June 6, 2014

A Call for Embroidery Project Photo Contributions!

Here on Needle ‘n Thread, I post a lot of hand embroidery patterns, hand embroidery tutorials – stitch instructions and so forth – and hand embroidery projects developed step-by-step.

Sometimes, I feel like I’m posting these things into The Void – they go out there, but do they ever really get used?

In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be featuring some readers’ embroidery projects, and I thought it might be fun to expand the selection a little bit by calling for some photo contributions of your embroidery projects that have developed from things you’ve learned or used from Needle ‘n Thread.

Read on, to see how you can contribute!

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June 5, 2014

Six Embroidered Flowers, One Embroidery Stitch Alteration

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:

Six Embroidered Flowers, One Stitch Alteration

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June 4, 2014

Delicate Whitework Embroidery of an Appenzell-ish Type

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.

Whitework Embroidery on Antique Embroidered Handkerchief

Hand Embroidery Books

June 3, 2014

Tambour Embroidery Book: Le Point de Beauvais – Review

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!

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June 2, 2014

Washing Old Cotton Embroidery Threads

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!

Hand Embroidery Patterns

May 31, 2014

Free Hand Embroidery Pattern: Wheat

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.

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May 30, 2014

Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters – Winner!

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!

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

A Call for Embroidery Project Photo Contributions!

Six Embroidered Flowers, One Embroidery Stitch Alteration

Delicate Whitework Embroidery of an Appenzell-ish Type

Tambour Embroidery Book: Le Point de Beauvais – Review

Washing Old Cotton Embroidery Threads

Free Hand Embroidery Pattern: Wheat

Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters – Winner!

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos