I Made An Embroidery Sampler... And Sold Everything Else. || Sewing a Victorian Velvet Coat

*** The free Foundations Revealed Skirt Workshop begins on Friday, April 7th. Sign up at
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If you've ever had trouble justifying spending the time doing a test run, trial, tension square or sampler of any technique, this month's video might help convince you.
This month I made my own sampler to test the embroidery for the velvet coat, and you can see in real time the difference it's going to make to the final piece.
​​​​​​​(I also solved the problem of how to make those little felt flowers without cutting them out individually with a pair of embroidery scissors!)
I also sold, donated, or gave away 90% of my possessions and went on the road with my trusty embroidery frame and a roll of velvet. As you do.
Dave Budd Handmade Tools made the punch for the flowers:
www.davebudd.com/
Instagram: @dave_budd_handmade_tools
My embroidery frame came from
www.etsy.com/u...
Music:
‘Paragons of Virtue’ by Jo Wandrini
‘Sense of Touch’ by Helmut Schenker
‘Turtle Swim’ by Johannes Bornlöf
‘Nocturnal Waltz’ by Johannes Bornlöf
‘Winged’ by Clarence Reed
‘We Are Giants’ by Silver Maple
‘When Sarah Returned’ by Daniel Kaede
‘Let There Be Rain’ by Silver Maple
‘Melting Glass’ by Eden Avery
‘Growing Love’ by Josef Bel Habib
‘Prosper’ by Megan Wofford
(All from Epidemic Sound)
Edited by Sophie Black at @triskellepictures
/ @triskellepicturesuk
You can also follow me and see my own sewing on Instagram:
/ cathy.hay
Your letters and cards are welcome at
1 Northumberland Avenue
Trafalgar Square
London
WC2N 5BW
United Kingdom
Please don't send parcels - the fees to have them imported/forwarded to me are expensive! Contact me first if it's something special or important.
Thank you, thank you, to everyone who has sent something to me. It is deeply valuable to read your words in your own handwriting and hold them in my hands. It helps me to connect to who you really are, and what you really need from me. I read, enjoy and treasure every one. Thank you.

[@ThePathOfAshes]

Hey Cathy, while I generally love seeing your progress on projects and everything else you do, I just wanted to say, I've seen one of your earlier videos where you talk about the struggles with your voice and how you're working on it, and I felt like there is a noticeable difference between now and your earlier videos so I guess I just wanted to say I hope you're proud of yourself, because I feel proud for you and wish you all the love in the world

[@CathyHay]

How very kind of you, thank you!

[@clemrick]

I was immediately struck by the strength of her voice also. I hope it is an indication that Cathy is on the right path and getting stronger.

[@EsmereldaPea]

​​​@@CathyHay - I tried to tag you in my comment, but I don't think it worked, so I'm highjacking this thread. :) The historical garment looks like it was embroidered in a thread that has a twist, while the DMC does not. If you are striving for accuracy, I'd look for a crewel thread/yarn to use instead of the DMC. Not trying to throw a monkey wrench into your progress, but wanted to throw that out there. (I'm a knitter and embroiderer going back decades.)

[@cw2071]

Definate change in the voice even from the last video 😊

[@frawgsfibers]

Big change in your voice! Hope you continue to progress! Love your videos!

[@ashley-cz1sl]

Yay! Taking a Cathy Hay break from figuring out a quilt design I am working on. I am making a quilt for the local Children's librarian at my local library, who is retiring in a few months. She was the librarian when I was little. She used to read to me when I was really little, and when my kids were really little she read to them all the time. She is still really close to my kids too.

[@italiansdoitbetter5062]

I too am working on a quilt…that punch flower gave me a 1000 ideas thank you so much can’t wait to see the final results as well as your traveling

[@veronicavatter6436]

Librarians make an impact most people won't notice....unless the impact was on you! I still see the librarian I had in elementary school. I love her

[@theposhmaniac5169]

That's very sweet & kind of you to thank her! You're giving her a treasure of memories from you & your family. What a wonderful legacy & gift.

[@willowashe]

I’ve noticed something changing in you-beautifully so. There is a different, comfortable confidence in you that is so calming and comforting. Not to say you weren’t those things before, but you seemed a bit more… guarded? in the past. I hope you don’t mind me saying this, it’s just wonderful to see you following your passions and finding happiness while healing and shedding the limitations you may have felt from previous experiences.

