Fairway Needlecraft
Vintage Lady Pillowcases
www.fairwayneedlecraft.com
Carve out an hour or two from the bustle of a busy day; put on some music and a pot of tea, thread a needle and head straight back to an era when ladies danced in full skirts with ruffles, wore corsets to ensure their tiny waistlines, and when there was plenty of time to embroider beautiful things. Choose your favorite lady or ladies from among the seven styles offered, sold in pairs. Stamped, ready-made, poly-cotton ruffled pillowcases are standard size and can be stitched in the floss colors specified or in any combination that suits your taste and décor. Complete, easy-to-follow instructions are included and only five simple stitches are needed. (I think I’ll watch Gone With The Wind while I’m stitching!) Of course, no corsets are needed during any part of the process—it’s fun to imagine living in times past, but a lot more comfortable now! Tip: Don’t wash the pillowcases before you stitch them, as the ink used is intended to fade with washing. |
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Weeks Dye Works
Hand Over Dyed Fibers and Fabrics
www.weeksdyeworks.com
 If you think the website is fabulous—and you will—wait until you have some of Weeks Dye Works’ fabulous hand overdyed fibers and fabrics in front of you! They’re a visual feast, a reason to stitch until you’re too tired to do the laundry or cook, or until your hands say, “Take a break, the threads will be here in the morning!” It’s impossible to describe the way the fibers catch the light, the way the subtle color changes extend along the length of the threads, the way they look against a piece of the company’s exquisite hand overdyed fabric. So we’ll have to settle for a rave review and hope that you’ll decide to see for yourself. The family-owned business uses environmentally friendly dyes made in America to dye nearly 300 colors. If your local store doesn’t carry the crewel wool, pearl cotton, 2 -, 3- or 6-strand floss, sewing thread, linen, wool, or weaver’s cloth you want, the website includes a list of retailers. Or, ask your shop to use the site’s owners-only online store to special order for you. The site also provides a list of designers linking to websites for charts and patterns. |
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The Punch Bunch
Small and Mini Flower, Petal and Leaf Punches
www.thepunchbunch.com
 By popular demand, The Punch Bunch now boasts a long list of “Mini” sized flower, petal, leaf, and other punches to join the next size up, the “Small” punches that are already popular for making
dimensional flowers for home décor, party decorations, cards, shadowboxes, and more. Susan Tierney Cockburn’s amazing country cottage is shown for inspiration. Instructions for this project are currently not available—we’ll just have to nudge Susan in hopes of persuading her to write them, but her books showing the techniques (The Paper Garden and Paper Bouquet) are available through The Punch Bunch. Another item worth mentioning, but not shown, is the Magnum Power Punch, a lever-operated punch assist device that makes punching easier on the hands. It works with all punch sizes from Mini to Mega Giant. Be advised, however, that making flowers can be habit-forming; you won’t want to stop. But this is a good thing. Before you know it, you will have created a miniature bouquet or garden that is impressive, takes little space, and uses readily available supplies. |
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Westcott, Division of Acme United Corporation
Titanium Bonded and Titanium Bonded NonStick Scissors
(3” Fine Cut, 4” Detail, 5” MicroTip)
www.westcottbrand.com
 The Westcott samples arrived just before a quilter friend descended for a weekend visit—she joked that I would have to search her luggage when she left because she was considering “lifting” them to take with her. We compromised; I let her pick a favorite and she chose the 3”, which currently falls within most airlines’ guidelines as acceptable for in-flight crafting. Three times harder than stainless steel, the titanium bonded blades stay sharper longer. Let’s cut to the chase (pun intended): These smaller-size scissors are just right for snipping threads, trimming curves and clipping corners, and cutting in small spaces. They work equally well on paper and fabrics and are easy on the hands. It’s fun to have durable tools that also happen to be just plain cute. Thinking ahead for holiday gifting or holiday hinting? Put these on your list. |
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Mark’s Finest Papers
Paper Flowers in Organdy Bags
www.marksfinestpapers.com
Mark’s Finest Papers is well known for their stamps, cardstock, and an impressive array of other goodies. The paper flower (shown) is just right for mixed media, shadowboxes, home décor, cards, and other paper crafts. Flowers arrive in sheer organdy bags, each containing a color-coordinated mix with varying sizes and shapes. Our sample conjured memories of a visit with grandma; realistically detailed hydrangeas—like those in her garden—spilled out of the bag and onto the table. Make sure to check out the charms, too (not shown). Pears, apples, dragonflies, bees, frogs, flags, hearts, clock faces, bunnies, chicks, crowns, and leaves are among the styles, perfect accents for quilt panels, embroidered or appliquéd wall hangings, and more. With so many choices, it’s difficult to know what to pick! Flowers can be colored and customized with chalks or spray mists, and charms can be colored with alcohol inks (should you want to create an antique patina or otherwise alter them). The website is fast; type in what you’re searching for and up it pops.
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Needleboxes, Etc./Charted Imagery
Birdhouse Needle Box Kit
www.needleboxesetc.com
 Once upon a time, a very lazy product reviewer decided that she wanted to make a needle box to hold her sewing tools. She considered cutting heavy mat board, but realized that the time and skill involved made her want to choose another project. Then the charming prince appeared, a Needle Box kit in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other. Okay, so it was really the mailman and he was bringing the Needleboxes, Etc. Birdhouse Needle Box Kit and some bills and catalogues—no chocolate. But even without the candy, the reviewer was elated! She could use the precut mat board pieces and her favorite fabrics, plus a bit of cross-stitch and some padding to create her very own needle box. She had so many choices: a pyramid, lighthouse, barn, dog house, and other options were available, but the birdhouse won her heart and her hands. What’s next? The Square Keepsake Box and the What-Ever Jewelry Box beckon! |
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