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 23, 2022
Good morning, and Happy Monday!
I spent most of the weekend working on all kinds of Needle ‘n Thread Things, good and bad. It always fees great to tie up loose ends!
This morning, we’re having a sale on a few things in the shop! I rarely run sales on tangible goods, but it’s time to make a little room.
We’ll also chat about hoops and books coming in and embroidery kits and other bits and sundries.
May 20, 2022
In the previous installment of Cotton Quartet, we covered several sampler bands to the right of the center embroidered band on the sampler cover of the tool wallet.
Now we’re going to shift to the left side of center for a little bit, and I’ll tell you why. We’ll also talk about “filler” bands, spacing, and project orientation while you work.
May 18, 2022
Since this is a stitch-along project, you’ll find it helpful to have a project index where all the lessons for Cotton Quartet are listed in one place.
In this project index, you’ll find all the lessons listed in chronological order as we work through the project. I’ll also take you on a small tour of my website, so you know where to find this project index (and lots of other embroidery projects!), if you’re new to Needle ‘n Thread.
May 16, 2022
Buongiorno! Good morning! Or just plain howdy, as we say in Kansas. (Well, some of us do…)
While getting back into the Studio Routine last week after a short break, I revisited my impromptu reticello sampler and discovered that it doesn’t take long to forget certain important steps. It’s weird how a week away from routine can be so disorienting!
Today, I’ll show you some slight progress on my sampler, I’ll share a tip and a tool with you, and then I’ll share some news about some fabulous books that I’ve brought in for you!
May 13, 2022
Welcome to the second installment of Cotton Quartet!
If you’re just joining us, you’ll find the first installment of this stitch-along project here, with background information and instructions on getting started.
Today, we’ll add a few more rows onto our sampler tool wallet, using some pretty simple stitches. (Hey! Never underestimate the power of simple stitches! You can do a lot with them!)
If you are a member on Patreon, you’ve already received these instructions in the PDF download posted week before last, so you’re ahead of the game. You also have the stitch dictionary at the end of the PDF, so that you have access to the stitch instructions in one place.
I’ll also share a couple tips today that may help you avoid some frustrations. These are points that occurred to me while I was writing today’s blog post, and thankfully, I already had some pictures.
While the lesson today is relatively short, two of the stitched bands take a while to stitch, so you’ll have time to get those finished before next week’s installment.
May 11, 2022
Good morning, my friends! I missed you on my short hiatus!
As things worked out, I didn’t have the wherewithal to get any blogging done right (or well) while I was away, so I resigned myself to catching up with you once I was home again. And I am home again! There’s loads to catch up on – that’s the huge disadvantage of taking a break – but Anna kept things going well, so the load isn’t as much as usual.
While I was gone, I added about eight hours onto my trip to make a wide detour up north to Dayton, Ohio. I knew I probably wouldn’t get away again this summer, so on a whim, I decided to take advantage of my escape and hightail it northwards to Dayton. Given the extra driving, I only had a short time to spend at the University of Dayton’s Marian Library, to see the Anichini exhibit there that features two of the Loreto Embroidery panels on loan from the Royal School of Needlework.
May 2, 2022
Things never quite go the way I plan, no matter how hard I plan on them going the way I plan!
Just a short note to let you know that I’m taking a short break this week.
