Every year, I dedicate some time in December to make new Christmas ornaments for our tree. Of course, most of our decor is embroidered Christmas ornaments from felt or linen. But besides embroidery, I like to dive into paper crafts, carve the cork mushrooms, crochet the snowflakes, make felt acorns, and indulge in other fun…
If you see a piece of textile art with a textured, raised surface embroidery, you are likely looking at stitches from the knot family. They may look different and have different applications, but one thing is sure: all embroidery knot stitches in the Knot family require some kind of knotting to form the stitch. In…
French Knot embroidery stitch has a reputation. Some stitchers adore the technique and make these knots all the time (like me). Others hate it and avoid it at all costs. Some hand embroidery teachers will include French Knots in the list of beginner stitches, while others will treat them as an advanced technique. And I…
I love embroidering with the French Knot technique, but this tiny knot has a reputation for being a “difficult stitch.” Some say their French knots have strange loops and tails sticking out. Others lament that they never achieve an even, nice-looking filling. People say they struggle with tension, sizing, and spacing… I believe that all…
French Knot is an isolated stitch that you can work in groups or as single dots. It’s easy to hide the starting stitch and secure the thread end when the filling is dense, and there are plenty of tiny stitches on the back to use as anchors. But some hand embroidery designs will require one…
The hand embroidery process doesn’t end with the last stitch. To be admired, it has to be displayed in a way that shows the work we put into it and highlights the value of a handmade item. Your choice of how to display embroidery can add value to your art or depreciate it. How we…
Every time I create a new tutorial or embroidery guide, or film a new video on an embroidery technique, I have this doubt. Should I include instructions on how to start and end embroidery stitches to keep the back side of embroidery neat and clean? Is it so important, and should you even bother? This…
Hand embroidery is a fascinating craft to learn. Needlework is a calming, relaxing hobby, but it can also be productive and practical. In my biased opinion, hand embroidery is a perfectly balanced manual activity with great benefits to our mental health. And the best part? It’s really easy to start. You learn a few basic…
No matter if you are a student, have small children at home, or have just got back from holidays, back-to-school season brings a feeling of a fresh start. It’s a promise of new adventures, knowledge, and friendships. It is also a perfect excuse to start a hand embroidery project with back-to-school embroidery designs. Back to…
Hand embroidery is a craft of details. The quality of your stitches depends not only on your skill and the thread you choose, but also on the tools and accessories you work with. The right accessories make your sessions more comfortable, your results more precise, and your workflow smoother — whether you are a beginner…