Hi Folks,
It’s been some time since posting, but have no fear, I am still here.
Many of you know that I host “Stitch Therapy Tuesday” every week at my studio where A group of sewing friends come to my studio for a few hours of stitching, conversation and of course, food. Yes, that’s right: we eat lunch together too.
Everyone brings her own projects to work on, which is quite interesting and informative, and we love seeing what each other is doing during the week. We bounce ideas off each other and sometimes we plan a project for a guinea pig class. We support each other in good times and not so good times, and provide “therapy” as needed. We are all members of the GNO SAGA chapter guild and have been friends for over 25 years.
Our group of about 20 participants, communicate via GroupMe app during the week while we sew. We are a driven group whose projects are quite varied. We each bring something different to the table. I would like to share with you just a few of the projects we have been working on since the quarantine. What talent!
Easter Sewing
Jane Briscoe made this lovely smocked dress for her granddaughter, Caroline using the Children’s Corner “April” bodice and her rendition of a design developed by Ann Strickler. .Combing the endless pleats.Leslye Usner created this precious sun dress for Jane’s granddaughter, Josephine, using Old Fashioned Baby’s” French Acadian Sundress”.Another view of Caroline’s sweet dress by Jane Briscoe.Leslye Usner also made this beautiful smocked dress using CC “April” bodice and her rendition of a design developed by Ann Strickler.Cute knit dresses are CC “Nora” with an added collar, made by Diane Palmisano.Diane Palmisano made these twirly skirts for her granddaughters without using a pattern with strips of fabric in her stash. Each row was cut longer and wider than the previous row to create fullness.Jeanne Buffat completed this precious smocked dress and matching sweater designed by Gail Doane.Jeanne also made this precious blue neoprene dress from a pattern download.Jeanne Buffat completed the adorable project from Peggy Burley’s class, which we attended in Baton Rouge a few weeks ago.Here is Barky Graziano’s Peggy Burley class project! Very sweet design. A closeup of the project made by Barky Graziano, featuring thread replacement and cast-on flowers.This beautiful first Communion dress was lovingly made by Diane Palmisano for her granddaughter.These two holy communion dresses were made by Diane Palmisano using “Rose” pattern by Sue Stewart Designs. The fagotted insert was adapted to the pattern and worked by hand. Beautiful!Cindy Gebbia made this adorable boy’s shirt for her grandson, who is a twin.Cindy Gebbia made this precious shift dress for her granddaughter, who is a twin.
Keep in mind that this is only the photos they have shared with me, and does not include every project they are working on.
Stay tuned for Part B in a separate post.
If you are at all familiar with my embroidery designs, you’ve probably come to the conclusion that shadow work is my all-time favorite technique. I began working on perfecting my technique of the art sometime in the mid-1990s. The basic love of the technique grew into an obsession which later resulted in the publishing of my fifth book, “Perfecting the Art of Shadow Work,” published by F+W Media.
The project with which I am demonstrating the technique is from my long ago ceased Wendy’s Embroidery Club. Although the Embroidery Club is no longer being published, the individual projects are still available by email request.
Shadow stitching animal shapes can be a bit tricky, but with a little practice, anyone can master it. The little flowers add dimension and enhance the shadow work images.I usually provide a color key in my project directions to provide a visual of the completed design.
The dress pattern includes a matching bonnet and features sizes 6 months, 1, 2, and 3.
The featured Embroidery Club project, (Volume 5; Number 1) is available via email to wendschoen@aol.com for $18.00 plus $2.00 shipping. The enclosed pattern includes sizes 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 and is tissue printed. Wendy’s Mastering Shadow Work is only available from Wendy’s Sewing Studio in limited quantities for $25.00 plus shipping. Please inquire.
I’m often asked about my embroidered French Knot stitched clusters. Sometimes it’s difficult to recognize the stitch due to the fact that I make my stitches using only one thread, usually Floche (a luxury embroidery cotton), and with only one wrap over the needle. I always outline the area to be stitched with short stem stitches in the same color as the knots inside the area. The knots are purposely crammed together with only enough space to allow for the size of the knot. If possible, I avoid placing the knots in an aligned pattern, but instead choosing to place them randomly. The result is almost sculptural and quite interesting.
A very tight closeup of the stitched berry.The cute baby romper project was featured in Wendy’s Embroidery Club. The pattern is only available in Size 2.Shoulder detail showing actual size ratio of embroidery to garment.
If you are interested in obtaining a pattern for this project, please contact me at wendschoen@aol.com. The complete pattern and detailed handout costs $20 including shipping. Please reference Embroidery Club, Volume 7, Number 1, Passion Posies.