[@brendahomer6050]

That first cut into expensive materials is the WORST! I always seem to second guess myself before that first cut. The old saying measure twice cut once really applies. Your new adventure of traveling should really stretch you. I'm such a homebody that would be an overwhelming chore. I'm looking forward to see how things go. I love watching and learning from you.😊😊

[@BrightEyesLosingDogs]

Your voice has gotten so strong. I have loved hearing you find your voice again. I use your videos as soft background noise when i have a migraine so your voice has always been soothing. Im happy your hard work is showing in spades! Love from America

[@apocriva]

The way I audibly gasped when the velvet was rolled out hahaha 💜

[@magicattic]

I think those original leaves were done with crewel thread or perle cotton. There is a twist there, and threads which are "one strand" tend to embroider more smoothly.

[@lornas-w4661]

A travelling compendium made from sapient pearwood (see Disc World book 1 I think for this kind of Luggage with consciousness), that's like a Tardis, with many drawers, smoke and mirrors for you-know-wot, a kettle it boils itself for needed moments of hot solace that only tea in china can bring, and wheels it pushes itself around on is what I wish for you! If *only* that could exist.

[@danielleboots7032]

Thank you for sharing Cathy.

[@marymary5494]

Your work is so inspiring as are you. 👌💕

[@jenlb]

Do you have a laying tool for the embroidery or do you railroad the strands? Not historically correct, but maybe look into a Singer Featherweight as a solid portable that wouldn't add too much weight to your kit.

[@QxiMichelangelo]

the stress of cutting velvet....

[@karladenton5034]

Cathy, did you know that DMC does its 6 strand floss on 100 and 500 g cones? MUCH better for large projects!

[@Myst_Eerie_Isle]

Hey! If you have a shipping address, I'll send you all the 738s I can from my craft store. ^_^

[@MelDaltonMusic]

Same! 😂

[@sevalla]

I have a travelling art studio, its a dubbel tool chest on wheels with a handel to pull it, much like a modern suitcase. One box goes on top of the other and snaps in to place so you end up moving both of them together. In the bottom box i put all the heavy stuff and in the one on top holds my pencils, brushes and so on.

[@sewscience]

One-woman traveling embroidery show will be the next big thing, y'all just watch ;)

[@susanheminger338]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates cutting into new material! Also, the cutting process in general always takes SO much longer than I think it will. So much planning and measuring, and I always have a sneaking suspicion that I will still probably get it wrong! Hate it. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I FINALLY get to the actual sewing! Love your beautiful content, Cathy!

[@kiarakeeper2154]

I agree! The sewing is the enjoyable part. Everything else, that's work, that's maybe educational, and maybe pushes my craft to a new level, but its not fun. It's stressful. I always have to have an emotional support buddy with me. Usually my lovely husband, sometimes my sister, the really hard projects I might even have both of them, like when I made a skirt with 11 yards of tulle in 6 hours the day before I needed it.... sewing with tulle is officially on my never again list. I've decided I will try the heat set rhinestones next time, but never again will I sew tulle. Lol

[@flo9]

It's literally the reason that I mostly knit and don't sew much. Scary!!

[@arliss123]

Especially, if it's really expensive fabric and you only have limited yardage! Nerve wracking!

[@opheliahamlet3508]

Cathy, when you embroider a large project in one color it's best to purchase all of the embroidery floss you'll need at the same time. It's a big initial investment, however all of the floss needs to be from the same dye lot. The difference from dye lot to dye lot may not be apparent when you're looking at the floss, but the difference will be noticable as you progress through the project. This is a remarkable piece. Please know that I appreciate all that you share with us. I'm thrilled that you're allowing us the privilege of joining you on your new jouney. Wishing you tremendous success, Linda

[@tictactoe325]

Hi Cathy, I think you might need a Perle thread to embroider the velvet. The DMC hasn’t got the same sort of weight. Also, you might find a big eye quilting needle really helpful in keeping your stitches neat and even. I use the Roxanne brand between needles. I use an 11 sized needle, but those would be too small for this work.

[@herbertlongfellow7702]

I agree, the Perle has the necessary twist like the original.

[@dawnsanford9294]

@@herbertlongfellow7702 I agree with you. I noticed it as well when she placed them side by side.

[@celineq7019]

Last summer I went on a solo trip across Scotland and I carried my embroidery frame (about 40*50cm) all the way with me. I was doing wool tapestry needlework so it was fairly thick too. In terms of hassle, it was definitely more work than knitting but I'd say significantly less than dressmaking (where you have about two hundred pins on the fabric). But I'll never forget doing the embroidery on the train into the highlands, in Glasgow sunset, or in a hostel pub with a dozen German boys after coming back from my first mountain walk...I am looking forward to your travel videos!

