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Mary Corbet

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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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    Over 75 Embroidery Stitch Videos to Help You Learn

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    A Collection of Instructional Articles

 
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November 19, 2016

Needlework News Snips – November, 2016

 

Amazon Books

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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Uncategorized

November 18, 2016

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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Hand Embroidery Patterns

November 16, 2016

Holiday Embroidery Ideas: Stitch Stuff for Christmas!

 

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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Hand Embroidery Patterns

November 14, 2016

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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Hand Embroidery Books

November 12, 2016

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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Uncategorized

November 11, 2016

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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Hand Embroidery Books

November 9, 2016

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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