The new year has set me — like almost everyone else — on a quest to better myself in a variety of ways, one of which is to put my idle hands to work when I inevitably collapse in front of the TV at night. I'm tackling embroidery, but for a little help I'm eyeing these kits and patterns that are a big step up from the typical craft store offerings.
A paper pattern that may be a bit difficult for beginners can range in price from under $10 to $30, while patterns printed on fabric and full kits that come with needles and thread can cost $25 to $100 or more.
FIRST ROW
1. Enchanted Forest (complete kit) by English Eccentrics from Erhman Tapestry, $92
2. Blue Singing Bear (complete kit) from takofibers, $27
3. Fractal #233 (pattern only) from Nordic Needle, $14.99
4. Elephant Teapot (complete kit) from African Folklore Embroidery, $28
5. Mexican Dogs (complete kit) by Janet Haigh at Erhman Tapestry, $56
SECOND ROW
6. Rainforest Birds by Charley Harper (printed canvas only) from purl bee, $90
7. Daniel Johnston Pattern from Sublime Stitching, $5 for pattern and $30 for full kit
8. Vintage Needlepoint Kit (complete kit) from Felicity Hall, $98
9. St. Georges (pattern only) by Long Dog Samplers from Nordic Needle, $8.25
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Comments (15)
Really -- these images are kitsch-free?
Deer Silhouettes - Check
Abstract looking arty thing with some sort of thought balloon - Check
Birds that look like Charlie Harper designed them and Todd Oldman (or whatever his name is) put them on a pillow to sell at Urban Outfitters for his "special" line - Check
Everyone's favorite Indy Band Schizophrenic Genius Musician Daniel Johnson Needlepoint (!!!) - Check
Something that looks right out of Etsy w/ its butterflies, pendants, and folky-arty charm - Check
I hate to break it to this author, but the majority of these needlepoint kits are nothing BUT Kitchy.
Although to be fair, I'm very partial to the Enchanted Forest one. But too kitchy. I have a new years resolution not to allow any of that into my home.
sorry, but to me, needlepoint=Kitsch automatically.
I love these! And I really love finding new sources for cool embroidery kits! Thank you very much for this.
(Just a note, though--I think some of the pics are mislabeled. For example, the "Blue Singing Bear" is second from the left in the first row.)
Now I'm off to order that alien . . . .
whatever guys, the Daniel Johnston one is AWESOME
I agree - these are almost all kitschy. I do like the Enchanted Forest pillow, but would love something similar without the kitschy deer. Anyone have any sources for needlepoint kits they can share?
robinette, check out the Nordic Needle link above--they have amazing fractal counted cross-stitch patterns. I just ordered two.
And, yes, these aren't completely kitsch-free, but they're so much better than the usual stuff. Open an embroidery catalog or magazine and it's all Bible verses, stupid sayings (e.g., "live laugh love"), and frigging cabbage roses. African baskets and fractals are miles ahead of that crap.
Oh, and this has got to be the first mid-century modern embroidery pattern I've ever seen:
http://www.sublimestitching.com/swankydecor.html
Plus zombies, sushi, roller derby . . . .
My best friend embroiders images from vintage porn and naturalist images of things like praying mantises. That stuff is kitsch free. This stuff, while delightful (I love the black backgrounds!) is mostly, most definitely, kitschy.
I just wanted to point out that embroidery and needlepoint are two different crafts. The majority of these pictures are of needlepoint not embroidery.
I recently took an embroidery class at Lill Street Art Center here in Chicago. It was a blast!
Wow I can't believe you just posted this! I spent a good portion of yesterday afternoon looking for new embroidery projects for this winter. Thanks!
Here's another website that has some (kind of grandma type) projects for order, but they would make nice heirlooms. http://www.herrschners.com/
I too got a giggle at the "kitsch-free" title, even though I like several of them. However, if you want intense color and pattern combos a la Gustav Klimt, check out these needlepoint kits. Not inexpensive, but gorgeous, and apparently easy enough that my mother made two for my sister and I, her first try at needlepoint, with no problems. http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/CandaceBahouthNeedlepoint.htm
I have been lusting after these designs:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilypeacocktapestry
I'm loving the deer pattern and the "Hi, How Are You" I am feeling pretty crafty in 2010 and I think this might be my first project!