Pins and Needles

I have a confession to make: I didn't own a pin cushion. I have wanted one, but I just never got around to making one. For the past three years. I know, it's rather sad when you think about it. A sewist who can't sew a pin cushion.

 

It wasn't because I had no idea how to make one, it was because I had no idea what to make. I have been looking at pictures of them online for simply ages- creative, crazy, classic. So many styles to choose from. I simply couldn't decide which was right for me. Do I go for witty and create a potted cactus, a voodoo doll, or hedgehog? Do I go for artistic and create an embroidered masterpiece? Do I go for quick and easy and slap something together with hot glue and a tuna can? Decisions, decisions.

Today I came to the conclusion it was insane to spend three solid years looking for pin cushion inspiration. Really, really insane. So, the classic, traditional, every-one's-grandma-owns-one, squishy-poofy flower design it would be. I guess it is also called "the tomato," but mine looks decidedly more bloated buttercup and less heirloom tomato. And since I was in the pin cushion frame of mind, I sat down and made one.

Oh heck, who I am kidding? I made four.

Now to decide on the style of the emery cushion. I figure I will give it two years of seeking inspiration before I decide to go with the classic, traditional, every-one's-grandma-owns-one strawberry.

So Easy

I write my patterns for a beginner. At least, I think I do. I try my best to photograph every step of the way and write clear instructions. But still, those little self-doubts start to creep into my head- "Where you clear enough?" "Does it really make sense?" "Are you sure a beginner can do this?"

I was expressing my self-doubt to the Husband when he said, "So what you are saying is, anyone, anyone at all, who can do that one kind of stitch can make these? Even a never-sewn-before sewer?" Of course, that is the theory and I told him as much. And he, a bit sarcastically, said he would be happy to test that theory. And I, not so sarcastically, took him up on that offer. And he, not at all sarcastically, went ahead with it.

I printed out the pdf pattern and pointed out where I kept my felt. I warned him if he touched my special cutting scissors I would kill him with those very same scissors, so if he valued his life he needed to use any one of the other pairs floating around. Only. I gave him a 5-minute crash course on how to do a blanket stitch. I walked away. He was on his own.

I checked in on his progress and he seemed to be managing just fine totally on his own. So far, so good. Heck, even his stitches were good. I mean- can you believe this is an only-been-sewing-less-than-an-hour job? He credited my 5-minute crash course. I credited his OCD perfectionist tendencies.

I kept checking on his progress. And by "checking" I mean "peeking into the craft room in morbid curiosity." He was still doing just fine without me. I think all those hours of gaming gave him some seriously nimble fingers. Of course, now that I admit that, I have to stop complaining about all those hours of gaming since now they can be considered "skill building" sessions.

And, after a smidgen over 4 hours, he was done. All my self-doubts quietly packed their bags and left in shame out the back door. My pattern is suitable for a beginner. Even a "never sewed before in my life" beginner.

By the way, he will be gifting these to a colleague who is expecting. He figured using blue and pink means it can be "team anything" so he is covered. And he decided to put his own, personal stamp on it by using a pac-man motif. How fun is that?

Rootie Tootie Bootie

I just finished taking the pictorial walk-through shots for the Newborn Cosy-toes Booties. Here's a sneak peek at one of the final shots.

Assuming we are officially done with colds, flu's, tummy aches, headaches, and there are no Little House on the Prairie marathons running this weekend, I think I can safely say the pattern will be finished and in the shop ready for sale next week.

Delft Tile Mini-Bunting

I have started to really embrace my new culture. You could go so far as to say I have a new-found love of all things Dutch. It has certainly been the main inspiration for the new line of home-confetti currently in production. One new item to make its debut in the shop is mini-bunting. Small enough to grace cubicles, shelves, or mirrors- just a touch of whimsy.

As we speak, I have a zillion little flags of different varieties strewn about my crafting table, all patiently waiting to be sewn into mini-bunting. The first theme to be stitched was the delft-tile mini-bunting. Bonus- I finally got to incorporate that cranberry floral print fabric I have been just dying to use! The bunting needed its red to make in officially Dutch, and what better way for it to be included than in the hand-made bias tape used to hang it?

The mini-bunting won't be appearing in the shop for a few more weeks. Be sure to follow me on twitter to find out its exact release date.