If you've been reading for awhile you know I am smitten with Alicia Paulson's latest book Embroidery Companion
. First it was the "blossom napkins" and then the "eyelet sampler." Nearly every project out of the thirty brings me inspiration and a desire to stitch. What better way to stay motivated to complete these lovely projects then with a Sew Along! Alicia has included embroidery projects for each and every level. She has an excellent way of explaining each project so that it feels easy and doable even to the novice sewer. In all honestly I haven't been doing embroidery for very long myself. I know if I can do these projects each month, you can too! We'll both be amazed with ourselves when we look around and see all the beautiful creations we've made.
The Embroidery Companion Sew Along will be a monthly sew along all through 2011 beginning the first of January. This will give everyone time to order their books or perhaps you could put it on your Christmas wish lists!
How the Sew Along Will Work!
- I will announce the embroidery pattern on or around the first of each month. A few months may have an bonus project. I'm not sure if we will complete all thirty projects but we will do a majority of them.
- You will need to join the Embroidery Companion Sew Along Group on Flickr. This way we can each ooh and ahh over all our lovely stitches! It is very easy and free to set up of Flickr account if you don't have one already.
- When you finish the month's project take some pictures and post them on Flickr and your blog if you'd like. Please be sure to link back to this post. (My husband and I are working on creating a badge button for you to use.)
- I am also trying to organize some monthly prizes to those who participate. More details to follow on that. (If you'd be interested in donating something as a giveaway item please contact me at annette (at) sunday-special (dot) net.)
To kick off this Sew Along, Alicia has been very generous and sent me a signed copy of her book, Embroidery Companion
to give away to one lovely reader. To be entered leave a comment on this post telling me of your experience with embroidery. Comments will close on Sunday December 12th at 8pm PT. The winner will be selected and announced on Monday the 13th. Good luck and happy stitching ahead!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE:
Thank you Annette! I am so honored that you are doing a sew-along for Embroidery Companion and am very much looking forward to seeing what everyone makes! xoxo, alcia
ReplyDeleteHow lovely and creative - I'm also looking forward to seeing what you make! :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that? I have been coveting the book, I have to admit, and I have been saving away all my pennies to acquire it as soon as I can! I would love the opportunity to be gifted this book and take part in the sew-along! My experiences with embroidery... hmmm... I am currently converting a set of cute little machine embroidery pattern cats into redwork for my little girl's quilt for Christmas. It has been fun but I am dying for the project to end so I can put it all together and floof it onto her big girl bed!
ReplyDeleteThank you for a wonderful giveaway!
Wendy
dawsonwe AT gmail DOT com
I can't wait to follow the Sew Along on flickr, I began embroidering in fifth grade, but only recently picked it up again, so this will be a fun way to stretch my skills!
ReplyDeleteI've put this book on my Christmas "Wish List"--- I'm so glad someone is hosting such a sew-along! FUN!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI learned how to embroider from my mother as a little girl. I have embroidered details on aprons, handkerchiefs, and pillowcases. I would love to win Alicia's book and try some new applications of this wonderful art :)
ReplyDeleteKatie
I am so excited you are doing this. I have been checking in on flickr every now and then to see if an "embroidery companion" group has been started. When I saw it had, I was pumped! I started cross stitching when I was in elem. school, and more recently have fallen in love with embroidery. When I found the "stitchettes" from weewonderfuls, about 3 years ago, it started a new love affair! And I have been reading and loving Alicia since then too. I would love to win this book for sure...that would be sweet!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love to win this book, I am a huge fan of Posie Gets Cosy. I haven't embroidered since I was about 12, although I do a lot of knitting and sewing so I would be very glad to have an excuse to try it out again.
ReplyDeleteLaura x
Oooh! What a fun idea! I started embroidery when I was 9 and joined 4-H. I haven't done anything in ages, but recently have had a desire to start again. I really want Alicia's book. Wish I could get to her book signing tonight. sigh. But a sew along will be just what I need!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lovely book. I knit and sew a lot, I would love to add embroider to that list! Katie
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! I have been planning to purchase this book anyhow, so I'll just wait a few days and hope that I'm lucky enough to win.
ReplyDeleteThe sew along sounds divine.
I'm making the animals quilt right now! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my, how i want this book!! thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteI avtually don't have much experience with embroidery, at all. But Alicia is the one who got me interested in it. I started reading her blog and got her first book as soon as it came out and then the second on pre-order. I just love Alicia. I need all the inspiration I can get, so I'm definitely IN for this sew-along!!!
ReplyDeleteThe sew along sounds great. As a young mother (when I had almost no time at all!) I did all sorts of crewel kits - usually owls, deer and trees - forest scenes. Now that I have lots of time, I don't do them anymore. I have taken two fabric collage and embroidery classes at OCAC and was inspired enough to collect bits of antique lace, fabric, thread and other things of interest, and have bought some incredible books. Now I need a group or another class to get me going. Lots of good ideas and now I need some pushing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I LOVE to embroider and I would love to make these projects along with a group of supercool people. I think my love of embroidery coincides with my love of sitting on the couch in the evenings listening to the TV.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'll need the book so I hope I win :)
:O!!!
ReplyDeletei am SEW excited for this sew along!!! i started stitching as a teen when my aunt taught me. i'm ordering this book today!!!!!!!!
I'd love to participate thank you! I haven't embroidered since I was a girl guide (over 20 years ago eh hemm).
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see it all come together.
I love embroidery. It feels so timeless to work with a needle and thread, something that women have been doing for centuries. I love making practical things beautiful.
ReplyDeletebennetthp(at)gmail(dot)com
I started embroidery in high school and then got stuck on cross stitch for years! Have just now begun dabbling again - I would love to have this book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful Annette! I used to embroider quite a bit, and you have inspired me to quite possibly begin again.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
lisa.
I ADORE Alicia!! This is such a fantastic idea. :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother and I used to sit in her sewing room, each in a comfy armchair, embroidering together. My projects were usually just something I had doodled and wanted to bring to life; nothing ever as structured or complete as Grandma's projects. And now, my daughter, Harmony, and I do the same thing together - at home, at the park, at sports practices, you name it! :)
I will be looking forward to this sew along ... even while I am scurrying to finish my holiday sewing and knitting and embroidering and ... well, I am sure you all know! Alicia's book is on my "wish list" and my fingers are crossed!
ReplyDeletethis is such a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'd love to join along. I ordered one of Alicia's kits and am waiting to work on them. Hand work is so relaxing.
ReplyDeleteI started embroidering more than 50 years ago as a small girl and I still enjoy it. Would love to be a part of this in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I'd love to win a copy of the book! I learned embroidery as a college sophomore - I was a 'home ec' major. I took a class where we were actually graded on our stitches - I have forgotten everything I learned (it was 1979...) but I am trying to learn everything again! Jamie V in MT
ReplyDeletehttp://rem-nants.blogspot.com
amzanioli@yahoo.com
When I was about nine or ten a neighbor lady gave me her stash of embroidery floss. Boy, was I amazed at all the colors.
ReplyDeleteAs I sat and untangled her great ball of embroidery floss I was in heaven. [It took me years to figured that she gave this away so she wouldn't have to untangle this mess]
I learned the outline stitch and the running stitch from my mother. It wasn't 'til years later I found there are many more embroidery stitchs than these original two I learned.
I enjoy sitting in the evenings with my hands busy with needleworks.
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway.
Holiday Hugs,
Gerry
I one of your newest Followers :^)
My mom taught me to embroider at a young age as a way to keep me out of trouble while my brother played little league baseball. Who knew I would still be at it as an adult? I would welcome the opportunity to win Alicia's amazing book as well as participate in such a fun project. Merry Christmas everyone!
ReplyDeleteOooooooh ... embroidery!!! I embroidered off and on in elementary, middle and high school, especially when I was taking this Fiber Arts class [the "fiber" component of what was once Home Ec]. Have been really loving the look of chicken scratch recently and wanting to get back into it. I really love Alicia's aesthetic and imagine this book must be lovely.
ReplyDeletesnowmanscraps // gmail
This sew-along is just the thing to get me back into needlework! I've done quite a few cross-stitch projects over the years, but not really any embroidery!
ReplyDeleteThis is so fun!! I am quite a novice to embroidery and after perusing Alicia's blog for some time now, I find myself ever increasingly drooling over her projects. I would LOVELOVELOVE a copy of her new book to start me off in the right direction, and to inspire me even more with her creative beauty. I'm so looking forward to the sew along!!!
ReplyDeleteI love love love embroidery and start out projects with much enthusiasm---only to end up in knots and frustration. This time I'm going to stick to it! Thank you for coordinating this great-along!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to get this book for Christmas and would love to join in!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun sew-a-long! I would like to win one of her books; I think her aesthetic is beautiful and have been wanting to learn how to embroider.
ReplyDeleteHi! So glad Alicia linked to this post. I've started and stopped so many embroidery projects through the years. Need a kickstart to get me going again...and finish this time!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother taught me to embroidery on the little towels with stamped designs. I once embroidered a jean purse in the 70s-- it was cool. I would like to try it again!
