History through the eye of a needle...
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"Cross Stitch Tips and News"
Brought to you by Patterns Patch Publishing
March 10th 2007
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Subject: History through the eye of a needle, who'd believe it?

   ~X~

Last week I touched upon an old, battered, dog-eared cross
stitch book we found at the previous weekend's Public Domain
workshop. Well browsing through it on Monday, I came across
a superbly written chapter on the development of needlework
from the early days in the USA through to the late 1800s.

That chapter has divided up neatly into five solid articles,
running under the title "American History Through The Eye Of A
Needle" Parts 1 - 5. Expect to start reading these in the next
couple of weeks. 

   ~X~

By the time some of you read this, your editor is likely to be
flying upside down at a great rate of knots. It was my
birthday on Wednesday and Leni is taking me a thousand miles
away to an old military base where I get to be thrown around
the sky for about half an hour in a military fighter aircraft;
'twill probably feel like a lifetime. Am I scared at the
thought? You'd better believe it. One's thing's for sure the
scariest rides at the amusement park will seem like small
potatoes after this.

   ~X~

For those of you that don't get along too well with the French
knot, it just might be worth your while to take a peek at its
cousin the Colonial knot, newly listed in the Tutorial Index
(left nav panel under Resources). The Colonial knot is rapidly
earning itself a reputation for being a most able substitute
for the French knot. Now whether or not that's true, I can tell
you there's a whole bunch of new tips largely unknown by the
majority of stitchers in both tutorials. Could it perhaps be
the self same stitchers who struggle with the French knot?

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A Top Tip for Cross Stitch Heaven...

This week's Tip was provided by Martha Beth Lewis.

   ~X~

 How to Thread Your Needle so You Stitch with the Grain of the Floss

Floss does have grain. Some stitchers can tell by pulling a strand (ply) between thumb and index finger; if you are "with" the straight of the grain, the floss feels smoother. Others run the strand between their lips, saying this skin is more sensitive than the fingertips. Still others can tell just by looking at the way the strand is twisted.

More power to them! I have to rely on the "blossoming end" method.

Make a U with your length of floss and hold the two cut ends between thumb and forefinger with about 1/2 to 3/4" sticking out. Gentle "tap" on the cut ends. One of them will "blossom" more than the other. Put this blossoming end into the eye of the needle, and you will be stitching with the grain of the floss.

This blossoming technique works on as few as 2 strands.

When preparing your thread by stripping and moistening it, lay out the prepared strands with the blossoming ends at the same end. I lay my thread to dry over the arm of the couch, and I place the blossoming end toward me and the non-blossoming ends pointing toward the floor.

Martha Beth Lewis
www.marthabeth.com
 
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Recent articles posted at PatternsPatch.com:
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The Comfort I Found in Cross Stitch.

When I first started cross stitching, I was very young.  My great grandmother taught me to cross stitch when I was about  eight years old.  It was right around the time when my parents were going through a bitter divorce.  I found a strange comfort in cross stitch.  It was calming and I was doing something I was good at.  These are important thing for a young girl to experience.  I grew older and in middle school and high school I had better things to do than cross stitch, but...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/139.cfm >

   ~X~

How to Design Cross-Stitch Projects.

Until recently your options for cross stitch patterns have been
largely limited to whatever special manufacturers of cross stitch
charts have produced and sold. Although these designs are still a
popular way of doing cross stitch, they lack exclusivity.
Thankfully, a much wider choice is now available to you.

Now, you can create your own cross stitch patterns using your own
pictures with an ever growing range of computer software
applications. These cross stitch programs vary in price from the
rather limited, free (always our favorite price) programs right
up to all singing, all-dancing, de-luxe programs costing upwards
of $1,000 and more...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/150.cfm >

   ~X~

The Right Tools to Get You Started.

Whether you are just beginning to cross stitch or are looking to
advance your skills, there are some basic supplies that you will
need in order to do just about any cross stitch project.  If you
have some basic cross-stitch on hand, it will make doing any
project easier.  Also, many of these supplies can be used on a
number of other crafts, so they are an investment in your
overall crafting enjoyment...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/146.cfm >

   ~X~

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!

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Cross Stitch Patterns Uploaded This Week
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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/214.cfm >

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

   ~X~

- "GoldFish" by Nanae

- "Naughty Chocolates"

- "Pure Polar Love"

- "Sailing"

- "Young Kudu Antelope" by Riaan

   ~X~

To view this week's gallery, here's the link again
< http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/214.cfm >

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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!
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Missed a tip of the week?  Find them all at
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/department27.cfm >
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