BOOK THOUGHTSS: THE STITCHES OF CREATIVE EMBROIDERY

 

THE STITCHES OF CREATIVE EMBROIDERY by Jacquelin Enthoven was published in 1964 which is why you may not be able to find a copy of it. I purchased my copy from Ebay.

I purchased this book on hand embroidery stitches because when I purchased a sampler book there were no instructions on how to do many of the stitches.  I could not find them, based on the name the image was listed under thus YouTube and Google did not help, nor did the newer books I owned have these stitches listed. I have since purchased at least 3 other classic books on embroidery stitches to which THE STITCHES OF CREATIVE EMBROIDERY is the best purchase yet.

This book is not a “how to” with detailed instructions on how to do each stitch but an overview of various stitches. Though it only has 2 pages (front and back} of pictures in color, this was a luxury in publication during that time, the black and white pictures are worth the price. According to the partially age book cover, this book cost $7.95! Based on the table of contents, see above image, and the 210 pages less the Index of stitches, it is apparent to me that this book is more for information and inspiration and not “how to”.

I appreciate the samplers presented; this book is full of samplers.

I purchased this book for $21.86 USD, it was worth it. I am convinced, if you are going to really become a hand embroidery sewist it is important to explore what they once did years ago. I do own an embroidery machine and I will use it for various projects BUT my desire is to create unique embroidered items that require the nuances attributed to hand embroidery. I have no desire to seek the status of the artisans that created the work seen in museums but I would like to be as good as some of the young sewist that have samplers presented in the videos I have viewed and the classic books I have read. 

I cannot say I will not purchase any other books on hand embroidery but if I don’t I am really glad I purchased this one.

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

EMBROIDERY STITCHES : ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITHCES

ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITCHES – published COATS & CLARK’S BOOK No.150-B, published 1979, original cost 60 cents. 

A few months ago I purchased an embroidery sampler book with a wide variety of stitches, I want to finish the book BUT many of the stitches I did not know and could not find a lesson on how to do them. I have searched YouTube and purchased books to no avail, until I discovered this used book. 

ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITCHES my not have all the stitches I need but it has many of them. What I am discovering is the best book for learning how to do various stitches are often out of print books. Thus, sources like WORLD OF BOOKS and THRIFT BOOKS, there may be others will have books for how things used to be before machines took over. I have found this to be true with quilting and applique as well.
ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITCHES arrived encased in a plastic envelope, my plan is to have a printer duplicate the booklet, 33 pages, to preserve this classic book. WHAT A FIND!

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

GARDENING FAILURES

 

I THINK THIS IS FROM 2021 
NEW PICTURES PENDING

I do not believe in spending a lot of money buying things to grow That my ancestors grew without. Such things as store bought raised beds, fertilizers and even pre-built greenhouses, these items can be a budget buster or a waist of money if you decide you don’t like gardening.  I have always loved gardening, when I lived in Maryland, Florida and now North Carolina, and have had varying success. Even farmers have failed cop!

One of the best lessons I learned from my gardening failures, the first lesson,  is the type of gardener I am.

This gardening season Grok has become my new best friend. I have quite a few gardening books and my favorite seed catalogue: The Whole Seed Catalogue. Lesson number two: research, research, research.

This year I chose to order plants not seeds because, work and those hand embroidery projects have kept me very busy.

In preparation for having a flower and vegetable garden,  I coordinated ordering my plants with the work my yardman was commissioned to do.  The plants came, days before he was scheduled to work,  but he did not show up for over 3 weeks; he is scheduled to cut my grass every two weeks.  I fired him, this was the second time he canceled his services with me in exchange for another job.  Lesson number three motivated me to not depend on the new yardman to do what I need to get done in a timely fashion.

The new yardman prepared my ground as requested and I went out and purchased plants.  It is important for the reader to understand; I have to coordinate my work schedule with yardwork and an embroidery project. I ordered plants for the raised bed flower area, and then on my day off I went to two places too purchase the plants I wanted from a customer I trusted.

My plants are in their proper containers. Unlike the first time I planted vegetables, when I lived in South Florida, I used soil specifically for container vegetables, my ancestors grew everything in the ground and used homemade compost- I don’t have time for that, not this year. With each plant I double checked with Grok as to: what size container, the number of plants per container, and were two different plants compatible. Grok said no to one but yes to the rest!

As I was winding down, I was very excited to discover there was ginger in a container. I had not harvested the ginger last year even though I knew it was ready because I did not know what to do with all of it.   Lesson number four: Know what to do with what you produce before it is time to harvest.

I am looking forward to my potential harvest. I have already decided to use what I deem necessary to be successful, knowing my ancestors will be proud. After all, I am living in my grandfather’s house, he was a successful gardner,

Written by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED