2025 May Program - Introduction to Jacobean Crewel Embroidery

Teacher: Sharon Mozeko

This Petite Project from EGA is ideal for the confident beginner to the experienced embroider. The colorful, stylized leaf design in Appleton crewel wool has a trellis base of laid stitches with the intersections held down by cross stitches or a bold Smyrna Cross stitch. It may be finished to display on a stand, as a hanging ornament, or added as an embellishment to clothing or home furnishings.

The instructions are available through the EGA Petite Programs: https://egausa.org/petite-projects/

The finished size is approximately 2.5 inches wide by 4 inches tall.  You may adjust the size if you wish to enlarge it.

Stitching Techniques:

• Trellis

• Couching

• Double Smyrna Cross (optional)

• Closed Fly

• Padded Satin

• Woven Wheel

• Stem or Split Stitch

• Seed Stitch

Supplies:

• Chenille Needle size #22

• Tapestry needle size #18 or #20 (for woven wheel stitch, optional)

• Susan Bates Hoop, size 6” (or use your preferred frame)

• Embroidery Scissors

• Lighting and Magnification, as needed

• Fine tip Micron Pen (to trace the design on the ground fabric)

• A lightbox or a window with natural light for transferring the design

Here's what you'll need:

• 9 x 9 inch square of tight weave linen or twill (no holes). This will be the ground fabric on which you will embroider.

• Doodle cloth to sample stitches, if desired

• Appleton Crewel Wool

  • 253, 254, 256 (Grass Green Range)

  • 801, 802, 804 (Fuchsia Range)

  • 843, 844 (Heraldic Gold Range)

  • 893, 896 (Hyacinth Range)

  • The bolded color numbers above are optional in this design. You can complete the piece with or without these colors

Please add your progress or finished project in the comments!

*Image courtesy of the EGA https://egausa.org/petite-projects/

Introduction to Jacobean Crewel Embroidery, designed by Leslie Mehard Brady