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
May 15, 2023
Last the week, I took the opportunity (that’s code for “I started this thing that I should have started two months ago”) to test a little whitework project.
I thought I’d give you a little sneak peek today.
And that’s code for “I had planned a much more intricate blog post for this morning, but it isn’t ready, so instead, I found something short and sweet for you.”
May 12, 2023
Here’s a little secret I’m almost embarrassed to share:
I didn’t immerse myself in any of the “Royal Events” for the coronation last week.
I know! I know! Even with all that embroidery to gaze upon!
When I finally had the time and the inclination, though, I scoured about for some good needlework chit-chat related to the grand event. Of course, the anointing screen worked on by the RSN was big news. It seemed to take the forefront in embroidery chatter.
But to me, the most impressive thing that I read about was Jenny Adin-Christie’s involvement in refurbishing the heralds’ garb, which she talked about here on Instagram. That is pretty cool! What a job! And I loved her pictures of the goldwork applied on the velvet.
But let’s morph into another subject here – along the same lines, but perhaps somewhat more accessible?
May 10, 2023
Finally, we’re back on the road to finishing Little Blooms! Thanks for your patience with this stitch-along!
If you’re just joining in on this project, you’ll find the Project Index for Little Blooms available here. That’s where you’ll find all the previous articles relating to this project listed in chronological order so that it’s easy to follow along.
If you’re waiting for a kit for Little Blooms, we’ve started putting a new batch together, but we are waiting on a few items still. As soon as they’re available, we’ll have kits ready again. Please keep an eye on the website for the announcement of new stock.
For members of the Needle ‘n Thread community on Patreon, I’ll post your PDF a little later today, covering parts 4 & 5, with little extra tips and stitch tutorials. For Dedicated and Avid Stitchers on Patreon, I’m working on two more videos for this project and I’ll post them as soon as they are ready.
And now, let us move forward with Little Blooms!
May 8, 2023
Last week, we (just barely) met the deadline for the goldwork altar cover project that’s been developing for almost a year now. You can find the backstory on this project here.
After the crunch (which was particularly crunchy!), it took a few days to get things back into working order here in the studio, and then it took a weekend to recuperate in general on all the normal aspects of life that were pretty much on hold since the last week of March.
As of today, we’re back to our normal operations – still catching up, but everything should even out again this week!
Today, I’ll show you the finish. And then later in the week – delayed, but not forgotten! – we’ll be back to our regular program, including Little Blooms.
April 26, 2023
Well, here it is. Wednesday, April 26th! The deadline for this goldwork project!
Ok, ok. It’s what I called “the first deadline.” I really wanted to be finished by today, since we have a family wedding this weekend, with family coming in from out of town for the event, and all kinds of activity going on. I knew it would get hairy around here! The “absolute” deadline is next Tuesday.
There were multiple spanners tossed into the works on pretty much every front lately, so, alas, here we are. Unfinished goldwork. Deadline looming. Wedding this weekend. Medical appointments. Last minute tree removal in front yard. House still in the process of construction. Another new toilet to be ordered. Little Blooms awaiting progress. And on and on and on.
But hey! Who doesn’t have this type of Life Episode now and then? It keeps things exciting (!) – and it gives us a chance to appreciate the those quiet, peaceful days. There’s bound to be some of those ahead shortly.
Today, I’ll share goldwork progress from Monday – we’ve gone a little farther since then – and then regretfully, I have to put you on hold for a wee bit. I’ll tell you about that below.
April 21, 2023
Welcome to the next installment of Little Blooms: A Mini Snap Purse – a Stitch Snippets stitch-along on Needle ‘n Thread. If you are just joining us, you’ll find all the previous information on this project, plus a chronological list of previous lessons, in the Little Blooms Project Index here.
In Little Blooms Part 4, we’re going to take a quick look at two more vine treatments.
For members on Patreon, the PDF will come out next week. It will cover the vine stitches in general. Today’s installment here on the website will get you going on the vines, if you’re ready to move ahead. Otherwise, next week, I’ll map out all the stitch combinations for the vines in one PDF.
Today, we’re going to stitch two parts of the vine, using some composite and combination stitch techniques.
April 19, 2023
As promised, here is the Project Index for Little Blooms: A Mini Snap Purse, part of the Stitch Snippets series here on Needle ‘n Thread.
In this stitch-along, you’ll learn all the embroidery techniques and finishing techniques to create, at your leisure, your own beautiful little snap purse.
All the instructions will appear here on the blog until we’ve worked our way through the whole project. The instructions include the pattern and materials that I used, along with stitching tips and techniques.
All members of the Needle ‘n Thread community on Patreon ($1 / month or more) receive each lesson in a downloadable and printable PDF format. The PDF lessons also include extras, like step-by-step photo instructions for stitches used on the project. For Dedicated and Avid Stitchers on Patreon ($3 – #5 / month), supplemental video tutorials for different parts of the project are also available.
You are welcome to purchase a materials kit if you would like to use the same materials I used on my finished sample. The materials kits have sold out a couple times now, but we’ll restock them as we can. The next re-stock will most likely be mid-May. I’ll let you know when we have them ready!
