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
Contact Mary
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
Contact Mary
January 15, 2022
Oh, my friends. I hang my head in shame. After posting this update on my hexie project earlier this week, I’ve had a lot of questions about last year’s 2021 yearly sampler, which started here.
And so, today, I’ll update you on that. Shamefacedly. (But not really! It is, after all, ever thus!)
It was all a matter of priorities, you see…
January 12, 2022
Last year, when contemplating the Stitch Snippets series for 2022, I wasn’t really sure what direction to go in with the series.
I had a notion of what I wanted to present, but it wasn’t until a little later in the year – around September, as we finished up this dragonfly project – that my ideas began to solidify.
Today, I thought I’d give you a little sneak peek of the first Stitch Snippet for this year, tell you some of its story, and let you know what you can expect with this particular project which will shortly begin to develop here on Needle ‘n Thread.
January 10, 2022
This winter, I decided that my evening needlework project (as well as my grab-and-go, no matter where I go project) Must Be my hexie quilt that I’ve been working on for … oh… almost two years now. Otherwise, the thing will never be finished.
So, in the winter evenings, when it’s dark and cold out and it’s time to hunker down for the day and warm up a bit before heading to bed, I’ve been engrossed with those little tiny hexagons. Even though it’s not embroidery, it is needlework – I’m making a full-size hand-pieced quilt using English paper piecing – so I don’t mind sharing progress occasionally here on Needle ‘n Thread.
For those who are new to Needle ‘n Thread, I’ll share a little bit of the backstory and refer you to previous articles. Today, I’ll show you progress, discuss a few pitfalls, and mention three things that have improved my hand-piecing experience tremendously. I’ll also mention a couple tips on thimbles.
January 7, 2022
Ahhhh, finally, at long last! I can share with you, up close, the first book in the new Design Collective series from Inspirations Studios, on Pincushions!
I mentioned before that I’m excited about this Design Collective series, for two reasons. The first is that the first book is on pincushions (which are manageable, small, makeable projects); and the second is that it’s a series. And a series is always a good sign in the needlework industry. It means more good stuff to come, and a confidence in the strength of in the industry and in the growing interest in the needle arts.
This first book is a doozy, on a number of levels. Let’s take a look at it!
January 5, 2022
A long, long time ago, I wrote about the Richelieu embroidery design booklets produced by Joanna Jakuszewska in Poland.
When it comes to new designs for Richelieu, Joanna is an excellent source. While cutwork is a gorgeous, and relatively simple-in-concept, whitework technique, it is not necessarily as easily accessible, design-wise, as other techniques. Because it’s a small niche under the greater whitework umbrella, it can sometimes be hard to find contemporary designs.
Today, I’ll introduce you to Joanna’s latest venture, since she is no longer publishing the Haft booklets, and talk a little bit about why I’m revisiting cutwork right now.
January 3, 2022
We have arrived at 2022! Hip, hip hooray!
At the end of last week, as I prepared for this week, I was musing about what image I’d use to kick off the year here on Needle ‘n Thread. I thought a stellar composite of past and future embroidery projects would be Just The Thing.
But it just never came together.
I wasn’t feelin’ it.
Then, this morning, as I was contemplating the day in my head, I thought of my view. I thought of it literally and figuratively. So here’s a typical morning view of mine – my favorite morning view – that heralds the day here in Kansas.
December 24, 2021
A very Happy Christmas to all in our little community here on Needle ‘n Thread!
My sincerest wishes go out to each of you reading this, that you have a peaceful, joy-filled Christmas, with innumerable blessings for you and all those you hold dear!
Let’s wrap up a few details for A Stitcher’s Christmas…
