What Ever Does That Mean?

"What Ever Does That Mean?" is a phrase I often hear my teenagers and their friends rattle off. Sometimes they're being funny or flip but sometimes they really just don't understand. This phrase has made me wonder how often Carrot Top Studio writes a description of a stole and we use terminology familiar in an art studio that might need some further definition. Here are some of those terms defined:


Applique-a decorative design made of one material sewn over another. The gold cross on this Advent stole is appliqued onto the purple fabric base.

Machine embroidery-for our work this involves using a satin stitch (a tight zig zag stitch) around the edge of an appliqued symbol or image. This gives a finished edge and prevents the applique from fraying. The star on this Christmas stole has been finished with machine embroidery.

Machine free motion stitching-involves simultaneously running the machine and skillfully moving tightly hooped fabric under the needle in unison with the machine to create even stitches. We think of this as drawing with the machine needle instead of a pencil. A specific repetitive pattern could be followed (like quilters use) or it might be appropriate to be more free and abstract. The details in the crown of thorns on this Lent stole is an example of this type of detailing.

Hand painted-simply put....we're putting a brush in our hands and painting on the stole. This Easter stole depicts a little of our work.

Stamped with textile paint-stamping with a commercial or in studio created stamp can often add just the right detail or special accent to a stole. This ordination stole wasn't complete until the Trinity symbol of the fleur de lis was stamped on the hem.

Eyelash yarns-I often wonder if you think we've lost our mind when we write a description claiming that we've used these yarns. This yarn is a novelty item created for knitters. It looks furry or like a long string of eyelashes and adds a delightful bit of texture in just the right place on stoles such as on the stems of this ivy on this Ordinary Time stole. We stitch it onto the stole.

Variegated threads-last but not least we love using variegated threads. The way the thread has been dyed either subtly or boldly changing from one color to the next adds a wonderful bit of artistic interest. The cross on the back tip of this Communion stole was edged with variegated thread....dark on some edges then lighter on others.

We hope this tutorial is informative and if you're still saying "What ever does that mean?" that you won't hesitate to send us an email or give us a call to find out more.