Misc What Types of Stitching/Crafts do you do?

[packyderms_wife]

Just wondering what everyone's stitching/crafting superpowers are?

I knit, crochet, weave, embroider, quilt, spin, etc., amongst a few other things and recently learned how to tat. I also work exclusively with natural dyes, rust, and indigo so you will see me posting about those sorts of things from time to time.

 

[bw]

I've done quite a bit of needlepoint, but not for some years. Made some frames for it because I couldn't find any decent ones. My sisters have a running joke that I'm never going to finish the hotpad I started crocheting, but I tell them it's good to have it in reserve if I run out of projects.

My wife and I mounted all the needlework at her folks' shop because her folks couldn't do it. They say the test of a relationship is whether you can hang curtains together, but trust me, the test is whether you can mount needlework. We breeze through it.

I do my own machine sewing - clothes, cases for stitching frames, whatnot. Also hand stitching. I do a mean button. My wife has taken over responsibility for sewing my caftans. She's a gem.

 

[packyderms_wife]

I've done quite a bit of needlepoint, but not for some years. Made some frames for it because I couldn't find any decent ones. My sisters have a running joke that I'm never going to finish the hotpad I started crocheting, but I tell them it's good to have it in reserve if I run out of projects.

My wife and I mounted all the needlework at her folks' shop because her folks couldn't do it. They say the test of a relationship is whether you can hang curtains together, but trust me, the test is whether you can mount needlework. We breeze through it.

I do my own machine sewing - clothes, cases for stitching frames, whatnot. Also hand stitching. I do a mean button.

Love hearing from the guys that they not only sew and stitch but really enjoy doing so! Do you have photos of your work to share?

 

[Deena in GA]

As most of y'all know, I crochet. However, I love any type of handwork and can knit, sew (prefer by hand), needlepoint, embroidery, cross-stitch, quilt, latch hook, etc. I used to do more of a variety of those things, but lately have had to stick to crochet to get the orders done. I would LOVE to learn to tat, spin and weave. I've actually sewn dresses by hand for my oldest daughter and myself in the past. Don't have time now. Oh, and the quilting that I've done has been completely by hand too. I just love handwork!

 

[Dennis Olson]

What the heck is Tatting anyway? Some of the thread prefixes left me scratching my head.

 

[FREEBIRD]

Crochet, embroidery, sewing (hand & machine).

 

[packyderms_wife]

What the heck is Tatting anyway? Some of the thread prefixes left me scratching my head.

You can tat with a bobbin or with a specialized needle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatting

Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace from a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, accessories such as earrings and necklaces, and other decorative pieces.

 

[Seeker22]

Mom's favorite photograph of me was when I was three and a half and working on a hoop embroidery piece sitting on the side of her bed. I learned my skills at the side of some of the most wonderful women I have ever known. I made my first ripple afghan when I was seven.

I make my own clothes and alter patterns at will, crochet, knit, crosstitch, crewel embroider, needlepoint, although my passions have gotten down to crosstitch, crochet, knitting, and bead weaving (with a focus on Cabochon Bead Embroidery and traditional Native American dance fans and rattles). I am learning to card Mohair and make yarn. One of these days I will jump off into mosaic tile.

At the moment, I'm learning how to knit socks in Superwash sock yarn, and they even look like real socks. Youtube videos are amazing. I figured out how to slow them down. Jenna at Purl Together and Marly Bird at Red Heart are responsible for my learning as fast as I have. Good teachers, both of them.

I crochet shawls and want to learn Lace Knitting for shawls as well. I have a stack of Celtic Knotwork patterns I can't wait to get proficient enough to tackle. There are just not enough hours in the day.

 

[shepherdess]

Thank you so much for starting this! I’m mostly a lurker, but will come out of the woodwork to visit about fiber arts! I love to spin, dye and weave. I raise Icelandic sheep..(I’m up to 75 head in my flock) and sell fleeces, roving, Icelandic Lopi for you knitters, and also rug wools, including corespun.

 

[Melodi]

Let's see:

Knitting, spinning, weaving (small loom and floor loom) some dying (natural and commercial dyes), some sewing (mostly Norse Garb by hand and machine).

I know how to do some basic beading (especially sewing beads onto fabric) but I'm not that good at it, I can crochet but haven't done much in years (I still have the lap blanket I made at age 17, I'm looking at it right now), I've done small amounts of jewelry making and pottery.

