About

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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Clearing Up Confusion and the Harvest Hues Project Index

 

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Oh, I’ve been a real Cotton-Headed Ninny Muggin lately! It seems I’ve not been as clear as I could be about our Needle ‘n Thread stitch-alongs, so if you are floundering with confusion about Harvest Hues and Sitch-Alongs in general, please read this article from tip to toe!

I’ve received many questions lately about the stitch-along, especially where folks can find all the instructions. I’ve tried to explain how the stitch-along will work (please read this article), and I’ve subsequently linked to that article so that people can find it and re-read it in case in case of uncertainty.

But questions still linger. So I will explain again, below, what to expect from the stitch-along and how it works, and hopefully, it will all be a little clearer.

I will also explain what a project index is for, and how it works. And hopefully, that will clear up any remaining confusion!

Harvest Hues Project Index
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Harvest Hues 1: Design, Materials, & Set-Up

 

Aaaaaaand…. we’re off! It’s time to start our Harvest Hues stitch-along here on Needle ‘n Thread!

Harvest Hues focuses on creating embroidered autumn-themed leaves using a range of autumn colors, with a few beaded accents for a bit of sparkle.

We’ll be finishing the leaves with interfacing and coordinating felt backing, so that they can be used individually or in groups as part of fall decor.

Once you’ve stitched a basic leaf, you’ll be able to take all that you’ve learned and apply it to any leaf shape with any color scheme for any season!

Harvest Hues Stitch-Along on Needle 'n Thread
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From Photo of Filet to Counted Chart

 

A couple weeks back, in this article, I highlighted a few public domain resources for needlework, one of which included lots of illustrations of filet lace, which is a kind of woven needlelace that’s produced on a square net ground.

The topic generated some questions from various readers about using filet lace patterns – which are gridded – as cross stitch (and other counted work) projects.

In the course of the discussion, the question of how to “read” the filet lace as a gridded chart came up. Sometimes, when you’re looking at filet lace illustrated in these old publications, you’re seeing black and white photos of the completed woven pattern, which can be much more difficult to read than a chart would be.

The easy solution is to chart the filet pattern. There are a couple ways you can do that. Let’s talk about how, using this particular image:

From filet lace photo to counted chart
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Huck Toweling for Swedish Weaving – Some Finds

 

I’ve written about Swedish weaving before here on Needle ‘n Thread. And early this year, I reviewed this new book on Swedish weaving.

The latter resulted in an influx of email, asking about sources for huck fabric.

This morning, my plan was to share with you a much more detailed article on some recent fabric finds for huck toweling, the ground fabric traditionally used for Swedish weaving.

I haven’t finished my stitching explorations on the two fabrics that I’m playing with, though. Still, they both work and are good fabrics for the technique – even though they are each at a different end of the spectrum, when it comes to fabric.

So for those who have been writing and inquiring where to find huck fabric, I’m going to briefly share two resources for huck toweling used in Swedish weaving techniques… and some thoughts.

huck toweling used in Swedish weaving
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Stitch Archives – a Super-Raised Stem Stitch

 

Today, let’s revisit the Archive Netherworld of Needle ‘n Thread and explore a high relief embroidery technique!

Casalguidi stitch is technique can be adapted to different types of embroidery (especially dimensional and textured approaches), using all kinds of threads, including cottons, metallics, real metal threads, wools, synthetics, tightly twisted threads, softly twisted threads – you name it!

By revisiting these past tutorials, newcomers to Needle ‘n Thread might find some fun inspiration for stitch exploration, and those who have been around a while might enjoy a little nudge towards the vast archive of embroidery stitch tutorials available for you here on Needle ‘n Thread.

Casalguidi recap
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Ready for Harvest Hues?! Kick Off with a Kit!

 

Time to kickoff the stitch-along for Harvest Hues with the materials kits!

On Friday, I gave you a heads-up about the kit release happening today, and shared the project scope and kit information. You can read all these details in Friday’s article here.

Today, I don’t want to repeat everything we just talked about on Friday. Instead, I’m just popping in to remind you that the materials kits are now available in the shop, and the stitch-along will start next week.

Oh, ok, fine – I also wanted an excuse to show you this particular way that we’re using Harvest Hues:

Harvest Hues - Embroidered Autumn Leaves
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