There is no denying that organic, sustainable and fair trade fabrics are currently less varied than conventional fabrics. Patterned fabric, in particular, is less prevalent and if low impact dyes are not acceptable to you, the fabric choices narrow even further.
Enter embroidery.
Getting Started
On-line, there are several resources to help you update your skills:
- Jenny Hart, of Sublime Stitching, has put together terrific Now-I-Get-It stitching diagrams to serve as your starting place. Her refreshing and contemporary designs have inspired me to pick up embroidery again. Jenny Hart has also authored several books on embroidery which showcase some of her patterns as well.
- Another favourite site for me is the Primrose Design Stitch School, with more detailed information on embroidery basics such as tips on beginnings and endings.
- There is also an extensive index of stitches at Needlework Tips and Techniques.
As you become more proficient, consider either purchasing, or checking out at the library, Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches. First published in 1934, and last updated by Jan Eaton, the rave reviews by beginner and experienced needleworkers speak for themselves. Our studio has a copy of the book, which can be available for you to evaluate when you visit.
Materials
You can use just about anything to do embroidery, light to mid weight yarns and even ribbons and string, just make sure your needle fits your thread or yarn. The most common embroidery uses stranded cotton or embroidery floss. Common materials for embroidery include cotton, linen and silk, however, most of the floss on the market is mercerized, conventionally dyed and conventionally grown.
In our shop, we have put together small, 10 yard skeins of 20/2 fair trade organic cotton thread and plant dyed silk to substitute for conventionally dyed or mercerized embroidery threads.
Other basics for starting an embroidery project include:
- Small sharp scissors;
- Embroidery needles, appropriate for the thread and fabric you are working with;
- Embroidery Hoop;
- Transfer paper or a pattern;
- Stabilizer if working on stretch fabric or knitted pieces.
Fabrics appropriate for embroidery include cotton, muslin and linen.
For more on embroidery, please visit our embroidery feature page.
