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 16, 2013
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.
May 15, 2013
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!
May 14, 2013
Today, courtesy of Hedgehog Handworks, I’m giving away one copy of the out-of-print, highly coveted book on 17th century English embroidery, ‘Twixt Art and Nature: English Embroidery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1580-1700.
May 13, 2013
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.
May 11, 2013
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.
May 10, 2013
Last time we looked at the Mission Rose project, the two large leaves were finished. Though still suffering a little bit of an internal debate over them, I decided to move on to the little leaves on the rest of the design.
May 9, 2013
Last week, we had a give-away here on Needle ‘n Thread for this pair of red Bohin embroidery scissors. They’re functional, they’re sharp, they cut well, they’re nicely weighted, and… they’re Red. What more could a person want?!
Today, I’ll announce the winner and tell you about a special something that’s coming up next week that, if you any interest in historical embroidery, you won’t want to miss!
