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

Contact Mary

Connect with Mary

     

Archives

2025 (91) 2024 (135) 2023 (125) 2022 (136) 2021 (130) 2020 (132) 2019 (147) 2018 (146) 2017 (169) 2016 (147) 2015 (246) 2014 (294) 2013 (294) 2012 (305) 2011 (306) 2010 (316) 2009 (367) 2008 (352) 2007 (225) 2006 (139)
 

Mastering the Art of Embroidery – Book Review

 

Amazon Books

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.

Mastering the Art of Hand Embroidery by Sophie Long
Continue reading “Mastering the Art of Embroidery – Book Review”

Embroidered Eggs: Stitching Lines & Swirls

 

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.

Embroidered Eggs: Stitching Lines & Swirls
Continue reading “Embroidered Eggs: Stitching Lines & Swirls”

Deconstructing Goldwork: The Rose – & Clues

 

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.

Goldwork Rose
Continue reading “Deconstructing Goldwork: The Rose – & Clues”

Goldwork Thread Organization & Other Cabinet Resources

 

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.

Goldwork Thread Organization
Continue reading “Goldwork Thread Organization & Other Cabinet Resources”

Embroidered Eggs: Designs & Drilling

 

So you want to embroider eggs, and you’ve gathered all your supplies. You have the preliminary tools necessary, you have your embroidery supplies (including some specialty needles), and you’re ready to start!

Now it’s time to sit down with your eggs and work out your designs and do your drilling. This is the process I go through for the final egg preparation right before embroidering it, including getting the design on the egg, drilling, and final cleaning.

Embroidered Egg with Ribbon and Beads
Continue reading “Embroidered Eggs: Designs & Drilling”