Craft: transforming traditional crafts

Jenny Hart's newly released book, Embroidered Effects, takes the easy-to-follow stitching instructions Jenny's known for and pulls in new, more advanced stitches and design elements to help move stitchers to a new level.

Where Jenny's book Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To introduces basic stitches and provides dozens of very simple patterns, Embroidered Effects ups the ante by sharing more complicated stitches and ideas and inspiration for combining those stitches for a new, more stylized effect.

Jenny's fun and friendly voice is strong throughout Embroidered Effects, and the projects are reflective of her unique sense of style and ability to translate centuries-old stitching techniques into new, engaging designs.

Today's CRAFT Pattern Podcast holds special meaning for me on a few levels. I was lucky enough to be one of four women who helped stitch the sample projects that were photographed for Embroidered Effects. Last summer, Amy of Early Bird Special, Floresita of Things I've Made, Ginger of Ginger's Needlearts in Austin and I were each assigned three to four projects to stitch for Jenny's book.

I was over the moon excited to learn that one of my projects would be a Mah Jong tablecloth. My mom has played Mah Jong forever, and nine years ago, she finally convinced me to sit down and learn to play. (This is the traditional game of Mah Jong, not the computer matching game.*) My first game lasted five hours, and I had to be pulled away from the table -- I was hooked in a big way. Since then, my mom has gifted me with my own Mah Jong set, and I keep trying to find friends my age who know how to play or are willing to take a little time to learn.

It turns out that Jenny is also an avid Mah Jong player, and she designed this gorgeous tablecloth that I was able to stitch up for the book. The Mah Jong embroidery pattern offers a selection of tiles and gorgeous Asian-inspired ornaments, including Jenny's own stitch, the Lazy Lotus.

I had such a blast stitching the tablecloth, and I'm so excited that we get to share the Mah Jong pattern with you. If you aren't up for tackling an entire tablecloth, you could whip of a snazzy set of napkins, tea towels or even a Mah Jong case cover. Aside from stitching, I hope this also inspires you to check out the game of Mah Jong if you haven't played it before. Grab some friends and settle in for a fun, thoughtful and beautiful game! And be sure to check out Embroidered Effects for more gorgeous, fun and inspiring designs!

* Sadly, the photo stylist must have not been familiar with traditional Mah Jong, and set the table like a computer tile matching game.

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