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
August 19, 2013
Once Upon a Time, there wasn’t a little squirrel.
When developing the various projects for Lavender Honey & Other Little Things, nestled snuggly on the list of ideas was a squirrel, but he didn’t make the final cut.
This is his story.
August 17, 2013
Thanks to all who participated in the give-away run earlier this week for five full skeins of overdyed threads from Lorraine at LES Designs!
It was a fun give-away, and interesting to hear your preferences on colors and thread types. There’s nothing quite like discussing embroidery threads with a bunch of thread lovers! We do get enthusiastic, don’t we?
August 16, 2013
The other day when I showed you my failed attempt at the gold lattice work on the blue silk fabric on the Mission Rose project, most of you guessed pretty quickly that I’d fall back on vermicelli goldwork over the blue silk. And I did!
Vermicelli is an appropriate name for this meandering, worm-like technique involving a fine couched thread. I used it extensively in the Marian Medallion Project as a background for the whole medallion. It served really well in that project for securing the flat silk used in the background. I almost regret not using flat silk in the corners on the Mission Rose.
But the technique works equally as well over fabric, too. And so, I opted for it – much better than the lattice work, methinks.
August 15, 2013
It’s been a long, long time since I’ve written anything about ecclesiastical embroidery here on Needle ‘n Thread.
Ecclesiastical embroidery is essentially church-related embroidery, and as a category of embroidery, it embraces several of the most exquisite embroidery techniques out there – especially goldwork and silk shading.
If you’re somewhat new to Needle ‘n Thread, you might not know that my real interest in embroidery sprang from art history studies in college, and specifically getting into the study of ecclesiastical embroidery when doing research for art history.
Since then, I’ve spent years collecting resources on ecclesiastical embroidery, along with old pieces of ecclesiastical embroidery. When traveling, I tend to seek out places where I can examine extant examples of historical pieces of ecclesiastical needlework. It fascinates me, and I eat the stuff up whenever I have a chance!
Lately, I’ve been pattern chasing – that is, trying the trace the origins of some ecclesiastical embroidery patterns (a very difficult thing to do!). This particular image that I’m going to share with you today has come up several times in my pattern-chasing endeavors.
August 14, 2013
Occasionally, I’ve been dribbling out photos of the embroidered letters in this monograph alphabet that I mentioned a few weeks back. They’ve also been showing up here and there on my Needle ‘n Thread Facebook page.
Today, I’ll show you a few more photos, discuss the project a bit, and ask for your input, too!
August 13, 2013
When feeling your way through an embroidery project for the first time, it isn’t unusual to change your plans for embroidery techniques as you progress.
You might, for example, have an idea that you think is brilliant, that you’re sure will work …. but when it comes down to actually trying it, the Cold Dead Fish of Reality slaps you in the face with a resounding Nope!
And that’s what happened to me recently with the Mission Rose project. I was all geared up to tackle the blue silk areas – I had a Plan! I liked the Plan! In my head, the Plan worked.
August 12, 2013
Mondays! We all love them, don’t we?!
To get the week off to a good start, let’s have a give-away! Today, thanks to Lorraine at LES Designs, whose thread I featured last week in this article on overdyed embroidery threads, I’m giving away some very colorful skeins of thread!
Better yet, when it comes to the prize, it’s Winner’s Choice – so read on for more details on how the give-away works.
