Archives

National Sewing Month

Sep30

Day 30

Question: Are you looking for inspiration, a little kick start, or just some eye candy? I have a few books that may help you on your creative journey, may that be a long and happy one!

Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New
Hand Embroidery Dictionary
Beaded Embroidery Stitching
The Embroidery Book
Embroidery Stitching Handy Pocket Guide
Embroidered and Embellished

Here is a re-cap of National Sewing Month 2022:

  1. September 1, 2022– Question: When did you first learn to sew, and who was your teacher?
  2. September 2, 2022– Question: How do you design a project, do you start with a plan or do you let the materials tell you what and where they want to be?
  3. September 3, 2022– Question: What type of piecing do you like to do?
  4. September 4, 2022– Question: When you choose a fabric, what are you drawn to, do you like to work with solids or prints, or hand-dyed or batiks?
  5. September 5, 2022– Question: Do you like to recycle old clothing, or use something in an unexpected way?
  6. September 6, 2022– Question: What type of embellishments to you like to work with on your projects?
  7. September 7, 2022– Question: Do you plan out every detail, or do you approach your work with serendipity?
  8. September 8, 2022– Question: Do you like to make and sew your own jewelry and adornments?
  9. September 9, 2022– Question: Did you know that the wooden spools that you have in your stash may be 50-100 years or older?
  10. September 10, 2022– Question: Do you have a favorite pincushion, or two?
  11. September 11, 2022– Rustic Americana, In Memory of 9/11
  12. September 12, 2022– Question: When you design a project, do you sometimes think, hmm I like that, but I want to try it in another colorway or design?
  13. September 13, 2022– Question: Do you plan out a project, with bits and pieces of paper lying around the workroom with your notes, or do you use a dedicated book to keep track of all of those ideas?
  14. September 14, 2022– Question: Do you name or title your projects, and how do you choose those names?
  15. September 15, 2022– Question: Do like to work with felt?
  16. September 16, 2022– Question: What sewer does not have a favorite pin or needle keep?
  17. September 17, 2022– Question: Do you sew functional forms for the home, or do you like to create whimsical additions?
  18. September 18, 2022– Question: Do you like to crazy-piece, but sometimes find the sections so small, that it is hard to embroider every seam?
  19. September 19, 2022– Question: Do you like to embroider over a pattern or print?
  20. September 20, 2022– Question: When you embroider a piece, do you like to use free-form images or do you use stencils?
  21. September 21, 2022– Question: When you create a strip-pieced base, do you embroider the seams, in the seams or over the seams?
  22. September 22, 2022– Question: What sewer hasn’t heard of the Sunbonnet Sue?
  23. September 23, 2022– Question: Do you sew functional forms or do you like to create fabulous frivolities?
  24. September 24, 2022– Question: Do you like to add lace to your creations?
  25. September 25, 2022– Question: When you are working with a group of fabrics, how do you decide what colors to use for the embroidery stitches?
  26. September 26, 2022– Question: What kind of sewing machine did you learn to sew on, and, what kind of machine do you sew on now?
  27. September 27, 2022– Question: When you see a hanky used in a project, do you ever think of Rhett Buttler’s comment to Scarlet: “Never, at any crisis of your life, have I known you to have a handkerchief.”
  28. September 28, 2022– Question: Do you ever hold on to a piece of fabric, and think, someday, I will use that?
  29. September 29, 2022– Question: When you buy a charm pack, do you often find that there are prints that you think, hmm, how did those get included in here?

I hope that you have enjoyed this month, and have found some inspiration within these pages.

Happy Stitching, ~Christen

National Sewing Month

Sep18

Day 18

Question: Do you like to crazy-piece, but sometimes find the sections so small, that it is hard to embroider every seam? In those cases, I like to “collage” embroider and embellish.

13″ x 13″

Scattered Splattered Tatters by Christen Brown

Left-over pieces of muslin fabric were crazy-pieced together, then hand quilted with perle cotton #12. Crochet, porcelain, and mother-of-pearl buttons are nestled into the lengths of tatted and machine-made lace, scattered crochet, appliqués and tatted components. The finished piece was hand-dyed with Colorhue dyes, using a Rustic Aging recipe that I created. This piece can be seen in my new book, Creative Stitching, Mixing the Old with the New, by C&T Publishing.

13 1/2″ x 13 1/2″

Wild Persimmons by Christen Brown

This piece started with a crazy-pieced base of silk and cotton fabrics, which was machine quilted in a random spiral pattern. A rayon cord was couched down with seed beads to create a pattern. The embroidery and embellishments that follow the pattern are vintage plastic and glass buttons, sequins, glass seed beads, and large beads. This piece can be seen in my book Beaded Embroidery Stitching.

Happy Stitching, ~Christen

Day 13 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May13

Day 13 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Small Works!

This is a grouping of some of my favorite embroidered treasures. I keep these in baskets on my work table and book cases so that I can see them and love them everyday! These can be found as gallery examples in my ribbonwork and embroidery books from C&T Publishing.

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 8 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May8

Day 8 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Chantilly Lady’s Lace Cuff

This is one of the bracelets that I designed for my class Chantilly Lady’s Lace Cuff.  The lace, ribbons, and threads are dyed with ColorHue dyes. The techniques included are ribbonwork, tatting, crochet, and embroidery. This piece can be found in the gallery section of my book Ribbonwork Flowers by C&T Publishing.

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 4 of FLOWERS GALORE!

May4

Day 4 of FLOWERS GALORE!

creative thread embroidery

Creative Thread Embroidery

This is a up-close view of the needle-case that is the focus of my class Creative Thread Embroidery. The stitches are raised and textured and include tatted stitches, whip stitches, bullion stitches and cast on buttonhole stitches. This needle-case and the stitches can be found in my book Embroidered and Embellished, by C&T Publishing.

Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!

Day 21 of HEARTS! Blue Jean Baby

Feb21

#1 Back of jeans

#2 Blue Jean Baby

#3 Flower Child

#4 Embroidered Hearts

Day 21 of HEARTS!

Many of you know that I love hearts! I love the shapes and all of the possibilities. In the 1st photo you see that I removed the pocket from the back leg of a pair of jeans. In the 2cd photo you see Blue Jean Baby” a small wall hanging that I made, the vase is a heart shaped doily, and it is filled with ribbonwork flowers from my first book Ribbonwork Gardens. In the 3rd photo you see the pocket adorned with a heart shaped crochet doily that my mom made. The doily is adorned with embroidered appliques, tatted flowers (that my mom made), ribbonwork flowers, silk ribbon trim and buttons. In the 4th photo you can see that I embroidered hearts onto the other side of the pant leg.

Happy February to you!

~Christen

The Crazy Corner

Dec14

Crazy Corner with Christen Brown

crazycornersample

The Crazy Corner, a master class by Christen Brown, takes the student from a pile of fabric to a finished CQ block in 16 weeks. In each 2 hour lesson you will learn comprehensive information that can be applied not only to crazy piecing, but in other aspects of your creative work.
Due to amount of information covered in each class, the student is required to have the experience and expertise listed in the description under each week’s class listing. Hand embroidery and sewing skills are a must; some ribbonwork and bead embroidery knowledge is also helpful.

If you are new to embroidery may I suggest my book Embroidered and Embellished and my class The Embroidery Corner Series.

Week 1: Organizing Your Components and Color Theory 101 $20.00

lesson1square1Learn how to choose fabrics; combine textures and colors; and how to bring in additional colors with ribbon and lace. Explore the embroidery choices with thread, silk embroidery ribbon and beads. Identify and assign color names and numbers to your fabrics, trims, threads etc.

Week 2: NO-Sew Square $20.00

lesson2square1Create a CQ base that does not require any machine sewing. Some hand-sewing may be needed, but for the most part the fabrics are adhered to a muslin base with a fusible web.

Week 3: Custom Dyeing Laces and Ribbons $30.00

lesson3square1Learn to dye laces, ribbon and threads using ColorHue dyes. I will bring the dyes for you to use during class time. *Please note: this class is a 3 hour class.

Week 4: Baskets and Spider Webs $20.00

lesson4square1Create baskets from lace, ribbon and embroidery stitches. Embroider a variety of spider web shapes. Student must be familiar with hand sewing skills, and these embroidery stitches: blanket, chain, coral, couched, fly, pistil, outline, stem and straight stitches.

