Bear Sewing Tools

I've just finished making the sewing tools to match my new Bear Sewing Set and I am keen to share them with you! 

I've made two stitch markers with semi-precious gem beads that pick up the colours in my sewing plus a bear charm which I've painted brown with enamel paint. 

I've also made a matching laying tool and hook tool. The tools are conveniently joined by a chain. The laying tool helps to ensure that the top stitch in each cross lies flat. The hook is something that I use for all sorts of things - catching loose threads, tightening threads, pushing stuffing into awkward shapes and corners etc. 

I've added a long chain, bear charm and a tiny heart clasp to the smallest magnetic needle rest so that it can be attached to my sewing bag or magnetic pattern board. 

I've also added a shorter chain, beads and bear charm to the bigger magnetic needle rest. 

Lastly, I came across this gorgeous carved bear in agate on Ebay and I just had to have him. I've been waiting for him to arrive for a month! I've simply added some semi-precious agate beads and a lobster clasp so this fellow can act as a scissor fob, bag charm or weight for splitting threads or twisting cords! 

Bear Finishes

This is a picture of the full bear set - Sewing Bag, Thimble Purse, Pin Cushion, Case for Sewing Tools (I'll be making these next) and two Magnetic Needle Rests. This is the first time that I've finished each piece as I go instead of leaving all of the finishing to the end. It didn't stop me hating the chore but at least it broke up the chore!

Trees and Cardinals

Before starting to stitch 'Bear Tree Forest' I decided to make two small accessories, just to see how the snow looked on the newly dyed linen. I think the dye job was successful as the snow is clearly visible.

The sweet little Cardinals and Tree are taken from a Christmas ornament called 'Christmas Cottage' designed by Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs.  

Both items are stitched in DMC threads on 30 count linen. The lining is sage green linen. The tassel and the cord is handmade.

The bigger piece is a Needle Case and the smaller piece is a handmade Needle Threader. I chose Cardinals and Trees as they fit well with 'Bear Tree Forest.'

This is a first for me -  A Handmade Needle Threader.

Needle Case - Front

Needle Case Inside 

I used thin padding so that the case has a nice feel but is not too bulky to close. It also means the needles can be inserted into the case directly.

Needle Case - Back

Berry Needle Organiser

I wanted something large enough to hold a set of gold needles in different sizes and other useful items such as safety pins and large eye needles out of sight.

I started with a large rectangle and folded it into quarters, lengthwise.   

In the first quarter I stitched the same berry sprigs facing each other to form the front and the back of the case. For the fold line I used the same four stitch finishing technique that I used on the purse and added another handmade fastener with a pearl and a handmade loop. 

For the inside I stitched a rectangle, a square and then another rectangle in rows of three.  On the fold line between the lines of squares I used the same four stitch. 

I decorated the first three squares with excerpts from the pattern. These are visible as soon as the needle organiser is opened. I stitched them for my precious gold needles. 

I left the remaining squares plain for my larger ordinary needles and safety pins. 

Poppy Needle Holder

A large Needle holder made to match my Poppy stitching accessories.

This time I left the inside and the back plain black felt. The only thing I added was a swarovski crystal bead and a loop to close.

Inside my stitching project folder

This time I've left the lining plain. When the folder is open it acts as a thread catcher and most threads show up clearly on the brown. 

I've added two little accessories. 

The first is a small needle case. It clips to the folder with a silver plated lobster clasp and it is solely intended to store my needle and a spare. 

I'll show you the other one tomorrow.

Inside My New Needlebook Continued

Middle pages

Last page

Inside My New Needlebook

I hate sewing the same thing repeatedly - too boring - but I wanted the pages to be embroidered. I also wanted the same 'look' as the cover with the same 'Tree of Life' theme.

I included a little felt pocket on the inside cover for a favourite needle threader/cutter tool. 

Each page shows part of the tree, leaves and birds taken from the cover. I've used the same simple font to insert needle size and recommended fabric count. 

I put thin padding between the pages because I wanted the feel of padded pages but I didn't want to make the Needlebook too bulky to close easily. 

I'll show you more tomorrow!

New Needlebook

I've needed somewhere to store my collection of gold needles for quite for a while so I decided to design something. 

I wanted something that is pretty. 

I wanted something big enough to store my whole collection of gold needles. 

I wanted something that specified the size of each needle.

I wanted something that would remind me of the recommended fabric count for each size of needle because I can never remember!  

I decided on a 'Tree of Life' theme.

This is what I made. 

The cover features a Joan Elliott pattern stitched in DMC threads on 18ct cream aida. I added the additional text in a very simple font using the same red as the designer recommended for the apples. I chose brown felt for the back and a pretty glass bead and leather loop for the catch. 

I'll show you the inside of the Needlebook tomorrow.

Difficult Decisions

The downside of sorting out my craft corner is that some things just have to go. 

Now I've never been able to find the sewing accessories that I want and so I've been designing my own for years. I now have more pincushions, needlecases, needlerests, hussifs, project bags etc. than I know what to do with. 

For me, the pleasure is in the design phase and the embroidery. Dare I say it, the making up is more of a chore. 

More often than not, by the time that I've completed something, I've had another design idea and so I just stash the item in the cupboard and move onto the next one. Consequently, I have a cupboard full of my creations. 

Actually, I get around to using very few of them. Sometimes I'll try out a new design alongside my favourites. So, what to do with the excess?

Motivated by the comments of friends and colleagues I decided to auction some items on a well known auction site. I had two objectives, clear some space and perhaps make some money to cover some of the cost of the raw materials and to give to my favourite charities.

I really wasn't sure what response I would get, if any.

My First Sale

Yesterday, I completed my first sale....

This is what I sold.

It is a needlecase embroidered with birds and a little magnetic needle rest with a similar theme. 

I am so excited! I've just finished wrapping it. My next stop is the post office. 

I had no idea how nervous I'd be. I do hope that the buyer is not disappointed with their purchase! 

Pincushion and Needlecase Sets for 2014

This is the second set that I have chosen for my sewing box.

New Zealand is one of my favourite places. It is absolutely gorgeous. After my last trip, I finished this little Kiwi Bird in cross stitch. I wanted to make it into something that I would use and continue to enjoy. I decided to make it into a pincushion.

Then, me being me, I decided that I couldn't just have an odd pincushion. I needed a matching needlecase. For this, I chose the mischievous Kea bird.

This little set always brings a smile to my face!

I can't wait to go back to New Zealand!

Pincushion and Needlecase Sets for 2014

I am continuing to organise my hobby corner. Having chosen to store my threads in wooden boxes, I've now decided to continue the wooden storage theme. I've just finished sorting and storing my general sewing cottons, scissors, pins etc. into an old wooden concertina sewing box. 

I am always designing and making sewing accessories. I like to try out different styles because I've never found exactly what I want in the shops. 

I've chosen two Needlecase and Pincushion sets for my sewing box.

This is the set that I grab when I am replacing a lost button or repairing a hem.

I made this little set about three years ago when I was experimenting with some different stitches. Each item is made out of orange felt with a simple design of grass and a sheep or two! It is quick and easy to make using an offcut of felt, straight stitches, french knots and blanket stitch. I made it one Saturday afternoon.

The Needlecase opens up with a little pocket for a needle threader and a space for storing needles.

I'll show you the other set tomorrow.