I am currently in the middle of a series of videos introducing the projects from my forthcoming book, “Frisian Whitework: Dutch Embroidery from Friesland”. Today’s project is the Round Pendant. As you probably know by now, I love making and wearing embroidered pendants. This one features very fine Frisian whitework embroidery.
Following a question from a friend about what music is best to embroider by (“Words or no words?” My answer was, “It depends…”) I also ask what you like to do while you’re embroidering.
If you’re reading this in an email, the video can be found at https://youtu.be/3duheFpeK0Y
Episode notes:
I mentioned the red Poppy Pendant from my book “Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway” in the video. You can see this pendant in another of my videos https://youtu.be/REr1N430wsE?t=287
Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway – http://vettycreations.com.au/smoyg.html
Smøyg poppy pendant supplies pack, and Espresso pendant supplies pack – http://vettycreations.com.au/smoyg.html#supplies
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
I prefer to watch TV while embroidering, and listen to podcasts when I’m at the sewing machine. But I have just the same problem with the TV — I love Bollywood movies, but they require me to read the subtitles, so I can’t watch them while embroidering. So I tend to watch old TV shows like Murder, She Wrote and such. that I don’t have to pay too much attention to. It’s such a lovely pendant, this is one of my favorites so far!
Thanks for your thoughts, Jean!
If I’m counting, which is most of my needlework, it has to be music with no lyrics and at a low volume. I can listen to podcasts, news, and music with lyrics if I’m ironing. How people watch TV while stitching I can’t imagine, but I do tend to watch shows where you’ve got to catch subtle glances and other small clues in order to follow the story.
Yes, I think it really depends on how much concentration is involved!
For me, music with or without words isn’t so much the issue – I’ve settled on without words when I’m recording a video, but generally I have Baroque or classical music on. Somehow pop music doesn’t seem to hit the spot!
Glad you’ve found what works for you, Rachel!