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April 15, 2026

R is for Ribbed & Raised!

 

Amazon Books

If I had to pin down my favorite topic to explore and write about on Needle ‘n Thread, it would be the Embroidery Stitch.

I like exploring embroidery stitches, playing with specific stitches, trouble shooting them, putting them to work in a variety of ways, experimenting, sampling – you name it, if it has to do with any kind of stitch play, I like it!

So that’s one thing you’ll find in abundance in the archives on Needle ‘n Thread – a wide variety of articles, tutorials, tips, and so forth for embroidery stitches.

As we continue the ABC Archive Dive series, today, for R, we’re going to look at one of my favorite textural stitches, the ribbed stitch. Whether you’re working it linearly (is that word?) or in the round, ribbed stitch (also called ribbed spider web, ribbed wheel, ribbed backstitch, raised backstitch, and so on!) is a fun, tidy looking, textured, and versatile stitch.

Ribbed Stitch in the Needle 'n Thread Archives
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April 13, 2026

Handpicked Collection vol 6 – Up Close!

 

The Handpicked Collection Volume 6 from Inspirations Studios is out, and it’s a humdinger!

This series of project and instructional books from Inspirations Studios launched in 2024 with the first three volumes. Each volume is a gold mine of needlework projects across a wide variety of embroidery disciplines.

If you want to explore all the previous volumes, you can find my reviews for them through the following links:

Volumes 1 – 3
Volume 4
Volume 5

These books were a hit from the start. I knew they would be! There is so much about them that is pleasing! In true Inspirations style, they feature stunning projects with pattern pages, materials lists, step-by-step development, and stitching (and finishing, where applicable) instructions. And all of this is packaged in a volume that is beautiful to behold!

Folks who jumped on the series’ from the start avidly continue to grow their collections as each new volume is published, and those who didn’t get in on the beginning of the series are gobbling up the later volumes in anticipation of the next print run on the earlier volumes. They are Popular!! And with good reason.

Let’s look at Volume 6 up close, shall we?

Inspirations Studios handpicked collection vol 6
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April 9, 2026

Q is for… Quilt!

 

Today, we’ll continue with the ABC Archives series, where we delve into past topics on Needle ‘n Thread. At the end of the article, check out the reminder for an upcoming event where you can join me for all kinds of fun embroidery chatter!

Bad to the ABC’s – we’re on Q!

There were two other Q’s to choose from, but I chose Quilt!

Which quilt? There’s only one quilt that I’ve ever written about in detail here on the website. It is a pet project, ever on-going, that is not yet finished.

Back in 2019, I began hand-piecing (English paper piecing) a hexie quilt using 3/4″ hexies (each side of each hexie is 3/4″). I wrote about it off and on, even though it is not technically embroidery-related. I happened to mention the quilt once when I started it. The community liked the topic and wanted updates, so I continued to update progress on it, as I worked on it.

I haven’t worked on it in a long while! But it occasionally calls to me, and I will finish it. But more on that below…

Hexie Quilt archives
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April 4, 2026

Happy Easter!

 

It’s hard to believe that it is already Easter in 2026, but indeed, here we are!

I apologize that we don’t have a Spring Eye-Spy puzzle for you today. We hope to work on one a little later this spring, perhaps incorporating spring-into-summer. If you’re looking for our seasonal puzzle and game, you might enjoy some of them from past Easters. You can find them in this list.

Despite no puzzle, I still wanted to drop in and wish you a joyful Easter!

The Resurrection - small frieze at Ettal Abbey
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April 2, 2026

Ecclesiastical Embroidery for the Triduum

 

In the liturgical year, the “Sacred Triduum” is made up of the three final days of Lent: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These three holy days are the pinnacle of Lent, followed by the grandeur of the Resurrection on Easter.

Around this time of year, I like to highlight beautiful and / or interesting ecclesiastical embroidery that focuses on the Crucifixion.

Crucifixion Chasuble Clyde MO
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March 31, 2026

Stitching Clara’s Garden – my Homework

 

Homework. It’s that dreaded word that few school kids like.

When you get older, whether or not you like the word depends much on how you use it. Sometimes, I like homework. Sometimes, I don’t.

Right now, I like homework.

Right now, my “homework” consists of a couple projects: specifically, Clara’s Garden, which is one of the Avlea folk embroidery kits that I carry here in the shop; and this maniturgium project, which is getting ready to take center stage at home, despite some drawbacks to stitching it there instead of at the studio.

Clara's Garden Avlea Folk Embroidery Kit
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March 27, 2026

P is for Palestrina Stitch!

 

Quick Announcement before we start! For those who have long awaited the large-holed, lovely, etched-blade Golden Forge scissors, we finally have some in stock! These are excellent embroidery scissors, beautifully weighted, smooth mechanics, and … yes! … pretty! The Willow Green is perfect for spring. They would look so nice, tucked in your Easter basket. (And we also have red! Yay!)

And now, back to our Regularly Scheduled Program:

We’re moving forward in the ABC Archives this morning, and of course P is for Palestrina Stitch – because I love Palestrina stitch!

Are you familiar with Palestrina stitch? It’s a glorious textured knot stitch that works for line stitching, but also makes a beautiful edging stitch.

If you haven’t added Palestrina stitch to your stitching repertoire, please do! It takes a little practice to get the tensioning right if you’re trying to achieve plump, juicy knots, but it is oh-so-worth the effort.

Today, as we continue with the ABC exploration of the archives here on Needle ‘n Thread, I’ll show you some past projects that feature Palestrina stitch, plus some tips and – of course – some tutorials.

Palestrina Stitch Archives
Continue reading “P is for Palestrina Stitch!”