ReplyDeleteI started embroidering at my mother's and grandmother's knee as a little girl. I am fortunate that some of those first pieces were saved. Unfortunately, I have not done much of it lately and would love to have the book and then join the Sew Along as motivation and inspiration. :-)
ReplyDeleteI want to be an embroiderer. I have lots of the supplies. I just am looking for the perfect inspiration to get me started. I bet the book would do it for me. And certainly the sew-along would be helpful too.
ReplyDeleteoh how wonderful!! i'd love a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletemy first love in stitching was with cross stitch as a child, i think i've always been in awe with the threads...all the colors to choose from...from CS i worked my way into embroidery and simply love it because with just a few basic stitches, you can transform a simple piece into something very specail.
i'm excited to come back and join in the sew along
I just read about this on Alicia's blog and think it is a fantastic idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'd love to learn embroidery!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a lovely idea! I have a confession about my history with embroidery - I've never finished a project! I'm sooo close on sooo many too! I think a group like this would motivate me to take a project clean through to the end. Thanks for the chance to win Alicia's amazing book!
ReplyDelete~ Jennifer
I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of Alicia's book ever since it came out...not easy to get from the library, so hoping it lands in my lap over the holidays, my BD soon afterwards, or a lucky chance here.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to joining in your stitch-alongs! I'm pretty new to embroidery and this seems like a great way to get some practice.
Oh, wonderful! I love Alicia's blog and patterns - this will be really fun! I've been embroidering since I was a kid, but kind of haphazaradly - every once in a while I get into an embroidery craze and afterwards don't do it again for ages. I'm in the middle of a Christmas ornament embroidery craze right now! :)
ReplyDeleteI love to embroider and don't get much chance to do it anymore. Wait until after Christmas though! I just attempted to embroider with metallic embroidery floss. Oh, not so much fun! It would have looked great, but I had to rip it all out. It separates like crazy and won't stay in a knot! Grrr
ReplyDeleteAlicia's book looks so interesting. I've embroidered since my teens, but not a lot in recent years. I'm wanting to do more handwork as I think it will be easier to fit into my life right now. Looking forward to trying your sew a long.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like so much fun - I learned to embroidery from my grandmother many, many years ago. She had the patience of gold as she tried to teach embroidery basics to my three sister and myself. I also remember her teaching us chicken scratch stitching done on gingham check - such wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteLast year I sewed some pillows for xmas gifts and then embroidered words on them - gifts for the men in our family are hard to think out. But I guess these were quite well recieved!
ReplyDeletehow lovely!
ReplyDeletewhen i was a girl i would give mini embroidered flowers or kitties for gifts. just a small square of any fabric i got my hands on to embroider... and it was not "proper" embroidery but i did my best. :) i have not embroidered a thing since then but always want to. i love sewing and often think of embroidered details that would make the dress complete but it never happens... i adore alicia and her writing and her projects and creativity. her blog is the first blog i ever saw a few years ago and i have been reading since. i would love to be able to join in with all you gals making pretty things.
her book is on my wish list but is not in the budget now so i was planning to wait for my library to get a copy. :) *crosses fingers*
i wish i could make the book signing tonight! have fun there miss alicia, and everyone else! xoxo.
What a great idea! I have been sewing a certain little coat these past few days and would love to have some more projects for the winter months. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
ReplyDeleteoh this is so fun, and I'd love to win Alicia's book, I am a loyal reader of her blog! My experience with embroidery started at age 11 when I learned it at a church activity for the girls my age, later that year I completed my first project, a little sampler that says "think happy thoughts" I love that little sampler, it still brings a smile to my face every time I see it. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this book! I have little to no embroidery experience but I think this sew along might be the perfect way to get me started. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteOh what a great idea! Busy mom of 5 would like to give this a try. I have a pillow that I embroidered for ny Nana when I was maybe ten. Used to cross stitch but can't focus long enough to count it these days...LOL! Love to sew and am working on Alicia's Polar Bear ornament-knitting him a red scarf!
ReplyDeletehave wanted the book for a while now.
Happy hibernating and crafting!
Kim
I discovered your blog today through Posie Gets Cozy and both her book looks awesome and your sew along sounds great! I definitely want to participate. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI signed up! I love your idea...I have both Alicia's books and I've bought her patterns for quilts/ornaments...not to mention other crocheting projects. As you can tell I love her stuff and now I can show it off! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteprice4thgirl@yahoo.com
I am going to open a Flicker account in two minutes, love this idea. Extreme sewing is my joy but I have alway admired embroidery. Inspiration is a wonderful thing! Alicia's studio is amazing, I log into her site to drool puddles.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!!!
Embroidery was my first love craft-wise. I started learning when I was 9, and my mom was always willing to buy me whatever kits or floss I wanted. I can't wait to participate in the sew along!
ReplyDelete