Mostly I do textiles and I got some lovely fleece at a cider place and farmer's market on the way back to Seattle; I have several wheels and a lot of various spindles, small looms and a Baby Wolf Floor Loom.

Knitting is what I have been doing the most of for the last few years, but I'm looking forward to getting my looms out again very soon.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Thank you so much for starting this! I’m mostly a lurker, but will come out of the woodwork to visit about fiber arts! I love to spin, dye and weave. I raise Icelandic sheep..(I’m up to 75 head in my flock) and sell fleeces, roving, Icelandic Lopi for you knitters, and also rug wools, including corespun.

You're welcome, looking forward to your posts and seeing some of your flock maybe.

 

[Millwright]

Ah reckon leatherwork kinda-sorta falls under this umbrella?

 

[packyderms_wife]

Ah reckon leatherwork kinda-sorta falls under this umbrella?

Yep it most certainly does, I have a leather prefix.

 

[Faroe]

A recent episode of Fruity Knitting featured a visit to the workshop of a German guy who hand makes bespoke shoes. I love good leatherwork.

 

[packyderms_wife]

A recent episode of Fruity Knitting featured a visit to the workshop of a German guy who hand makes bespoke shoes. I love good leatherwork.

Fruity Knitting? Is this on YT or on the tv?

 

[Faroe]

1:28:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdx6jadWrBM

YouTube. Husband and wife team. Aussies currently living in Germany. She is also a classically trained musician, and every episode features something beautiful sound-wise. IIRC, this last episode is the one with the shoe maker. These two are my favorite podcasters on the net.

 

[maude]

I like to sew,quilt,knit,leatherwork, crochet a little bit of everything.I have had to teach myself what I know, but I like trying to do it. Looking forward to learning from some experts.

 

[Broken Arrow]

Howdy!! Thanks for this!!

I’m a spinner, knitter, Weaver, inkle , rigid heddle, four and 8 shaft, quilter, counted cross stitch-er. I’ve been spinning and weaving for over 20 years now. I do public Spinning and weaving demo’s in 18th C garb. Plus my guild and I do sheep to shawl competitions. I also sew and am making a recreated 18th C petticoat from sheep to finished product.

I also raise fine quality Merino sheep and have award winning fleeces. My breeding program is showing promise as my micron counts are down to 14.9

 

[TerriHaute]

I knit and crochet now, but I used to also do counted cross stitch and regular embroidery. Haven't done those for years. I only crochet and knit in the winter to pass the time and to make Christmas gifts. I also used to sew a lot to make my clothes and clothes for my daughters, but don't do a lot of that anymore either. The last thing I sewed was a pioneer dress to wear when DH does his blacksmithing thing in period costume.

 

[catskinner]

I mostly do counted cross stitch and embroidery, but am trying to learn knitting and crochet.

 

[Seeker22]

I was into Naalbinding earlier in the year until I discovered I really could Knit. I'll go back to Naalbinding this Winter when I have more time. Historical Civil War era quilting is on the list too, but it will be behind spinning and dyeing. That stuff can take over your life, fast!

 

[packyderms_wife]

1:28:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdx6jadWrBM

YouTube. Husband and wife team. Aussies currently living in Germany. She is also a classically trained musician, and every episode features something beautiful sound-wise. IIRC, this last episode is the one with the shoe maker. These two are my favorite podcasters on the net.

thank you for the link.

 

[Faroe]

Grew up sewing, and was making most of my own clothes by the time I left HS. Took up knitting in college - there weren't many good resources, and I didn't know how poor my eyesight really was, so it was a tough slog. My first sweater was half knitted, but looked very ...off center. I took it to the lady at the knit shop, for assistance, and she said, "You have twisted every stitch." For the longest time, I struggled to simply NOT twist stitches, and keep them mounted correctly on the needle. I belonged to a spinning/knitting group in IA, that brought in famous teachers. I found day-long classes to be way too exhausting, so didn't get much out of them. The first piece I made that actually looked good was a Nancy Bush pattern for an Estonian mitten.

I've also done some inkle weaving, and have hand-sewn lots of historically inspired clothing. Also have a hand pieced, hand quilted quilt started ten years ago, that is at least 90% finished, I'll finish it someday.

