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
July 29, 2024
I’m working on the layout for an embroidered autumn table runner.
I mentioned this project last week in this article.
Today, I’ll show you my idea for the runner, we’ll chat about what’s wrong with it so far (as evidenced in the photos), and we’ll talk about how to fix it.
July 26, 2024
We’ve been puttering about with a variety of embroidery stitches lately.
I really do like embroidery projects that employ lots of luscious and lovely stitches! We’re playing around with a multi-part project, and shortly, we’ll be taking you on a stitch-along journey so that you can do the same thing.
In the meantime, here are some sneak peeks and a wee bit of fuzzy stitching. I’ll add some links for different tutorials, just in case you’re in the mood to explore a variety of stitches this weekend, too.
July 24, 2024
Good morning and Happy Wednesday!
Gosh, it’s weird to talk about wool thread when it’s hot and humid, isn’t it?
Still…! In my mind, when it comes to good embroidery thread, it’s not a seasonal thing. Any season will do! I can stitch with wool whenever I’m in a wooly mood, be it summer or winter or any time in between. Yessiree, Bob!
July 22, 2024
Slate frames are more and more difficult to come by here in the US these days.
I think the cost of wood and the cost of labor makes them pricy, and folks who previously manufactured them, either as a wholesale product for retail stores or as a side hustle to sell directly, have fallen off a bit.
Below, I’ll share a couple sources for good quality slate frames, and provide information for further exploration of slate frames for those who would like to know more about them.
July 19, 2024
Happy Friday!
I’ve been having a bit of fun in the studio! One of my favorite parts of a project is moving the project from a vague notion to a solid concept and then selecting materials that I think will work well to produce what I have in mind.
Even though we’re not even close to autumn (we’re closer than we were yesterday!), given the influx of unseasonably beautiful and almost chilly weather this morning, it’s perfect timing to talk about pulling supplies for this particular project Anna and I have been working on.
I’ll tell you how I go about the preliminaries of an embroidery project that may (or may not) make it to publication here on Needle ‘n Thread.
July 17, 2024
Well, it’s mid-week, and a great time for an inspirational diversion, don’t you think?
I have to admit, this one has me wanting to grab the Dremel drill and hunt down an ostrich egg!
Check this out…
July 15, 2024
Today, we finish our Cornflower Scissor Envelope stitch-along! I’m so excited to cover the final touch on this project (the button and loop closure), so that you can put your pretty little scissor envelope to good use to house your favorite needlework scissors!
If you are just coming along this stitch-along and you like the looks of it and are interested in following along, you will find all the previous installments to this project available here in the Cornflowers Project Index on Needle ‘n Thread.
If you would like to purchase a materials kit for this project, you can find the Cornflowers Materials Kit available here.
If you are a member of the Needle ‘n Thread Community on Patreon, last Friday, I posted the final lesson (covering this portion of the project, too) over on Patreon in a handy-dandy downloadable PDF format for you to print and save.
Preliminaries over, it’s time to move on!
