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
January 4, 2016
Happy New Year, my friends!
2016 promises to be a big one here on Needle ‘n Thread – new adventures in embroidery and writing, a new look on the website, and lots of new projects, inspiration, and stitching ideas.
And I’m excited that I get to share it with you! We’re going to have so much fun together!
December 24, 2015
Happy Christmas Eve!
My big plans for today – to share with you a whole completed stack of red Christmas napkins embroidered with snowflakes using the patterns I’ve been posting on Needle ‘n Thread lately – have fizzled to naught!
Unless I sprout another eight arms and acquire another eight hours in the day, they won’t, alas, be finished. So I’ve decided to do what any sane person would do, and let it go. There’s always next year!
December 21, 2015
A happy Monday all around!
Although there are a mere four days left until Christmas, I want to share with you a tutorial I wrote for using soluble canvas on plain weave fabric, along with three new holiday stitching patterns.
These are quick projects to stitch up – even the larger of the three patterns works up fast! – so there’s still time, if you’re adventurous, to whip up a handmade gift or two before Friday.
December 17, 2015
Just popping in to share with you another free snowflake pattern, in case you’re stitching up any holiday flakes this year!
This particular pattern is for a rather large snowflake – it would make a nice focal point on a table cloth or table runner, especially if surrounded by smaller flakes arranged in a pleasing way.
But it might just work on its own, on a little red cloth napkin, which is how I’m stitching it up. Granted, it takes almost a quarter of the cloth napkin – but it’s pretty, and it’s fun to stitch.
December 14, 2015
For all you history buffs out there who like to combine embroidery with historical interests, there’s something fun going on over in the UK!
And, since it’s Monday, and Monday’s a great day to start thinking of new projects (because you really need another new project, right?!), I thought I’d point you to the Lady’s Magazine Stitch Off, in case you haven’t already seen it.
I think it’s a neat idea, and it would be great fun to participate!
December 11, 2015
So, you know all these counted cross stitch snowflake and folky designs I’ve been working on lately? The whole point of them was to give me something to do with my hands when I’m not really up to doing something super intense, like goldwork or silk shading or anything that requires me to sit at a frame for an extended period of time.
With these quick little cross stitch projects, worked on Christmas red pre-finished cotton table napkins, I can hold them right in a little hoop, in any chair I want to sit in, with minimal supplies at hand. They’re completely relaxing to work, thanks to the monotony of the stitching, and I can easily listen to a good book, hum along to some relaxing music, watch a movie, or even visit with friends, without worrying about making mistakes or having to concentrate too hard on the stitching part of things. They’re also extremely easy to tote places, for stitching on the go.
At the end of this article, I’ll link to all the previous articles on this subject, along with the free patterns. For now, though, I want to share with you a brain storm I had the other night and that I’ve tried out a little bit, but that needs a little more tweaking.
To start with, let’s compare two counted embroidery charts.
December 9, 2015
One of the delightful things about convalescing is the complete lack of guilt when it comes to sitting around, watching instructional videos on embroidery techniques.
I admit, I’m a sucker for online video classes. I like to watch people teach their Thing, when it comes to needlework. But I don’t always have time to just indulge in watching classes. So, yeah. I’ve been rather a sloth lately, and I’ve been indulging, guilt free! Not a bad deal, eh?
Ok, so…with Christmas coming up and ornaments on the mind, it was easy to get sucked into a bead embroidery class. I love adding beads to embroidery! They sparkle! They shine! They add texture! They’re just fun!
And once you get the hang of adding beads to various stitches, to adding single beads and lines of beads, to adding specialty beads and sequins – well, you’re set for stitching up all kinds of blingy, beady stuff – all of which is perfect for embroidering Christmas ornaments.
So, today, I thought I’d review Bead Embroidery taught by Myra Wood on Craftsy. Here’s my take on it, with pros and cons, in case you’re interested in adding another dimension to your embroidery pursuits!
