Monday, February 21, 2011

Still Stitchin'~

Debbie at Busy As Can Be shared this free pattern, and I couldn't wait to start stitching! I used perle cotton to stitch it and learned a neat tip from my Mom in the process. :-)

She called me one evening and asked what I was doing~ and I said trying to thread a needle with perle cotton.~ Ugh! I always had such a hard time getting the thick thread thru the needle!  And I use tapestry needles! With the long eye. :-o  She said try wetting the end with spray starch and pressing it... so I did and eureka!! :-) I sprayed a little heavy starch in a small cup and dipped the ends of the thread in it about an inch up~ wetting them real good. Then I separated them and pressed them flat. They slide right into the needle! Another bonus is that the end doesn't fray and shred as you are stitching! Whoohoo! Thanks Mom!! :-)

I'm off to my sewing machine~
Have a happy day!

15 comments:

busyascanbe said...

Great trick! Tell your Mom thanks from me too!

WoolenSails said...

I hate to say it, but stitchery can be addicting.
What a fun design and a good tip for the thread.

Debbie

Barb said...

That pattern is just awesome!!

Shelley said...

red teacups! love them!

John'aLee said...

I love, love her free pattern too. Good for you doing it! And what a great tip. Thanks for sharing.

Bridget B said...

Happy it helped- pretty pattern. Think I will check it out.

Myra said...

A darling stitchery Sandie, and a great tip from your mom! Must remember that one!!! 8-)

Darlene said...

Oh, I love Debbie's free pattern, too. Very sweet. Great tip from your Mom. :-)

AnnieO said...

Really cute teacups, just love the stack! I usually just unwind a few threads at the end, wet them with my lips and flatten with my fingernail before threading. But your no fray way sounds better!

Brooke said...

Now THAT is a golden tip!

How did moms get to be so wise?? I hope I have useful advice like that for my kids some day! So far, they don't seem too impressed with all my handy tips about cleaning their rooms and organizing their schoolwork! Ha!

Your tea stitchery is darling. I just adore redwork.

Teresa said...

Great job on the stitching. And also, thanks for the link to Little Miss Shabby's Birdie Stitches. They are just too cute.

Nicole said...

What a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing.

sunny said...

I love that pattern! I'm envisioning it in variegated blue thread.

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

SO cute! Just love that block!

Shannon said...

Great stitching pattern...thank you for sharing
You may like our free one..which I also did all in red...
It's on our blog
http://incomparablebuttons.com
And features our hanpainted teeny little bird buttons

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