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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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    Over 75 Embroidery Stitch Videos to Help You Learn

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    A Collection of Instructional Articles

 
Hand Embroidery Books

July 22, 2020

Goldwork Masterclass – Book Review & Stock for You

 

Amazon Books

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!

Goldwork Masterclass by Alison Cole: Book Review
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Hand Embroidery Tutorials

July 18, 2020

Free Embroidery Stitch Tutorials & Tips

 

Over the years, I’ve compiled a whole lot of embroidery stitch tutorials & tips here on Needle ‘n Thread.

For Needle ‘n Thread newcomers and veterans alike, today, I’d like to recap some of my favorite groups of stitch tutorials, so that you can explore them all from one spot. Many of you may have seen these before, so this may just serve as a reminder that the tutorials are there for you. Plus, you can add this article to your bookmarks or as a home screen shortcut, so that you can have easy access to several different groups of stitch tutorials and tips.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, why not explore some of the tutorials and practice some of these stitches on a doodle cloth? It’s a great way to add to your stitching repertoire!

Free Embroidery Stitch Tutorials & Tips
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Uncategorized

July 15, 2020

Killer Squirrels & Miniature Stitching

 

You know when you have an idea in your head that won’t go away until you at least try to do it?

Well, ever since I made the little tapestry smalls in my Thousand Flowers collection, I’ve had this idea to make a tiny treasure box using an extended version of the tapestry smalls – a version that incorporates all the animals and lots of flowers.

And I set about measuring and “engineering” the box mentally not too long after finishing and launching A Thousand Flowers. I charted the main piece I’d need. And not too long ago, I set up the project and starting some stitching on it.

A Thousand Flowers - Box Panel
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Hand Embroidery Books

July 13, 2020

Whitework Inspirations – 8 Lovely Embroidery Projects

 

I’m slowly making my way through the stack of needlework books on my side table, and today, I want to share a particularly lovely new book on the market dedicated to whitework.

Did you know that I actually read every book I review? I keep a stack on my side table, with a block of post-it notes and a pen. And when I have a chance, I dig into the stack. I can never quite seem to eliminate the stack completely!

But this book was a quick one to read, and thoroughly enjoyable.

The projects are beautiful! If you love whitework, or if you’re interested in learning and practicing whitework techniques, I think you’ll love it!

Let’s take a look!

Whitework Inspirations - embroidery project book
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Uncategorized

July 10, 2020

Hexie Update, for the Curious!

 

After many requests for an update on my hexie project, I figured it’s about time to ‘fess up on where things stand with those thousands of little fabric hexagons just begging to be stitched up!

For those who are just making your acquaintance with this particular project, I’ll give you a brief background. Last year, I began a hand-pieced hexagon quilt made up of 3/4″ hexies. The quilt requires some 5,200-ish hexies for a full-sized quilt (sans border).

My purpose in undertaking this particular adventure was to have something ongoing that I can turn to whenever I want to do something with my hands that isn’t embroidery, and that’s portable, so that I can take it anywhere and have something to work on.

At the end of today’s update, I’ll link to previous articles on the project.

Let’s look at where things stand and chat about another organizational discovery that I’ve implemented.

Hand pieced hexie quilt with 3/4
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Hand Embroidery Books

July 8, 2020

Willing Hands – Full of Great Embroidery Finishes

 

Good morning, and Happy Wednesday! It’s a good day for a book review, methinks.

The book I’m going to review today has been in my reading stack for a while. It’s been on the market since last autumn, and perhaps many of you – especially if you are counted cross stitchers – already have it. It’s a book chock-full of finishes.

The book is Willing Hands: The Counted Thread Embroidery of Betsy Morgan. And even though Willing Hands concentrates on counted thread techniques, I don’t see it so much as a counted thread technique book. Instead, I see it as a book that overflows with fabulous ideas for finishing embroidery into useful and beautiful needlework accessories.

Let’s take a look at the book and then chat about how it is a universally useful book for embroiderers of every discipline.

Willing Hands: Betsy Morgan - for embroidery finishes
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