Pure genius. Charlotte Bailey covered paperclips with detached buttonhole stitch to create neck feathers for this already epic parrot embroidery. Wow. Read more about how she did it and see more photos at her Hanging by a Thread blog post… Read More...
Stitching on gourds
Ellen Teschler has used prick-and-stitch patterns developed for paper to add beaded stitching to her gourd creations. Brilliant! See more on the Prick and Stitch is My Craft blog.
You light up my life!
Wouldn’t you love to embroider a jarful of fireflies that light up? Go to the Craftzine.com post for the link to the free pattern and tutorial by Haley of The Zen of Making.
Oh, hai!
Did you hear me scream with delight when I first saw this Medieval Lolcat by TheStitchEmporium? Even those in other hemispheres may have been able to detect my thrill at discovering this well-executed stitchery that combines heraldry, astrology, and … Read More...
Easter stitching: Embroidered felt eggs
Yea, Wendi Gratz! Look what she’s sharing with us! A pattern for a sweet embroidered felt egg. Put one at each place setting at Easter brunch. Or fill a bowl with them and use it as the centerpiece for … Read More...
Free pattern: Easter bunny pincushion
Here’s a sweet Easter gift from Bronwyn of Red Brolly: a free pattern for a darling pincushion. Go to her post for the download link.
(Unfortunately, Bronwyn passed away and her blog is no longer active, and whilst we … Read More...
Free pattern: Magic Happens
A new block is available in the Facts of Life series at Crazy Quilting for Fun. Go to the blog post for the link to the free download. And if you haven’t yet downloaded the Things with Wings series, … Read More...
Free pattern: Summer Coats
Unseasonably warm weather has put Heidi of Speckless in the mood for some summery stitching. Et voila! Here’s her new free embroidery pattern, Summer Coats. Go to her blog post to download the PDF file.
Insect royalty
This goldwork beetle with sheer wings absolutely takes my breath away. Go to the blog of his creator, Arlene White, to see him from every angle.
Tutorial: Embroidered roll cover
Teresa of TeresaDownUnder has posted a tutorial for making a swank embroidered holder for that spare roll of toilet paper. Handy, and a great way to spiff up the old bathroom. Go to her post.
Free patterns: Embroidered Easter baskets
Bronwyn of Red Brolly once shared two absolutely adorable stitchy Easter basket patterns that are perfect for any crafter looking for a unique and timeless design. These baskets truly have an heirloom-quality charm, making them the perfect project to create … Read More...
Inspiration: Hearty Craft
Zinaida of Hearty Craft continues to impress me with the precision and refinement of her stitching and the excellence of her photographs. She’s undertaken a bit of goldwork. Go to her blog post to see lots of gorgeous images.
How to twist flat silk
Mary Corbet of Needle ‘n’ Thread has posted a video by Anne Gomes demonstrating how to twist Japanese flat silk. Interesting technique! Go to Mary’s post.
Free pattern: Pretty princess
LiliPopo is sharing her pattern for this adorable little princess. If you’d like a copy, all you have to do is send her an email. See the details on her blog.
New online classes at MVA
Now you can sign up for Take It Anytime classes at Maureen’s Vintage Acquisitions. You could learn to make the Twisted Waffle Flower motif by Shirlee Fassell (shown at left). Or create embroidered designs using faux pearls with Betty Pillsbury… Read More...
Tutorial: Corners in rolled hems
Kimberly of Baroque Embellishments explains how to turn a neat corner with an antique rolled hem. See her tute.
Easter Tutorial: Felt bunny brooch
Make a sweet bunny brooch as an Easter gift for someone you love. Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive shows us how. Go to her tute.
Eye’ll be seeing you
Sylvia of WindyRiver has incorporated a doll eye into an embroidered and beaded Day of the Dead pendant. Spooky for some cultures. Invoking protection from the Evil Eye for others. Big win! See more at Sylvia’s blog post.
Technique: How many strands of floss?
How many strands of embroidery floss should you stitch with? Wendi Gratz of Shiny Happy World has some advice. See her post.
Tutorial: Restarting a thread invisibly
Mary Corbet of Needle ‘n’ Thread shows us how to cope when we must end one thread and start a new one in the middle of a line of complex stitching. Check out her tute.