Handstitched {Student Kits}
Sometimes having the right supplies makes all the difference. Have you ever tried to work with pearl cotton, only to discover that you haven't a single needle on hand that's reasonably willing to accept the chunky thread? Does the task of transferring an embroidery design onto your fabric leave you puzzled? Or, have you wrestled with snarled thread when hand sewing? What about that sinking disappointed feeling that hits you when faced with limited felt selections at the craft store?
I've been there. That's why I started to ponder how I could help my students enjoy Handstitched class without being pummeled by these problems. Learning any new skill takes guts, perseverance, you know - gumption. But, let's go as easy on ourselves as possible, Ok?
The Handstitched Student Kit is an optional supplies kit that you may purchase along with registration. It's available to all students for the cost of shipping and handling, that's a $7 flat fee for US students and a table of flat fees for international students, to be announced with registration. Let's talk about what's in it and why...
Kit Contents
::Pearl Cotton:: Size 8 pearl cotton ball provided by Anchor, recommended for hand quilting, Sashiko embroidery, and decorative stitching. This thick, glossy thread is a delight to work with. Project example: reverse applique stitching for Dogwood Blossom center.
::Stranded Cotton Floss:: Embroidery floss color 1702 provided by Anchor, recommended for embroidery and blanket stitch applique. Unlike pearl cotton, stranded cotton floss is composed of 6 strands for easy division so that you can modify the thickness of the thread as desired. Project example: Satin & Jewels embroidery.
::Transfer Paper:: Saral transfer paper in red and graphite, each an 8.5” x 11” sheet, provided by Saral Paper, recommended for transferring embroidery designs. Trace over a design with the paper in between your design and your fabric for a perfect transfer. Project example: Satin & Jewels embroidery.
::Lite Steam-a-Seam 2:: Double sided fusible web (pack of (5) 9” x 12” sheets) provided by The Warm Company, recommended for applique. This web will fuse fabrics together when activated by an iron. Because the web is tacky on both sides, even before being fused, you can stick the applique pieces on your background temporarily while designing a project. Project example: Dogwood Buds applique.
::Wool Felt:: One 9” square of wool/rayon blend felt provided by National Nonwovens, recommended for reverse applique, applique and other projects where a non-fraying raw edge is desirable. Generally best for projects not to be washed. Project example: Eyelet Needlebook.
::Hand Quilting Thread:: 200 m neutral spool provided by Gutermann, recommended for English paper piecing and misc. hand sewing. This 40 wt thread is coated for reduced tangling and increased strength. Project example: Star Blossoms English paper piecing.
::Hexagon Paper Pieces:: set of 19 sturdy 1” hexagon pieces provided by Paper Pieces, recommended for English paper piecing. These precut paper shapes are reusable and time-saving as compared to cutting your own paper pieces. Project example: Hexagon Tree quilt block.
::Kraft Paper Fabric:: 3” x 4” rectangle of natural colored kraft paper fabric provided by Unique & Shiny. This unusual paper acts like a fabric with a paper texture. Not available locally in the U.S. Project example: Stitch Sampler needlecard.
::Needles:: A pair of size 24 Gold Eye Chenille needles provided by Clover, recommended for most hand sewing and hand quilting. This sharp needle has a large eye that easily accepts embroidery floss, pearl cotton thread, and all other types of thread. Project example: umm...everything.
::Embroidery Pattern: The F Fox pdf embroidery pattern provided by Penguin & Fish. Plus a BOGO (buy one, get one free) coupon for purchase of another Penguins & Fish pattern. Just something I thought you would enjoy!
::Q-snap Coupon:: Free shipping on your purchase of a Q-Snap frame, provided by Q-snap, recommended for hand quilting. I often use the 17” x 17” frame. This spacious frame helps me orient myself with it's square layout (some hand quilt with a large hoop or with no hoop/frame at all).
More Details
On Thursday, May 10th registration will open for Handstitched class at 9 am EST. Student kits will ship in the order that registration is received, with some kits possibly mailing as early as May 10th and the balance shipping out in a big batch on May 17th. Since the 17th is more than 2 weeks before class begins on June 4th, this should enable international students to receive kits in time.
Many of the supplies in the kit are exactly what you need for a class project. For example, the felt square is big enough for your needs and the kraft paper fabric is cut just the right size for your needlecard. So, I do highly recommend your purchase of the kit! It's designed to save you lots of money in shipping since you can receive all of these misc. supplies from one destination. I can't recommend the needles highly enough - I use them for all my hand sewing!
You will need more pearl cotton and embroidery floss than is included in the kit, but the colors you'll need depend on your preferences and your fabric choices. These samples will allow you to experience the Anchor quality. More details on tools and misc. supplies will be released with registration and during class, with complete project supply lists published over a week in advance of lessons. All materials needed for the Handstitched class quilt will also be released with registration.
