Usual Stitching Supplies

Last weekend I attended a class and was embarrassed that I hadn't brought something the instructor expected one to have in their "usual stitching supplies". Here's a list of things I'll take next time. Now all I need is a steamer trunk to put them in! Let me know if I've missed something important.

Category 1 – Absolute Essentials

• Good embroidery scissors
• Tapestry Needle

Category 2 – Intermediate Needs

• #18, 20, 22, 24, 26 Tapestry Needles
• Tweezers
• Needle Threader
• Scissors for Metallics
• Laying tool/Tekobari/Trolley Needle
• Thimble
• Binding tape
• Stretcher Bars or Scroll Frame
• Tacks or Staple Gun
• Magnets
• Everyday scissors

Category 3 – Specialty Items

• Chenille needles
• Curved Needles
• Sharps
• Bouillon Needles
• Milliners Needles
• Stitch Fixer/Do It Tooly/Snag Repair Tool
• Awl
• Bunka Brush
• Boo Boo Brush
• Tape Measure
• Small Hammer
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Dental Floss
  

Category 4 – Beading Supplies

• Thread Wax/Conditioner
• Beading Needles
• Beading Needle Threader

Category 5 – Metal/Goldwork Supplies

• Mellore
• Chipping Box

Category 6 – Writing/Marking Tools

• Pen/Pencil for Note taking
• Note Paper
  
• Pigma Marker
• White Acrylic Paint and Brushes
• Ruler
• Scotch Tape
• Sticky Notes
• HB 4 Pencils
• White Pencil
• Gum Eraser
• Fabric Eraser
• Glue Stick
• Colored Pencils/Pens
• Graph Paper
• Tracing Paper

Category 7 – Just in Case

• Bottle of Water
• Energy Bar
• Mints
• Aspirin
• Eyedrops
• Hand Conditioner

Category 7 – Lighting and Magnification

• Good light
• Magnifier, if necessary

Category 8 - Nice to Have

• Telescoping wand with magnet on end
• Baby Toothbrush
• Thread drops/Floss-aways

Tapestry Needle Eye

The eye of a tapestry needle has a convex side (kind of like the inside of a funnel) and a concave side (like the outside of a glass). Threading a needle from the convex side is a little easier because the threads are "funnelled" through the eye.

Can it be????? This September, my husband and I will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary! Seems like only yesterday ....

I finished stitching the background on this while enjoying 11 hours! of music at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival last weekend at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL. What a show! Stitching while listening to amazingly talented musicians was a real treat.

The background is done in a cashmere variation in Vineyard Silk, a wonderful fiber.

Windy City Santa

What a cutie and what a great stitching project. Libby Sturdy's design is full of interesting and challenging techniques. It's well worth the time and effort. Anyone with ties to Chicago will certainly enjoy displaying this piece at Christmastime.

Hot Stuff In Cool Colors

I just finished a wonderful piece designed by Debbie Rowley for DebBee's Designs. It's called "Hot Stuff." I changed the colors to lavenders, blues and greens for a "cooler" palette. If you're looking for a new challenge, try this design!

The piece is done in Splendor, Needle Necessities overdyed floss, HiLites, cotton floss, perle cotton, Patina, and Watercolours, overdyed and regular metallics, and Neon Rays.

Needlebugs

I don't know if I like this stitch because of its name or because it works so well for so many things! It's especially good for clothing. Use floss or some other flat fiber for the white stitches then fill in the black with metallic for a snazzy coat.