February 6, 2015

Crewel Intentions x 2 & Beginner Blackwork & Thanks!

Today, due to a little glitch in scheduling, I’m announcing winners for two embroidery-related give-aways – Hazel Blomkamp’s Crewel Intentions and a spot in Tanja Berlin’s online class for blackwork, with a kit and all the necessities to take the class.

Some happy news – I’m going to choose two winners for Crewel Intentions, thanks to Barbara, a reader who had two new copies of the book and only needs one. She generously sent it along, so that I could pass it on to another stitcher. So I’ll be randomly drawing two names for that book. Thanks, Barbara!

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February 5, 2015

Who are You?

Earlier this week, I received an email from a reader currently involved in a needlework retreat. (Hi, folks! I hope you’re all enjoying the retreat!)

It was one of those emails that made me chortle on the one hand, and on the other hand, it made…not chortle.

In her email (the subject of which was Who is Mary?), my friendly correspondent said:

Someone said Mary Corbett (sic) is not a real person but the articles are a collaboration of several writers.

Admittedly, I felt a little bit like Alice in Wonderland, meeting the caterpillar. Whooooo are you?

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 4, 2015

Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, Version 2

Last week, as part of the Stitch Fun series, we saw how to embroider a simple scalloped edging using buttonhole stitch and beads.

Today, I’m going to show you a different version of a scalloped edging. It also uses buttonhole stitch, but instead of the larger beads we used last week, worked over slightly looser scallops, this tutorial will show you version 2 of a beaded and scalloped buttonhole edging, using tiny seed beads.

Scalloped & beaded buttonhole stitch edging using seed beads

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February 3, 2015

Tanja Berlin Online Blackwork Class – a Give-Away!

Have you ever pondered complex blackwork embroidery designs and thought, Gosh, I’d like to learn how to do that!

Well, here’s your opportunity! Tanja Berlin is hosting an online blackwork class for beginners, and she’s just opened up registration for it.

Better yet, she’s offering one of you the chance to take her online blackwork class for free, along with the materials kit, stretcher bar frame, and tacks – everything you need to work the class project.

Beginner Blackwork Embroidery - Online Class

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February 2, 2015

Goldwork Embroidery in the Grocery Store

You and I – we might be fanatical about hand embroidery, but we’re not so fanatical about it that we actually eat, drink, and sleep “embroidery.”

Weelllllll…. ok. We can sleep under embroidered sheets in embroidered PJs, with heads resting on embroidered pillow cases.

But it’s not as if we can eat and drink embroidery.

Or…..can we?

Goldwork Wine Labels - Albero Wine at Trader Joe's

Hand Embroidery Patterns

January 31, 2015

Fair Verona – a Free Pattern for Hand Embroidery

Today, I’m going to share a free hand embroidery pattern with you while waxing philosophical (actually, just babbling and pondering) about the names we give to visual works of art.

This is a little drawing I’ve been playing with for a while, with the intention of using it as a hand embroidery design.

The design was inspired by a floral repeat on a piece of antique fabric of a somewhat Jacobean flavor. I fiddled with it, sketched it, colored it, fudged it up, and then finally set it aside, thinking, “Some day, some day.”

And hopefully, some day, it will come about that I can work it into an embroidery piece. But in the mean time, I thought I’d share it with you!

Free hand embroidery pattern: Fair Verona

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

January 30, 2015

Stitch Fun! Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, 1

If you’re doing any weekend embroidery, you might want to indulge in some Stitch Fun while you’re at it!

Today’s tutorial for a scalloped, beaded buttonhole edging (version 1) came about because a reader requested a tutorial. She was following directions on a kit, and the directions stated:

Work a loose buttonhole in the backstitches with beads for scallops.

There were no further instructions and no diagrams, so she was a little stumped. Looking at the photo she sent of the finished piece that came with the kit, today’s tutorial for beaded buttonhole edging is what I gather the designer meant.

This is a very simple scalloped beaded buttonhole edging. It can be used to add a little sparkle and zing to decorated edges on finished embroidery projects like needle books, pin cushions, ornaments, and the like.

Stitch Tutorial for Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, version 1

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

Crewel Intentions x 2 & Beginner Blackwork & Thanks!

Who are You?

Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, Version 2

Tanja Berlin Online Blackwork Class – a Give-Away!

Goldwork Embroidery in the Grocery Store

Fair Verona – a Free Pattern for Hand Embroidery

Stitch Fun! Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, 1

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos