Don't Stop There, Keep Learning!

The Lazy Wench recently spoke to a class of mixed levels of stitchers. Some were beginners and some were quite experienced. It was a fast paced 'brain dump' for The Lazy Wench who took the opportunity to offer some of her opinions occasionally laced with cautions. At one point in the class The Lazy Wench stated, "Blackwork is easy. You don't get to wear a halo because you have learned blackwork." There were some fallen faces in the class as well as some sage nodding. The beginners were disheartened to learn that the skill they had just recently mastered at no small effort was no big thing.

There's a trick to that statement that the beginners didn't understand. Blackwork itself is an easy technique. What they had struggled to learn was how to manage needles, threads, hoops, tension, reading charts and planning a project at the same time they were learning blackwork. Of course it was hard! Once a wench has mastered the basics of handling grounds and fibers, a wench has picked up a lot of skills. These skills are transferable to other embroidery techniques, they haven't wasted their time. They should be proud of their completed project. Wenches didn't just learn Blackwork, wenches learned a lot about embroidery at the same time.

The Lazy Wench also made a clear statement about using aida cloth. "It's great for learning the basics. Once you know how to use hoops and needles and aren't stabbing yourself while you stitch, stop using aida. Cross stitch on aida is lovely. Move on!" The Lazy Wench was trying to discourage her students from getting stuck. Cross stitch and blackwork are both simple techniques. They are great ways to master general embroidery skills while completing projects that look good. Don't stop there, move on!

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