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
March 28, 2025
If you’ve been hanging around Needle ‘n Thread for a while, you already know this. If you are new to Needle ‘n Thread, then I might as well tell you now…
I’m a linen freak.
I absolutely love linen.
I should qualify: I love good linen. It is my One Weakness… among many.
March 26, 2025
Cloth of gold is an interesting “misnomer” today. When cloth of gold was really cloth of gold, it was… well. Cloth of gold!
Today, cloth of gold is more like “cloth of metallic with no gold in it” – or cloth of gold-colored metallic.”
I’m not really complaining, because if cloth of gold were Cloth of Gold, it would be entirely unaffordable. As it is, cloth of gold-colored metallic is already pretty pricy.
In any case, I’m playing around with some fabrics to figure out how I want to appliqué some gold lettering for another “vesperale” or altar cover – similar to the one I made here, but not as complicated, and not featuring heavy goldwork.
March 24, 2025
Welcome to Monday. This is one of Those Mondays. I’m not as prepared for it as I should be.
I knew it was coming, but I’m just not ready for it.
Mondays are so inevitable, sometimes.
This morning, I’ll share a touch of whimsy with you. This is a design set we’ve been working on because we’ve gotten multiple requests for something gnome-themed for our ready-to-stitch towel sets over the last few years.
March 21, 2025
Remember Wednesday (I don’t know about you, but on Friday, I’m lucky if I can remember Wednesday!), when we talked about this table top needlework stand?
I’ve received much feedback and enthusiasm – thanks so much! – and I’ll be in touch as stock rolls in.
But that’s not what we’re chatting about today.
I’m always surprised what catches people’s eyes in my blog post photos! Sometimes, I don’t pay much attention to the details of the “extras” in the photos. Sometimes, we really are just using props – they aren’t things we’re actually working on at that very moment. So sometimes, I have to go back to look at the article, to find out what folks are enquiring about.
March 19, 2025
It’s been a long time since I’ve reviewed a major piece of embroidery equipment on the blog.
I haven’t reviewed a high-dollar, costly-investment item in a while, even though I know that many of us use equipment that the non-needlework-world (or the entry-level stitcher) might find a bit extreme, budget-wise.
When it comes specifically to needlework, it’s the needlework stand that tends to fall into this category. Good needlework stands are not inexpensive.
Today, I’m going to show you an expensive piece of embroidery equipment. It’s a needlework stand, but it’s not like any other needlework stand I’ve used. For many stitchers, I think the pros of this stand will outweigh the higher cost of it.
Let’s take a look at it!
March 17, 2025
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Out in here Kansas, the day is celebrated only in small pockets of green here and there.
Growing up on the east coast, St. Patrick’s Day was a much bigger deal – especially when we lived outside Boston, but also in the South. Through high school, I marched in my high school band in the parade in Savannah every year. It was a hugely anticipated event and lots of fun!
In Kansas, though, it’s a bit lower key. I wore green to work today, nevertheless. (I was afraid Anna might get a bit pinchy.)
March 14, 2025
Did you know that Elisabetta Sforza has a beautiful new book out?!
I’m so excited, because this particular book focuses on Elisabetta’s approach to padded satin stitched monograms – which she does so, so beautifully.
ABC of Padded Stitch is both an instructional book and a project book, and it has some really nice aspects to it that will surely appeal to anyone who wants to try, practice, and master the padded satin stitch, especially when used in monogramming.
That said, the techniques in the book can also be applied to other uses of padded satin stitch, besides monogramming. If you are a lover of whitework embroidery, this is right up your alley!
