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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Piled High & Deep: Stitch Dictionaries on my Table

 

Amazon Books

I’m a huge advocate of SDO – Stitch Dictionary Ownership.

You don’t have to own a gazillion stitch dictionaries. But I do think that every person who goes beyond the initial dabble into embroidery to pursue it as a developing interest should invest in at least one good stitch dictionary.

I won’t go so far as to say in at least two stitch dictionaries, since we have such easy access to the internet and a million online tutorials. But it’s always good to have one, as well as one or more other sources (including online) for cross referencing.

Right now, I have stitch dictionaries piled high and deep on my work table. You’ll find out why later!

Stitch Dictionaries for Hand Embroidery
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Embroidery Magazine Winner and the Bayeux Tapestry

 

Today’s quick little article contains two somewhat unrelated subjects: who won last week’s give-away for a collection of beautiful, new copies of Giuliana Ricama… and a fun resource for anyone who wants to get a closer look at the Bayeux Tapestry.

I’m going to be quick so that we can all tackle Monday with vim and vigor!

(If I find any vim and vigor, I’ll let you know…)

Bayeux Tapestry online
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Embroidered Wheat Five Ways, Part 4: Last Stalk & Leaves

 

In this previous installment of our series on how to embroider wheat five different ways, we stitched the two stalks on the right side of the bundle using bullion knots in different ways.

Today, in the last of the four tutorials in this collection, we’re going to work a relatively quick satin stitch for the kernels on the middle stalk in the bunch of wheat, and then we’ll stitch the leaves.

I’ll be referring you to some tutorials here on Needle ‘n Thread to help you out, if you’re a beginner, so please feel free to follow the links to various tutorials that go into detail on the stitching techniques. It’s a good way to pick up little embroidery tips!

How to Embroider Wheat 5 Ways: satin stitch, long & short stitch
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La Dolce Vita… with Needlework! (and a Giveaway)

 

Buongiorno (and howdy, too!) from frozen Kansas. Whoooooeeeee – it’s cold here! Time to take advantage of inside activities like embroidery and … embroidery … with a little hot-tea-drinking thrown in for good measure.

Yesterday morning things went a bit awry on my end. And then in the afternoon, we went into conservation mode, utilities-wise. I’m sorry I didn’t get this post out to you as intended first thing in the morning! I was probably daydreaming about sunny Italy. I think it’s time to read Enchanted April again!

Italy has a gloriously rich tradition in the needle arts, from far back into the ages of the early Roman emperors, right on up into our modern era. I’ve written before about a relatively new embroidery magazine on the market called Giuliana Ricama, and today, I want to remind you about it, and also offer a little give-away of some recent editions.

Giuliana Ricama embroidery magazine
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How to Embroider Wheat part 3: More Texture with Bullions

 

If you’re just joining us here on Needle ‘n Thread, we’ve been exploring five different ways to interpret wheat in hand embroidery.

Last Friday, we looked at how to embroider wheat in two quick and simple ways, using daisy stitch and granitos on two different stalks.

Before that, in Part 1, I posted the free design that we’re using here, along with the materials I’m using and any introductory information.

Today in Part 3 of How to Embroider Wheat five different ways, we’ll look at adding a little more texture to the wheat using bullion knots.

We’re actually going to look at 2.5 ways to use bullions, because I wanted to show you a possible variation to bullions that you might like as well.

Ready?

How to Embroider Wheat five ways, part 3, bullion knots
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