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
November 15, 2014
The Art Nouveau era was a relatively short, transitional period of art, with roots in the Arts & Crafts movement of the 19th century, and branches that stretched into the Modern era.
The style was represented in just about every type of decorative art during the height of its popularity, between 1890-1910.
Embroidery in the Art Nouveau style often featured botanical images, embroidered in wool.
November 14, 2014
The fun thing about free style surface embroidery is that you can add texture and dimension here and there, just by changing up the stitches a bit.
Flowers, for example, don’t have to be embroidered just in daisy stitch. Lines and borders sometimes need a bit more oomph to them than backstitch or stem stitch can supply.
Leaves in a flat satin stitch or fishbone stitch certainly have their place and are beautiful, but what if you want a leaf that actually sticks up off the surface of your embroidery project?
Here’s a collection of 16 hand embroidery stitch tutorials that can help you easily add texture and dimension to your embroidery projects.
November 13, 2014
What I mean is, you’ll find a little bit of Needle ‘n Thread in Threads this month!
Besides writing here on Needle ‘n Thread (which is where you get to witness my most prolific babble!), I’ve been writing in other places recently, too.
One of those places is Threads Magazine, a popular sewing magazine published by Taunton Press for people who love to sew.
In the current issue of Threads (January, 2015), you’ll find a feature article by yours truly, on beetle wing embroidery.
November 12, 2014
Remember last week when we looked at my first sorry attempt at embroidering the hummingbird beak? So many of you chimed in, echoing my misgivings about the outcome with the split stitched beak in dull browns.
I’m ever grateful for the feedback and the suggestions! I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again: you’re the best! What would Needle ‘n Thread be without you?
Following that first Beak Blunder, I undertook the battle for a better beak right away, and this is what I’ve come up with so far. Let’s see how you like it!
November 11, 2014
Today, we’re going to look at one of those books that’s so chockfull of good needlework wisdom, you’ll wish the book had been in your hands from the first day you started your journey with needle and thread.
More Hardanger: Tips, Tricks and Fix-its, Plus Care and Feeding by Carol Pedersen is a self-published volume of information pertinent not only to fans of Hardanger embroidery, but to all needlework enthusiasts, collectors, embroiderers, and textile lovers in general.
Sounds like a big promise, doesn’t it? That a book written specifically about Hardanger would apply across the board?
Well, let’s take a look at the book, and I’ll explain…
November 10, 2014
There’s nothing quite so fascinating in the historical clothing line as the elaborately embroidered costumes of wealthy women of the 17th century!
It’s no wonder, then, that the folks at the Burrell Collection in Glasgow are currently recreating this 17th century embroidered waistcoat.
Here’s a Monday morning treat for you – a glimpse, via video, of the embroidered 17th century garments at the Burrell Collection.
November 8, 2014
Happy Saturday!
Here’s a little list of shareable embroidery and needlework-related news and items of interest that I’ve been collecting recently.
Pour yourself a nice cup of tea (or coffee!), and let’s have a good browse, shall we?
