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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Japanese Motifs in Stumpwork & Goldwork by Jane Nicholas – a Pre Review!

 

Amazon Books

I am So Excited that Jane Nicholas has a new book coming out!

I’m a huge fan of Jane’s beautiful work, and I love all of her books and projects. I have to admit, if Jane had groupies, I’d be one of them. (Come to think of it, maybe she does have groupies…?)

So yes, you can imagine that I was pretty excited to find out that Jane has a new book coming out. I was even more excited when an advanced copy landed in my mailbox!

The new book is Japanese Motifs in Stumpwork & Goldwork, and guess what? In many ways, it’s not like any of her other books.

Let’s look at it together, so you know what to expect when it hits the shelves!

Jane Nicholas: Japanese Motifs in Stumpwork & Goldwork
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Flipping a Monogram

 

Monograms are a fabulous way to embroider something very personal, whether it’s for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

Once upon a time, monograms were used primarily among upper classes to mark their household linens and other goods with a certain level of distinction and as a clear designation of ownership. A monogram (or decorative initials or ciphers – there’s a difference, and you can find an article on this point here) clearly stated, “Not only can I afford this quality fabric (or silver or porcelain or gilding or stonework or jewelry or carriage or what-have-you), but I can afford to have it artistically marked as mine so that no one can confuse it with anyone else’s.”

Hurray for you.

Today, monograms (using it as an umbrella term) are much more widely used and much more accessible, but their purpose is still clearly to mark something in a distinctive way, designating ownership or connection. Your monogram is personal. It represents you, and it says something about you and your relationship to this particular thing – even if it’s just a dish towel.

WG Monogram with Acorns
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The Scissor Fob & the Laws of Gravity

 

Not too far into my stitching life, I was introduced to the scissor fob, an often-decorative Something that is looped or hooked to the handles of a pair of scissors.

I don’t remember how or when or why the introduction was made. But I remember being told that the scissor fob, besides being decorative, has a very useful purpose, and that I should “always keep a fob on my scissors.”

I never used scissor fobs much – and truthfully, I still don’t use them much in action. I have some that adorn some of my favorite scissors so that I can see at a glance where a particular pair is. But once I have a pair of scissors in play on a project, if it has a fob, I usually remove the fob. I find that it gets in my way when I’m intensely working.

Don’t get me wrong! I love the fob’s decorative aspect and I love the fact that a fob can help me hone in on a pair of scissors quickly. But these are not the reasons that I was told “You should always have a fob on your scissors…”

And the reason I was told this, in fact, isn’t even true. So here comes a little debunking.

Scissor fobs and the laws of gravity
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Tool Talk: Simple Scissor Care Tips and the Sheath

 

Embroidery scissors! Nothing beats a Great Pair of Embroidery Scissors!

One thing that I’ve discovered over the years is that a great pair of embroidery scissors does not have to equate with a jaw-droopingly expensive pair of embroidery scissors.

In fact, I have it on very good authority that some of the most expensive embroidery scissors on the market today don’t hold a candle, mechanics & functionality-wise, to some of the comparatively moderate-to-lower-priced scissors that are available.

The measure of how good a pair of scissors is, then, doesn’t necessarily depend on the cost of the scissors.

That said, scissors that have a little more oversight and care in their design, production, and finishing are bound to be better scissors, and they often cost a little more than the blister-packet scissors you might pick up at a big-box store.

I’m going to venture a personal opinion (which isn’t unusually – I do it all the time), and it is this:

If you want a good pair of embroidery scissors, there’s more involved than just buying the scissors. Let me explain…

Embroidery Scissors & the Sheath
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Autumn Fire: A (Very) Close-Up Sneak Peek

 

Well, here’s something fun – a little sneak peek on a wee project coming up. (Not-So-Subtle Hint: the next Stitch Snippet.)

It’s called Autumn Fire, and it’s a small snippet-of-a-project, in which we will learn many good embroidery things.

The launch date for this particular project, which will involve a kit, is yet uncertain, but it should happen before the end of August.

There are Big Things going on here, though – including a whole studio move – but I am hoping to launch the kit before the move happens. I will certainly keep you abreast!

Autumn Fire: Upcoming Stitch Snippet
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