December 17, 2014

Embroidered Christmas Ornament from Stash, Part 2

Last week, we began Part 1 of this mini series on how to embroider and finish a Christmas ornament using materials, threads, and embellishments from your own stash.

Today, we’ll look at Part 2, which is essentially finishing the front of the ornament (even though, when I took the photos, I hadn’t finished the front of the ornament yet!). No excuse except (cue up the music): “It’s that time of year…”

(Is anyone else trying to figure out how we arrived at 8 days before Christmas, without warning?)

But see, that’s the nice thing about this project. It’s relaxing. It’s fun. It’s easy. And it should produce a nice finished ornament to either give as a gift or add to your own tree. Above all, this should be a no-stress project. And that’s exactly how I’m approaching it.

How to Embroider and Finish a Christmas Ornament using materials in your stash

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December 16, 2014

Just a Thought Needlework Stand – Review (& Introductory Sale)

It’s just been released – Judy O’Dell’s Just-a-Thought needlework stand! And it’s lovely, and I’m excited about it, and I want to tell you all about it!

Update 2023: Judy has retired and this stand is no longer available.

I was very fortunate to receive a stand for review, after reviewing the prototype and giving feedback on it earlier this year. Even though I did receive the stand from Judy (thank you, Judy!), the review below is objective. I don’t get any kickback or anything if you buy a stand or if you don’t.

You’ll hear pros and cons, along with my own thought processes while unpacking the stand, putting it together and using it.

I’ll also compare the stand to other stands that I own, so that you have a good idea of what the Just a Thought Needlework Stand is and what it isn’t.

And all this, just in time for Christmas! If you have a needlework stand on your Christmas wish list, this one may fulfill all your Christmas dreams!

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December 15, 2014

How to Embroider a Ruched Silk Ribbon Wreath

I love the word “ruched.” And I especially love it when it’s used in context with ribbon. Ruched ribbon – the two words just sound right together!

What does ruched mean? It means gathered, frilled, or pleated.

Ruched silk ribbon looks pretty neat, and it’s a great way to add some dimension and texture to the surface of an embroidery project.

On this Christmas ornament I’m currently working on, I added a little ring of ruched silk ribbon in pink. If it were done in green – perhaps speckled with tiny red seed beads – it would make an absolutely adorable Christmas wreath!

So, here are the instructions on how to create a ruched silk ribbon wreath or ring. You can adapt the approach to lines, squiggles, waves, whatever!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery: Ruched Silk Ribbon Wreath or Ring

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December 13, 2014

Needlework News Snips: Information & Inspiration

Howdy, howdy from the cornfields of Kansas!

Let’s take a break from the holiday hustle, shall we?

Grab a nice cup of something, and let’s explore some embroidery-related bits that have caught my eye in the past week or so. Some are informational, some are inspirational, but I hope all are enjoyable!

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

December 12, 2014

DMC Memory Thread: the Whats and Hows

Have you ever used DMC Memory Thread? Have you wondered what it is and how to use it? Or, especially, how to hide the ends of a thread like that on a surface embroidery project?

The other day when we looked at this Fiesta Fob embroidery project, questions poured in, wondering what the thread was, how to use Memory Thread, and especially wondering how I took care of the ends of the thread.

Today, we’ll talk about Memory Thread, what it is (and what it’s not), how to use it, and especially how to take care of those ends.

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

December 11, 2014

Embroider a Christmas Ornament from your Stash – part 1

With Christmas a mere two weeks away, you might be thinking it’s a little late to start embroidering an ornament.

And normally, I’d be the first one to agree with you, especially if Said Ornament was a fancy-schmancy one, embroidered with hard-to-find threads and supplies.

But would I do that to you, right before Christmas? No, no, no! This is a fun and quick project, something to relax and enjoy, while making something special.

In this 2014 Christmas Sampler Ornament series, we’ll discover how to embroider a Christmas ornament with whatever we have in our stash, and how to put the ornament together and have it hanging on the tree (or wrapped in a box for gift-giving) well before Christmas arrives!

Today, in Part 1, we’ll talk about materials, setting up the project, and working the first stitches. Then, in subsequent articles, we’ll concentrate on more embroidery ideas and finishing.

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

December 10, 2014

Try this Embroidery Design Transfer Tip!

Before we launch into a “made from stash” Christmas ornament project (which we’ll start tomorrow), let’s look at a quick, easy, and precise way of transferring a simple embroidery design to fabric.

The key words here are precise and simple. This method – which is really a cheater version of prick and pounce – only works quickly if your design is quite simple.

So, simple shapes, simple lines, designs where you just need basic guidelines – that’s where this method of embroidery design transfer will come in handy because it’s quick and precise.

How to Transfer a Simple Embroidery Design

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Embroidered Christmas Ornament from Stash, Part 2

Just a Thought Needlework Stand – Review (& Introductory Sale)

How to Embroider a Ruched Silk Ribbon Wreath

Needlework News Snips: Information & Inspiration

DMC Memory Thread: the Whats and Hows

Embroider a Christmas Ornament from your Stash – part 1

Try this Embroidery Design Transfer Tip!

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos