Question of the Week: Embroidery Hoops?

Hi all! It's been a while since I posted, but I'd love to get back into the swing of things, and what better way than to post a few of the questions we get via email!

Today's question comes from Ethel, who asks:

Having been a fabric artist for years, I’m still discovering embroidery and I’ve run into a snag. I can’t seem to buy any embroidery hoops here where I live. Michael’s said they don’t sell them any more, and 2 Walmart stores had none.
 
What do I have to do different to embroider without a hoop, as different from embroidering with a hoop?

As for myself, I have definitely had the hoop problem as well. My local craft stores stock very few wooden hoops, which are the ones I use most in crafts that I give away. I use the same plastic hoops for my larger projects over and over again. If I have to purchase a big batch of hoops, I usually go to Ebay, and snap up whatever vintage hoops I can find there.

Most of the hoops I used in the project below were scored on Ebay, and you can tell from the slightly different finishes:

Now, I'm opening it up to all of you, because I am curious - where do you find your hoops? What are your favorites? Do any of you stitch without hoops, and if so, what advice can you give? :)

Posted by Feeling Stitchy on Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Be sure to click over to our Facebook group post above, there are some good suggestions there, too!

Friday Instagram Finds No. 45 with Femmebroidery

Happy Friday, Stitchers! I hope you've had a fabulous week, and a weekend filled with stitchy plans. It's officially Spring this week in the Northern hemisphere, and I have a great idea for your leftover bits of embroidery floss. I stuff my leftover bits of floss from projects in a Mason jar, and then each Spring I spread it out on the bushes and trees in my yard. The birds take it, and integrate the floss into their nests, making them very colorful! This year, I also put out one of those small, wire cages that you'd normally put suet cakes into, and stuffed it full of floss bits, too.

This week we're taking a look at @femme.broidery. Maria is a hand embroidery artist, and she makes beautiful and colorful pieces. I just love her animal prints with embroidered accents. I'm still trying to figure out what kind of fabric she uses - whatever it is, it's awesome! Her Instagram feed does feature some hoops with R rated words on them, so if you're easily offended, you've been forewarned. I love everything she does, and I think most of you will, too. Take a look!

@femme.broidery

A photo posted by Maria Arseniuk (@femme.broidery) on Mar 14, 2016 at 11:52am PDT

A photo posted by Maria Arseniuk (@femme.broidery) on Mar 12, 2016 at 10:02am PST

A photo posted by Maria Arseniuk (@femme.broidery) on Mar 9, 2016 at 1:03pm PST

That's it for this week's edition of Friday Instagram Finds! Join in the conversation by commenting below. While you're on Instagram checking out Maria's work at @femme.broidery make sure you follow Feeling Stitchy! We'd love for you to stop by and say hello. You can find Feeling Stitchy on Instagram at the handle @feelingstitchyish. You can find Amy @randomactsofamy on Instagram.

Want to be featured in Friday Instagram Find? Tag your best stitch-related photos with #feelingstitchyig!

Stitchy Snippets - Bringing Life to Textiles

Textiles that interact and react to nature and its elements. Elaine Yan Ling Ng's collections entitled Naturology and Climatology mimic the gentle and subtle motion of nature and bring life to her textiles. Take a look at this video to see her textile work in action.

Naturology uses smart materials combined with the natural characteristics of wood to respond to varying external conditions. Climatology incorporates 'layers of veneer with fabric, reactive dyes and reflective surfaces to create objects that adapt to fluctuations in light, temperature and humidity.' In her words Elaine's work challenges 'preconceived limitations and increases the potential of textiles.'

A sculptor, weaver and scientist, Elaine has also developed a range of durable fabric that can be moulded into 3D structures and retain shape. This range of textiles uses copper, cellophane and polyester.

Last year Elaine collaborated with Swarovski to create an installation for the Swarovski Designers of the Future Award. Elaine's spectacular piece 'Sundew' is inspired by the tiny carnivorous Sundew plant. The lamp like sculptures are infused with Swarovski crystals.

Sundew for Swarovski

MooshieStitch Monday: Little Chick Embroidery

** Free Easter Embroidery Pattern Alert **

This post is to let you know about this adorable free little chick embroidery pattern  I found on the Shiny Happy World blog.

Here is how I stitched it:






I followed her idea of stitching over an appliqué - so I stitched over yellow felt and then added some flowers!

Isn't this little chick the cutest pattern??


FYI:

If you are looking for another project for Easter, check out this Embroidered Felt Easter Egg pattern on Shiny Happy World also (for FREE and with tutorial!)

Friday Instagram Finds No. 44 with Sea of Stars

Hello Stitchy Friends! March 20, 2016 marks one year since I started publishing Friday Instagram Finds! We're not at number 52 yet because when I first started publishing the feature, I was doing it bi-weekly. I hope you've enjoyed meeting the needle artists I've featured over the past year as much as I have.

Let's take a look at @sea_ofstars today! Emily used #feelingstitchyig on Instagram, which is how I first encountered her work. She creates clever constellation and Universe embroideries, and the cutest pet and animal embroideries. Take a look!

@sea_ofstars

A photo posted by Emily Oliver (@sea_ofstars) on Nov 9, 2015 at 12:27pm PST

A photo posted by Emily Oliver (@sea_ofstars) on Nov 19, 2015 at 3:17am PST

A photo posted by Emily Oliver (@sea_ofstars) on Jan 5, 2016 at 8:01am PST

That's it for this week's edition of Friday Instagram Finds! Join in the conversation by commenting below. While you're on Instagram checking out Emily's work at @sea_ofstars make sure you follow Feeling Stitchy! We'd love for you to stop by and say hello. You can find Feeling Stitchy on Instagram at the handle @feelingstitchyish. You can find Amy @randomactsofamy on Instagram.

Want to be featured in Friday Instagram Find? Tag your best stitch-related photos with #feelingstitchyig!

MooshieStitch Monday: Little Felt Peeps

If you are a reader in the States, you are well aware it is currently the season of Peeps.

They are in every store for Easter right now.

Although I am not a fan of eating Peeps, I wanted to include them somehow in a simple embroidery project, especially after I found this free Peeps pattern.

Here is what I did:

I traced the pattern onto freezer paper (onto the non-shiny side).

Place the freezer paper Peeps (shiny side down) onto felt and hold your iron over the pattern for about 5 seconds.

I used basic craft felt and set my iron to the Acrylic/Silk (no steam) setting. The freezer paper will adhere to the felt just long enough for you to cut them and the paper will peel right off.

I have never used freezer paper like this before and it works great! I will definitely use this method again.

Then I whip stitched each Peep onto my fabric.

Yellow Peep...

Pink Peep...

Purple Peep...

I stitched french knots for the eyes and nose.

I thought it needed something extra so I added some flowers.

Per the Peeps wiki page, it says they are sold in Canada also (you lucky Canadians!), so I am curious if any readers out there know if they are sold anywhere else in the world!

I hope you liked this little Peeps project. If you decide to use the pattern for an embroidery project or anything else, let me know. I would love to see!

Also, have you ever used freezer paper for tracing patterns??

Friday Instagram Finds No. 43 with My Stitching Journey

Happy, happy Friday, stitchers! Today I'm introducing you to Catherine of the Instagram account @mystitchingjourney. She does quite a bit of work with thread painting, and her artwork is lovely! She also creates needle lace, which is something I haven't tried yet. She made a bullion knot bunny on a little pink kids' t-shirt that is just adorable! (You can see it below). I discovered @mystitchingjourney because Catherine used #feelingstitchyig. Take a look at Catherine's embroidery!

@mystitchingjourney

A photo posted by Catherine Patterson (@mystitchingjourney) on Dec 18, 2015 at 1:45am PST

A photo posted by Catherine Patterson (@mystitchingjourney) on Jan 3, 2016 at 12:59pm PST

A photo posted by Catherine Patterson (@mystitchingjourney) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:43pm PST

That's it for this week's edition of Friday Instagram Finds! Join in the conversation by commenting below. While you're on Instagram checking out Catherine's work at @mystitchingjourney make sure you follow Feeling Stitchy! We'd love for you to stop by and say hello. You can find Feeling Stitchy on Instagram at the handle @feelingstitchyish. You can find Amy @randomactsofamy on Instagram.

Want to be featured in Friday Instagram Find? Tag your best stitch-related photos with #feelingstitchyig!

Craftster Hoopla Along for March: Mythology

Who is ready for another month of the Craftster Hoopla Along?  The theme for March is: Mythology. Have a favorite deity? Dig that crazy siren's song? Wanna ride a unicorn? This month's theme is for you! As always, you have a chance to win a prize!  Check out the details below:

Craftster March Hoopla Along

You have from now until March 31, 2016 to post your hoop on Craftster HERE. 

There will be a random drawing for a 20.00 Amazon gift card. You have to post a hoop on Craftster to be eligible for the drawing. 

Read more about the hoopla along on Craftster.org. 

Stitchy Snippets - Organic Needlework

Dwelling

Susanna Bauer specialises in delicate organic sculptures crafted from leaves, stones, wood and cotton yarn.

Internal Workings

Close Small

Bauer stitches the materials precisely and accurately using embroidery and crochet to embellish as well as a means of construction.

Cube Tree No.2

Susanna Bauer's latest collection of intricate sculptures and art pieces are now on exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World in Exeter, UK and will be coming to the Muriel Guepin Gallery in New York next week.

Friday Instagram Finds No. 42 with Little Twig Designs

Happy Friday, stitchers! Do you have a weekend filled with stitching plans? I've created some new patterns, and I'm so excited to get to stitching this weekend!

This week I'd like to introduce you to Jessica of the Instagram account @littletwigdesigns. The first thing you'll notice about her Instagram feed is that it's GORGEOUS! Her pictures are so pretty and beautifully staged. I really appreciate this in an Instagram feed :)

Jessica uses Dandelyne mini hoop necklaces to create embroidered pieces that look like miniature weavings. She uses color and and a variety of stitches to add texture and depth to each piece. I discovered @littletwigdesigns because Jessica used #feelingstitchyig. Take a look at some pictures from her feed!

@littletwigdesigns

A photo posted by Little Twig Designs (@littletwigdesigns) on Feb 17, 2016 at 1:27am PST

A photo posted by Little Twig Designs (@littletwigdesigns) on Feb 12, 2016 at 2:34am PST

A photo posted by Little Twig Designs (@littletwigdesigns) on Feb 18, 2016 at 9:31pm PST

A photo posted by Little Twig Designs (@littletwigdesigns) on Jan 27, 2016 at 10:55am PST

That's it for this week's edition of Friday Instagram Finds! Join in the conversation by commenting below. While you're on Instagram checking out Jessica's work at @littletwigdesigns make sure you follow Feeling Stitchy! We'd love for you to stop by and say hello. You can find Feeling Stitchy on Instagram at the handle @feelingstitchyish. You can find Amy @randomactsofamy on Instagram.

Want to be featured in Friday Instagram Find? Tag your best stitch-related photos with #feelingstitchyig!