With 2010 slipping away in a couple days, I thought it a good time to have one final give-away for the year – and to liven it up a bit, I’ve added a few little dandy things. Of course, there’s an embroidery kit (I promised I’d give away another Trish Burr kit last time I gave one away!), and to top it off, I’ve added a few little needlework accessories to the package:
Don’t you think that needlework accessories are an important part of your hand embroidery endeavors? Golly, I do. Little accessories and tools are a pitfall for me. They make embroidery even more pleasurable, because often they’re not only useful, but beautiful, too! Some day, I’d like to have a gorgeous “etui” to store tools and accessories in. I just love things like that.
But I suppose I’m getting wistfully side-tracked. It’s always safer not to mention accessories to me….
Compliments of Trish Burr, I’m also giving away one of her needlepainting kits:
You might notice that this is just like the kit I gave away at the end of November, so if you didn’t win it then, you have another chance, lucky duck! Now you can follow through with your New Year’s resolution to try needlepainting!
So, today’s give-away includes the needlepainting kit above (which comes with the design preprinted on fabric, all the threads, and instructions), as well as a little collection of needlework accessories from my workbox. All of them are made by Kelmscott Designs – there’s a peacock magnetic needleminder, a butterfly threadwinder, two large thread rings, a 6-slot thread keep, a small thread ring, and three little heart-shaped thread rings.
The thread keeps, rings, and winder are all made from mother-of-pearl, and they are very pretty additions to the hand embroiderer’s workbox.
If you’d like to win this give-away, please follow these guidelines:
1. Leave a comment below on this post on the website (not via e-mail, not on any other post). Folks who receive the blog post in their daily e-mail will need to visit this blog post on the website to leave a comment.
2. Make sure you use a recognizable name to identify your comment!
3. In your comment, answer one of the following questions:
What is your favorite needlework accessory or tool and why? OR What accessory would you like to have, if you could have any needlework accessory on the market today, and why?
4. Leave your comment before 5:00 am CST on Monday, January 3rd. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, and the winner will need to contact me with a mailing address, so make sure you check back on Monday to see if you’ve won!
Note: Unless you want to read every incoming comment on the give-away post, please make sure that the little box under “Submit Comment” is NOT checked. If it is checked, you’ll end up getting everyone’s comments in your e-mail inbox, and then you’ll end up being irritated with me, which will make me sad….
Don’t be shy! Leave a comment!
Thank you for all the magnificant tips and technigues you share daily. I eagerly anticipate your newsletter and glean daily from your knowledge.
The acessory I would like to have is a magnifying light. Age seems to play tricks with the eyesight.
My word, how difficult is it to choose one item! I guess my Ezi-Frame from Australia would be hard to replace – but then the Susan Bates hoops are also great…..
But, the truth be known, my hands and sight are what enable me to stitch, be it embroidery, beading or teddy bears, I thank God for these gifts daily. Being deaf, I know what it is like to loose something you take for granted and treasure the gifts I still have!
Blessings for an healthy productive 2011 and thanks for your amazing blog!
Hugz
Moz
Oh Mary, What a generous gift to give away. I still want one of these so here goes. Tools I would love to have, well there are so many, a laying tool and well I would also love the thread keeps they are such an elegant way of keeping thread… functional and beautiful all at the same time. Happy New Year to you!
My favorite needlework tool has to be little boxes. I love organizing my thread, pins, needles, and fabric in the boxes or Ziploc bags while I work on them. It keeps me from things being scattered from hell to breakfast, which would be the case otherwise. I’m not big into thread winders, though I’ve become a fan of needle minders. Laying tools are another thing I collect – though I look at hair sticks. I buy them at artisan fairs and such, and they’re in all kinds of wood. I also collect beeswax. Where ever I go, I look for a beekeeper and ask for some. It’s different in every country. So far, I have some from France, Bulgaria, Uruguay, and Kosovo. But I still like being able to organize my projects best.
Love your daily posts! I read all of them and follow the links. Thanks.
Gail
Oh, oh, and oh, my! A beautiful Trish Burr kit PLUS fabulous little thread keeps and such. An (aspiring) embroiderer’s dream that may possibly come true!
The tool I would love, and don’t have, in my toolbox? A beautiful wooden awl to use with laying threads properly. Why? I have read that it is an essential tool for use with silk threads, and I have put off working with silk because I don’t have this tool, and am perhaps a little intimidated, too, by the idea of working with silk. I think there is a lot of technique to master there.
Oh, my favorite needlework tool is a “Do Lolly”. I use it to anchor ends of thread on the back of some projects. Hope I am a lucky girl this time!
My needlework tool if one can call it a tool, that I would not like to be without and which I find especially as I get older and my eyesight fades somewhat, is my magnifying light. I was only recently able to afform one but this light is wonderful and is on a stand which makes things so much easier. The tools in the giveaway are unavailable to us in Africa so it would be a wonderful treat to win them.
Pam L
I think my favorite tool I use is my magnetic needle holder. I never have to worry that I am going to lose my needle in my chair because my magnetic needle holder makes sure it stays where it belongs when not in use. The tool that I would like to have is the Vusion light and magnifer that attaches to most hoops or can be used free standing. As I age I find a little magnification and light are important to keep me enjoying the craft.
My pelican embroidery scissors has to be my favorite stitching “friend.” The beak fits into a sheath on a chain, and whenever I teach little ones embroidery, they’re fascinated by my scissor necklace.
Your wonderful blog has been a gift in my life — thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge. And thanks for the chance to win this lovely giveaway!
Judith Ann
Mary I hope you have a wonderful New Year and I wish many blessings for you. I guess the accessory I would love to have would be a frame. I have not yeat gotten one and I just think my stitching would come out so much more prettier and taut if I did. But it is on my wish list!!!! I would love to win your give-a-way. Thanks for a year of learning. Sharon
One of the accessories I don’t have and need
is a needle minder! I am forever finding my
embroidery needles stuck into my doiles on my endtables where I was stitching! It is a bad habit for sure!! I have not seen anything like them here where I live. What a great idea!
My favorite accessory is my thread rings. They are a blessing to keep my threads in an organized manner! But my needles, I was considering my lampshades!!!! That was vetoed pretty quick!!! Help!
Dear Mary.
Thank you for the mails i receive from you.
They are always a lesson for me.
I have many needlework accessory’s.
My needles en pincusions.
My sissors and treadwinders.
but I have not a needlemagnet.
Maby I am lucky and win the give away.
Any way it is lovely that you do this.
Happy new year.
Trudy from the Netherlands.
Wow!!! Each contest gets better and better.
I think my favorite tool is my laying tool. It just helps me add polish to my stitching. The threads lay down so smoothly and really makes the finished product look great. It is a tool I splurged on and is a work of art on its own.
Being fairly new to embroidery after a number of years away from it, I guess I really don’t have a favorite accessory, unless I mention my pretty little, gold Gingher scissors DH gave me for Christmas. Or the hoop on a sit-on stand that makes bullions so much easier! Thanks, Mary, for another wonderful give-away!
I really want to get started with needlework this coming year. I hope to get lots of ideas from your site. Many thanks and Happy Holidays.
Lynn
My favorite tool is a good pair of embroidery scissors. Cheap ones just don’t cut it! ; )
Please enter me in your giveaway. I would be thrilled to win!
Diane Cademartori (Lace-lovin’ Librarian)
Why the needle, of course! Without a needle all is lost.
Joke of the day:
A lady went to H*** and the Devil took her into the “Stitcher’s Room”. It had every kind of faric and thread imaginable. The lady gasped and said “if this is H*** why do you have all this lovely fabric and thread?”
