Oh mercy... while I fall into the category of beginner and absolutely terrified, I can think I can overcome my fear. Those are such lovely, light hearted yet classic pieces on the site you provided. I agree they would go well in virtually any home. Mine, like Lucretia's would be called eclectic. I've never tried crewel but know I'd love to learn. I am working on a x-stitch sampler that has some basic crewel work at the bottom. I've worked down to that point so now is the time to try my hand.
Ah, now I remember your earlier chat about the kit issues. I know that feeling. But, it is really lovely.
LOL - gotcha. The shopowner where I'm working is "working" on the snail piece - very, very, snail like piece - it's her learning piece. I think if one of use were doing it, well, it would need silk and really nice fabric. The kits are on pretty traditional heavy-ish twill. Our shop, one of the few to do so, carries the full line of Appleton crewel wool, and we have a lot of kits - the Phillipa Turnbull ones, some Tapestries more modern, slightly funky), and a newer company - "Crewel & Unusual" designs. Some of hers are quite traditional (Donna has one) while others are quite modern or different - which is why the owner ordered some at TNNA in June. But, we also have some crewel books, and actually have yardage of a couple of fabrics - and even a roll of saral transfer paper in the shop.
There's always something. I started the crewel as I'm having to give (with hooking Donna into it) some traditional embroidery lessons. And we're going to do some more Crewel classes in mid-fall, and want to change our instructor. So, time to brush up - not that I'll be teaching crewel - I'm full enough with doing a really interesting full of twisted stitches canvas class, and working up a "next step in counted thread" kind of class, and etc.
Anyhow - thanks for sharing the pillow and info. I'll take a look at the Erica Wilson wholesale side, see if we can get some.
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