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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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    Videos

    Over 75 Embroidery Stitch Videos to Help You Learn

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    A Collection of Instructional Articles

 
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January 17, 2014

Hungarian meets Blackwork: Reader’s Embroidery

 

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A few years ago, these Hungarian embroidery patterns began to appear on Needle ‘n Thread. If you haven’t read about them and how they came to be here, you can read the backstory of this collection of patterns in this article, which features the first pattern offered, which I called “Golden Circle.”

Mary Martin of Larkspur Stitchery on Facebook stitched up Lilly’s Golden Circle design in blackwork. She did a fantastic job, and I love the way she adapted the design for blackwork.

I thought it would be fun to share her Hungarian blackwork piece with you, in hopes that it might inspire you, too!

Hungarian Embroidery Design in Blackwork
Continue reading “Hungarian meets Blackwork: Reader’s Embroidery”

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January 16, 2014

Needlework Tool: Thread-Tucker-Tweaker-Fixer-Thingy

 

Quite a while ago, when I was writing about tambour embroidery, a reader asked about a tool in my tool box that showed up in one of my photos.

Well, I would have answered the tool question a little more clearly and directly, except that, in all honesty, I didn’t know what the tool was called.

Sometimes, I call it a Tucker Tool. Sometimes, I call it a Tweaker. Sometimes, I call it by its long name (invented by me) – it’s a Thread-Tucker-Tweaker-Fixer-Thingy.

Not knowing its official name made it somewhat difficult to look up, but I did eventually find it online. I discovered that it has an official name – it is a Stitch Fixer.

I wasn’t too far off!

Let me introduce you to this handy tool that’s been in my box for years, and that I use All the Time, for All Kinds of Things.

Stitch Fixer Needlework Tool
Continue reading “Needlework Tool: Thread-Tucker-Tweaker-Fixer-Thingy”

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January 15, 2014

Secret Garden Embroidery Project: Preliminaries

 

Or should I call this preliminary preliminaries? Whatever the case…

We’ll mark today as the official start date of this series on an embroidery project based on a design by Johanna Basford, from her book Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book, which I mentioned to you in December.

To start off, I’ll show you my preliminary steps in preparing to think about embroidering the design I chose from Secret Garden, and I’ll tell you what you can expect in this kind of step-by-step project development on Needle ‘n Thread.

Secret Garden Hand Embroidery Project
Continue reading “Secret Garden Embroidery Project: Preliminaries”

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January 14, 2014

From Embroidery to Wood – the Bayeux Tapestry

 

Being a lover of all things Bayeux-Tapestry-related, I think it’s ok to share this article with you, even though it’s technically not about embroidery.

Well, I take that back. It is about embroidery – it’s about how a piece of embroidery from a thousand years ago helped an artisan today.

The story comes from the Daily Mail online, and it tells of a wood carver who, to overcome the grief of losing his sixteen-year-old son, turned to the Bayeux tapestry – with carving tools.

Bayeux Tapestry in Wood
Continue reading “From Embroidery to Wood – the Bayeux Tapestry”

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January 11, 2014

Mission Rose: Corner Treatments & Finishing Touches

 

I finished the Mission Rose! But as usual, not exactly when I thought I would.

Last night at 5:30, I put the last stitches in. And then I sat back and breathed a big sigh of relief.

And then I realized it was dark. And too late to take good photos.

Today, I’ll show you how I treated the corners on the piece and added the last goldwork thread to outline the inner part of the outer frame. And Monday, I’ll show you the complete finished piece, good photos or not!

Mission Rose goldwork & silk embroidery project
Continue reading “Mission Rose: Corner Treatments & Finishing Touches”

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January 10, 2014

Introductions All Around – for All your Needlework Needs!

 

Since it’s still early in January, and since we’re heading into the weekend when you can take some time to do some browsing, today strikes me as an Excellent Day to introduce you to a very special set of needlework businesses.

Truly, taken as a whole, this group of embroidery-related businesses can supply your every needlework need, wish, want, desire!

Each business listed here offers something unique to the embroidery and needlework enthusiast. If you visit Needle ‘n Thread regularly, you’re bound to see their ads. These are my advertisers and they are, in a sense, hand selected. I only advertise for needlework businesses that are a good fit for Needle ‘n Thread, and whose goods and services I have experienced myself.

I know that they are quality businesses, and I hope that you will get to know them and find them as wonderful as I do!

So, without further ado, here’s my line-up of needlework advertisers on Needle ‘n Thread for 2014!

Needlework / Embroidery Shops, 2014
Continue reading “Introductions All Around – for All your Needlework Needs!”