I feel that this Jotting is very late indeed. In fact, should have been written several years ago. I am not sure why this didn’t happen…
You probably know that I have been thoroughly mixed up in the cross stitch world for over 40 years. It all started in 1983 when a friend introduced me to this addictive hobby. (I am going to suggest that if you would like the full story on this, you check out my book – Following a Thread.)
What I do is counted embroidery which, to the uninformed, means that you stitch on to plain linen or cotton fabric following a chart and the commonest stitch is the cross stitch. There are, however, probably hundreds of other counted stitches and I do love to use a variety of these when creating samplers and other embroideries.
One day I was at my desk in my workroom and needed to create a simple cut hem – after a frustrating interlude where I could not remember where to start, I shouted “Bloody hell, I need a stitch book!” A lightbulb moment. Within the week, the basic outline was decided, and I asked my friend and graphics wizard Ethan Danielson to draw the stitches for me. I published the book myself, so neatly sidestepped the slow-turning wheels and many opinions of big business! I enjoyed choosing a spiral binding, knowing it was more expensive but the joy of being able to work with an open book that stays flat is worth every penny.
The Stitch Book is now in its fourth edition, and I do not know how many reprints we have had. Even if no one else wanted a copy, I just love it and my dog-eared copy is right next to me at my desk. The book is basically a stitch-to-a-page in alphabetical order but since it was first published I have collected even more stitches and listened to suggestions from Cross Stitch Guild members. It now boasts over 120 counted stitches and techniques.
I have just returned from attending and teaching at the CSG Together We Stitch Weekend and yet again the book was invaluable. A member of the group needed assistance working buttonhole wheels on a flower project and I offered to help. Yes, you have guessed, I had forgotten how to start the stitch! I needed my book to remind me.
My husband does the sums and tells that over 5000 stitchers have bought a copy of The Stitch Book. I am so pleased that the stitchers of today are exploring all these different stitches – and it means that we are all doing our bit to preserve the legacy of all those stitchers who have gone before us.
