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Sample Projects
Meet the Author
Hey there, can you introduce yourself?
Hi I am nancy Nicholson, and I design and produce embroidery kits, and I also have recently begun to design fabrics for quilting.I have loved working with F&W Media on two craft books, Modern Folk Embroidery and recently Big Embroidery and other surface design projects. I live and work in East Sussex.
Tell us a bit about the book?
As I also love to crochet i always have oddments of wool stuffed into baskets, and found I could use the same hand embroidery stitches to work up projects quickly on heavier linens and wool fabric. In big Embroidery there are a range of projects designed to use up oddments from your scrap bag. Cushions, samplers, clothing, even jeans.
What was the inspiration behind it?
I am keen to encourage embroiderers to be thrifty and show that you do not need to buy purpose made embroidery wools to get a great effect. Having thought I would try to embroider a cushion cover in an evening, upscaling the stitches to use wools, it worked so well I was inspired to think up more designs along the same lines. Also my editor and I came up with other ideas for books and this was the one I was most keen to pursue.
Which is your favourite project?
My favourite project is the sampler called "Flower Picture" it went together so well and has a folk style naivety which I really like. I did a series of half flower machine embroideries years ago and it was a nod to those early pieces.
What is your craft space like?
I live and work in a lovely part of the world with far reaching views of Romney Marsh. I have a large studio/living room and another room where I have the computer where I do all my design work. The kits are assembled in the large room, and I have to keep it as organised as I can. It is quite hard to take a break when you live where you work, but it is such a beautiful place there are times I can take work outside which also brings necessary relaxation!
Have you always been creative?
Yes, from a very early age I was stitching dolls clothes and outfits for my teddy. My mother would give me baskets of scraps to play with. I also loved making things with paper ... I remember sitting up all night one Christmas making a little nativity scene out of paper!
When did you first start crafting?
Yes, from a very early age I was stitching dolls clothes and outfits for my teddy. My mother would give me baskets of scraps to play with. I also loved making things with paper ... I remember sitting up all night one Christmas making a little nativity scene out of paper!
Sort of same question!
Who are your crafty heroes?
I love the work of Louise Baldwin, Miga de Pan, Sophie Digard, Annalisa Bolini
Where do you find inspiration?
I have a very large collection of books, mostly vintage, on all kinds of crafts, especially embroidery. Some of them dating back to 1930's but I also draw inspiration from the archive of my mother's ( Joan Nicholson) work in the form of sketchbooks and pieces she made. She also wrote several books on hand embroidery and needlepoint/canvaswork. She was a leading figure in the embroidery scene from 1940's to 1970's.
I am very drawn to folk art, and early textiles from all over the world through the ages.
What's next for you?
I am currently working on a range of new kits, and thinking about designing some online embroidery classes. The business keeps me very busy but would also love to get back to doing some machine embroidery, which is where this all began!
Publisher's Description
Big Embroidery is all about stitching beautiful designs up fast using yarn instead of embroidery thread. Designer and author of Modern Folk Embroidery, Nancy Nicholson, has created a collection of stunning designs based on traditional crewel work, and adapted them for a modern audience using everyday yarn. Crewel embroidery is traditionally done using 2-ply wool and stitched onto linen. Nancy shows how to get beautiful results using different types of yarn and fabric, including upholstery fabrics, woollens and tweeds, to create a collection of stunning quick-to-stitch projects. Choose from home decor items such as cushions, bags, wall hangings and table runners, as well as ideas for embellishing clothing. Nancy shows readers how to do all the key embroidery stitches with a stitch library featuring easy-to-follow diagrams of all the basic crewel embroidery stitches in detail.
