I have two projects on the go currently, one that I'm loving and one that I'm not, and I feel like I need to shake it all up a bit. It's getting boring.
I am loving every stitch I sew on my sampler, to the point where I need to slow it down so it's not over too quickly. I was supposed to be saving this project for our summer holiday in August, but I already I've completed the N, O, S, T and X motifs. I love making samplers so much - just the right amount of stitching, each section so pleasingly achievable - but I feel like this will probably be the last one I make for some time. Completed, I like to frame them and then, once framed (which ain't cheap), they need to hang somewhere. And I wonder how many more framed cross stitch samplers I want in our house. So I am conflicted about my love of cross stitch; I want to stitch and stitch, but I don't want my house full of cross stitch, if that makes sense. Yes, I can make gifts, but sometimes you just want to make something for yourself, don't you? I know you fellow crafters understand. John says: if it makes you happy then sew all the samplers you want, and just have them out on rotation, you don't need to see all the stuff all of the time. Sensible man. But you can see why I don't want this lovely project to end.
My other project is the granny stripe blanket I am working on for Angus. I love the colours but I do not love the pattern at the moment. It's really boring. I know that once it stops looking like a scarf and starts looking like a blanket - which will hopefully coincide with the onset of autumn - I'll be full of love for it, but right now it's a duty WIP.
I love to sew and crochet so much but i'm really wondering what to make at the moment. I want projects that inspire me, that make me think "I want to make that!" and get all excited about ordering yarn. But I don't want to crochet any more cushions or blankets or scarves. What can I crochet? I'm thinking perhaps a lightweight cotton sweater, or a bag. A bag for my yoga mat perhaps? But it's got to be the right kind of pattern. (No flowers.) And sewing - what can I sew? I could dust off my neglected sewing machine and take a deep breath and try to make some clothes... But it's hand stitching I really love to do, whether it's embroidery or cross stitch. I might do something with my huge stash of fabric and make some hexies. I recently came across this blog and this quilt and it was the first thing I'd seen in a long time which made me feel inspired and excited. English paper piecing appeals as so much of it, from the making of the hexies to the quilting, can be done by hand rather than on a machine.
Help me, lovely blogging friends. You all know what you are talking about. What can I make? What can you recommend for both quick and long term projects for crochet and embroidery? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
I wish I had advice. I struggle with the same things. I have my current stitching and one more sampler to make after that, and I will have cross-stitch in every room of my house. I think it's time to stop for a while. There's a lot to be said for knowing when enough is enough, and I'm feeling that way with crocheted blankets lately too. I think a quilt sounds like a great idea. It's a big commitment, but if you're up for it, I think you should go ahead and make one, not that you need my permission. :)
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest a quilt, I think it would be something you really enjoy. The hand stitching will keep you busy for months:-) I am in love with the tiny hand quilting needles, they are just so good for all kinds of hand sewing. The quilt you link to is really lovely, although I prefer mine a bit more patchworky, if that makes sense, with fabrics that evoke memories, from old clothes even. If you want to make clothes, the Fancy Tiger Craft Sailor top is a simple sew and very satisfying, you'd probably love it and I bet Bella would love it, too.
ReplyDeleteI made a granny stripe blanket and was bored from the second row onwards. Still, it is now a well loved blanket so it was probably worthy the suffering. xx
It's got to be patchwork, quilting and appliqué!!
ReplyDeleteI've done the journey. Ooodles of cross stitch, first it was lovely but then it lost its excitement and challenge.
With patchwork you get to play with colour and texture. You can machine or handsew, ( appliqué is wonderful)
You can do small portable projects that can grow as big as you want. You don't need to spend a lot of money to start with, but can add "toys/tools" if you want!!
I love your cross-stitch sampler pattern. Is is your own design or is it a commercially available pattern?
ReplyDeleteI believe the design is by Alicia Paulson, available here:
Deletehttp://www.aliciapaulson.com/collections/embroidery-kits/products/winterwoods-abcs-cross-stitch-sampler-kit
oops.. it's this one:
Deletehttp://www.aliciapaulson.com/collections/embroidery-patterns/products/my-sweetiepie-abcs-cross-stitch-sampler-pattern
Thank you so much Sara for responding - Geri, I'm sorry I missed your comment and didn't reply! x
DeleteAlso, for inspiration, have a browse on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteHow about sashiko quilting? I would think this hand quilting style would be perfect for you.
ReplyDeleteThose colours are beautiful, like you say, very autumnal...you will be fine come September! ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteI totally get the stitching bug! I have so many stitching things waiting to be done, but so many crochet projects too and I need to get the crochet ones finished first, but I want to do the stitching! I think your husbands idea of rotating things - seasonally perhaps? - is a great one. I don't know if it would be appropriate for your home, but perhaps a gallery of your samplers on the stair wall might look good? You can see them, but they are not overpowering as it is a place you pass through. I hope you find the right projects for you!
