About

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

Contact Mary

Connect with Mary

     

Archives

2025 (91) 2024 (135) 2023 (125) 2022 (136) 2021 (130) 2020 (132) 2019 (147) 2018 (146) 2017 (169) 2016 (147) 2015 (246) 2014 (294) 2013 (294) 2012 (305) 2011 (306) 2010 (316) 2009 (367) 2008 (352) 2007 (225) 2006 (139)
 

Embroidery Archeology: Machine or Tambour, the Back and Layering

 

Amazon Books

The last time we visited my Embroidery Archeology project, it was all about preliminaries – the things you should do before delving into the … uh… destruction? (for lack of a better word!) of an old piece of embroidery like this.

Now, now, before you balk! I’m not destroying it. I’m doing my best to conserve every conservable part of it. As I explained in the initial backstory – which you can read here – my primary goal is to retrieve the figure embroidery from the piece, and salvage those so that they can be used on real vestments.

If possible, I also plan to salvage some of the floral elements, though for what use, I’m not sure yet!

With the preliminaries out of the way, it was time to take the piece apart.

Salvaging ecclesiastical embroidery
Continue reading “Embroidery Archeology: Machine or Tambour, the Back and Layering”

What’s in my Embroidery Rotation – and What’s Not!

 

With the summer trickling by here in Kansas – actually, I should say streaming by, as it’s moving at a rather rapid clip – I’ve given some thought to my current embroidery project rotation and have made some adjustments.

Now that Will Ewe Bee Mine? is officially out and available, I can concentrate on other projects. Thanks heaps to all those who have purchased my latest ebook – your support goes a long way towards keeping Needle ‘n Thread going! So I really appreciate it! (In fact, I downright love you for it!)

So, today, an update on what I’m working on now, my reasons for switching things in and out, my future project aspirations and plans, and a bit of a chat on my multi-project approach, what works about it and what doesn’t.

Party in Provence - Embroidered Kaleidoscope
Continue reading “What’s in my Embroidery Rotation – and What’s Not!”

Will Ewe Bee Mine? Multi-motif Monograms with Matching Borders & Frames

 

Howdy-ho and a Happy (and I mean Happy Happy Happy!) Wednesday!

Why so happy, you might wonder? Especially on a Wednesday??

Well, I finally finished this ebook and I can’t wait to show it to you!

It’s titled Will Ewe Bee Mine?

…because I just can’t resist dumb puns.

And, besides – it fits!

Will Ewe Bee Mine? Monograms for Embroidery
Continue reading “Will Ewe Bee Mine? Multi-motif Monograms with Matching Borders & Frames”

Embroidery of the World

 

Our world is full of embroidery.

And it has been, for a long, long time.

This thought – which isn’t all that profound, in the scheme of things – struck me with particular force, when, serendipitously, a couple boxes arrived, via post, on my front porch.

I say serendipitously, because just the day before, I began the Big Overhaul on my needlework book shelves. The timing couldn’t have been better!

World of Embroidery - Embroidery of the World
Continue reading “Embroidery of the World”

Needlework News Snips for July: Inspiration, Threads, & More!

 

Oh, happy Saturday all around!

It’s taken me all the week long to work through the catch-up after being out of town for a while. Subconsciously, this may be the reason I never go anywhere!

Strangely enough, I haven’t done a lick of stitching, with the exception of one tiny stitch tutorial. I’m craving my needle and thread! And with temperatures topping the 105 mark this weekend, methinks I’ll use that as an excuse to stay in where it’s cool(ish) and put my mind and fingers to a project or two.

Well, you know how it is – any excuse would do!

But before I hunker down, I thought I’d share some bits of inspiration, information, and whatnot that have surfaced in the needlework world lately. So pour yourself something refreshing, cold or hot depending on your particular hemispheric circumstances, and let’s go for a browse, shall we?

Needlework News Snips - July, 2017
Continue reading “Needlework News Snips for July: Inspiration, Threads, & More!”

Embroidered Cats: Hiroko’s Style – Book Review

 

Brace yourself for a Cuteness Overload. And some incredible embroidery!

Whether or not you’re a cat lover (or a dog lover), if you’re an embroiderer and you appreciate meticulous embroidery, I think you’re going to be twitterpated with this book

Now, this is The Thing (full disclosure here!): I’m not a cat lover. I like the idea of cats. I’d like to like cats, but, thanks to the horrid allergy that plagues me whenever I’m around the little beasties, I try to avoid them at all costs. It’s a matter of being able to breathe, you see. I get a little testy when I can’t.

That said, I love looking at them from a distance. There is something rather regal, majestic, adorable, endearing about cats. And looking at them through the artistic renderings of an embroiderer makes these particular cats that I’m going to show you even more enchanting!

Embroidered Cats: Hiroko's Style - Book Review
Continue reading “Embroidered Cats: Hiroko’s Style – Book Review”

Embroidery Archeology: First Things First – Visual Documentation and Close Examination

 

Welcome to Wednesday! Woohoo! I’m back home from a much-needed break – and glad to be here!

A few weeks ago, we looked at this piece of embroidery that I’m taking apart, to salvage the figures on it to put them on a new background.

This was the perfect project to turn my mind to yesterday, after a Most Wonderful, quiet, peaceful break – concentrating on it got me back into the swing of things in a very pleasant way!

A funny thing about this project: I was going to say no when asked to undertake it, but I’m so glad I didn’t! I love this kind of exploratory work. It’s enlightening, intriguing, and absorbing.

Today, we’ll look at some First Things First. Before really digging into a piece like this, there are a few preliminary steps to take and a few tools to line up.

Embroidered Vestment Repair: Silk embroidered figures
Continue reading “Embroidery Archeology: First Things First – Visual Documentation and Close Examination”