Another project from my clearing out my embroidery stash of projects and related UFOs. This time a “Forever Friends” modern crewel work project from “Learn a Craft”. I’ve never done Crewel before, and Satin Stitch is not my friend, so this will be a big learning experience for me. As this is the “meeting” project, I will not be taking regular pictures.
I have a couple Crewel embroidery projects I’ve been wanting to attempt from Crewelwork.com, but first I need to make sure I got the skills to do them before dropping bucks to import high-quality wool kits from across the ocean. (and by “a couple”, I mean nearly their entire product line.)
First picture is the basic materials, the instructions, the preprinted material (with a design that will not wash away), the hoop to sew in AND for the final display, and the generic cotton embroidery floss. Now true crewel work is done with wool, so this is more of a “feel like” project than an actual project. Stitches include Satin Stitch, Stem Stitch, Backstitch, Lazy Daisies, and French Knots.
10/18/2025 (Total Time 4.75) So far, I’ve been working on this project when I haven’t felt like working on more complicated projects. It has been three or four sittings for a total of 4.75 hours over the last two weeks. The rose and stem are complete – these used Satin Stitch, Stem Stitch, and Back Stitch. I am now working on the framing white heart which needs Stem Stitch again, plus French Knots. The final touch will be light pink lazy daisy. The pictures are the front, the back, and a closeup of the stitching.
10/23/2025 (1.5 hours; overall 6.25) Lazy Daisy embroidery finished. Over the next several days, the embroidery is washed, dried, and ironed. Fray check applied to the round line marked “cut here”, then allowed to dry. Afterward the circle has been cut out. Next up is sewing the gathering circle, loading everything into the provided pink embroidery hoop, and tighten it.
3/17/2026 (0.5 hours; overall 6.75) Life got crazy several ways at the end of October when a parent fell and broke their hip. I didn’t set for two months while helping them. Then another couple months of catchup. Now to finish some of the stuff laying about. Forever Friends got its gathering stitch at long last, placed within the hoop, and finalized.
