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Dreaming in Color - Color Inspiration through Travel

There is something magical about seeing a place for the first time. I was fortunate to be able to attend Valori Wells and Kelly Sheets Morocco Creatives Retreat in November. Valori has been to Morocco several times and her photos taken there made me want to visit. First of all it is a desert, high blue skies, arid, and full of people in Marrakech. We stayed at Peacock Pavilion just outside the city at a retreat villa.

Being in an unfamiliar environment, I always find new color combinations whether they are cultural, or in the environment. On vacation you are not dealing with day-to-day chores, so you are more open to the “wonder” of the unfamiliar.

My first thought when I saw this door was that the blue and orange are complementary colors on a neutral background. As I looked closer the subtle nuances in the neutral are what really intrigued me. There was so much richness. The surrounding neutrals seem to neutralize the impact of the complimentary colors. I had to take a second look.

Pattern and color are everywhere. The beads alone are a fabulous palette, but they stand out so well draped over the mostly black and white vases. The palette reminds me of my dear friend, Freddy Moran, who is known for working in this palette. The more I look at this photo the more I am tempted to get out my cropping squares and find even more palettes

I cut L shapes from heavy paper to use for cropping ideas. 

The framed piece of the photo inspired this month's fat quarter bundle. Can you see the similarities? 

How many times have you seen a similar display of onions in the grocery store, but do not take the time to study the colors and take a picture. The salad presentation was a piece of art and gave me an idea to use at home. Garden colors have always been my favorite. I associate them with freshness.

This palette was familiar to me, but looking at the cactus up close, with it being against the terracotta wall, I saw more detail in the color as well as pattern and texture.

I was so taken by the simplicity of the desert and the complexity of the land shapes. There is something so calming about a neutral palette. The tent color on the hillside at this eco resort added an accent. You cannot forget the color of the sky, which makes the scene come alive. Not only was I interested in the colors, but the lines and shapes of the land were an inspiration too. When the camels arrived to take us for a ride they brought so much life to the scene.

The pond at the Marjorelle Gardens at the St. Laurent Museum was a feast of blues and greens with touches of terra cotta. I have been pulling together a palette of these colors without even knowing what I might create. They were so happy and summer feeling. Sometimes a season will be an inspiration.

Look at the intensity of color of these pod-like shapes. I use a term “pushing a color” when I want to pick several shades and tints of a color and this is definitely pushing orange.

And another version of blue, I would like to end this post with one last photo that depicts the pattern and colors of Morocco. What an inspiration travel can be when Dreaming in Color!

Little Wallet - Tutorial

One of our most popular patterns is Valori's Little Wallet. It's easy to understand why - it's quick to make, only needs two fat quarters, and is so versatile. Organize a few cards and bit of cash in a small bag or your pocket. Use your wallet to help you corral of all those reward cards and business cards floating around the bottom of your bag. Slide it in the front of your carry-on bag to organize your ID and essentials for travel. Make a gift card more personal by gifting it inside a little wallet, with a print you know they'll love--Just the thing!

Depending on the fabric you choose these wallets can be whimsical, sophisticated, funky or casual. They are a wonderful way to show off a little of your own handmade style. Here's a gallery of wallets to inspire you...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you believe how different they can look?!

Did you notice the wallets made from Kraft-tex? Kraft-tex is a paper fabric. It's the same stuff Levi jean tags are made from. So it's washable, durable, and has a unique texture. The browns look a lot like leather. Besides being a different look and very sturdy, Kraft-tex doesn't ravel, so you can leave all your edges raw. No folding, pressing, or flipping! Just layer your pockets (don't cut on fold--you only need one layer of fabric) on top of the body piece and stitch. It couldn't be any easier.

To make your own wallet you'll need the pattern, 1/4 yard of two fabrics (fat quarters are fine), a 6" x 9" piece of interfacing, and 1 large snap. We made a variety of kits that include the fabric, interfacing, and 1 large (sew-on) snap. We kept the pattern separate, so you could make multiple wallets without purchasing the pattern more than once. That helped us keep the cost of the kits low ($4.50). That's about the same as many cards and a lot more useful. Plus, you can probably make one in less time than it takes to pick out a card. 

