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
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
November 24, 2016
Here in the US, we celebrate Thanksgiving today!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and after this past year of all kinds of interesting adventures, I know I have much to be thankful for!
In fact, I’m pretty convinced that every day should be a day of thanksgiving.
November 22, 2016
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.
November 21, 2016
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!
November 19, 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!)
November 18, 2016
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.
November 16, 2016
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!
November 14, 2016
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.
