On-the-Go Stitching Portfolio

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my June project created for Therm O Web with you! I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you on the Therm O Web Blog. Each month, I share a new project and you give you my tips and tricks for using their adhesives and interfacings. For the month of June, the blog is focused on projects for travel, camping, summer appliqué, and scrappy solutions. I created a brand new project that was posted yesterday - it is a complete project tutorial for my "On-the-Go Stitching Portfolio." My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos (and you can find a short video on my YouTube channel and Instagram page. This is a fun, summertime project...and works great for organizing and traveling with a handwork project. I chose some cheerful colored fabrics from the Waved collection by Erin Borja for PBS Fabrics. I hope you will stop by the Therm O Web Blog and check out my project and tutorial...

This is an afternoon project that can definitely be a scrap buster! You can use your favorite fabrics and/or fabric scraps to create your own portfolio. This stitching case will easily fit in a project bag or tote or purse and can even hold a half-sheet (5.5" x 8.5") pattern. For this post, I used HeatnBond products (Fusible Fleece, Medium Weight Interfacing, E-Z Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets, and Lite Iron-On Adhesive Tape)...plus, I give you some pro-tips in my post. I also used gingham ribbon and wool blend felt. Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

To find the ribbon and wool blend felt, along with other supplies/tools listed, visit my On-the-Go Stitching Portfolio Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!)

Are you familiar with HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets? I use these for almost every project I create with appliqué. HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets are paper backed, iron-on, sewable, double-sided adhesive for bonding fabric without extra weight or stiffness - and the best part?? - they measure 8.5" x 11" to fit in a standard inkjet printer - NO TRACING INVOLVED! The templates I provide for each of my projects are printed on 8.5" x 11" paper, so you can print the templates directly on the HeatnBond Lite Adhesive sheets and skip the tracing step. I always have these stocked in my sewing studio!!

If you have questions on any of the Therm O Web or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:

https://blog.thermoweb.com/on-the-go-stitching-portfolio-featuring-heatnbond

I hope this project gets you excited to create something special and unique...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project will be available in July (I don't have the date yet)...and I am working on another fun project for summer...

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

"Harvest Huswif"

I am so excited to share a new release with you today...there are two (yep, I said TWO!) new Blue Ribbon Designs shipping to auto shops at the end of the week and to distributors next week. Today, I am telling you all about "Harvest Huswif" (BRD-114).

This special stitching case features fun-shaped wool pockets inside and a matching scissor fob...and of course, this sampler style project is also suitable for framing, should you not want to make it into a huswif. Here are some of the supply details: this autumn project is stitched on Weeks Dye Works linen (35-count Angel Hair) with Gloriana Silk Threads (Weeks Dye Works cotton threads and DMC embroidery floss conversions provided)...the wool fabric is from Moda and WDW...and the gorgeous hand-dyed ribbons are also from Gloriana. Inside: the wool pumpkin is for needles and pins, the upper acorn will hold a thimble or needle threader, the left leaf holds scissors, and the right leaf holds a 3" ruler...plus you have the large stitched pocket across the bottom.

Huswif Closed - Front

Huswif Closed - Back

Huswif Open - Outside

Huswif Open - Inside

You can find a complete supply list here:
blueribbondesigns.com/BRD114%20Specifics.html
...along with additional photos and details here:
blueribbondesigns.com/Harvest%20Huswif.html

The package contains charting for the huswif (stitching pocket) and scissor fob, stitch diagrams (there are some specialty stitches), stitching instructions, complete finishing instructions, wool fabric/felt templates, and an alphabet/numbers for personalization. If you shy away from Cross Stitch over-one, an alternative verse to work in Back Stitch is provided.

I have had quite a few people ask me about the term "huswif", so here is a little "bonus" information for you...

Etymology: From hus (“house”) + wif (“woman, wife”).
Definition: house·wife ˈhaʊsˌwaɪf or, usually, ˈhʌzɪf for 2 [hous-wahyf or, usually, huhz-if for 2]
noun:
1. a married woman who manages her own household, esp. as her principal occupation.
2. British. a sewing box; a small case or box for needles, thread, etc.
verb:
1. Archaic. to manage with efficiency and economy, as a household.

