Interview: Talking Needle 'N Thread with Mary Corbet | Embroiderers’ Guild of America

This month EGA was delighted to talk with Mary Corbet of the popular needlework resource, blogging website, and online shop Needle ‘n Thread. Mary is the guest speaker at our upcoming virtual lecture, A Talk with Mary Corbet on All Things Needle ‘n Thread, which will follow a different format from our previous virtual lectures. A Talk With Mary Corbet invites attendees to submit their questions for Mary when they register for her virtual lecture, opening up the floor for a roundtable-style discussion where our community helps direct the conversation. We’re so excited to welcome Mary and can’t wait to discover what our audience is most interested in learning from Mary. Keep reading to learn more about Mary and Needle ‘n Thread—we hope this insider’s perspective inspires you to join her virtual lecture and submit a question!

What were your first experiences with needlework and embroidery? Did someone teach you, or did you teach yourself?

When I was little, my mom and aunt did a lot of counted cross stitch, and I dabbled with that off and on. As far as surface embroidery, I played with it now and then (we had the old DMC Complete Guide to Needlework on the bookshelf at home—I loved browsing through that and trying stitches!) I began to seriously pursue surface embroidery when I was in college, when I got interested in ecclesiastical embroidery during a History of Art course. I’m self taught—though I attended some EGA workshops during the early years of Needle ‘n Thread, just to make sure I wasn’t leading people astray!

Do you have a favorite embroidery technique? Why is it your favorite?

It’s hard to pick a favorite. For effect, of course, goldwork and silk shading.

Mostly, I do general surface embroidery (no grid, in color, using a variety of stitches) with whatever stitches I want, using whatever threads I want, to interpret a design. I really enjoy this type of stitching, because it brings a design to life in such a satisfying way.

I love “sampling” stitches and working out composites and combinations of stitches in sampler style.

And I love doing embroidery that finishes into usable things, like pin cushions, needlebooks, household linens, and the like.

How did Needle ‘n Thread come to be?

I began blogging on Needle ‘n Thread in 2006. But in the earlier 2000s, I began teaching local classes for children (and adults), and the blog sprang from that. It was a combination of answering two needs: 1. How to give students access to embroidery tips, instruction, designs, and so forth, once classes were over; and 2. How to recover a little bit of the financial layout that each summer’s classes cost me. I was a teacher at the time, working on limited funds, and the children’s classes in the summer were free. So the financial burden was a real thing. My brother suggested I start a blog, and maybe it would help solve both problems. I didn’t know what a blog was. Video was just getting out there online – Google hadn’t bought YouTube yet (Google Video was still a thing); and how-to videos had barely started making an appearance. Needle ‘n Thread was the first blog to host a library of video tutorials for embroidery stitches. Once I started posting videos, the blog grew quickly, and now it has a large, world-wide audience that has developed into a real “community.” It’s definitely my “home” online!

What do you hope readers take from Needle ‘n Thread?

I hope they discover the beauty and pleasure of embroidery; that they learn that embroidery is accessible, even if they’ve never done it before; that they gain confidence in stitching; and that they find a supportive and helpful community.

Needle ‘n Thread is full of practical tips for embroidery, stitch tutorials, historical references, book reviews, and so much more. Where do you find inspiration for posts on Needle ‘n Thread?

Normally, when I’m developing writing ideas, I start by asking myself questions:

What do my readers want to know? What are my readers struggling with? What is new and interesting that my readers would be excited about? Those kinds of questions usually prompt my writing, so I would say that I find inspiration from my readers!

For designing projects, my inspiration usually comes from other art and architecture, especially from past favorite eras of art. Antique jewelry; ironwork; old doors; stained glass; carved wood, marble and stone; mosaics; antique needlework; calligraphy and illumination—these are the types of things that get me going, design-wise.

What is your favorite embroidery tip? By that same token, what (if any) is a tip that you wish stitchers would stop giving?

My most helpful embroidery tip for those who wish to improve their stitching is to stab, not scoop (in most—but admittedly not all—circumstances for surface work). I find that embroidery stitches always look best when they are stabbed rather than scooped, even though most instructions show them scooped. Second runner up is to always damp stretch / block completed embroidery before framing or otherwise finishing.

I dearly wish people would quit with the notion that “thread has a grain.” This simply isn’t true. Science is against it. The manufacturers are against it (yes, I’ve spoken to them). It just complicates things and makes embroidery seem inaccessible except to the Chosen Few who can discern that magical and elusive “thread grain.” Truly a pet peeve!

Your virtual lecture, A Talk With Mary Corbet on All Things Needle ‘n Thread, is one of the first open forum-style virtual lectures EGA has hosted. Anyone who registers can submit a question for you and the Virtual Lecture Team. What do you love to talk about the most when it comes to embroidery and needlework? Imagine you had to talk for 20 minutes straight on an embroidery topic: what would that topic be?

When I speak publicly about needlework, my pet topic is the importance of passing on what you know to others—handing on what you’ve received—especially teaching and spreading the interest in, and appreciation for, needlework (as both a craft and an art).

Closely connected to this is the human need for hobbies—not just needlework—and how hobbies contribute to stronger mental health, a more positive view on life, a sense of well-being, and a sense of accomplishment and self worth. (I could also talk about tools and threads until the cows come home, but I’m afraid that’s more of a disordered obsession than a reasonable topic for discourse!)

What are some of your favorite online resources for embroiderers?

I’m going to digress a bit on this one, because not every good resource is an online resource.

(First… shameless shilling? I’m somewhat keen on Needle ‘n Thread.)

There are a lot of great online resources out there for embroiderers. These days, the internet is booming with video, online classes, blogs, designer’s shops with great kits for learning—and much of it is excellent. But some of it is not so great, and some of it is downright bad—like the pure bunkum that has come about thanks to AI.

For someone looking for online instructional resources, I’d advise looking at the profile of the person creating the content. Find out if they are legit, rather than just click bait. If the whole experience is ad-populated, run! If the instructive style appeals to you, then delve into what that person has to offer.

But never underestimate the value of a good, real, tangible BOOK. Invest in good books! There are a plethora of excellent needlework books available today.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to live in an area where there is a local needlework shop, make connections with the shop owners, associates, and clientele. See if there are in-person groups, like EGA chapters or other stitching groups. Some places offer monthly stitch nights—take part! In social situations like these, I always find that the participants are very helpful and are happy to provide support, information, local resources, and so much more.