Many stitchers think of the fall and winter as the perfect time to pick up some hand stitching to fill those in-between moments, the waiting for appointments, or to relax at the end of a busy day. Can’t argue with that. I do that too. But here’s the thing, portable stitching projects are just as fulfilling during the summer months.
Slow sewing, taking the time to put needle and thread to a piece of fabric, is a concept as old as stitching itself. And even though I’d done my fair share of embroidery when I was younger, I didn’t really think too much about how peaceful an activity it can be.
That all changed a couple of years ago when I decided to make a quilt using a technique that I had never tried before – that technique: English Paper Piecing. This is going to be a sizable project – roughly queen-size. If I have any hope of getting it done, I need to be able to work on it any time I have a few free moments. That led me to create a small project bag with everything I need to stitch out one of the 112 hexie flowers I am working on.
So why is it that I think summer is such a great time for some slow stitching on a project? About the time I started my EPP project, we purchased a small travel trailer. I discovered very quickly that sitting in a chair facing the ocean, a lake, a mountain, or a mesa was even better than I had imagined it would be. Because I’m a naturally busy person, I needed something to do with my hands, and portable stitching projects were perfect for me.
I’m having sew much fun with it – I thought you might enjoy it too. If you aren’t already hooked on hand stitching, maybe the ideas below will inspire you to give it a try.
Portable Stitching Project Options
There are so many options for hand stitching – there’s a version for everyone!
English Paper Piecing
These little hexi flowers are so fun to make. Eventually, they will all be joined together into a quilt top.
Just so you know, there are lots of EPP shapes to work on; I just happen to be using hexagons.
Boro
Boro is a Japanese technique for visible mending. Adding fabric to mend an item, without trying to hide the mending, is what Boro is all about.
Embellishing the repair is a fun technique that can also make effective use of your scraps.
Sashiko
Sashiko is another form of Japanese embroidery, generally done with white floss on an indigo background. It can be combined with Boro. The designs are general floral or geometric and add a beautiful touch to jackets or other clothing, pillows, or wall hangings.
Wool Applique
Wool appliqué is super popular right now, and with good reason. The colors are beautiful, and there is no “wrong” side. The wool comes in sheets or small pieces, and it’s easy to work with.
Hand Embroidery
This is where I started as a child. I stitched on pillow cases, dish towels, and table cloths for hours at a time. New designs and lots of instructions are easy to find, regardless of your current skill level.
Get Started With This Free Project
This pillow from Wendy Williams is a free project offered by CT Publishing that incorporates a sweet little village created with wool shapes and stitched onto a background. In this example, Williams used shot cotton in two shades of gray for her background. The houses are created in bright, happy colors, and what’s a village without a few trees and some cute critters?
It’s the perfect portable stitching project. Everything you need to stitch up this pretty pillow can fit in a small organizer bag, so you can stitch on the go. You can download this free project here:
I hope I’ve inspired you to give hand stitching a try. Taking a few minutes for yourself and stitching on something beautiful is so good for the soul.
Happy Stitching!