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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

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    A Collection of Instructional Articles

 
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November 27, 2017

More Addictive Stitching & a Cyber Monday Sale!

 

Amazon Books

Howdy ho and a happy Monday!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Mine was a Banner Weekend on the stitching front. I got a lot of embroidery done! In anticipation of a fun collection of trees coming out this Friday on Needle ‘n Thread, I thought I’d show you some more of my stitched samples that materialized over the weekend.

I wrote about my new stitching addiction last week, and I’ll tell you this: I don’t think I’ve had such fun with my needle and thread in a long, long time! Oh, sure, I always have fun stitching, but for some reason, these little trees are completely engrossing! Is it because they are trees? Is it because they are Christmassy? Is it because they involve simple stitches and work up quickly? I don’t know!

In any case, here’s some weekend progress that you’ll hopefully find fun and inspiring. If they spark your stitching imagination, grab some thread and start stitching!

Oh! and I’m having a short Cyber Monday sale in my shop. I’ll share the details at the end of this article!

Hand Embroidered trees for Christmas on Needle 'n Thread
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November 25, 2017

Stitcher’s Christmas 2017 Give-Away 1: Ribbon Embroidery on Felt Kits & Books!

 

Good Morning All Around!

I’m so excited this morning! Why? Because it’s time to launch this year’s series of pre-Christmas give-aways, A Stitcher’s Christmas, 2017!

Yay!!

If you’ve been following along with Needle ‘n Thread for at least a year, you might remember we did this last year. It was so much fun that I thought we should do it again!

To put the series together, I knocked on the doors of lots of folks in the needlework industry – designers, manufacturers, store owners – and asked if they’d be willing to give you the opportunity to receive a really special Christmas gift. They generously hopped on board with enthusiasm, and I was able to put together a nice line-up of beautiful give-away prizes for this year’s series!

So, between now and Christmas, I’ll be hosting several give-aways. I’ll explain the way it works below, and introduce you to the first prizes! Come along…

Di van Niekerk felt and silk ribbon embroidery kits & books
Continue reading “Stitcher’s Christmas 2017 Give-Away 1: Ribbon Embroidery on Felt Kits & Books!”

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November 22, 2017

My New Stitching Addiction!

 

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…

Embroidered Christmas Tree Series
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Hand Embroidery Tutorials

November 20, 2017

Tulip Festival Part IV – The Finish!

 

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!

Tulip Festival Embroidered Kaleidoscope, Part IV
Continue reading “Tulip Festival Part IV – The Finish!”

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November 17, 2017

Cotton or Silk Embroidery Threads for Silk Shading?

 

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!

Silk shading in silk on Burr rose stitched by Margaret Cobleigh
Continue reading “Cotton or Silk Embroidery Threads for Silk Shading?”

Hand Embroidery Books

November 15, 2017

The Art of Felting & Silk Ribbon Embroidery – Book Review

 

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?

Art of Felting & Silk Ribbon Embroidery
Continue reading “The Art of Felting & Silk Ribbon Embroidery – Book Review”