Needlework

A blind stitch is a basic hand stitch mainly used for hemming and finishing quilt binding. The blind stitch makes a clean hem because it's invisible on the front side of the fabric. Blind...

Soft and snugly chenille yarn is perfect for crafting baby and bath items. It's warm and super-absorbent, and is made from a variety of fibers including wool, acrylic and cotton. Chenille yarn is...

Crochet is an enjoyable and productive pastime. You can make many accessories for your home that are unique and personalized to your taste. The supply of yarn and fabric that can be used to make...

Personalized gifts are often the most cherished. What is more personal than a needlework image of one of your favorite family photos? The growing popularity of this craft makes it easier than...

A double crochet stitch can be used to crochet an oval. The oval shape works wonderfully for crocheting doilies, basket liners, and rugs. The overall look of the project can be varied by the...

Embroidery is a needlework crafts or sewing project that travels well and does not require counting or concentration. There are several stitches that are not well known, but make beautiful...

Ribbon embroidery has gone in and out of fashion since the 1880s. Hence, the researcher felt need as an ideal locale for experimenting the ribbon embroidery on khadi

Battenburg lace is a tape lace. Loops of woven tape are formed during its creation. The spaces created by these even-width loops are joined at the edges so that the gaps are filled with decorative...

Tapestry is an ancient art with influences from many parts of the world. Walk into any art museum and you will see intricate, centuries-old tapestries. True tapestry is woven by hand on a loom....

If you can draw well and you are also skilled with a needle, you can easily convert your original drawings into embroidery designs. After simplifying the original drawing, transferring it to a...

Needlepoint is an enduringly popular craft. Needlepoint is not only simple enough for beginners to grasp the basics very quickly, it is also incredibly versatile. You may want to start with a...

The blanket stitch is a basic embroidery technique used to stitch two pieces of fabric together or flatter the edges of a single-layer piece to prevent fraying. People who make quilts, blankets,...

Always choose your Cross Stitch project wisely. If it is to challenging for you chances are you won't finish it. Or worse you'll stop stitching all together. Here are a few things to consider...

Crewel work is a type of embroidery that's worked on ordinary linens using a special woolen thread. Most of the stitches used for crewel work are those used for all types of embroidery, but the...

While basic embroidery was often learned by children to practice stitches and learn their alphabet, ribbon embroidery has enjoyed a revival as a decorative craft for adults. With only a few...

Early American embroidery patterns are seen in samplers and decorative pieces. Embroidery was a means of illustrating sewing skill, creating something beautiful and was also used as a teaching...

Many forms of embroidery form a smooth surface, the design formed by the threads nearly flat against the background fabric. But it does not have to be that way. You can make your embroidery stand...

Needlepoint pictures are keepsakes no family should do without. These handmade masterpieces create a feeling of sentimental value and appreciation from the recipient that ensures it will be...

Whether you have a complex embroidery machine or a regular home sewing machine, machine embroidery is a fun and creative needle art. The basic techniques can be learned and practiced with many...

Silk ribbon embroidery is quick, pretty and easy for an experienced embroiderer. Even beginners can quickly become competent at silk ribbon embroidery techniques of all sorts. It requires...

Prayer shawls are made by caring people and given to those in need. It may be a person in the hospital, just getting over surgery or someone on a long journey of fighting cancer. It could be for...

It has become quite a trend to have a combination heirloom wedding hanky/baby bonnet. I will show you how to make a baby bonnet from a handkerchief done by hand to avoid damage to the potentially...

Embroidery stitches and techniques that are usually used to decorate fabric can be applied to cards to create beautiful, crafty cards by hand or sewing machine. Generally, you should only use one...

Counted cross stitch is a basic form of embroidery done using only two main stitches, the "X" or cross stitch and the back stitch. While the pattern for a stamped cross stitch project is literally...

Designing your own embroidery patterns allows you to create meaningful, playful and personal designs. Embroider your children's artwork, a picture of your cat, or an image with sentimental value....