Once you have all your supplies, follow the pattern instructions to cut out all your pieces. If you plan to make more than one wallet, we recommend tracing the pattern templates on template plastic for easier cutting and durability.

We put together a photo tutorial of all the steps for making a Little Wallet to help make the process even easier. Let's get started...

Step 1: Gather Materials, Cut, Press Pockets

Step 2: Interfacing  & Stacking

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Step 3: Sew, Press, & Turn

 

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Step 4: Add A Snap

Step 5: Tada! Enjoy your new wallet.

Shop Supplies:

Little Wallet Kits

Kraft-tex

PDF Pattern

Printed Pattern

Template Plastic

Snap Setter Tool

Snap Setter Adapter (for pearl snaps) 

Pearl Snaps

 

 

 

Sew Your Own Pillowcase Using the Burrito Method

Chances are if you've been sewing for any length of time, you've made a pillowcase or two. They are always useful, and an inexpensive and quick way to spruce up your decor. Make one in a holiday theme to add some fun to your guest room or give one to a special young person. Find the perfect fabric to match someone's interests, and you'll have a delightful and personal gift for a friend or hostess. 

Traditionally sewn pillowcases are great, and a perfect first project for beginners. We want to show you how to up your game with the burrito method. This technique is so slick! Once you get the hang of it, you'll be turning out immaculately finished pillowcases as fast as you can choose the fabric.

Our pillowcases are constructed with three fabrics (body, cuff, and trim). Valori's pillowcase pattern has all the cutting instructions and directions for a standard style pillowcase. Use it to get started, then follow our updated instructions for a fantastic finish with no visible edges. Yup, clean lovely seams inside and out. It looks so professional, you'll love it! 

Since this method is easiest understood by watching someone do it, Jackie agreed to show you how it's done...

We put together some holiday themed kits to make it easy for you to spread a bit of holiday spirit. They are all so cute it's hard to choose. 

We also made up kits featuring the Cotton + Steel fabrics featured in our video. 

You can find all the kits here. 

If you're in the area, stop by the store for a large variety of pillowcase kits. We are always making up new ones, but because we only make a few of most selections, the kits don't all make it up on our website. 

D.I.Y. Beeswax Wraps

While you're thinking about gifts this year, consider giving a gift to our environment and try using beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. Beeswax wraps are a wonderful natural alternative for keeping food protected. Use them in a lunch bag to wrap a sandwich or a cookie. Wrap and store cheese, fruit, or vegetables in the refrigerator. Wrap up a baked good for a snack on the run or to share with a friend. Beeswax wraps work brilliantly with just about any cold, dry food. 

Besides being good to our environment, using beeswax wraps has other benefits. They're reusable, unlike plastic wrap, so they save you money. They're a natural product (only cotton, beeswax, and jojoba oil) and won't expose your food to any unknown chemicals. Our large round wraps also do double duty as a clean mat when eating your lunch, or snack, protecting you or your family from questionable public surfaces. If all that's not enough, they are darn cute to boot. 

Even though beeswax wraps are awesome, they aren't the same as plastic wrap. Don't wrap hot or warm food (the wax will melt). Also, don't try the old seal the bowl and flip it upside down trick they do in plastic wrap commercials--it won't be pretty. Beeswax wraps will not cling like plastic wrap, and they aren't air tight. That's a bonus for things like cheese, bread loaves, and produce that like to breathe, but they won't work well with liquids, food that turns brown, or to contain strong odors. 

If you've read other tutorials, it's likely you've seen some telling you that adding pine resin to your wrap will make it cling. We did a lot of testing and have to say that while yes it will add a tiny bit of tackiness, it's not worth it. The wraps still won't stick like plastic wrap and the resin makes the application process a lot more troublesome (it clumps!). If you want to use your wrap as a bowl cover, we recommend adding skinny elastic to the edges instead. You'll be much happier with the results. 