[@NittynatStitches]

Wow! I'll be doing a similar trip in a few years time - but with a 70 x 20 frame... yikes!

[@boomvoom8]

It's been a while since I've seen you... Your voice seems to slowly be coming back. It makes me very happy! I'm looking forward to watching this! I love embroidery!😊

[@kitterzy]

Make sure you get all of one dye lot for the embroidery thread colors. Otherwise they will all fade or wear differently over time. I do a lot of embroidery with silk ribbon and with many different fiber-contents of thread. I also wanted to mention you should use a nice rubber mallet to strike your wool felt punch. Won’t be as harsh on the wood base and your punch won’t need sharpening as often.

[@faydreamsmystic4]

This is turning out amazing! Have you thought of using a ball stylus on the flower petals to heat them up to form a slight cup in them? I think that might give you the look of the original coat without distorting the flowers too much or damaging the delicate nature of them once they've been cut.

[@midnightqueen3332]

Some light steam and pressure might get the same or similar effect, its how wool hats are made, steaming and stretching. Excellent idea by the way, the ball stylus to round the petals more.

[@erinbanana22]

that would work great on wool felt, not sure about regular felt since its plastic. but that does sound smart!

[@ClaudiaArnold]

I think one of the differences is also that the flowers on the original are more crowded, overlapping and thus tend to lift their petals more.

[@rekwa3860]

​@Erin Delaney I don't think Cathy would use plastic felt on a reconstruction project

[@agroshadowgoddess]

This does work, I’ve used the tip of a tiny iron for the same effect for wool flowers I made for my cousin hair for her wedding… works like a charm and gives life to a stiff fabric…

[@TheGabygael]

Did Cathy and Bernadette just swap countries in the span of three years

[@mclamb2011]

I strongly recommend that you acquire a very large amount of the colors of DMC you are using beforehand. Due lots can vary and you don’t want to face that problem. I always am looking forward to all your future videos. Safe travels!

[@minutiaesays]

Or just order a cone? They're not terribly enormous, and worth the space as you won't have to worry about dye lots, or skeins getting ratty from grubbing around in a project bag.

[@conniemurdoch8528]

I just thought of another idea (for years I’ve made little cotton velveteen toddler coats with matching bonnets). That is how I learned the way to get the best effects out of your floss and how to work with a napped fabric. I used to mark the back of the velvet with a thread traced arrow to keep track of the right direction on the fabric. Especially if you are cutting up yardage to cut your pattern from. I only forgot that rule once and I had a hodgepodge of different colours on a coat where I didn’t mark the direction of the nap of the velvet. You can end up with part of the garment looking a totally different colour from the other parts. I even chalk marked an arrow on the back of scraps so that if I ruined a collar or a cuff and needed to cut a new one I didn’t have to work out the way the nap was running on the scrap pieces I had saved. I suspect you know all these things already but I’m saying it anyway in case there’s a tiny bit you hadn’t heard of.

[@gardnmama]

In December 2020 I sold or gave away nearly everything I owned. I packed a couple of suitcases and moved to a different continent where I didn’t speak the language. I’ve loved every moment and continue to grow as a person as I learn a new culture. Enjoy your journey!

[@charminsavage2512]

Years ago, I worked in a fabric store, when you folded the velvet I screamed NO! at my computer... but when you cut it in half and rolled it I audibly sighed. People who have never worked with velvet don't understand that folding it disturbs the nap and can leave marks that are nearly impossible to get out. Also, even after working with and cutting fabric for others for more than 15 years cutting out my own patterns terrifies me every time - which explains my backlog of projects lol. Safe travels and happy adventures.

[@jilliedillie]

I think using your punches on a self healing mat will extend their sharpness compared to pushing them into hard wood. I’m loving that purple 💜.

[@LRWdesign]

When using DMC embroidery thread a tip for you is to separate all the strands in the length you are using to embroider. Put them back together. This eliminates the twist and will allow a nicer stitch and less likely to knot or coil on you while working. Also use a pin to hold that leaf strand where you want it, put your thread behind it, make your stitch and then remove the placement pin when you go to tack the leaf strand down. It helps to keep them closer spaced and more even. Hope these tips help. Love you ❤ and your videos. Good luck and have fun in your travels. 🥰❤

[@hannahfox5422]

I wish I'd known this when I undertook my last significant cross stitch project. Oh well, I'll have to take on a new project to utilise this piece of knowledge.

[@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda]

nevermind separating the strands on the floss or your very useful tips, those leaves (and possibly the whole thing) should really be done in perlé to get closer to the original coat ,and it would incidentally be cheaper

[@andra6057]

The thread in the leaves on the original have a wonderful twist that gives them more dimension and movement and is even more evocative of a real fern blade.