Scroll down
The Devil replied “NO NEEDLES”.
My favorite accessory (and most necessary) are my magnifying glasses. These look like jewelers glasses. I’d love to have the peacock needleminder, tho’! I’ve been eyeing that one and another one with a cat on it. If I remember correctly, the cat needleminder looks like Wedgewood. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity Mary!
XoXoXo
Joy
My Ott Light is my most valuable accessory. Why, because no matter what the time of day, or what the day light is like, I can always see my work with out any problem
My Ott Light is my most valuable accessory. Why, because no matter what the time of day, or what the day light is like, I can always see my work with out any problem and therefore stitch at any time.
Most generous as always Mary and yours is the first email I read each day. My favourite needlework accessory is my laying tool for silkribbon work, but I would love to have a thread stand someday. Love the look and the convenience of them.
My favorite tool is the plastic encased beeswax because it smoothes out thread and keeps a nice sheen and prevents tangling.
I’d like to win the emboidery kit shown because the tools are so beautiful it would keep me inspired to be creative. Love to work with pretty tools and pretty embroidery thread.
My favorite sewing tool is my tekobari (a tool used in Japanese embroidery for laying and many other things). I use it now with all my stitching and it truly has a zillion and one uses! Happy New Year!
I like to have nice accessories around me too. But I do like a good pair of sharp embroidery scissors next to me. I also have small magnets attached to my projects to hold my needle instead of sticking it into the fabric.
I have been a quilter for about 30 years and haven’t really tried much needlework except for that. Is quilting a needlework? So to answer your question, I don’t really have any tools or gadgets for needlework. I love all the work you show on your blog! Absolutely awesome! Thank you for a great blog!
My favourite tool is my laying tool. I find it indispensible when working with more than one thread. They one I have slips onto my finger and therefore leaves me with two hands to hold both my hoop with material and my needle and thread.
I think the most important needlework accessory is a good sharp pair of scissors. Thanks for another great giveaway.
I have a serious THING going with scissors-all kinds, all sizes. I’m especially in love with my gold stork embroidery scissors!
I love the Trish Blurr kit. Her needle work is very vibrant and full of color. i would love to have that, very exciting just thinking of working on that kit.
My favourite tool is probably my glass-topped table, which I picked up for £50 in a charity shop. If I’m tracing, it makes life a lot easier, and also when I’m organising threads and things.
Gosh you are amazing, the time you find to cheer our day up and your generosity to boot. I haven’t done needle painting in about 29 years and that was my first embrodery. What a wonderful way to get started on it again with one of your give aways.
Happy new year to you and yours.
Dear Mary, How delightful of you to be offering such a beautiful give-away! Christmas isn’t over till Twelfth Night, you know. And what hard questions you ask! There are so many beautiful embroidery accessories out there! Ornate silver needle cases, decorative metal thread cutter medallions, fancy scissors–there’s a pair in the shape of a hare I have been especially coveting–gorgeous laying tools of wood, bone, precious metals set with gems, ornate chatelaines of great variety and beauty! How can one choose out of such riches? The one thing, though, I could not do without is my humble … needle threader! There are some fine ones available but I have only the ordinary kind that come in cheap sewing kits–but they work just fine. Very best Yuletide wishes, Barbara
Me again. I forgot to answer your question. I would like a clip on light, but I have to save my pennies as Santa couldn’t fulfill my wish this year
hi mary,those r realy beautiful giveaway things ur giving at sweet present to for a lucky winner.Well i will like to have needleminder as an accessory ,the needle keeps on going here and there and i think its a necesscity for me at present today.
Hands down I love scissors — but I also love baskets, tins and such to sort and store threads, embellishments and such — Right now I’m longing for that beautiful craft LED light magnifier features a while back –
Hi Mary,
. As for the accessories I’d like to have – maybe some nice toolbox to keep all the necessary things in one place.
some time ago I bought Kuroha thread clipper and I’m really pleased with it. It’s much more convenient than scissors. And I cut a lot of threads as I work on Hardanger
My needles, with out these I could not past the days embroidering. I have a collection of all types and sizes,but somehow I never seen to have the right size for the project I am wish to work on.
My favorite tool is my Japanese laying tool. I use it whenever I need to lay threads.
I would love to have one of the “sit on” frames to do my stitching on or a genuine Lowery frame.
Thanks Mary for wonderful give away..
my favourite accessory are threads and lot of gifferent threads which i want to see the beauty of needle work when worked with different texture of threads..
“Wish you Happy New year Mary”
Love
Lakshmi sadala
I love your blog … and the needlework tool you led me to: the Needlework System 4 floor stand!
My most precious embroidery accesory is my needle case, it holds packets of needles rather than single needles and was made for me by a dear friend , one simple article that I would like is a really nice thimble I have quite plain ones I just would like a really special one and haven’t been able to find one.
I have always wanted a wooden laying tool and as I write this don’t know why I haven’t gotten myself one. I have one of Trish Burr’s books and keep plugging away. I love your website. Moggi
I would love to have a pretty needlekeeper. Like you, I enjoy using things which go beyond just function, things which add beauty to my day. Because there are no needlework shops in my area, these are difficult to find.
I have a fondness for chatelaines, especially the vintage ones. Or ones made to look like they are vintage
The idea of keeping all my important tools THAT handy just tickles me 
I’m easily entertained! Of course, my chatelaine would need just the right vintage scissors, but that wouldn’t be hard to obtain. In fact, now that I’ve written about, it might be my project for this year! Thank you once again for the giveaway!Karen Gass
My favorite accesory is my Ott light with magnifier. It’s a floor model, but the magnifier is on a very flexible arm and good sized, so my old eyes can see my stitching! If I could choose one other accesory, it would be a good floor stand (the one you reviewed about a year ago) so I can stitch anywhere in the house or outside. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to win yet another fab give-a-way!
Hi there!!
My fav needlework accessory is the embroidery accessory kit- with embroidery transfer pen, pencil, embroidery transfer paper, scissors.. it may sound small but yeah, after struggling for months without realizing such a kit was available (ignorance ;P) and when my friend gifted it to me i felt blessed
) and thats why its my fav…
I would like to work with a large square wooden frame… make some nice hand embroidered table cloth and divan covers
Needle Painting sounds like a perfect project for the start of a new year!
Marlene
Dear Mary,
Until you told us about your extravagant purchase of your “frog button” and that you decided to turn it into a needleminder, I did not even know such an item existed. Shows you, you are never to old to learn. As I am very fond of peacocks that needleminder will just do nicely thank you very much. I am forever dropping my needles to the horror of my husband! Hopefully the peacock will be my saving grace
While I at it , I want to wish you only the best for 2011. Love Elza, Cape Town.
My favourite accessory is my magnifiers. Without them I wouldnt beable to embroider.
I love using my needle magnet on my canvases. It keeps my needles out of the arms of my chairs, much to my husband’s relief!
Hi Mary. What a wonderful giveaway! My favourite needlework accessory is a little crazy-quilted sewing kit made for me in a 1:1 Round Robin. It was supposed to be a quilt square, but it was a lovely surprise. There were goodies in the pockets, too.
I’d love to win the kit and needlework accessories! Thank you.
the embroidery kit is beautiful! as are the the other things. I am still pretty new to the world of needlework and have not moved beyond a basic hoop and DMC threads, but have been wanting to get a floor stnd to hold my hoop, and to get a magnetic needleminder. (the arm of my chair has become a pincushion lol)
Oh so many tools I love, so many that I don’t have…Let’s see, a favourite? My ort box, as it is just a pretty little thing. I love my petite needles (size 28)they work great with my hands…let’s see, my Ginger scissors, yes they ARE worth the hype, good quality and cuts my threads better than anything else…
My favorite tool is my needle threader I couldn’t work withoutit!
These mother of pearl accessories are beautiful. My next must have accessory is a laying tool, probably in wood, as I love the feel and texture of wood
Hi, As I go further into semi-retirement, I keep thinking about moving into a different area of needlework. I have done needlework for 30 years – crossstitch,hardanger,band samplers with specialty
stitches and love it, but I keep reading your blog and thinking that surface embroidery is the next challenge. My great grandmother had the talent – maybe me too! Winning the Trish Burr Kit would be a good way to spur me on to try something new.
Hi Mary
I think a very useful accessory is a large cork board to display your embroidery pattern with a magnetic board placced under the pattern and the magnetic strips to keep your place on an embroidery pattern especially for a cross stitch pattern where the symbols are quite small. Small magnetic blocks are also available almost like a windows to mark a small section which also works well. I think I would like would be a really bright magnifier lamp with the magnifier incorporated like the one you had on your newsletter some time ago – looked great! I am trying the Trish Burr thread painting practise pieces from her book at the moment and once the supplier is open again in UK am to buy the DVD which will give the hands on help so the thread painting kit would be fab!! Have a joyous new year with health and happiness in abundance for 2011. All the very best. El x
You are so generous! Thank you for all the tips,patterns, and step by step tutorials you do every week ! I just love your website! Happy New Year to you! lol
Thank you for this giveaway ! You are awesomw by doing this! I love getting your emails every day! It brightens my day! The tool i would most likely like to have is a floss organizer!
A large, brightly colored, beaded lizard fob is my all time favorite tool. He not only keeps track of my embroidery scissors and makes it much more difficult to lose them in my sewing box but gives me a little smile whenever I use those scissors since my children made him for me
Hi Mary, and Happy New Year! I love the Trish Burr kits and my husband keeps saying I need a needle minder when he finds pins and needles on the floor, so I’m hoping! My favourite accessory is my needle case. It’s a beautifully made wooden tube with a tight fitting lid and all my needles just sit in it. It has a delicate painting of apple blossom on the side and it always reminds me of a great holiday I had in Scotland, where I found it in a little roadside giftee shoppee. Unfortunately it’s totally impractical and I keep thinking I must make a more practical needle book so that I can find the needle I want easily, but I do love it!
Oh, Ohh, Ohhh! Mary and Trish, what a bonzer prize.
Without hesitation, I choose my little beaded needle book.
The first day I attended The Embroidery Guild as a member, I very shyly took along a little cross stitch to do. They had a tutor for doing beading over tapesty type larger floral upholstery fabric and kindly insisted on giving me all the bits and pieces to join in. Well, by the end of the day I was so pleased with my project, myself and the group and tutor.
I made it up into a needle book that not only still looks beautiful to me but gets used lots. Later I made a matching sissor fob too.
Cheers, Kath from Oz.
I would LOVE to win this! I tried for Trish’s last kit and alas didn’t win it, but I’d love to try one!
And the other items are just lovely!
My favorite accessory is a magnetic needleminder. I love these!
Would also love to win the threadpainting kit. Thanks for giving us a second chance at this one!
Mary, thanks again for your generosity. The kit and the accessories are both terrific. My favorite needlework accessory? Had to think a bit, and then it was obvious: my needlethreaders. Life is too short to spend it *threading* the needle — I’d rather be stitching. I use the flat style with a narrow end for most needles and a large end for yarn. The hole in the middle is handy for a cord or safety pin to keep it from wandering. I use an “ultra” for beading needles. The typical wire ones always seem to break too easily.
Looking forward to following your articles next year. We’re all winners in learning from you.
–JoanneP
I would love to try needlepainting. That kit is beautiful, and the accessories are lovely. I don’t have that many accessories, because I haven’t been embroidering for very long, but my favorite now is a pair of folding scissors. They’re clever, and they go anywhere. I’d like to make myself a pretty needlebook- definitely a project for 2011.
My favourite needlework tool is the “Ott” light with the rechargeable battery. I need good daylight to see when I embroider and I can take this with me to guild and classes and still use it at home.
Thanks again, Mary for the chance to win something and for your wonderful blog.
Ruth Ann in Canada
Happy New Year, Mary! I really enjoy your blog and have learned so much—from Quilter’s Soap to easier transfer products. You have opened a whole world of thread to me! A needle work item I would like: a package of the special transfer paper you wrote upon this month!
Mary,
My husband and I relocated from Atlanta to Denver and now to Ohio about 5 years ago. After deciding to be a stay at home Mom with the move to Denver, there was alot of time I had no idea how to fill. I took my first quilting class (never sewed before). The quilt shop was great in broadening my skills to include embroidery (redwork). My local quilt shop in Ohio started an embroidery group that meets once a month. So in my Southern way of making a short story long – My favorite needlwork accessory has 3 components: 1. People who are willing to pass along their skills and knowledge. 2. Your website with the videos and tips (not sucking up). 3. Books that y,all and fellow embroiders recommend.
Thanks,
Vicky McClearn
My favorite accessory is your blog – not saying this because of the give-away but as I’ve said in the past this is one useful tool. I consult it daily in my stitching. I have become addicted and now have soooo many stitching ideas because of your blog – Trish Burr is on of my addictions because of the blog!
The tool I would like to have is a stand/hoop that actually works and makes it easier not more awkward. One where finishing off an end is not a major event of bolts and screws. Or where you can stitch and look at a pattern and have your tools handy. And lastly, one that does not require a new home mortgage. OK = I may be just a bit picky here but you asked!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
My favorite tool is my wood hoop on a stand that I bought in Italy many years ago. I don’t always use it, but when I do I really like the result of my work. The tools that I would really like are dyes in a kit with many colors to dye ribbon and threads for embroidery.
My leather thimble has become my best friend in the needlework accessory category. Obviously it protects my finger and allows me to work longer on my projects, but I also find myself “admiring” the growing circle of worn-down leather where the needle strikes the most. To me, it represents a badge of honor or competence.
I’d love to win the drawing for the accessories and kit. Some of those accessories I didn’t even realize existed!
I didn’t know there were such beautiful accessories for needlework! I’m such a beginner. I love the hearts, but I think the needle minder is my favourite. Thank you for all your wonderful information for my journey into hand embroidery – it’s been the best help and inspiration.
Have a very happy and healthy New Year.
Thanks, Debbie
What a lovely kit. I love accessories too, although my favorites are for knitting. I have freshwater pearl and tiger eye stitch markers that are like jewelry for my knitting. I also love my bone needle case, my old thimbles, grandma’s silver quilting needles, my little needle book locket…it’s all so much fun to play with!
One of my favorite accsesories is my purple scissors!!! which I bought at ‘Heart of the Home”, A small craft store which carried yarn, thread(DMC) stamping, scappbooking….then they closed to enlarge their framing store which was in the back. I miss the store terribly, and have fond memories when I sit down to stitch.
I think that very sharp scissors are essential. Keep them away from the boys though. They tend to believe that all scissors are designed to cut last minute gift wrap. Happy New Year from Canada.
My favorite tool is a handmade pinchusion my husband made for me. It was his first attempt at sewing and it is a wonderful pinchusion and gift!