We also used our test runs to determine the best recipe and technique to use for a flexible wrap with no wax cracking or flaking off. In the end we felt a two part application had the very best results. It only takes an extra minute or two and the finished wrap is just as good as any store bought product. To make it easy for you to give making your own a try we created a video and instruction sheet with all the details.

 

Find the written instructions here.

Even better, we made kits with absolutely everything you need to make three large wraps. No need to search for food safe ingredients or buy huge amounts you won't use. Kits includes the oil and wax pre-mixed for you, enough fabric for three 14" circle wraps, hook & loop tape, and a 1" paint brush to apply the wax. It's all wrapped up in a wide mouth quart mason jar ready for you to melt your mixture in. All you'll need to complete your wraps is 20-30 minutes and a couple household supplies!

Kits feature Betty's Luncheonette fabric and come with two color options: pink and orange, or blue and green. They make a great gift as is, or enjoy making them yourself, then give one with a treat wrapped inside. We also offer beeswax wrap kits without the fabric, so you can use the fabric of your choice--just be sure to pick fabric that is 100% cotton. 

This is a gift you can feel good about giving!  Everyone can use them, and at less than $20 for three wraps you can give them to everyone on your list. 

Give Memories - Teach Kids to Sew

If you're reading this, it's likely that sewing and/or quilting are hobbies you love. Having the skill to make something for yourself is immensely satisfying, and crafting is a wonderful way to express your creative self. Sewing can soothe, comfort, inspire and be practical. This Christmas, share your passion and experience with the young people in your life by teaching them to sew. You'll be giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime and you'll get the gift of spending time together. 

Get kids excited to sew with simple projects styled just for them. Moda's Cut, Sew, Create collection by Stacy Iest Hsu is are ideal projects to start building their skills. Projects are designed to specifically appeal to today's kids and come in a range of difficulties. Start with the adorable and easy pillow critters, then move up to the lunch bag or zipper pouches as they gain confidence. 

To help you get great results Valori, and her daughter Violet, show you the best and easiest way to insert a zipper in the video below. You might learn something too :) 

Other children or beginner friendly projects you could try:

• PJ Pants
• Pillowcase
• Journal/Notebook Cover
• Decorative Pillow
• Little Wallet
• Wrap Skirt
• Simple Tote Bag
• 12" squares quilt

If you aren't a sewer, or your student's interest lies elsewhere, don't worry--you still have a lot of great options. For embroidery, take a look at the super cute Kiriki Dolls. Crochet lovers will adore the Toft animal kids. Both sets of kits come with everything you need for the project, and both are available in a variety of difficulty levels. A perfect project for new knitters is the Churchmouse Classroom: Stitch Sampler Handwarmers & Ribbed Scarf Pattern. Hand sewers might be interested in the popular Delilah Iris Designs stuffed unicorn or elephant kits. 

The key to a positive experience is picking a project they really love and are excited to make. Once they're invested in the project the desire to learn will follow.

It never hurts to remind beginners that mistakes are part of learning, and that no one is an expert their first time. Albert Einstein summed it up well when he said, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." Part of the charm and appeal of handmade items are the little quirks and differences. It's a good lesson for all makers to learn. Make mistakes, laugh, move on, make some new mistakes--often it's those "mistakes" that turn out to be the thing you love the most. 

Shop Cut. Sew. Create. kits

Knit or Crochet Soap Cozies - Free Patterns

I hear some of you thinking..."What's a soap cozy?"  It's basically a washcloth that your soap fits inside of. The cozy adds a bit of exfoliation and helps your soap lather with no need for a separate cloth or puff. Plus it keeps it from slipping out of your hands or off the soap dish. 

Practical, good looking, inexpensive and a breeze to make this week's project is a go-to for last minute gifts. Personalize it with the recipients favorite colors or match their home decor. Add a special soap with a great scent and who wouldn't want one! 

