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
December 21, 2010
Time for another how-to video for hand embroidery! Today’s video is for the raised cup stitch, which is a dimensional embroidery stitch composed of a triangular foundation, upon which two layers of knots are worked. The result is a round cup that stands up off the fabric.
December 20, 2010
Wow! Thanks for all your response on the Christmas Cheer Needlework Book Give-Away from this past weekend! Normally, my give-aways aren’t over such a short span of time, but despite being up only a couple days, there were over 500 responses, which is pretty good! I was afraid everyone would be busy this weekend – you know, baking, shopping, stitching madly to finish up Christmas gifts….! – and that the response would be minimal. I’m so glad it wasn’t the case!
I’ll give you a hint about the winner:
December 19, 2010
Let’s pause a bit and think about doing needlework for a cause. I mean, what could be better? Doing what you love, and helping a good cause at the same time? Well, Tricia’s new project introduced over on Thistle Threads is just that sort of project!
Not only do you get the opportunity to do a little stitching, but you get to help out with a worthy cause. Oh, and did I mention, the object of your stitching would be a darling blue snail? So… stitching… stitching a blue snail…. and helping a cause! Yep, this is right up my alley!
December 18, 2010
Since I can’t give you ALL a Christmas present this year, I figured I could at least offer the chance at winning a needlework book and maybe even receiving it on time to put it under your tree!
So today, I want to offer you a book for Christmas, and to make it a more specifically “for you” sort of gift, I’m going to let you pick the book! Are you ready?!
December 17, 2010
Would you like to see my latest stitching nightmare? I wasn’t going to show you. I was just going to slink slowly away, droopy-eared, droopy-tailed, and hope that no one ever asked! But hey, we’re all friends, right?
December 16, 2010
Here’s a little hand embroidery pattern for you – just a doodle of some simple hanging flowers.
December 15, 2010
If you’re looking for holiday gifts for your needlework buddies, how about a new book to add to their collection? This isn’t actually a novel idea. My inbox is inundated with questions about holiday gifts for stitchers this time of year – where to find unique needlework-related gifts, book recommendations, shop recommendations, and so forth.
Invariably, I fall back on books as gifts, probably because I’m a book freak, and that would be my preference.
So, if you’re floundering about, wondering what to get a stitching buddy, or if you’re planning on buying your own gift and wrapping it and putting it under the tree and feigning surprise on Christmas morning, I thought I’d give you a list of twelve needlework books that are popular on Needle ‘n Thread. Just for ideas….