And guess what? You can choose your color of felt and pearl cotton! I'll ship your choice as often as possible, and substitute with something close when necessary. The colors are the fun part, of course. I hope you find something that strikes your fancy!
Are you excited? I am! Can't wait to show you what I've been working on!!!
I've been there. That's why I started to ponder how I could help my students enjoy Handstitched class without being pummeled by these problems. Learning any new skill takes guts, perseverance, you know - gumption. But, let's go as easy on ourselves as possible, Ok?
The Handstitched Student Kit is an optional supplies kit that you may purchase along with registration. It's available to all students for the cost of shipping and handling, that's a $7 flat fee for US students and a table of flat fees for international students, to be announced with registration. Let's talk about what's in it and why...
Kit Contents
::Pearl Cotton:: Size 8 pearl cotton ball provided by Anchor, recommended for hand quilting, Sashiko embroidery, and decorative stitching. This thick, glossy thread is a delight to work with. Project example: reverse applique stitching for Dogwood Blossom center.
::Stranded Cotton Floss:: Embroidery floss color 1702 provided by Anchor, recommended for embroidery and blanket stitch applique. Unlike pearl cotton, stranded cotton floss is composed of 6 strands for easy division so that you can modify the thickness of the thread as desired. Project example: Satin & Jewels embroidery.
::Transfer Paper:: Saral transfer paper in red and graphite, each an 8.5” x 11” sheet, provided by Saral Paper, recommended for transferring embroidery designs. Trace over a design with the paper in between your design and your fabric for a perfect transfer. Project example: Satin & Jewels embroidery.
::Lite Steam-a-Seam 2:: Double sided fusible web (pack of (5) 9” x 12” sheets) provided by The Warm Company, recommended for applique. This web will fuse fabrics together when activated by an iron. Because the web is tacky on both sides, even before being fused, you can stick the applique pieces on your background temporarily while designing a project. Project example: Dogwood Buds applique.
::Wool Felt:: One 9” square of wool/rayon blend felt provided by National Nonwovens, recommended for reverse applique, applique and other projects where a non-fraying raw edge is desirable. Generally best for projects not to be washed. Project example: Eyelet Needlebook.
::Hand Quilting Thread:: 200 m neutral spool provided by Gutermann, recommended for English paper piecing and misc. hand sewing. This 40 wt thread is coated for reduced tangling and increased strength. Project example: Star Blossoms English paper piecing.
::Hexagon Paper Pieces:: set of 19 sturdy 1” hexagon pieces provided by Paper Pieces, recommended for English paper piecing. These precut paper shapes are reusable and time-saving as compared to cutting your own paper pieces. Project example: Hexagon Tree quilt block.
::Kraft Paper Fabric:: 3” x 4” rectangle of natural colored kraft paper fabric provided by Unique & Shiny. This unusual paper acts like a fabric with a paper texture. Not available locally in the U.S. Project example: Stitch Sampler needlecard.
::Needles:: A pair of size 24 Gold Eye Chenille needles provided by Clover, recommended for most hand sewing and hand quilting. This sharp needle has a large eye that easily accepts embroidery floss, pearl cotton thread, and all other types of thread. Project example: umm...everything.
::Embroidery Pattern: The F Fox pdf embroidery pattern provided by Penguin & Fish. Plus a BOGO (buy one, get one free) coupon for purchase of another Penguins & Fish pattern. Just something I thought you would enjoy!
::Q-snap Coupon:: Free shipping on your purchase of a Q-Snap frame, provided by Q-snap, recommended for hand quilting. I often use the 17” x 17” frame. This spacious frame helps me orient myself with it's square layout (some hand quilt with a large hoop or with no hoop/frame at all).
More Details
On Thursday, May 10th registration will open for Handstitched class at 9 am EST. Student kits will ship in the order that registration is received, with some kits possibly mailing as early as May 10th and the balance shipping out in a big batch on May 17th. Since the 17th is more than 2 weeks before class begins on June 4th, this should enable international students to receive kits in time.
Many of the supplies in the kit are exactly what you need for a class project. For example, the felt square is big enough for your needs and the kraft paper fabric is cut just the right size for your needlecard. So, I do highly recommend your purchase of the kit! It's designed to save you lots of money in shipping since you can receive all of these misc. supplies from one destination. I can't recommend the needles highly enough - I use them for all my hand sewing!
You will need more pearl cotton and embroidery floss than is included in the kit, but the colors you'll need depend on your preferences and your fabric choices. These samples will allow you to experience the Anchor quality. More details on tools and misc. supplies will be released with registration and during class, with complete project supply lists published over a week in advance of lessons. All materials needed for the Handstitched class quilt will also be released with registration.
And guess what? You can choose your color of felt and pearl cotton! I'll ship your choice as often as possible, and substitute with something close when necessary. The colors are the fun part, of course. I hope you find something that strikes your fancy!
Are you excited? I am! Can't wait to show you what I've been working on!!!