaded tones.
Sizes 80 to 100 (extra fine) available in white only)could have changed now!
USES:- Tablecloths, dollies, place mats, bedspreads, trimmings and edgings,
baby clothes.
Rayon - Description:- Very fine yarn with a silky look.  USES:- Laces, edgings and trimmings.

Metallic Yarn - Description:- Blend of metallized polyester(20%) and viscose duracol(80%), washable,
will not tarnish. Limited colour range.  USES:- Evening wear,fashion accessories.

Boucle - Description:- Light to medium weight, cotton or synthetic summer yarn.
USES:- Fashion garments.

Knitting Cotton - Description:- Light to medium weight, pure cotton, for knitting or crochet.
USES:- Bedspreads, place mats, fine and lacy garments.
THIS IS TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AT THE MOMENT.

Crochet Hooks For Needlecraft!

Crochet hooks are made in many sizes and materials.
For example, a thin steel hook used with fine cotton or linen thread will produce a delicate,
lacy fabric suitable for edgings, collars and cuffs; a jumbo hook used with hand spun wool
will produce bulky, open fabric suitable for shawls and ponchos.

If you are following a commercial pattern, the hook size will be specified in the instructions.
If you are making up your own design, experiment with various hooks to obtain the desired effect.
In general the recommended sizes for working with wool are 1.50 to 10mm, with cotton, 0.60 to 3.50mm.

Crochet Designs for Learning Needlecraft Superior!

Some of the more popular designs and patterns found in magazines ranging from doilies and table clothes
to mats, runners, baby dresses, bonnets and bootees, to name a few.
Scarves, bags, purses and belts also add to the choice of designs available.

You will be amazed at how necklaces, earrings and bracelets too are crocheted.
This is not a complicated thing and can be done with the simplest of steps.
You can also learn how to incorporate crochet with beads, embroidery and knitting.

It is just amazing at how much you can learn from a crochet magazine or book and will come to depend
on it extensively.