[@LRWdesign]

@@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda good idea 👍

[@jewellhershey5051]

Annie Oakley, 1860-1926, American sharpshooter, member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, lived out of a trunk and sewed her own costumes, moving from hotel room to hotel room. In her biography I read that she packed everything, including her sewing machine, in one trunk. I thought you might be interested. I wish you well on your new adventure. ❤️

[@lupinotuumlunam]

The real reason you decided to travel was to find all if the thread you will need for this. It is looking fantastic.

[@lornas-w4661]

That's a reel reason all right! Tee hee

[@songs-of-seers5139]

Honestly England is pretty good for special threads. England and Japan. It's annoying how much I order thread from abroad.

[@rainrabbit9209]

I feel like it is a dying art. When I mention embroidery, so many think they know what it is, however they don't.

[@sneeeeeeeeeeeeee]

So true, people just don't get it. My brother-in-law always asks me about my "cross-stitching" and my mother-in-law, slightly less annoyingly, always refers to it as needlepoint, no matter how many times I've told them what I do is embroidery.

[@katespencer4038]

Trust me if they ever want you to do something for them they will get your craft right. My family does it all the time

[@karencrittenden414]

You and Bernadette, switching countries

[@ksaunders4362]

I thought that was couching! I don't do it very often, but it is still a part of some of my cross-stitch patterns. Your embroidery is looking fab, Cathy! I'm also not over the irony of Bernadette moving to the U.K. and you moving to the U.S.... :-)

[@kimhill6351]

I’m just jumping in now so maybe you’ve mentioned this before, but I wanted to ask before I forgot…😉 Just wondering why you chose stranded DMC rather than perle cotton? Looking at the photos from your phone as you were comparing your stitching to the original, it looks like the original is a perle thread. Since perle is thicker it would take fewer strands to achieve the original look on the coat and might prove more durable. A size 8 or 12 would be delicate. Really just thinking out loud. Oh be still my heart! That purple velvet!!! It’s so stunning!!!! 😍 This is such a beautiful project. I’m so glad you’re sharing it with us!!!! Ok, back to my stumpwork project. Thanks for joining me over lunch 😁

[@janeteholmes]

You need to watch Sarah Homfrey. She has excellent embroidery tutorials. Her French knot video is brilliant.

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I have started over with nothing several times, sometimes voluntarily ( moving abroad) sometimes involuntarily (house fire and other calamities) and the most important things to me are my photos and reference books. The rest is replaceable, even some of the books are too.

[@marykayryan7891]

PS. I know it's none of our business, but why are you moving to the U.S.?

[@graciemaca6996]

Cathy, the gorgeous purple velvet was a perfect choice for this project. It looks so rich, like royalty. Likewise, the embroidery is so professional looking. Thank you for these videos! Even an accomplished seamstress can learn something from you. Wishing you well on your decision to go on the road with your classes and other endeavors!

[@retrocraftdreams]

I can't be certain, but it looks like at least the leaves in the original are made with perle thread / pearl cotton. It's not stranded, has a twist to it, and comes in a few different thicknesses. It's also mercerized, and so has a bit of gloss to it.

[@sidewalkpirate23]

I live in a very small apartment and we are talking about going into a tiny house. Most of my sewing supplies are in a vintage tool boxes and my sewing box. Tool boxes are great. They can take a beating and still protect the contents inside. They have locking closures, so if they fall, nothing spills. And they have compartments for sorting things. They may not look as romantic as the trunk but they work. 😊

[@TiffMarche]

Yes! I use either tool boxes or train cases for most of the tools that I use on a regular basis (one for sewing, one for my medical supplies, another for my computer repair kit, etc). I find it to be really practical.

[@sidewalkpirate23]

@@TiffMarche absolutely! And train cases are so cute! I have seen a few makeovers for those that look absolutely spectacular!

[@CodyMThomas]

I have really noticed an improvement in your voice, you have been working so hard on yourself and your projects, and I hope that you are in a much better place in your life these days, as well as proud of how far you have come! This project is great and I can't wait to see it finished! I know this isn't the case, but I find it a little humorous that my two favorite introvert KZbin sewers are you and Bernadette, and Bernadette recently moved to the UK from the US, and now you are going to be moving to the US from the UK. I know that distance is no object to true friendship, but I promise, a single country is large enough for two introverts to be friends in, you don't have to be on ACTUAL opposite sides of the planet! I would love to see you moving from space to space, and when you do move here to the US, I hope we get a video tour of your new home!

[@carolinawolf7708]

It looks like the felt you used for the petals is too thick, with a thinner fabric it would behave more like in the original.

[@loopylori2563]

You should try a Colonial knot to make the center of the flowers. Colonial knots are used most in Candlewicking embroidery. The Colonial knots make much lovelier knots than French knots. The Colonial knots will stand up better than French knots. The Colonial knots are more uniform than French knots and won't tangle up like that French knot made with wrapping so many times at the beginning of your video. I love your videos! Thanks for letting me vicariously create with you!

[@brytefyre]

Hi from Guatemala! My sewing room fits in a dresser drawer, I hand-sew everything, and cut on my tiled floor (a challenge). I am looking forward to your adventures and watching how you handle the challenges that will come your way! Your embroidery looks fantastic, and I can't wait to see more.

[@brookeg5979]

I haven't watched one of your videos for awhile, maybe a year (I fall in and out of youtube and was in an 'out' for a long stretch)...I'm so THRILLED to hear the power and confidence in your voice from the jump in this one. You've obviously made so much progress inside and out and wow, this beautiful new embroidery project AND traveling lifestyle! I know high fives are very american, but HIGH FIVE girl, you are kicking BUTT. :) Happy travels!

[@ssc4153]

My gosh Cathy....you have put in a lot of time on the purple coat. I can't wait to see it when it's finished! Also Cathy...an idea for the long pieces/poles for your embroidery........they making fishing pole cases that might be able to carry them in....just an idea of how to transport those long embroidery rods.....

[@Shewhiz99]

Great idea! Maybe check in a local fedex shop for long boxes -usually triangular so they don’t roll around and stack better. Former shipper! Lol!

[@smarcucci79]

To protect the rolls of fabric, I had thought, for my part, of the bags for yoga mats because I think that their diameter is too large for the rolls for architect's plans (which would have protected them very well from the risk of shock and from water because they are hard plastic).

[@geekculture00]

If I was going to have a travelling sewing room, I think I would try to bring along my vintage mini sewing machine - it does chain stitches, as opposed to lock stitches, but it would be quite convenient if I needed to sew quickly in a pinch lol

[@bryonysays]

I have a sneaking suspicion that the original flowers are made from 2 pieces of fabric, with 2 petals each, also it looks like the leaves are stitched from twisted rather than parallel thread. Though I'm sure your personal version will be gorgeous which ever way you do it. I was impressed by your french knots!

[@slbarbieri1725]

That is what I thought as well. They almost looked to be cut in a bone shape and laid criss cross and knotted together

[@bryonysays]

Yes exactly. It also would have been a lot easier for them to stamp out bone shapes.

[@andra6057]

The same thing called my attention, perhaps those were just “mistake” petals that didn’t get cut out right. As Bob Ross would say, a happy accident.

[@KJodiGear]

Yes, I agree - at least some of them look to be two pieces of fabric - at 15:38 in the video, near the bottom on the right.

[@MathijsHeideveld86]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this, including the "I dont usually make a sample" as someone with ADHD that likes to do embroydery for larp kit I felt so heard when you said just that. Also, getting into some more serious sewing, I started making all sorts of samples etc. before committing to the actual fabrics since watching your videos, and it upped my end results so much. Thank you again.

[@lady_gwen]

Thanks to all of the historical creators on KZbin. Together, you talked me into making my own garments. The things I discovered I knew just from watching all of you has been incredible! I made my first walking skirt (from a pattern and cotton broadcloth), and I feel amazing swishing about in it at least once a week! I'm so proud of it (and the mistakes I made along the way), and I can only say thank you for encouraging us to at least try. Thank you, Cathy for your time and knowledge and encouragement

[@sooth15]

Hey Cathy. I'm not sure when you'll be cutting all the flowers, but it may be worthwhile to try cutting many of them at a time. We used to do this at the upholstery company where I worked whenever we needed to cut a bunch of circles for upholstery buttons. It was a similar metal cutter, but just circular. We'd cut about a dozen or more squares of fabric (sometimes more but usually limiting the stack to about an inch thick of fabric), then cut through the entire stack in one go using a button press. The main advantage of this method is that the vast majority of the pieces will be cut really nice and crisp around the edges (whereas the last one on the bottom of the stack sometimes tends to cut slightly unevenly). The disadvantage is that there's a bit more waste around the edges. I can't wait to see more of this project. That light green, the gold, contrasting with that purple... it's going to be gorgeous.

[@MaryamBehairy]

I jumped to push play and realized it's a teaser🙄...can't wait for the full video. Love love love you so much. You're such an inspiration to us all. ❤️ 🤗

[@pcgordon3360]

I too was so excited, that it made it fullscreen!

[@philippatill9727]

Me too mate! 😂

[@ashley-cz1sl]

Me too

[@cecedubois5147]

Oh my, Cathy, not only are you beyond talented, you are so courageous!! I love your sense of adventure, and grateful you're taking us along!! ❤

[@erikawerner]

So, you're in love? I am very happy for you ! But why are you moving to the US ? So many People are leaving the states and you are going there, hope things work out for you! Your embroidery is very pretty, cant wait to see it all done. You look smashing in black, beautiful winter. Thanks for the video.

[@MichelleSMV]

Your embroidery is so beautiful! I recently tried a Japanese embroidery class and that was such an experience. Especially creating the thread

[@angelvannote1900]

So excited to see your progress on this project! I am fairly certain you can get DMC in cones, you might need to work with a wholesaler or with a retail store to see if you can get one in the color you need.

[@achaoticfaerie]

I'm working on my senior prom dress while watching this! It's my biggest project yet, and I'm self-taught, so it's really thanks to you and other costubers that i even vaguely know how to put something like this together. So just thank you! I love your videos.

[@theposhmaniac5169]

Congratulations & best wishes for your prom dress! I hope you have an enchanted night! & create beautiful memories!

[@Zluka-Kluka]

Your voice is so much more vibrant! Happy your hard work is paying off❤. Love your work!

[@christianafasske3561]

This is just perfect! I've been watching historical clothing videos for quite some time now and only recently discovered just how much I enjoy recreating some of the items I see. And now just as I planned some time off work this videos launches, so I can be up-to-date while attempting to recreate something myself. Your appreciation for all those details (and your work in general) is stunning!

[@starscarrednyx]

🎉 😮 on the road! Stay safe! Much love! Enjoy each day! You are an amazing person and such an inspiration to us. ❤🪡🧵 ✨️

[@sarahr.1076]

I was in London last week and did see this coat in reality. Now I can't wait to one day see your recreation of it :)

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

Dear Cathy, I have to thank you so much what you have unknowingly done for me. And no, you did not bring me into wearing historical clothes. But you (among others) somehow gave me the confidence to get into costume/fantasy armour. It took several years, but now I have reached my goal of becoming Boba Fett (yes, as a female). I do not know for how many years I can do this. But I am so happy doing it! And it got worse...I am now on my third costume (or harness, as they say). All of these three are very different from each other. Maybe it has also something to do with childhood dreams...but it feels right.

[@moxiebombshell]

I'm so happy for you, Internet Stranger!!!!

[@connie6545]

I really admire your "guts" to just pick up and undertake your journey! AND, your samples are really well done. SO beautiful!! 😊

[@lynette.]

Some bold moves you are making it sounds like it will be an interesting journey.

[@lauriepalmer3593]

Just an observation, I think your stitches are beautiful and you’re doing a phenomenal job, but I believe the weight of your thread is different than the original. If you look at the original, they have a thread that has been coiled… The strands are twisted and it adds a texture that I think your sample is missing. I can’t even imagine the amount of work that you will be putting into this … you are exceptional.

[@morningrose428]

I'm so excited to come along on your new adventure. Stay safe, stay joyful, stay inspired! Also, you're never too old to go to Dad and say 'hey, can you help me build something?' I now have an awesome pegboard on my wall holding so much yarn that my dad helped me build, and it's one of my favorite things in my room.

[@Myst_Eerie_Isle]

Also, are you going to be traveling around the US? If so, you are welcome to crash at my home if you need a place at any point during your journey. I live in Wyoming. I'm also learning embroidery, so if you need help with the coat, I can help if you decide to stop by.

[@MelDaltonMusic]

I'm in North Idaho; I imagine you won't end up over here bc few people do (even though I live 5 minutes from the only major east-west highway). But if you ever do and want to do an in-person class, I'd love to help arrange that.

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

SoDak here! I love how peaceful the Black Hills are - excellent place for meditative sewing. :)

[@1st1anarkissed]

I have a velvet coat on which I wish to do goldwork embroidery. Maybe in a year. Meanwhile, I am embroidering small projects so I can get the practice in.

[@Liz-df2nj]

Hello Cathy, I just wanted to mention that from the brief glimpses of the original embroidery I have seen, it seems that the thread used for the fly stitched leaves is a twisted one; I think it might be a perle thread possibly around an 8 weight? If I’m wrong (very likely!) then can I recommend that you use a mellor to lay the threads of the six strand cotton for maximum neatness and shine? Thank you for all your wonderful videos.

