After about two weeks straight of hexies-only stitching (due to the reasons mentioned in this article), it will be good to (eventually) get back to some hand embroidery.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my hexies and I love their portability. But really, I love hand embroidery better, and I can’t wait to do some again.

In the meantime, these casual bits of autumn embroidery have been developing behind the scenes. I kept my cohort Anna busy, despite her broken leg, by test stitching some fall designs.

Well, it is inevitable. Something had to give, and I’m afraid it’s this week on Needle ‘n Thread.

I mentioned last week that my mom was in the hospital. She was discharged a week ago Saturday and ended up back in this past Wednesday. I’m the designated visitor. Only one visitor is allowed, and it has to be the same visitor for the duration of the patient’s stay, due to recent health regulations. You can imagine what this does to the rest of the family, how exhausting it is for the designated visitor, and what it does especially to my 90-year old dad, with his wife of 65 years wondering where he is and not understanding why he can’t be there with her.

It’s not exactly a fun situation, and it’s a little stressful. But I figure where there’s stress, there should be handwork. It can at least help alleviate some of the stress.

So I’ve been taking my hexies with me as my companions in distress. And they’re holding up well…

Good morning and a Happy Monday all around!

When it comes to hand embroidery, the needle is really the most important tool that you have.

Sure, a hoop is nice. But you can embroider without a hoop. Scissors are nice, but you don’t need them to embroider. (That said, I think it would be somewhat difficult – and inadvisable – to cut embroidery threads with your teeth…)

But you can’t really embroider without a needle. Something has to transport that thread in and out of the fabric, after all.

I’ve written many, many articles about hand embroidery needles over the years…

Happy Saturday!

Here’s a short little collection of needlework-related information, inspiration, resources, and instruction to meander through for your weekend pleasure. A little bit of Needle ‘n Thread news, too!

So grab your favorite cup of relaxing brew, pull up a chair, get comfy, and join me for a short browse!

Good morning, from a stormy, rainy Kansas!

Today, (very quickly, because things are flickering a bit with the storms passing through), I’d like to share with you the finish on the beginner goldwork and silk rose that I showed you a couple weeks ago and explain what it’s all about!