Hand Embroidery

General Resources online

Caron Collection Magazine

Caron Collection Magazine with articles on design, On-line lessons and contemporary techniques are featured. Feature Column: provides a monthly column and a gallery. Archived articles and projects are also on the site.

Stitch

Stitch Magazine hosted by the Embroiderer's Guild (UK) contains articles on the collection, techniques, stitches and projects.

Tips & Techniques on Needle N' Thread

A comprehensive list of articles written by Mary Corbet who provides numerous resources, tips and technique advice

Pin Tangle

Pin Tangle tracks online resources, news and information which relate to contemporary and historical textiles, embroidery and crazy quilting.

American Needlepoint Guild

The American Needlepoint Guild provides articles, a stitch of the month, discussion list, extensive FAQ's on their site, They also provide an definition of Needlepoint as "any counted or free stitchery worked by hand with a threaded needle on a readily countable ground."

Needlework News on Craft Gossip

Denise Felton keeps track of all the needlework news from free pattern offers, products, and events

Needlecrafter

Needlecrafter.com maintained by Andrea English a site with an emphasis on embroidery. Explore the library for free patterns a stitch dictionary, articles and tips

Stitch Tutorials

A listing of tutorials on various stitches and styles of embroidery provided by the Heritage shoppe

Stitch Glossaries and Dictionaries

Collections of stitches online and how to do them

Sharon b's Stitch Dictionary

A dictionary of needlework and embroidery stitches illustrated with step by step photographs. To assist those who are new to the craft of hand embroidery each stitch is categorised as to the degree of difficulty.

How to videos on Needle N' Thread

Mary Corbet provides very clear videos on how to work the key hand embroidery stitches

Rissa's Pieces Stitch Dictionary

This collection of stitches also includes beaded stitches

Johanna Cormier's Embroidery Stitch Diagrams

A good collection of hand drawn stitch diagrams by Johanna Cormier

Stitch Dictionary

A Dictionary of stitches used in evenweave techniques such as Hardanger and Pulled thread embroidery from Over the Moon Designs

Embroidery Stitches A to Z

A collection of stitches taken form old embroidery books.

12 Basic Surface Stitches for Beginners

This PDF file presents the basic stitches used in surface embroidery

Starting, finishing and general tips

Starting Your Thread: Waste Knot Photo Tutorial

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread illustrates clearly how to start an embroidery thread using a waste knot.

Starting a Thread: Away Waste Knot Photo Tutorial

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread illustrates clearly how to start an embroidery thread using an away waste knot.

Starting Your Thread: Anchor Stitches on a Line

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread illustrates clearly how to start an embroidery thread by anchoring a stitch.

Equipment

The Hand Needle Guide

The Hand Needle Guide illustrates different needles used in Hand embroidery.

Needles

This is a very good guide from Country Bumpkin magazine which covers various needles and what they are used for.

Needles Used in Needlework

A description of the type of needles used in various types of hand embroidery

On Threading a Needle

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread offers tips on this sometimes tricky task.

Guide to Sewing Needles

A general guide to sewing needles including machine needles.

The Embroidery Hoop

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread discusses what to look for when choosing a embroidery hoop.

Embroidery Hoops: Useage and Dressing

An article by Stefania Bressan

Using an Embroidery Hoop or Frame

A basic article on why and how to use a hoop or frame

Binding an Embroidery Hoop

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread gives a clear tutorial on how to bind a embroidery hoop

Dressing a Slate Frame for Embroidery

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread has written this extensive photo tutorial

Fabrics

Choosing a Cross Stitch or Needlework Fabric

An extensive article on choosing needlework fabric

Choosing the right cross stitch embroidery fabric

A good article on choosing the embroidery fabric

Fabric Types

Fabric Types that are suitable for hand embroidery.

What is Fabric Count?

Answers the question in simple direct manner.

Fabric essentials

Advice on choosing fabric for hand embroidery from Country Bumpkin Magazine

Stop fabric fraying

Advice on how to stop the edge of your work from fraying.