[@conniemurdoch8528]

Cathy, do you do anything with your floss before embroidering. I’m thinking of stripping the strands or waxing and ironing the floss. You will love the difference it makes in your embroidery. It’s like embroidering with tiny silken ribbons. You get much better coverage. Many of the smockers I know do this and I mocked the whole idea until I tried it myself and now I do it for everything I embroider. A thought on the flowers. I expect the original flowers were made using real wool felt. They also may have taken yardage and felted it themselves (basically you wash the wool at a high heat and with lots of agitation).

[@sfowler1017]

I love that you're minimizing! It's so freeing. Unromantic as it may be, a stacking rolling toolbox may be your best bet for a practical, easily transportable sewing room.

[@argusfleibeit1165]

I'm glad you found some way to "manufacture" the petals. I hope there is a way to sharpen the tool edges, as I think there are a thousand or so flowers on that robe. You must have your own reasons for coming to the US. I think we are still too insane to be a pleasant place to be.

[@damdamfino]

Cathy, I made my own version of Sansa’s direwolf dress from Game of Thrones, which involved a lot of hand embroidery on velvet. I don’t know how historically accurate you’re wanting to go with your techniques, but I have some tips I want to pass along. I used a small rectangular lap frame made of PVC (available in the embroidery section at most craft stores) and put heavyweight non-woven stabilizer / interfacing in the frame. Then I used spray adhesive to stick the velvet on top without crushing it or having to sew it. Then I used water soluble stabilizer on top of the velvet to prevent the embroidery from sinking too far into the pile, it helps it lay more “fluffy” top. (you can trace the design onto the water soluble stabilizer, but I would recommend testing a swatch to see how it reacts to your stabilizer, thread and velvet.)

[@bethmueller9590]

I wondered how she was going to transfer the design. I'm thinking she will sort of sew in with white thread perhaps the vines so that she does not disrupt the pile.

[@anastasialudwika]

Amazing work!!! ❤❤❤❤❤ P.S. DMC Perle cotton 12 (Perle cotton type has this same twist the original thread have) can be a really good choice for leaves, and Perle cotton 8 can be good for stems.

[@lenlaegrim]

So I've been kinda obsessively looking at the reference (around 15:43) because of what you said about the movement on the coat's flowers, Cathy, and if you look super closely some of them almost seem to be done in 2 layers instead of one?? (And possibly on a thinner felt? Not 100% on that, tho). But re: the double layers thing, they seem to be 2 almost figure-eights, teardrops, or two circles connected by a little rectangular bridge, that have then been crossed over one another and tacked down in the center, which is why some of them look almost messy, if they're not perfectly centered. Of course wear-and-tear, the passage of time, and the felt becoming softer also has to do with how they look, but I think the key might be the two separate pieces. I have no idea if this helps or not, I just noticed it and couldn't stop thinking about it 😅

[@truckerbrat7005]

Wow! What a change! This is so exciting, I can't wait to see where you go. Thank you so much for doing a beginner course, I signed up right away!

[@izzyisabou8498]

Looking at the original flowers, to me they look like they are two pieces of 2 petals (think figure 8) with the french knot holding them together, that would also give them more of the "floppy" appearance then the one piece flower. (sorry to repeat, if someone else mentioned this already)

[@kristinapaxton9686]

This just shows how important the toile stage is :D

[@oldke078]

I'm right with you- I always used to hate french knots!! I may just not have the best screen definition, but it looks slightly like the thread forming the lower portion of the leaf may also have couching added to it, showing the lower leaf as textured, and the upper leaf as smooth? I love your project Cathy, and it's so lovely seeing this big project come together in real time, around real-life events. I wish you the best, and I'm looking forward to seeing where our travels take you :)

[@angelairidescenceartglass6289]

I thought I was crazy for thinking the leaves aren’t done as one stitch for both sides but with straight stitches on top and couched (and slightly less dense) stitches on bottom giving a more dimensional look.

[@susannebrown3255]

For the leaves and stems, it looks like they twisted the tread as they sewed it. Looked more ropey to me. It’s going to be gorgeous.💗🇨🇦🐉👩🏼‍⚖️

[@naboolio8442]

I was trying to figure out the texture variation, you’re right!

[@professorrhyyt3689]

Yes, or use cotton perlé instead of stranded cotton.

[@AannshaJones]

I held my breath when you were cutting the velvet! Having been on my own 'spiritual' journey (mine started in 1989), it's wonderful to see you following your spirit. I wish you all the very best with your Journey and your travels (and of course your project). I very much look forward to joining you via your videos.

