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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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  • How-To
    Videos

    Over 75 Embroidery Stitch Videos to Help You Learn

  • Embroidery Tips & Techniques

    A Collection of Instructional Articles

 
Uncategorized

August 3, 2020

Taking a Break!

 

Amazon Books

Well, it is inevitable. Something had to give, and I’m afraid it’s this week on Needle ‘n Thread.

I mentioned last week that my mom was in the hospital. She was discharged a week ago Saturday and ended up back in this past Wednesday. I’m the designated visitor. Only one visitor is allowed, and it has to be the same visitor for the duration of the patient’s stay, due to recent health regulations. You can imagine what this does to the rest of the family, how exhausting it is for the designated visitor, and what it does especially to my 90-year old dad, with his wife of 65 years wondering where he is and not understanding why he can’t be there with her.

It’s not exactly a fun situation, and it’s a little stressful. But I figure where there’s stress, there should be handwork. It can at least help alleviate some of the stress.

So I’ve been taking my hexies with me as my companions in distress. And they’re holding up well…

Hexies in the Hospital
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Hand Embroidery Tutorials

July 29, 2020

Quaker Stitch Tutorial: Perfect for Embroidered Writing

 

Years ago, I wrote a series of articles on hand embroidered writing. The articles take you step-by-step through different embroidery stitches that work well for embroidered writing.

Today, we’re going to add a stitch to that list – particularly, a stitch known today as the “Quaker Stitch” because it was formulated to work as the stitch used for the text on the Quaker Tapestry. The stitch is a combination of split stitch and stem stitch, so, in effect, it is a split stem stitch.

While at first glance, it might look like stem stitch, the ingenious splitting of the “inside” portion of the stitch raises the stem stitch line up to make a nice, precise, slightly raised line ideal for writing with thread.

Let’s take a look at it!

Quaker Stitch embroidery tutorial
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Uncategorized

July 27, 2020

Embroidery Needles for Newbies – and Beyond!

 

Good morning and a Happy Monday all around!

When it comes to hand embroidery, the needle is really the most important tool that you have.

Sure, a hoop is nice. But you can embroider without a hoop. Scissors are nice, but you don’t need them to embroider. (That said, I think it would be somewhat difficult – and inadvisable – to cut embroidery threads with your teeth…)

But you can’t really embroider without a needle. Something has to transport that thread in and out of the fabric, after all.

I’ve written many, many articles about hand embroidery needles over the years…

Embroidery Needles for Newbies and Beyond
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Hand Embroidery Books

July 22, 2020

Goldwork Masterclass – Book Review & Stock for You

 

After thinking about it for a while, I realized I could write this review in one line:

“If you have any interest at all in goldwork, Goldwork Masterclass by Alison Cole is the definitive book on goldwork that you need to own.”

In fact, I think it’s such an important book for anyone who wants to learn goldwork and pursue excellence in goldwork, that I’ve decided to stock it. This will give US readers an opportunity to acquire the book without delay. Alison publishes her own books, so they are not available through other book sources. You can order them from her or from folks who order them from her. So, more on that at the end of today’s review!

Goldwork Masterclass by Alison Cole: Book Review
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Hand Embroidery Tutorials

July 18, 2020

Free Embroidery Stitch Tutorials & Tips

 

Over the years, I’ve compiled a whole lot of embroidery stitch tutorials & tips here on Needle ‘n Thread.

For Needle ‘n Thread newcomers and veterans alike, today, I’d like to recap some of my favorite groups of stitch tutorials, so that you can explore them all from one spot. Many of you may have seen these before, so this may just serve as a reminder that the tutorials are there for you. Plus, you can add this article to your bookmarks or as a home screen shortcut, so that you can have easy access to several different groups of stitch tutorials and tips.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, why not explore some of the tutorials and practice some of these stitches on a doodle cloth? It’s a great way to add to your stitching repertoire!

Free Embroidery Stitch Tutorials & Tips
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