Raphaele of La Creature and You shares a tutorial for sweet felt Easter ornaments that even a beginning stitcher need not fear. In fact, this would be a perfect project to do with school-age children. Go to the tute.
Free hand-embroidery patterns
(1) Promises and Borders block 3 from Jenny of Elefantz
(2) Miss Kitty from Primitives by the Light of the Moon
(3) Spring from Hudson’s Holidays
(4) Friday Freebie 3/1/12 from Pin Tangle
(5) Bird and branch from Broderie d’Antan… Read More...
Couching. No, really.
Following along with the TAST challenge, Chris of Ella’s Craft Creations decided to try her hand at couching. And this is what happened. Holy mackeroly! So original and gorgeous, it makes me chair dance. See more at Chris’ blog post… Read More...
Free pattern: Rock ‘n’ Roll Falcon
If, like me, you love the rock ‘n’ roll falcon on a certain fast-food commercial, then you’ll adore this original embroidery design by Leah of Zombies Wearing Helmets. Best of all, the pattern is free (for personal use, of course) … Read More...
Free vintage embroidery pattern
Helen of Bustle & Sew is sharing this sweet 1918 embroidery pattern. Go to her blog post to download it.
How to use a curved needle
Mary Corbet of Needle ‘n’ Thread explains when you need a curved needle and how to use one. See her post.
Newbie: Claire Thomas
These awesome throw pillows are the work of newbie stitcher Claire Thomas. She says, “I haven’t really embroidered much before, and once again instead of learning the ‘proper’ technique I jumped in and decided to create some cushions on … Read More...
Just two stitches
I can’t stop looking at this remarkable embroidery by dozydotes. With two simple stitches–lazy daisy and French knot–she has created a colorful, textural work that invites study and touch. Lovely! Go to dozydotes’ flickr stream to see a large … Read More...
Free hand-embroidery patterns
This week, we’ve gathered the greatest hand-embroidery patterns for you to try! We offer something for everyone, whether you’re a novice or an expert. Our free patterns range from simple cross-stitch designs to more complicated flower and animal motifs. With … Read More...
A lazy-daisy daisy
Jules of Adventures in Thread used this week’s TAST stitch, detached chain stitch aka lazy daisy, to create…a daisy! So pretty. See more at her blog.
Inspiration: kézzel és lélekkel
Remember when Manya of Kézzel és Lélekkel shared this sweet daisy-wreath embroidery pattern? Here’s how she worked it up for a ring-bearer pillow. The woven-picot petals and pearl accents add dimension and delicacy that flat embroidery could never achieve. … Read More...
Tutorial: Detached-chain shisha embroidery
Ina of Let’s Learn Embroidery tried an interesting, successful experiment with this week’s TAST challenge stitch, detached chain stitch. Ina uses it to anchor a mirror in shisha style. Awesome! She’s sharing a tutorial for how she did it. See … Read More...
Tutorial: Embroider on styrofoam
Don’t throw away those styrofoam trays! Embroider on them (or let your kids practice their stitches). You’ll wind up with a self-framed bit of art. Sara of Creative Jewish Mom explains how it’s done. See her tute.
Tutorial: Fabric valentine
This Key to My Heart fabric valentine has a sweet secret. Lena of Lena’s Place shares the pattern and instructions in a guest post on Sew, Mama, Sew! Go to the tute.
Stitch some valentine coasters
So clever! Lisa of Goodknits shows us how to turn an inexpensive cork tile into four coasters and adds simple stitching that creates a negative-space design. She points out that, while the heart version is appropriate for a valentine gift, … Read More...
Free pattern and tutorial: Cross-stitch valentine card
LOVE this subtle cross-stitched valentine! Monica of Our Designed Life shares her pattern and shows how to stitch it on paper. Go to her post for the pattern and tute.
Many thanks to Floresita of Feeling Stitchy for pointing … Read More...
Free valentine embroidery patterns
Mollie of Wild Olive reprises her free Hearts Day embroidery pattern. Two views of three designs are included. Go to her blog post for the link to the PDF file.
Inspiration: The Trouble with Crafting
Troublet of The Trouble with Crafting created this hoop for a swap partner who said her tastes are “modern and traditional.” Great solution! Because it’s a doodle, there is no pattern to share, but there’s much to learn from enlarging … Read More...
Tutorial: Valentine sweater
Casey of Elegant Musings shows us how to add flash to a plain sweater with a bit of applique and bead embroidery–simple enough for beginners. Go to her post for the pattern and tutorial.
And many thanks to Rachel … Read More...
Stitch a valentine card
Kelly Fletcher of Materialistic shares a simple and sweet pattern and tutorial for a hand-stitched valentine card. Whip one up tonight! Go to Kelly’s post.