:: July 2003 
Feature
Beyond Longstitch: Embroidering with Helen M. Stevens
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Many of us have a fond memory of learning a few basic embroidery stitches in pursuit of a Girl Scout badge or a Mother's Day present. CyberFibres challenges you to look through your linen closet (or your mom's) to find an example of your early embroidery attempts. Perhaps a pillowcase or a faded dishtowel still holds the threads of your first efforts to embroider.
If it has been awhile since you embarked on an embroidery project, CyberFibres encourages you to become familiar with the work of fibre artist Helen M. Stevens of Suffork, England. Her treatment of subjects from nature, history, and fantasy is truly inspiring. At first glance, her embroidery evokes the comment, "Oh, that must be longstitch," because many of her stitches are indeed series of straight stitches of varying lengths. Ms. Stevens, however, employs a variety of stitches to create her figures, which she carefully describes and illustrates.
The most prevalent stitch in Ms. Stevens' embroidery repertoire is the opus plumarium. This is Latin for ‘feather work', and the stitch mimics the way that feathers lie on a bird's body. Feathers appear to be straight; yet in reality, they are arranged at slightly different angles, reflecting light in a variety of colors.
Fibreworkers who find embroidery tedious may find encouragement in Ms. Stevens' techniques. While the opus plumarium stitch requires attention, it can cover the background fabric fairly quickly. Helen M. Stevens' designs and workmanship will win your admiration and inspire you to consider your own future embroidery efforts in a whole new light