What Delilah Did

Mastering The Art Of Embroidery

Almost two years ago I was asked to contribute some images of my work to a book on modern embroidery written by super-embroiderer Sophie Long. I had all but forgotten about it when the publisher contacted me to let me know that it was being released and that my work had made it into the final thing: Mastering the Art of Embroidery - whoop! I didn't really know what to expect but my copy arrived the other day and I was blown away. There is just so much packed in - a veritable who's who of contemporary embroidery.

The book covers every aspect of embroidery you could possibly hope to encounter: Surface Embroidery, Counted-Surface Embroidery, Embellishment, Stumpwork, Whitework, Three-Dimensional Embroidery, and Machine Embroidery. Each discipline is introduced with a bit of history, followed by a glut of beautiful interpretations by modern practitioners to get you good and inspired, and then rounded off with clear step-by-step tutorials to show you how to have a go at some of the stitches yourself.

Obviously we all know that cross stitch is my bag - the anally retentive mathmetician in me just can't help it. In fact the whole counted surface embroidery section really floats my boat. But I would also love to have a go at crewel embroidery, and the whitework chapter has some amazing things in it too.

I'm guessing that if you are reading my blog you have probably already fallen down the rabbit hole that is modern embroidery, in which case I can think of nothing more appropriate to feed your addiction than this book. Just be aware that you will likely lose many, many hours under its influence...

I am really proud to be featured alongside so many incredible artists, though I can't deny that it is a little strange to see my humble bedroom wall in print! It has been in a few magazines, but it seems different somehow when it is nestled within the pages of a hefty hardback...

Delilah x

All images taken from Mastering the Art of Embroidery.

The One Where I Start Making My Own Clothes...

   

I promised myself that I will learn proplerly how to make clothes (and knit and crochet...but more on that later). Primarily because I can never find anything that I like and that fits properly - the two seem to be mutually exclusive. Consequently, this week I finished my very first ever dress - wohoo! I grant you my little denim pinafore is quite possibly the simplest design that has ever existed in dressmaking (in fact it looks rather like the sort of thing the BFG would make) but I like simple things and I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew for my first attempt because it would just put me off. So I drew out a rough shape of what I thought might work on some lining paper, made up a toile in some cheap cotton... and it was a hideous sack. Many adjustments and two more toiles later I finally have something entirely wearable. In fact I am wearing it right now, which makes me indescribably proud and happy.

It probably would have been easier to work from a ready-made pattern, but what I wanted was so basic and I knew I would need to alter it so much to fit that it seemed pointless to get one. There aren't any fastenings at all, so once I had the pattern right it was really easy to put together. I mainly wanted to make sure the fit was right and that everything was finished nicely on the inside, and in the process I taught myself how to insert darts into a pattern and how to make and use bias binding for the neckline and armholes. I french seamed everything because I loathe overlocked seams, and I figure if you are going to take the time to do something, you might as well do it properly so that it will last. It looks a little odd on my dress form as she is breastically-challenged, but it fits me beautifully with no puckering or gaping. I actually tried putting one of my bras on her (I wish I was joking). It didn't work. It looked as though I had stuffed socks down her top (which obviously I had). Embarrassing. So I just left it looking all strange and gathered at the front - please ignore that part. It probably would have made more sense for me to show you a photo of me wearing it, but I am not in the habit of plastering pictures of myself all over the internet so I'm afraid you will have to take my word for it.

Anyway, next up something a little more ambitious. Maybe this or this or this.

I am just finishing up sampling colours for the new kits so am on the home stretch now. I can't wait for you to see them. I am so excited about these ones...

Delilah x

For The Love Of Brown Paper

 

My new postcards have arrived and they look AMAZING. I am so pleased with them that I kind of want to go into town and just hand them out to random strangers...but I shan't. From now on I will be putting one in with every kit order so you can see them in the flesh.
I designed them so that you can stitch over the top of the pattern and make them into something nice - such as a birthday card or bookmark - should you so wish. I like multipurpose things.

I got some business cards too. They make me feel almost like a proper grown-up. I sat lopping off all the corners yesterday (because I have a penchant for rounded corners and a special skill for creating unnecessary work for myself).

 

     I don't often divulge my suppliers because I spend an exhausting amount of time searching for them, but I just really want to mention Awesome Merchandise because they were so helpful and did such a brilliant job - if you need things for your own business you should absolutely give them a try.

Delilah x

The Best Logos In The World Ever? Probably.

                         

                                

I wanted to wait until I had finished re-designing my website before I shared these, so that you got the full effect, but since things keep stopping me from working on it I decided I couldn't wait any longer.