My grandmothers thread box is by far my most treasured accessory. She was an extremely accomplished seamstress and embroiderer. As her first granddaughter, I had the honor of inheriting her box. An everlasting connection I will share with my girls
Happy New Year to you Mary and may it be a blessed one! I love all types of needlework and all the tools they require! My favorite is a clamp that fits onto your frame which is of a bird that is a pincushion to hold your needles while you work. It was given to my mother from her mother and now it is mine. I cherish it greatly. I have always wanted the tools that you are giving away but I would like a beautiful laying tool. Also I am in need of a frame that has the bars on the left and right to work long embroideries! Thank you for considering me.
My favourite needlework tool is a scissor fob. I have several, some beaded, some stitched, some sewn, but they are invaluable in helping to find scissors that have slipped of my leg and into the chair, or onto the floor. Wonderful giveaway Mary. Best wishes for a happy New Year.
Great Mother-of-Pearl, and thanks be to Mary and Trish Burr, I want to win this giveaway!
What a great giveaway. The kit is marvelous and the thread holders are just beautiful. I have a little needle keeper that holds the needle which is a great thing to have because sometimes I’ll stick the needle in my shirt only to forget about it and find it later with my hand. OUCH! but I have to say if I could have any accessory it would be one of the powerful magnifier/lights. I find as I age that my eyes just can’t keep up and that is very frustrating.
I love my tiny little embroidery scissors that I found at an estate sale. They are antique and well worn by the previous owner. They make getting into tiny spaces so much easier. Thanks!
What gorgeous accesories, I love things like that, my favourite and most used item, or my treasured “helper” would have to be my unpicker. I literally go into panic mode when I cant find it. Happy New Year everyone.
It is difficult to decide what one tool I would like to have or which one is my favourite that I do have. I think maybe though my favourite is an ivory laying tool I have – it is so pretty and so useful!
Hugs,
Kerry
kerrykatiecakeskeb43@gmail.com
Hmmm. So many needlework tools!! I guess there are a couple that I reach for quite often. First, I LOVE my Kai embroidery scissors. They are not fancy, but they are the sharpest (and sharp to the very point) scissors I have ever used, whether you are clipping threads or trimming fabric threads for hardanger & drawn thread work. The other thing I use a lot is a #13 weavers needle. A fat ole thing with a big eye and a bent point. I use it as a laying tool, poking out corners (when turning pin cushions) and a lot of finishing work. So simple. So useful.
By the way, Happy New Year, Mary!!
The needlework accessory I am desperate for right now is a sit on frame that holds anysize hoop. My hands cramp up alot from holding the hoop and I do alot of hand embroidery and needle punch. I don’t have any of the accessories you showed so would love to have them. I am a stitchin fool and if I didn’t have my stitichery to do I would go nuts. Have a wonderful and blessed new year.
Hi Mary,
Happy New Year! Health & Happiness for 2011.
Love the accessories in today’s blog. The accessory that I would love to have is one of the craft lamps you featured a few weeks ago; with the magnifier and light. Still working on getting one of those.
Hi Mary,
The accessory I would love to have is a needle minder or a needle case of some sort. Those little guys are always getting away from me.
Have a great 2011.
Hi Mary,
My favorite tool would easily be my OTT lamp. With it their are no stitches out of place – without it I would only be able to stitch a short time before my eyes gave out.
My wish for a future tool would definatley have to be for a light table. When tracing an item onto embroidery fabric I use the window in my sewing room. This works well but does give me a sore neck by the time I am finished.
Thanks for the opportunity Mary! Trish Burr has such beautiful kits.
KayseeB in Canada.
I won the book giveaway last time, and just wanted to wish everyone good luck for this giveaway. Isn’t Mary the best? Right now, a stitch dictionary, needles and a pair of titanium embroidery scissors are my favorite tools.
I have no sspecial needlework too with the exception of a good embroidery needle and hoop.
I am a beginner and would love to own all the tools in the world but at this writing wi sette only for two. I love trish burr’s work it is joyful.
carol gross
Hi Mary,
My “have to get accessory” is a needle case by Berlin Embroidery. They are beautifully carved in bone and feature rabbits, elephants, etc. Just beautiful
I have followed blog for a VERY long time. I have not posted much though. I love it! My daily read, first thing in the morning.
My favorite needlework accessory is my(I have several but this one is awesome)music stand! No kidding. I use it to hold my chart…my marking pens, scissors,….I can clip a magnifier or light to it too. I can raise or lower it as I need it. It was not expensive at all. I got it several years ago at a music store….on sale….$35.00. It is black and where the music is places is solid sheet metal making magnets usable or those big clips can be used…I think they are called bulldog clips? This is not the folding kind, although I bet that would work terrifically also. I have even made a lovely fabric cover for the top, so when not in use, it goes with the decor of the room. I know. I know. Who cares? But I did it anyway. It always looks wonderful!
I can’t do without my sharp embroidery scissors I keep them on a ribbon round my neck so that they do’t get lost:-)
Alison Collins
Hi Mary! Thank you for a all you do throughout the year! You are SUCH a wonderful resource for the needlework community.
Favorite or wanted accessory or tool? Hmmmmm…. probably my scissors! I’ve recently gotten some Gingher embroidery scissors and they are WONDERFUL with the tiny, sharp tips and small blades.
Mon accessoire préféré ce sont les ciseaux de broderie ils sont parfois si jolis et raffinés qu’ils me font penser à des bijoux merci pour le kit une Française qui adore votre site bonne année Viviane
My favorite is BLT – Best Laying Tool recommented by Shay Pendray. It fits my small hand and just feels right. Maybe it is because I have seen her on TV stroking the thread with this tool.However, it fits my hand and does the job beautifully.
I love my sit-on frame holder that my husband made for me. I can even attach a magnifyer to it.
Wouldn’t it be fun to win this at the start of the year and begin some needlepainting?
Ricky in Winnipeg
My favorite needlework tool is a thread winder that my hubby made for me. That way I can unwind the hanks of fiber and roll up on a tube or spool and not have to worry about tangles. I love it.
Hi Mary,
Once again you are going overboard with wonderful gifts to give away. You’re very generous. I’ve never enjoyed a website as much as yours. I learn everything about embroidery from you and whenever I get lost I just watch one of your videos…they are such a great convenient teacher! I have only a few basic accessories so I’d love to win the beautiful mother-of-pearl goodies to make my sewing bag more attractive. My favorite accessory is my new yarn needle threader by DMC. Before I had it, I broke several threaders! Thank you for this adventure! I look forward to our next email. Claudia
Hi Mary!! Think my favorite tool is a 12in long narrow piece of ribbon attached to my scissors! On the other end is my lo ran needle threader! This makes both scissors and threader easy to find and pull off of my nearby needlework table! never have to search long for either accessory! Love to try needlepainting!! Linda
Wow 74 comments in under two hours. Gonna be hard to get my foot in on this one. Sounds like folks really like this kit. Don’t even mention accessories to me. I get so mad at myself. Most of the niceties I want can be substituted with a cheaper home made thing. Like the “best laying tool”12.75 or the handmade rosewood tool with case at 24.99.They can easily be replaced with a bamboo stick for 2 cents. I am finding some things you just get to the point of needing like a thread winder. This old wrist just dosn’t work like it used to.
Mary, this is a beautiful give-a-way! The Trish Burr kit is fantastic and I would love to win but alas I am not one of those folks who win but love to enter.My needlework trinkets are few. However I do have a set of hoops that I am becoming fond of using but the ultimate tool I have is a beautiful pair of Dovo embroidery scissors! They are the ultimate accessory to own in my spoiled opinion!
Happy New Year to you Mary.
