Jacobean in Crewel by Mindy English

Mindy excelled in taking traditional designs intended for crewel embroidery -- which was almost exclusively worked on linen fabric -- and interpreted them on canvas. These designs were characteristically exaggerated floral designs, which offered the embroiderer an opportunity for much expression with stitches. They are also typically worked showing dimension with shading. The stitches employed are often raised and textured for added interest.

Mindy began this pieces by completely working the background (14-count canvas) in two very close values of embroidery floss, white and ecru. She made a grid-like or perhaps trellis like, design for the background, which was very subtle. then she began her embroidery, using mostly Persian wool, or Medici Wool. Occasionally some fine details were done in embroidery floss. The large stylized leaves at the bottom of the design, and the demi-lune shape of the yellow flower were worked in laid fillings, couched down. Stem stitch filling is employed for the green-to-yellow leaves, with a value change for each row of stem stitch. Mindy also employed other traditional crewel stitches like chain (the stamens emerging from the blue flower, and several outlines). Bullion Knots are used for the stamens of the purple flowers, and French Knots for the centers of the small blue flowers, which are worked in needleweaving. Other stitches include Lazy Daisy, Ribbed Spider, and Satin.

This idea of interpreting crewel designs on canvas, but combining the surface stitches with those of canvaswork proved so engrossing to Mindy that she worked a number of other pieces in the same vein, different shapes, different sizes, always different flowers, and always just as appealing.