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
October 3, 2024
If you’re following along with Harvest Hues stitch-along, regrettably, we have to pause for a moment. In fact, I need to pause the blog just for a little while – maybe until Monday or Wednesday? I’m hoping it’s only that long, anyway…
October 1, 2024
If you’ve been following along with our Harvest Hues stitch-along here on Needle ‘n Thread, the following index of lessons in the stitch-along will be useful for you!
Below the list, there are some clarifications on how the stitch-alongs work here on Needle ‘n Thread.
September 27, 2024
Aaaaaaand…. we’re off! It’s time to start our Harvest Hues stitch-along here on Needle ‘n Thread!
Harvest Hues focuses on creating embroidered autumn-themed leaves using a range of autumn colors, with a few beaded accents for a bit of sparkle.
We’ll be finishing the leaves with interfacing and coordinating felt backing, so that they can be used individually or in groups as part of fall decor.
Once you’ve stitched a basic leaf, you’ll be able to take all that you’ve learned and apply it to any leaf shape with any color scheme for any season!
September 25, 2024
A couple weeks back, in this article, I highlighted a few public domain resources for needlework, one of which included lots of illustrations of filet lace, which is a kind of woven needlelace that’s produced on a square net ground.
The topic generated some questions from various readers about using filet lace patterns – which are gridded – as cross stitch (and other counted work) projects.
In the course of the discussion, the question of how to “read” the filet lace as a gridded chart came up. Sometimes, when you’re looking at filet lace illustrated in these old publications, you’re seeing black and white photos of the completed woven pattern, which can be much more difficult to read than a chart would be.
The easy solution is to chart the filet pattern. There are a couple ways you can do that. Let’s talk about how, using this particular image:
September 23, 2024
Last week, I announced that The Handpicked Collections, volumes 1 through 3, were available in the shop, but I didn’t really have a chance to show you what’s in the books, up close and personal.
Today, I’ll do that! I’ll tell you about the books and what delectable treasures you can expect to find within their covers.
September 20, 2024
I’ve written about Swedish weaving before here on Needle ‘n Thread. And early this year, I reviewed this new book on Swedish weaving.
The latter resulted in an influx of email, asking about sources for huck fabric.
This morning, my plan was to share with you a much more detailed article on some recent fabric finds for huck toweling, the ground fabric traditionally used for Swedish weaving.
I haven’t finished my stitching explorations on the two fabrics that I’m playing with, though. Still, they both work and are good fabrics for the technique – even though they are each at a different end of the spectrum, when it comes to fabric.
So for those who have been writing and inquiring where to find huck fabric, I’m going to briefly share two resources for huck toweling used in Swedish weaving techniques… and some thoughts.
September 18, 2024
Today, let’s revisit the Archive Netherworld of Needle ‘n Thread and explore a high relief embroidery technique!
Casalguidi stitch is technique can be adapted to different types of embroidery (especially dimensional and textured approaches), using all kinds of threads, including cottons, metallics, real metal threads, wools, synthetics, tightly twisted threads, softly twisted threads – you name it!
By revisiting these past tutorials, newcomers to Needle ‘n Thread might find some fun inspiration for stitch exploration, and those who have been around a while might enjoy a little nudge towards the vast archive of embroidery stitch tutorials available for you here on Needle ‘n Thread.
