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
May 4, 2013
Yesterday, we looked at two pairs of Bohin scissors on the needlework market, and today, courtesy of Access Commodities, I’m giving away a pair of these red needlework scissors. Not only are they red, but they cut really well!
May 3, 2013
I’m not a scissor collector. No, really! I’m not.
At least, I don’t intend to be. But scissors are an important part of needlework, and good scissors – well, good scissors are just good.
So yes, I have a few pairs, and now and then, I like to write about them. They are my tried-and-true assistants. And they work hard for their moment in the spotlight.
Bohin, the needlework tool company in France that specializes in high quality needles for handwork, also makes scissors. They have a terrific line of delicate little embroidery scissors, but they also have two specific pairs of needlework scissors that, though somewhat hefty in comparison to their more delicate brethren, are marvelous tools.
May 2, 2013
An interesting question came up the other day in the inbox, regarding surface embroidery on even-weave linens, or lower thread count linens sold primarily for cross stitch. Essentially, the reader wanted to know “Can it be done?”
To answer the question and make some qualifications, here’s a sneak peek of an upcoming project.
May 1, 2013
I tend to underestimate brown. When considering colors for an embroidery project, it’s never one of the first colors I think of.
April 30, 2013
This Hungarian Redwork Runner project is really quite enjoyable.
I know! I know! It looks like it would be monotonous! I thought that by now, I’d be bored with it and barely pushing myself to pick it up occasionally. But in fact, I love sneaking 15 Minutes here and there to work on it. And because it’s easy to transport, I can grab it and take it with me hither and yon, when venturing out.
It’s proved to be a nice little companion.
April 29, 2013
For some reason, the Mission Rose has adopted a Dr. Seuss personality in my mind. I find myself equating the two leaves with Thing 1 and Thing 2.
There is something rather Dr. Suess-ish in their shape – if you took them alone, out of the project. Think of the hands or the hair of a Dr. Seuss character, and you’ll see what I mean!
April 26, 2013
“Hands-free embroidery” (or needlework) is a term often used to describe a situation wherein needlework frames or hoops are held by a stand of some sort – a device that holds the frame or hoop so that your hands don’t have to.
When talking about hand embroidery, I always chuckle when I hear that term (“hands-free embroidery”) to describe using a stand. I find it a bit oxymoronic. But maybe that’s just me…
In any case, there’s nothing as wonderful as a needlework stand, whether it’s a floor stand, a table stand of some sort, a lap stand, or any other device that can hold your hoop or frame for you, so you don’t have to. It frees up both hands so that you can use both hands to do your work.
For techniques like goldwork and many types of silk embroidery, a stand is really essential because you need two hands for much of the work. But even for other embroidery techniques, a stand is so helpful – it allows you to work faster, with more ease and and with more precision. French knots and bullion knots when you don’t have to hold the hoop? So much easier!
I have two stands that I really love, both for different reasons – the Necessaire stand from Needle Necessities and the Needlework System 4 stand, and both of which I’ve reviewed here on Needle ‘n Thread.
So you might wonder why I’m doing this:
