#the complete dmc encyclopedia of needlework

[jolaunay]

Crafters of the past didn't fuck around...

[somediyprojects]

Alef-Bet Sampler designed by Miriam Brewer for the Six Million Stitches project. 

This project is about a worldwide group of people, women and men, Jewish and non-Jewish, using the Internet to come together and share our love of needlework to" commemorate and honor those people who were part of the atrocities survivors as well as victims of the Holocaust as well as those people who risked their lives to save other lives in that period of history.“ We were brought together by the warmth, vision and enthusiasm of "Rita Needle”, the late Rita Lenkin Hawkins, who sadly did not live to see the project completed. She inspired all to initiate and pursue this project, even though it was initially presented as “impossible”. It is our intention to complete this project as our tribute to this remarkable woman.

As always, please donate $1, in memory of Rita Lenkin Hawkins, for each project you copy or print out to The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum or your local Holocaust Memorial Museum or Center.

Brewer’s instructions and the background for her design can be read under the cut.

Story of the Project:  I love Hebrew, which is good since I am a Hebrew teacher. Hebrew is such a basic part of Judaism. It is found in our prayers, blessings, songs, holidays, names, stories, and teachings. It is in every aspect of the seasons of our lives. So I decide that what I wanted to design and contribute to this project was the specialness of the Hebrew alef-bet.

I turned to Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism for inspiration about the Alef-Bet. The Hebrew language has been used throughout the centuries as a means of divine revelation and communication. The Zohar (Book of Splendor ) has many references to the importance of the Hebrew language. One of the most important mystics was Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia ( 1240-1292). He developed a meditative system based on the Hebrew alphabet. He taught that a path to higher awareness could be achieved using the Hebrew language. Abulafia inspired many Jewish thinkers including Rabbi Issac Lurie and the Baal Shem Tov. It seemed fitting then to use one of Abulafia quotes in the design.

I also love samplers. I love the challenge of doing specialty stitches. A band sampler would give me the opportunity to use various stitches I enjoy doing. I love using different fibers. The colors and textures and the different fibers are fun to work with and see. This design gave me a chance to work with several different fibers. This design gave me a chance to combine two of my loves, Hebrew and stitching. It was a joy to create this Alef-Bet sampler.

Materials Used:

Cashel Linen 28 count - Ivory 18x27 l/2 inches

Needles - tapestry #26

Scroll rods

Scissors

DMC - Blanc, 414-gray, 561- green, 562- light green

Coton Perle - DMC #12 - Ecru

Weeks Dye Work - Turkish Red, Navy

Silk N Colors by The Thread Gatherer - Royalty

Beads - Mill Hill - Petite Glass Beads # 40557

Instructions:

Before stitching I recommend doing a vertical basting stitch on the left side of the fabric. This will help with the band placement.

All the specialty stitches can be found in Favorite Stitches for Linen and Canvas by Linda Driskell. Another good resource is The Proper Stitch by Darlene O'Steen.

Band 1 - Cross stitch the vine using DMC #561.

The leaves are cross stitched using DMC #562.

The pomegranates are cross stitched using Weeks Dye Works - Turkish Red.

Band 2 - The rhodes stitch is done using Silk N Colors - Royalty.

Band 3 - Using DMC # 561 stitch the feather stitch.

Band 4 - The Alef-Bet is cross stitched using Weeks Dye Works - Navy.

The crowns are backstitched using DMC # 5282.

Attach the beads when the project is finished.

Band 5 - The long arm cross is done using Silk N Colors- Royalty.

Band 6 - This is a four sided pull. Use Coton Perle DMC #12 - Ecru.

You need to pull tight to create the holes.

Band 7 - The doves are cross stitched using DMC - blanc.

Next backstitch around the doves using DMC #414.

The eye is cross stitched using DMC # 414.

The olive branch is backstitched using DMC #561.

Band 8 - Repeat Band #6.

Band 9 - The horizontal sheaf stitch is done using Silk N Colors- Royalty.

Band 10 - The quote is backstitched using Weeks Dye Works - Navy.

Band 11 - The fan stitch is done using DMC # 562.

Band 12 - The double herringbone stitch uses Silk N Colors - Royalty.

Band 13 - Repeat Band #1.

References:

Favorite Stitches for Linen and Canvas - Linda Driskell

The Proper Stitch - Darlene O'Steen

The Hebrew Alphabet, A Mystical Journey - Edward Hoffman

Encyclopedia Judaica

The Alef- Bet, Jewish Thought Revealed through the Hebrew Letters - Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburgh

[ohcrackerjacks]

Yooooooo y'all I have a needlework encyclopedia with a complete conversion chart in the back, so if y'all ever need DMC to Anchor or vice versa, let me know what colors you need converted and I’ll help ya! If you look at conerverters online, they're all different, this is note "official"!