Cheers,
Linda Adam
Ontario, Canada
After seeing the photo of the wonderful kit and devine sewing accesories I would love to win them. I have never done this type of embroidery but would love to have a go.
I have a few antique accesaries I was given by a man who does house clearence as he said they would be more use to me than to him.
I also find the video’s in your news letter very helpful as it is easier to learn by watching the stitches worked than reading about them.
Regards
What beautiful little accessories along with the needlework kit! I also never knew those existed, but then again I am a beginner and am learning so much from your site all the time. I really appreciate your daily blogs and varity of topics. My favorite needlework accessory is a simple drawstring cloth bag that I use to carry around my small projects in. It was a gift to me from a visiting Japanese student and has beautiful handworked embrodiery on it itself, so I get compliments on my work and my little bag too! It holds everything I need to travel around and still get some work done here and there, plus it keeps my busy babies away from my threads! Thank you for your many generous give-aways and Happy New Year!
Hi Mary,
Your site is such a treasury of technique and good advice. And then you add prezzies! Who could ask for more?
My most valuable embroidery accessory is my Ott light. Being able to clearly see colour and stitch makes everything else possible. And because I can see so clearly I can see what I need to improve. :$
Wishing you beauty and happiness in the New Year.
Hi, Mary! Thanks for another great give-away!
I myself am in desperate need of a magnifier – I’m stitching a free project by Country Bumpkin now in a very small count fabric. I tell you, sometimes there’s not enough light for me to see what I’m doing. But I also desperately need a Trish Burr’s kit, ok? 
My most favorite tools are my magnifying light,my threader minder and above all your stitch tutorials on your blog. Never having done needle painting, I would love giving it a try.
Tools, I really like a good quality hoop and am always on the look out for different kinds!
Avis
Hmm.. I would LIKE to have a handy little ott light since the lighting in our house is ridiculous for embroidery!
But.. since I’m still a beginner, I could use any and all embroidery accessories!!
I never win anything, but I love trying! SOME day, I’ll get to celebrate a win…
Hi Mary,
Thanks for another great contest! I think working with beautiful tools just inspires me to stitch even more. My favorite tool is a beaded scissor fob that my Mom got for me a few years ago. It helps me to keep up with my scissors and I am sentimental about any gift she gives me.
Jan B.
The needlework accessory I would most like to have is a needle case made of pewter, wood, or horn.
At the moment, I just stick the needle in a folded corner of my piece. It would be nice to have something pretty to keep them in.
Happy New Year, everyone!
I can’t do a thing without my leather thimble!
Thanks for a great year of information.
Karen in Breezy Point
What a fabulous give away! My magnifying glasses are my most REQUIRED stitching accessory. . .but that almost doesn’t count does it. My current real favorite is my over-the-sofa-arm needle rest and ort catcher made for me by a stitching friend. My stitching chair still looks like a bomb went off…BUT the orts no longer litter chair and floor!
The accessory/tool that I like the most is the needle minder. I made the felt needle roll that you had on your blog, but to have the magnetic one would be great as you could keep it out and close by never losing your needle.
Blessings,
Charlotte
My favorite tools (no, I don’t have just one): My trolly needle has got to be top of the list. But, also there’s my imagination, though it gets me in some trouble sometimes
What I’d like to have? Can time be called a tool? More of the Bohn needles that I’ve just discovered would be nice (do they come in chenille as well as tapestry?) More *good* hoops of various sizes.
Such a generous give away. The needle minder is darling!
One favorite? I guess the pretty cat magnet that I use as a needle-keep. I have a Laurel Burch magnet, but I also have a few others that I made out of cat buttons.
Best wishes for the New Year.
Re-learning what I did 50 years ago is a thrill. I had no idea there were such accessories, too!
My favorite tool is a pair of stork scissors on a leather neckpiece that my late aunt gave me…probably mostly for sentimental reasons. Because of a disease, my eyesight is slowly going. If I could have anything at all, it would be a large illuminated magnifying glass on a moveable stand. (I’m working up to asking my husband.)
I would love to be a winner! My favorite accessory for stitching would be my Ott lamp. Good lighting is important for these tired, old eyes!
What a beautiful give-away!I particularly love embroidery-scissors. My favorites are a whitch-scissor( I collect whitches…..) and a very nice old scissor ,I found on a flea market ‘ with a fox and a stork.
My favourite needlework accessory is my magnified LED light. I would love to win the mother of pearl accessories & the needlepainting kit is awesome as well.
Mary, thank you for offering such an awesome giveaway-I would really really love to be chosed to win this.
I am pretty new to handwork except I do love hand quilting, and am learning to embroider. I don’t have many accessories, but I remember seeing in a book something I would love to find. It was a little clamp with a pretty bird on top, and it was used as an extra hand-to clamp down fabric to work on an area.
The thread painting kit looks wonderful too along with those wonderful accessories-thanks so much for all you do for us, I love your blog posts-learning all the time
my favorite tool is the stitch ripper, until I see what I am doing I need to rip out what I put in. I was trying a 32 count and I have decided to order 28 count. Than maybe I can retire my stitch ripper.
I love all the little accessories, too, but the one that I would like to have most is a laying tool. The tool(s) I could not sew without are my magnifiers.
Louise B.
Thank you for being so generous. I am having a hard time choosing my favorite tool as all of mine are very basic and plain. The tool I could use most is a purple Vusion Light and Magnifier and a graph holder that clips to my frame (I also cross stitch). Again very basic but something that would be most useful. Someday I will purchase a few of the beautiful accessories such as the your Peacock needle minder and I plan to make an etui perhaps with crazy quilting.
You have THE most awesome store on line I have ever encountered. My most wanted accessory would have to be a floor stand embroidery frame. With it I would be able to leave my project and not worry about it being sat on or disturbed. It would remain intact for me to continue where I left off. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this contest and possibly win this amazing prize! Again, you have my ideal “candy store” on line. Thank You!
My favorite accessory is my bag that carries my current project ( a pillow case),& my box of threads, needles and thread. It is like a gardening tote for embroidery with pockets for larger scissors and patterns. I love having everything in one place and everything being so portable! My grandfather always had a large piece of beeswax for his needles ( he repaired persian carpets) the fragrance always reminds me of my childhood…I would love to have a large piece to use and to perfume my bag…
Dear Mary,
Happy New Year! Thank you once again for your generous give away. Until very recently I didn’t have many needlework accesories or tools beyond the very basics – until this summer when I purchased a laying tool. I bought it for a specific project and instantly loved how wonderful the threads looked when I used it. Now I can’t imagine stitching without it. I would love to add the beautiful accessories you are offering to my growing collection as well as the Trish Burr kit on needlepainting. Thanks as always for the opportunity to win something special.
In addition to good needles I require additional lighting and magnification at this point. I do like my OTT light and use very strong magnifying glasses. AliceRae
OMG Mary,
I have to say I have 3 top favorite tools and the first one has to be the natural bright sun-light when stitching. My eyes challenge me and the sunlight helps me so much to see the especially dark thread colors.I also would be lost without my ott light. My family members also find this to be a useful tool. My next favorite tool has to be my little pair of short embroidery scissors.They are so handy and sharp.Good luck to all as this is a wonderful contest and Thanks Mary for this contest opportunity.
Now this is almost like attending the Oprah Christmas giveaway show! What a great way to end a year and start off the new with a contest giveaway like this!
Have a wonderful and happy new year!
Happy stitching in 2011!
Tess R.
Hi, Mary,
The tool Ican’t live is my magnifier glasses from Daylight. They come with four different strengths that can be popped into the frame. I love to do needlepainting and stumpwork, and without them, I would be lost.
