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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The Design Collective: Pincushion – Book Review

 

Amazon Books

Ahhhh, finally, at long last! I can share with you, up close, the first book in the new Design Collective series from Inspirations Studios, on Pincushions!

I mentioned before that I’m excited about this Design Collective series, for two reasons. The first is that the first book is on pincushions (which are manageable, small, makeable projects); and the second is that it’s a series. And a series is always a good sign in the needlework industry. It means more good stuff to come, and a confidence in the strength of in the industry and in the growing interest in the needle arts.

This first book is a doozy, on a number of levels. Let’s take a look at it!

Design Collective: Pincushions - Book Review
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Cutwork Embroidery – Richelieu Kits

 

A long, long time ago, I wrote about the Richelieu embroidery design booklets produced by Joanna Jakuszewska in Poland.

When it comes to new designs for Richelieu, Joanna is an excellent source. While cutwork is a gorgeous, and relatively simple-in-concept, whitework technique, it is not necessarily as easily accessible, design-wise, as other techniques. Because it’s a small niche under the greater whitework umbrella, it can sometimes be hard to find contemporary designs.

Today, I’ll introduce you to Joanna’s latest venture, since she is no longer publishing the Haft booklets, and talk a little bit about why I’m revisiting cutwork right now.

Richelieu embroidery cutwork designs and kits
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Happy New Year with the Dawn of 2022

 

We have arrived at 2022! Hip, hip hooray!

At the end of last week, as I prepared for this week, I was musing about what image I’d use to kick off the year here on Needle ‘n Thread. I thought a stellar composite of past and future embroidery projects would be Just The Thing.

But it just never came together.

I wasn’t feelin’ it.

Then, this morning, as I was contemplating the day in my head, I thought of my view. I thought of it literally and figuratively. So here’s a typical morning view of mine – my favorite morning view – that heralds the day here in Kansas.

Happy New Year, 2022!
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Stitcher’s Christmas 9: More Books for Your Creative Library!

 

Welcome to the last installment of A Stitcher’s Christmas for 2021!

The Last, you say? Weren’t there supposed to be ten?

Welllll… some unfortunate news: there were supposed to be ten, but the final give-away collection, titled “My Favorite Things,” didn’t come together as planned due to some shipping problems. I’ve waited as long as I could to announce this, thinking that by some miracle, a special package would arrive here by now. Alas, it didn’t.

No worries – I’ll try to revamp and run a special give-away in the New Year at some point. Maybe a “Beat the Winter Blues” give-away or something!

Don’t be sad! Today we’ve got another Big, Beautiful give-away from Search Press North America. And that’s worth celebrating!

I’ll also announce the recipient of the floche pack from Friday. Then, I’ll finish up with a bit of news, so you know what you can expect on Needle ‘n Thread for the next couple weeks.

Read on, read on…

Stitcher's Christmas: Creative Books
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Stitcher’s Christmas 8: Key to My Heart Floche Pack

 

Happy Friday, my friends, and welcome to the 8th installment of this year’s Stitcher’s Christmas!

Today, it’s all about thread again, because … well, who doesn’t like thread?

In particular, it’s a thread pack full of vibrant colors of floche, for a project that I’ll be releasing in the first part of 2022 (finally!). The project is called Key to My Heart, which I showed you here. And here. And even a little bit here.

You can, of course, use the floche for any project you want. The colors are particularly bright and happy, and they’ll be a perfect antidote for the winter doldrums after Christmas (if you’re in a wintery climate).

Stitcher's Christmas: Floche thread pack
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Stitcher’s Christmas 7: Expand your Needlework Library!

 

Oh, golly.

I am a book lover. And when it comes to needlework books, I might be somewhat of an addict. I learn so much, and I take so much enjoyment, from well-written and well-presented books. I doubt I’m the only one of us who does… right?

This is what I’m always so delighted when Search Press North America joins in on A Stitcher’s Christmas. They offer wonderful books… fun books! Fabulous books! And always generous collections of them.

Today, we’ll look at the first of two installments from Search Press North America, in which you have the opportunity to expand your library with one of two lovely collections of needlework books.

But first, business – I’ll announce the winners of Monday’s Snowflakes!

Needlework Books from Search Press North America
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