Thread

Specialty Floss and Threads for Cross Stitch & Needlework

Covers some of the threads that are available to hand embroiderers today

Using Embroidery floss - the basics

A comprehensive article that includes answers to questions such as How many strands of embroidery floss to use, a video demonstrates how to separate one strand of floss, and how to secure your thread when starting to stitch.

Thread Comparison: Cotton Embroidery Threads - Floche, Perle, & Stranded

Mary Corbet of Needle N' Thread explains the difference between these threads

Five Tips for Stitching with Stranded Floss

Five Tips for Stitching with Stranded Floss by Shelly Hazard is as the title says - tips for using floss and staying tangle free

Anchor-to-DMC conversion chart

Anchor-to-DMC conversion chart

Needlepointers list of conversion charts

A huge list of thread conversion charts

Threads

An article on the types of thread available for hand embroidery

Assisi Embroidery

Assisi Embroidery

The definition of this style of embroidery in Wikipedia

Voided work Assisi Style Rabbits

A brief article and pattern

Stalking the Wild Assisi

A lengthier article by Kathryn Newell which includes bibliographic references and links to free charts. The patterns are suitable for historical reproduction pieces

Assisi Embroidery

A short article about this type of embroidery

Blackwork

Blackwork

An Introduction by Carol Algie Higginbotham provided by the American Needlepoint Guild

Blackwork Embroidery Archives

A collection of blackwork patterns and designs provided by Paula Katherine Marmor These blackwork patterns can be printed out and used for personal or classroom use provided that credit is given to the source.

Fill-in Patterns from Sixteenth Century Blackwork Embroideries

Patterns provided by the Embroiderers' Guild of the Kingdom of Atlantia of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

A Blackwork Embroidery Primer

Provided by Rissa Peace Root which covers the history or the technique plus basic instructions

Discussion Group

Yahoo Discussion group for those interested in Blackwork

Brazilian and Textured Embroidery

Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild

The Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild is a non profit organization which aims to promote the art of Brazilian embroidery. Useful information such as instructions on how to do the stitches and some hints and directions are published on the site

Brazilian embroidery

The definition of this style of embroidery in Wikipedia

Brazilian-Style Embroidery

Brazilian-Style Embroidery From Adaptation to Obsession is an article by Jo Gillen provided by the American Needlepoint Guild

Brazilian embroidery

This article is a basic introduction

Encrusting Calico

Inspired by an underwater theme, Jennifer Rochester "uses plain fabric and neutral threads to create rocky surfaces encrusted with growth". This project which uses highly textured stitches is provided by the Embroiderers Guild UK

Cast on stitch

Step by step illustrated instructions on how to do cast on stitch

Double cast on stitch

Step by step illustrated instructions on how to do double cast on stitch

Drizzle stitch

Step by step illustrated instructions on how to do drizzle stitch

Tips for Stitching with Rayon

Tips provided by Edmar Threads company for using rayon thread

Brazilian Embroidered Heart

A pattern and stitch guide by Rissa Peace Root

Embellished Bear

Brazilian Embroidery Embellished Bear by Rita Goff

Silken Roses Collar

A free project designed by Betty Pillsbury

BDEIGCyberChapter

Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild Cyber Chapter. For Brazilian Dimensional International Guild Members and other interested people. Some participants are guild members and others are not.

BEStitchers

A Yahoo group for those who are interested in chat, sharing ideas, and learning more about brazilian embroidery

Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery

A Yahoo group for those that share a passion for Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery.

Canvas work or Needlepoint

What is Needlepoint?

An illustrated article provided by the American Needlepoint Guild for the 1997 National Exhibit, Detroit, Michigan written by Carole Lake

A Guide to Needlepoint

An online primer supplied by Needlecraft showcase

Stitch of the month

American Needlepoint Guild publishes a stitch of the month which is well worth browsing through.

Wonderful Stitches WWW

A web site of resources for stitchery enthusiasts which features a different stitches particularly those for canvas and counted thread. The site also has free sampler patterns.

