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Mary Corbet

writer and founder

 

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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    Over 75 Embroidery Stitch Videos to Help You Learn

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    A Collection of Instructional Articles

 
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January 28, 2026

Tools Today! They’re Beautiful – and they’re Here!

 

Amazon Books

Last week, we chatted about a line of turned, handcrafted needlework tools coming into the shop, and I’m so happy to say that they arrived, they’re beautiful, and they’re ready for you right here!

I’ve also brought in some lovely enamel needle minders, if you’re looking for magnetic needle minders for “parking” your embroidery needles while you work, or for holding charts, patterns, or instructions onto your frame. Personally, I love needle minders. I use them for a gazillion things beyond needle minding (anything you can use a magnet for), and they just make me happy. It’s that whole Beauty + Function thing. You can never have too many needle minders. (Can you?)

Needlework Tools in stock now
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January 26, 2026

Virtual Lecture – Q&A on All Things Embroidery

 

Wow. That was a cold weekend. I hope all who were affected by the winter storm this weekend came through it unscathed.

It’s still a bit chilly here – and we’re in recovery mode again, cleaning up sidewalks and whatnot. I’m pretty sure we will eventually have a “normal” week in 2026, but I’m guessing this isn’t going to be It.

Today, just a public service announcement. A while back, I mentioned the Virtual Lecture Series that the EGA (Embroiderers’ Guild of America) hosts online every month. I’d like to mention it again…

EGA Virtual Lecture with Mary Corbet on all things Needle 'n Thread
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January 23, 2026

Tool Talk! Turned Wood Tools for Needlework

 

When I first got into embroidery, during what I would call my “embroidery childhood,” tools weren’t a huge concern. I had a plastic hoop, a needle, and my mom’s old pair of Fiskar scissors.

And it was fine! I was ten, after all. What more could I want?

As I reached embroidery adolescence, my tool box expanded a little bit. I had a decent wood hoop. I had a smaller pair of scissors that were really sharp.

And it was fine! I was just ending high school, and then working my way through college (penny pinching!), and embroidery was an occasional pastime.

When I eventually passed into embroidery adulthood – which corresponded to that time of life when I was pursuing a teaching career and post-graduate studies – I had developed a little more skill in embroidery, and I had a little more financial freedom. This is when I started to enjoy good tools. I found my first slate frame. I invested in an excellent pair of scissors. I discovered quality English needles and cotton floche. I purchased my first goldwork supplies. And I began to devour silk thread.

And it was fine! Very fine!

One thing that I learned, once I found and used good tools, is that good tools help make a hobby (or a job) easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Needlework Tools with beautiful turned wood
Continue reading “Tool Talk! Turned Wood Tools for Needlework”

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January 21, 2026

Embellished Hearts – Limited Kits Available!

 

My friends, I am sorry to do this to you, because normally, I’d prepare you in advance for a release time and date on a new kit… but the fact is, we only have 31 kits for Embellished Hearts!

There aren’t enough to justify a big launch like we normally do.

So it really is just a matter of first come, first served on these 31 kits. We will, of course, do our best to restock them as quickly as possible if there is interest.

I know that some of you will be disappointed in missing the kits, and I am very sorry for that. When I ordered the threads to prepare the kits for an in-person workshop, we were working within a very small window of time, and I could only order a limited amount.

Embellished Hearts - embroidered felted hearts
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January 12, 2026

K is for Kaleidoscopes – They’re Fun!

 

Good morning and Happy Monday!

News First

This week, we’ll still have “intermittent” programming here on Needle ‘n Thread. This will be back to normal (whatever that is!) next Monday!

For those who inquired about the felt heart kits that I mentioned last week, those will be available a little later, depending on quantities left in stock after the workshop this past weekend. I’ll post here on the blog once they are available.

ABC Archive Series

Today, we’ll continue the ABC series delving into the archives of Needle ‘n Thread! The blog has been around for 20 years, so there’s a lot of information on the website here, and many embroidery projects, ideas, tips, free patterns, and more. With this series, I wanted to revitalize some of the past content for those who haven’t seen it or who would enjoy a little reminder that it’s there.

We’re on K! And K is for Kaleidoscopes…

K is for Kaleidoscope - Embroidered!
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January 5, 2026

Happy New Year & Welcome Back!

 

Welcome to 2026, and welcome back to Needle ‘n Thread after our delightful Christmas holiday!

I always imagine January starting off with a flying leap into the new year, but does it ever actually happen that way?

No. January never starts with a bang and a rush for me!

I don’t know if it’s sluggishness from Christmas cookies and cheese, if it’s the prospect of the long winter streeeetch into spring, or if it’s simply a matter of trying to untie all the knotted loose ends left over from the hectic pre-Christmas season.

Here at home, I don’t quite consider the Christmas season over yet, either. We celebrate Christmas in some form or another through January 6th, the Epiphany. Even after that, I’m never in a hurry to take down the decor. After all, it seems that Christmas lights and colorful baubles are the only things that keep January from slipping into the hazy grey doldrums brought on by interminable cloudy winter days.

This year, though, my oldest sister is visiting from New England until mid-January, so I have a perfect excuse to keep things festive until the 15th!

This coming weekend, I’m kicking off my Needlework New Year with a class! I’m excited to be teaching a Fiber Fun Day workshop in Manhattan, Kansas, with the Manhattan Area Fiber Arts Guild.

And to that end, here’s some information on some new kits for 2026.

Embroidered Felted Hearts on Needle 'n Thread
Continue reading “Happy New Year & Welcome Back!”