It's a Crewel, Crewel World!

Ever try your hand at embroidery? Webster’s defines this as, “the ornamentation of fabric using needlework.” Crewel is similar but refers to the type of yarn used, it’s typically thicker and made of wool. I met someone recently who is highly skilled at this artform, and gazing at her handiwork was nothing short of enchanting! Bobbie, my new friend, spends hours working on her craft. She paints pictures with a needle and thread, buttons, and fabric.

Morning sun pours over an almost finished work of art!

Bobbie began her crewel journey after she retired 20 years ago. She was living in the Boston area, where quilting is very popular. She took a few classes in quilt making and caught the quilting bug! Bobbie’s quilts adorn some of the beds in her house. They are brightly colored and produce smiles on the faces of all who see them.

Bobbie has a good eye for choosing quilt fabrics that work well together. The combinations are endless!

But back to my favorite project…

Bobbie has worked on this quilt one 6 inch block at a time. She travels with her kit of fabric blocks, colorful yarns, gilded scissors, and varietal buttons. She works on the blocks when she travels , watches TV, or has to sit in a waiting room.

The finished blocks are stitched together, 6 at a time. The 6 are sewn to 6 others and 30 blocks later a quilt has come to be. There is more crewel work to be done after the whole pattern is created, the path, the trees, and shrubbery. Bobbie added a border and a backing and quilted the whole thing by hand. She says she is still a novice! I say she is an artist!

Are you inspired to fill some of your free time with this amazing artform? Visit your favorite fabric or quilt store for help on getting started or to take classes. If you want to make Bobbie’s animal quilt, visit the website of the designer, Sue Spargo. http://www.suespargo.com/index.php. Or here is the link to the pattern and instructions, https://www.suespargo.com/store-detail.php?ID=3233

Happy stitching!