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
June 5, 2014
Here’s a quick update on the Secret Garden embroidery project, wherein you will see that six embroidered flowers are complete, and I’ve made one stitch alteration.
I’d also like to share a some embroidery advice for those who have expressed some concern about their embroidery. It’s just a tiny bit of advice for any embroiderer – beginner and beyond – whether working on this project or not.
So, first up:
June 4, 2014
I love whitework embroidery. I love vintage and antique linens.
And, in my mind, the perfect marriage of both of these can be found in delicate whitework handkerchiefs of old.
And so, now and then, I’ll pick one up from antique dealers, estate auctions, and the like.
I’m not an avid collector. But, occasionally, I will treat myself to a vintage or antique embroidered handkerchief if there is something about it that appeals to me, if there’s something I can learn from it, and if the price is reasonable.
This particular handkerchief that I’m going to show you today fell into all of the above categories – I like the design, I can learn something from it, and since I was the only person bidding on it, it was reasonably priced.
June 3, 2014
Remember when we delved into tambour embroidery for a brief spell at the end of last year?
Well, I haven’t dropped the subject entirely. I’m going to revisit it one of these days – and in the meantime, I’ve been doing some reading, practicing, studying, exploring…
Along the way, I met up with another tambour embroidery book that I think is very worthwhile to have in your collection, if you’re keen on tambour work.
While I still prefer Yusai Fukuyama’s book Tambour Work overall, this particular book, called Le Point de Beauvais by Mick Fouriscot and Pascale Duchénoy, offers some particular reasons for particularly liking it!
June 2, 2014
Last week, we discussed using old embroidery threads on hand embroidery projects. I proposed that using very old threads that have not enjoyed decent storage conditions and that are showing serious signs of age (brittle, thin, victims of Thread Rot) are not worth using on embroidery project.
Today, I’ll explain what I do to wash old cotton embroidery threads to see if they can be returned to The State of Usability. It’s really just common sense – but for those who are shy about handling threads, maybe this will encourage you!
May 31, 2014
Earlier this month, I shared a free hand embroidery pattern for stylized grapes with you.
Well, here’s a similar design, only this is for wheat. Both designs are the same size, and they’d make nice matching “tiles” for embroidery.
May 30, 2014
Today we get to find out who won a copy of Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters by Susan O’Connor – a book that is currently out of print, but in the process of being re-printed. It’s hard to find an original edition of this book, and if you do, it’s often Very Pricy Indeed.
So, last week, to help spread the Love of Monograms to all, I decided to give away a copy of the original edition. And today, one lucky gal out there will find out that she gets to add this lovely tome to her needlework library!
May 29, 2014
I have a Thing about old embroidery threads.
An explanation of a Thing might be in order, so you understand me correctly.
I often say, “I have a Thing about needlework books.” Or “I have a Thing about good embroidery scissors.”
And if you’ve been reading Needle ‘n Thread a while, you probably gather that I like needlework books, and I’m attracted to good embroidery scissors.
But my Thing about old embroidery threads is slightly different. The fact is, I don’t really like them the same way. I like the idea of them. I like looking at them, examining them, contemplating them.
But I don’t like embroidering with them.
