In 2024, my Adventures in Embroidery will feature a designer each month in different types of Embroidery. Along with other items that are used by that designer including different types of fabric and thread.
I always encourage people to search out the designer online or social media, you can find out more about their design process, see new patterns before they are released and some designers sell their patterns as instant download PDFs!
The Sampler Company was formed in 1989 by designer Brenda Keyes
"Brenda, who originally trained in graphic design had a life-long interest in embroidery, art and history.
The Sampler Company was founded in1989, when Brenda realised that samplers were her all-abiding passion. And so began a small company that has flourished and blossomed for over three decades.
To date Brenda has had seven books published and contributed to two more. Her latest booklet – The Ultimate Sampler Motifs Source Book was into reprint just months after being published."
From her website: The Sampler Company
Her designs use DMC stranded floss and each pattern comes with a thread organizer, 4 page booklet with extra alphabets/numerals/graph paper, etc.
Check out her designs on my website, I don't have all her designs listed but I can order any of her current designs
Designer - Brenda Keyes of The Sampler Company
(featured below - The Huntsman Sampler)
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Scroll bars
For large projects many people turn to scroll bars to support their fabrics. Scroll bars come in many different forms.
The classic webbing version where you sew your fabric to a length of twill tape. American Dream's No Baste version where the twill tape is replaced with a two part Velcro-style tape for easy mounting.
The newest version, the Handi-clamp hybrid style where Q-snap-style plastic clamps are used to attach your fabric to the rods.
No worries if these are not for you, each person is unique in how they stitch!
Use what you love, from hoops to Q-snaps to stitching in hand!
Embroidery Tip for March
Replace solid DMC colours with overdyed cotton floss when stitching large areas of the same colour. Be bold and make your stitching your own
TIP OF THE MONTH
Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts (GAST) threads are used in Samplers to add a tone on tone variation to the colours.
Threads are organized into collections by Thread Type so you can browse all the variations in the major types like Floss, Perle and Metallic
(also try replacing Cotton Floss with Stranded Silk)
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Rainbow Gallery Price Increase
Rainbow Gallery has not raised their prices in 2 years. I have left all my In Stock Splendor Silks at the old price until they are sold out.
Any new colours ordered will be at the new price of $7.25.
(featured on the home page)
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Pop up Stores!
I have 2 events in April
April 6: Fibre Shindig
I am joining lots of Fibre Lover's and Fibre Vendors at this event
(details above)
April 20 & 21: Spring Weekend Retreat and Pop Up Store
Meadowlark Park Hall - near Chinook Mall, Calgary
Sold out for retreaters!
Open to drop in to shop each afternoon 12-5pm
Thank you for your support of my small business!
See my Pop Up Stores Dropdown Menu for all my upcoming events