 

[AlaskaSue]

Quilt, sew clothing and household items/decor, embroidery, cross stitch, knit, crotchet. Would absolutely love to learn spinning and weaving. Did take a spin class but have had no opportunity to pursue yet.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Grew up sewing, and was making most of my own clothes by the time I left HS. Took up knitting in college - there weren't many good resources, and I didn't know how poor my eyesight really was, so it was a tough slog. My first sweater was half knitted, but looked very ...off center. I took it to the lady at the knit shop, for assistance, and she said, "You have twisted every stitch." For the longest time, I struggled to simply NOT twist stitches, and keep them mounted correctly on the needle. I belonged to a spinning/knitting group in IA, that brought in famous teachers. I found day-long classes to be way too exhausting, so didn't get much out of them. The first piece I made that actually looked good was a Nancy Bush pattern for an Estonian mitten.

I've also done some inkle weaving, and have hand-sewn lots of historically inspired clothing. Also have a hand pieced, hand quilted quilt started ten years ago, that is at least 90% finished, I'll finish it someday.

I have a couple of her books, because of her I finally learned how to knit cables! Still need to finish that sweater.

 

[gizbe]

Wow, what a nice idea for a thread! I am a professional and juried hand stitching artist who uses all types of fibers, threads, and yarns in my work. I also needlefelt and make my own silk papers which I use in my pieces.

I would love to see everyone's handicrafts on whatever sites they post!

My Instagram site is: https://www.instagram.com/lizbethherm/?hl=en

 

[gizbe]

I was into Naalbinding earlier in the year until I discovered I really could Knit. I'll go back to Naalbinding this Winter when I have more time. Historical Civil War era quilting is on the list too, but it will be behind spinning and dyeing. That stuff can take over your life, fast!

I bought a beginner kit in Naalbinding but have never had enough time to sit down and figure it out. Would love to see some of your projects.

 

[marsh]

I rotate through quilting, weaving and spinning.

I just finished two 4th of July picnic quilts for my adult kids. One has a tradition of going to a concert and fireworks show at a winery every year. The quilt was double paneled with several borders around it, (about 5 feet square.) I used it to practice my ruler work and free motion quilting.

For years, I concentrated on piecing the top and just quilted in the ditch and with large meanders. Now I have gotten into free motion and ruler work. Natalia Bonner (Piece and Quilt) has started a series on youtube with one ruler work pattern a day for 365 days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hW89RsbqUc&list=PLozkYQ5lEBaQA_RfEZFXevubcboFzLBXV AmyQuilts.com (Sew Simple of Lynchburg, VA) has a class on Facebook Mondays and Wednesdays, She does ruler work and a quilt along with a kit periodically. https://www.youtube.com/user/sonshinecottage Leah Day has 365 days of free motion motifs on youtube that is good. https://freemotionproject.com/free-motion-quilting-project Bluprint https://www.mybluprint.com/ (formerly Craftsy.com) has numerous classes. It just takes practice.

Currently I am awaiting some fabric to make a computer bag for my daughter who is a teacher. After that I have a quilt for two of my grand children, quilting on one quilt for my son, a couple of pillow cases and a Halloween panel to do.

While I am waiting for my fabric, I will likely finish the second complex overshot runner that is on the big loom so I can re-warp it for some towels as Christmas gifts. Most of my Christmas gifts are about a month late because my plans are greater than my time available.

I haven't done wool prep, dyeing or spinning for about a year. I have a closet full of fleece that has been separated into locks and sealed in buckets. I need to wash those and process them sometime. (The kitchen in my new house is very small.) I have a large 8 shaft floor loom, a small 8 shaft floor loom (both Gilmores) and a large 4 shaft floor loom that is a friends that I need to sell for her. I have a rigid heddle Cricket, a school tapestry loom and an inkle loom.

I have 2 Kromski spinning wheels - a Minstrel and a Symphony, which folds up. I do need to get back to spinning as it is so relaxing. I was enjoying some of the exotic fibers, but they are so expensive.

I did buy a pillow and bobbins for bobbin lace, but have not yet gotten into it. All of this was planned to last through my retirement years to keep me happy and creative.

 

[Jacki]

I knit, crochet, weave, spin, quilt, tat, punt en aria lace, bead, leather work, sew, crewel, bobbin lace, fabric paint, and continuely find cool new things to add. Probably some other things that fit in the mix that I forgot.

One of the things I love most is combining two or more skills. An example of this is knit plus crocheted items combined with beading.

