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

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Exploring Linen: Origin, Quality, & Uses

 

Amazon Books

Last month, we chatted about plain weave and even weave linen for hand embroidery, and that discussion sparked some interesting questions that flowed in via e-mail concerning linen in general.

One reader asked how to tell “good” linen for hand embroidery projects. Another asked about buying linen from online fabric outlets, and there were several questions about garment linen and other types of linen available on the market.

Today, I’d like to chat about these questions in a general way, and further down the road (if there’s interest!), we can discuss the particulars.

Exploring Linen: Origin, Quality & Uses
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The Rehabilitative Effects of Needlework

 

Well, I promised you some weekend needlework reading, but alas, I didn’t have a chance to cull out a good list of articles and interesting things from around the web to share with you!

Still, there’s one article from The Guardian that, under the circumstances, I think is definitely worth reading, so I’ll share that with you today, and, for those who want to read it, a short personal update!

Rehabilitative Effects of Needlework
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Raised Embroidery – Techniques, Projects, Pure Inspiration

 

Time for a thorough review of an upcoming book – the newest in the Techniques, Projects, and Pure Inspiration series from the Royal School of Needlework and published by Search Press.

Ever since Appliqué: Techniques, Projects & Pure Inspiration – the first book of the series – came out last year, I’ve been looking forward to this one!

So, come along – let’s explore the ins and outs of Raised Embroidery: Techniques, Projects and Pure Inspiration by Kelley Aldridge.

Raised Embroidery: Techniques, Projects, Pure Inspiration - Book Review
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First Communion Embroidery Design

 

Today, I was going to talk to you about linen. Heaps of linen! But I’ll have to put that off until later this week. I have a funny story to tell you about my recent experiences with linen – and a very good lesson to learn – so we’ll be discussing that in depth shortly.

(That is, if the muses of all things electronic cooperate with me!)

But since those particular muses are being downright belligerent at the moment, this morning, I’ll share with you the pattern for my most recent stitching adventure, which has only just begun.

For those of you who’ve been hanging out here a while with me, it won’t surprise you that I’m doing one of those last-minute, I’ve-procrastinated-too-long, what!-it’s-next-week?!? embroidery projects.

First Communion Embroidery Design
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Can You Embroider Anything?

 

Last week, my sister from Pennsylvania showed up for our family reunion, toting along a little sample project she whipped up.

It brought to mind a discussion I recently had with Gary & Christine on FiberTalk, about embroidering anything.

The question arose: when do you draw the line on whether or not to call something embroidery. Can you embroider anything, and still call it embroidery?

Since I’m a sucker for all things embroidery, I tend to learn towards yes, you can. I’d probably draw the line, though, when it leads to a confusion of concepts.

In this particular case, there’s no confusion. This is obviously embroidery, and this little example serves to demonstrate that you can definitely embroider unconventional things!

Embroidery on wood - Christmas ornament
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Happy Easter!

 

Happy Easter!

I just wanted to pop in to spread a little Easter cheer and wish you and yours a joyful day!

I’ll also share some spring stitching ideas, for those who are moving into spring – which has been rather slow in developing this year, but it looks like it’s finally here to stay (in Kansas, anyway!).

Happy Easter!
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