Simple Hand Sewing E-Book

Laura Strutt

• Herausgeber: CICO Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Feel the benefits of sewing by hand for your wellbeing and for the planet, with these mindful and sustainable makes. Hand sewing is a great way to practise mindfulness through craft. Laura Strutt has designed these 35 projects specially to develop your hand-sewing skills, but also to help you slow down, enjoy the moment, and appreciate the rewards of your work. Using a number of different techniques including visible mending, sashiko, embroidery, thread doodling, boro and abstract embroidery, Laura shows you how to incorporate these methods into making something useful, creative and sustainable. For the home, you can make a boro bowl from scraps of fabric, or adorn a simple cushion cover with an embroidered mandala. From your wardrobe, revive a beanie hat by adding some floral embroidery to the rim, or use sashiko stitching on fabric-covered buttons for a new look. Decorate your home with a floating embroidery design in a hoop, or a simple banner using colourful couching stitches over twisted rope. Think of the planet as you upcycle a blouse with detail stitching and new sleeve trim, or make elbow patches to cover the holes in your favourite sweater. Whichever project you choose, take time to enjoy the process and simply sew.

Leseprobe

simple hand sewing

simple hand sewing

35 SLOW STITCHING AND MINDFUL MENDING PROJECTS

laura strutt

To Ethan Wolf and Elkie Raven, fiercely and forever.

Published in 2022 by CICO Books

An imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

20–21 Jockey’s Fields

341 E 116th St

London WC1R 4BW

New York, NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text © Laura Strutt 2022

Design, illustration, and photography © CICO Books 2022

The designs in this book are copyright and must not be made for sale.

The author’s moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress and the British Library.

ISBN: 978 1 80065 131 9

eISBN: 978 1 80065 175 3

Printed in China

Photographer: James Gardiner

Stylist: Nel Haynes

Illustrator: Cathy Brear

Art director: Sally Powell

Creative director: Leslie Harrington

Production manager: Gordana Simakovic

Publishing manager: Penny Craig

Publisher: Cindy Richards

Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

At Home

Square Pieced Coasters

Mandala Pillow

Boro Bowl

Fabric Motifs

Boro Pillow

Bento Bag and Flatware Roll

Embroidered Table Linen

Patchwork Notice Board

English Paper Pieced Quilt

CHAPTER 2

Accessories

Sashiko-covered Buttons

Embroidered Beanie Hat

Darning Loom Necklace

Flex-frame Purse

Abstract Embroidery Brooch

Drawstring Pouch

Fabric Buckets

Sewing Set

CHAPTER 3

Décor

Couching-stitch Banner

Fabric Scraps Wall Art

Abstract Embroidery Wall Hanging

Temperature Embroidery

Floating Embroidery

Hearts Wall Hanging

Sampler Embroidery

CHAPTER 4

Mending and Upcycling

Upcycled Blouse

Elbow Patches

Jersey Top Repairs

Skirt Hem Appliqué

Sashiko Jeans Repair

Abstract Embroidery Sweatshirt

Darning Loom Repair

Hexi Shirt

Scotch Darning

Embroidered Patches

Swiss-darned Vest

Techniques

Templates

Suppliers and Acknowledgments

Index

Introduction

Creativity is an enormous part of my life and working on a craft pastime is one of my favorite ways to unwind and relax, as it is for so many people. Hand sewing is renowned for its stress-reducing and meditative qualities and it’s a discipline that I’ve found I’m able to fit seamlessly (pun intended!) into my life, no matter what that phase of life looks like. Hand sewing takes various forms, from patchwork and visible mending to embellishing, embroidery, and everything in between. Working with a needle and thread often requires only a few other simple tools and materials, and is something you can do at almost any time and in any place. This portability and accessibility make hand stitching something that you will want to return to again and again.

While completing a craft project fills me with exhilaration, there is also a tremendous amount of joy to be found in the actual process of making. Hand sewing is often called slow sewing; of course, it is slower than working with a machine and can only be worked as fast as your hands will take you. There is no race, no rush to finish the next seam. There is also so much more to the concept of “slow” than simply the speed at which you can complete your projects. The repetitive motion of making the stitches moves your body into a rhythm, and before long your breath and mind will take on the same rhythm; it’s mindful. When life is busy or the world feels overwhelming, slowing down is one way to be fully present in the moment. In a world that is positively buzzing with technology and near-constant hustle, truly working at your own pace—the pace of your hands—is luxurious to the senses.

The designs in this book draw together a range of different hand-sewing techniques in a collection in which you can immerse yourself. Whether you’re embellishing a much-loved garment or creating a striking piece of wall art or accent for your home, I hope you will discover how the meditative qualities of working with a needle and thread can bring joy to everyday life.

Before you begin

If you are new to hand sewing, or if you come across a term you don’t understand, please take a look at the techniques section on pages 118–124.

As well as the items at the start of each project, beeswax or thread conditioners are great to include in your hand-sewing supplies. To use them, hold the length of thread on the wax or conditioner with your thumb or finger, then use the other hand to pull the thread over the surface to give it a light coating before you thread your needle. This makes sewing easier on your hands as it helps the thread glide through the fabric and protects the fibers from snagging and fraying. It’s also worth investing in a good pair of fabric scissors kept just for cutting fabric—using them for paper will blunt them. Use paper scissors for cutting paper and card.

CHAPTER 1

at home

Square Pieced Coasters

Working with small squares of different fabrics, you can layer and stitch to create a larger, simple pieced square. Team this with a soft batting (wadding) to transform it into a practical coaster.

