Quick DIYs for last-minute embroidery Hi, Reader, There are only 10 days left till Christmas✨ 🎁 I'm sure your home is beautifully decorated, gifts are packed and ready, and you are not panicking. 🎀 In case you need something extra to craft to decorate the table set up or make a last-minute gift, these quick DIYs might be just right for you: Monogrammed Velvet Ribbon Bow DIY Hand Embroidered Ribbon for Holiday Decor Read Now How To Embroider Christmas Tree 5 Simple Methods + Free PDF Pattern...
7 days ago • 1 min read
How to recognize AI-generated embroidery images Hi, Reader, How is your December going? One of my traits for long dark evenings is to dive into Etsy and look for new hand embroidery patterns and designs I would like to embroider. You probably noticed that I sometimes make a list and share it in my blog posts, too. Recently, I’ve noticed a fascinating (and tricky!) trend—AI-generated images of “hand embroidery” that look almost identical to the real thing. Many shops sell design template...
15 days ago • 2 min read
NOVEMBER OVERVIEW Hi, Reader, If you live in the U.S. and celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, I hope you had a wonderful time! As usual, on the last Friday of the month, I wrote an overview of articles, guides, and video tutorials that landed on the Practical Embroidery blog and YouTube channel in November. Ready to Explore? On-Trend Christmas Embroidery Embroidery and Holiday Decor Ideas for 2024 Read Now How to Embroider Stars and Sparkles Hand Embroidery Stitches + Free Sampler Download...
22 days ago • 1 min read
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...
29 days ago • 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...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
About Advent Calendars Hi, Reader, How are you doing?It’s wild how all the content on social media transforms from spooky to jolly overnight! 🎃 -> 🎅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...
about 1 month ago • 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 2 months ago • 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 2 months ago • 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:...
2 months ago • 2 min read