Elara Embroidery blog posts

Sharing my journey of studying at the Royal School of Needlework and talking about how embroidery along with art and craft in general has a positive impact on my mental health. Check out my website for embroidery inspiration, tips, tricks and patterns www.elaraembroidery.com.
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1y
By
Alex Law | Elara Embroidery
the instructions for how to make a fly stitch
Stitch Tutorial: Fly Stitch
Learn to stitch fly stitch with this embroidery stitch tutorial. A popular crewel embroidery stitch, fly stitch is great worked in a row as a solid or open fill stitch. It can also be worked individually to work little details into your stitching. Click for the full tutorial, including examples and inspiration.
Top image: Needle coming up through fabric and a loop of thread. Bottom image: Two vertical lines of coral stitch (a line stitch with regular knots).
Coral stitch tutorial
Learn how to stitch coral stitch. A knotted outline stitch that's great for adding texture to your embroidery. Click for stitching tips, the full stitch tutorial and inspiration for using coral stitch.
the needle is being used to stitch french knots on fabric with text overlay that reads how to stitch french knots tips for attaching content
How to stitch French knots
French knots can be a little tricky, especially when beginning embroidery. They are great for adding details and texture to your stitching so worth practicing. I've found a couple of stitching tips that make it easy for me to create consistent, well formed knots every time. Click for the French knot tutorial along with the results of my experiments testing the effects of stitching knots by increasing the number of strands or the number of twists of thread.
Left image - a long rectangle of burden stitch using purple, light blue and mid blue crewel threads to create a heart pattern. Top right image - a circle half filled with completed burden stitch, half filled with work in progress long horizontal stitches. Bottom right image - a circle stitched in burden stitch using light blue and mid blue crewel threads.
Stitch tutorial: Burden stitch
Burden stitch is a popular crewelwork stitch going back hundreds of years. In Victorian times it was often used in figurative embroidery by members of the Arts and Craft movement. I think it's a lovely filling stitch and I especially love that by stitching it in different ways you can create some quite different effects. Click for a burden stitch tutorial along with some stitching tips and inspiration.
An eye and eyebrow stitched using light and dark blue crewel wool.
Free Embroidery Pattern
Stitch a striking eye with this free embroidery pattern. I designed this pattern to be a demonstration of how you can smoothly switch between stem stitch, raised stem band and buttonhole stitch. Click to get your copy!
a white and blue poster with the words subversive stitching in a wwii prison camp
Subversive Stitching in a WWII Prison Camp
Has embroidery and stitching helped you through some hard times? Click to read about how WWII prisoner of war Alexis Casdagli used embroidery to give his Nazi prison guards the finger!
A Jacobean crewelwork embroidery featuring a fox and an owl, stitched in shades of green, yellow/orange/brown and purple. On top, is the colour wheel with the 3 colours used highlighted by an equilateral triangle.
Colour Theory for Embroidery
The colours used in an embroidery have a big impact on how we perceive it. There are so many lovely thread colours to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start! That's why I find it really useful to use colour theory to guide me when I'm designing my embroideries. Click to learn about the guidelines I use most often along with examples.
How do you pick colours for a silk shading embroidery project? A vital step, that can feel a little overwhelming! Is there such a thing as too many colours? Click to read about the process I followed to choose the thread colours and shades that I'll use in my RSN certificate botanical silk shading piece. Pink Art Silk Embroidered Fabric With Self Design, Pink Art Silk With Floral Embroidery, Protea Cross Stitch Pattern, Pink Floral Embroidered Art Silk Fabric, Pink Silk Embroidered Fabric With Intricate Detail, Different Shades Of Pink, Color Pick, Color Grouping, Color Bands
Silk shading embroidery colour choices
How do you pick colours for a silk shading embroidery project? A vital step, that can feel a little overwhelming! Is there such a thing as too many colours? Click to read about the process I followed to choose the thread colours and shades that I'll use in my RSN certificate botanical silk shading piece.
the instructions for how to crochet a turkey rug stitch in blue yarn with text overlay
Turkey Rug Stitch Tutorial
Add some fun texture and depth to your crewel embroidery with Turkey rug stitch! A great embroidery stitch for animal fur, fluff or hair! Click for a tutorial with plenty of step by step photos to demystify the stitching process. Along with tips for getting the best finish and examples of how to use it in your embroidery.
the back stitch and whipped backstitch pattern
Backstitch & Whipped Backstitch Tutorial
Learn to stitch backstitch and whipped backstitch with this stitch tutorial. Backstitch is an easy and incredibly versatile embroidery stitch. Whipped backstitch is a great way to add a little extra pop to your crewel embroidery. Click for the full tutorial including stitching tips and inspiration.
Related searches
Marvel at the details to be found in Parisian haute couture embroidery! Click for some amazing inspiration for using embroidery in your sewing and for embellishing clothes. Haute Couture Embroidery, Military Vest, Azzedine Alaia, Balenciaga Jacket, Couture Embroidery, Miss Dior, Embroidery Inspiration, Couture Collection, Dressmaking
Parisian Couture Embroidery
Marvel at the details to be found in Parisian haute couture embroidery! Click for some amazing inspiration for using embroidery in your sewing and for embellishing clothes.
an ornate pattern with the words stitched by a queen written in gold on it
Tudor embroidery at Petworth House
This impressive Tudor embroidery featuring goldwork and a scrolling crewelwork design can be seen at Petworth House in West Sussex and is believed to have been stitched by Lady Jane Grey. Click for more embroidery delights and inspiration that can be found on days out in Hampshire and West Sussex.
the front cover of silk shading preparation, with pictures of flowers and leaves on it
RSN Silk Shading Preparation
There was a LOT of preparation for my Royal School of Needlework botanical silk shading module! Click to read more and learn all about the preparation required before even making a stitch on my thread painted embroidery flower.
A circular ornament of a cute bear stitched in yellow and brown threads, hanging in front of a wooden background.
How to turn your embroidery into an ornament
Tutorial for turning your embroidery into a hanging ornament. Do you ever wonder how to finish your embroidery? Making it into an ornament is a great way to add personality to your home or makes a delightful gift for a loved one. Click to learn how.
Image shows stitching in progress in an embroidery hoop while sitting in a park garden.
Mental Health Strategies
For mental health awareness week I decided to see if I'd get extra benefit from combining stitching and getting out in nature. During the week I also ended up trying out a couple of additional good mental health strategies - breathing and napping to increase my sleep. Click to find out how I got on and which I'll be continuing with!