SKILL RATING ••

YOU WILL NEED

For each coaster

Main fabric: mustard cotton, 5 x 10in (12.5 x 25cm)

Accent fabrics: 2 pieces of print cotton, each 5in (12.5cm) square

Batting (wadding): 5in (12.5cm) square

Sewing thread in complementary color

Quilting cotton in complementary color

Scissors

Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler (optional)

Pins

Sewing needle, general purpose

Iron

Sewing needle, quilting

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

4½in (11.5cm) square

STITCHES USED

Backstitch (see page 119)

Mindful Stitching

Taking the time to work on slow projects for the home is great way to build a slow-stitching practice into your daily life.

1 Cut the fabrics and batting (wadding) to the measurements using scissors or a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler. Cut two 5in (12.5cm) squares from the main fabric. Set the batting and one main fabric square aside. Cut the accent prints and the other main fabric square into quarters.

2 Layer two squares of fabric with right sides facing, to include one main fabric and one print accent fabric in each pair. Pin together.

3 Using the general-purpose sewing needle and thread, join the two pieces together along one side, using a neat backstitch and working with a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance. Repeat to join the second pair of squares. Press the squares open and fold the seams in opposite directions.

4 Place the pairs of squares right sides together and align the seams.

Pin in place before joining the pieces together down one long edge using a neat backstitch and working with a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance. Fasten off securely.

5 Press the squares open and fold the seams flat so that they nest neatly together.

6 Place the remaining main fabric square on top of the patched square, with right sides facing. Position these two pieces on top of the piece of batting, with the main fabric square uppermost, and pin neatly into place.

TIP

Clipping the corners of the coaster and trimming away some of the excess batting along the seam lines will help to make the coaster neater when it is turned through.

7 With a general purpose sewing needle and thread, work around the coaster to join the layers together. Use a backstitch and work with a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance. Leave a 1¼in (3–3.5cm) gap along one side of the coaster for turning through. Trim the corners and any excess batting along the seams to reduce the bulk, before turning the coaster out through the gap in the seam.

8 Press the coaster and press under the seam allowance along the gap in the seam. With a general-purpose sewing needle and thread, seal the gap with neat slip stitches. Switch to quilting needle and thread and work around the outer edge of the coaster with a running stitch, working through all the layers. Fasten off neatly.

9 Press the coaster fully and ensure that all threads are knotted and ends trimmed.

TIP

To keep the quilting stitches on the finished coaster neat, you can mark the stitch length on the thumb holding the fabric with a pen to help you create the same length of stitch.

Mandala Pillow

Mandala motifs are bright and colorful—create your own mandala by stitching on to a pillow cover to give it a bright makeover.

SKILL RATING •

YOU WILL NEED

Pillow cover

Selection of yarns and pearl cottons, varying weights, in:

Yellow

Blue

Light

green

Red

Purple

Orange

Green

Air-/water-erasable marker

Sewing needle, embroidery or crewel

Sewing needle, general purpose

Scissors

Iron

Dish (tea) towel

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Motif: 6in (15cm) radius

STITCHES USED

Couching (see page 121)

French knots (see page 121)

Straight stitch (see page 119)

Mindful Stitching

Mandalas are more than just a design style, they are ancient spiritual and ritual symbols often used in meditation. Stitchers have found that creating them can also be a meditative process.

TIPS

This project wasn’t stitched using an embroidery hoop, but if you prefer you can use one to secure the fabrics (see page 118). A sheet of card placed inside the cushion can help you avoid stitching through the front and back of the cushion cover.

The motif has been used only in one corner of the cover. If you prefer to fill the whole cover, make four copies of the template and join them together as a full circle, then transfer and stitch it.

1 Using the stitch chart as a template mark out the design in the corner of the pillow cover (see page 118).

2 Thread the needle with a length of yarn and starting with the inner most part of the design begin to work the design. Follow the stitch chart as a guide for the stitches and colors used.

3 When changing between yarns and threads, be sure to knot off the last thread and trim the ends neatly. This will help prevent knots in the inside of the work.

4 Once the design is complete, remove the water-/air-erasable markings, and press as required, covering the stitches with a clean dish (tea) towel to protect them from the iron.

Boro Bowl

Fabric vessels are as wonderful to make as they are to enjoy when completed. This bowl draws on the ancient Japanese technique of boro (which translates as “tattered”), in which small scraps of fabrics are layered and stitched.

SKILL RATING ••

YOU WILL NEED

Fabric: scraps of cotton in a variety of colors and prints

Foam interfacing (e.g. Vlieseline® Style-Vil)

Cotton webbing or bias tape, 20in (50cm), or enough to accommodate the circumference plus ¾–1⅛ in (2–3cm)

Sewing thread, heavy-duty polyester

Template on page 125

Pencil

Paper for template

Scissors

Pins and quilt clips

Sewing needle, general-purpose

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Diameter 5½in (14cm), height 2⅜in (6cm)

STITCHES USED

Ladder stitch (see page 120)

Running stitch (see page 119)

Straight stitch (see page 119)

Slip stitch (see page 120)

Mindful Stitching

While this design doesn’t follow any pattern or design in the placement, you will need to be mindful of where you pin and stitch your fabrics to create full coverage.

1 For the base and sides of the bowl, trace or photocopy the bowl template on page 125 on to paper, and trace the outline on to the foam interfacing. Cut around the outline on the foam.

2 Fold in the separate petals of the base, aligning the cut edges, and forming a bowl shape. Use pins or quilt clips to secure into position. Thread the sewing needle with a length of the heavy-duty sewing thread and work ladder stitch along the joins of the bowl. Fasten securely with a knot.