Now that you want a soap cozy, or two, let's go over how to make one. First, you'll need cotton yarn. For our samples we used Happy Cotton in School Days (navy) and Bubbly (blue). Three 28g balls made both the crocheted face cloth and soap cozy with enough left over for a second cozy. One ball will make a full cozy of either pattern (obviously with no stripe). 

This project can be knit or crocheted. We've included full instructions for both at the end of this post. Keep in mind that depending on your yarn choice, gauge, and size of soap, you may need to alter your starting number of stitches. Don't worry though, no other modifications are needed. Whatever number of stitches you start with, the patterns are worked the same. 

We chose a large bar of soap (1"x 2 1/2" x 4") and made our cozies to fit. Our finished cozies are 3 1/4" x 5 1/2". You want the cozy to fit snugly around the soap. Your cast on stitches, or beginning chain, should measure about 1/4" smaller than the end of your soap. Cotton yarn stretches! 

If you want to add a companion washcloth, that is even easier. Our crochet version is a simple square of single crochet and for a knit version make a square of garter stitch. These simple stitches look great and are sturdy enough to hold up to some scrubbing. A couple of washcloths in fun colors make a great gift for a cook. Add a rubber duck to a couple cloths and you have a cute and useful gift for a new baby. 

You can make all of these projects from any cotton yarn, but we love Happy Cotton for them. This quality yarn comes in 50 colors and small 28g/47y skeins so it's easy to add stripes (or any pattern) and still buy just what you need. Each skein is only $1.75 so you can make one for everyone on your list without breaking the bank!

All projects are suitable for beginners and can be completed in a few hours or less. 

Shop Supplies: Happy Cotton Yarn, Soap 

To make either soap cozy you will need:

1 skein Happy Cotton,  size H/8-5.00mm hook/size US 5-6 needle, tapestry needle, soap

Crochet Instructions for Soap Cozy:

Chain 13.

Single crochet in front loop along entire chain, then single crochet in back loop along the other side of the entire chain.  You will have 24 sts. All further stitches are worked in the round. 

Round 1 : double crochet all stitches

Round 2: single crochet all stitches

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until your cozy measures 5 1/2" long.

Repeat round 1.

Snip yarn and pull though. Weave in ends

For tie: Chain until you reach 14" or desired length.

Weave chain through last double crochet row at top of soap cozy. Insert soap and tie cozy closed. 

Knit Instructions for Soap Cozy

Cast on 14 stitches using Judy's magic cast on. 

You will be knitting in the round--use your preferred method. 

Round 1-3: Knit 

Round 4: *K1, wrap twice, rep from  * to eor

Round 5: *K1, drop both wraps, rep from * to eor

Rep rounds 2 - 5 until your cozy measures 5 1/2" long.

Knit 2 rounds. Bind off. Weave in ends. 

Braid three 18" strands of yarn or make i-cord. Weave cord through the top set of dropped stitches. Insert soap and tie cozy closed. 

 

Curvy Tree Ornaments - 12 Projects of Christmas #4

These ornaments are so cute you'll want to make an entire forest of them! Anyone would love to receive one as a hostess gift or package topper, but you probably won't want to part with your trees once they're done. 

You can make your curvy trees like we did with Jean's gentle curve piecing technique, or cut your fabric with straight lines in varying widths. This is a very forgiving project to practice Jean's techniques, because the size of the trees makes it easy to cut around any mistakes or areas that aren't laying flat. Either method looks great! 

The project below is for Jean's Stuffed Trees class and is an example of trees with the fabric cut in straight lines.

If you do want try Jean's gentle curves method you can watch her demonstrate the technique in this video...

