November 19, 2014

Stitch Fun! Knotty Buttonholed Cable Chain Stitch

Stitch Fun is a series of hand embroidery tutorials that concentrates on stitch combinations, composite stitches, and more obscure hand embroidery stitches. The purpose of the series is exactly what the name implies: to have fun playing with embroidery stitches!

To get the most out of the Stitch Fun tutorials, it’s helpful to know the basic stitches that make up the composites. For example, today we’re going to look at the buttonholed cable chain stitch accented with bullion and French knots. Throughout today’s tutorial, I’ll link to other tutorials here on Needle ‘n Thread that cover the basic stitches you need to know.

If you know the basic stitches, putting them together to create a composite stitch is no big deal! In fact, it’s… it’s…. (wait for it!)…

It’s Fun!!

So, let’s start! Here’s today’s Stitch Fun tutorial, the buttonholed cable chain stitch with knot accents.

Buttonholed Cable Chain Stitch with Knots

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November 18, 2014

Stitch in Time, Stitch in Time! My Nightmare

Remember a couple weeks ago, when we looked at progress on the stalled but not forgotten Hungarian Redwork Runner?

My plan was four hours of stitching a week. It hasn’t really happened. But I have made progress on it, and I’m pretty sure the stitching will be finished by the end of November, according to plan.

Unfortunately, every time I pick up this particular piece of embroidery, a nightmare unfolds.

Hungarian Redwork Embroidery Table Runner

Hand Embroidery Books

November 17, 2014

La Broderie – Look for It!

La Broderie – it’s the title of a book about (you guessed it) embroidery.

I can’t tell you, “Go get this book! Add it to your needlework library!” It’s out of print. The copies that are out there are a little expensive (though you might find a bargain one here and there).

The book is written in French. If you can read French and you can get your paws on this book, you’re in for a double treat. If you can’t read French, well…you’re still in for a treat!

La Broderie: Histoire & Technique de la broderie libre, (Embroidery: the history & technique of free embroidery), written with Pascal Payen-Appenzeller with the participation of DMC and the Brocard Collection, is one of those book that you might come across one serendipitous day at a used book shop or library sale – and if you do, you’ll know to snatch it up!

And besides, since it’s Monday morning, I figured we might as well start the week with something to salivate over.

La Broderie with Pascal Payen-Appenzeller

Hand Embroidery Patterns

November 15, 2014

Art Nouveau Embroidery Patterns

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.

Art Nouveau embroidery patterns at the V&A

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

November 14, 2014

16 Stitches to Add Texture & Dimension to Hand Embroidery

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.

Hand Embroidery Stitches for texture & dimension

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November 13, 2014

Needle ‘n Thread in Threads!

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.

Threads Magazine: Embellishing with Beetle Wings

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November 12, 2014

Better Beak Battle!

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!

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

Stitch Fun! Knotty Buttonholed Cable Chain Stitch

Stitch in Time, Stitch in Time! My Nightmare

La Broderie – Look for It!

Art Nouveau Embroidery Patterns

16 Stitches to Add Texture & Dimension to Hand Embroidery

Needle ‘n Thread in Threads!

Better Beak Battle!

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos