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
November 23, 2017
My dear friends! Just a quick not to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, no matter where you are!
I know it’s a US holiday, but I always figure it’s a universal concept – we all have something to be thankful for, every minute, every hour, every day of the year…
November 22, 2017
Oh golly. I seem to have a problem!
I’ve started embroidering some little trees – using simple stitches worked in various combinations – and they have turned into a bit of an obsession.
I am, in short, addicted to them. Every hour I spend away from my needle and thread, I’m aching to get back to stitching. My mind whirs with new possibilities, and everything I have to do in Real Life – you know, the stuff you can’t avoid day to day? – I do with haste, so I can return to my stitching post and test my newly-hatched ideas.
It’s an obsession that creeped up on me, unawares. I had no intention of getting involved in a whole series of stitchy things right now.
It started one day as I was perusing a couple old embroidery books…
November 20, 2017
Last time we visited Tulip Festival, which is an embroidered kaleidoscope I’m sharing with you step-by-step here on Needle ‘n Thread, we looked at how to stitch the tulips in long & short stitch and the two tiny borders beyond.
Today, it’s the final chapter! We’ll cover the embroidery on the outer layers of the kaleidoscope and any hints and tips along the way.
If you want to catch up with the project, you’ll find all the materials and beginning stitches in Part I here, the next set of embroidered layers, working outwards, here in Part II, and the tulips and two more bordering lines here in Part III.
If you’re working your way through this project, don’t hesitate to chime in with any questions you might have, using the comment form below the article!
November 17, 2017
Should I use cotton or silk for silk shading?
Is cotton a better choice for silk shading?
Since lately I’ve received a few questions about whether or not silk shading (needle painting, long and short stitch shading, soft shading…) should be worked in silk or in cotton, I figure there must be more people out there with the same query.
So today I thought I’d address the question, following up on last week’s article on my case for using silk in hand embroidery.
I think there’s more to this than just an “either / or” answer. So let’s chat about it!
November 15, 2017
Do you like silk ribbon embroidery? How about felt? Do you like unique, textured backgrounds? Do you like a multi-media approach to your needlework? Are you looking for new avenues to explore in your artistic adventures? Or do you just love a good needlework book that’s packed full of techniques, ideas, inspiration, and instruction?
If any of the above applies to you, chances are, you’re going to like The Art of Felting & Silk Ribbon Embroidery, written by Di van Niekerk with Toody Cassidy.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, actually. But the title intrigued me! And of course, I’m familiar with Di van Niekerk’s sumptuous silk ribbon embroidery, and I had seen little hints and peeks at some of the projects in the book, so … what’s a gal to do? Of course I had to see the book!
Let’s take a look inside, shall we?
November 13, 2017
Good morning, and Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed a pleasant weekend and had a chance to spend some time with your needle and thread! I got in zilch-o when it comes to stitching this weekend, but I did manage to prepare 12 embroidery patterns for printing. I can’t wait to show you what’s up with those!
We’ve been working our way through stitching an embroidered kaleidoscope here on Needle ‘n Thread – Tulip Festival, which we’ve visited in two parts so far. Part I of Tulip Festival covers the supplies, threads, set-up, and first seven rounds of stitches on the design. Part II covers the stitches for the the next several rounds.
Today, we’re going to cover the tulips in long & short stitch and a couple layers just beyond the tulips!
Whether you’re stitching Tulip Festival or not, I hope you’ll find some tips & techniques here that can apply to your own embroidery projects!
November 11, 2017
The weekend is upon us! YAY!
I’ve drawn the random winners for the Virtual Threads needlework calendars (with 13 free downloadable projects to work throughout the year), so I’ll announce those today.
I’ve also put together a little list of inspiration, ideas, questions, needlework news and whatnot, for your weekend explorations.
So… pour yourself a hot little beverage, pull up a chair, and let’s have a chat!
