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
July 22, 2014
Last week, I reviewed Yvette Stanton’s new whitework book, Sardinian Knotted Embroidery, for you, and this week, I thought I’d follow up with a give-away!
I love giving away at least one copy of a new book after reviewing it, but in this case, I’ll be giving away two copies, courtesy of Vetty Creations.
And that’s just dandy! That means your chance of winning just doubled!
July 21, 2014
Ah, Monday! A perfect day to finish something!
Normally, I procrastinate until Mondays, when I begin things. It’s a bad habit – “I’ll start that on Monday….” – but for some reason, Mondays seem like good days to start things. It’s like the beginning of a new year, in miniature form. And since it happens 52 times a year (give or take), that’s a lot of opportunities for new beginnings!
But, today, we end. We end the Delicate Spray monogram alphabet with the last four letters: W, X, Y, and Z.
Here they are!
July 18, 2014
It’s time to start stitching, said the Little Voice in my head.
Stop hemming and hawing about colors and just Do Something, it insisted.
Fine, I replied. I’ll start with the hummingbird’s chest.
A Very Wise Choice, my Little Voice responded.
July 17, 2014
Wow – this alphabet went fast! We’re only four letters from The End!
The previous monograms I added to the free embroidery patterns here on Needle ‘n Thread took months and months – and sometimes, over a year! – to make the whole alphabet available. This time, I decided larger groups of letters over a shorter period of time would be more helpful for folks looking for pretty monogram alphabets for hand embroidery.
And happily, these 26 letters have gotten to you rather quickly! So, here’s the second to the last set of letters – the S, T, U, and V.
July 16, 2014
My hummingbirds on the Secret Garden embroidery project are not going to be remotely realistic looking.
I just thought I would clarify that before I go any further!
Despite all your wonderful input on the question of color on the hummingbirds, I still find myself with ideas, possibilities, and too many choices congesting my head. And so, I did what I usually do, and we’ll see if it works…
July 15, 2014
For whitework embroidery lovers everywhere, Yvette Stanton has recently published a new and unique whitework book: Sardinian Knotted Embroidery: Whitework from Teulada.
If you are familiar with Yvette’s last whitework book, Portuguese Whitework: Bullion Embroidery from Guimarães, you’ll recognize the approach: she introduces us to the history and culture surrounding a more obscure form of whitework embroidery, carefully educating the reader on the technique while offering a beautiful selection of manageable projects to embroider.
It’s a successful formula that brings to light exquisite forms of whitework embroidery that we might otherwise never know anything about if it weren’t for Yvette’s careful research and instruction.
July 14, 2014
Once upon a time, just over three years ago, a friend and once-fellow-teacher called me.
She: “Can you teach me how to do gold church embroidery?”
Me: “Yes, I can.”
And so we started by covering the very basics of goldwork embroidery. Nothing paid or formal. Just a casual arrangement to meet once a week when she had an hour or two to spare.
Once she understood what threads do what, she decided the best way for her to start would be to actually start, to begin with a real project that could be used upon completion.
Her primary interest was learning to work with real metal threads that can be couched. To that end, we began a “sacred monogram” project. We transferred the design onto velveteen, appliquéd felt padding, and then couched gold passing thread.
After several months of her working on the project quite slowly, the inevitable happened: life got busy, she had to prioritize, and the goldwork was side-lined.
I sent my slate frame and my floor stand home with her, so she could work on it when she had time.
A good two and a half years went by, and although we occasionally touched base, the embroidery was still languishing, neglected, not going anywhere.
