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

Contact Mary

Connect with Mary

     

Archives

2026 (32) 2025 (126) 2024 (135) 2023 (125) 2022 (136) 2021 (130) 2020 (132) 2019 (147) 2018 (146) 2017 (169) 2016 (147) 2015 (246) 2014 (294) 2013 (294) 2012 (305) 2011 (306) 2010 (316) 2009 (367) 2008 (352) 2007 (225) 2006 (139)
 

Pumpkins, Autumn, and Embroidery

 

Amazon Books

Autumn is my favorite season of the year, hands down! And I especially love autumn when it is particularly autumn-ish.

In Kansas, we often have autumns that are very, very slow to arrive – summer just wants to linger – and then, bammo! Fall is gone. And winter is here.

But sometimes, we enjoy nice, lingering, lovely autumns, replete with a beautiful color change, crisp blue skies, chilly nights, and all the other quiet attractions that make the winding-down of the seasonal year so very pleasant.

This year, we had summer through the last part of September and most of October, despite the cool-weather tease that we had in August. So I haven’t had a chance to get in a fall frame of mind. I feel like I’m careening towards winter at break-neck speed, and next time I look up, it’ll be time to prune my hydrangeas.

One of my favorite fall stitching projects I’ve ever worked is this set of towels called Autumn Variety.

Autumn Variety Pumpkin & Acorns flour sack towel
Continue reading “Pumpkins, Autumn, and Embroidery”

F is for Fish, Embroidered

 

It’s a rather wet start to the week here in Kansas!

In fact, it’s a perfect day to continue our Alphabetic Meanderings through the depths of the Needle ‘n Thread archives.

Today, F is for Fish – fish of the embroidered type, and specifically, the Blackwork Fish. It has been eons since this project was alive on the website!

The Blackwork Fish
Continue reading “F is for Fish, Embroidered”

America’s Tapestry – a BIG Project!

 

Over the years, I’ve highlighted many, many tapestry projects from around the world. Past or current, these tapestry projects have always fascinated me!

In recent decades, tapestries that use fabric and thread as a storytelling medium have become quite popular.

Although we’ve seen a plethora of them springing up around the world, they’re not really a new thing. The Bayeux Tapestry has been around for how long? Almost 1,000 years!

America's Tapestry
Continue reading “America’s Tapestry – a BIG Project!”

Stitch Fun: Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch Leaf

 

Let’s have a little bit of fun with an embroidery stitch today, shall we?

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Stitch Fun! tutorial here on Needle ‘n Thread, but we’ve got some exciting plans for stitch tutorials for 2026, so I thought I’d start playing with stitches a bit to prepare for that.

For those who don’t know, Stitch Fun! is a series of embroidery stitch tutorials here on Needle ‘n Thread, wherein we explore various approaches to stitches, composite stitches, and stitch combinations, just for the fun of it!

Included in the 2026 plan is the addition of a collection of “Stitch Printables” available for members of the Needle ‘n Thread Community on Patreon. I’ll be sharing the step-by-step tutorials as handy downloadable and printable PDFs for members. If you’re a member, you’ll find an expanded version of today’s tutorial available as a downloadable PDF.

Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch Leaf Filling - Tutorial
Continue reading “Stitch Fun: Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch Leaf”