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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Embroidering a Voided Floral-Themed Monogram

 

Amazon Books

Last week, we chatted a bit about voided monograms, and I showed you a super-simple, colorful approach to stitching one up.

To reiterate, you can apply this whole “voided” embroidery approach to any bold, clear design – it isn’t just for monograms!

I’m using monograms because I like them, and because they work up into nice little gifts to give for birthdays, Christmas, and the like. I either frame them or insert them into the top of a decorative box to make a special little gift. Occasionally, I use them for the cover of a needlebook or even a journal cover, depending on the recipient.

Today, I’ll show you the beginnings of another approach to a voided monogram. This one is a little more complex. There’s a lot more stitching variety in today’s approachand much more scope for the imagination!

Voided Monogram with Floral Background
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Early Style Hardanger by Yvette Stanton

 

Yvette Stanton of Vetty Creations has done it again!

If you love whitework embroidery, you’ve probably heard of Yvette – and if you haven’t heard of her, you need to!

Yvette writes instructional and project books, mostly for specific whitework techniques. She’s published an impressive library of eight books so far, six of which are devoted to whitework. All of Yvette’s books are beautifully written and photographed and packed full of clear, accessible instructions that are suitable for beginners and beyond.

This eighth book – Early-Style Hardanger – does not disappoint. It is High Quality Yvette, all over the place. If you know her books, you’ll recognize her style, her attention to detail, her thorough instructions and her exquisite projects.

Let’s look at the book close up, shall we?

Early Style Hardanger by Yvette Stanton
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How to Embroider a Simple Voided Monogram

 

In the upcoming weeks here on Needle ‘n Thread, I’ll be sharing some simple, effective, and fun ways to embroider monograms.

Today, we’ll look at a very basic “voided” monogram and chat about how to stitch it up.

If you love monograms and you’re looking for something very easy and relaxing to stitch, this will fit the bill!

It’s perfect for what I call “mindless stitching” – great for those times when you want to do something with your hands, but you don’t want to put a lot of brain power into it. Think: road tripping, commuting, lounging by the lake, sitting in a waiting room, visiting with friends, listening to a favorite book or watching a movie…

Voided Embroidered Monogram: Confetti!
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The Perfect Stem Stitch

 

If you’ve been hanging out with me on Needle ‘n Thread for a while, you already know my secret love for the stem stitch!

But if you’ve just jumped on the Needle ‘n Thread wagon in the last year-ish, my infatuation with stem stitch might be news to you, since I haven’t extolled the virtues of this underrated stitch for quite a while.

With the advent of the Kaleidoscope designs I’ve been sneak-peeking to you lately – like this one worked with DMC cotton floss, and this one worked in Au Ver a Soie silk – I’ve received a jolly influx of email about stem stitch, some of which expressed real frustration and angst over the stitch.

Tips for a Perfect Stem Stitch
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All About Backing Embroidery Ground Fabric

 

Today, I want to touch on a subject that may change your approach to hand embroidery forever!

This just might be the secret you’ve been looking for, to vastly improve the finished results of your embroidery projects.

The topic is lining your embroidery ground fabric with another fabric – why to do it, when to do it, what to do it with, and how to do it.

For many of you, I’m sure this tip is Old Hat. But newbies to the embroidery scene might not even know they have the option of using a lining behind their ground fabric, and that doing so can make a huge difference in the outcome of an embroidery project.

Lining Ground Fabric for Hand Embroidery Projects
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The Embroidery Designer’s Most Difficult Job

 

I’ve fallen victim to a new stitching addiction, and it’s making it very hard to tear myself away from embroidery these days, even to concentrate on other website-related and workroom-related activities.

There’s a new version of Needle ‘n Thread coming out, for example. Yesssss! The All-New Needle ‘n Thread is almost ready to launch!

But have I been paying attention to that lately?

Noooooo. I’ve been stitching!

And my workroom! Remember that book mess? Have I figured out how to conquer it yet?

Noooooo. Because I’ve been stitching.

I can’t seem to stop stitching.

Kaleidoscope Embroidery Design in Silk
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