[@Zeldur]

I always saw the petals on the original coat as 2 petals across from each other as being 1 piece, then there's 2 of those stacked to make the 4 petals. But, I think that more. Doing a traveling sewing room sounds... stressful, especially lugging around the books. Are you going to get then digitally or digitize them then get a tablet to read it?

[@kristinev7671]

Congratulations 🎉. Delighted for you to begin this journey and grateful you’re sharing it with us ❤

[@amypalmer161]

In looking at close-ups of the original, I think pearl cotton would be a much better texture match to the original than regular cross-stitch style cotton. It's got a more defined rope-style texture to it. Either way, it's looking amazing!

[@suzisaintjames]

Something is bothering me about the white flowers not being so floppy. First, are you sure the flowers on the coat are felt? In this frame 8:39 you can see the fabric is frayed... especially the top flower and a few others in this group has thread ends sticking out. I didn't know felt had warp and weft threads. I thought it was made from roving? ... Could it be flannel? I've seen antique flannel appliques this those edges (flannel from the 1950s on a quilt that was washed often.) If the flowers on the coat are felt, could it be that your felt is thicker. Or maybe the cuts from the chisel should be >< instead of - -? To give a little more room to flop? ... The reason this flopping is important to me is that the hydrangea look so realistic on the coat. I can't imagine buying that coat (back in the day) with every flower wide open like on your sample. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@Joanna-sewingreloaded]

Cathy, I am cutting fabric on the floor, it is so tiresome that it takes a lot of time for me to decide to do it at all... My dream is to have a big cutting table, not to menton the sewing room with all the stuff. What you are planning is a big challenge and you are courageous!

[@samandspot]

Leave the lights at home. It won’t work in the us as the plug is wrong and the voltage is different. (I had to retire all my lamps when I moved here from the uk) in fact leave behind anything electrical.

[@suzisaintjames]

8:39 it looks like to me, that the flowers on the coat are closer together than on your sample. The two right of your finger (along the edge) would be over lapping if their pedals were straightened. Ps. I think you have the correct number of strands in your French knot. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@suzisaintjames]

I think you need to try one more leaf on your sample with another strand of thread... To me, it still looks a little thinner than what's on the coat. (Please forgive me if I'm way off as it's hard to see with the camera angles and all the magnification... But that's why we do samples, right?) 💖🌞🌵😷

[@deborahcherry1735]

I admire you for getting rid of everything,not something I would ever do ,but why the U.S .A of all the country’s you could go to.

[@JoyandSerenity.]

I feel like your embroidery thread is the wrong shade for your purple velvet. I think you might need a cooler toned gold. I don't know if you are just using this gold as a cheap sample colour? The original coat's purple is cool toned almost blue purple, so they use a warmer gold, your purple is much warmer to suit you, but that means you need to switch to a cool tone gold. The couching gold looks awesome, its the leafy gold colour that seems much too warm.

[@ellec.1117]

Why why why would you want to come to America especially to live. New York, Southern California are novel for a couple weeks. It isn't a horrible place and better than most but the UK no. Just no. Did Bernadette Banner not talk some sense into you about this.

[@wintersushi4924]

Hey Cathy! Love the progress you've made so far, and I love the idea of a traveling sewing room! I hope that wherever you move to in the US is peaceful and kind to you. It's been really scary and hateful here lately so I hope you find a great place! Be safe, and best of luck!

[@moxiebombshell]

(as someone currently trying to figure out how to move *out* of the US, I concur!)

[@ryanwagner7980]

Bold move, choosing to immigrate to the US in its current state. Nevertheless, we’ll be thrilled to have you 💛

[@CyrisDarkness]

I understand your desire for life on the go and for sewing like we all do, on the floor, but please be careful. As someone who has a little bit of a back problems and tends to sit weird sewing on the floor is something that sadly is a stain on my body, resulting in back, neck and ankles pain, even though I'm a fairly active person. So once you have preparing it all ready take care and pay attention to your position on the floor.

[@yvonneburns2786]

Do you have at least a new home base to come back to, I couldn't imagine you parting with your sewing machine.

[@brianadixon8995]

If you keep up your nomad lifestyle in over here in the US and get anywhere near Camas Wa. I would love to either have some coffee or even host you. 😊❤

[@cindyfrye3026]

Your voice is sounding much improved. Congratulations on your hard work.

[@ashleyclayton1350]

Is it possible that the original embroidery of the leaves is done in perle cotton? It's hard to tell on my screen but it seems more textured than the regular DMC.