Tips for tree success:

• When selecting fabric be sure to choose a range of value and print size. It's nice to include a few holiday prints, but not all your fabrics need to be holiday themed. 
• Use a small or medium sized rotary cutter and put a new blade in your cutter. Really--put in a new blade--you'll be thankful later.
• Trace tree template on heavy paper or template plastic. It's much easier to cut around the template, instead of through it, if it is thicker. 
• If using a tree limb for the trunk, use dry wood. Fresh cut wood can leak sap on your project (yes, we found out the hard way).
• Make sure to leave your turning opening at the center bottom of your tree so you can add and center the trunk.  
• Glue your tree trunk to your stuffing with hot glue. It holds better than liquid craft glue and it won't leak through to your fabric (unless you go way overboard on the amount of glue).
• Add the glue to your trunk and then push the trunk into the stuffing. If you add the glue to the stuffing it's much harder to insert your trunk.
• Don't stress if things aren't "'perfect". These trees are meant to be charming and quirky. 

We created a kit with everything you need to make 10+ trees (you will have extra fabric), or use up your green and holiday scraps.  Our kit includes 12 - 3" x 21" fabric strips, 1 fat quarter (for backing), 10 tree trunks, and cording for hanging. You can purchase the pattern only, as a PDF online or a printed version in the store. 

If you discover you love this technique, try Jean's Colorwork table runner. It looks stunning in holiday colors. Jean used all solids in her Christmas runner shown below. 

Jean's book Intuitive Color & Design is another wonderful resource for learning more about gentle curve piecing and Jean's other methods. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to receive all the information about this project and all the other 12 Projects of Christmas. 

Stitchin' Post's The 12 Projects of Christmas is a newsletter event. Each week starting in October we've selected a fun and fast project, perfect for gifting or holiday decorating. Every project is designed and selected by our experts to make it easy for you to find and craft stylish useful items everyone will love.

Dreaming in Color - The Value of a Library with Jean Wells

In my monthly Adventures in Art Quilting class we were discussing how to build a palette of fabrics for future projects. One of my students is very new to quilting and was a bit overwhelmed because she does not have a “stash”. She suggested that I talk about how to build a “library of fabric”, her name for a collection of fabric.

With the cost of fabric rising, many people are more selective and do not buy for their stash as much as they used to. My advice is to really think about the type of work that you are interested in doing, and the colors that appeal to you, as a starting point. When I shop at stores other than my own and make purchases I think about how I might want to use it. If it is something that might play a big role in a project, I purchase a half to one yard. If it is a color new to me and I am attracted to it, but not sure how it will be used I purchase a quarter yard. In my work I have no problem using several smaller cuts of a color if I do not have a larger piece of fabric.  I feel it makes my work more interesting.

In the beginning working from an inspiration photo, or a printed fabric, will give you suggestions where to begin. Then as you see a color that is missing add it to your library.

So my advice is to purchase smaller cuts of fabric and to arrange them in your library by color first and by type of fabric (like cotton, linen, silk, etc.) as your collection grows. This allows you to go to your library during your planning process to pull anything that might work, and then purchase more if needed.

This is a section of my fabric collection. I have chosen to keep prints separate from solids and I separate my stacks into cottons, silks, linens and other textures. Once I have completed a project I sort my scraps into small pieces, strips, and larger cuts of fabric. I keep scraps in Ziploc bags that are put in a drawer and easily accessible. Many times these small pieces add that bit of personality that I need to enhance a palette. It is a lot easier to grab a fabric out of a small bag than to find it on a shelf and cut a small piece that is needed.

Here is an example of how I begin. I took several photos in Pacific Grove, CA at the beach right after a rain when the ground was wet. I was so amazed by the intensity of the wet colors. I started identifying the colors and collecting representative fat quarters and scraps of fabric. The photo below is the beginning of that process. I am still not sure where this will lead, but I love the combination of colors and it is not a palette of colors that I would have come up with on my own. To me that is part of the magic and it is not the standard color harmony off the color wheel.

Several years ago I parked my car near an abandoned warehouse in La Connor, WA. As I was walking to lunch, I passed by a window and took the close up picture below. I love the combination of the blue and the golden yellow-green lichen. When I got home I went to pull a palette of fabric referencing the colors. I found that I had very little blue fabric and not the right color of blue from the window sill. I noticed that I had hardly been using blue in any of my quilts. Well, that has now changed. This experience made me realize the power of a color I was unfamiliar with. I created a small mock up of snippets of the fabrics and glued them to the paper to see how they might work in a quilt. I find this exercise very helpful.

