Cutwork embroidery has been around for a long time and seems to be gaining in popularity.
As of yet, the cutwork section of the site is in its infancy but I wanted to bring your attention to a wonderful designer from Poland,Joanna Jakuszewska.
She not only designs for the magazine HAFT RICHELIEU was also publishes it herself! Since 1992 she has been creating wonderful patterns which at first were published annually. Then she started producing the magazine twice a year and it is now on sale three times a year, in May, September and December. Each issue contains around 30 designs, all beautifully photographed and since issue 24, complete with iron on transfers. Joanna includes detailed descriptions of the preparatory work involved, instructions for the piece and ideas for finishing. Clear illustrations and diagrams help even the novice to tackle these beautiful cutwork projects.
The first 7 issues of the magazine are completely sold out but it is possible to order current and back issues of the rest. You may like to visit her website at http://www.haftrichelieu.com/ where you can pick to view it from a number of different languages.
Joanna tells us a bit about herself:
"I have always liked needlework. Once upon time I was knitting and crocheting, I even sewed wedding dresses. I was embroidering dresses with the cross and the colourful stitch. I didn't only do hardanger. Once upon time my friend asked me to embroider the collar for her. I drew a model using the Richelieu embroidery which she liked very much. Then I embroidered collars for other girls. Each one was different.
I did embroidered presents for my family and acquaintances and I have always designed patterns myself. I got engaged very much in this embroidery. It is diligent but ageless. A huge collection of patterns came into existence. I drew a lot of friends into this hobby. I organised courses and exhibitions. The magazines were writing about me. I have been designing for BURDA as well.
I decided to combine my hobby and the work and I founded the publishing company. I have already published 34 issues of Haft Richelieu. I design patterns myself and I embroider the presented models by hand. I am in the wonderful telephone and e-mail contact with lovers of the Richelieu embroidery all over the world. I am always ready to help and I give my advice. I am looking forward to our cooperation.
Best regards
JOANNA"
I was a lucky girl this morning. I visited our local charity shop in search of some blue men's shirts to cut up for use in my crazy quilt. I found three in different shades which will work well so was happy when I went to the counter to pay for them. Then I spied something VERY interesting, sitting in a little wicker basket beside the till.
A bag full of buttons. But not your ordinary modern buttons but a collection of mother of pearl ones, of all sizes from tiny shirt buttons up to one that was at least an inch and a half in diameter. The price ticket said £5 so I added the find to my pile of purchases.
Now I never do dressmaking (yuk, my school needlework teacher put me off that for life!) but buttons can be used in so many crafty projects including of course that crazy quilt.
When I got home I emptied the buttons into a tin and took a photo to show you what I bought. There were more than I could fit into this tin, enough to keep me busy for ages.
Looking through these treasures reminded me of my nan's old button box. I spent many a happy hour as a child matching up different colours or sizes and lining them up. I loved the extra special ones: the ones with carving or the metal buttons off of uniforms. I wonder what happened to that old box?
