Welcome to my virtual in-depth presentation! My name is Grace Zhang, and I am a grade 10 TALONS student. Over the past few months, I have been learning the art and technical skills of embroidery. Iβm very excited to have the opportunity to share my work with you!
If you would like to view this presentation as a pdf, please clickΒ here.
To see a more in-depth perspective of the timeline and learning process, including notes from meetings with my mentor and analyses of each of my embroidery projects, please click here.
Thank you for taking the time to join me here tonight; I really appreciate it! If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave a comment down below, and I will respond as soon as possible. Please enjoy the rest of in-depth night!
May 30, 2021 at 10:07 pm
So beautiful, Grace π
May 30, 2021 at 10:12 pm
Thank you Lara! π
May 30, 2021 at 10:22 pm
WOW Grace, your presentation is absolutely stunning! So so credible! The detail in your embroidery is phenomenal! I am blown away!
May 30, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Thank you so much Emma! π
May 31, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Beautiful work. Handicrafts are so intricate and time consuming before you have a finished project. Which stitch is your favourite and why? Which project or design did you enjoy making the most and why?
May 31, 2021 at 7:10 pm
Thank you Ms. Mulder! Throughout the in-depth experience, I definitely found myself gravitating towards the lazy daisy stitch, cross-stitch, back stitch, and French knot, but I deeply enjoyed learning and still am continuing to learn new stitches and new ways to use the stitches I already know! Out of all the projects I made, I enjoyed making the last one (the girl) the most. At that point, I had already developed my own embroidery style and felt more confident experimenting with new techniques, such as the hair, bow, and depiction of lace on the girl’s dress. This last project was also a thank you gift to my mentor, so it had a lot of personal significance!
May 31, 2021 at 7:34 pm
Hi Grace, Ms. Dissegna here! I love your work…it’s so pretty and whimsical! Were there any unexpected surprises for you as you created?
May 31, 2021 at 7:40 pm
Hi Ms. Dissegna! Thank you so much! I was most surprised by how the stitches could be used to imitate unique textures, like those of feathers, tree trunks, leaves, fabric, and even hair! Thanks again for visiting and for your question, and I hope you enjoy the rest of in-depth night!
May 31, 2021 at 7:39 pm
WOW! at first glance I thought your posted pictures were found online ΓΆ amazing job grace !!!
May 31, 2021 at 7:41 pm
Thank you so much Grace! You’re too kind π
May 31, 2021 at 7:40 pm
Grace your embroidery is amazing!! You have done such an incredible job in just a few short months! I hope you will continue because you are a natural π What embroidery project would you like to work on next?
Beautiful work!
May 31, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Thanks so much Marnie! I will definitely continue at embroidery, since it has quickly become a hobby of mine! I’m planning on embroidering more animals next, as it is something I have always wanted to improve on and something that will continue to challenge me to improve my skillset. I’ve started working on a bluejay, and I also really want to try to embroider a sheep or a llama! Thanks again for helping me find my mentor Marnie, and I hope you enjoy the rest of in-depth night!
May 31, 2021 at 7:41 pm
Your embroidery is so beautiful Grace! I especially like the border you put around the quote – the colours and shapes you picked work so well together!
May 31, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Thank you so much Brianna! π
May 31, 2021 at 7:45 pm
WOW! THIS IS AWESOME
May 31, 2021 at 7:46 pm
how r u so talented at everything????
May 31, 2021 at 7:48 pm
Aww thank you Joanna! And what are you talking about? You’re so talented at everything!!
May 31, 2021 at 8:03 pm
Your embroidery is so detailed and beautiful! It is very reminiscent of embroidery from earlier times (1600’s to 1800’s). Have you seen the embroidery/needlework samplers from these eras? What would you like to do next?
May 31, 2021 at 8:07 pm
Thank you so much! I definitely took some inspiration from earlier works of the Romantic era (1800’s), and I can totally see the resemblance to some 1600’s works too! Next, I am hoping to continue to challenge myself with embroidering animals and improving my lettering! Thanks again for your question, and have an amazing rest of in-depth night!
May 31, 2021 at 8:05 pm
Grace, amazing as per usual. My favourite piece is definitely the back portrait. Have you thought about selling any of your art by any chance?
May 31, 2021 at 8:12 pm
Thank you so much Colby! Most of the embroidery pieces I’ve made so far (all except the first project) were actually gifts to friends, family, and in the case of the last one, my mentor, so I would love to make artwork for anyone who is interested! I think I still need to learn and practice a bit more before specifically selling it, but thanks again for your comment!
May 31, 2021 at 8:11 pm
Oh my gosh Grace, your presentation is absolutely beautiful and your embroidery is amazing!! Your pieces look so dainty and elegant and well crafted, like you’ve been doing this for years! I especially love the bird and all the flowers. Are you planning to sell your embroidery pieces anywhere? I would quite honestly pay anything to have something like this hanging in my room. Amazing work!
