Cotton Duck, Hand Dyed Wool & Cashmere

Summer's pace is starting to set in at Needle & Hand.  The sewing machine has been humming, the needles clicking away and always an audible book in the background. I love this kind of multitasking.
A couple projects jumped to the front of the line this week. I finally decided it was time to make some simple cotton duck curtains for our guest bedrooms. It was a simple project and I'm quite pleased with the end result.

 The next project of the week that found its' way to the front of the line was a pair of socks made from hand dyed wool. I've had this skein in my studio for several years just waiting for the right time to make something with it. It caught my eye the other day and before I knew it I had it on the yarn winder-as of today I'm almost to the heel of the first sock.

 I was feeling very contented with my projects for the week when what should appear in our PO Box but my June shipment from my yarn club I joined ( gift to myself!). A small package that held a beautiful skein of cashmere wool. So of course I had to cast on immediately.

My audible book that has been with me during these projects is "No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Elinor Roosevelt-The Home Front in World War II" by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Hope you are feeding your creative soul as we move into the summer months.

Today's Tool Shed

 After many years of stashing away my sewing supplies and tools, I decided it was time for a visit to the sewing tool shed.  My approach was one of simplicity. Let's not go over board and buy every sewing tool there is on the market, instead I went for the tools I would really have use for.  This morning I decided it was time to  get moving and lay out the tools and start a project. My goal in all of this is to perfect my sewing skills.

I learned to sew on my Mom's old Singer sewing machine. I was in fourth grade when I did my first major sewing project. My Mom was our 4H leader and we made a green skirt. I can still remember trying so hard to keep the stitches going in a straight line. Over the years, I moved on to more complicated items. I still have the apron I made in Home Economics class in 8th grade.

I made my own wedding dress and two of my bridesmaids' dresses. When our children came along I was constantly sewing for them. I even made a tie for my husband. And then life got busy. It seems I would find it easier to go purchase an article of clothing instead of making it. But lately I've had this feeling that I wanted to get back to "making" good quality items. So I refreshed my supply of sewing tools.

The tools are ready, I'm ready, time to get sewing!

Bottom shelf & Top shelf-both winners

We all know the phrase "top shelf" and have come to associate it with finer things. Here at Needle & Hand I've had the experience of working with both "top shelf" materials & "bottom shelf" materials and have to say I'm please with both projects.
The "top shelf " project is a pair of handknit socks for yours truly. My daughter gifted this fabulous yarn to me for my birthday.This is Periwinkle Sheep 100% superwash merino wool that has been hand dyed in small batches.Every once in awhile I decide to replenish my own sock supply and I think this pair will be a winner.

The wooden platter that the sock is on was handmade by my son in law.

A week ago I happen to be in one of those "Big Lot" stores. As soon as I enter one of them I can't wait to get out. I was on the lookout for some inexpensive outdoor chairs-no luck. However I did find myself in an aisle that had chair seat covers. I was looking at them & noticed they were all $1.00 each. I need to add here that these were on the "bottom shelf". I then quickly noticed that the material was not up to par and the workmanship was shoddy-seriously, what did I expect for $1.00?? I then noticed four denim blue covers that were actually pretty nice-their price was $2.99 each. I pondered for a moment and then decided I really didn't need these covers and started to return them to the "bottom shelf" when my hand rubbed up against a piece of fabric that felt wonderful. I pulled out the small piece of fabric and realized that it was not a seat cover but a pillow cover made out of 100% Indian cotton. I knelt down and checked to see if there was a second cover of the same fabric but to my surprise I found another pillow cover made of linen. They were the only two of quality on the entire shelf and I decided they needed a new home.
Once home I replaced two old pillow covers I had with my new finds-just a few seams of handstiching and they were done.
I love the result. Oh, and the cost of the "bottom shelf" covers was $1.00 each. So we here at Needle & Hand are feeling pretty good about our new pillows and think they deserve "top shelf" treatment.