Slow Stitching Mindfulness

"Hand stitching is for people who like to be busy,
but busy in a calm and relaxing way."

I saw this quote on social media recently. Those of us who enjoy handwork can identify! With that, I thought I'd inventory and share my current hand stitching WIPs [work in progress].

Seed stitches with perle cotton on a garment-to-be.

Mix-It top
I'm using the rice stitch or seed stitch to add color and pattern to a new Mix-It top [The Sewing Workshop patterns]. The base fabric is from the Denim Studio by Art Gallery Fabrics. It is a nice weight for hand stitching and needles well. I do use an embroidery hoop for this work.

Hand seed stitches on a cotton from the Denim Studio by Art Gallery Fabrics.

Big Stitch quilting
The Sandy Creek print from M&S Textiles Australia is perfect for adding colorful accents of 8wt Eleganza perle cotton [WonderFil Specialty Threads]. I've combined free-motion quilting by machine with big stitch hand quilting.

Big stitch quilting.

By echoing the lines of this Sandhill print [M&S Textiles Australia], no marking is required! Gotta love the organic patterns in this fabric collection!

Big stitch quilting.

Hand embroidery
Just a little more embroidery to do on this Bee Kind canvas tote bag panel [Northcott Fabrics]. I also have the September Morning panel waiting in the queue. You'll love stitching through this canvas substrate.

Hand embroidery on a canvas tote panel.

Visible Mending
This is a visible mending upcycling project—the proverbial Boyfriend Shirt. 

8 wt. perle cotton for stitched embellishments and visible mending.

Paper piecing
I'm still enjoying my 100 Day Project of focus cutting three-quarter inch hexagons. 

English paper piecing.

Threads for hand stitching projects
The threads I've used for these hand stitching projects include:

• 8 wt. Eleganza perle cotton from WonderFil Specialty Threads; 
• Valdani 12 wt. perle cotton; 
• 6-strand embroidery floss and Valdani Wool Thread for hand embroidery; 
• cotton sewing thread for paper piecing.

8wt perle cotton by WonderFil Specialty Threads.

If you haven't tried Valdani Wool Thread (100% virgin Merino wool) for embroidery, I suggest you give it a needle. These threads were recommended by my friend, Vicki McCarty at Calico Patch Designs. This thread has a lovely loft and springy-ness that comes with being a wool fiber. The stitches sit higher from the canvas, giving the work more dimension. The variegated colors are especially appealing.

6 strand embroidery floss and Valdani Wool Thread for hand embroidery.

The weather is beautiful here today. I just have to decide which mindful stitching project to take outdoors with me.

Combining free-motion machine quilting with big stitch quilting.

Enjoy a little bit of nature—whether outdoors or on your stitching projects.

Garden blooms.

Not shopping at big stores? Make your summer wardrobe yourself!

The grass didn't have much chance to grow between my first rayon MixIt Top and my second. This is MixIt Two in another Art Gallery rayon fabric... this one from the Abloom Fusion collection.

MixIt Top from The Sewing Workshop.
Rayon fabric from Art Gallery Fabrics.

I love the summery colors of this floral rayon print. For this second make from my MixIt pattern, I added another inch of length to the sleeves. The other pattern modifications are in this post.

MixIt Top in Budquette Abloom print from Art Gallery Fabrics.

I was talking to Kim, the owner of Chattanooga Quilts this week. She was telling me that she and her daughter have decided to sew some summer dresses for themselves... since it's not quite comfortable to shop at the malls just yet.

To be honest, I can't remember the last time I shopped for clothes—either at a mall store or online. I would rather support and buy fabric at the small business quilt shops and fabric shops that I do business with... and make my own wardrobe. #lovedclotheslast #memadewardrobe

Dressed for summer in a rayon MixIt Top and the Valencia pants with pockets.

I'm wearing this second MixIt with one of my Valencia pants (pattern also from The Sewing Workshop). The fabric is a yarn-dyed woven from Diamond Textiles.

So, Yes! You CAN get fabrics for garment sewing at quilt shops—rayon, knits, linen, and top and bottom weight wovens! Art Gallery Fabrics and other fabric companies that cater to the quilting industry not only produce beautiful quilting cottons, but also fabrics suitable for garments and wearables.

If your local quilt shop hasn't stepped into carrying these substrates yet, tell them you are interested! As quilt shops and independent sewing centers begin to reopen from the lockdown, they want to know what consumers are interested in learning/making/buying so they can restock their shelves accordingly.

Reach for a rayon on your next visit... and make something summery to wear!

The MixIt Top with Kushukuru rayon, a Make Nine finish

Had I known how soft, flowy and wonderfully slinky wearing a rayon top would feel, I might have finished this Make Nine project last year! Here is my new MixIt Top, another Make Nine 2020 finish.

Rayon MixIt Top—a Make Nine 2020 finish.

From M9 2019 to M9 2020
The original intention was to make "something" using rayon fabric through participation in the Make Nine 2019 challenge. I made Rayon a Wild Card project. But it didn't happen.

Still wanting to try this fabric and hone my sewing skills, I moved this project from the 2019 list to my Make Nine 2020 list.

Cutting out pieces of the MixIt Top [pattern by The Sewing Workshop].
Rayon fabric from Kushukuru by Jessica Swift for Art Gallery Fabrics.

During the last two months of shelter-in-place, I have been able to complete quite a few of my Make Nine 2020 items. Taking inspiration from the participants and garments of Me Made May, the time had come to tackle a new substrate—rayon.

My MixIt Top: process and modifications
In October 2019, I chose the MixIt Top [pattern by The Sewing Workshop] for its simplicity and loose, casual fit to fulfil my Rayon Wild Card project. If I was going to try sewing with a more drapey fabric, a simple pattern with minimal garment pieces seemed a good idea. The test muslin was made last year as well. My pattern modifications were:

• narrowed the shoulder
• lowered the bust dart
• added an inch to the length
• lengthened the sleeve (personal preference)
• I also opted to omit the top button and button loop (for a more breezy, casual look).

Adjusting the bust dart and adding length to the pattern.

The fabric is a rayon from Art Gallery Fabrics. It's called "Everlasting Imprint" from the Kushukuru collection by Jessica Swift. (This print also comes in a cotton woven.) Kushukuru means "gratitude" in Swahili.

Lengthening the cap sleeve.

Would you believe the pattern pieces for this top were also cut out last October?? It was just waiting to be sewn! On the last day of Me Made May, I jumped in.

It took one day. 

May 31. 

The last day of Me Made May 2020.

MixIt Top made during Me Made May 2020.

I still have to topstitch the side vents, but I couldn't wait to try it on! I wore it all day... unfinished side hems and all. Heavenly.

Why did I wait so long? I guess life just happened... as it often does... and takes us to alternate routes. However, a second rayon MixIt is already on the cutting mat.

Back and side vent view.

In this unsettling time... amidst the turmoil, protests, political mayhem, unkindness and injustices... I hope you can find a little comfort in the small, everyday things—like using your hands to make something... cooking, baking, gardening, sewing... or feeling the softness of a lovely textile against your skin.