Stitching June 2025

 Hand Stitching V Crochet 

Crochet

This is my entry for Glamorgan W.I. Show. 

Knit or Crochet something for a young child, not a Shawl or Blanket.

And it all fits into itself when you pull the drawstrings. Can't show you that though because it's already started it's W.I. Show Journey.

Not a pattern. Just something I made up as I went along. So don't ask for a second one!

Hand Stitching 

I made a Hand Stitching start to June

Following on from my first Colly Bird I've cut out Three more. I took them with me on a last minute holiday to Zante earlier this month.

Got one completed and a second one embroidered ready for Stitching together. 

Crochet

King Cole Festival Fever CAL

I've just started the above CAL (Crochet Along. It started yesterday (20th June 2025)

Part 1 is called Bell Tents and Flowers 

Needlefelted Cat

My 2nd entry for the Glamorgan W.I. Show is this Needlefelted Cat.

A Needlefelted Animal from the Song. 

There was an old Lady who swallowed a Fly.

Crochet Hanging Pocket

Just finished this Envelope Style Hanging Pocket for our Tent. It's always useful to have places to keep small items in.

Winter Village 

It was too hot in my Sewing Room at the beginning of June. 

So not got much done on my Winter Village Quilt. Just some machine Quilting around the windows of a couple of the houses. More about the Winter Village Quilt

Of course I got sidetracked with The King Cole Festival Fever Crochet Along. 🎶 🎵 

And that's a wrap. June is done and dusted.

My Thoughts on June

It was too short.....where did the days go!!

July's Stitching 

Didn't get June's Mouse of the Month done. Too busy with the above projects.

But in July

Planning more work on:

Winter Village

King Cole Festival Fever Blanket 

Colly Birds

Repair Millenium Quilt See My Millenium Quilt Here

Plus anything else Shiny my Blackbird eye gets drawn to/distracted by along the way. 🐦‍⬛ 

Relaxing Hand Stitching

 Block Printing - Hand Stitching 

I don't do a lot of Hand Stitching but whenever I do I find it So Relaxing.

Late last year I did some Fabric Stamping on some plain canvas Bags and Zip Pouches I bought from Amazon

Block Printing 

The Fabric Stamping itself was very easy and fun to do.

I have quite a good selection of Wooden Stamps

Most from Colouricious

And I used some of the Stamped Bags as Gift Bags at Christmas.

The little zipper pouches have come in useful over the last few weeks as storage for my Little Janome Gem Sewing machine bits & bobs. I had got that machine out to take to my local school to help get Year 6 Pupils Stitching, and the little tin I kept the spear bobbins, feet etc was looking rather shoddy with rust marks in. So time for an upgrade me thinks.

Hand Stitching 

And another for my Hand Stitching bits & bobs.

And then I thought um, a touch of outline Hand Stitching would look good on them.

So I got out my trusty Pearle Cotton No. 8 and began Stitching.

Check out My Running Stitch Post

It didn't take long to do. Was very Relaxing and made the Pouches more personal to me. 

My Redwork Style Fabric Stamped Hand Stitching Bag.

Check out my One Hour Hand Stitched Hearts

What do you think?

More about Hand Running Stitch Here

Has this given you some Inspiration?

Catch up on My Blue Houses

Like to know more?

Here's an Applique Idea of mine for the Canvas Bags.

Yours In Stitches, Joy

Boro Stitching - Needles & Threads

Following on from my Boro Bag Post .  I want to talk a little today about Needles, Threads and Fabric for Boro Stitching.

Basically to get the best results (and the most stress free Stitching experience) you need to use the best combination of needle and thread for the fabrics you are using.

Because, if you use a needle that is too small or big for you fabric and chosen thread your gonna hit problems, and at the very least your work is going to fight you. Basically not so much fun as frustration. So it pays to use the right tools for the job.

There are numerous types of Needles and Threads to use when sewing, which basically depend on the fabrics you are stitching and the effect you want to achieve. I could write a blog post on each one. But today I just want to focus a little on Needles, Threads and Fabrics for more traditional Boro Work.

