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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My Very Small Business has a Sale, too.

 

Amazon Books

As the post-Thanksgiving weekend continues here in the US, I thought I’d pop in and let you know that I’ve clambered onto the band-wagon!

Oh yes, I’ve clambered! Because there’s just nothing better than a bandwagon to get things going!

Today is what retailers have been calling lately “Small Business Saturday” – when you’re encouraged to patronize small locally owned businesses to do your holiday shopping.

While I generally see most name-dubbing of specific days as marketing ploys, the whole “go forth and support small businesses” is a strategy that’s totally worthwhile.

Thanksgiving Weekend Sale on Needle 'n Thread
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A Stitcher’s Christmas Give-Away #1: Thread!

 

Good morning and happy Day After Thanksgiving!

Today, we kick off A Stitcher’s Christmas! This is a series of pre-Christmas give-aways here on Needle ‘n Thread for some delectable embroidery stuff, just in time for Christmas!

I’m kicking off the series with some gorgeous over-dyed threads, courtesy of Colour Complements…because, after all, who doesn’t like thread?

Colour Complements Embroidery Thread
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The A-Z Series: Another Great Series for your Bookshelf!

 

Back in October, we chatted about a series of needlework books called Beginners Guides, that are super-valuable to have in your embroidery library. The books are excellent, especially for stitchers who want to explore specific needlework techniques that they might not have tackled before.

Today, we’ll look at another great series of embroidery books that are for beginners and experts alike – the A-Z Series of needlework books. The A-Z series is an instructional reference series that has been around for a while and has been a best seller in the industry. Understandably, the books have a huge fan base, because they’re just that good!

If you’re just getting into embroidery and you’re looking for instructional books that will take you step-by-step in a logical, methodical way through learning stitches and techniques, these books are perfect for that.

A-Z Series of Needlework Books
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Crewel Embroidery: Satisfying Stuff & Tips!

 

I’ve made a little more progress on the Mellerstain Firescreen crewel embroidery project that we talked about a couple weeks ago, and that I reviewed here.

Today, I’ll answer some questions and share a couple stitching tips – whether you’re working on this particular project, your own crewel project, or even any other embroidery project where the tips are still relevant.

I’ll also share a quandary and ask your opinion!

Crewel Embroidery Project: Mellerstain Firescreen progress - lower right corner
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Needlework News Snips – November, 2016

 

Howdy-ho and a vigorous good morning from a chilly Kansas!

Inspiration, instruction, information, and all kinds of tasty needlework tidbits – that’s what I’m serving up today.

I’m also going to share some juicy gossip with you at the end of the article, and ask for your help.

So, grab a cup (or two) of your favorite steamy morning beverage and let’s sit down and have a chat!

(You might grab a sweater, too. It is really cold here this morning!)

Needlework News Snips - November, 2016
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House of Embroidery Threads

 

Today, some thread talk!

You might remember that a while back, I reviewed this dragon embroidery kit from Roseworks Embroidery Designs in South Africa.

Used throughout the design (and in many other Roseworks kits) are threads from House of Embroidery, a dye house also located in South Africa.

The review prompted a slew of inquiries about finding House of Embroidery threads in the US.

So I put on my Needle ‘n Thread Hat, did some research, made some connections, tested some threads (gosh, it’s a tough job!), took lots of photos, begged for some favors, arranged a terrific thread deal for you (update 2017: the deal has expired – sorry!) – and today’s article is the result of all that “hard work.”

Oh, the things I do for you! Like I said, it’s a tough job…chortle chortle.

House of Embroidery Threads for hand embroidery
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