Thank you, Mary, for your most wonderful blog.
Hello Mary,
This give-away is just so good! Very lucky who wins it, we will all envy her, but be happy also, it will be such a nice end of year gift. Thank you for spoiling us.
Now, do stitchbows count as accessories? If they do, then they will be my favourite. I use mostly stranded cotton. Since I have discovered stitchbows, I find it so easy to keep my threads neat and tidy, and as I use also the plastic pockets made to store them, my threads are always nicely tidied up for the next time I need them, not the bag of worms they could turn into. I would also love to have a laying tool – maybe my satin stitch would then lie neater (wishful thinking).
Anyway, Mary, I wish you all the best for 2011. Keep on entertaining us.
I would love to have a nice floor lamp since I am planning on painting my computer room this January and planning a space in it just for my needlework. I will move my comfortable chair in and a floor lamp to stitch by would be the perfect accessory. I would love to win this contest also because the peacock needle minder is really pretty and I also love Trish Burr designs.
My favorite sewing notion is a silk embroidered traditional Hussif of New Zealand. I made and embroidered with all the needle holders, tape measure pocket, scissor pocket, handmade pin cushion,and extra pockets. It holds all of my sewing implements and is lovely as well. The Mother of Pearl embroidery accessories would truly be quite the addition, when working on the floral project and all future needlework.
Off to create with fiber today, Mary Marshall
My favorite tool is applique sissors. I don’t do applique work, but use the sissors for cutwork. I have been looking for a needle minder, but live in area with no shops which carry specialy items. I am looking forward to your upcoming series on silk threads as I have been searching for information on the different types of silk and what works best for different projects. Can you wash items stitched with silk? Thank you for all your inspiration! Enjoy a Happy and Healthy New Year! Linda F
Mary,
Have you ever met a Notions Junkie?
That would be me. My favorite thing is embroidery scissors. I must have 4-5 nice pair. I also just love love needles. Joanns 40% off sale always draws my attention.
But the one thing that makes my heart sing when I sit down to stitch is a pin cushion my friend Arwa sent me. She is a resident Doctor in Baghdad and I met her in my yahoo group. She has become my dear friend. She and her sister Rand are very talented young ladies. Though I always worry about how she and her family are fairing, she is constant in her good attitude and gracious manner.
Golly – I love needlework tools, totes, organizers, all of it! And the prettier and more frivolous the better! So naming one favorite is next to impossible. But the one tool I use every time I stitch is a hideously ugly big gray rubbery thimble. It’s soft, conforms to my finger, and stays put.
Thanks for this give-away. All the items are lovely.
My most necessary tool is my reading glasses, the eyes aren’t what they used to be. The tool I would most want are… your hands! I don’t think you will give those up though. ; ) Your work is so beautiful and your site is an inspiration to a newbie like myself. Thanks for sharing all you do.
My favorite needlework accessory/tool is my laying tool. I have larger hands and some laying tools cause my hand to cramp. I had a laying tool permanently attached into a wooden pen case; the cap screws on to protect the point but when this cap is removed, it is screwed onto the bottom of the pen body and makes a longer larger handle. B screwing the cap into the lower end of the body I never lose the cap. The only disadvantage I find with this tool is that it easily rolls and if I ever have another made I am going to see if they can make a stopper or flat spot so it will not roll. But overall, I love my laying tool. You can see a picture of it here (http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/i-lay-i-layed-i-will-laythreads/ ), it is laying tool picture 6 & 7.
My most valued accessory is the coffee table and a mechanical pencil. The table top is made of glass and I can stick a bright light under it to trace patterns on to fabric.
I have all my DMC threads neatly organized. Love getting them out and looking at all the colors!
The rest of my supplies(needles, hoops etc..) need a quality upgrade and some organization. I’m treating myself to this endeavor soon!
I’m thinking of getting a scroll type frame. Recently tried the bullion knot, need more practice and have added a milliner needle to the list of things to buy. Been looking for white cotton gloves for my non stitching hand that holds the hoop. My list goes on and on…..
Love Needle ‘n Thread, thanks for all your insight! Carolyn from VA
I have sewn on my grandmothers lap for 62 years. I have every tool you can ever want or need. I love all the new ones coming out. My favorite accessories are my friends. They make a day of sewing much brighter and enjoyable. Keep up the good work with your newsletter, I really look forward to reading and rereading.
One of my most essential needlework tools is a small pair of wire cutters – nothing fancy, just a pair that I borrowed from my husband’s tool box. I use them to cut wire when I’m doing stumpwork. The most unusual needlework tool I use is an eyebrow brush, which I use when I do turkey work (to fluff up the threads).
Happy New Year Mary! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog this year and I can’t wait to see what you’ll be writing about in 2011.
What a great way to end the year with a give away of such a lovely kit and accessories. My favorite tool is probably my Star D-Tailor to catch and pull through tail ends of thread and as to any one I would love to have, even though I’m not sure it is legally a tool is the Lowery stitching stand or the metal one by K’s Creations to hold all projects as one stitches. Thanks so much for your wonderful postings each day. Anne
Choosing just one – that is difficult – depends on the needlework type sometimes… but the top three are : Dovo scissors/Prof. Japanese scissors, Stiletto/Tekobari, Good quality needles/Japanese handmade needles in needlefelt.
I am wishing for a Ott Light to help brighten up my stitching chair
Thanks!
So, so glad to have found your blog! My favorite tool is my Quilter’s Portable Workstation. Designed by Ami Simms, it’s meant to keep a quilting project organized, but I use mine to keep all my embroidery stuff in one, easily portable, relatively organized, spot: http://www.amisimms.com/qupowo.html
Hi Mary,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with people like me who are just learning! If I were to pick one item that I would like to have, it would be silk thread. I love color and I think the sheen on the silk thread would make a project come to life. It would probably also be a very smooth thread and fun to work with. Everytime I read your email, I “win”. Most of them I have saved. THANK YOU again for sharing.
Happy New Year!
My favorite needlework tool is a pair of embroidery scissors that belonged to my mom – she passed away earlier this year and I love having these scissors in my stitch bag. She and my grandmother taught me to embroider – good memories.
I don’t have many fun accessories, but I do love my pretty little embroidery scissors! They are so dainty and sharp. I also want an etui and I have about 5 patterns for different designs–my favorite has ribbon embroidery and someday I will learn to do ribbon embroidery and make it.
You are a dream come true for needleworkers. Your site inspires and educates. Aaannnddd as a bonus, a give-away! But I digress from the question.
My favorite needlework accessory is undoubtedly the elegant wooden scissor/laying tool holder that my husband carved for me complete with two laying tools with carved handles. Such a personal gift is a constant reminder of the love, care and support of someone who appreciates the craft of needlework.
My favorite tool is one I use often in my regular quilting, but have now discovered its usefulness in crazy quilting. Many years ago a close friend of mine who is a dentist made casts of my thumbs and forefingers using molding acrylic. This is the stuff used for making tray impressions of teeth prior to modeling crowns, bridges, etc. Once dry, he made small holes across the top so that my fingers could “breathe”. They are custom made to fit only my fingers and fit so beautifully I don’t even realize I have them on sometimes. I’ve even been known to go to bed with them on occasionally! They’re great to protect my fingers from needles and also are super for pulling the needle through the fabric.
Always enjoy your posts Mary! Your site is a treasure trove of information. My fav – Annie’s keepers. I use them to store all my threads. My threads are easy to access and beautiful to look at. Thank you.
