When I first got into embroidery, during what I would call my “embroidery childhood,” tools weren’t a huge concern. I had a plastic hoop, a needle, and my mom’s old pair of Fiskar scissors.
And it was fine! I was ten, after all. What more could I want?
As I reached embroidery adolescence, my tool box expanded a little bit. I had a decent wood hoop. I had a smaller pair of scissors that were really sharp.
And it was fine! I was just ending high school, and then working my way through college (penny pinching!), and embroidery was an occasional pastime.
When I eventually passed into embroidery adulthood – which corresponded to that time of life when I was pursuing a teaching career and post-graduate studies – I had developed a little more skill in embroidery, and I had a little more financial freedom. This is when I started to enjoy good tools. I found my first slate frame. I invested in an excellent pair of scissors. I discovered quality English needles and cotton floche. I purchased my first goldwork supplies. And I began to devour silk thread.
And it was fine! Very fine!
One thing that I learned, once I found and used good tools, is that good tools help make a hobby (or a job) easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.
And if a tool can be both a good tool and a good looking tool – well! All the better!
I’ve met and corresponded with a lot of needleworkers over the years. I’ve noticed that I’m not the only stitcher out here who enjoys tools, or is … um… tool obsessed? (For lack of a better term?)
I’m always looking for good tools. I’m always willing to try good tools. I appreciate beautiful and functional tools. And yes, I have my favorite tools that I turn to again and again and again. And then I have my occasional tools, my dressy tools, my “let’s a stage a photo with this tool because gosh, it’s so pretty” tools.
But always – always! – my tools have to work – and work as they should – or I just don’t see the point.
Sure, you can find plenty of really pretty scissors out there … that are cheap, poorly made, and don’t cut well. What’s the point?
Sure, you can find attractive stilettos or laying tools … that are rough, cheap, poorly made. What’s the point?
I like good tools – the ones that do their job well. And if they’re attractive, I like them even more!
And Then There is Wood
And now that you know I like tools, I’d also like to mention that I love wood – beautiful wood. Smooth wood. Wood with grain and patterns. Polished, hard, wonderfully weighty wood.
Combine the two – good tools and beautiful wood – and that’s a recipe for tool satisfaction, don’t you think?
Can you imagine how happy I am to have found, right out here in the Midwest not too far from my home, a skilled wood turner who makes beautiful needlework tools? And I’m even happier that I’ll shortly be stocking a selection of these tools in my shop.
Stocking hand crafted needlework tools and accessories in my shop has been a goal for a very long time. Here’s hoping that this little step leads to a permanent addition!
Once we have these tools available, I’ll let you know! The first wave is coming soon.
Hey! Stay Warm!
You’ve probably heard it ad nauseam by this time, but if you haven’t, here in the States there’s a bit of winter (as in, Real Winter) weather coming along this weekend. We don’t expect as much hazardous weather as areas south of us, but we’re still expecting some significant weather. It is downright f-r-i-g-i-d today! But the studio is cozy and the house is cozy (so far), so I’m pretty sure we’ll weather the storm just fine.
And no, I did not go out and buy bread and milk. I made chicken soup. And I picked up some cheese and some cardamom on the way home from work yesterday. I took some work home with me, too, so that, if I’m stuck inside over the weekend (which I will be), I have something Productive to do. That is the extent of my preparation.
I’ll see you on the (frosty) other side! Take care of yourselves and stay warm!
Have a swell weekend!
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