You'll probably be pleased to know that Boro is traditionally worked with thicker threads and bigger needles! It's one of the reasons I love Boro, it's not fiddly and delicate it's simple and bold. And this simple bold work creates (in my humble opinion) a visual feast for the eyes.

Visible Mending. That's quite new wording for me. I have always thought of such work as patching, you know, cutting a patch of fabric to cover a hole, rip or tear and simply stitching it onto said fabric, usually clothing, and stitched to blend in. I'm  thinking boys trouser knees and pockets! But nowadays invisible Mending has been eclipsed by Visible Mending. You may think Visible Mending is a relatively new kid on the block, making a point of seeing the Mending. But no, the Japanise have been 'Visible Mending' for ever........ for more information on Boro

Traditional Boro fabrics are a slightly heavier weight and a more open weave than the Patchwork and Quilting fabrics many of us use. And that slightly heavier weight means thicker threads and Needles are ideal.

Fabric

For Sashiko and Boro it's best to use as Medium Weight Woven fabric with quite an open weave. The needles and Threads you will be using are quite thick to match the fabric weight. If you try and use a tight weave fabric the needle and thread will have difficulty penatrating it. It won't be easy to work and won't look right either. So save yourself the frustration and choose suitable fabrics. Check out the fabrics in the Susan Brisco link at the bottom of this post..

Threads.

Firstly, there is the obvious choice, the thread that the Japanese would use for Boro.  And this thread is called Sashico Thread. It is becoming more readily available, usually through specialist stores though. And more colours too (used to be mainly cream or indigo). Obviously it's the ideal choice. But you can create Boro Work with lots of other thicker threads. Remember the stitching is meant to be seen. Embroidery threads can work well, and of course they are easily available and come in a plethora of colours. If I'm using a six stranded thread I use either two or three strands for Boro. Pearle Cotton can work well also, I quite like Pearle Cotton no. 8.

I've stitched out a sample piece for you to see the effect of a few different threads. There are others you might like to try. I'm just showing a few to give you an idea of what you can use. I've included a Hand Quilting Thread so you can see for yourself that it really isn't thick enough to create a bold stitch on Sashiko weight fabrics.

Needles. 

Ideally with Sashiko Thread you would use a Sashiko Needle. They general come in two lengths. Use whichever you feel more comfortable using. You may well start and stay with the shorter needle. Or you may progress onto the longer one as you learn to put more Stitches on you needle. I've also used a Chenille Needle (no. 16 for me) as they are fairly widely available in shops.

The Sashiko Stitch itself is basically what I think of as a running stitch. Learn more about  Sashiko History, point 6 of this link explains clearly the difference between Sashiko and Boro I think.      Read a part of this link quote below.

Boro can be best defined as the mindful Japanese art of mending textiles, while Sashiko is a form of sustainable embroidery.

Above is a picture of some of my own Sashiko Stitching (along with some Appliqued Japanese Motifs. Note how different the Sashiko Stitch looks when used to create shapes as apposed to the simple straight lines typical of Boro Stitching using Sashiko Stitching.

Read my Post on Boro Inspired Stitching

It could be said that Boro Work although  based on the Sashiko Stitch is a simpler form of Sashiko 

So there you have it. My thoughts on Boro threads & needles. 

I first learned Sashiko from a Workshop with Susan Brisco many years ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But once I discovered Boro Work, I fell in love with it's simplicity.  I think as someone who doesn't like lots of rules and regulations I find the freedom of Boro suits my need to be non conformist, while feeding my love of Sashiko or running stitch.

Want to buy some supplies? Or just checkout out what is available take a look a this link to the Susan Brisco Shop.

Are you enjoying my musings? Check out my Social Media Links

Boro Inspired Stitching

 Hello there my Stitching Friends. Today I want to share with you my latest Boro Inspired piece of work. 