 

 

I am so in love with them! They make me smile every time I look at them. The fabulous Julianna Swaney made them for me - I have been enamoured with her work for so long and I am over the moon to have some for my very own. You can see some of the working sketches on her blog here, should that sort of thing interest you (it does me).

 

I have made do with my own little scribbled banner up to now, but with the book and all the new things in the pipeline for this year I really wanted things to look more polished. So I have stripped the website right back (above) and treated myself to a few little business-luxuries like the logos to start the ball rolling. I have designed some little postcards to send out with orders too and am getting some proper business cards made, all of which should arrive next week. I am so excited! Small things.

I also have a tonne of new things which I think are all going to be ready quite close together. I didn't plan it that way, but I have been trying not to rush things because that way I end up hating them. Plus one of my biggest aims for this year was to regain a bit of a work/life balance, so things are taking a little longer. I think they are going to be much better for it.

Whilst anyone who knows me will tell you that I still have a very long way to go when it comes to stamping out the workaholic mentality, in comparison to how things have been for the past few years I have been making epic leaps and bounds. We're talking occasional whole days off: making time to cook, swim, find my dream kitchen (here), become obsessed with Game of Thrones (obsessed I tell you), and spend time with friends old and new...

But the thing that I forgot about life is that it has a habit of biting you in the bum if you let it. It is unpredictable and uncontrollable and, whilst these can be the very things that make it so awesome, for a control-freak like me it can be a little hard to swallow sometimes. I think the point I missed was the idea of balance. I was craving life so much that I forgot I need both. The certainty that work brings - that if I put in enough effort I can affect the outcome that I want - is something I really can't live without. The one thing that I can control. The knowledge that when things go a little pear-shaped elsewhere I can fall back on something solid. And so for the first time in so long I am relishing the fact that I have a mountain of work to keep me occupied. I can't wait to share the results.

Delilah x

New Bag Kit + Update

Afternoon all. The sun has disappeared behind a bunch of big fat clouds here today so I thought it was a good time to brighten things up and show you my new bag kit. I can't get my camera to do the colours justice, but they look awesome in person: minty aqua + chartreuse + mink. I always think the more unexpected combinations look the best. This one is in the shop now; I plan to add a coral version in the next few weeks too.

Peeking out of the top is my new favourite book - Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth:

It's almost the exact same colour as the aqua thread. I am a bit obsessed with that colour - I admit I wanted it before I even looked inside. If you haven't seen this book yet then you should absolutely get it, it is so good. We did secret santa gifts at Christmas and I bought a copy of it for the friend I picked out. I was so close to keeping it for myself but I was good and wrapped it up. Anyway, when we all opened our presents another friend had bought the exact same thing for me so I got one after all! Serendipity. I haven't had time to make anything from it yet, but the photos and recipes all look so beautiful that I can't wait.

Speaking of good recipes, I recently made up another batch of these:

It's been an age since I made them and I forgot just how yummy they are, and super-easy to make. Try them, you'll like them.

Oh, and I also just found out that my book is being released on 4th July! Exciting. I think it is coming out on 6th August in the USA too, so there won't be much longer to wait if you are there. I'll tell you more when I know.

I'm taking a few days off this weekend as I will be busy turning 24* and have all sorts of hijinx planned with my friends and family. I absolutely cannot wait. The shop will still be open for patterns but my last Post Office run will be tomorrow morning, so any kits ordered after that will be posted on Tuesday when I get back. Oh, and Royal Mail have treated us to yet more price rises, which means I will need to look at kit prices/delivery again before April...so if you want to take advantage of the current prices then now is the time.

Have a fantabulous weekend.

Delilah x

*I wish! It's the big 3.0. Hmph.

The One With The Harry Potter Valentine

It is no secret that I am a massive Potter geek, so when I discovered this little lot waiting for me yesterday afernoon I lost the power of speech for about ten minutes. It is without question the most wildly extravagant, imaginative and excessive Valentine's gift I have ever received.

In all honesty I was adequately impressed with the Hogwarts acceptance letter that I found on my doormat after the postman had been, but apparently the letter alone wasn't enough. Cue a gigantic Lindor truffle ("the subject of an Engorgio charm"), a miniature bird cage (for my owl, obviously), and a trunk covered in Gryffindor paraphernalia ("everything you need for Hogwarts"), filled to the brim with Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, bars of Galaxy in an array of sizes, a heart shaped box of chocolates, and enough Lindor truffles to make me morbidly obese for all eternity. Utter madness + completely excellent.

