September 9, 2022

Tool Talk: Sweet Threaders & Swell Scissors

Today, let’s chat about embroidery tools!

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been building a small curated collection of retail goods in my online shop. When I add something to this collection, it’s always something I already have that I like for some good reason or another. And I try to offer goods that I believe solve a problem or serve to help embroiderers in some way.

Next week, when I add Autumn Fire to my shop (around 10:00 am central time next Tuesday, September 13), I’m also adding a few extra retail items that I plan to offer regularly. I’m posting it all at once instead of stringing out new additions, so that you have the opportunity to save a little bit on shipping if you want multiple items.

Among these new retail items that I find useful are the tools we’re going to talk about today: some sweet, functional, beautiful little needle threaders (oh, how I have learned to love the needle threader!) and some absolutely swell scissors that I’ve been using for several years now.

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September 7, 2022

R is the Biggest Letter in the World

The title might not be perfectly accurate.

But when you’re doing goldwork – endlessly couching double strands of passing thread – couching, couching, couching – it sure begins to feel like R is the biggest letter in the world.

Last weekend was a holiday weekend here in the States, and I used a portion of all three days to get the rest of the smooth passing thread couched down on this R. In the three days, I put in about 15 hours on the R, which was already well under way.

I can’t figure out why it took so much time! I think I was in Molasses Mode.

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September 2, 2022

Jacobean Embroidery: Era & Style, not Technique

Something Jacobean-ish must’ve been rumbling about in the embroidery world in the last month or so.

I always surmise there’s a workshop or a new kit out or a new article or tutorial out there on a specific subject, when I suddenly get an influx of multiple requests for more information (or tips, or tutorials, or instructions) on that particular technique or topic.

I’ve had a number of emails lately requesting tutorials for Jacobean embroidery. Here’s one question (used with the author’s permission):

I’m doing Jacobean embroidery and I’m struggling with the instructions. Can you do some tutorials on Jacobean embroidery, or do you know of a book with illustrations or diagrams?

The reason this is a difficult question is that “Jacobean embroidery” is not a technique. We’ve talked about this before on Needle ‘n Thread, but the topic is buried a bit. So I thought I’d dig it up here.

Jacobean Sea: Silk embroidery in Jacobean style

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August 31, 2022

Good-bye August, Hello September: News!

Flabbergasted. Truly flabbergasted! How can it be the last day of August already?

Am I the only who feels this way?

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the time of year when summer subsides, school resumes, and the impending Autumn triggers the close of the year, seasonally and calendorically. (I made that last word up myself.)

It’s also the time of year when I look around and realize I’m not where I planned to be.

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August 29, 2022

Goldwork Progress – Some, but Not a Lot

Earlier this summer, I began sharing with you a Very Large goldwork project that we’re working on here in the studio. You can read the backstory of this piece by following the links at the end of this article.

Today, I’ll show you where we are, we’ll talk about how the mind can play mean tricks on you, and I’ll share a rigged tool solution.

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August 26, 2022

Restoring & Conserving Embroidery & Other Textiles

Today’s article is more of a Public Service Announcement than anything else – but it may also provide you with a weekend rabbit hole for further exploration of all kinds of topics.

I can’t tell you how many people have reached out to me over the years to ask how to clean, repair, restore, fix, or conserve a precious piece of embroidery that they’ve usually inherited from someone they love. When time, use, or environment have wrought havoc on an important textile that you want to keep because it has special meaning to you, what do you do?

Earlier this week, an article from Piecework caught my eye. It answers similar questions from the expert’s point of view, with helpful suggestions and resources.

Hand Embroidery Patterns

August 24, 2022

Embroidery Design: Summer Wheels!

In the spring of 2021, I dabbled about with a project that I thought I would bring out as a small group of designs with stitching & finishing tips. It was called Summer Wheels.

If you’ve been following along on Needle ‘n Thread since last year, you might remember that I finished the small camper into this tote bag.

I still use the tote bag almost every day. It makes a great project bag! I released the Happy Camper design for members on Patreon, but I never quite got the whole design group together and stitched.

Recently, I’ve had a couple inquiries about the bike.

Yes, there was a bike!

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

Tool Talk: Sweet Threaders & Swell Scissors

R is the Biggest Letter in the World

Jacobean Embroidery: Era & Style, not Technique

Good-bye August, Hello September: News!

Goldwork Progress – Some, but Not a Lot

Restoring & Conserving Embroidery & Other Textiles

Embroidery Design: Summer Wheels!

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos