Nuts about Needlepoint » stitcher’s accessories

Roses Are Red Scissors Case

Janet Perry — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:23:01 +0000

Originally posted 2006-10-14 06:02:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Here’s the most recent of the Whimsy & grace stitcher’s accessories, Roses Are Red Scissors case.

Don’t you just love it!There are lots of fun stitches here, so not only is the case delightful in itself, you’ll get lots of ideas about new stitches to use on other canvases. In fact, two of them, the small balloon and the offset tied scotch (the brightest red patches on either piece), I like so much I’m using them in other canvases I’m stitching. Another, Diagonal Willow (violet patch without initial) is one of the most flexible stitches I know. Made up of short and long diagonal stitches, the rows interlock in a way which creates oblique lines. This makes it a fantstic accent or background stitch, especially when you want something which isn’t strongly diagonal. It also makes a fantastic wide border. I’m using it for the border on the Sunday Stitching Quilt pillow (which I’ll update Monday).

Now today onto the next Scissors Case & new Bargello model!

Old Glory Scissors Case

Janet Perry — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:36:52 +0000

Originally posted 2006-11-14 17:33:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

This has been sich a fun project. One big reason is that there are so many unusual (and easy) techniques packed into this tiny space.

It’s one of a series from Whimsy & grace (http://www.whimsyandgrace.com/scissorcases.htm). I have stitch guides available for many of the scissors cases and the matching needlecases.

The guide for this one is out and available now, I’m working on the model. I just love the classic red-white, and blue color scheme.

This guide is fun because it uses lots of cool techniques you can apply to other canvases. The background of the patch with the wavy lines is just one color of Watercolours, stitched in vertical lines. You get this great hand-dyed fabric effect, with no work.

The wavy lines are stitched in Whipped Backstitch, making a absolutely solid, curved line.

The little stars are stitched with Eyelet Stars over the basketweave. This stitch makes a little five-pointed star.

This was so much fun to stitch I raced through it.

Needlecases

Janet Perry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:20:25 +0000

Originally posted 2006-06-19 22:35:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

I wanted to tell you about my most recent stitch guide, a charming needlecase from Whimsy & grace. I’m partway through stitching it and I’m having so much fun.

Whimsy & grace has a whole series of stitcher’s accessories – scissors cases and needlecases. Many of the scissors cases also come in 13 mesh. The accessories are characterized by lots of different patches and each stitch guide has lots of different effects, stitches and threads, so not only are they fun to stitch, they have ideas you can use on other canvases.

I’m so excited about the line, I worked on this yesterday instead of my usual Sunday stitching.

The whole line of scissors cases is on the Whimsy & grace site, http://www.whimsyandgrace.com. The needlecases are similar but rectangular.

Now excuse me, I’m going back to stitching!

Needle Holders

Janet Perry — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:12:39 +0000

cat tin from tinytins on etsy

When it comes to needles I have a dilemma. I have lots of them and like to carry them with my projects. But I don’t like round needlecases. For me they either have tops that fall off or are too small. Over the years I have tried many different things to hold my needles, but have mostly been dissatisfied.

One, a recycled mint tin, had a hole in an odd place, so you couldn’t get the needles out. Another, a pill case, is too short for the 22 needles I like. The one I’m using now has top and bottom joined, but not completely, so the needles get stuck in it.

As a result, I’m on the lookout for a new needlecase. So I was delighted when I found these delightful metal tins from tinytins on etsy. Right now there are about 100 tins in the shop. I am in love with this little piece of art for my stitching.

The tins come in several shapes and sizes, suitable for holding lots of things. The one I bought, pictured above, is about the size of a tiny Altoids tin. They also come with a wide variety of designs, including needles, buttons, braces monsters (for rubberbands), guitar picks, and lots more.

The designs are done in vinyl, not inkjet labels, and are on metal tins.

A small, adorable and individual enhancement to your stitching accessories.

Raining Violets

Janet Perry — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:48:11 +0000

Originally posted 2006-07-08 08:49:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The violets scissors case from Whimsey & grace (http://www.whimsyandgrace.com/scissorcases.htm) is almost finished, only three patches left to go. I’m hoping to finish today sometime, if my cold doesn’t keep me from working.

I really like the combination of threads and stitches, there is lots of texture but none of the stitches are too hard. The two different sizes of gingham (on the right) are really fun. The smaller one just uses Tent Stitches in three colors (white, lavender and violet). The larger one uses Scotch Stitches in the same colors.

The fun thing about gingham is that the fabric comes in different sizes, so any stitch which is a box could be used to make gingham. I would call these tiny and medium. And remember that if you have three values of a color, or two plus white, you can make a gingham. It also can make a great, unusual background.

Clever Stitching Gadgets

Janet Perry — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:12:26 +0000

I got a small Nordic Needle catalog recently and instead of drooling over all the wonderful charted needlepoint (which I usually do), I was struck by a bunch of clever tools and gadgets to make your stitching life easier. I haven’t tried any of them yet, but they look great to me. The links will take you to the product page at Nordic.

