About
“From stitching alongside my Grandmother in my early years to cultivating a lifelong passion for quilting, sewing, and crafting, my journey in the world of textiles spans over 15 years. Even today, my enthusiasm for these crafts remains as vibrant as ever.”
“The spark to create unique embroidered gift items ignited at the onset of the pandemic when closures loomed large and the holiday season approached. Initially established as an online store specializing in Corporate Logo Embroidery, my venture evolved over time into a Gift Store.
Maintaining an unwavering commitment to affordability while crafting memorable treasures has been the cornerstone of The Beach Hut's mission. Some customers have even dubbed me the “concierge of gifting," similar to a hotel concierge, as I relish the chance to help curate that perfect present for those seemingly impossible-to-shop-for recipients!
Nestled in our fourth year, I proudly operate this distinctive Rhode Island Gift shop, delighting in every encounter with our wonderful guests. After all, gifting is not merely an exchange; it's an opportunity for creating cherished memories. My mantra? "Let's get creative with your gift to create a special memory."
A gift from The Beach Hut Gift Store captures the essence of Rhode Island's craftsmanship, evoking smiles and warm memories. Whether you visit my shop in Saunderstown, peruse my website, or explore Rhode Island’s premier online marketplace, shoplocalri.com, rest assured that each purchase carries with it a piece of our state's rich heritage and the joy of giving.
Thanks for visiting!” ~ Lynn Murphy, Founder
What is Embroidery?
Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. It may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. Though it does have its practical purposes, it is all about decorative designs and known as a medium of expression.
The uses and fabrics in embroidery have been dependant on a number of factors: time, location, and materials. Used to tailor, patch, mend and reinforce fabrics as well as to decorate items, it later became a statement of luxury. Wool, linen, and silk are the most traditional threads used.
Some historically practiced techniques in embroidery are chain stitch, buttonhole or blanket stitch, running stitch, satin stitch, and cross stitch. The oldest form, cross stitch, is comprised of X-shaped stitches threaded with an even and open weave fabric, like aida cloth or linen. These remain fundamental to hand embroidery today.
History of the Craft
While embroidery is practiced across the world, its origin stems from China and the Near East. Early embroidery can actually be traced back to Cro-Magnon days or 30,000 B.C. Archeological finds from this time period reveals fossilized remains of heavily hand-stitched and decorated clothing.
-
In the 18th century England and its colonies, embroidery was a skill that marked the passage of a young girl into womanhood as well as conveying rank and social standing. Since the beginning hand embroidery was seen to be a highly desired skill. What started as simple patchwork and repairs soon blossomed into elaborate designs.
Skill with needle and thread were considered an essential part of a young woman’s education. So from a young age, women were taught how to embroider. From the basics to more advanced and detailed designs, young women were taught the skill of embroidery.
Due to its intricate nature, and the skill and time needed in order to effectively execute, it became a way to display power and wealth. Hand-stitched embroidered objects were especially popular amongst the upper classes. Clothing, religious objects, and household items were used to mark your wealth and your high status.
-
Moving from threading primarily with hands to machines, embroidery has advanced immensely in recent centuries and years. The first hand machine was used in private homes and needed to be operated by two people. The chain stitch machine was invented in 1855.
Soon, hand machines were replaced by Schiffli machines. These used two threads instead of a single thread- 20 times faster than the previous model.
This period marked the start of the mass production of embroidered materials. By 1858, it was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between hand and machine-stitched embroidery.
-
Today, fast forwarding into the 21st-century, embroidery is far more advanced than it was in the past. Thanks to technology and the digitalization of embroidery, the whole process is faster and simpler, almost effortless.
Computerized machines use selected digitized patterns. Working in conjunction with a computer, designs are downloaded and then translated onto fabrics to create the finished product. Computers easily store multiple designs in the machine system making the pieces simple to reproduce or recreate slight variations.
This ease of embroidery has made it increasingly popular with small businesses, as creating beautifully detailed items has never been easier. Commonly people will add logos and monograms to clothes, gifts and uniforms. It is also popular with decorating household linens and decorations.
Due to these advancements, retailing hand-stitched embroidery is rare when it comes to products, as it is not efficient or cost-effective. Yet the hand tradition continues for many as an inspired hobby to relax and create unique gifts and keepsakes.
