Making It Up As I Went Along – Part One
Since Christmas is over and the present duly received, I can at last show you the present I made for my cousin. She’s become interested in embroidery, and when I saw some hand made, beautifully-finished wooden tools (a mellor and a stiletto) at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate, I decided that I would give them to her for Christmas.
That was all well and good, but I couldn’t think of a suitable way to present them, so I decided to make a case for them. I spent some time sat in the picnic area at the show, sketching different possibilities and trying to work out what other supplies I needed to buy, and when, between mid-November and Christmas Day, I would be able to make it since I was still suffering from tennis elbow (I still am, but not nearly as much!). I was beginning to threaten to put together a kit and giving her that when one of the other ladies at the table pointed out that I would still need to make one as a proof of concept (a phrase I never expected to hear at the Knitting and Stitching Show!). She was right, because it evolved considerably in the process!
Final Layout Plan
In the end I decided to make a case with three panels, using two layers of felt. I drew out paper patterns for each panel, and pinned them on to the piece of felt I had decided to use. I had considered putting a panel of canvaswork stitches on the front – I even bought a piece of congress cloth to use – but then decided that since she is interested in embroidery, it should be a panel of embroidery stitches.
Layout For Sampler Panel
As you can see, I also had second thoughts about the size of the sampler panel, and made it slightly smaller. That meant that there would be a wider border around the panel – always an improvement!
I ran tacking stitches around all the design elements to make sure I knew what was where, and then started thinking about the stitches to use for the sampler panel.
What a great idea and such a thoughtful present.
You’re thoughtful to make a tool case. A present of handmade is a touch of love. Eager to see the finished look.
Oh boy, can’t wait for part two! This is obviously a labor of love!
we onlylive a fewmiles from harrogate yet i’ve never bothered going to the knit and stitch (so mant of materials are more cheaply sourced from weaving suppliersetc that I tend to balk at the prices in the embroidery shops) yet somany people I know on the net go- i really should get round to going one day, even if its just to meet folks!
I’m looking forwrd to seeing how it turned out!
This looks interesting, can’t wait till part 2.
What a great gift , looking forward to see it’s progression.
oh my…can’t wait to watch this evolve and just think. You may have been sat in the picnic area sketching this gift whilst I was only a table away eating my butties!!
This looks wonderful already!
Looking forward to seeing the finished result – what a lovely way to present the gift. Also looking forward to seeing some of Action Ma’am’s work …. a new blog on the scene….?!
Karen and Rachel – I know what you both look like! The moral is – always take me in your suitcase when you go somewhere exciting, and I will make appropriate introductions! 🙂
Always fun to make something up as you go 🙂 (Though I think you do this to some extent with most of your projects, even if it’s just figuring out shading or a different stitch!)