Tips and Tricks for Hand Embroidery
This is a new index which I'll be adding to the "Editor's Floss" in the right column of Needle 'n Thread.
Here you'll find general categories for different types of tips, tricks, and helpful information articles on Needle 'n Thread. I've linked to articles that focus solely on a certain tip or technique, as well as articles that contain helpful information within, even if they weren't written to focus on a particular tip.
While organizing this list, I've noticed that I am missing some key information that is especially suited to beginners - articles that I planned to write, but never finished, etc. I'll be finishing those up and publishing them in the near future.
As I re-organize and re-categorize some articles, I'll add them to the list. And of course, whenever I come up with a new article that would fit under any of these categories, I'll list it here, too, so you can find it easily.
Tips Especially for Beginners
Starting and Ending Threads
Transferring a Repeat Pattern (Iron-on)
On Threading Needles (read the comments section, too!)
Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches
Transferring Patterns
Transferring a Design onto a Dressed Slate Frame
Transferring a Repeat Pattern (Iron-on)
Tracing a Pattern (information is contained in the text of this post)
Using Solvy to Transfer Your Design: Part I
Using Solvy to Transfer Your Design: Part II
Transferring a Pattern Using Prick and Pounce
General Information about Iron-on Patterns
Designing your Own Embroidered Card Pattern
Difficulties of Pencil Transfer with Whitework
Hoops, Frames, and Stands
Dressing a Slate Frame
Using a Stretcher Bar Frame
Stand Review for the Needlework System 4
On Embroidery Hoops in General
Using a Scroll Frame for Ribbon Embroidery (read the comments section for reader input!)
A Project from its Conception to the Beginning Stitches (includes commentary on planning, framing, transferring)
Threads
Thread Conversion - DMC to Anchor, etc.
Cotton Floche vs. Danish Flower Thread
Floche, Perle, and Stranded Cotton
Twisted Silks in Use
Comparison of Twisted Silks
Comparison of Flat Silks, Part I
Comparison of Flat Silks, Part II
Goldwork Threads: Sadi
Goldwork Threads: Passing Thread Close Up
Size Comparison: Gilt Silk Twist vs. Stranded Cotton
Embroidering with Gilt Silk Twist (needle info, etc., within the artcle)
Individual Stitches and Techniques
Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches
The Difference Between Stem Stitch and Outline Stitch
Satin Stitch around a Tight Curve
Satin Stitch: Outlining and Padding before Stitching
Making Flowers out of Buttonhole Stitch
Making Hollyhocks out of Buttonhole Stitch
Working Herringbone Stitch in a Circle
Experimenting with Italian Stitch in Silk and Gold
Using Seed Stitch as a Filling
How to Make a Bullion Rose Bud - this is a video tutorial that includes tips on starting and ending threads
Lattice Work for the Center of a Flower
Plaited Braid Stitch Musings
Couching Lattince Work
Fabric
What is Cloth of Gold?
Taking Care of Linens and Projects (read the comments, too)
Embroidering on Vintage Linens
Fabric for Surface Embroidery and Tips on Linen
On Specific Tools
On Threading Needles
Selecting the Right Needle for the Job
Using a Laying Tool
A Boo-boo Stick
Tack Kit (for stretcher bars)
Thread Rings and Keeps
Goldwork
Stretched Purl Pearl wrapped with Thread (gold and floss twist)
Using a Plunging Lasso (for plunging goldwork threads)
Goldwork Threads: Sadi
Couching Gold over Silk, and Some Comments on Plunging Threads
Repairing Cloth of Gold (read the comment section especially!)
Preparing Beetle Wings for Embroidery
Chipwork and Working with Purl
Or Nue Information
Finish Work
Ironing Your Finished Embroidery
Finish Work: How to Frame a Piece of Embroidery
Finishing an Embroidered Pouch
Making a Cord, Tassel, and Button
Organization
Floss and Thread Organization, Part I ***
Floss and Thread Organization, Part II ***
Keeping Organized While Stitching
Organizing a Project Room (no real tips, just what I did)
Miscellaneous (There's always a junk drawer, isn't there?)
Setting up a Children's Embroidery Class (including making your own thread holders)
An Online Resource for Tips and Tricks
Making Dorset Buttons
Making Embroidery Stitch Videos
Budgeting so you can Afford your Hobby
Making an Arm-Chair Thread Catcher for Scraps and Orts
How Many Hand Embroidery Techniques Are There, Anyway? (read comments!)
*** These articles need to be reformatted, which I will do soon. When I switched the site over last year to the new format, some of the characters and formatting didn't transfer, and I just now noticed!!! Aaack. So I will fix these and repost them!
I hope you find something useful in this list that maybe you haven't seen before, or perhaps you'll find something that a stitching friend could use, and you'll forward it on! Thanks!
Here you'll find general categories for different types of tips, tricks, and helpful information articles on Needle 'n Thread. I've linked to articles that focus solely on a certain tip or technique, as well as articles that contain helpful information within, even if they weren't written to focus on a particular tip.
While organizing this list, I've noticed that I am missing some key information that is especially suited to beginners - articles that I planned to write, but never finished, etc. I'll be finishing those up and publishing them in the near future.
As I re-organize and re-categorize some articles, I'll add them to the list. And of course, whenever I come up with a new article that would fit under any of these categories, I'll list it here, too, so you can find it easily.
Tips Especially for Beginners
Starting and Ending Threads
Transferring a Repeat Pattern (Iron-on)
On Threading Needles (read the comments section, too!)
Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches
Transferring Patterns
Transferring a Design onto a Dressed Slate Frame
Transferring a Repeat Pattern (Iron-on)
Tracing a Pattern (information is contained in the text of this post)
Using Solvy to Transfer Your Design: Part I
Using Solvy to Transfer Your Design: Part II
Transferring a Pattern Using Prick and Pounce
General Information about Iron-on Patterns
Designing your Own Embroidered Card Pattern
Difficulties of Pencil Transfer with Whitework
Hoops, Frames, and Stands
Dressing a Slate Frame
Using a Stretcher Bar Frame
Stand Review for the Needlework System 4
On Embroidery Hoops in General
Using a Scroll Frame for Ribbon Embroidery (read the comments section for reader input!)
A Project from its Conception to the Beginning Stitches (includes commentary on planning, framing, transferring)
Threads
Thread Conversion - DMC to Anchor, etc.
Cotton Floche vs. Danish Flower Thread
Floche, Perle, and Stranded Cotton
Twisted Silks in Use
Comparison of Twisted Silks
Comparison of Flat Silks, Part I
Comparison of Flat Silks, Part II
Goldwork Threads: Sadi
Goldwork Threads: Passing Thread Close Up
Size Comparison: Gilt Silk Twist vs. Stranded Cotton
Embroidering with Gilt Silk Twist (needle info, etc., within the artcle)
Individual Stitches and Techniques
Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches
The Difference Between Stem Stitch and Outline Stitch
Satin Stitch around a Tight Curve
Satin Stitch: Outlining and Padding before Stitching
Making Flowers out of Buttonhole Stitch
Making Hollyhocks out of Buttonhole Stitch
Working Herringbone Stitch in a Circle
Experimenting with Italian Stitch in Silk and Gold
Using Seed Stitch as a Filling
How to Make a Bullion Rose Bud - this is a video tutorial that includes tips on starting and ending threads
Lattice Work for the Center of a Flower
Plaited Braid Stitch Musings
Couching Lattince Work
Fabric
What is Cloth of Gold?
Taking Care of Linens and Projects (read the comments, too)
Embroidering on Vintage Linens
Fabric for Surface Embroidery and Tips on Linen
On Specific Tools
On Threading Needles
Selecting the Right Needle for the Job
Using a Laying Tool
A Boo-boo Stick
Tack Kit (for stretcher bars)
Thread Rings and Keeps
Goldwork
Stretched Purl Pearl wrapped with Thread (gold and floss twist)
Using a Plunging Lasso (for plunging goldwork threads)
Goldwork Threads: Sadi
Couching Gold over Silk, and Some Comments on Plunging Threads
Repairing Cloth of Gold (read the comment section especially!)
Preparing Beetle Wings for Embroidery
Chipwork and Working with Purl
Or Nue Information
Finish Work
Ironing Your Finished Embroidery
Finish Work: How to Frame a Piece of Embroidery
Finishing an Embroidered Pouch
Making a Cord, Tassel, and Button
Organization
Floss and Thread Organization, Part I ***
Floss and Thread Organization, Part II ***
Keeping Organized While Stitching
Organizing a Project Room (no real tips, just what I did)
Miscellaneous (There's always a junk drawer, isn't there?)
Setting up a Children's Embroidery Class (including making your own thread holders)
An Online Resource for Tips and Tricks
Making Dorset Buttons
Making Embroidery Stitch Videos
Budgeting so you can Afford your Hobby
Making an Arm-Chair Thread Catcher for Scraps and Orts
How Many Hand Embroidery Techniques Are There, Anyway? (read comments!)
*** These articles need to be reformatted, which I will do soon. When I switched the site over last year to the new format, some of the characters and formatting didn't transfer, and I just now noticed!!! Aaack. So I will fix these and repost them!
I hope you find something useful in this list that maybe you haven't seen before, or perhaps you'll find something that a stitching friend could use, and you'll forward it on! Thanks!
Labels: embroidery tips and tricks, hand embroidery information
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, September 25, 2008
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4 Comments:
Mary: with all that written stock don't you want to publish a book?
I'll be your first buyer, surely! and I'll do all the divulgation I can... Think about that, pleeeease! I'm serious!
Mary: Thanks for posting these links. I'm particularly happy that I clicked over to the post "On Threading Needles" and that I read the comments as you suggested.
I'm working on a crewel embroidery project and have been frustrated with the needlethreading part of it. I'm a beginner, plus a bit clumsy with my hands, so I'm constantly having to re-thread. Neither the "fold & pinch" nor the moistening methods seem to work well for threading yarn. I do have a Clover needlethreader, but I find that the wires fray the yarn a bit as I'm pulling it through. Plus I've already yanked out one end of wires.
Then in the comment section I read Laura's paper strip suggestion...so simple, no equipment needed but a piece of paper and scissors, and it works wonderfully with yarn. What a relief!
When do you know how many strands to use? I have a project that does not specify and my usual rule is two strands of floss but I recently noticed some embroidery that had tiny stitches and as far as I can tell they used only one strand.
Hi, Angie - I'm glad the needle threading suggestions were useful! The paper strip is a great (and economical) substitution for a needle threader - and a lot easier on the threads!!
Hi, Susan - How many strands of floss you need to use really depends upon what you're stitching. For delicate work or tiny stitches, generally one strand works, but if your working on a ground fabric that's thick or fluffy (for example, felt) the stitches might get lost with just one strand. There's no hard-fast rule for the number of threads. It's basically just whatever looks best. The one exception would be satin stitch, which usually looks best with only one strand of thread, as two or more will often twist up and look bulky, unless you're using a laying tool.
Hope that helps!
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