About

Mary Corbet

writer and founder

 

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

Connect with Mary

     

Archives

2025 (74) 2024 (135) 2023 (125) 2022 (136) 2021 (130) 2020 (132) 2019 (147) 2018 (146) 2017 (169) 2016 (147) 2015 (246) 2014 (294) 2013 (294) 2012 (305) 2011 (306) 2010 (316) 2009 (367) 2008 (352) 2007 (225) 2006 (139)
 

16 Stitches to Add Texture & Dimension to Hand Embroidery

 

Amazon Books

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
Continue reading “16 Stitches to Add Texture & Dimension to Hand Embroidery”

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
Continue reading “Needle ‘n Thread in Threads!”

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!

Embroidered Hummingbird Beak
Continue reading “Better Beak Battle!”

More Hardanger: Tips, Tricks & Fix-Its – Book Review

 

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…

More Hardanger: Tips, Tricks and Fix-its
Continue reading “More Hardanger: Tips, Tricks & Fix-Its – Book Review”

17th Century Embroidered Costume – Burrell Collection

 

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.

17th century embroidered jacket detail - Burrell Collection, Glasgow
Continue reading “17th Century Embroidered Costume – Burrell Collection”

Economic Alternative for Embroidery Stands

 

Several weeks ago, I reviewed this hand embroidery hoop stand – a hoop on a stick – and it prompted quite a few emails and comments from readers.

Most readers were chiming in to report great things about their sit-on hoop stands. Many readers hadn’t heard of them before, or didn’t know they could be found in the US.

And several readers wrote in with a very legitimate question, which I want to address today.

Condensed, the questions posed boiled down to this: “I would love to have a way to embroider with both hands free, but I just can’t afford to purchase a stand right now. Do you have any suggestions for a less-expensive alternative?

Embroidery Question: Economic Alternative to Embroidery Stands
Continue reading “Economic Alternative for Embroidery Stands”