So many new-old cross stitches... ================================================================ "Cross Stitch Tips and News" Brought to you by Patterns Patch Publishing March 3rd 2007 ================================================================

Subject: So many new-old cross stitches...

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During the "Public Domain" workshop last weekend we stumbled across a really old, battered dog-eared cross stitch book that had certainly seen better days. Its date of original publication was the late-ish 1800s and this copy just might have been that old. I sat turning the pages, wondering how many other pairs of eyes had scanned these same images, a few dozen perhaps, or maybe even hundreds, or had it sat in a loft, forgotten for more than a century? Of course, we'll never know. Some of the color plates are fabulous, with rich and vivid colors depicting typical rural and urban scenes of the time... and of course there are many equally rich and varied motifs. Leni plans on creating a number of her future designs from some of these plates and motifs; they'll be well worth stitching when she releases them.

Next up was a dictionary of embroidery stitches, which contained no less than 78 different stitches, each with it own description and illustration. Virtually all of them suitable for cross stitch too, which is great. Several new to me included the wonderfully named sheaf filling stitch, wheat-ear stitch and vandyke stitch. Over the next year most, if not all, will appear in the tutorial section. I tell you, our members are going to be the most knowledgeable bunch of stitchers on the Internet.

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The introduction last week of the tutorial section (in the left nav panel under Resources) seems to have been well received with more positive than negative comments from members. The Colonial knot will join the French knot this week and then we hope to release one tutorial per week after that.

================================================================ A Top Tip for Cross Stitch Heaven...

Back stitch: Its Use in Cross Stitch Designs The back stitch (known also as "point de sable") is an old and very adaptable straight stitch that can be used either as a delicate or strong outline, or as a foundation in composite stitches, such as Pekinese stitch and herringbone ladder-filling stitch. The back stitch helps to give a three-dimensional look to pictures.

This stitch follows intricate curves well if the stitches are worked in a small and even manner in order to follow the flow of the curve. The front of the work is similar in appearance to Holbein stitch but, where Holbein stitch is quite flat, back stitch is slightly raised.

Before adding back stitch to your designs, consider these tips:

1. Make sure your embroidery needle is sharp before you begin. Start your back stitch by weaving it through the reverse of your cross stitches. Then bring your needle up through the fabric where your starting point is.

2. Carefully start to create your back stitch over an aida block, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally, depending on the chart's instructions.

For the following stitch, bring the needle up an aida block away from the stitch, or as many as shown in the chart. Take the needle down through the fabric so that it continues the line of your previous stitch, and so on, until the outline is complete.

================================================================ Recent articles posted at PatternsPatch.com: ================================================================ The Influence of Arts and Crafts Movement on Cross Stitch.

Every being and artifact on this earth has its own historical beginning, and cross-stitch embroidery is no different. Counted cross stitch is rising in popularity again today, and was at its peak, prior to the invention of the sewing machine. Other than that short span of years, it has been part of women's lives since early medieval times and before. However, without people like Therese de Dillmont or Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, the movement would never have spread as rapidly as it did, bringing new jobs for women who had no experience or money...

Read the full article by going here: < http://www.patternspatch.com/public/90.cfm >

---------------------------------------------------------------- Blackwork -- a Cross Stitch Challenge to Consider.

Blackwork is counted thread embroidery in black thread worked in geometric designs and usually completed on evenweave linen. Red silk is a popular alternative, and is called Scarletwork. You may not enjoy working in just one color. Perhaps you are one of those people who enjoys sorting colored threads, or love to see the merging of different shades of color across your cross stitch project. If this is the case, maybe Blackwork is not for you. Even so, read on. You may be tempted to try Blackwork as an experiment, and then become hooked on it, as several of my stitching friends have...

Read the full article by going here: < http://www.patternspatch.com/public/123.cfm >

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This is just a small sample of the more than 100 cross stitch articles enjoyed by our members. If you'd like to read more, click here to become a member < https://www.patternspatch.com/public/5.cfm > joining is easy!

================================================================ Cross Stitch Patterns Uploaded This Week ================================================================ We're trying to introduce as wide a range as possible in the download library to cater for all tastes. So if there's a theme we've missed that you'd like to see patterns for, then please drop me a quick email to the address towards the bottom of this letter.

To view full-sized illustrations of this week's FREE downloads, Click Here < http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/209.cfm >

You'll find additional information and can also leave comments and rank (from 1 to 5) each download, if you wish.

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- "Shep, The Sheepdog"

- "Symbols of the USA"

- "Teddy Bear Hearts"

- "Unicorn Lovers"

- "Tropical Birds" ~X~

To view this week's gallery, here's the link again < http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/209.cfm >

================================================================ Recent "Tips & Techniques" Forum Posts ============================================================== The Tips and Techniques forum has really begun to pick up pace in recent weeks with many excellent threads being posted. If you haven't taken part yet, why not take a look and maybe join in. Hey! You might even enjoy it.

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Permission Letter

Member Rosebud sparked off a surprisingly lengthy debate with several interesting ideas and thoughts on the meaty subject of Copyright emerging.

"Does anyone out there have a letter they send to other designers to ask permission to use the stitched product from the patterns you buy from the stores to sale the finised piece at craft fairs or to ask for permission to convert something you would like to do in a xstitch pattern. Also to see if you can buy a licence to do more than craft fairs to make a profit on what you make. What I need are examples of letters to send out to designers and those who have the rights to the copyright." Read the discussion here:

http://www.patternspatch.com/public/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&ThreadID=99

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Smyrna Cross Stitch

Member trick-r-treat posted this question, which returned some really good quality information and ideas.

"This is a new term (new to me, that is) that I heard and recently looked it up on About.com. It is a very different type of stitch - has anyone ever used it in a pattern before?".

Read the discussion here: http://www.patternspatch.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&ThreadID=130

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This newsletter is still being developed and will be shaped according to the wishes of its readers. If there's anything you do or don't like (or missing), from the newsletter, please send a short email to john@patternspatch.com telling me what you want.

... and finally, if you have children, give them a hug and a kiss, and tell them you love them.

Until next week, stay safe and be happy.

John Wigham PS If you're not already a member, why not? You're missing out on so much! click here to join now < https://www.patternspatch.com/public/5.cfm > joining is easy! ================================================================ Missed a tip of the week? Find them all at < http://www.patternspatch.com/public/department27.cfm > ================================================================