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
January 31, 2013
Just a really tiny embroidery tip today! It’s tiny. But important!
You know those dirty hoop rings that develop (especially on lighter colored fabric) around the edge of your hoop? Or the soiled look that might develop over time on embroidery that you’re working in hand, without a hoop? Much of the dirt, grime, and soiling that subtly develops on an embroidery project comes initially from your hands.
January 30, 2013
Lately in the Stitch Fun series, I’ve been playing with lattice stitch variations and whipped and laced stitch variations. When playing with filling or line stitches (as opposed to individual elements, like the raised spider daisy), I like to have some kind of pattern or drawing to “play” in.
Think of the pattern as a sandbox. It’s nice to have something to contain all the sand – to keep it from spilling about and getting too messy – but you still have plenty of scope inside the sandbox for creative play. That’s pretty much how I approach patterns like the Jacobean Jumble.
January 29, 2013
For stitchers who find it difficult to get their thread into the tiny eye of the needle, there are solutions to this difficulty! If you have a hard time threading your needles, don’t let this prevent you from indulging in embroidery. The trick is to find a solution that works for you and helps you overcome the difficulty once and for all.
When it comes to tools to help you thread your needles, there are plenty of different needle threaders available on the market. But sometimes, keeping track of another little tool – and one that can be awkward to use – may not be your idea of an ideal solution.
So here’s another option – the Spiral Eye Needle.
January 28, 2013
Spring is coming!
Ok. I realize this is a relative statement. But by virtue of the fact that every day, no matter where we live, brings us a little closer to the next spring, I can legitimately say “Spring is coming!”
So, Spring is coming! And to celebrate, here are some Beautiful Butterflies!
January 26, 2013
I’m overlapping my Stitch Fun articles these days, playing back and forth between lattice fillings (like the Griffin stitch and these lattice variations with French knots) and lacing and whipping various embroidery stitches.
Working on a very strange looking sampler pattern that I’m calling Jacobean Jumble, I’ve been embroidering different Stitch Fun stitch combinations and varieties onto the sampler. With a sampler that is made up of shapes rather than lines, you can especially see how filling stitches like these lattice variations can work on your own projects.
January 25, 2013
Just popping in this morning with a brief project update – I finished one end of the Hungarian Redwork Runner! Yep, the project creepeth along, but a little creeping here, and little creeping there, and eventually, the embroidery on this thing will be finished!
January 24, 2013
Did you know you can completely change the look and the function of an embroidery stitch by either lacing it or whipping around it with another thread? Well, you can! There are all kinds of embroidery stitches that can either laced or whipped, and the effects you can achieve with the stitches vary, depending on what type of thread you use, what colors you choose, and so forth.
So let’s play with some stitches and have a bit of fun with lacing and whipping. Then, next time you’re dabbling about with your embroidery stitches, try these techniques out to see what new combinations you can come up with!