ReplyDeleteA hand stitched and hand quilted EPP quilt would be a lovely project for you I think. I've just completed a crib-sized one inch hexagon quilt made completely by hand which I started in November 2014. You could have a lot of fun with the hand quilting, which cannot be rushed, and add your own embroidery stitches. In Susan Cropper's (the Loop lady) book 'Vintage Crochet' there is a pattern for a cream cotton sweater. Jo from Three Stories High has made it recently and I would love to when I think my crochet skills are up to the task. Have you ever done canvas embroidery? It can be a bit like painting by numbers or you can follow a chart. Ehrman's stock some great designs (my favourite designer is Raymond Honeyman) but there are also designs by Kaffe Fassett and English Eccentrics or you could design your own? The good thing about this kind of work is that one square inch represents about an hour's relaxed stitching so a cushion cover is a lovely long winter project. There is so much choice and inspiration nowadays that it can overwhelm the real pleasure to be found in slowly stitching. We have slow food, slow gardening, slow cooking, now I think we need slow making!
ReplyDeleteA dilemna, yes, but inspiration strikes when you don't think too hard and just look at what is around us. Maybe small cross stitch or embroidery pieces in the centre of a hexi flower shapes? Cushions or table runners don't go astray either. I know that something will pop into your head before long and we'll be seeing it on your blog, just don't be so hard on yourself and let it come. Take care.
ReplyDeleteOoh! Seasonal embroidered or cross stitched table runners, like you've done with your napkins?
DeleteDecorative is lovely, but particularly I love making things that can be used.
I love, love, love hand sewing as well, I've made more hand sewn quilts using paper piecing than machine ones. I'm making one very similar to one I made before at the moment (here's the finished one if you want to see http://cjabovetheriver.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/this-week.html). Some of the fabric has birds, trees, seedheads etc. on it. Lots of Lotta Jansdotter fabric. I love that I can just sit down with a small easily transportable section. It's hours of soothing sewing. I'm at the end of the second one now though, so it's all rather big. But I can highly recommend paper piecing. And for cross stitch, have you ever come across Plum Street Samplers? They have some fantastic Hallowe'en ones and Christmas ones. You could just bring them out for a few weeks to decorate. John's idea of rotating is a good one. There are some really fabulous designs. I like one of Plum Street's ones with a beehive and a bee woman and a tree. I imagine myself as the bee woman. I'm off yarn at the moment as well. Come autumn I will be loving it again. Wishing you happy sewing. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThe I-must-make-that-NOW feeling will arrive most unexpectedly I'm sure. Just like cross stitch samplers, surely you can never have enough cushions? Actually something my husband would say needs further discussion. But cross stitch cushion? A hexie patchwork would certainly satisfy the hand stitching. For some reason at this time of year I always get the fancy to sew a bag...
ReplyDeleteI've not commented before, but came on to suggest a hand stitched quilt. It seems others have had the same idea! It must be the next thing for you to try! There is a long tradition of Durham quilting (my hometown) and I know you husband comes from this area. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, how about signing up for "Little Box of Crochet"? - I have recently done just that, and you get a fab kit each month with everything you need to make a beautiful (and relatively quick)crochet item. In terms of embroidery, there's a gorgeous Nancy Nicholson bird cushion kit (that I'm coveting for myself)- I think it's available on Amazon...
ReplyDeleteAlso, have you been to the Handmade Fair at Hampton Court before? It's on in September, and you'll come back loaded up with both ideas and goodies!
Hope this helps,
Jen x (@wennster1 on Instagram)
your cross stitch is lovely, I want to try some, but I don't think it would ever make it to a wall........
ReplyDeletepaper piecing doesn't have to just be hexagons. check out the coffee lady's blog, she's made the most exquisite quilts with a diamond paper piece which makes the most beautiful stars.
I feel your pain! I seem to be in the biggest creativity slump at the moment. It's all been about house decoration and maintenance this year, and sadly crafting of any kind has just been a 'no no'. Perhaps it's getting out of that creative mode that has made me feel reluctant, and stagnant, yet at the same time craving something to get excited about. I've manages a few embroidery hoops, and they were immense fun. Like you, hand stitching is what I seem to want to do at the moment, but after completing my 5th hoop, I feel I'm about done in that department, although I'd quite like to carry on. Even my crochet mojo is lack lustre. There was a new addition to the outer family and I have been dragging my feet getting a blanket done. I think perhaps I need to try something new that will engross me, challenge me and make me feel excited again. I so know what you mean though.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, it has been lovely catching up with your posts Gillian!
