Modern Crewel Embroidery Book Tour

12/11/2021

When the very lovely Jo Avery asked me to be part of the book tour for her wonderful new book, I was over the moon! I love Jo's work and I also love Crewel embroidery so I was excited to pick a project and get started. Her book is full of colourful, fun designs, it was hard to pick just one thing! I chose to make the Tendrils Pot because I love the variety of stitches involved and it will also be so pretty to have on display when finished.

I love working with Appleton's Crewel Wool. They have a beautiful array of colours and it gives a lovely, fluffy, wooly texture when stitched up. If you've never used it before, it has some bounce to it whilst stitching, so the experience is very different to using embroidery stranded cottons.

I chose to stitch it on Essex linen in the oyster colour. Combining the texture of linen and wool gave the piece a really unique feel. To line the pot and add a contrast, I paired the linen with some Liberty tana lawn in a beautiful turquoise colour with pops of pink.

The only adjustments I made (apart from the colours) was to just make the pot a bit taller that the original. I'm so happy with how it turned out I might make another one!

Modern Crewel Embroidery is an excellent book, great for anyone who enjoys crewel embroidery or is looking to try for the first time. Check out Jo Avery's website here to find out more about her and how to buy the book. I am also giving away a free E book on my Instagram page if you'd like to enter. Thank you so much Jo for inviting me to be part of this book tour and congratulations on another wonderful publication.

6 Comments

Cheryl Tallafuss

8/12/2021 10:13:59 pm

Dear Emma,
I’ve been watching your YouTube videos for 4 hours. I can hardly believe how much we have in common. ( other than I’m brand new to this sort of stitching and I’m thrilled that I’ve been watching each and every video to answered some of my most important questions. You have answered all I can even begin to think of. Thank you so much for sharing your sweet dreams. What got you started, sharing your sons birthday gift with me was so delightful as paddington bear was my most beloved story and still is. Well a close to Beatrix porter “ The Tailor of Gloucester” we both adore Jane Austen, and her fabric is delightful. I almost fell over when you pulled it out to create your very talented “Traveling sewing table” as I have the same fabric and have not touched it ( yet)
Thank you for sharing your lovely story, your sewing room and you going from Hobby to business”
Thank you for sharing your desire for natural oils. I too am a fan. Lavender ( my favorite at the end of a day where I’ve seemingly been all over the place. If you know what I mean.
Anyway. I’d love to purchase some items.
I bought the pens and refill today from Amazon . I do have DMC that is only 1 year old as I started teaching myself cross stitch on linen and some slow stitch while o was unwell with Covid.
I won’t keep you.
I’ll go to your shop. I also purchased the book you mentioned in one of your videos. She is exactly what I need to hear. That I’m not the only one who has anxiety and working with my hands is an absolute blessing. Amazon had that as well. Oh I’m in the states.
So my question is, I’d like to purchase the paper hexagon et from you. Regardless of our distance, I’m so completely comfortable with you it’s as though I’ve known you my entire life.
I printed your free pattern as well. I’ll practice until my paper comes.
I’ve been a collector of fine French fabrics cs linens and laces for 33 years. I’m so excited to begin using them. Most from my dear mother in law and her mum from Denmark. Dad in law was from Austria and I’m fortunate to say that I’ve been to see both. Next stop England ! An English cortège with a garden. Then off to do a Jane Austen tour. I’ve taken the one they have on the internet.
I’m also joinging a collaboration with 2 dear friends. Rachel ( Italy ) Roxie creation and her sister Sarah.
I’m a homemade journal designer and creator. I adore mixing textiles with my hand dyed organic papers. I use blueberries, avocados, and fruit teas. I’m very much a girl and my style is pastels and all things shabby chic.
I’m on Instagram and will start to follow you. I’m so very excited and feel so hindered to meet you at such a time as this. Although I love working with paper , textiles is my first live. I’ve been sewing by machine since I was 9 years old and created my own quilt ( doll size ) at age 11. I have made many but, my hands are not strong enough to create them. I’m looking for a relaxing beginning of my day and same with the end. In the middle I will create my journals and so much more. Incorporating both will be very unique and help me with my anxiety. You see when I got Covid in February 2020 I did not know. I found out once I began having all of the long term side effects. Heart, memory ( short term( getting better glory to god) and the biggest besides taste and smell not returning is it’s affects caused me to loose 18 % of my vision ( retinopathy) it’s getting repaired in 2 weeks as long as I get the ok from my cardiologist.
Anyway to learn this is a dream.
I’m so sorry to keep you and chatter on but, I’m absolutely stunned that I found you.
And so over the moon.
I’ll shop the papers now. Wish me luck that I purchase the right items. I can’t spend too much as I’m no longer able to work. My immune system is highly compromised. I like to stay home. Work in my gardens in the early morning. Take walks and take pictures along my way.
I work on my journals and videos ( just began attempting to inspire others in my paper scissors glue and so much more because I’ve been so inspired by so many for 4 years.
Congratulations on your book tour. The height ? Great choice. The cruel word simply stunning. My mum in law is so happy ( she’s had her 106 year heavenly birthday but, like your man my mum in law was an avid embroiderer , cruel and seem stress . Amazingly beautiful items she designed and created in her lifetime. I’m so fortunate to have some of them.
Thank you again. I hope I was not too chatty. I will look in the shop. Perhaps if questions arise I can ask. I don’t want to purchase anything I do not need right away.
Many blessings on your book tour.
A new very faraway friend.
Cheryl

Emma

19/1/2022 10:28:25 am

Hi Cheryl, Thank you so much for such a lovely message and I am so sorry I only just saw it. It certainly sounds like we have so much in common and love all of the same things, how lovely! I hope you found the items you were after without any problem, if you need any help do get in touch. My email is emma@vintagesewingbox.co.uk and I read them daily so I definitely won't miss your message and you will get a much quicker reply from me. I hope you are feeling ok, I am sorry to hear you got long covid. Take good care of yourself and hope to hear from you soon, Emma

Mary Sanchez

23/12/2021 03:45:28 am

Hello, Emma.
Just wanted to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a very prosperous New Year, and also to say a big Thank You for all the quiet inspiration and encouragement you have provided us over this past year. I love your videos on YouTube, and adore your sweet projects. It really makes me happy to know that the needle arts that I grew up with will continue to inspire another generation. Good fortune with your pattern and project publishing indeavours, as well--you'll be smashing!!

Best regards,
Mary

19/1/2022 10:30:04 am

Hi Mary, thank you so much for your lovely message and I must apologise for my delayed reply, I don't get notifications of comments here anymore which is a shame. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your kind and supportive words, it honestly means so so much to me. Take care, Emma

Paula Madison

31/1/2022 11:49:38 pm

Love your videos! Paper piecing hexagons is my addiction,I love them too.Your work is meticulous and the colors you work with are delicious. I can’t wait to see what is coming in the future. Thank you so much. Paula

Zee

17/2/2022 01:26:53 pm

What a wonderful craft this is, all new to me. You make it look so easy and beautiful. So enjoying all you do and will be giving EPP a try.

Modern Crewel Embroidery Book Tour

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