Best Laid Plans

An article by Maggie Phillips which explores the use of Burden stitch

CHL Stitch of the Month

CHL Design has published a stitch of the month with each stitch illustrated and stitched using contemporary techniques. Provided by Carole H. Lake

Free patterns

Free patterns with a contemporary flavour from Carole H. Lake of CHL Design

About Backgrounds

An article on selecting adapting and designing interesting backgrounds on canvas work by Ginger McTeague

Hardanger

Hardanger embroidery

Hardanger embroidery is a good basic instructional article on Hardanger Embroidery. It covers starting, Kloster Blocks both diagonal and horizontal, Chevron borders, cutting, wrapped and woven bars, a picot Woven Bar, wheel and Dove's Eye.

History of Hardangersom (Hardanger) Part I

An illustrated article by Rita Vainius provided by the online ezine The Caron Collection:

Hardanger Lessons

Beginning Hardanger is a series of lessons combined with a free pattern for a tasteful sampler Here is the Table of Contents for the series

Huck Weaving (pattern darning)

Pattern Darning

This instructional article by Sally Simon covers how to do pattern darning and how to follow and create patterns.

A Brief History of Swedish Weaving

A brief overview of the history and technique. This article includes instructions on how it is done.

Pattern for a bookmark

Huck weaving pattern for a bookmark by Deborah K. Lauro that is a free project from HereandAbove.com.

Ornament Project

Sara Pittenger's Ornament Project is a contemporary interpretation of pattern darning

Swedishweave

A Disscussion group at Yahoo on Huck weaving

Venice

A free pattern for Huck weaving

Needlelace

Antique Needlepoint Lace

Antique Needlepoint Lace from the collection of Marla Mallett an illustrated article provided by Marla Mallett Textiles and Tribal Oriental Rugs which illustrates and explains different types of needle laces.

Needlelace

Needle Lace provided by Lacy Fairy

Armenian needlelace

Armenian needlelace (also known as Bebilla, Nazareth Lace and Knotted Lace) definition from Wikipedia

Needle Point Lace

A brief illustrated article

Needlelace Chocolates

Needlelace Chocolates - a contemporary interpretation of needlelace by Jacky McDouall for a Valentine's Day competition

Vintage Point Lace Patterns

Full detailed instructions on how to do needlelace stitches

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Beginners' Silk-Ribbon Embroidery

An article by Karen Kieppe from Threads magazine

Ribbon History

An article on the history of ribbons and the history of the Offray company.

Silk Ribbon Camellia version 1

By Stephanie Novatski from CQ MagOnline

Silk Ribbon Camellia: Version 2

By Stephanie Novatski Step-by-step instructions for a ruffled edge Camellia embellished with beads.

SRE Iris I

Instructions on how to work a number of variations by Dean Deerfield

Offray Ribbon

Instructional series of articles from Offray on how to make things with their products.

Silk Ribbon Roses

Step by step photographs of making a Silk Ribbon rose

Silk Ribbon Stitch Directions

Marie Alton has provided instructional material for the basic silk ribbon stitches, the Melanie Rose and the Alton Loop

Pin Puff

Free pattern supplied by Marie Alton

Violets

Instructions on how to make ribbon violets from the site of Helen Gibb

Using Waste Canvas

Waste Canvas

A useful guide to the use of Waste Canvas in needlework

Mystery of the Vanishing Canvas

Mystery of the Vanishing Canvas (All You Ever Wanted To Know About Blue Line Waste Canvas) by June H. Moes provided by the American Needlepoint Guild

Design resources

Quest: Taking the Fear Out of Designing

Sue Strause covers the basics of design elements such as tone, balance, rhythm, texture and colour

Pattern Making with Cross Stitch

An article by Jean Draper which pushes the simple cross stitch into the 21st century in order to create richly patterned and textured embroideries.

Designing with Stitches

Designing with Stitches by Julie Goetsch focuses on setting canvas stitches in repeat in order to create patterns of texture

Laying it on the Line

Couching and variations explored by Jan Beaney an illustrated article on couching with stitched samples and diagrams.

Variations of a Theme

Create Your Own Stitch Variations an article by Gayle Bicknell provided by American Needlepoint Guild