Finally I've found some much needed time for hand-sewing, it's the ultimate in creating a strong connection between mind and hands, making it one of the most meditative crafts.
A collection of stitches on the left, and dots made with an erasable fabric chalk to help keep the stitches even.
This Alabama Chanin Striped Scarf DIY kit is perfect for those new to hand embroidery - it's not an overwhelmingly huge project, and it also encourages experimentation with any stitch you like. And then once you get the hang of the stitches you will find endless opportunities to apply the same techniques to clothes and housewares.
The great thing about this kit is not only does it come with all the material and notions but also an extra ‘sampler’, a square of double layer fabric that you can practice stitches on before starting on the real deal.
Our tip is to measure out the stitch points before you start sewing (see those pink dots above). Other kits that require sewing on a curve are a bit more forgiving, but when stitching straight lines keeping even stitches helps create a beautiful looking piece. That said, you can also shake things up with a bit of free-form stitching too !
Stitching a Feather stitch on the left, and the Herringbone on the right. Both these images are of the Slate colour option, it's interesting how different the fabric can look with different light.
To learn the stitches you can read any of the Alabama Chanin Studio Series books (available here) or the ultimate book is the Alabama Chanin Geometry of Hand-Sewing (best found on Amazon). These are all traditional stitches, so you can also find tips and hints on many internet sites.
Kit contents: stencilled organic cotton jersey, embroidery thread and button craft thread as well as needles, sequins and beads and an erasable pen.
#getmaking #alabamachanin #stripedscarf #keepcalmandstitch #embroidery #handsewing
We love Loopy Mango and their fun, fashionable and easy to knit pieces, so we wanted to share with you their first book !