Thread Minder is a clever heavyduty zip-top tote with three little holes along the bottom. If you use spools of thread, you can use a hole for each and keep those threads from tangling and there’s space leftover for your other threads.

They carry three types of stretchy fabric covers to protect the edges of your needlework from grime. Grime Gards are for Q Snaps or Scroll Bars and Cozy Covers are for scroll bars. They come in different sizes.

The Precision Cutter takes a cue from the newest kind of kitchen knives by using a ceramic blade. These blades never dull and the cutter comes with an easy-grip handle and blade guard.

There is a news type of thimble out there, made from soft plastic, called “Soft Thimble.” I always feel so awkward using a thimble, I’m thinking about trying them.

Clover is now making small, rubber point protectors for scissors. They are 1/2 inch long and come in two sizes. They are sold in sets of six.

There is also a cool rosewood laying tool. I love carved wood for laying tools and this one is charming and has it’s cap attached to it by a cord, so you won’t lose it.

Now I just have to figure out which ones I can’t live without.

A Cooperative Needlepoint Project?

Janet Perry — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:18:51 +0000

Something I read recently got me thinking. The idea was that the best way to learn a craft was to teach the basics and then immediately give folks a chance to try it out.

In other words, have them put some stitches into a cooperative project.

It needs to be something large and divided into smaller sections as well so that many people working on small areas won’t matter as much.

A piece which has a focal point and a background divided into squares or a large patchwork design is perfect.

In my case, I want people to try out Bargello, so I’m designing a Bargello patchwork tote. It’s going to fit into this Stirling tote and each patch will be a different Bargello pattern.

I’m planning on stitching either the outline or the first line of each patch.

Then each person can take a few stitches to work on a patch.

There are other ways to use this idea.

Do you own a shop? Use a complex piece like this and ask your customers to buy a square and stitch it for charity. The money you raise from buying squares becomes a donation and the finished piece can go into the charity’s auction. You can even display information about the charity next to the piece. Have a sheet where the names of all stitchers are listed and include that with the finished piece.

This could also work for a guild chapter’s community outreach project.

Are you demonstrating needlepoint for kids at a school or club? Get them all into the act by asking them to add some stitches to a simple project on large mesh canvas.

Anywhere where there is a group of people learning needlepoint, you can do this.

Large Finger-hole Scissors – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts

Janet Perry — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:23:19 +0000

Good scissors are such a joy to use. You might find your scissors more a pain than a pleasure. I did. And then I found large finger-hole scissors.

They made my life so much easier.

The only difference between regular scissors, pictured below, and large finger-hole scissors, pictured at the top of the article, is the size of the holes.

But what a difference that makes. Instead of scissors which pinch as you manipulate them, these scissors fit on your fingers and are comfortable. If you’re doing lots of cutting, this means a smaller chance of blisters or bruising. And no annoying deep grooves in your fingers.

Besides all of that if your fingers are stiff, these work better as well. With the large holes, they are easier to grasp. I have a few pairs like this, ranging from fine embroidery scissors to a more serviceable everyday pair with plastic covered holes.

Great idea for a stocking stuffer!

Wooden Laying Tools – 12 Days of Needlepoint Gifts

Janet Perry — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:47:37 +0000

I just love my small, wooden laying tool from Woods by C. I bought it from her eBay shop.

Mine, as you can see from the picture, is pretty restrained, but she also makes them in a wide variety of striped woods.

They also have many thoughtful features, which make them a joy to use and a wonderful gift for other stitchers. First off they are short, less than 5″ long, so you can get right into your stitching. Second, they have a great knob on the top which makes it easy to hold and easy to find in your stitching bag.

Just under the knob there is an indentation, which is a perfect place to grip the tool and hold it in the proper position. Finally the point is not too sharp, so you don’t need to worry about poking your eye out. But it is sharp enough to go under stitches, even already made ones.

“C” is Cynthia, a wood worker in Sonoma County, CA. She makes a variety of items besides laying tools, including needle cases and thimbles. Most of her items are available as “Buy it now,” so you can get it right away. She also can include gift boxes.

I’m happier with this than with any laying tool I’ve had before.

Hearts of Gold Needle Case

Janet Perry — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:47:52 +0000

Isn’t this just lovely?

This needlecase is a tour de force of silk and metallic threads, with three silvers, five golds, and two coppers. Plus three kinds of silk — Silk Serica, Silk Mori, and Vineyard Silk.

You are not only going to love trying the different threads, but you’ll adore the subtle textures and color changes of the different threads. You’ll also find so many good ideas of stitches to use for small spaces. There are not only some great textured stitches, but there are many variations of Basketweave to spark up your stitching.

It goes with the Hearts of Gold Scissorcase, which can be seenhere.