A "huswif" or "hussif" is the name for a case which stores needlework supplies. Before the days of pockets on clothing, women often carried a huswif in one of the large tie-on pockets worn under their skirts. The use of a huswif was certainly not exclusive to women - sailors, soldiers, and other men who needed sewing items carried huswifs.

Expect this new autumn design to start arriving in needlework shops the first week of October!

Tomorrow, I will return to tell you all about "Shaker Valley Harvest" - another unique BRD fall design with needlework smalls...

Stitching & Sewing

I have been on a very creative path since my last post. As far as cross stitch, I have been working on needlework smalls and a tutorial for a class coming up later this year, I have been preparing five new Blue Ribbon Designs for printing...and I finished charting and started model stitching magazine pieces for both The World of Cross Stitching Magazine and Cross-Stitch & Needlework Magazine. There will be more details on each of these designs coming in the future....

I have also been keeping busy with sewing and quilting. I finished a birthday gift for my dear friend Lorrie - a knitting needle case using the Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric line by Blackbird Designs for Moda....I had been wanting to make Lorrie one of these cases since she admired one I made for my friend Merry last Christmas. This tri-fold case has plenty of pockets for knitting needles (with a fabric flap pocket cover) and a zippered pouch built in...plus it folds up and ties closed to make it perfect for travel.

My Etsy shop also has new pincushions for sale. I have had several requests for more Blueberry Crumb Cake and Beach House tuffets (to match my stitch starter ruler pockets and stitching pouches), so the ones pictured below have been listed....

I also completed this custom purple set for one of my Etsy Shop frequent buyers - I had fun working on this special project...

I have ten of my new project bags cut and ready to be pieced this week...I just need a few more hours in each day (don't we all?). I also have a pile of needlebooks ready for assembly (which I know several of you are anxiously awaiting)...I am hoping to get to those soon, as well. With massive model stitching on my plate and my husband being home on vacation this week, my time is a little limited...but I will do my best to get these new items completed/listed soon....

A Plethora of Pouches

I hope this post finds you enjoying what is left of your weekend....

I have found myself model stitching up a storm over the last week...but I did manage to get in a tiny bit of sewing. I finished up eighteen more sewing cases/needlework pouches in a variety of fun fabrics...measuring 4" W x 5.5" H, one is the perfect size for carrying your needlework tools in your project bag...or to hold a small sewing kit...or to easily hold a smart phone and your cash/credit cards...even a passport or iPod fits easily inside. This time I embellished a pile with wool hearts and a pile with wool flowers. I have listed these in my Etsy shop...and more needlebook/scissor cases are next on my list - I have a pile cut and ready to assemble later this week.

Tonight I am back in my stitching nest working on the class project for the Salty Yarns event in October - I have been making good progress and can't wait to share it with you!

Springtime Stitching Case

I can't tell you the last time I worked on a cross stitch design that was not my own - it seems like it has been years. Since the last several days have been a bit of a struggle for me...and I am still (yes, still) waiting on my linen order for the three designs on my current to-do list (it WILL be here Monday - I even have tracking information), I decided it was in my best interest to work on a project that has nothing to do with Blue Ribbon Designs - something quick and springy and stress-free. My choice was the new Lizzie Kate Limited Edition Stitch Kit "Birdz & Bugz"....I saw this at market and loved how cheerful it was...it just makes me happy...I even have yardage of the fabric collection used for the fold-up stitching case in my stash. The kit included the pre-made stitching case (you stitch the design on the attached banding), the chart, and the beads. I had all the required threads in my stash, so that was easy. I did the majority of the stitching last night in one (yes, one) sitting...put in the last few stitches this morning and added the beads. I will mention, since some of you may have this kit in your stash - the center arrows on the chart for the outside band (the one with the large flowers and snail) are not correct - they are not centered - they are several stitches off, so be aware if you are super picky! - I didn't realize this until I had quite a bit stitched, therefore, mine is off-center...gives it character, don't you think?? I am super happy to have this fun little stitching case complete and it was wonderful to take my mind off of work for several hours this weekend. Now it is back to the tasks at hand - I am super anxious to have some of the fabrics for my upcoming class pieces in my hands tomorrow...this week will be dedicated to the New England Stitcher's Retreat Halloween design...hopefully the rest of the project will go smoothly....