Category: on my work table

jingle stars tutorial and knob fobs

November 17, 2023
by annwood

little wood chest of drawers with s tassel and stitched indigo tetra hanging from one knob

Current obsessions:  knob fobs (if that’s not a thing it should be) and putting bells on things. Tiny bells.

It has taken this little drawer knob to new and glorious heights. Magic. I guarantee you there is an underdressed drawer pull in your life somewhere, you just didn’t know it until today. Remember the tetra post? Go check that out if you haven’t. The little fob above is the small size with a little tassel added. Then the idea of combining tetras occurred to me. And adding tiny bells (bell season is upon us!).

If you are a confirmed minimalist re: your drawer knobs, this makes a charming and jingly Christmas ornament.

so do these little scrap stars

*this post contains affiliate links – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link.

Jingle Stars! Jingle stars flowed out of the four square sew-along. As soon as I started making stitched square experiments I realized I needed a bunch. A couple sets of four are becoming  patchwork pouches. The others are (so far) stars and woebegone pines.

The stars are pretty mini and I think that adds to their magic.  After hours of intense debate about where to add the bells I landed on the asymmetrical one bell option. It has such a playful quality to it and makes the star hang in a darling very slightly lopsided way. These will be great for adding to gift wrap and as ornaments and of course drawer pulls. A garland would be super cute too.

The patched squares also make great woebegone pines. Stitch four squares together and you can just fit the small and medium pattern.

let’s talk about how to make the jingle stars

download the star template

You will also need:

1. Place the template on one square and trace onto the wrong side of the fabric.

2. Pin two squares- right sides together -and stitch the line. Leave one side open (pro tip – pick a side that is not pieced).

3. Cut out about ¼ inch all around the star.

4. Clip off the points close to the seams. Clip into each corner.

5. Clip a little more seam allowance for the points- reducing the bulk here will make your points pointier. Fold over the seam allowance at the opening and press.

6. Turn the star right side out and stuff. Start turning with your fingers and then use a chopstick to gently push the points all the way out.

7. Stitch closed starting from the point. Stop halfway down and add a little stuffing and finish closing.

Add the bell – attach it loosely for maximum jingle- and add a hanging string or hook. I loved the bells and hooks – linked above – the hooks make the stars super easy to hang on my Norfolk Pine.

I hope you make jingle stars! And dress up a drawer pull!

And a very happy thanksgiving to you,

ann

cardinalize a wobbler and the four squares sew-along

November 3, 2023
by annwood

fabric bird ornaments - male and female cardinals -in my palm

Just a few extra fabric scraps turn your merry wobbler into any crested bird you like: Brown Crested Flycatcher, Blue Jay and Tufted Titmouse among them. The Tufted Titmouse might need to be a sew-along – so darling.

PS – The wobbler pattern can also be used to make these french hens in nesting boxes.

I made a male and female cardinal pair. There are templates for the face cover and 3 crest pieces. These are especially made to fit the wobbler (there are templates for the songbird sewing pattern as well here).

More on how to make the crest in a minute – lets talk about the sew-along.

4 pieced fabric squares in blacks, blues and grays with slow stitching

patchwork pouch mini sew-along (or, the four squares sew-along)

Either way. This is a perfect project to trick yourself into making something if you can’t quite find the spark…

The pouch is made from 4 squares plus a bottom. This mini sew-along is focused on just those 4 blocks that make the sides of the bag. In fact, please feel free to participate and not make the bag – just stitch a group of four small squares this month and see what happens. You could make them into something or not.  Some of my squares will be pouches and some not. We’ll talk about  some other ideas for your stitched blocks in a couple weeks.

This is really about what happens when you give yourself a small contained, entirely doable, assignment.

four pieced fabric blocks in neutral shades

Gather some scraps and just spend a few minutes stitching every day – maybe plan to stitch your blocks for 10 minutes per day – you’ll be amazed how much gets done. So manageable.

get the patchwork pouch sewing pattern here

What’s a sew-along? Everybody works on the same project and shares progress photos if they feel like it.

