February 13, 2026

The Green Leaf Stitch Dilemma – and Some Solutions

A couple weeks back, I showed you these green leaves and asked you what stitch was used on them.

From the front, they look like the same stitch, but the back tells a different story.

Then, earlier this week, I shared this tutorial with you for “faux” fly stitch, which is how one of the leaves was filled. The other is filled with regular fly stitch.

And while it’s a perfectly legit way to work a filling, there is a small problem with these leaves in particular, no matter which of the two stitches you use. I suggested that there was a problem and promised to talk about it and provide solutions.

But I know I’m going to be getting into some Sticky Territory here! It’s sticky, because the internet is overrun with projects, tutorials, and the like that actually promote the problem.

I think it’s a problem worth addressing, especially for those who plan to stick with embroidery for a while as a hobby, and who want to improve the long-term results of their stitching.

Large Leaves worked in Fly Stitch - Troubleshooting & Solutions

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February 11, 2026

Not Too Often!

Here at Needle ‘n Thread, I concentrate on surface embroidery more than anything else. Just about any kind of surface embroidery does the trick – I love them all, and I pretty much work all the typical techniques at some point or another.

Occasionally, but not very often, I’ll play around with counted work. But it’s not My Thing. I have nothing against it. But it’s kind of like … I don’t know. Pasta? Noodles? I have nothing against pasta or noodles in general. I just never cook with them and rarely eat them. It doesn’t mean I don’t like them. There’s nothing quite as homey as chicken noodle soup, or a good spaghetti or alfredo dinner. It’s comfort food. But it’s never on my menu, and it doesn’t really pop up on my meal-planning radar.

Counted work is comfortable, too. But it doesn’t pop up on my radar, either, because I have so many other things to do, stitching wise, that are more My Thing. Rarely do I have a chance to stitch someone else’s Thing anymore.

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 9, 2026

Faux Fly Stitch: A Tutorial

I don’t normally like to use the word faux. It sounds so pretentious for something that just means fake.

But I guess faux (the way many people use it today) carries a nuance that the fakeness in question is not only ok, but even perhaps desirable.

And that’s the case with what we’re getting ready to talk about. Sometimes, faux works!

Remember these two green leaves that we looked at last week?

If you guessed that they are fly stitch leaves, you’d be correct – from the front.

But one of them is actually a fake. And I’m going to show you how it’s done.

If you have trouble with vertical fly stitch for filling a shape, you might like this solution, because it works. And it looks pretty good. And it normally comes out even and tidy.

So why not?

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February 6, 2026

Life in Seasons 2: It’s Here!

In January of last year, Nicola Jarvis’s Life in Seasons: Winter / Spring hit the shelves, and it was very popular!

Well, if you were excited about that one, you’ll be happy to know that the second book in the set is now available – Life in Seasons 2: Summer / Autumn! It’s another grand tome published by Inspirations Studios, so you can be assured that it is full of gorgeous photography and top-notch instruction for the eight summer & autumn themed projects within.

Here’s a quick overview of the book, so you can see what’s in it and what all the excitements is about!

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February 4, 2026

Stitches: What is What & How to Tell

Good morning.

Prepare yourself: I’m getting ready to Nerd Out on embroidery.

Below, you’ll see a picture of two leaves.

They pretty much both look the same.

Today, we’re going to chat a little bit about embroidery stitches – in particular about what you see on these leaves – and how you can best tell what stitch is what.

This article will morph into a tutorial down the road, and then we will troubleshoot some problems, talk about solutions, and look at alternatives.

All that, just from two leaves!

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February 2, 2026

A Little Project & Tote-ability

Last week when I launched these lovely turned wood needlework tools, I mentioned the use of the needle “tube” key chain for help with thread organization.

Today, I’ll show you what I mean…

turned wood key ring case with thread drop

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January 30, 2026

From Silk Mill to Hampton Inn

One of the greatest challenges I’m facing as a small (as in, teeny tiny) business is the challenge of imports.

You have probably noticed that most of the needlework goods that I use for my own work aren’t necessarily made in the US. Of course it would be nice if they were. But they aren’t, and the fact is, there’s no infrastructure in the country at this time to produce, for example, high quality linen or beautiful silk threads for embroidery. There used to be. But there isn’t now. And so, if we want those goods, we import them.

I’m sure we’ve heard much commotion lately about imports, and I want to assure you that this is not any kind of political rant or anything like that. You know me, and you know that’s not my M.O. (modus operandi). The purpose of this article is not to invite political commentary.

You see, the problem of imports and business and how such things affect the little person at the bottom of the business heap is not new.

For this weekend’s delve, here’s an interesting bit of textile history in the US – and who knows? Maybe a place to stop if you happen to be driving through Petaluma in Sonoma County, California.

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The Green Leaf Stitch Dilemma – and Some Solutions

Not Too Often!

Faux Fly Stitch: A Tutorial

Life in Seasons 2: It’s Here!

Stitches: What is What & How to Tell

A Little Project & Tote-ability

From Silk Mill to Hampton Inn

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos