A hot topic around Nordic these days is how to keep the stitching arts alive through education. When I started working here the only “stitching” I did was knitting and machine, and then it was only as far as simple sweaters, scarves, and the occasional article of clothing. I had no idea how vast the world of stitching was! What I thought would be a very low-key retail job turned into this (nearing 5 year long) epic adventure into the world of needlework. That got me thinking: if I had no idea what these techniques were until serendipitously stumbling into this position, then there were millions of others who were just as ignorant as myself out there! What to do? It seems like the major following and “continuing” stitchers are the wiser and experienced lot, not the young crowd of go-go-getters and next-cool-thingers none the wiser to the traditional techniques of our mother generations. What I found disheartening was that my mother had, at one time, been into embroidery, and she still enjoys Crewel (and wants to learn cross stitch), but growing up she was just too busy being a single mother of two for stitching, so I never had the opportunity to be interested. How many other 20-somethings out there were in the same position growing up? Probably a lot.

Now, as the generation gap continues to widen, it seems like more and more needlearts are becoming stuck, almost corralled within their age groups of those few and amazing dedicated stitchers. So, how do we get the word out? How do we create the resurgence in traditional embroidery techniques that knitting and sewing had several years ago? Or is it all just adapting to modern use and form?

It seems like it would be easier to share all these wonderful techniques utilizing the new technological tools like the internet and social media, but it still seems difficult to GRAB that attention. Especially when fighting against video games and the general fast-paced lifestyles that so many of us have.

So, with all that being said, we’re looking to you to share your opinions and insight with us:

If you have children:
• Did/do you share your embroidery knowledge with them?
• If so, are they still embroidering now?
• What have you taught? What was it like? What did you learn?
• What type of art do you think kids/young adults are interested in these days?
• Who’s the youngest person you know who stitches? What type of projects do they do?
• What kind of projects do you think middle schoolers would be interested in? High schoolers? College students?

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

So sure, maybe the doilies of yore aren’t going to be as exciting as the free-form embroidery of new, but I still think traditional Hardanger runners, tablecloths, and tatted table centers (plus so many more techniques I just adore) still have the flare and beauty to dress my tables (and walls, and counters, and dressers… =). We hope to create more opportunities for the younger generations to experience these lovely techniques, through clubs and reaching out within our own community, but we want your feedback too! Let us know what you think, share your ideas for keeping these beautiful techniques strong, and how you envision them either having a modern makeover or marketing their vintage prestige.

Written by: Ryan

Does anyone remember those older DMC travel rolls that were great for storing your floss? They used the StitchBow system and were super handy. We were discontinuing the travel rolls when I first started and I kept saying to myself, “I need to get one of those before we’re all sold out…” but then I never did and they were gone so fast. :(

But! DMC has now released a bright new patterned travel bag and stitch bow roll, and they were so pretty and fancy I couldn’t help but think pageant material. So this is what happens when it’s nearing the end of the day, I’ve had way too much caffeine, and I’ve got some awesome new, pretty bags that I just have to share with you guys! Gadget Pageant Q & A with the NEW StitchBow DMC Travel Bag and Roll! ;)

Written by: Ryan

Woven Triple Spokes

After wrapping of the bars is complete, bring your needle up at point A, two threads into the fabric. Insert the needle in the center hole B. As the thread is brought back to A, wrap it around the suspended thread two times, keeping the suspended thread tight at all times. Insert the needle at A and bring it out at C. Repeat the procedure to produce a second suspended spoke. Insert the needle at C and bring it out at D. Insert needle at B and bring it up between the wrapped bar and the D thread. Now start to weave by passing the needle over the D thread, under the C thread, and over the A thread. See diagram 18A. Weave back by passing the needle under A, over C, and under D. Continue weaving in this manner until the space is filled. Insert the needle into the satin stitch block and move to the next corner (18B). Repeat all the way around.

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Written by: Ryan

Flower Filling

To create our Flower Filling stitch, take the double circular web one step further by adding another web in the center, like doing a Dove’s eye. When finishing, conceal the thread behind the loop of the circular web taking it out to the kloster block to bury your thread.

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Written by: Ryan

Double Circular Web

To do the Double Circular Web you work the circular web without the additional twists. The second circle is created by running the needle through the loops of the circular web. Finish by inserting the needle into the hole where the web began.

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Written by: Ryan

Circular Web

The circular web is worked like the enclosed web but the stitch placement is different. Refer to the diagram to see that you bring your needle out between the 4th and 5th bars then again between the 9th and 10th bars. The diagram shows a second round where you make two twists around each loop as you work around the inner web.

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Written by: Ryan