May 31, 2021 at 8:15 pm
Thank you so much Indah! I’m not planning on selling anything yet, but I definitely love being able to make embroidery pieces for others! Maybe I’ll see if I can make something for you π
May 31, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Wow! Your presentation is beautiful and your embroidery is absolutely stunning! I love the way you were able to imitate the texture of hair in your final piece using thread. The way you displayed texture in her dress was really cool! I couldn’t even begin to imagine the amount of patience one would need to create such intricate works. Of all the stitches, was there one which you found particularly difficult to learn or implement into a design?
May 31, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Thank you so much Brian! I think the satin stitch was the most time-consuming stitch, but the most difficult technique for me was lettering, because I needed to find ways to ensure my stitches were always going in the same direction! Thanks again for your kind words!
May 31, 2021 at 8:31 pm
These are all so pretty!!! Awesome In-Depth project!
May 31, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Thank you so much!
May 31, 2021 at 8:44 pm
There is such a rich history behind ladies learning to express their artistic talents through cross stitch. Devonβs Great Grandmother created cross stitched seats for their dining room chairs and also many little framed gems. I hope you continue to find pleasure in creating and challenging yourself to learn new skills. The last piece was stunning.
May 31, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Thank you so much! I definitely agree about the rich history of embroidery and cross stitch, and this is partially what drew me to this art form! I will definitely continue to pursue this passion! Thanks again, and have an amazing rest of in-depth night!
May 31, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Grace,
I cannot even begin to tell you how very proud of you I am! As your mentor, every time we met you blew me away with your dedication, determination and hard work. Not to mention your absolutely beautiful work!!! Your truly an amazing young lady with a natural gift in embroidery, (however something tells me you are a natural in many things).
Your willingness to learn something new is admirable. I will take away just as much as you, but in a different way. Your eagerness, patience and optimism is what I will remember from you when learning something new.
I wish you all the very best in all your future embroidering and your life ahead.
Remember this… βIf you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.β
No one can stop you Grace!
All the very best to you…I cannot wait to hear about the next thing your learn!!
With pure gratefulness to be your mentor…Michelle
May 31, 2021 at 8:51 pm
Michelle, thank you so so much for your kind words and all the dedication, time, and effort you were willing to give in being my mentor. I learned so much from you and am beyond grateful! I will definitely continue to learn and embroider, and I hope to continue to share some of that journey with you! Thanks again for supporting me through this passion project and for coming to my final presentation!
May 31, 2021 at 8:54 pm
Wow, your embroidery pieces are all so well done and detailed! Amazing work Grace π
May 31, 2021 at 8:55 pm
Thanks so much Simran! π
May 31, 2021 at 8:55 pm
Hi Grace. Colby was telling us about your embroidery work and he was right…it is wonderful! My grandmother used to do embroidery so it brought back great memories. Beautiful art!! I think the “You Are My Sunshine” one would look great on a pillow! I also agree with Colby, you should sell some of your work. (From Angie…Colby’s mom!)
May 31, 2021 at 8:58 pm
Hi Angie! Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to me! I haven’t really considered selling my work before, but it is something I would love to do in the future! And the “you are my sunshine” piece was actually a mother’s day gift for my mom, but I would love to add embroidery to pillows in the future! Thanks again for checking out my in-depth presentation and have an amazing rest of your night π
May 31, 2021 at 10:49 pm
Nicely done Grace! So intricate and realistic. These are truly works of art. How many hours went into the woman with her back to the picture frame? It looks like a lot of careful time went into all of it!
June 1, 2021 at 9:56 pm
Thank you so much Mr. Salisbury! I would guess that I spent around 15 hours on that piece, and it definitely needed a lot of time, planning, and attention to detail! Thanks again for your comment! It truly means a lot to me π
June 1, 2021 at 8:53 pm
Gorgeous handiwork, Grace.. There is an old-world quality to embroidery that takes us to another time. I appreciate the thoughtful palette you chose for each project…how did you make these decisions?
June 1, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Thank you Ms. Quach! I completely agree about the old-world quality to embroidery! Some of the colour schemes I chose were inspired by those found in nature and those used by other embroiderers, but I also referenced what I knew about colour theory and took time to plan out and test the colours I wanted to use on hand-drawn designs before starting to embroider. Thanks again for your question!
June 2, 2021 at 3:49 pm
I know I’m a bit late but WOW! Your project is so amazing Grace! So beautiful, detailed, intricate, and professional! I am blown away at how much time, perseverance, and dedication you must have put into this! Amazing work π
– Natasha
June 2, 2021 at 4:31 pm
Thank you so much Natasha! π