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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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February 15, 2019

Stitching & Listening: My Recent Explorations

 

Amazon Books

I’ve written before about the topic of listening and stitching in this article on entertainment options for needleworkers.

In the previous article, I went into lots of detail about some of the things I listen to while I embroider, and since then, not a lot of things have changed. I’m still an audiobook junkie, I love listening to specific kinds of music when I’m in the mood to, and I dabble with podcasts now and then.

Today, I’ll tell you what books I’ve listened to lately and then I’ll open the topic up to you! Perhaps we can share some recommendations for good material to listen to, especially among audiobooks and podcasts!

Embroidery and Listening: sources for audio entertainment while stitching
Continue reading “Stitching & Listening: My Recent Explorations”

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February 13, 2019

That Embroidered Kaleidoscope Pocket

 

Long, long ago and far, far away (so it seems), I began an embroidery and sewing project that had every indication that it would eventually turn into a tote bag with an embroidered pocket on it.

You can read the backstory on this particular resurrected project in two previous articles on Needle ‘n Thread – this article on twill and duck fabric, and this article on the stitching progress on the twill.

Due to I-Can’t-Remember-What, the project got side swiped by something else, and I never got back to it…until yesterday.

Hand Embroidered Tote Pocket with Kaleidoscope Design
Continue reading “That Embroidered Kaleidoscope Pocket”

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February 11, 2019

Embroidered Leaves: Adjustments & Troubleshooting

 

I’m still stitching this tree.

I recklessly assumed that I would have the thing finished about a week ago. Let’s just call it optimism, shall we?

In any case, last time we looked at it, there were a couple leaves bugging me, and I changed those a little bit. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s getting closer to finished!

This week, maybe? But I won’t make any promises!

Here’s progress thus far, along with a few explanations of things.

Embroidered Tree with Large Leaves- Troubleshooting
Continue reading “Embroidered Leaves: Adjustments & Troubleshooting”

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February 8, 2019

Let’s Talk Project Organization – for One or Many Projects!

 

I think it’s the time of year. I think, ingrained in us, we have this “beginning of the year” impulse to get organized, and it manifests itself every year in lots of questions about needlework project organization.

This year is no different! Questions have been rolling in over the past month about organization in general, but the Number One Popular Question has to do with keeping a number of projects going at one time – not just juggling many projects, but staying sane in the process and making progress all around.

Organizing Embroidery Projects
Continue reading “Let’s Talk Project Organization – for One or Many Projects!”

Hand Embroidery Patterns

February 6, 2019

Free Hand Embroidery Pattern – a Curly Heart

 

Happy Wednesday! It seems like a terrific day to share a heart-y hand embroidery design with you, just in case you’re looking for something very February-y to stitch.

Now, I know this looks like a weird pattern. It can almost make your eyes a little wonky if you look at it too long. When I doodled it up a while ago, I had a specific vision for it.

I always have visions for doodles. They don’t always materialize, but I enjoy them while they last!

I’ll tell what I had in mind for this particular embroidery pattern…

Curlicue Heart Hand Embroidery Pattern
Continue reading “Free Hand Embroidery Pattern – a Curly Heart”

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February 4, 2019

The Ones that Have to Go – Reverse Stitching Ahead!

 

Last week, on my Facebook page, I posted a photo of my current embroidered tree project similar to the photos below.

I asked folks this: If you were going to remove and re-stitch one leaf, which one would it be?

In retrospect, when I sat down with this project yesterday (I didn’t finish it by the weekend – I got sideswiped by some other work), I decided that two leaves have to go.

Which ones would you remove and re-stitch, and why? I’ll tell you my thought processes below!

Hand embroidered tree with big leaves
Continue reading “The Ones that Have to Go – Reverse Stitching Ahead!”

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February 1, 2019

Thread Talk: Madeira Cotton Embroidery Floss

 

This morning, a little thread talk! I mentioned on Wednesday, when we talked about some specialty lighting instead, that I wanted to have a little chat about embroidery threads. So here we are, chatting!

I’ve been trying out Madeira cotton embroidery floss. It’s a six-stranded cotton, like most cotton floss that we’re used to, but there are a few significant differences that make Madeira cotton unique.

Madeira cotton embroidery floss
Continue reading “Thread Talk: Madeira Cotton Embroidery Floss”