Pinterest is another great source of color ideas. I especially like looking at abstract paintings. Below is an example of one I found.

I made a photocopy of the painting and did some cropping, isolating different combinations of color. Next, I created some small studies using the strata and rulerless cutting techniques that are described in my book, Intuitive Color and Design.

Once I pull any fabric that might work for a project, I arrange them by color in a container where I can see all of my choices. I like to corral the fabrics so that when I am not working it is easy to put them away.

Back to my student conservation, she also suggested that I put together packets of small cuts of fabric to help customers build their own fabric libraries. Here is our first “Palette of the Month” bundle.

Happy Sewing,

Jean

Messenger Bag - Embellishment Options

It's week three of our 12 Projects of Christmas newsletter series and this week we're making a messenger bag. Man or woman, boy or girl, everyone needs to carry things. A messenger bag is an ideal gift, especially for those hard to shop for men or teens. Fair warning though, once you make one, you'll want one for yourself too. 

Our pattern, written by Valori Wells, is the perfect size to hold all the essentials with pockets inside and out for extras. The bag is fully lined for a beautiful and durable finish. Experienced sewers can complete this bag in an afternoon, and all the straight line seams make the project achievable for confident beginners. 

Because the pattern will lead you through the construction of the bag, we are going to focus on ideas for customizing your bag. As you can see, the outside of our sample bag is embellished with a block printed pattern. You can carve your own or use a purchased stamp of your choice. In the video below Valori shows you how to properly ink a stamp and apply it to your bag.  

Try a simple pattern in one section of the bag like we did, or apply an all over pattern before you sew your sections together.

If you're an artist paint or draw your own design with fabric paint and/or pens. Pictured below is an example of our logo tote bag embellished with fabric paints by June Jaeger. We wrote a post about it and embroidering a tote last November. 

The front flap of the bag is a great spot to show off some applique, embroidery, or a combination of the two. Experiment with your own designs or choose a design from a book to spruce up your bag. We like Simply Stitched, Creative Stitching, Organic Applique and Organic Embroidery. Or, try one of our wool applique kits to add some color and texture. 

Instead of using a solid fabric for the large exterior piece customize your bag with your favorite patchwork, or simply add a stripe or other shape with contrasting fabrics like the bag pictured below. 

Not interested in coming up with your own designs for embellishment? Pick a fun print (this is a great time to show off a large scale print) and add a bit of stitching to enhance it (or just let the print shine on it's own). In the pictures below we added a simple embroidery stitch to a floral print. 

More ideas to customize the messenger bag:

• For a new parent: Baby/diaper bag - add some piping, pick a children's theme print, personalize it with an alphabet embroidery kit on the front and/or add a coordinating changing pad.

• For a quilter/sewer: Sewing kit  - personalize it with a pieced front flap and customized pocket sizes for tools
• For an artist: Portable supply kit - personalize it with a painted or mixed media front and add a pencil roll. Customize pockets for sketch book, paint brushes, pens, etc. 

• For a teen: Laptop bag - add soft and stable interfacing. Personalize it with an iron-on patch, applique their initials, or a stamped Kraftex patch. 

• For a man: Laptop bag - add soft and stable interfacing. Personalize it with a photo transfer, turn a favorite old T-shirt into an iron on or paint/stamp a simple geometric pattern. Although, some men might like it plain and simple made with canvas or denim.

• For a bike commuter: add padding to the strap and some reflective tape.
• For a Knitter/Crocheter: add fusible fleece interfacing to keep needles from poking through and a coordinating yarn/project bag. Customize pockets to hold notions.

With a minimum of thought, possibilities for customizing this bag are nearly endless.

Quick Note: The pattern doesn't require any interfacing, but if you want a more structured bag you will need some. We recommend Soft & Stable for a padded and firm but flexible bag. Great for laptops! If you want a softer bag with some structure use Fusible Fleece. Lastly if you'd like any of the pocket to be stiff (like the large inside pocket) use TimTex. All the options listed are washable. 

