Did Poe sew? This much we know: with words he spun spine-tingling yarns of macabre masterpieces. His spirit survives with the Saved By The Stitch Coffin Thread Organizer that will save you more than time. Whilst working in the twilight of the here and now to that of the sweet hereafter, Retromantic’s latest creation will keep you occupied even if a certain raven comes rapping at your chamber door. Contact Retromantic.
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July 2015
July 31, 2015
July 30, 2015
She Tends Her Gardens
A gorgeous setting, in beautiful hand-dyed, overdyed colors... reminiscent of a time long ago. The finished size of this punchneedle design is 10″ x 7″. Pattern available at Kanikis. The model uses 23 colors from The Gentle Art.
July 29, 2015
The Rain Queen #RainDay
Throughout human history, people and cultures all over the world have celebrated rain and it’s life-giving power.
Second in the Black Forest Pixies Series by Nora Corbett, the Rain Queen looks to the skies for signs of nature’s liquid sustenance. Stitched on 32ct natural light linen from Wichelt Imports, this design measures approx. 7″w x 11.4″h. Separate embellishment pack available. Contact Wichelt Imports, Inc.
July 28, 2015
English Garden Rose Teenie Kit
A border of delicate pink rosebuds are worked on a crisp white linen background in this sweet design. A lovely hand poured pink flower bead in the center is held in place with a pearl. Additional sparkle comes from crystal-AB paillettes in the border. Several fun fancy-stitches are thoroughly explained via diagrams and easily understood written instructions. Kits from The Sweetheart Tree are always all-inclusive so everything you need will be in the kit for you—just grab your needles and get started on this gorgeous kit! Retail $27.00. Contact The Sweetheart Tree.
July 27, 2015
Industry Icon Retires
After nearly 40 years in the Sewing, Quilting, and Crafting Industry, innovator and industry icon, Joyce Drexler is retiring. Joyce is widely regarded by her peers as being the driving force in the 80’s and 90’s behind the rise to prominence of all things free-motion, including machine embroidery or ”Thread Painting”, as she was first to dub it in 1980. Indeed, that was the title of her first book in 1981.
During the 80’s she taught her fast, fun, and easy “Speed Stitch” method of free-motion embroidery in 3-Day Success Seminars and 5-day SMART events in North America to thousands of retailers and their teachers who, in turn, taught it to hundreds of thousands of consumers.
From 1980 to 1987, Joyce created over 200 kits and products that bore the Speed Stitch name. In addition to Embroidery, the kits taught consumers how to do a wide range of creative techniques like Monogramming, Cut Work, Lace Making, Charted Needlework, Applique and much, much more.
Joyce was a pioneer who was significantly responsible for the major shift in focus of the Home Sewing Industry from selling “sewing to save money” to sewing as “a creative and enjoyable pastime” which was appealing to, and worthy of, the increasing number of working women’s leisure time, energy and money.
As an ever-increasing number of women learned and loved Joyce’s Speed Stitch free-motion embroidery techniques, that became the impetus for sewing machine companies to introduce stand-alone embroidery machines for consumers in the early 90’s.
Together with her husband, Fred, they secured the marketing rights to Sulky Thread in 1985, founded Sulky of America in 1987 and developed it into the premier Decorative Thread Company in North America that it is today, now offering over 4,000 sku’s to consumers.
Not only did they create the category of Decorative Threads in 1985, but they also nurtured and grew it into a major category of sales in thousands of retail stores through an industry-first, bold and innovative educational and marketing program.
As Executive Vice-President and Creative Director for Sulky, through the years Joyce authored 24 books that have sold well over 800,000 copies, wrote numerous magazine articles, appeared on hundreds of PBS TV Sewing, Quilting and Crafting shows, developed “Sew Exciting” Seminars that have been presented to hundreds of thousands of consumers in thousands of retail
stores and guilds across North America, and developed “Certified Teacher Training” events to train thousands of future teachers.
In order to help even more people all over the world to “Follow Their Dream” of being a Sulky Certified Teacher, in 2014, Sulky began offering this outstanding course online.
In 2003 she spent almost a year painstakingly developing the first 42 colors of the uniquely different “Blendables®” Cotton thread line for Sulky wherein 4 or 5 different thread colors, that are in the same range of tone and intensity, change colors rapidly and, more importantly, randomly, which no other thread does.
She repeated the process again in late 2006 and 2011, as she developed 42 more colors each time for a total of 126 colors that are available today in both 12 wt. and 30 wt.
Joyce was instrumental in developing the extensive line of 19 high quality Sulky Stabilizers, which were the first in the industry to feature color-coded packaging and reusable storage containers for the rolls.
She also worked on the development and marketing of the patented Sulky Slimline Storage Boxes, Sulky KK 2000 Temporary Spray Adhesive, Sulky Puffy Foam, Sulky Iron-on Transfer Pens, and Sulky Petites.
In 2010, Sulky launched the Sulky Embroidery Club, www.sulkyembclub.com, which features hundreds of Joyce’s high quality digitized designs. Since Joyce loves to draw, even in retirement, she will continue to add new designs every month.
In 2005, her contributions to the industry were recognized by her receipt of the prestigious Schmetz Golden Needle Award in acknowledgment of her significant and timely contributions toward enhancing the future of the sewing industry. In 2007, Joyce and Fred Drexler were inducted into the prestigious American Sewing Guild Hall of Fame, an honor that had only been bestowed on 7 other people in the Sewing Industry. In 2013, they were inducted into the Sewing Dealers Hall of Fame.
Joyce attributes her success in the industry to a strong dedication to education, community involvement, and superior products. Joyce and Fred Drexler have consistently maintained these qualities and, in doing so, have propelled Sulky of America into the 21st century as an industry leader.
As they celebrate their 28th Sulky anniversary and 39 married years, Joyce and Fred continue to maintain their excitement and sense of adventure. Their 10,000-mile 46-day motorcycle trip across the USA in 2012, and 8,500-mile 40-day trip through the USA and into Western Canada in 2014, attests to their spirit, vitality and sense of adventure.
Patriotic Star
11″ x 11″ on 13M. Gail Vail is now carried by Chris Lewis Distributing.
July 26, 2015
Beach Cottages
A colorful display of beach cottages on #18 designed by Susan Roberts. The design measures 15½″ x 5½″ Distributed by Susan Roberts Needlepoint Designs.
July 25, 2015
Thread The Needle Day
Can you stitch? Thread The Needle Day is a chance to get dust off your sewing skills, or to learn how if you don’t know how. Why not organize a stitch-a-thon, or sewing lessons with friends to celebrate?
July 24, 2015
Ilse Altherr Books
Hardanger Embroidery: Traditional and Contemporary contains 72 pages of detailed, easy to understand diagrams and instructions for traditional and contemporary filling patterns as well as basic information. Designs can be stitched as shown or combined for larger projects. Ilse’s books are excellent choices for beginners and intermediate stitchers alike! Your customers will enjoy all aspects of these books. Contact Nordic Needle.
July 23, 2015
Busy Bee Kit #ThrowbackThursday
In honor of #ThrowbackThursday here is a Best Seller from Dragonflylotus Designs and Lindsay Lane Designs. Busy Bee is the second in the Designer Gems series. Each kit includes: chart, fabric, handspun silk thread, needle, 1″ bamboo hexagon frame and interfacing. You just supply glue, an iron and a x-acto knife! Designer Gems are quick to stitch, and can be worn as a necklace or easily turned into a scissor fob or needleminder. Contact Dragonflylotus Designs.