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
March 12, 2013
The other day, I was having One of Those Days. Do you ever have them?
I sat at my worktable, staring before me, not really sure what to tackle. And so, listlessly, without really thinking about what I was doing, I reached for my Stitch Fun lattice work sampler.
I picked up a pencil and a ruler.
And I started drawing lines all over the thing.
March 11, 2013
Mastering the Art of Embroidery is a newly released book by Sophie Long, a graduate of the Royal School of Needlework.
It’s a huge book in scope. When my book order arrived and I took the book out, my first thought was, “WOW. This is HUGE.” I thumbed through it, and was immediately gobsmacked by the number of photos in it.
And then I started reading it (from cover to cover), and I had to do that a few times before I felt I could put together a sensible review that I think is a fair evaluation of the book.
Here are my thoughts on this encyclopedic volume devoted to all kinds of embroidery techniques. First off, it’s a book that will make a decent reference book in your needlework library, but it’s more than just a reference book – we’ll see that below – and, while it does have its definite pros, there are a few cons as well. I think it’s worth noting both the pros and the cons and considering what you want out of the book before making a decision to purchase it.
March 9, 2013
Ahhh…. finally! Today, we are going to see how to add some embroidery to empty eggshells that we’ve already prepared by drawing the design, drilling, and cleaning (which is what we covered in the last article in this whole series on embroidered eggs).
If you’re just stopping by Needle ‘n Thread for the first time and want to know more about embroidering eggs, you can check out the Embroidered Eggs Index, where all the articles on the topic are listed.
Let’s look at a how to embroider lines and swirls on a whole egg shell, using a technique that creates a smooth, flowing line. Once you get this concept down, you’ll be able to apply the concept to other stitches. But I think it’s important to start simply, and then to move forward to the more complex.
March 8, 2013
The last time we visited this old piece of ecclesiastical goldwork embroidery that we’re deconstructing, we looked at the lily on the piece and discussed the order of work.
There are several elements on the piece that deserve individual attention: the grapes (which we’ve already taken apart), the lily, the rose, the wheat ears, the leaves (all taken together), and finally, the central element, the Lamb.
Today, we’re going to look at the rose. It’s much the same as the lily, so we’ll talk a little bit about the order of work on it, the thread direction, the forms and padding, and then an interesting little clue that tells us a little more about the whole embroidered piece.
March 7, 2013
Orts.
They’re little scraps of colorful thread.
All over my table they tend to spread.
They’re blue, they’re yellow, they’re white, they’re red.
March 6, 2013
It may not seem to make sense for me to “review” a book here on Needle ‘n Thread that 1. isn’t available for the public; and 2. contains information you can find right here on Needle ‘n Thread. But I just have to share with you my joy and excitement, and my flabbergasted wonderment and gratitude, over this book!
March 5, 2013
I love it when a plan comes together!
Last week, I showed you the new thread cabinets in my workroom, with various threads getting sorted and stowed in them. Over the weekend, I tackled the last group of threads – goldwork threads! – and I’m so glad to have them sorted, because I have some exciting projects looming!
It’ll be nice to know what I have and what I don’t have.