Jacki

 

[packyderms_wife]

Wow, what a nice idea for a thread! I am a professional and juried hand stitching artist who uses all types of fibers, threads, and yarns in my work. I also needlefelt and make my own silk papers which I use in my pieces.

I would love to see everyone's handicrafts on whatever sites they post!

My Instagram site is: https://www.instagram.com/lizbethherm/?hl=en

Your work is beautiful!

 

[packyderms_wife]

For years, I concentrated on piecing the top and just quilted in the ditch and with large meanders. Now I have gotten into free motion and ruler work. Natalia Bonner (Piece and Quilt) has started a series on youtube with one ruler work pattern a day for 365 days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hW89RsbqUc&list=PLozkYQ5lEBaQA_RfEZFXevubcboFzLBXV AmyQuilts.com (Sew Simple of Lynchburg, VA) has a class on Facebook Mondays and Wednesdays, She does ruler work and a quilt along with a kit periodically. https://www.youtube.com/user/sonshinecottage Leah Day has 365 days of free motion motifs on youtube that is good. https://freemotionproject.com/free-motion-quilting-project Bluprint https://www.mybluprint.com/ (formerly Craftsy.com) has numerous classes. It just takes practice.

Thank you for the links.

 

[Jacki]

I forgot cross stitching, which is what I have been doing lately. I am currently working on a one thread over one thread at twenty five stitches an inch. I got the pattern at Heaven and Earth Designs.com. The pattern is Jesus at 33.

Jacki

 

[spinner]

I don't do much crafting anymore, my arthritis makes it difficult. I spin, knit, crochet, sew, tri-loom weave. I have been knitting and crocheting for 60 years and spinning for about 40+ years. I mostly create my own designs when I knit and crochet. I have done a lot of other crafts, but not enough to become proficient.

 

[moldy]

Not doing much at the moment. I prefer handstitching, like embroidery, cross stitch. I'd like to learn to crochet - just that time issue. Right now, I"m doing macrame to replace the supports on a porch swing. I'm using baling twine since that should hold up better to the weather. Unfortunately, it will end up in Denver Bronco colors...

 

[packyderms_wife]

I knit, crochet, weave, embroider, quilt, spin, etc., amongst a few other things and recently learned how to tat. I also work exclusively with natural dyes, rust, and indigo so you will see me posting about those sorts of things from time to time.

I have an Ashford Princess wheel that I converted to a double treddle, about three dozen drop spindles, a Navajo drop spindle, a LeClerc Nautlis four-harness loom, a tapestry loom, a Navajo rug weaving loom (that's in pieces at the moment), and four or five bead weaving looms. One of my bead weaving looms my dad made for my mom, her last project, a hat band, is still attached to the loom. I have a variety of carding equipment, a pair of wool combs, and two warping boards. I really wish I had a warping wheel/reel, the older I get the more I loathe loading a warping board. I have my great, great, grandmothers quilting frame, that hung above the kitchen table, in my attic. I have three gear-driven singer sewing machines which are great for heavy-duty projects, two belt driven singers, and three Janome sewing machines. And just about every type of hand stitching needle known to mankind! lol I also have a wooden square frame with finishing nails on opposite ends for weaving mixed media type stuff.

My fiber, yarn, thread, and bead stashes are extensive. I don't buy quilting fabric anymore unless it's for a specific project, like a baby blanket. Instead, I buy my fabrics directly from the manufacturers and dye, paint, and print my own. I buy in 300-yard rolls, be it cotton, silk, linen, hemp, or wool.

I also make accruements that are in line with my Mi'kmaq heritage, which means when I buy beads for beadwork I purchase by the kilo so I have a LOT of beads in my house which is basically one huge studio. And I also do porcupine quillwork for those accruments.

 

[gizbe]

I have an Ashford Princess wheel that I converted to a double treddle, about three dozen drop spindles, a Navajo drop spindle, a LeClerc Nautlis four-harness loom, a tapestry loom, a Navajo rug weaving loom (that's in pieces at the moment), and four or five bead weaving looms. One of my bead weaving looms my dad made for my mom, her last project, a hat band, is still attached to the loom. I have a variety of carding equipment, a pair of wool combs, and two warping boards. I really wish I had a warping wheel/reel, the older I get the more I loathe loading a warping board. I have my great, great, grandmothers quilting frame, that hung above the kitchen table, in my attic. I have three gear-driven singer sewing machines which are great for heavy-duty projects, two belt driven singers, and three Janome sewing machines. And just about every type of hand stitching needle known to mankind! lol I also have a wooden square frame with finishing nails on opposite ends for weaving mixed media type stuff.

