Organizing Embroidery Floss

I'm sure there are a lot of different ways to organize embroidery floss, but I'd like to share the way I organize them.

1. Take off the paper labels from the floss. Cut out the color number.

2. Pick the both ends of the floss, and fold in half 4 times. (It’ll be about 18” length.)

3. Fold in half again, and put the label into the floss all the way to the center.

4. Hang the floss on something like a thread holder. Cut all the ends.

5. Start braiding loosely.

6. Wrap it around the floss card.

7. Write the floss color number on the card for future reference.

8. Organize them by the number in the embroidery floss box.

I wish there's a different way to organize them without wind the floss on the bobbin. I don't like them getting even a little bit of crease on the thread.  So far, this is the only way I found that won't take space, and easy to find the number at glance. Hope this will help or inspire you organizing your floss :)    

Hand Embroidery Workshop

It was only a coule years ago when I started embroidering. Until then I was 100% sure that embroidery is not my thing, because I couldn't do it at all. I started attending local Redwork club, and the ladies there showed me how to do it. 

Last month there was a Hand Workshop at St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I wanted to share all the tips I learned, so maybe people will less intermediate trying embroidery. I explained how I organize the embroidery floss, what tools you need, and how to stitch. It was only 15minutes class, so I couldn't share all the things I wanted, but I hope it inspired some people to hand embroidery.

I brought some embroidery items to show what you can do.

Pattern: "Make It Do" by Sarah Jane

Pattern: "Doodle Stitching Embroidery & Beyond" book by Aimee Ray

Inspired by "Color Wheel Sampler" by Rebecca Ringguiist

Pattern: "Vintage Girl" by Wanetha Ebker

When you open a skirt you'll see her pantie!

((Here are some informations I shared with at the workshop.))

Needles:

John James Embroidery needle #9 (available at Jackman's Fabric for $2.00)

Batting (if you'd like to use): 

Hobbs Thermore (available at Jackman's Fabric for $5.99/yd.)

Hoops, Embroidery Floss #25, Water Soluble Marker for tracing:

Any craft store

Website: 

Needle 'n Thread (http://www.needlenthread.com/tips-techniques) 

DMC (http://www.dmc-usa.com/Education/How-To/Learn-the-Stitches/Embroidery-Stitches.aspx)

Books: 

Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray

Pattern: 

"Color Wheel" Rebecca Ringguist (https://www.etsy.com/shop/dropcloth)

"Make it do" Sarah Jane (https://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahjanestudios)

"Vintage Girl" Wanetha Ebker (If you want a pattern, you should ask her at the next meeting.) 

  

Sashiko Program

I had an opportunity to do a program at Redwork Club last month. This was my first time doing a program, so I was very nervous. I decided to do about Sashiko stitching. Sashiko is Japanese embroidery stitching. It looks like running stitch, but there are some rules. If you'd like to know more, purl bee website has a great tutorial there.

For the program, I made a kit including introduction to Sashiko history, technique, fabrics to make a coaster with, a needle and Sashiko threads. Even though my English wasn't perfect, and probably not the best program put it together, all the ladies who participated the program were very nice. They were interested, asked me some questions, and started stitching the Sashiko pattern I prepared right away.

(Sashiko kit I made for the program)

At this month meeting, some of the ladies brought the coasters they made after the program I did last month. Some made coasters like I showed, and some made them bigger stuff like pot holder and wall hanging! These ladies always show me new things to learn, so I'm glad I could show them something in return for change. For all the Redwork club members, thank you very much for participating my Sashiko programs.

   

Iron Caddy Pad

Last December I attended "Sew-In Saturday" (hosted by St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild), I brought my iron. Even though I unplugged the iron prior to leaving time, it just didn't cool off quick enough. I was worry that it may burn something while I was driving home. Luckily, nothing happened, so of course I totally forgot about it till one day prior to March Sew-In time again.

I found many different style of iron caddy online, but this particular pattern made by Sisters' Common Thread caught my eye. It has a cute style, and once you open it up, it turns into iron pad! Since I didn't have a portable iron pad, it was a perfect combo. I made it quick, and took it with me to Sew-In next day.

I've been wanted to use this Echino fabric, so I'm glad I found a perfect item to make it with. 

There was one ironic thing though. There was a machine quilting work shop at that day, and I was determined to master it as much as possible. By the end, I didn't even get to plug in my iron. Oh, well. I'm prepared for next Sew-In for sure.

Button Calendar

 Ever since I saw this " Button Calendar " on " I love patchwork " book by Rashida Coleman-Hale, I'd been wanted to make this calendar. Recently, one of the fabric store near my house had sale on fabric covered buttons, so I finally made this! I love the combination with linen and cottons. It's hanging in the dining room. I've been adoring it every morning while I'm sipping coffee.

Last December...

 I know it's a bit late to write about last December, but I thought it's better than never. So, here it is.....

 I started hand quilting this panel in last spring, and I stopped for awhile. This was the biggest hand quilting I've ever done, so I had no idea what a time consuming it was until I started it. Although I took 6 months break on this project, I finished it by December, and hung it on the wall during the holiday season.

This one is the hoop art I mad for Redwork club holiday swap. I like the saying on it. It's so true, but I probably shouldn't say that out loud, right?! I'll definitely make one for myself someday!

I also tried cross stitching on linen for first time. (The finished size is 3.5" x 3.5".) It wasn't easy to count like Aida fabric, but the result is more beautiful. I should go check the cross stitch store to see if they have some pattern for Valentine's day theme. 

My First Craft Fair

I attended as a vendor at a craft fair in early October. Since it was my first time doing this, I had to guess what to bring for set up, and how many items I should make to sell. I didn't want to end up sitting empty table in the middle of hours, so I brought a lot. The table setting was simple with banners, hoping that will pop up the items.

Overall, the fair went okay. I think the event day wasn't close enough for people to have holiday shopping feel. A lot of people came, but most were window shopping. If I do it again, I'll try to pick the date in November.

Hand Knitted Pumpkins

Original Sock Monkey & Mustache Sock Monkey

At the table