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

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Hand Embroidery: A Small Step

 

Amazon Books

Yesterday, I took a small step.

All hand embroidery projects are made up of steps of some sort – some are large, some are small, and this step, though indeed small, was satisfying.

Hand Embroidery Design Transfers for Satin Stitch Projects
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A Tale of Two Lotions Specifically Made for Needlework

 

The other day, we were discussing my blue alien hands that were enrobed in some strange material while I embroidered. Due to the usual wear and tear on the hands from typical household work – not to mention some non-typical work – my hands were having a rough time of it with silk thread.

I received a regular heap o’feedback on the site and via e-mail, with all kinds of suggestions for remedies. Thank you so much for your input and ideas, everyone! Wow – lots of solutions for rough handed stitching! Thank you, thank you. I’ll definitely test some of them.

On the market today, there are several lotions that are made for stitchers. I thought I’d give you my take on two of them, and tell you why I prefer one above the other.

Lotion for Needlework
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Desperate Times, Alien Hands, and Silk Threads

 

Desperate times call for desperate measures – even in the calm and sedate world of hand embroidery.

I have a hand problem. It’s called “Dishes,” which closely akin to that other problem called “Meal Preparation.” Normally, I expect chapped or rough skin on my hands in the winter months, and I prepare for it. But I was taken unawares when this situation creeped up on me last week.

Embroidery Hand Care
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Medallion Progress & Stem Stitch Notes

 

Yesterday, I showed you the frame up on the church embroidery project I’m working on, and as the project unfolds, I’ll show you my progress on it, including tips and techniques that would be useful for all kinds of embroidery, whether church related or not.

So today, let’s look at the start. It isn’t too impressive right now, but there are a few tips here worth sharing.

Marian Church Embroidery Progress: Stem Stitch Filling
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