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
August 14, 2020
Recently, I was asked if I would teach a local class on ecclesiastical embroidery – specifically, how to make what is called a pall.
Things being what they are, the preparations were a little rocky. And I haven’t progressed as far as I’d like in my sample project for such a class.
And in fact, I’m not sold on my sample project, as little as it has progressed!
But I’m going to show it to you anyway and share some thought processes…
August 10, 2020
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.
August 3, 2020
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…
July 29, 2020
Years ago, I wrote a series of articles on hand embroidered writing. The articles take you step-by-step through different embroidery stitches that work well for embroidered writing.
Today, we’re going to add a stitch to that list – particularly, a stitch known today as the “Quaker Stitch” because it was formulated to work as the stitch used for the text on the Quaker Tapestry. The stitch is a combination of split stitch and stem stitch, so, in effect, it is a split stem stitch.
While at first glance, it might look like stem stitch, the ingenious splitting of the “inside” portion of the stitch raises the stem stitch line up to make a nice, precise, slightly raised line ideal for writing with thread.
Let’s take a look at it!
July 27, 2020
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…
July 25, 2020
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!
July 22, 2020
After thinking about it for a while, I realized I could write this review in one line:
“If you have any interest at all in goldwork, Goldwork Masterclass by Alison Cole is the definitive book on goldwork that you need to own.”
In fact, I think it’s such an important book for anyone who wants to learn goldwork and pursue excellence in goldwork, that I’ve decided to stock it. This will give US readers an opportunity to acquire the book without delay. Alison publishes her own books, so they are not available through other book sources. You can order them from her or from folks who order them from her. So, more on that at the end of today’s review!
