Planning Christmas gifts Hi, Reader, How are you? I feel slightly overwhelmed by Black Friday offers, ads, and emails. There's so much pressure to buy everything and anything like there's no tomorrow! Instead of asking you to buy anything, I want to encourage you to make things with your hands! Time is precious, so plan your gifts ahead. Download my free Christmas gift-making planner > (Christmas gift making planner.pdf) and start brainstorming the gifts you could embroider this year! Read...
13 days agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hand embroidered Christmas ornaments Hi, Reader, I like to make my Christmas ornaments by hand. I embroider and sew them, make decorations from acorns and pinecones, make little mushrooms from cork, crochet snowflakes, or make origami decor. This year, I plan on making some himmeli ornaments from natural straw. DIY Himmeli kit for beginners on Etsy If you are unfamiliar with this technique, it's a traditional Lithuanian (and Scandinavian) art in which the pieces of straw are assembled to...
20 days agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
About Advent Calendars Hi, Reader, How are you doing?Itβs wild how all the content on social media transforms from spooky to jolly overnight! π -> π
I need more time to adapt to this change! Too early? It happens every year right after Halloween, but I'm never ready! One of my ways to get into the Christmas mood is by making an Advent calendar for my daughter. This tradition began years ago when she was three or four. I sewed linen bags and hand-embroidered the numbers from 1 to 24. We both...
27 days agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
OCTOBER OVERVIEW Hi, Reader, As usual, on the last day of the month, I share a monthly overview of articles, guides, and video tutorials published on the Practical Embroidery blog and YouTube channel. Ready to explore? Embroidery Advent Calendar The Perfect Holiday Gift for Stitchers Read Now Gifts For Embroiderers The ultimate guide to choosing the perfect gift Read Now Embroidered birthday card - DIY Tutorial + free PDF pattern Embroidery Advent Calendar: Perfect Advent calendar for...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi, Reader, Have you ever wasted your precious crafting time hunting for the right needle? If so, you're not alone! I had this problem for years! In this email, I will share some tips that might resolve this block and help you create a crafting space where the needles are organized and ready to be used. Why should you organize your needles? It saves time. When your needles are organized by type, size, and project use, you'll save time that could be spent stitching! It protects your projects....
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
Hi, Reader, One of the questions I often get is how to find time for stitching and learn it faster? My short answer is: Well, hand embroidery is a slow craft by its nature, and the only way to learn it is with slow but constant practice. My longer answer consists of some tips to help you speed up the learning process: Start with the basics Choose Simple Stitches: Begin with foundational stitches like Running stitch, Backstitch, Satin stitch, French knots, and Chain stitch. Use Tutorials:...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
EMBROIDERY+MENDING Hi, Reader, I hope this newsletter finds you well and creatively inspired! Today, I want to talk about something close to my heart and likely yours, too: the powerful connection between hand embroidery, mending, and sustainability. In a world where fast fashion dominates and items are often discarded at the first sign of wear, mending through embroidery is a thoughtful, creative, and sustainable alternative. Not only does this extend the life of your favorite garments, but...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
πAUTUMN STITCHING Hi, Reader, how is your autumn? I hope you enjoy every single day of this season! As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin to change, it's the perfect time to cozy up with your embroidery projects! π Fall offers many ways to add warmth and a personal touch to your space β and Halloween gives us the perfect excuse for spooky stitching fun! πΈοΈ Want to try your hand at creating something beautiful to celebrate the magic of autumn and Halloween? Here are a few...
2 months agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
SEPTEMBER OVERVIEW Hi, Reader, I hope you are enjoying early autumn in your part of the world! π As we wave goodbye to September, I want to share a monthly overview of articles, guides, and video tutorials that landed on the Practical Embroidery blog and YouTube channel this month. Ready to Explore? New on the Blog How to organize embroidery floss and thread Practical solutions for busy creatives Read Now Halloween hand embroidery patterns 33 spooky and fun designs to stitch this fall Read...
2 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read