Even the simplest hand-embroidered guest towel or dish towel adds a romantic touch to any decor and makes a personalized holiday or hostess gift. Mary Thomas, editor of Needlewoman magazine in the...

Embroidery is an old craft, with examples having been found that date as far back as 500 B.C. In 2009, it is still a popular needlecraft, with a multitude of varieties ranging from simple...

The process of hand sewing designs on fabric is a type of embroidery called needlepoint. You can purchase needlepoint patterns and tools online or at any fabric store. Creating your own artwork to...

Design your own cross stitch patterns and create Christmas decorations, old-fashioned samplers, pillowcase shams and more. The tips below will help you with the basics of selecting and drawing...

Cross stitch involves embroidering in X-shaped stitches to form designs or pictures. Cross stitch is a very popular craft because it's easy to learn and can be taken along on trips or used to pass...

The Cabbage Patch doll first came on the scene in the early 1980s. Originally created by soft sculpture artist Xavier Roberts, these dolls became a media sensation when supplies of mass-produced...

Often new knitters shy away from knitting anything but simple scarves when choosing projects. However, just like scarves, beanies are easy to knit. All you need to know are the two basic stitches...

Also known as Dorset buttons, these combinations of thread and rings take very little time to make, can be varied and embellished to your heart's content and will ensure that you always have the...

Embroidery – also called Needlepoint – is one of the oldest forms of decorative arts. The embroidery stitches are the tools that create the artwork. Learning the basic stitches of the craft enable...

Adding detailed features to a handmade doll's face can be tricky. To create a dimensional features, try "needlesculpting" the doll's face. Below are the instructions for creating a...

It's not difficult to learn how to embroider. With just a little practice you can embroider stitches on garments, pillowcases, throw pillows. Create your own one-of-a-kind designs or find free...

Halloween decorations are fun to make with plastic canvas and bright orange and black yarn. One of the icons of this spooky holiday is the Jack-O-Lantern, or carved pumpkin. Make your own in...

The Internet is a valuable resource for simple, free cross stitch patterns, but if you're looking for challenging patterns, shop for books on counted cross stitch at crafts stores or book...

Darning is a handcraft which has passed into obscurity with the advent of inexpensive apparel available in stores. Why mend a pair of socks with holes in them if they can be easily replaced?...

Huck embroidery is a traditional Swedish style of embroidery used to decorate household items. Also known as Swedish embroidery, Swedish weaving, huck weaving and needle weaving, it creates...

Stitches in needlework can range from the very basic to quite complex. Many people today start doing with cross stitch. However, there are far more stitch options out there and these can make your...

Needlework and embroidery were a common pastime for women in Colonial America. Colonial embroideries ranged from the practical or educational to elaborate, but skill with a needle was necessary...

Let's say you have needlepoint-stitched the individual pieces of a plastic canvas project and you are are ready for assembly. It is important to have a neatly stitched together item, and you can...

You don't have to have a fancy sewing machine or any kind of sewing machine at all to make a buttonhole. You can make one by hand. It may take a bit longer, but you have complete control over the...

Once you learn the blanket stitch, you'll want to edge every blanket, scarf and jacket you have. It's simple, decorative and fun to do while you're watching TV, sitting in the stands at a...

An extra long running stitch, the back stitch is used to temporarily hold two pieces of fabric together or to gather fabric or lace. One thread is generally used when basting.

This is the foundation stitch for hand sewing. It is used to join two pieces of fabric together or for hand quilting. For seams, I would recommend doubled thread, for quilting one thread.

After you practice this a few times you will be amazed at how fast and simple knotting the end of thread can be.

It's fairly easy to get started cross stitching, and very rewarding.

Monogrammed handkerchiefs are reminiscent of long-gone days. In the past, handkerchiefs were purposeful, but they were also beautiful, with embroidery or elegant monograms. You can monogram...