February 28, 2015

Stylized Thistle for Hand Embroidery – Free Pattern

Happy Saturday!

This morning, a free pattern to add to the collection of hand embroidery patterns here on Needle ‘n Thread! This one is a highly formal, stylized thistle.

I love thistles in hand embroidery – there are so many ways they can be embroidered! I’ve seen puffy, hairy thistles, worked in turkey work; I’ve seen needle painted thistles in long and short stitch; I’ve seen thistles worked with very long chain stitches, like the one in Breath of Spring; thistles worked with pistil stitch, and thistles worked with very effectively with plain old straight stitches. Lots of options!

Hand Embroidery Books

February 27, 2015

The New Face of the A-Z Series of Embroidery Books

A little news first, after hearing from some readers: I updated information on yesterday’s article regarding Alba Maxima linen for hand embroidery, adding some more resources and a good substitute if you can’t find the bright white Alba Maxima. You can always try “Old White” linen, which is the same linen, only not as bright white. It’s just as nice!

And now, let’s talk about some new old embroidery books!

The A-Z Series of Needlework Books

When Country Bumpkin first began publishing the A-Z Series of needlework books, I was in Hog Heaven!

The A-Z Series is a fantastic series of instructional books for different needlework techniques, featuring step-by-step photo instructions in beautiful books that are perfect for reference.

Last year, the rights to publish the A-Z Series were acquired by Search Press.

This is Extremely Good News for needleworkers all around the world, for a number of reasons.

Search Press is well-known for their excellent instructional books in all kinds arts and crafts – from embroidery to painting and drawing, paper crafts, knitting, cake decorating – you name it! They’re a strong, quality publishing company, and their acquisition of the rights bodes well for the future availability of the series, as well as for the continuation of it.

Some minor things have changed with the new reprints of the books. So let’s look at the alterations, talk about what’s coming up, and compare two series of instructional needlework books.

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 26, 2015

Redwork Runner – Beginning the Hem

Well, I’ve not gotten very far on the Redwork Runner hem – but I’ve started withdrawing some threads.

Withdrawing threads for a little drawn thread hem stitch around the whole hem of the runner takes a lot of time! It’s fiddly work, and admittedly, it’s not the most exciting part of any embroidery project. Besides, it always makes me a little nervous, to start cutting and pulling out threads.

If you haven’t seen it yet, you can take a look at the finished embroidery on my Hungarian Redwork Runner here. It’s a lot of embroidery! Wouldn’t it be just a crying shame to cut the wrong threads in the hem work?

I’ll show you how I go about preparing for this type of simple hem – it’s really a fool-proof method, so there’s not too much to be worried about. The key is taking your time and looking two, three, four, or ten times before you snip the first threads.

Hungarian Redwork Runner - preparing for a drawn thread hem

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 25, 2015

Stitch Fun! Alternating, Laced Mountmellick Stitch

Oh, let’s have some Stitch Fun today, shall we?!

Several years ago, I wrote an article about why it’s important to play with your embroidery stitches now and then. My views on that haven’t changed, not a jot or a tittle.

Playing is necessary with any craft, hobby, or art. When you play around – when you loosen up a bit and try new things – that’s when the juices flow and the Muses sing. Playing is a creative catalyst.

Plus, it makes you better at what you do. The more you play with embroidery stitches, the better you get at stitching in general. Think of it as practice – not the drudging practice of the kid who never wanted to take piano lessons in the first place. Think of it as practice for the adult, who desires, enjoys, and embraces the lessons!

So, there’s your excuse to play with your embroidery stitches! It’s good for you.

Today’s Stitch Fun starts with Mountmellick stitch as the foundation, worked on alternating sides of the design line. If you’re not familiar with Mountmellick stitch, this how-to video will help you out!

This alternated and laced Mountmellick stitch would make a great addition to crazy quilt seams – and really, anywhere you want a slightly spiked, festooned stitch.

Mountmellick stitch, alternating and laced - tutorial

Uncategorized

February 24, 2015

Hand Embroidery vs. Machine Embroidery – and how to tell the difference

Last week, we looked at this pretty little vintage handkerchief adorned with violas stitched in tent stitch.

One question that came up was how to tell if an embroidered handkerchief is stitched by hand or by machine.

I’m not really an expert on this subject, but there are a few indications that I look for, that point to machine embroidery instead of hand embroidery on vintage pieces.

Machine Embroidery on a Vintage Handkerchief

Uncategorized

February 23, 2015

Losing the Groove: What Happens When…?

What happens when you step away from a particular embroidery project for a long, long time?

For me, I lose the groove of the project. The touch. The feel. The rhythm and instinct that comes with repetitive methods.

Usually, it takes me a little bit of stitching to get just the right rhythm and flow of work going again.

But sometimes, you know, it’s not bad to develop a new groove altogether! Let me explain…

Stitch Sampler Alphabet - Embroidering More Letters

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 21, 2015

10 Tips for a Sensational Satin Stitch

If I had to pick an embroidery stitch that I have mixed feelings about, it’s the satin stitch.

I love it – I consider it the Queen of Embroidery Stitches. It screams elegance. Refinement. Style.

But on the other hand, there’s one thing I don’t like about it: sometimes, it’s a hard stitch to get right!

There have been times when I’ve been satin stitching along, all perfectly happy, when suddenly, I notice my direction has shifted. Or my stitches aren’t as silky smooth as they should be. Or the edge is wobbly.

Satin stitch is one of those stitches that either looks absolutely terrific….or not very terrific at all.

When it looks good, it looks good.

But when satin stitch looks bumpy and clumpy and wobbly ….wellllll. It just doesn’t sing the same way.

If you’ve experienced difficulties with satin stitch, these ten tips will help you produce a sensational satin stitch!

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

Stylized Thistle for Hand Embroidery – Free Pattern

The New Face of the A-Z Series of Embroidery Books

The A-Z Series of Needlework Books

Redwork Runner – Beginning the Hem

Stitch Fun! Alternating, Laced Mountmellick Stitch

Hand Embroidery vs. Machine Embroidery – and how to tell the difference

Losing the Groove: What Happens When…?

10 Tips for a Sensational Satin Stitch

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

The A-Z Series of Needlework Books

How-To
Videos