Have a super week
Vanessa x
I can totally relate. I second John's recommendation to make as many samplers and you want and just rotate them out. What about trying out an ornament set from Posie Gets Cozy? Lots of hand sewing and embroidery and you only have to display it once a year. They're also small so they're easy to finish. I'm not a crocheter, but I think a sweater sounds lovely. I LOVE that I finally knit something for myself. Have you looked at Ravelry.com for ideas? I always find something wonderful there.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I may be joining you in your sampler love soon. I ordered an ornament kit from Posie Gets Cozy but her intern accidentally sent me her newest sampler 'Night Neighborhood' instead. She of course replaced it and let me keep the sampler kit. My husband also ordered an ornament kit for me as a surprise. So now I have two ornament kits and a sampler to work on. If only I could share with you!!
DeleteMy grandmother was the queen of crafts - sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, needlepoint, painting, you name it! She used to embroider beautiful patterns around the edge of tablecloths. She was Danish, and they have a lot of those in Denmark. That would be an idea for lots of stitching, without making a lot of little things. Also, under the Christmas tree in Denmark they always put a Christmas tree skirt. Ours when growing up was made by my grandmother, and she had cross stitch all sorts of Danish Christmas things on it, like elves, presents and candles, again all around the edge. Worth googling.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your husband's idea, first off that he knows doing this makes you happy, and secondly, why do we think when we get a project done that it has to be out forever, just like paintings in a gallery, they switch them out, and with the seasons, we change our bed linens etc etc. Anyway, GREAT IDEA!!! from Iowa, USA
ReplyDeleteI would head straight for the sewing machine but then I am a bit of a speed merchant.If you like hand sewing go for the quilt but promise me you will use a glue pen to attach the papers! It is so much quicker and you can get on with enjoying the piecing rather than tacking papers. They have pens and refills at www.simplysolids something something. Also there are ready cut papers at Lina patchwork which |I used for my eight pointed star but they have all sizes of hexagons. I know what you mean about making things that you don't need, it is a bit fruitless. Good Luck with the blanket, he will love it you know! Jo x
ReplyDeleteHow about an embroidered blouse for your little girl or yourself. I love embroidery but don't want it all displayed so I made quilts for the granddaughters with embroidered squares which I loved doing. I totally did not want to finish them but they made a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteBoth of your projects look wonderful and Angus will certainly appreciate his blanket. My first quilt had some embroidered panels incorporated into the design, so maybe you could combine quilting and embroidery? xx
ReplyDeleteAww, I can understand how tough it must be! I do have to say thought that the blanket looks great, I really like the stripes :)
ReplyDeleteI think you might love hand quilting Gillian. It is very satisfying, and very portable, at least in the early stages. Choosing and working with the fabric is a joy, and each stage is satisfying. There are lots of hand quilting books, one I like is 'hexa go-go' by Tacha Bruecher. Lots of inspiration and clear instructions. X
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with inspiration myself at the moment. I'm currently working on a !0 stitch blanket in an Aran weight yarn. Even though I don't need it finished till Autumn I can spend only an hour on it in the evenings before the weight and heat of it laying over my legs sends me to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI could leave it and start something else perhaps something for my grandchildren but what?
Have you thought of making some dish clothes, they're quick to make and using bright colours would be eye catching in your new kitchen.
Hey Gillian,
ReplyDeleteObviously I can offer no practical crafty voice. But I like John's advice very much. If it gives you pleasure, then stitch away my friend!
Leanne xx
Have you had a look at felt pictures? If you google cinnamon felt you will see some ideas. I love doing these.
ReplyDeleteJohn's advice is good and gives you carte blanche (not sure about the spelling!) to continue cross stitch but, yes, framing is pricey. I love crocheting blankets and quilt making but it begs the question how many do you make before you have too many..?! Hand stitching paper patchwork could be the way forward - takes time to create and is very good to do in front of the telly! Love what you're making now Xx
ReplyDeleteMay I ask you what kind of camera you use for your blog's photos?
ReplyDeleteI love them sooooooooooooooooo much.
Many Thanks and Greetings from Italy, A.
Hello, I use a Canon DSLR EOS 1000D. It's four or five years old now, I'm not sure if they still make that model, but I'd really recommend it.
DeleteI am struggling with all of that right now also. The last few items I have made have not left me happy and my mojo/time available is not helping.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and maybe when you find the right project it will motivate me too!
Meredith
What about a cotton yarn crocheted hoody poncho, light to wear on summer evenings and will be ready in no time? I love your life, happily plodding through. X Cara X
ReplyDelete