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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Crewel Tambour Embroidery – Combining Techniques in One Project

 

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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.

Tambour embroidery with wool threads
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Reader’s Embroidery: Blackwork Tree

 

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.

Blackwork Christmas Tree
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Needle Painting Kits – Up Close – and a Give-Away!

 

I’ve written about Trish Burr’s needle painting kits here on Needle ‘n Thread many, many times. And there’s a reason for that – her needle painting projects are so finally detailed, so charming, so pretty. Her flowers, her birds, her little miniatures – they appeal, you know!

But most of all, what I think I love best about Trish’s embroidery projects is her sense of color and color blending. No one else does it quite like she does.

Here are four of Trish’s recent kits, up close. To see them is to love them!

Trish Burr Embroidery
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Stitch Fun: Beetle Wings & Shisha!

 

Perhaps it’s the time of year. Things are very Sparkly this time of year, aren’t they?

I like Sparkly! I love rich jewel tones, and I especially love them when they are combined with gold.

So when a reader asked about the possibility of doing shisha with beetle wings, a lightbulb went off. Why not? Shisha embroidery can hold practically any-shaped, flat-ish anything onto fabric. And beetle wings! Well, they are magnificently rich in color, and they can be trimmed to practically any shape.

If you’ve never heard of beetle wings being used with embroidery, you’ll find some magnificent images online. I’ve worked a beetle wing and goldwork project and written a few articles on beetle wing embroidery here on Needle ‘n Thread, including tips on preparing beetle wings for embroidery.

Shisha embroidery with beetle wings
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The Wemyss School of Needlework – Scotland

 

Oh, ye’ll tak’ the high road, and I’ll tak’ the low road…

But whatever road you take, if you end up in Scotland, and if you love needlework and all things historical-needlework-related, perhaps you should schedule a stopover in Coaltown-of-Wemyss, perched just north of the Bonnie Banks of the Firth of Forth, to visit the Wemyss School of Needlework.

I recently wrote to the Wemyss School of Needlework to get on their newsletter mailing list. This led to an exchange of emails and an offer to write an article about them. You see, I find this little school and what it is doing now quite fascinating, and I think you’ll find it equally as fascinating. Hopefully, you can help me spread the word about it!

The Wemyss School of Needlework is perhaps not as well known as the Royal School of Needlework to the south; nevertheless, it has a worthy history, it houses an impressive historical collection, and it is recently “making a comeback” in needlework education.

Wemyss School of Needlework
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