When I first started off on my Shape Shifter adventure, I decided that my fabric needed stitching to enhance the painted motifs. I have to say that hand stitching is a HUGE departure from the way I normally work. I’ve always been a “put it on the machine and git ‘er done” kind of girl. I always thought “who in the world has TIME to sit around stitching things by hand?”
In all fairness, my first real attempt at hand quilting and hand stitching came when I was dying fabric. I was already putting my hands through the wringer every day and they were usually tired and sore. So more handwork was not a welcome addition to my life.
Now I find it wonderfully relaxing. I find myself stitching with my first cup of tea in the morning or after dinner when I want to wind down. It’s almost like a meditation. It takes enough attention to make all the other thoughts drift away, but not so much that I feel stressed.
I have almost zero experience with embroidery, save a few tea towels when I was a kid. So this is a new adventure for me. Fortunately, my friend Jean has started a Modern Stitching monthly class at the local Quilt Shop, and I’ve been able to find a couple of good books.
The first book I acquired is by Judith Baker Montano. It has instructions for a boatload of stitches and, better yet, has stitch diagrams for both left and right handed folks. I’m not a lefty, but a number of my friends are and they love the opportunity to see things from their point of view.
It took me a while to find my way around this little book. All the stitches are listed alphabetically rather than by stitch family or purpose. But it’s a great little guide, especially for us beginners.
The second book that I purchased is one that was first published back in 1934. What I like about this book is that it is organized by stitch type. For example, all of the Outline Stitches are grouped together in one chapter. Because I’m dividing up all the sections on my painted collage, I can find a bunch of different outline stitches really fast.
Two Books Are Better Thank One
Why have more than one book? Other than the fact that I’m a certified book lover, I’ve already found value in having 2 stitch “dictionaries.” I was following the instructions for a stitch in one book, but my stitches weren’t looking like the illustration. Finally, I had a brain wave and looked up the stitch in the Mary Thomas book. Sure enough, that set of instructions included a tidbit of information that I didn’t get the first time around.
I’m enjoying “slowing down to the speed of hand-stitching.” And, not surprising, I’ve started collecting more beautiful threads. But that’s a story for another day.
Slow stitching has gotten me through some rough times and then you have something to show for it.
How true! I guess if we are going to sit down to ponder the problems of the universe (or something a little more personal), we may as well have something to show for our time. 🙂
I love that slow stitching takes me out of my sewing room and into the family room. I can share time with the family while stitching. The other thing is that it is usually portable enough to take anywhere. I take hand projects with me camping or any “waiting” time meetings….
I love it!
Amen, Kim. It’s nice to sit with my sweetheart in the evening and stitch. I generally ingnore whatever is on the TV, but it’s nice to be in the same room with him after being in the office most of the day.
Yes, to hand embroidery! It is so relaxing and a creative form. When my late husband was very ill,I would prop up on the bed next to him and embroider. He would be much more settled with me there. I have even had my tiny scissors in my embroidery materials while flying. I was never called on it. My next project, or one of them, is to try the stitching on shape shifters. Thanks.