I sew by hand, first off. I've got a sewing machine - one of those bells & whistles machines that do everything except make a cuppa and dunk your biscuit in it. But for me machine sewing is a chore not a delight. Hand sewing is quieter and more reflective. Without sounding too airy-fairy about it, there's a relationship that builds up between you and what you make. You handle the material, get a feel for how it stitches, the stretchiness of the fabric, the 'give' in it. I like seeing those imperfections too, the little irregularties of stitch length or placement.
For years I've sewn patchwork. For some reason - who knows why - I've stuck with hexagons. I've got masses of art quilt books, and love Amish quilts as well as Nancy Crow, but I keep doggedly to the English paper template method using hexagons as the basis of my patterns. I love lots of colour in my quilts, and am heavily influenced by Kaffe Fassett in that respect.
Apart from patchwork, I do needlepoint, coming up with original designs for cushion covers as well as smaller pieces.
Kaffe Fassett and Candace Bahouth are inspiring, but a trawl through any stack of postcards or birthday/occasional cards can provide ideas for needlepoint designs. Vintage china and fabric are great starting points for pattern design too. My ideal would be a stationery firm picking up on the needlepoint patterns, using them on giftwrap or greeting cards.
Lately I've got into making felt softies and felt bunting, embroidered lavender bags and knitting. But you've read enough text for now ...
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