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

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What’s in a Name? A Chicken Scratch Argument

 

Amazon Books

Following up on last weekend’s gingham lace (or chicken scratch) embroidery pattern that I posted for you, I’ve been having an ongoing discussion on the email sidelines about the pattern and the recent examples of gingham embroidery that I’ve been sharing here and on my Needle ‘n Thread Facebook page.

Gingham Lace / Chicken Scratch Embroidery Pattern
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Free Hand Embroidery Pattern: Lily in a Diamond

 

With Easter coming up, and with some vague sensation of Spring flitting in and out, teasingly, I have lilies on my mind. And so I thought I’d pass on a free hand hand embroidery pattern featuring the lily.

This is my variation of a design from a very old folio of ecclesiastical embroidery drawings that I was able to purchase last year from a European rare books source. I’ll tell you more about the folio later – it’s an amazing collection of designs, all full-sized, from the first decade of the 1900’s.

My variation of the lily design can definitely be used for secular embroidery. I picture it as a goldwork piece with a touch of silk here and there, but that’s just me.

Free Hand Embroidery Design: Lily in a Diamond
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Mission Rose Embroidery Project – Framed

 

Usually, when I take a piece of embroidery in to be framed, I eagerly anticipate the outcome, generally confident that I’m going to like the end results. For the past ten years, I’ve worked with an excellent framer, whose advice and ideas I’ve come to trust thoroughly.

I didn’t feel too confident when I took the Mission Rose in to be framed. I came home thinking I had made the wrong decision on the frame. And, sad to say, my regular framer moved on to greener pastures…and his replacement seemed a little green.

After dropping the Mission Rose off, I spent a few days second-guessing, and then I put the whole thing out of my mind. I didn’t even think about it again until the phone call came, saying it was ready. And even then, I waited a few days before going to pick it up – which pretty much says everything!

Mission Rose Embroidery Project
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Gingham Embroidery – Free Pattern: Floral Corner

 

The other day, I mentioned I was playing around with Chicken Scratch embroidery, or “gingham lace” embroidery.

The fun thing about embroidery on gingham is that it works up pretty quickly, and with just a few subtle changes, you can have a completely different looking design.

Today, I’ll share a pattern with you and chat about supplies I’m using.

Chicken Scratch Embroidery - Gingham Lace
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Tool Time! A Good Thing in a Small Package

 

Scissors. Yes. Scissors. I know! We talk a lot about scissors here on Needle ‘n Thread. But today, I want to show you these particular scissors because they are pretty incredible.

And I love them! And I love the way they came to reside with me.

You see, they were a gift – a completely out-of-the-blue, surprise gift – and ever since they arrived, I have been enamored with them. I’ve been using them daily.

Folding Scissors for Embroidery
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Japanese Embroidery – E-Book Available!

 

Japanese Embroidery: The Techniques Based on Nuido is the “beginner’s guide” to Japanese embroidery, published by the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Even if Japanese embroidery isn’t your thing, this is a book that you’ll find very useful. I’ve had the print version for a while, and I’ve learned a lot from it!

The JEC has recently released Japanese Embroidery in a digital version, available at an affordable price. Compared to the $42 price tag for the print version, the digital version is $19. And if you happen to live outside the US, where postage can be prohibitive when ordering books, you can readily see the advantages of a digital edition.

Yesterday, I purchased and downloaded the digital version so that I could give you a balanced review.

Japanese Embroidery: The Techniques Based on Nuido
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