A few weeks ago my puppy chewed up the accessory that I use the most. It was my wooden laying tool that I purchased at my first EGA seminar 13 years ago. I never realized how much I had taken it for granted. I was angry at the puppy and myself, but most of all I was surprised at the sense of loss that I felt. I am having a hard time stitching without it.
Your give away is amazing. The kit alone would be enough, but the accessories put it over the top. Your generosity is amazing
honestly the accessory I would most like is a good light after that I am pretty much enamored of anything that keeps my thread from bieng an unholy mess.
I would love to have my own etiu one day too! I would have to say my favorite accessory right now is my clip on lighted magnifying lamp. When age creeps up on you, your eyesight stats to go. Well, for me anyway LOL. I also love my trolley needle for laying threads. And that peacock needle minder would look real nice minding my needles for me!
My favorite tool is a very sharp, very small pair of scissors… can’t stitch without them. The one I’d most like to have is a quality laying tool, to smooth those recalcitrant threads into submission!
Over the years I have collected small treasures for my needlework box – my mother’s thimbles, my grandmother’s silver ruler – and my favorite thing to embroider is smalls and stitcher’s purses. But what started the whole collection was when my boyfriend and I had been on a long car trip. I was working on a large counted-work project and suddenly realized the edges of the bands didn’t meet – I had miscounted a couple of inches back and it would all have to come out. So there I was teasing out one stitch at a time with my needle until my hands ached. When we got back home, I handed him a large darning needle and asked him to go set it into the end of a small piece of wooden dowel rod to make an awl. Then I went about my business with the unpacking and laundry. When he came back he had done oh so much more. He had set that needle into an antler tine and then carved it into a spiral turning. It was polished until it glowed like ivory and felt like silk. The curve fit my fingers perfectly and it has become an indispensable part of my sewing kit. But the best part of all was the love and thoughtfulness that went into its making. Since then, my workbox collection has grown with other pieces to complement it, but I always smile when I see that awl. And I think that no matter what lovely things I may acquire in the future (because after all, beautiful tools are an addiction – you just can’t have too many lovely work box tools/toys) that one will be my favorite treasure.
Dear Mary, thanks for this giveaway.
My favourite tool is an embroidery hoop from my grandmother and a scissor, it was a gift from my other grandmother.
Have a very happy New Year.
My first thought was my thimble since it took a lot of searching for the right one. Then I realized that I wouldn’t be able to stitch at all without my clip on magnifers, but the winner for favorite is my thimble case made from a Marsha Papay-Gomola stumpwork kit.
Mary, What a lovely giveaway. My favorite tools are scissors. I have a variety but cannot resist good, sharp Italian embroidery scissors when I see them. But the mother of pearl thread keeprs and rings would easily become favorites, what a pleasure it would be to have such beautiful tools to work with. And I really must buy one of Trish Burr’s kits, they are so lovely, it would be an inspiration to work with one.
My favorite tool is my magnifying glass and my ott light. I love to work with linen but for much of it the eyes just aren’t up to the task without help. But then again, I have a pair of stork scissors that my sister bought for me when she was in Switzerland. I always think of her when I use them and take them with me always.
Happy New Year to you and thank you for such a wonderful give away.
I am learning goldwork and I would love a mellor to help me with improving the look of my work But they are hard to locate.
My favorite needlework tool is my boxes of threads sorted by number on cards. My daughter who lives in Belgium asked for thread for Christmas so I bought her two boxes and divided my supply of thread with her. And I sent her your email on French Silk Thread. My first goal is to collect tools to do pattern transfer. That seems to be my stumbling block to getting started on embroidery again. Actually I think my daughter could help me. When she gets back to the US in the fall I’ll ask her.
My favorite accessory I HAVE would be my small curved scissors. When I need to cut a thread they allow me to get just where I want to be to make that snip, or (alas) sometimes to remove the stitches I need to remove without messing up the fabric. The one I want to have is something like that pretty little peacock needleminder. I shudder to think how many needles run away from home in my chair over the course of a year! lol.
MY FAVORITE NEEDLEWORK TOOL IS MY CHATELAINE. I LOVE TO TAKE IT WITH ME ON TRIPS BECAUSE IT KEEPS ALL MY TOOLS HANDY. I BEGAN BUILDING IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND ALL I NEED NOW IS A STRAWBERRY EMORY WITH A STERLING SILVER CAP. I HAVE A FEW OF THE RINGS THAT YOU SHOW AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL FOR THREAD. YOU CAN’T HAVE TOO MANY ACCESSORIES-RIGHT?
Hi Mary
Thanks for the opportunity to win an AWESOME gift! My favorite needlework accessories are the thread box and scissors my great grandma gave me. She was an incredible tatter-er and I love embroidery! The one tool I so need to invest in is a standing hoop! Jeez I can’t believe I have lived without one……it’s like trying to bake a cake from scratch without a standing mixer and that’s just crazy! Happy New Year to you and your family!
love your website, and enjoying your newsletter
makes me want to do more needlework. my needle asserory is a pair of good siccors and a pattern book
jo hume
My favorite tool is one I made myself…a simple bunch of snack baggies sew together along the bottom. I select skeins of floss I want to use, open them into rings, and cut along the knot side. That makes perfect lengths of thread. I stuff each skein into it’s own little snack bag and seal. I can see all the thread for the project, they are all protected…and when I need one thread I simply open the bag and pull one out. They don’t tangle up. Thanks for the giveaway!
Dear Marymentor:
Well, you did ask ! If I had my “drathers”, I’d-rather (couldn’t resist that line from a song you’re too old to remember
)…well I’d give my eye teeth to have one of those stand-alone embroidery “stands” or (whatever they’re called) that stand on the floor in front of your chair, and you can stretch out a whole piece of work, maybe 24×36 inches. Wonderful for making a set of chair seats and backs popular in the victorian era. They’re mucho expensive but I do see them in catalogues. If you know where I can find one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg I’d be so much obliged ! Happy 2011….Judy in Pittsburgh
Hi Mary–You are so generous with your contests–thank you for another fabulous giveaway. I love those mother of pearl accessories.
I can’t narrow down my favorite needlework tool to just one, so I’ll name two.
First is my slate frame. I LOVE the way it keeps my fabric more than drum tight during the stitching process. And it’s huge, so it can accommodate the biggest pieces.
Second is my needlework. I have a tendency to just put needles wherever when I’m done with the, so my needlebook helps me keep them separated by type (sharps, tapestry, beading) and by size.
Have a happy new year!
The tool I would most like to own is a slate frame. I just finished reading Ruth Chamberlin’s “Beginner’s Guide to Goldwork” and your 2008 post on “Dressing a slate frame.” (Chamberlin says that the name comes from the slates that were used in schools before paper.) I think that the work involved in handling the frame would be worth it to have a taut surface to work on. I think that my embroidery would improve immensely.
Best wishes for the new year. Your column makes my day!
The more I read your blog, but more I identify with you. I have a terrible weakness for needlework tools. I have the Kelmscott circles and the oblong thread holder, but I have other tools that are fantastic. Years ago I stumbled across a local man who made needlework and lace-making tools. He had a display at an EGA show that year and his tools were marvelous. I was mostly broke at the time, but I really wanted at least a laying tool (all hand-turned on a lathe). I took his card and later called. He gave me directions to his place and met me at a mall to let me follow him to his workshop without getting lost. I had the best of intentions to buy only a laying tool, but there was a round stand — gorgeous dark wood, which he explained was snakewood — the densest and hardest wood there is; it won’t even float. He had made the stand just to try it out and didn’t intend to make any more because it just took too long — the wood heated his tools up badly and he had to stop for long periods. The tools in the stand were all made of bone and the stand had a bone finial. So much for “only a laying tool.” I couldn’t pass it up — and he had a laying tool made of snakewood, too, so I did get “only a laying tool,” as well. Later he started making cases for Japanese stilettos and I had taken up goldwork and needed a brush, so I contacted him again. Now I have a snakewood stiletto handle and case and a natural, soft bristle brush with a snakewood handle. Unfortunately, a few years after that he stopped making his fabulous tools so I’m very, very, very happy I “spent the rent money” when I did. They’re irreplaceable.
My favorite tool is my magnifying light so I can see what I’m doing. I also like my laying tool as it helps in getting the stitches neatly placed.I love all your tips an tutorials.
I’d love to win those beautiful Mother of Pearl extras. Also Trish’s beautiful kit.
My goodness, what a fabulous way to end the year!
My favourite needlework accessory is a fabulous pair of scissors. Without sharp scissors, needlework can be very frustrating; hacking away at threads and cursing whomever used the scissors to cut paper.
As for an accessory I would like to have, that would be an electric cording drill. My little hand-powered drill is nice, but I’d love to be able to make more complex braids.
I would love to own an antique laying tool. And a Trish Burr needlepainting kit!
Thanks for the chance.
Like you I love sewing and needlework accessories. My favorite thing is a Wendy Schoen reticule that holds my things. I keep it on the table where I stitch. Diane Polley
What beautiful embordiery accessories. I would love to have them to have and to hold. Using anything made of mother of peral would surely improve my needle working skills. My favorite tool is the imformation I have gained by reading your newsletter, So much I never knew about, thank you for being willing to share. With all I’ve gained 2011 will feel like heaven.
My favorite needlework accessory, hands down, is my Ott light! No question about it! I can work in the evenings without eyestrain. In fact, I just bought a second one for the other side of my “nesting chair”!
Mary
Happy New Year Mary,
Oh how I look forward to your blog each day. No matter what else is going on I take a moment of vacation when I read your words and dream over the pictures, and most often follow a link or two whether I have the time to or not!
I would say my most favorite stitching tool is my dear late grandmother Victoria’s bone awl/laying tool. Because of my love of needlework I was gifted with her sewing things after her death and, as precious as could be, included in her sewing box was the strand of buttons still on the string where I, as a little girl, would string them at her feet as she was embroidering. That string of buttons has a treasured spot among my needlework display in my sewing room.
Just like you are doing with all of your efforts, she blessed me with a lifetime of pleasure and beauty.
Best wishes for the new year and beyond,
Vickie
Hello Mary,
Wish you a very happy new year and thanks for this wonderful give away
.I would love to have a thimble because its so handy and prevents from painful pricks 
.I love the floss box which I have with floss cards in it which helps me a lot to locate the threads.but the accessories in the above post are very beautiful and would be delightful to own them.The Trish burr kit is lovely as usual.
Thanks for the one more chance to win the kit.
Regards,
kirti
I would so love this giveaway!! My Favorite assesory is my Mighty Bright Light! I have the original short one piece unit that has the Light and magnifier together that clips to your frame or hoop. Just 4 inches long and works great. Last year I found one of the newer models that sits taller but I like my old faithful thats lasted 10 years. Happy New Year Thanks Audrey
Mary,
I have learned so much reading your blog every day. I would love to have some of the thingees from your needlework treasures. You are a true inspiration to inexperienced needleworkers like me. Thanks for your tips on beautiful workmanship.
I am new to your website and a self-taught embroiderer so I am not sure what several of the tools are used for. I have been away from embroidery for many years and am just returning – it is so nice that your newsletter exists – especially for people like me who have great desires and ideas but little time.
Mary,
How nice of you to do this again! I would love, love to win those hearts, and of course the Trish Burr kit. I think my favorite needlework accessory/tool is my Ott light. With my eyes getting older, this light makes it so much easier to see my work. Thanks for doing this giveway. Sheila from CA
Alas embroidery accessories are not a thing I have in my tool kit yet
I would dearly love to have some sort of thread keepers (like the thread drops you reviewed some time ago) I tend to embroider in spurts, and when I pack up my project to move it somewhere, the threads often get quite tangled.
The most useful tool I have now, though, is your website with it’s veritable library of needlework information. Thanks for all the tips and advice!
My favorite Needle work tool is the needle book I made for myself when I first started learning embroidery. I challenged myself to use five of the stitches that I was lerning and to make something for myself for a change. now the corners are curling, it’s got fuzz from cloth, unused thread wrapped round needles and sticking out. I love it! I can also see how far I have come in actually making the stitches since I started learning…very encouraging to me, actually.
My wish: Right now I’d love to own a decent pair of scissors that somehow magically always stays where it’s supposed to be so I don’t end up having to use the blunt instruments I inevitably end up using because they’re all I can find!
Dear Mary,
Thank you for the interesting letters you send us – I recently became a member and look forward to your emails every day.
My favourite needlework accessory is my drawn threadwork needlebook which I designed and stitched a few years ago when I was living in South Africa. I have done some needlepainting and would love to win Trish Burr’s kit.
Happy Stitching in 2011 to you and all your readers!
Hi, Mary, I guess my favorite needlework accessory is a pin, fashioned of a metal dog and cat, with a magnet on the back and pretty pink cord with lobster clip for my scissors. They always seem to get lost down in the sides of my chair! Of course, then there is the wonderful Dazor light, too. Oh, and then there is the matal stand to hold my charts…
Oh dear, there are just too many to name!! – Wendy in South Carolina
Most necessary and useful item I have and a pretty much cherished one, as my daughter gave it to me for Christmas last year is my light/magnifier combo… with my eyesight getting bad…thing about getting old I don’t like. I really was having a hard time seeing to do needlework; this is an amazing device and it has a floor stand which is a wonderful for all those table lamps are unusable unless you are sitting at a table, which I don’t do needlework there. I do it in my chair with my feet up. Happy New Year everyone!
Thank you for such a beautiful giveaway, Mary.
I would like to have a sit-on embroidery lap frame till I saw your Dublin Craftlite Magnifier-Light Combo…this went to the my top wish list
Have a great peaceful and healthy New Year 2011 Mary!
Hi, Let’s see my favorite tool is my needle threader, due to aging eyes. I am going to have some Surgery on Jan 10th and would love to have this kit and those BEAUTIFUL accessories to come home to. My other favorite Tools are my scissors, I cherish my collection….
Happy Holidays
Cheryl Hart
This looks great! Thanks for blogging and helping inspire!
My favourite needlework tool is my husband! Without him, I wouldn’t have the time, the room, or the energy to sew. I only have to say the magic words ‘Ooh, I would love one of those!’, and his ideas book comes out, and if it can be made in a workshop, then it gets made! Would like to win, but the main reason for posting was to praise a worthy soul.
It’s probably more of a necessity than accessory but my favorite needlework tools are the Evertite Stretcher frames I learned about from you. I’m slowly accumulating a variety of sizes. They make stitching so much easier for me. I also count my Ott lights and magnifier as necessities/accessories.
I must include your daily posts as a favorite too. I have learned so much from you and am constantly amazed at your willingness to take the time to explain and demonstrate the art of embroidery. Thank you!
Hello Mary.
My favourite needlework tool(s) would have to be my handmade Japanese needles. They are an absolute dream to stitch with, especially when using silk. They are my “treasures” and I am very careful about storing them in a felt block to keep them safe and clean.
I wish you a very happy new year. May your stitches lay true and your threads never tangle!
Barbara