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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Holiday Embroidery Ideas: Stitch Stuff for Christmas!

 

Amazon Books

If you’re like me, you’re probably still thinking it’s early days in the whole holiday preparation scheme of things.

I’ve heard that there are highly motivated, highly organized stitchers out there who actually embroider things for Christmas early in the year.

While I admire them – and I often wish I were one of those people – it never really works out that way for me. Usually, somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I get a hair-brained idea to stitch up holiday gifts. And then I do those frenzied late-night stitching sessions a couple days before the gift is due.

Don’t be like me! There’s still plenty of time to stitch up a fun gift or two for Christmas, enjoying the whole stitching process in a relaxed and calm state.

Here are some project ideas to help you do just that!

Holiday Embroidery Ideas
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The Weird S & T: Monograms for Embroidery

 

Ahhhh, Monday! I love you! I always feel like you give me a fresh start!

Today’s article isn’t precisely a fresh start – it’s a continuation of the floral scrip monogram alphabet that I’m adding to this collection of free monogram patterns for hand embroidery here on Needle ‘n Thread.

Today’s letters are Q, R, S and T.

This particular alphabet has features the weird S and T. If you’re a fan of monograms alphabets – especially those from older sources – you’ve probably pondered the weird S and T before.

Monograms for hand embroidery: Q, R, S, T
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Home Sweet Home Winner & the Popularity of Books

 

Happy Weekend!

Today, someone out there is going to be a very happy winner of a copy of the recently re-printed Home Sweet Home, a very popular needlework book featuring an embroidered workbox and all its accessories, offered by the kind folks at Wooly Thread.

In fact, speaking of book popularity, we’ll talk a little bit about that below, too – what makes the book so popular, and its previous and subsequent appearance, disappearance, reappearance, disappearance, reappearance…and disappearance!

Home Sweet Home Embroidered Workbox
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My Love – Hate Relationship: A Wooly Tale

 

Whenever I talk about embroidery, I use the term love a lot.

But “hate” rarely comes into my embroidery conversation.

Hate is a strong word. When I was growing up, it was one of those words that garnered a quick reprimand from the Powers that Were.

“Don’t say hate. Say dislike.”

But there are certain areas of embroidery where I find myself courting a love-hate relationship.

As I ventured into this crewel embroidery project, I remembered that crewelwork is one of those areas.

Now, before you write me off, hear me out!

I love the project. And there are many aspects of crewel embroidery in general that I love.

But no matter how much my heart overflows with love for crewel work and this project in particular, there are some aspects that I dislike. Strongly.

Today, I’m going to share with you the deep, dark secrets of this love-hate relationship.

Mellerstain Firescreen - Crewel Embroidery Project - Acorns & Leaves
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A Passion for Needlework: Book Review

 

Prepare yourself for Something Stunning.

I’m telling you, this book is all about beauty and presentation! If you want a needlework book to drool over, to sigh over, to practically cry over – this is it.

A Passion for Needlework, published this year by Inspirations, features a drop-dead-gorgeous collection of needlework projects that will woo you into a dreamy world of dazzling, delightful, sumptuous embroidery.

Whether you buy this book for inspiration, for instruction, or just for decoration, you’re definitely going to want it in your library (or, more likely, on your coffee table!). Put it on your Christmas wish list!

A Passion for Needlework
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Leafy Stitching – Because it’s Fall, After All

 

I’ve been doing a bit of autumn-esque stitching this weekend!

This is one of Those Projects I’ve had drawn up for a while, but I’ve just gotten around to the embroidery.

Perfect timing, though – it’s still very much autumn here in Kansas. We’ve had gorgeous sunny days, perfect for sitting on the porch in bright sunlight, which is my favorite type of lighting for embroidery!

Little Leaves - Autumn Embroidery
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