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embroidery basics with wild olive

At the start of the year I wrote about my goal to blog an Embroidery Basics series (and make it super cute!). The hope was that this would happen in March. Well, I'm not sure if I'm entirely ready, but I figure it's best to just jump in! So...

Starting next Thursday, my little Olive friend and I will be presenting the basics of embroidery, and perhaps some things that are a bit more advanced. There will be a new Embroidery Basics post each Thursday until we get through it all (one special week each month will interrupt this series).


Getting Started: Materials, Transfer Methods, and
Strands, Starting, Stabbing and Sewing

Outlining: Running Stitch, Back Stitch, Split Stitch, Stem Stitch, Chain Stitch

Making Faces and Teeny Tiny Stitching: French Knots, Detached Chain,
Tiny Faces and Details

Filling In: Satin Stitch, Long/Short Stitch, other methods

Other: ???

Throughout the "lessons", there will be plenty of tips that pertain to my own embroidery patterns and the way that I like to use stitches in my own work. (See Making Faces and Teeny Tiny Stitching above.) But perhaps there are some specifics that you'd like to learn? Leave your ideas in the comments and I'll see what I can do.

Olive and I hope that you'll be joining us for this ongoing series!

38 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:46 AM

    OOOH! This excites me greatly!
    I've been playing with embroidery a lot lately but I have no actual skills knowledge... just making it up as I go along!
    I shall be following closely =)
    x

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  2. I want to learn something about "Transfer Methods". :D

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  3. Very exciting...I'm definitely a beginner, and I can't wait to learn (:

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  4. Sounds terrific, I'm looking forward to it!

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  5. Oh Yay!!!! I have been wanting to do embroidery for a long time. I did one project but still have so much to learn. Can't wait!!

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  6. It's like the universe is telling me that this is my craft, because ever since I got interested in it, I keep finding these awesome inspirations. I am so excited for your lessons!

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  7. Awesomesauce! I'm looking forward to this series very much :) I need better explanation of a few stitches.

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  8. How exciting! Your stitching is sublime.. and your patterns are precious.. so this should be a wonderful way to spend some time together.. I'm so excited. I know my stitching will only improve for the experience. It would be wonderful if you could make the lessons in pdf form, so that we could print them or save them for future reference.. my memory is only getting worse with age.. and I would like to be able to re-reference the lessons over and over again.. and finding them again well that isn't always an easy thing.

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  9. Sounds like super fun...yay! Thanks for sharing your craftyness!

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  10. Can't wait to start. I am really looking forward to learn a new skills.

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  11. Wow, if you would believe it, as I was reading your blog this morning, I was wishing for such a tutorial!
    What supplies do we need to gather? What size needles, which colour flosses, what kind of material - and do we need an embroidery hoop?
    Thank you so much for planning such a tutorial!
    Sending best wishes

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  12. Yay, can't wait! Awesome!! xxx

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  13. I'm very excited about this even though I've embroidering for years. It's always nice to learn a new stitch and to see how other people work!

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  14. im soooo excited! this is perfect because i decided a week or so ago i want to learn to embroider. yay!

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  15. I'm so happy that you guys are excited about this!

    e'clair: Next Thursday I'll do a whole rundown of the supplies I like to use (plus a few items that others like). There are so many options that they get their own post!

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  16. I see you've already got it up there - so I'm glad you're going to cover filling in...I'm intimidated by it, but I'm sure the cute little olive will ease my fears!

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  17. It is going to be so much fun, little olive! Thank you! I so excited to start.
    Oooo that means I need to go to the craft store.

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  18. Veeeerry exciiiting...looking forward to it!

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  19. yay so excited - i started stitching last year and was amazed at how relaxing it was. I got busy and we moved and i have not picked up my supplies since october - can't wait to follow your instructions and improve.

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  20. I can't wait! I'm sharing this with some embroidery wannabe chicks!

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  21. Delicious! Waiting for the tutorials to begin....I have dabbled with only Cross-stitching....excited to learn more.

    SJ

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  22. Actually had a question..forgot to write in earlier comment.

    Q. How do you combine/pick colors? I have seen many projects here and other blogs like 'Attic24' and am curious to learn as to how you all select colors and combine them. SHould I look at contrast colors or complementary colors, to make the outcome soothing, eye catching and not an eye-sore :-)

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  23. SJ: Great idea! I could probably write a whole post about choosing colors...It involves a little bit science, a little bit personal taste, and a certain amount of going with your gut feeling!

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  24. I will add to the list and say I too am looking forward to it! My daughter (6) and I have been practicing embroidery this year and she loves it, your adorable designs have helped us too!

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  25. Great idea. I embroider, but i've never had any formal teaching. I'm sure I have a lot to learn. Thanks!

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  26. Angela8:46 AM

    This is just fantastic... Im ready to learn! I've had the supplies for years and never the confidence to start anything since I had no clue what to do.

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  27. I'm going to be following this series. I want to get better at embroidery. Thanks so much.

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  28. Just stumbled upon your blog after discovering your shop, and I'm so excited to see that you'll be doing this series! I'm just now {like, as of yesterday} getting started with embroidery {I need some "recreational", enjoyable sewing!}, and I don't know exactly what I'm doing...so this is a welcome oppurtunity to learn! :)

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  29. Awesome! I have been wanting to learn how to embroider for AGES now and my mom hasn't had time to teach me! LOL. Will you be making the tutorials available by email so we can come back to them/do them in time?

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  30. This is marvelous! I'm excited and anxious to learn. I'm a novice wanting to learn more of what you've listed (french knots, filling in, etc.) and I'd like to know if there's any particular method to the madness. Is there any reason to do a border first or last, how do you tame the extra threads in the back and keep the back of your work neat and tidy?
    I have floss in hand, a scrap of fabric and a subscription to your blog. :)
    Thanks!!

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  31. Sounds like fun. I just started embroidery this year and would love to learn it the right way (just trial and error more error right now).

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  32. Anonymous10:31 AM

    This is so exciting, you folks sound so fun to hang out with. Molly thank you for doing this for us. To let you know how excited I am. This is the first time I'v ever posted. Yes ever at all. I am excited.
    Cyndi

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  33. Anonymous12:51 PM

    Wow as a new crazy quilter I can't wait till the series begins.

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  34. Yipppee. I'm very excited, Mollie. I've always wanted to learn embroidery & I can't think of a better teacher, or someone with a cuter aesthetic than you!
    xo Andee

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  35. I need to learn how to finish off the back of my pieces that I leave in a hoop. Somewhere online I found a great tutorial and can't find it again.

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  36. adoro bordado, e estou sempre a procura, obrigada, beijos.

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