Week 5: Fans, Yo-Yo’s and Rosettes $20.00

lesson5square1Create a vintage looking Dresden fan from ribbon and fabric; create a crazy pieced fan and fabric yo-yos; create a ribbon rosette. Student must be familiar with hand sewing skills.

Week 6: Embroidered and Couched Vines $20.00

lesson6square1Create vines using the split stitch, couched stitch, chain stitch and a single crochet stitch (Christen’s own needle stitch). Student must be familiar with the first three embroidery stitches, and single chain crochet before class.

Week 7: Border Rows: Embroidered $20.00

lesson7square1Create a mini square from your leftover fabrics to audition color chart choices on (this will be used later as a pocket on the back of the CQ square. Then learn how to document progress using a diagram of CQ square, and graph paper. Then embroider border row stitches and their variations. Student must be familiar with embroidery stitches before class.

Week 8: Birds Nests, Baubles and Buttons $20.00

lesson8square1Learn to create a woven, tatted or lace bird’s nest that can be filled with pearls or beads. Create ribbon baubles and buttons to stitch into vignettes. Student must be familiar with hand sewing skills.

Week 9: Vignettes of Flowers and Leaves $20.00

lesson9square1Create ribbonwork and silk embroidery ribbon flowers, ribbonwork and embroidered leaves. Student must be familiar with hand sewing skills, and be familiar with silk ribbon embroidery.

Week 10: Decorative Stitches: Embroidered $20.00

lesson10square1Embroider lazy daisy, fly, chain, closed blanket and bullion stitch variations and designs. Student must be familiar with these embroidery stitches before class.

Week 11: Decorative Stitches: Beaded $20.00

lesson11square1Embroider beaded flowers, sequin flowers, beaded leaves and more. Students should have some knowledge of beads and their sizes before class.

Week 12: Detail Stitches: Embroidered and Beaded $20.00

lesson12square1Embroidered French, Colonial and Chinese knots and straight embroidery stitches. Beaded centers and details will also be covered. Student must be familiar with the embroidery stitches before class and have some knowledge of beads and their sizes before class.

Week 13: Bugs and More! $20.00

lesson13square1Create butterflies, bees, spiders, lady bugs and snails with embroidery or ribbonwork techniques. Students must be familiar with the lazy daisy, fly, chain and French knot embroidery stitches, as well as ribbonwork techniques before class.

Week 14: Beaded Extras $20.00

lesson14CQCreate tiny beaded extras that can be sewn into a vignette including beaded flowers, leaves, stars and more. Students should have some knowledge of beads and their sizes before class.

Week 15: Vignettes: Buttons, Beads and Charms $20.00

lesson15CQsquareGrouping, displaying, and sewing buttons, beads, charms and more. Bonus extra: learn to create a specialize charm or button using a photograph or special card.

Week 16: Bindings, Finishing Touches $20.00

finished cq squareLecture: Variety of bindings, stabilizers, and finishing touches.

Student: Personalized suggestions, support and answers for each student.

For a look at past students work, please see Crazy Corner: Students Work.

Class Details:

These classes are listed with the price per visit.

Date and time: This class is not currently on the schedule.

For information on the series, please contact me: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com

The above class fees reflect the content, the handout and any supplies noted in the description of each specific class. Once the fee of a class is paid for, you will receive a handout in an email, which will need to be printed and brought to class.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

The Embroidery Corner

Jul1

The Embroidery Corner

embroidery corner

The Embroidery Corner is a 16-week course that will introduce the student to hand embroidery techniques including traditional stitches using perle cotton and cotton floss; silk embroidery ribbon stitches using silk ribbon especially made for embroidery;  and bead embroidery stitches using seed beads, buttons and charms. It is required that you buy my book Embroidered and Embellished as I refer to the book during each class.

Each class will cover one embroidery stitch and it’s variations; or several related stitches and variations. These stitches included border row, decorative and detail stitches. The stitches will be worked on a muslin sampler that you can turn into a book of samplers. You will receive a handout for each class, which explains the stitch, how to use the stitch, and the variations of the stitch.

embroidery corner

The first day of the series I will have a 15 minute lecture that covers the Embroidery Basics for the first 12 classes. I will also have a basic lecture for bead and silk ribbon embroidery stitches.