Shop for Messenger Bag Supplies -  

Kits: Messenger Bag, Applique

Fabric: Quilting Cotton, Canvas, Denim, Flannel 

Interfacing: Soft & Stable, Fusible Fleece, TimTex

Pattern: Printed, PDF

Books: Simply Stitched, Creative Stitching, Organic Applique, Organic Embroidery

 

 

 

 

Pincushions - Pretty Experiments

Every crafter needs a pincushion, or two, or three. Even more than that, crafters need a way to experiment. You can't grow or improve as a quilter without trying new techniques, patterns, and colorways. A small project, like a pincushion, can free you to experiment without the commitment and cost of a larger project. Smaller projects can also be a way to fit creating into our busy lives. Make a pincushion as an easy way to try that technique you've been wondering about, or to work with a new mix of colors. Jump in and play.

Besides feeding your creative self, pincushions make a wonderful gift. Making them for gifts also provides you with a very respectable reason to spend time sewing. "I'm sorry I can't do the laundry, I have to make a gift for the Secret Santa exchange!" Your spouse can't possibly complain about that. 

You can make pincushions from just about anything, including scraps, but we're going to take a look at two books. Pin Pals by Carrie Nelson and Bowl Me Over by Debbie Busby each offer many creative options and fun projects. We enjoyed both books so much, we used them as the project for one of our recent staff meetings. Everyone got a pattern and a set of fabric, and we went to town sewing and chatting. Most weren't quite finished during the staff meeting (too much talking), but all are relatively short projects and each book has as range of project difficulty and techniques to choose from. 

Pin Pals has 40 different patterns. These aren't your grandma's tomatoes, there is a little bit of everything in this book! Experiment with curves, applique, traditional blocks, strip piecing, triangles, precision piecing and hexies. We made the patterns: Solid Checkerboard, Random Strips, DNA, Ohio Star, Spokes, Beach Houses, Fresh-Cut Cube, and Bear Paw.

Bowl Me Over is a book of 37 "little pillows" and even more ideas. Projects are made from cotton and wool with embroidery stitches and wool applique. Fill a bowl with them, stack them on a shelf, or make them pincushions. If you've ever considered trying embroidery or applique this book is a wonderful way to get your feet wet. Debbie gives the reader thorough instructions for each project, but also offers general instructions and ideas to make your own variations. We made patterns: Welcome to Our Neck of the Woods, Be Strong, Nighttime Forest, and Little Cabin in the Woods.

Want more pincushion ideas? Check out our Pincushion Pinterest board. 

Now that you've made a pincushion, or ten, you need to fill it. In theory this is pretty simple, but in practice can be frustrating. 

First pick a filling. You can fill one with any number of things: rice, sand, sawdust or pellets. However, you will get the best results with a combination of poly-fil and crushed walnut shells. Use the poly-fill in corners, points and curves, then add the walnut shells for weight and firmness. 

Add your poly-fil first and using a tool like the Purple Thang push the stuffing firmly into all corners, other shapes, or edges you want to keep crisp. Then use a narrow neck funnel to add the crushed walnut shells until your pincushion is full and firm. Be sure to pause and give your cushion a shake to settle the shells, then continue adding more shells. You can also use the end of your funnel to push the shells into the corners and help them settle so you can fully fill your pincushion. Here's a quick video of us filling a pincushion.

 

You can find all the supplies you need for this project at Stitchin Post. 

Pin Pals Kit - Pin Pals Book - Bowl Me Over Book - Crushed Walnut Shells - Wool - Needles

Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to receive all the information about this project and all the other 12 Projects of Christmas. 

Stitchin' Post's The 12 Projects of Christmas is a newsletter event. Each week starting in October we've selected a fun and fast project, perfect for gifting or holiday decorating. Every project is designed and selected by our experts to make it easy for you to find and craft stylish useful items everyone will love.