Friday, June 17, 2016

Tiny Progress is Tiny (or, Gifted Gorgeousness June 2016)


For more information on this stunning and serendipitous SAL, please click on the graphic!

You were all so sweet and supportive about my crazy-looking pre-stitching for the finishing class I was taking at A Stitcher's Gathering. Just to recap, I had made eight of these little parasol pieces:

Crazy machine-stitched edge optional

I was hopeful that I would have this project finished by the end of class (where I was getting the GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE...ahh, theeeeeeere's the shoehorn into the SAL). These eight panels were to turn into Lady Violet's Parasol Needlebook. Wellll...after the first day of class, I was pretty sure I wouldn't be done by the end of the second day, and I was right. In fact, no one finished the whole thing. The first step was to cut a piece of Skirtex (a very stiff felt-like interfacing) to fit inside the chain stitch outline for each little panel, then cut out the panel and sew the Skirtex inside. The next step was to sew a piece of batting to the back of each panel, and, finally, to sew a beautiful sage green silk lining to each one. Working around that curve was...less than fun! But I managed to get all of them to the batting stage, and six out of eight lined.

This is the full kit for the entire class, which also includes the Crawley House Sampler and Anna's Apron Scissors Pocket. You can see what the parasol will look like in the kit picture. The scissors pocket is so darling; lots of whitework stitching. The second day of class, we got a surprise package with a kit for Cora's Spoon Pincushion, including an antique silver spoon from the teacher's collection. So cute! Now I just have to figure out when I can work on this project again...there is a lot going on in the next month.

In other gifted news...my friend Jean is very gifted in many respects, but one of her most dangerous gifts is the gift of enablement. What that means is that she can pretty much find something that one of us "needs" to buy at any given moment. I blame her for these needleminders that I ordered:

That pink behind them is the padded envelope they were mailed in! What fun!

Hmmm, was I supposed to have actual stitching progress in this post? For a stitch-a-long? Maybe next month...

14 comments:

Justine said...

Gosh that parasol is tiny! Well done for your perseverance.

KimM said...

You're going to have a great needle book. Your needle minders are so sweet!!
xxx

Kerryp77 said...

I bet sewing the curves was less than fun. They look lovely and the backing fabric is a lovely green. The spoon project is intriguing

Jackie's Stitches said...

Blame is such a strong word! I think you meant to say that you "thank" Jean.! :)

No doubt about it though, she is a PRO.

Your parasol is looking really good! I hope you get the time you need to finish it up soon.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Thanks for taking part in GG this month. It's so nice to see a post from you that you are forgiven the use of the over-sized shoehorn!

The parasol is going to look adorable, and she gave you a spoon! Wait until I tell my son (it's a Terry Pratchett thing).

Heather said...

Lol great post! I love the shoehorns :)

Julie said...

Nice GG post

Bea said...

The parasol pieces are lovely - well done. Love the needleminders.

Christine said...

The parasol is going to be stunning, and I love the R2 needleminder

Mini said...

The parasol pieces are lovely. You are too good with shoehorning ..lol

Elfie said...

I have enjoyed my visit (again). You have such interesting projects - and very fiddly!

woolwoman said...

WOW - that ASG project is going to be gorgeous! With the sampler box and so forth. Good luck with assembling that parasol - looks challenging. Take care - Mel

Tiffstitch said...

Congrats on getting so much of it done. That is a ton of work!

Erin (moviemuse) said...

Needle minders are evil, in the best possible way! I have, um, quite a few (over 60 at last count), all acquired within the last 2 years. I *might* have a problem! LOL But I also wear them as jewelry, and I really do use them on my stitching, so it's all good. :-)

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