My fiber, yarn, thread, and bead stashes are extensive. I don't buy quilting fabric anymore unless it's for a specific project, like a baby blanket. Instead, I buy my fabrics directly from the manufacturers and dye, paint, and print my own. I buy in 300-yard rolls, be it cotton, silk, linen, hemp, or wool.

I also make accruements that are in line with my Mi'kmaq heritage, which means when I buy beads for beadwork I purchase by the kilo so I have a LOT of beads in my house which is basically one huge studio. And I also do porcupine quillwork for those accruments.

packyderm's wife, I had no idea you could buy 300 yard rolls of fabric! What a great idea. I would love to do this some day so I could paint and dye my own linens.

Also, thank you for your kind comments about my Instagram site.

 

[summerthyme]

Over the years, I've done many different fiber crafts. I sewed all my clothes for years... also all the baby clothes, and most everything they wore until they went to school. Still made most of my daughter's stuff... looked at what was in style for the year and then copied it, often with a bit of modification for modesty. I sewed bridesmaids dresses, her wedding veil, and all of my own dresses.

I got a bit burned out on counted cross stitch during the year I was fighting MRSA, but it could be done sitting in a hospital bed, and it beat watching TV!

I can hand knit, but it's never become fast or easy for me... I've probably made half a dozen sweaters, maybe a dozen hats and a few pairs of socks. I have a double bed Passap knitting machine which I haven't used in years... i really want to get back to it. I stocked up on quality wool yarn over the years, so I have what I'd need... and my wool sweaters, purchased at great prices on sale, are getting very ragged... in our cold climate, I live in a turtleneck and a wool sweater at lsst 7 months out of the year.

I can crochet, but I've never really loved the results... it seems "clunky" to me, and aside from some baby blankets, I haven't liked my results.

I absolutely love quilting... paper piecing allows the sort of precision piecing I could only dream of in the 1980s when I was learning. I prefer piecing over applique, but my daughter still has a quilt which had multi-colored and layered butterflies in each square. I love hand quilting... I've seen a little machine quilting that I liked, but too often it seems they just quilt in random patterns and swirls all over the quilt, without any regard for the pattern. I have done the hand quilting on all the baby quilts or the grandchildren, but anything larger gets sent to an Amish neighbor lady who does amazing precision work. It's expensive (although nowhere near what it's worth considering the time it takes) but i figure if I've spent the time to hand dye the fabric and do all the piecing, it's worth it.

I've made a couple of braided rugs, as well as crocheted several small throw rugs for the bedside.

Since I now have two baby granddaughters, I'm having a blast sewing tiny sun dresses, flannel nightgowns, fleece sleepers and all sorts of fun things.

This is the wrong time of the year for any of this for me... i probably won't get near the sewing machine for anything excrpt mending or maybe a quick project until fall. Although i DO have to get the last corners set into a king sized quilt for my daughter so I can get it to my Amush quilter lady to finish. I need more hours in a day!

Summerthyme

 

[packyderms_wife]

packyderm's wife, I had no idea you could buy 300 yard rolls of fabric! What a great idea. I would love to do this some day so I could paint and dye my own linens.

Also, thank you for your kind comments about my Instagram site.

yes, with most manufacturers when you order wholesale it's a minimum of 300 yards, I typically buy twelve hundred yards when I order so four rolls. You can buy on rolls or bolts, for my purposes I prefer rolls so there's no fold line down the middle.

You're welcome.

 

[packyderms_wife]

This is the wrong time of the year for any of this for me... i probably won't get near the sewing machine for anything excrpt mending or maybe a quick project until fall. Although i DO have to get the last corners set into a king sized quilt for my daughter so I can get it to my Amush quilter lady to finish. I need more hours in a day!

Summerthyme

If it's not a small project then it won't get done this time of the year, period. I like a little hand work that I can set down with in the evening as I unwind for bed hence the small 4x4 pieces using scraps and thrums (leftover yarn/thread from the loom when you cut the warp off of a finished project for those that don't know what they are).

 

[marsh]

Since I now have two baby granddaughters, I'm having a blast sewing tiny sun dresses, flannel nightgowns, fleece sleepers and all sorts of fun things.


Summerthyme

You might try smocking. You can do it by hand if you use a small gingham print where the squares are evenly spaced.