Sally, thanks so much. I found that site and it is indeed helpful. However, since I don't know the name of most stitches, it's difficult to find the one I want in a list of names. What is the name of the basic and common stitch used to make a straight line or curved outline of something, or perhaps to sew one's name? It's a simple, basic stitch and I can't remember the name of it. I will be making a small wall-hanging quilt that uses applique on which I will embroider some lines and gentle curves to highlight features. The instructions for the stitch are not provided in the quilt instructions. If I can get the name of that stitch, then I'll know what to research on-line or in a book. I'd like a good book to have on my lap and refer do while I'm doing the stitching in front of the TV. There are a few I put on my wish list at Amazon.... I may go to a walk-in book store where I can look through different books and choose the one that's best for me. Thanks again, Jen

I love to embroider the "old fashioned way" by hand instead of by machine. Actually my machine is old fashioned too and only does limited embroidery. I am trying to find a celestial or metaphysical set of transfers that can be put on velvet so they can't be iron on transfers, but after searching for over 18 months and being artistically challenged myself (so I can't draw them) I have been unable to find anything. Does someone have a suggestion as to where they can be found? This is to be a centerpiece for a comforter so it needs to be a fairly large design.

I assume you are talking about the price per hour for your eyes only so you know what to charge for a finished piece!?! I’d recommend doing a price by the square inch as a guide....but ultimately pricing by the finished product. It’s no ones business on how long it takes an artist to create something. If it’s clean, beautiful and well done it doesn’t matter if you took an hour or 12 hours. If you are trying to settle on an hourly price to tell your clients..... it’s the wrong way to go. It’s hard not to do it, but I will admit I do. I’m crafty and handy, and if I know I’m paying someone X an hour, it’s because I can’t do it for that price, at that quality. I know it’s the wrong way to think about it, but it’s true. I may be unwilling to pay an artist $250 and hour to create something.... but if I didn’t know the time aspect, I may very well pay the $250.

I only do hand embroidery, usually for a gift. I might spend months on one project, but people notice! My sister recently wore a jacket I had embroidered to an event and someone who does machine embroidery noticed it and raved about it! She showed him several other things I had done and he was gobsmacked! I've been at it since I was a teen (50 years), but didn't do much when raising my kids. I'm pretty proud of my work, and the kids and grandkids are too!