I find this Traditional Japanese style of stitching wonderfully relaxing. It's based on need rather than decoration but still manages to produce a visually strong finished piece of work. 

I'm making my piece of Boro fabric into a Bag. But technically that's the wrong way around! Boro traditionally didn't start It's life as Boro. It slowly became Boro over years of daily use and mending.....

Boro is filled with lots of lovely Hand Stitching called Sashiko in thick thread often  contrasting the fabrics it covers. (Think basic running or quilting stitches.) This simple stitch intended to be functional also creates a fabulous visual impact.

Read my post on Boro Needles and Threads Here

The bag I'm making came from this  Boro Bag link

I've thoroughly enjoyed the project. So much so that I created a YouTube Video showing how I created this piece. You can click on This Link  to watch my YouTube video about making this piece of Boro.

I hope you enjoyed watching my Boro video.

Also I've made lots of helpful How To Stitching Videos. Check out my My YouTube Channel here

And I'm also

On other Social Media

So, what did you think of my Boro Video?

Are you tempted to give it a try?

Or, have you already made some Boro Work?

Let me know in the comments below. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Joy

Christmas Star

This year I give you my Christmas Star Tree ornament

And another....

You can easily make one of these yourself.

Using two star templates - one large, one small.

 

With just these simple ingredients.....

Sew

Lets get stitching!

Cut two pieces of fabric (one piece will be your star front, the other will be the back of the star) roughly about half an inch larger than your large star shape.

&

Draw around the large star shape on one of the fabric pieces

On a contrasting piece of fabric

Draw around the small star template 

(I've used cookie cutters - and as you can see I'm making lots of Christmas Star ornaments)

Cut out small star and place onto centre of your drawn star .

Stitch in place using a contrasting thread.

(note you are stitching onto the front fabric only at this point)

Place front onto back fabric

 and stitch around outer star.

Cut out your star

Attach a ribbon for hanging

 And there you have it

Your very own Christmas Star Tree Ornament
The cookie cutters I bought came in a set of three - you only need two, but having these three gives me options to make different sized stars.

The original was made in felt.

But they work just as well using cotton fabrics,

or woolen ones.

Below are stars I've made from,

felt, cotton, brushed cotton and wool fabrics.

Experiment and have fun making your own Christmas Stars.

A little test for you now.

I machine stitched one of the hearts

and it worked out well

see if you can spot which one is the

Machine Stitched one.

As there is no padding/stuffing these little beauties will fit nicely inside Christmas cards.

Making a special little gift for your close friends and family.

And of course you might like to see how to make last Christmas's Hand Stitched Hearts

Or even the Machine Stitched Hearts

Enough information for one post!

Yours in Stitches, Joy

A One Hour Workshop

Hand Stitched Felt Hearts

When I gave my Welsh Quilting talk to a local ladies group 'Positive Thinkers', they asked me to return to do a mini stitching workshop - Any project I though suitable.

Realizing the restrictions of having one hour to complete a workshop I decided to make an Applique Felt Heart Hanging.

You may remember the red and white felt ones we made last Christmas.

Anyway, these hearts are Aqua Blue

The Kits

I wanted to make sure the ladies had the best chance of making these up within the hour,

So

  I've cut out, drawn out stitching lines and made up 30 kits

 Begged borrowed, bought and stolen about 70 needles.

Cut threads to length and threaded said 70 odd needles
(cutting thread and threading the needles would take valuable time out of their hour)

Cut out ribbons for hanging the Hearts

 Made up a number of example pieces

 At different stages

And rather ignored the dogs pleas to be taken out for a walk.

I think I am just about ready now

I usually teach small groups - 6-8 people

Wish me luck tonight with a room full. 

Hope the Positive Thinkers enjoy

Hand Stitched Hearts Video 

Check out my Hand Stitched Hearts Video

Interested in Block Printing with Stitching 

Check out My Block Printing

Yours in Stitches,

an exhausted Joy

p.s. Don't feel too sorry for Daisy (dog) I've just taken her for a quick walk before I leave.

