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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The Ros Tapestry – Irish History in Embroidery

 

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The Ros Tapestry is, as the website devoted to the tapestry states, a “tale told in thread.”

Conceived in 1998 by Dr. Paul Mooney of the parish of New Ross in County Wexford on the east coast of Ireland, the tapestry tells of the history of the Port of New Ross and its surrounding area, especially from the time of William Marshall and the Norman invasions.

The photos below are courtesy of The Ros Tapestry initiative, and you can click on most of them to view larger images.

The Ros Tapestry - Panel 1, the Celts
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Stitch Fun! Buttonhole Chain Stitch Waves

 

Today’s Stitch Fun episode is in answer to a request from a reader, who wanted some further explanation on a stitch combination found in Mary Elizabeth Wilkinson’s book, Embroidery Stitches, which is available for free download on Internet Archives.

The combination involves buttonhole stitch and chain stitch worked in opposing waves so that the result looks very much like a double helix.

Buttonhole Chain Stitch Waves
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Mission Rose – All Thumbs!

 

Last time we visited the Mission Rose project, the satin stitched leaves were nearing completion. They’re finished now, and the rose is underway.

(Barely underway, I should say.)

As I was stitching the other day, I had a little accident that brought me to a momentary halt on the rose. I thought it was a good lesson to learn, so I’m going to share it with you. Though it may make me look slightly idiotic, I’m willing to risk that if it will save you from doing the same thing!

Mission Rose Silk and Gold embroidery
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For Worship & Glory – Ecclesiastical Embroidery Exhibit at the RSN

 

Anyone up for a trip to London? If you’ve got one in your plans this year – or if you live in the relative vicinity – you might take the opportunity to catch the exhibit For Worship & Glory at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court.

(Update, 2021: the exhibition was in 2013, so there are no longer working links to it in this article.)

This year from May through December, the RSN is exhibiting examples of ecclesiastical embroidery from their collections, and the star of the show? The twelve Litany of Loreto embroideries that are rarely all seen together on exhibition.

I do so want to go!

Photos below courtesy of the Royal School of Needlework and used with permission.

Litany of Loreto Embroideries at the RSN
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Monograms for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers P – W

 

Here are a few more patterns for the fan flower alphabet for hand embroidered monograms (or decorative initials) that I began posting a few years ago. I’m finally tying up this loose end and getting the whole alphabet in place.

And it’s about time, too. The last letter I posted was O, and I don’t even like to think about how long ago that was!

So here are letters P through W, all in one place, with individual PDFs below for each letter.

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flower P
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