Here is a list of the classes that are offered:

  1. Embroidery Basics/ Knots and Detail Stitches
  2. Outline and Stem Stitches and More
  3. Lazy Daisy Stitch and Variations
  4. Chain Stitch and Variations
  5. Fly Stitch and Variations
  6. Feather Stitch and Variations
  7. Blanket Stitch and Variations
  8. Blanket and Buttonhole Shapes
  9. Cross, Herringbone and Chevron Stitches and their Variations
  10. Modern Fern and Cretan Stitches and their Variations
  11. Looped Stitches and Variations
  12. Bead Embroidery Basics/ Beaded Stitches and Variations
  13. Ribbon Embroidery Basics/ Ribbon Embroidery Stitches
  14. Woven Ribbon Embroidery Stitches and Variations
  15. Whip-Stitches and Variations
  16. Couched and Embroidered Trims

These classes are $20 per visit, you can attend any or all. The class fee includes a picture of the sampler and the written instructions for the class.

Date and time: This class is not currently scheduled.

For information on the series, please contact me: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Chantilly Lady’s Lace Cuff: class/tutorial

Dec5

Chantilly Lady’s Lace Cuff: 4 lessons/$42.00

chantilly1This lovely lace cuff is reminiscent of tranquil days lounging on an overstuffed satin pouf, or demurely sashaying along a tree-lined avenue, parasol in hand. Two separate processes, one with Texture Magic, and the other with Solvy make the base of the cuff and the lace frill; pre-made lace will also be used. There are two styles to choose from that will be embellished with needle-tatted and crochet components, ribbonwork flowers, a few silk ribbon embroidery stitches, beads and buttons. The base can be left in the natural colors of the lace, or you can dye the components with the self-setting Colorhue dyes (no other dye will be covered). Please also note that basic crochet knowledge will be very helpful.

Skill Level Advanced: sewing machine, embroidery, ribbonwork and crochet knowledge needed

Lesson 1: In this lesson you will explore working with Texture Magic, making the base of the bracelet with bits of lace enmeshed on the top. The next step is to take the Solvy and small amounts of lace turning them into a lacey trim for the cuff.

Lesson 2. In this lesson you will dye the base, lace frill, any extra lace trims and appliqués along with the perle cotton and ribbons.

Lesson 3: In this lesson you will be making the floral components. Directions for beginning needle tatting with four basic stitches; two basic crochet flowers will be included, it is recommended that you have crochet experience. Directions for four ribbonwork flowers round out the floral components.

Lesson 4. In this lesson the floral components and appliqués will be assembled onto the base, adding in a few silk ribbon embroidery stitches. Embellishments will also include a few beads and buttons. Directions will be provided for assembling the base cuff and lace frills.

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule.The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching!

~Christen

 

Brigadoon- silk ribbon embroidered vest

May26

Brigadoon- silk ribbon embroidered vest

Brigadoon- silk ribbon embroidered vest

Being an artist I am inspired by all that I see, past and present. One of my favorite things to do is turn on an old movie, a classic, such as Brigadoon for instance with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. The colors of the fabrics used in this vest reminded me of the tartans worn in the movie and of course my mother’s own Scottish heritage.

The vest which is a sample of my Quelque Fleurs class and purse is from my Fleurs de France class. These are both made from silk, dyed cotton and tapestry fabrics that are curved pieced to fit the shape of the pattern. The ribbon flowers and ruching are made from satin and velvet ribbons. The vest has a few pieces of vintage lace around the seams and in the back with additional hand tatted flowers that I made from a vintage spool of buttonhole twist.

The flowering gardens of silk ribbon embroidery are embellished further with vintage sequins, glass charms shaped like lilies, buttons and beads; also used were new glass beads and glass charms. The back of the vest displays a vintage button, that had been a gift from a student. The button had previously been owned by her great aunt quite a lady who had traveled to the west coast on a covered wagon in her youth!

Happy Stitching, enjoy your memories, write them down! Christen