Blossoms and Berries DetailsBack to Gallery

Blossoms and Berries, the ANG Spring 2004 Workshop-by Mail, offers a delightful combination of old and new mixing surface stitchery with canvaswork. The central section is typical of a graceful grouping of strawberries, blossoms and leaves such as was found centuries ago in the old herbals. Surrounding this is a double border of twelve-thread squares suggesting multicolored blossoms graduating in color from dark at the bottom to light at the top. These are inspired by the watercolor quilts of the 20th Century. You will note that the stitches mirror image on the right side of the piece. Strawberries in the center section are varied. Stitches include a padded stumpwork technique with needlewoven leaves, shaded Rococo, and familiar needlework techniques with Fly stitch leaves. The blossom is yellow Buttonhole stitch, whipped with a darker value of yellow and centered with French Knots. Yellow is used for this as the little wild strawberries in our herb garden have bright yellow blossoms. The stems are done in outline, whipped outline and coral knot stitches. Shaded leaves are in fly stitch with one being padded. This is surrounded by a wonderful overdyed medium green border which changes to light green at the top. Simple dark green narrow borders separate the elements. A wide variety of threads are used including Impressions, Silk ‘N Colors, Soie Cristale, Splendor, Subtlety, Waterlilies, Needle Necessities, Anchor and DMC. Treasure Braid adds a hint of sparkle.

Ground: 13” x 14” eggshell congress cloth

Design: 7-1/4” x 3-1/4”

Technique: needlepoint

Level: Intermediate

Price: Booklet $35 (MD residents add 5% sales tax)

Materials List:

• - Small piece of red felt


• DMC:
  • 3 skeins #500
  • 1 skein each #501, 502, 503, 504
  • 1 yard #817
• Anchor:
  • 1 skein each #43, 301, 311, 1021, 1022, 1023, 102
  • #8 Pearl Cotton 218
• Impressions:
  • 6 yards #3056
  • 4 yards #7027
• Needle Necessities:
  • 2 yards each (NN) #139, 163, 164, 165
• Silk ‘N Colors:
  • 2 yards # Yellow Blush #080 and Tapestry Green #054
• Soie Cristale:
  • 2 yards #7063 (12-ply silk)
• Splendor:
  • 2 yards #S823 (12- ply silk)
• Subtlety:
  • 5 yards #Y914 (Twisted silk Pearl #12)
• Treasure Braid:
  • 1 card each #TR98, TR99
• Waterlilies:
  • 2 yards each Flame 045, (Silk) Meadow 003 and Cherry 101
• Wildflowers:
  • 6 yards Flame 045; 18 yards (Cotton) Sage 124 and Evergreen 121
• Tapestry Needles:
  • #24 & #26; Chenille Needle #24; #10 sharp needle