Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Needles Pulling Threads


A tisket, a tasket, a happy gingham basket...
I am forever trying to be a good bag lady... to have a properly stocked, well-organized purse, handbag, carry-all. My latest obsession has been edging everything in sight with simple rows of crochet, so my latest bag is geared toward sewing and crochet.


I fiddled around with the idea of sewing a fabric roll to secure tiny scissors, needles and pins. I thought the wool scraps I have on hand and some folksy embroidery could combine nicely for something compact and convenient. But the muses would not join me, and it started to become one of those spontaneous sessions of senseless frustration. It's not a bad idea, but I wasn't giving it the planning and thought it deserved. Maybe some other time...

So. Sew. I pulled Maria's little felt heart out of the jumble, and tacked it onto the lid of my thrifty basket. Instant needle station. The sturdy basket is small enough to keep things from getting lost, and sturdy enough to keep me from stabbing myself with scissors. I can just fit my essentials... lipstick, id, and camera + supplies to play with, like cotton Perle, crochet hooks, my strawberry needle sharpener, and a bit of fabric.


I blanket stitched this napkin, from the clearance bin. Next came a row of single stitched crochet, and now I am going around once more with a double stitch. But. I am out of DMC 5 cotton Perle #502. Last time I shopped I got the last skein from their inventory. I wonder if they've restocked, yet.

What do you think of my clever thread bobbin? The clothes pin is a nice weight and size for this purpose. I can slip the informative sleeve over the handle, so I know what color number I am using when I need to refill, and the loose end of the thread keeps from unraveling when I slip it into the clamped end of the clothes pin. I may forever struggle with being an organized bag lady, but I think this solution for embroidery floss and Perle, is my forever plan.


When Maria found the heart she stitched in my basket she was tickled.
Hmmmmm... maybe my budding seamstress needs a sewing basket of her own. Wouldn't that make a happy Valentine gift? Or, better still, a great project for her to assemble and make?

8 comments:

laura said...

Very nice! The "thread bobbin" was one of the first things I noticed. At one time, when I was teaching quiltmaking, sewing fobs were all the rage. Beautiful things you tied around your neck that could hold a few items in particular delicate sewing scissors. Never could get past what I knew was a certainty; that I would wear one, make a sharp turn of my head and end up with scissors sticking out of my ear...

Miriam said...

The clothes pin idea is brilliant, and I'm going to steal it, right now!

judy in ky said...

Beautiful and useful, too. That little heart is just the right touch. I am so impressed when I see crocheting. It looks so pretty and I'm convinced it's not as simple as you say.

nikkipolani said...

Your use of the clothes pin is perfect! Your title reminded me of a Sound of Music Sing-Along at the Hollywood Bowl. People would dress up as various members of the cast. There was a little boy all in silver with his littler sister dressed as a spool of thread, one end of which was in the boy's hand... needle pulling thread ;-)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I think I remember those... and they made me a bit anxious, too. I really wanted one, but I wasn't sure I could trust them. The first quilting book I ever read was Georgia Bonesteel's, and I think she encouraged making them, as a useful quilters tool.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Okay, if I have actually struck on something useful, and friends start using them, too... well, it will be a personal thrill! I think I must a have a longing to be useful in a small and clever way!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I suppose it has taken some practice to get my crocheting down, but I assure you... these are not particularly fancy or elaborate steps I am taking. But they sure are making me *simply* happy.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

A few of my favorite things... yes!
I would love to see the Sound of Music Sing-Along, and
people dress up, too? What fun.