This week's CCP word, See is quite appropriate for me this week. You see, even though I have worn glasses for more than 50 years (not a typo) I rarely wear them at home because I am nearsighted, I haven't really found the need, but this week working on those tiny applique stitches I discovered that I can actually "see" what I
am doing if I put on my specs.Here is a close up look at my stitching, since this is my first real attempt at an applique project I am quite pleased with my efforts and I have to say I am completely hooked on applique, I absolutely LOVE it!
I did have a couple of problems to start out though. First, I always have had trouble keeping a thimble on my
finger but I found these flexible ones which work great.My second problem seems a bit strange or does it?
I broke 5 needles.........yes 5 of them right in half while hand stitching by the time I was roughly half way through the Bunny block (see earlier post).
I can only guess that perhaps I was a bit tense as I haven't broken any more since. Has this happened to you? It just feels so odd to have your needle snap in half.
8 comments:
As I expected, your appliqué is perfect! Amazing how glasses can help, though, isn't it??
I've only done a limited amount of hand appliqué, and I haven't had any needle breakage -- but then, I was probably using the wrong needle, because my stitches didn't look as good as yours do . . .
Diane
I have to laugh a bit; I am horribly nearsighted and frequently work without contacts or glasses, but I have hit that point in life where *SEE*ing is important and not quite like it used to be! LOL!!!
Now to the applique, which is exquisite, by the way!
I used to do a LOT of hand applique and every once in a while I would run into a pack of needles that were bad. They would do exactly what you had happen. Sometimes it would be the whole pack, sometimes a few, then the rest were okay.
I would venture a guess that the steel has issues occasionally just like anything else. How do you test for a reject on a pack of needles?
The thimbles look fab---have not seen those before!
XXOO!!
Anne
I've never broke needles but is the fabric btik? It can be tough to work on I think. xx
Sandra Leichner had some good information on applique needles. It is her name dot com. Look for her blog and it is in the March 16th entry.
Love your word pictures and your work. You are very talented. Batik is very tightly woven and hard to hand sew on.
Beautiful stitches. I'm nearsighted too and I often read or bead without my glasses. I do need them if I'm going to read or bead and watch TV, though.
I wish my glasses looked that classy!
Do you think those soft thimbles would also grip the needle to pull it through?
Here's a hint - I use an ordinary metal thimble but line it with a fabric bandaid. The bandaid comes up over the lip of the thimble and acts as a cushion to my finger while I'm quilting. The fabric of the bandaid helps keep the thimble on my finger summer or winter!
Sada
Hmmm, I use quilt needles (#7 or 8) to applique and have used them for years with no breakage. But then, I haven't really used batiks so I don't know.
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