Why not Check out My Other Social Media Links

Hand Stitched Hearts and Birthday Wishes

Well my Quilty Friends, today I'm posting a Video Tutorial on how to make the Hand Stitched Hearts we made in class today for our Community Centre Christmas Tree.

 Doesn't it look lovely with a mixture of last weeks Machine Stitched and this weeks

Hand Stitched Hearts?

 And here are a couple of pics of the Monday Ladies busy hand stitching.

 I had made up lots of little kits for them - including a needle - I wasn't taking any excuses!

I couldn't make a kit each for you my readers.

Sew,

But you can certainly watch my

Hand Stitched Hearts Video 

Hope you enjoy the video

I know lots of Monday Ladies today were rushing out

to buy some felt to make more of these simple but stunning little hearts.

And of course they are not just for Christmas.

Hearts can be hung any time of year.

AND

If you stuff them a little more stiffly, they make lovely pin cushions too.

ALSO

You might Enjoy Browsing Thru

My Other Social Media Links

Yours in Stitches, Joy

Getting the paints out - Monday Group

Well my Quilty Friends as this hot weather continues here in Wales my stitching has almost ground to a halt.

It's just too hot to be indoors sewing. So it's hand stitching in the garden for me.

Mind you even that's not easy with Daisy (my new puppy) wanting to help all the time.

Once the weather cools down the and normal sewing resumes, the next part on my log cabin is the binding.

Meanwhile,
 I'm going to show you a little piece I'm currently working on.

As a backdrop to this story. Me and a few of my quilty friends have recently joined the Contemporary Section of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles.

I've been a 'Guild' member for years, but this May decided to join the Contemporary Section.

Well, we all went to a Guild Area Day last month and the speaker was Gillian Travis. She is also a member of the Contemporary section. And she was showing amongst other things, some of the pieces she had made for the Contemporary challenge this year, Journal Quilts.

We would have like to join in, with the Journal Quilts challenge, but as we joined in May we were too late to join in this challenge.

 So between us we devised a quilty plan.

We would have our own little contemporary challenge. We choose memories of each month, so our first month would be Memories of June which we would each have to bring along and show at our monthly Swansea Quilters meeting.

Sew, this is mine, a work in progress at the moment. But it has to be finished for Saturday so I'd better get a move on.  

 I have chosen a picture of Daisy take just a few days after we had her.

I took lots of photos that day and as she raced around the house and garden,

most of my pictures were of a blur of black, a black tail or even some with no Daisy in at all.

This was one of my better ones - she's almost all in it - it's just her head disappeared as I took the photo.

Anyways, I had the photo printed out. Then I took a piece of thinish calico, laid it on the top of the photo

the simply traced the outlines of the photo onto the calico.

Next - very brave of me

I got out some of the fabric paints I'd bought over the last few years.

You know,

The kind of quilty thing you buy intending to try straight away

Which then sits in a draw for the foreseeable future

mainly due to your being too scared/not having the confidence to try whatever it is out.

Sew

Feeling enthused and fearless after Gillian Travis talk - 'just do it' she said.

'Use these little quilts to try out different ideas', she said

'Don't procrastinate', she said  

SEW

I got out my paints, sat out the garden and painted the photo  

And you can see the result in the picture above, above the actual picture.

And I'm very pleased with it for a first attempt.

Now even I can see that the wall is a bit wonky

That's where I didn't follow the lines and added some of my own

Leason learnt there.

This picture has some machine stitching on it.

You can probably make out the stands of cotton that need to be cut off

These are from where I've 'jumped' from one section of stitching to another.

Next I plan to start hand stitching Daisy in.

It's no masterpiece - but I'm quite thrilled with my first attempt

I particularly like the cartoon feel to it - it wasn't something I was aiming for but I like it.

Well that's me done for today,

remember you can click on the 'pink links' to find out more. 

Speak to you all again soon,

Yours in Stitches, Joy