February 11, 2022

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion: Stitch Your Greens!

Moving right along with the Bee-Jeweled Pincushion embroidery project, today we’re going to stitch the greens.

If you are awaiting a kit, gathering your own supplies, or you just haven’t had a chance to start your pincushion yet, don’t worry! You can work this at your own pace. Next week, I’ll be adding a Project Index for the pincushion so that you can easily find all the installments on the website when you’re ready to start stitching.

Last week, we embroidered the top of the pincushion – the hexagon filling in white using stem stitch. We’re going to continue with stem stitch today as we work the greenery on the strip that makes up the sides of the pincushion.

In the order of work, you definitely want to stitch all your greens first, because the floral bits made up of embroidery and beads will sit on top of the stems and leaves.

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion - stitching the greens

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February 9, 2022

Big Projects: Embroidery Design Transfer Methods

I introduced you a few weeks ago to the set-up work I’m doing on some Really Big embroidery projects (that I’m not embroidering).

Yep. It’s true. I get to do the fun part! You know, figuring out how to set up these relatively huge projects so that the transferring of the designs can be done in a reasonable amount of time, in a way that will produce a precise, clean transfer.

And then doing the transferring. And then framing up the projects so that they’re ready to stitch. And then perhaps a little coaching on how to stitch them. Maybe some troubleshooting on the difficult areas.

That’s my part of these projects. And it really is the relatively short part of the process. Those who are doing the actual embroidery will be living with these projects for at least a year.

Testing embroidery design transfer methods for big embroidery projects

Hand Embroidery Books

February 7, 2022

Just in Time! Where Meadows & Gardens Grow

You may have noticed that in the last couple years, I’ve been stocking embroidery books from publishers outside the US, that aren’t available through the typical book markets, and that have something decidedly special and wonderful about them.

In this first half of 2022, I’m adding one more book to the collection. I’m completed Stoked, as they say, to offer you Where Meadows and Gardens Grow, published by Inspirations Studios and featuring the embroidery of UK embroidery artist Jo Butcher.

For those of us in the doldrums of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, the timing could not be better!

Today, I thought I’d highlight some of the projects in the book and tell you why I love Jo’s work, what I think is unique about it, and give you a little taste of what you can expect from the book, which is available here right now for pre-order. (You can read more about the pre-order at the end of the article.)

Where Meadows and Gardens Grow: The Embroidery of Jo Butcher

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 4, 2022

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion: Materials Information & Stitching the Top

Howdy, and welcome to the next installment of the Bee-Jeweled Pincushion project, which is part of the Stitch Snippets series here on Needle ‘n Thread!

The idea behind this series is to take you step-by-step through small embroidery projects, and we’ve kicked of 2022 with a beautiful little pincushion. We’re going to embroider it and we’re going to assemble the parts into a pincushion that’s not only useful, but also mildly attractive.

It’s a fun project, and I hope you get a chance to try it out!

Last week, we chatted about fabric for the pincushion, and I showed you how I set mine up for stitching.

Before we launch into today’s short lesson, in which we embroider the top of the pincushion, I need to update you on materials and other news relating to the project. Please read carefully, so that you know what to expect in the coming weeks with this project. There have been some hiccups (which I will explain), so things are not unfolding as I would want them to. I expect them to straighten out within the week.

So let’s get started!

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion Tutorial: stitching the top of the pincushion

Hand Embroidery Books

February 2, 2022

Goldwork & Silk Shading Inspired by Nature

This book review for Hazel Everett’s Goldwork & Silk Shading Inspired by Nature published at the end of last year is long overdue!

And since I’ve had a little timing and scheduling glitch going on with the Bee-Jeweled Pincushion project (more on that, on Friday!), today is a perfect day to fit it in.

If you’ve not seen this book yet, now’s a great time to take a look at it and see if it’s right for you. It’s a combination technique-and-project book that covers a wide range of goldwork, shading, and some other embroidery techniques, and condenses them into an equally wide range of projects, from simple to complex. I think it’s a good book for beginners and beyond, and you’ll certainly find some excellent gems of instruction and inspiration within!

Goldwork & Silk Shading Inspired by Nature, by Hazel Everett

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January 31, 2022

My Case for Trailing – Exploring Whitework Options

Last week, I introduced you to some prep work I’m doing for some major embroidery projects.

As is always the case when preparing any embroidery project, the methods and techniques occupy my mind considerably long before the stitching begins.

With these particular cloths – 21 feet of 17″ wide linen – the first option for the cutwork was, of course, Richelieu. The design was made for Richelieu embroidery, and it seems that this would be the direction to go with the embroidery.

But my mind went in a different direction, especially after I started test stitching.

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January 28, 2022

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion: Fabric & Set-Up

For those of you following along with the Bee-Jeweled Pincushion project, today we’re going to chat about fabric and set up. It’s a long, detailed article, so grab a cup of something before you delve in!

Normally, I figure if you’re taking on a project like this, you have some notion of basic embroidery and how to set up a project. Still, I don’t like to assume, and so, as a preliminary, I’m going to go over my method of setting up this project to get it ready for stitching.

We’ll also chat about using a hoop or a frame while embroidering the pincushion, I’ll give you some tips, and I’ll show you my preferred set up for this type of project. I’ll also mention alternatives.

If you’re not following with the Bee-Jeweled Pincushion, never fear! The tips below can be applied to practically any similar embroidery project.

Ready?

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Bee-Jeweled Pincushion: Stitch Your Greens!

Big Projects: Embroidery Design Transfer Methods

Just in Time! Where Meadows & Gardens Grow

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion: Materials Information & Stitching the Top

Goldwork & Silk Shading Inspired by Nature

My Case for Trailing – Exploring Whitework Options

Bee-Jeweled Pincushion: Fabric & Set-Up

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos