Crewel Embroidery Samples

So this weekend, I started stitching samples of crewel embroidery techniques.  Each block is a 2"x2" square and I've been alternating trellis patterns with motifs so far, though I can't promise I won't change this going forward.  I just found that I was drawn to a number of the trellis patterns that I saw though researching and thought it would be too busy and heavy if I did straight blocks of trellis alternatives.  

This also brings me to an important note about my research.  Here are the books I have found most useful so far:

Here is a link to a review from The Unbroken Thread Blog.

Preparing to Start the RSN Certificate in Hand Embroidery Program!!!!!!

I am getting ready to start working on the Royal School of Needlework Certificate course (click here for more info).  I'll be completing the Jacobean Crewel Embroidery and Silk Shading modules this summer, so I thought I would share some of my prep work for my pieces that I'll be completing.  Below are some of my ideas for my composition for the Crewel Embroidery module.  I hope you enjoy!

I believe my favorite so far is the last one on the left.  However, it still seems a bit unbalanced to me.  I think it needs a carnation on the right side- maybe it's replacing the lily-of-the-valley on the bottom right sketch with a carnation or maybe it's adding a small flower on the hills.   Hmmmm.... more sketches needed!

Warwick Cosmo Sampler Progress!

I am so excited to make some time to work on this again!   I have been working on the grass and stems of the Warwick Sampler (named after Warwick, NY where I took the photo).  I am experimenting with using the smooth passing with DMC floss using the needle-weaving technique you see on stumpwork to make tiny 3-dimensional flowers and leaves.  I thought it would be exciting to take this technique and scale it up to the full size of the grass blades.  Each blade is created using a different combination of smooth passing and DMC.  There are a few that I wanted to use only the smooth passing for contrast.  I wanted to try seeing how tight I could weave the smooth passing, what would happen if the weaving was fairly loose, and all the in-betweens!  My main goal was to have the blades come off the surface as much as possible.  More to come this week!