What do you know about crewel? My grandmother had a wing back chair with ball feet in the living room. The fabric had flowers bursting off winding vines in rich colors of deep blue, dark rose and forest green. We called it the itchy chair; it was a crewel fabric which is embroidery but with wool thread instead of embroidery floss. My aunt had similar chairs in her living room and they were the first thing you noticed when you walked into the room. Crewel fabrics are best on foot stools, accent chairs, pillows and drapes; that don’t get as much wear. But don’t be fooled by the crewel. These fabrics can be pretty hearty in weight. Crewel is truly an art form and you just don’t see it much anymore. My mom gave me a crewel piece she did back in the 60’s. She made it to go on a stool but never used it. I framed it and now it is part of my gallery wall. ( see my blog https://thomasleeliving.com/blogs/news/if-your-wall-could-talk-what-would-they-say-about-you)
Don’t be Fooled by Crewel
One of my early jobs out of college, I was a buyer/merchandiser for a home furnishings and accessories store. Hmmm, 31 years later not much has changed since then! Anyway, I bought this little upholstered chair, it was a floor model and had some scuff marks on the white fabric I couldn’t get out. It was the perfect size for my bedroom and I knew I wanted to get it reupholstered one day. Well, that day came a few years later when I came across the sweetest crewel fabric in the clearance pile at Calico Corners. Thirty years later, I still have this chair in my bedroom with the crewel fabric on it. My chair doesn’t get much use and that’s probably why it has held up so well. Crewel comes in and out of style like any fabric would but I think a beautiful classic crewel never goes out of style. Crewel fabrics can be expensive and the pattern repeats can be large, but if you can work some crewel into your home, it is something you will have forever. Not all crewel patterns are traditional floral designs. You can find some contemporary geometric patterns in pillows, rugs and framed art. Crewel is a technique, not the style.
Have you tried to crewel or embroidery?
My mom taught me embroidery when I was in elementary school and I really got into it. I made Christmas ornaments and framed pieces for neighbors and friends. When I was in college, I took several courses in the Crafts Department and one of the courses was textiles where I learned to crewel. I made a crewel piece of Marilyn Monroe for one of my projects. It wasn’t my best work but my sister had it for years hanging in her bedroom. I’m pretty sure it ended up in the donate pile during one of her moves. Embroidery, crewel, knitting; it can all be very therapeutic. I read not too long ago when you do creative, relaxing projects like embroidery or crewel it can release neurotransmitters that promote happiness and comfort and can also reduce stress for some of us. And who doesn’t want to reduce stress? You can find embroidery kits for beginners with step-by-step instructions. These kits make great gifts and fun to do with friends. Plus, you have a finished project to frame or make into a pillow. And you already know I love pillows and gallery walls! Shop out website for crewel wall décor and embroidery kits. Share your embroidery project with us, use #thomasleeliving And Remember…don’t be cruel to the crewel!
