Category Archives: thread

What’s Next?

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Thanks to the many thread-a-holics out there my stock of hand-dyed threads for sale is totally depleted. (Except for the ones I’m hoarding for myself!) I’ve received many kind notes from stitchers who have used the threads in their artwork. And I want to thank you all for all your well wishes and support over the years.

So what’s next now that I’m no longer dyeing thread for the masses? I’ll tell you what!
My intention is to make even more artwork, exhibit my art, and explore new art forms.

And I’d like to encourage you to make more art too! That’s why my online Tutorials are still available for you to try. And why I will continue to create classes for Creative Spark Online Learning.

Again, thank you so much for supporting this working artist over the years!

Fair Warning: I Shall Dye No More

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I have not dyed this summer. And I’ll not be dyeing this autumn either. Why all this lack of dyeing? What’s going on?

My dyeing education began in 1973 when I worked in a costume shop at my college. By 1985 I had set up a dye shop in my home dyeing fabric for clothing. Soon I was dyeing fabric for quilt makers and my students when I became a peripatetic teacher in the early 90’s. (Gad! I’m old!)

But now my travel and teaching schedule is reduced to once, maybe twice a year. I don’t need to dye fabric or threads for my students. My personal stash of hand-dyed fabric is stacked high. And my threads use to create art runneth over. So, no. I’m dyeing for you anymore.

So this is your fair warning. I’m not replenishing the threads available for sale on the Artfabrik website. Once the thread size or colorway sells out there shall be no more.

Now is your chance to add beautiful hand-dyed threads to your stash before they are gone. And to get you motivated to stitch, I’ll include a free skein of thread (my choice of color and size) with any purchase over $100.

Simple Stitches that Surprise: French Knots

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What would we do without the French Knot? Throughout this series of simple but surprising embroidery stitches, the French Knot awaits in the wings for its glamour shot. And here it is.

What a difference that pop of orange color makes when you scatter French Knots between the spikes of the Fern Stitch! I’m using a size 12 Oranges thread that gives high contrast with the green background to liven up the design.

The lower parts of my design are stitched and I’m moving on to the upper part. It was so entertaining making up stitch combinations and playing with color, pattern, and texture using thread. Stay tuned to see what I have in store!