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.
Update! These tools are available here!
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!
How exciting, I can’t wait to see the new line in your shop!
I must ask, is the cardamom just a random grocery need or is the cheese and cardamom meant to be paired?
Have a blessed weekend!
Hi, Jennifer – LOL! I got the cardamom because I really love a good chai tea in winter, and I found a recipe for a chai blend that I wanted to make (I didn’t like it at all – it was, in fact, rather not-so-good). The cheese was for an accompaniment to a pot of soup – which actually came out quite good, and I’ve made the recipe twice now, I liked it that well. 🙂
I have to chuckle at this post…since retiring I have ‘gathered’ more tools than I will ever use! The funny part is that my husband is an accessory to this fixation…he finds me the best ones and encourages it!
I, too, have advanced from simple, plastic hoops to my favorites (Nurge thanks to your posts and other embroiderer’s recommendations) so one of my most recent tool purchase is a small torque screwdriver to tighten and loosen these!
I just finished reading the Inspirations newsletter. They announced the release of the book, “Life in Seasons-Vol. 2”. Will you have it in your shop? I would like to purchase it & would rather buy it from you if possible.
Hi, Stephanie! Yes, I will! Shortly!
Ohhhh, I cannot describe how exciting this is to hear! I saw a multi colored wood seam ripper at a craft fair once, made the mistake of not getting it, and have regretted it since. I have some of my Dad’s beautiful old pottery and jewelry tools, and even though I don’t use them, I keep them just because they’re made so nicely they look good in my studio!
I’m posting these tools today, Kelly! (Wednesday.) Blog post coming shortly, with links to the shop listings…
We (in DFW) seem to be in the path of potential ice. I like snow, when we get some every 4 or 5 years, but ice is terrible; it is the cause of so many power outages. With electric heat and electric cooking, power outages are not so fun.
On the other hand, I have a backlog of needlework to do. If we lose power, I’ll snuggle under a newly quilted quilt and hand-stitch down the binding. Then I’ll continue work on a flour sack towel or the oh-so-lovely leafy tree (which has been sidelined for several months because work got busy). The only downside to wintry needlework is how stiff your cold fingers can get. And maybe not being able to listen to an audiobook to while away the hours…
I hope it wasn’t too drastic, Joshua, and you didn’t experience any ice problems.
I always imagine how I’ll spend a potential “snow day” (read: any kind of weather event day when stuck at home)… And I over-prepare in hope, you know! I charge my cordless light (I have a Stella Go, and it has a good running time – I can get about 6 hours from it on its highest setting); I charge all my devices (laptop, phone); and I make sure my power bank is charged (I can get about 2.5 full phone charges from my little power bank). Then, I make sure I bring home something “light” from work – not something that requires too much focus or concentration, but just something pleasant that will help while away any “forced” down time. I imagine stitching and listening to a riveting book and watching the weather develop.
But then… it never happens that way. Either the event passes by (which can be a good thing, it’s true! But sometimes it might be a wee bit disappointing!), or never even materializes, or we don’t lose power and there’s really no excuse for not getting “real work” done, be it laundry, meal prep, cleaning, organizing – if I’m stuck at home – or just being at work getting work done, because in reality, I’m only five blocks from work. And I have 4-wheel drive. It’s rarely so hazardous out that I can’t get there!
Yep! I dream of that kind of cozy weather day. But it never actually happens the way I imagine it!
I am looking for a needle thread that has a dark or a color wood base
How much is it?
I live in Windsor, Colorado 80550 USA
Please let me know
Thank you
Yoly
Hi, Yoly, The needle threaders are listed in the shop. I’m afraid they have sold out, but I will eventually get more in!