Tuesday, July 16, 2013

PUTTIN' IT TO THE TEST...




Back in February 2013 I began work on  Hand Stitching Bags and Accessories for my shop.  I fell particularly hard for this purple, orange and green combination and decided to keep it for my own!





It didn't take long to finish the Stitching Kit and I hung it on the door in my Expanded Sewing Room waiting for hand stitching inspiration to strike.  And there it hung...




Then in June 2013 an idea for a Collapsible Craft Container began to take shape in my mind.  After completing my prototype and being very happy with the result, I set about to make a Collapsible Craft Container to use as a thread catcher in my Hand Stitching Kit. 



Ah...more purple, orange and green love!




Then in July I began to "doodle" on a piece of scrap paper.  My "doodle" became a full fledged design that I scanned into my computer and printed onto a piece of light gray cotton.  Finally!  Something to hand stitch.  But, could I do it?
 
Several years ago when my Essential Tremor became worse I gave away the last of my embroidery and cross stitch supplies.  I didn't think I would EVER be able to do hand stitching again.  But, I have discovered that my ability to stitch comes in tiny "steady hands" chunks of time.  Five minutes here, 10 minutes there.  I can't do much at any one time...maybe four inches?  But I CAN still hand stitch...just differently!  
I decided to use my "doodle" design as the centerpiece of a throw pillow.  I went to the store and purchased the appropriately colored embroidery floss to match a charm pack of "Happy-go-lucky" fabric, which would make up the pieced portion of my pillow cover.  I used my Sizzix Big Shot to cut out some embroidery floss cards to hold my thread. 


 I then found a small plastic sleeve (it once held a fold up embrella) to hold the floss inside of my Stitching Kit. 


Last evening I spent a few minutes with my Stitching Kit and completed about 4 inches on my project.  I have to say, the kit worked wonderfully.  Everything I needed was right at my hand and it was easy to set up and get started and easy to put it all away when I finished.  Hopefully today I will have another chunk of time to do a bit more stitching.  



If I do, I know my Stitching Kit will be ready and waiting for me! 

Shared at:   <a href="http://www.myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.com/p/needle-and-thread-

8 comments:

  1. I love your Stitching Kit and Accessories. I very rarely do hand work but I have friends who do and this would be such a nice gift for them. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. I am glad you like it! I am sure your "stitchy" friends will be thrilled with your gift!

      Thanks for reading...

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  2. Your stitching kit is sure handy. Glad to see you are trying your hand at embroidery once again.

    God bless.

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    1. I think I was so frustrated with the tremors that I just figured I would never be able to do it again. I used to get numbness when I held a needle, I think because I was trying to hold it SO TIGHT to stop it from shaking. Now, a few years wiser and with the tremor even worse, I realized that I CAN do a bit now and then when I have "steady hand" chunks and THAT is when I should do it, not try to force my body to do something when it is obviously not cooperating! That causes WAY too much physical and emotional stress! I used to LOVE embroidery and cross stitch. Just sitting and hand stitching for five minutes relaxes me like not too many other things do. Even crochet doesn't relax me the way stitching does. So I will thoroughly enjoy the few minutes I get here and there and I will no longer cause myself stress by refusing to listen to my body. Wow, it took me 52+ years for that insight, lol. I needed to wait for Dear Hubby at the car dealership so I took my stitching kit with me. I got in about 10 minutes of "SH" (steady hand, lol) stitching and it was SO relaxing.

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  3. What a cute little hand stitching bag and accessories! You seem to have thought of everything you might need!

    Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. Thank you! I used it in the car for about 10 minutes while waiting for my husband and it worked wonderfully.

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  4. So nice to have the lovely kit to hold everything.

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    1. So far the size has proven to be just perfect. Not too big so as to make it difficult to stitch while holding it on my lap in the car, but plenty big enough to hold everything I need. I'm lovin' it!

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