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
December 14, 2013
I know it’s hard to believe that embroidery and Scotch tape have much to do with each other.
But I’ll tell you what! If you don’t have a at least a small reel of Scotch tape somewhere in your stitching supplies, you should!
It doesn’t have to be Scotch tape in particular – as long as it’s an easy-release tape. I think it helps, too, if it’s at least somewhat transparent.
Allow me to demonstrate…
December 13, 2013
I’ve been stumbling about on the Mission Rose project, doing the goldwork embroidery on the outer frame.
I have (er…I had) high hopes of finishing it by Christmas! But in the past two weeks, every time I’ve started working on it – and I mean every, single time – the same thing has happened that has hampered my progress. It cracks me up!
First, let me show you where I am, and where I’m going.
December 12, 2013
I’m excited to announce the two winners of last week’s give-away of four of Trish Burr’s beautiful needle painting kits!
I was sliding the kits into packaging so they’d be ready to mail quickly (I hope the winners get them before Christmas!), when it suddenly occurred to me that they really should be wrapped and bedecked with bows. And so, two of you are going to receive nice little packages you can slip under the tree for yourselves – or … you can just tear ’em open and launch right in!
December 11, 2013
I’m in a kerfuffle. A kerfuffle is a fuss, usually caused by conflicting views.
Did you know that the angle of viewing your embroidery can change the way you feel about it? It can! And when different angles of viewing your embroidery conflict, you end up in a kerfuffle.
And that’s where I am.
December 10, 2013
The Royal School of Needlework produces a line of instructional books for needlework called Essential Stitch Guides, and I’ve reviewed most of them here on Needle ‘n Thread.
So far in the series, you can find Essential Stitch Guides for Beadwork, Goldwork, Canvas Work (I haven’t reviewed this one yet), Crewelwork, Stumpwork, Blackwork, and Whitework.
All the books are excellent little reference books to have in your needlework library, and so far, they’re building into a nice little Library Collection. I’m eager to see what topic is next in the series!
Just in time to add to your wish list for Christmas, I thought I’d review their latest book today – the RSN Essential Stitch Guide for Bead Embroidery, by Shelley Cox.
December 9, 2013
One question that surfaced several times in our recent discussion of tambour embroidery here on Needle ‘n Thread is whether or not you can combine tambour embroidery with other types of surface embroidery stitches in one project.
I’d say the point to remember whenever you’re pursuing any type of adventure in surface embroidery is that you aren’t bound by definite rules that say you can or can’t combine this technique or that technique. While tambour embroidery may be a specific technique that’s most often seen used in particular ways, there’s no reason why it can’t be combined with other techniques and used in any way you want to use it.
That’s the real fun of surface embroidery! There are so many variables, it never gets boring!
On that note, here’s the beginning of a little project that I’m using for further practice in tambour work.
December 7, 2013
It’s very satisfying indeed to know that the free embroidery resources here on Needle ‘n Thread are used! And I love it when readers send photos of their own embroidery work, using the embroidery patterns or needlework tutorials available on the website.
So I was thrilled when Jane sent a photo of her rendition of my blackwork tree design that she’s making up into ornaments this year.
