Umbrella Prints | Slow Stitched Needle Book

So, two things kind of morphed into one with this little project. First, I had a stack of UmbrellaPrints that I got from my friend Cindy's @liveacolorfullife destash back in February. Then there was the hand-stitched needle book made by Mira @bluebellhillcrafts, that came with an invitation, Slow stitch a needle book with me. It kinda felt like they would go together nicely.

I used a double-thickness of Aurifil 12wt threads to do all of my stitching, loosely copying the designs and stitches Mira had used on hers.

Maybe I should have used some brighter colors so they'd show off better, but then again, I enjoyed with low-key palette.

The needle book cover was attached to the lining with a blanket stitch, and in the pair of photos below, you can see the prints that I pieced together for the book's interiors, leaving that one selvage showing as a hint to the origin of the fabrics.

I chose to add just two pieces of felt, creating 4 pages to store needles. I tried to follow Mira's instructions for securing them, with three rows of stitching down the center. Not perfect, but I think it'll work fine, and it does give the book a bit of a spine.

So that was fun! Closed, the needle book measures 4.25" x 5.5". Something a little different, and something that will come in handy, for sure.

Circle Needle Book

Just a few days ago, I posted about finishing the All-Seasons Wreath sampler from Dropcloth Samplers @dropcloth, and hinted at having a plan for making it into something. I had intended to wait a bit, but interest was peaked in the Dropcloth facebook group, so I decided why not? Let's see what I can do.

My inspiration was the Sashiko Stitched Needle Book tutorial by founder Lynn Woll over on Create Whimsy. I was familiar with the tutorial ever since receiving a needle book made with it in a guild swap back in 2023, and it came to mind as I was finishing the circular wreath sampler. So here's my version.

I started by using #8 Wonderfil perle cotton Ball Pit (EZM1055) to fill in the center of the sampler with a couched grid. Then I cut the sampler into a circle, with about a half-inch allowance all around. It was already backed with a piece of Essex linen, but I added a layer of Hobbs Tuscany Unbleached 100% cotton batting by spray-basting it on.

For a lining, I used Kaleidoscope in strawberry by Alison Glass. Then I layered it all together, right-sides together, and stitched around the perimeter, turned it right-sides out, and hand-stitched the opening closed.

Next, I added two layers of wool felt on the inside, hand-stitching it down the center. 

I also stitched around the perimeter with perle cotton, leaving the knots showing on the interior.

The last little detail was a closure! I had in mind that I'd add a snap at the end, but then I just didn't think the snaps I had would be sturdy enough, so instead, I chose to use a leather lacing for a wrapped closure. I machine-stitched it on the back inside with tiny stitches, then just wrap it around the needle book and tuck the end in. 

The needle book measures 8" in diameter, and ya know? Though stitching the sampler maybe wasn't my favorite of the bunch, I'm certainly happy with the finish.

Embroidered Needle Books

Well I didn't expect to be back quite so soon. But here I am with my embroidered needle books, made with the embroidered squares from my recently finished Garden Path sampler. The hard part was already done, so they went together quite quickly! 

Backed with squares of Essex Linen in Natural and lined with coordinating prints from scraps and stash, they are each just under 4" square when closed. 

I purchased felt from PixieFibers for the interior 'pages' - 8" x 12" sheets European 100% Wool Felt, 1.2 mm thick. Like on my Strawberry Needle Book, I opted for no closure since they are so small. 

Anyway, it feels good to finish a Dropcloth sampler and turn it into something usable in short order. Do you have a favorite?

  

Strawberry Needle Book

When I started my latest Dropcloth Sampler, I had no idea I'd end up stitching one of my favorite things ever! That strawberry took a while but was so fun to stich.

The project is the Strawberry Needle Book, just 2.5" x 3.5" when finished.

I actually started with the rain on the back, and that rainbow, which was what called to me in the first place.

I chose to construct the actual 'book' a little differently than the pattern suggested, lining it with a coordinating print and then sewing in the felt pages. I'm pretty sure that sweet fabric is a Lecien Minny Muu print from way back.

It felt good to be working on another Dropcloth sampler, even though it was tiny. And I'm looking forward to another - the new Garden Path, though I've also got some hand-quilting planned. Always plenty to work on, right?