Truffle anybody?

Delilah x

The Anatomical Heart

Hello. It's been a while hasn't it? Not to be melodramatic or anything, but January very nearly killed me. My three separate occupations all seemed to go into overdrive at the same time and I think I have averaged about two hours sleep a night for the past eighteen months. I wish that was an exaggeration.

The silver lining however is that as of last week I am now a full time stitcher! Wohoo! I maybe should have taken the leap quite a while ago instead of trying to keep juggling all the different elements of my life, but I am not naturally inclined to take whacking great risks on a whim so I opted for the "work myself to death to make sure I can keep paying my mortgage" route instead. I'm not sure I would recommend it.

I am currently trying to wade through the epic list of things that needed doing last week/month/year but now that I am able to give them my full attention I finally feel like I am getting somewhere. The last pages of the book have been finalised today so that is a massive relief - I always thought a book would be a lot of work, but it really was a huge undertaking. Beyond anything I could have imagined. I made it worse for myself because I was so particular about how I wanted things to be, which meant I ended up doing things that would normally be done by the publishers, but I knew I wouldn't be happy with it otherwise. I think maybe it wouldn't be so bad the next time around because I would know what to expect and could be better prepared. Maybe. It's looking awesome though, so you have every right to start feeling a small amount of contained excitement. I'd hold back a bit as there's still quite a wait, but a little spark-ette is definitely allowed.

There are also a LOT of new things on the way. The past year has been spent working almost exclusively on designs for the book and for other people, and on just trying to keep up with producing enough kits to meet demand, and all of this means that I have been forced to neglect my own shop a little bit. Whilst I am so grateful for all of the work that has come along to keep me busy, I have really missed working on patterns for the shop, especially since this is the thing that makes me happiest. So I have forced myself to have a bit of a re-jig in the way I am running things, which means that with the extra time I will have from not working at the office any more, I fully intend to come up with an almost obscene amount of newness this year. Starting with the heart pattern at the top of this post. I almost forgot about it because I have been rambling so much!

As usual I planned to have it ready rather sooner than this, but for any of you speedy stitchers who are looking for something a bit unusual to give to somebody lovely next Thursday, this might just fit the bill. Because valentines needn't be pink.

I got a bit carried away with the photography yesterday - I raided Mum's house/garden for props and now my new favourite thing to do is make shapes out of ceramic baking beans! What a loser. I also made that sweet little rosemary heart for my mama and now I want to fill my house with them. Anyway, I hope you like the new pattern. It's in the shop now.

Back soon, I promise.

Delilah x

Last Posting Dates for Pre-Christmas Delivery

I cannot believe we are on the verge of Christmas already. Complete madness.

Anyway, the order deadlines for pre-Christmas delivery are creeping up on us (with the first far-flung-international cut-off tomorrow...eek!) so now is the time to act if you would like any kits before Christmas. If you click on the image above you will be able to see a larger version with all the details. You can also find more information on delivery by clicking here.

If you miss your deadline though never fear, as my PDF patterns will continue to be delivered instantly wherever you are in the world so you can still whip up some of the smaller patterns to give as gifts in time for the big day if you are of a crafty inclination.

Happy December!

Delilah x

Bag Kits Now In The Shop!

I have been working on these bag kits for about a year and a half which is frankly ludicrous, but things have been so busy (which I am very thankful for) that they just kept getting pushed to one side. I am therefore thrilled to announce that the first couple of bags are now in the shop.

The time it has taken me to make them happen means that I have been able to give an awful lot of thought to exactly how I wanted them to be and I am really excited about how well they have turned out. I am even excited about the instruction leaflet which is incredibly sad of me!

They are really easy to stitch and can be knocked up in a weekend, so are perfect for beginners who are put off by the thought of counting or taking on a large project. Plus the actual bags are really roomy and strong - I have been using mine for daily trips to the Post Office (accompanied by my lovely new coat - an early Christmas present from Mama so I don't freeze) and I just love it. Oh, and I filched the mistletoe from a tree outside my house - it grows absolutely everywhere here in my little corner of Norfolk and never fails to make me smile.

Anyway, back to my original point: the bags. Just in case they weren't awesome enough, the stitches are really big and chunky so these kits won't hurt your eyes - bonus!

Hop on over to the shop and have a look, then let me know what you think.

Delilah x

Black Friday - 15% Off Everything!

I am offering 15% off all orders in my shop when you enter the code "BLACKFRIDAY" at the checkout - the discount is only available until midnight this Sunday 25th November though so hurry hurry hurry!

Delilah x