You can share photos in the facebook sew-along group or in the stitch club community if you’re already a member (membership is closed at the moment but it will reopen by the end of the year – more about that soon). On instagram use #annwoodpattern and tag me please @annwood

Start 4 blocks this weekend and just focus on those squares. So easy. I have a couple groups of four started.  This mini sew-along is all about ease – sink into some slow, meditative stitch.

adding a crest to the merry wobbler bird sewing pattern

download the templates

1. Make your wobbler according to the sewing pattern except for the eyes. Cut out the face covering piece and 3 crest pieces. I used a darker red for crest one and crest 3 and the same red as the body for crest 2.

2. Place your face covering around the beak. Pin the center bottom point and then wrap one side over the top of the beak and pin that side.

3. Whip stitch that side in place.

4. Fold over the edge of the face covering just a tiny bit.

5. Pin it – overlapping the top corner of the other side.

6. Stitch the second side.

7. Stitch down the center.

8. Fold each of the three crest piece in half and trim about 1 inch from the tip with pinking shears.

9. Place the round edge over the edge of the face cover and pin in the center and at each side.

10. Pin on each side of the crest at the back.

11.  Whip stitch around the edge. You could call it a day right here- you’ve got a crest – or add more layers – crest 2 and crest 3 – for more featheriness.

12.  Pin crest 2 on in the same way (step 10 above) and stitch all the way around.

13. And finally the smallest- crest 3 – pin and stitch the edge.

Your wobbler is officially crested! Add a string to hang – hello little cardinals!

Is there a cardinal ornament in your future? Will you join me in the four square sew-along? Do we need to make a tufted titmouse?!  Let us know in the comments.

7 things bringing me joy this fall

October 20, 2023
by annwood

1. This beautiful little patchwork collection made by Laura. The pouch is made with the brand new patchwork pouch pattern. Find tutorials for the mice, both beds and pin cushion girl on the free pattern page.

2. These crepe paper bat treat packages. And this vintage book. The costumes are so funny and inventive and the photos are Soooo 80’s! Also in the seasonal vein- an excellent crow by Jill.
And checkout this post from the archive- a creepy retrospective.

forget me not and pink and orange flowers in a small white vase

3. The last Forget Me Not – I thought it was over a couple weeks ago and this last beauty popped up. I can’t help projecting myself into next summer – there will be lots of Forget Me Nots, Cosmos, Lavender, Globe Amaranth and Paper Daisies.

4. An  interview with textile artist Janet Bolton. I keep coming back to it. I love hearing about her process, inspirations and approach to picture making. Find it here.

green wool trees on wood bases.

5. Planning the next big ornament and little gift roundup and sew-alongs. I sure do love tiny gift season. That will be the first post for November. The little trees were made by Anna using the free woebegone pine sewing tutorial.

small blue and white painted ceramic bottles in an early american style

6. Fresh from the kiln – and more on the way. I’ve also got some ornaments in the work this year. The imagery from the daily paintings fuels the ceramics and vice versa.

7. This cardboard caravan for the tiny doll created by Loribeth.  I want to live by the sea in this dear little place. So cozy.

And a couple notes:

the stitch club community

Membership is temporarily closed. I’m working on structure (as in having a real plan), storage strategy and sustainability at the moment – lots of tedious and not at all exciting work. The community started a little more than a year ago as an experiment and I’ve learned a lot. There are things I would have done differently from the start if I had any clue how to be the administrator of a community. Hindsight… The good news is it’s a wonderful group that I hope can continue to grow. And it was a super important part of the 2023 100 day stitch book.

I’ll share more soon about how the stitch club will be growing and changing. I can tell you at this moment though that those changes will include it no longer being a free offering – that is unsustainable. The good news is there will be more fun and interactive stuff (like scrap swaps and community projects). Always happy to have your input and suggestions.

onward!

ann

P S – Happy North American Database Update day to those who celebrate! I’ve had such website stress lately. I’m sure you will be delighted to know that the ann wood handmade infrastructure now includes a brand new MySQL database management system.

Are you ready for ornament sewing season? What’s on your little gift sewing list this year? (I’ve got woebegone pines, fish and patchwork pouches on my list at the moment) Let us know in the comments.

ghost kitties : a new tutorial and notes from the forest

September 22, 2023
by annwood

boo! sew up a batch of friendly cat ghosts

They are sweet and silly and  I’ve made you a tutorial and everything. It’s super easy and quick  to do and you probably already have everything you need to make them.  Sew by hand or machine. This is also a perfect pattern for using freezer paper if you have it. Trace the template onto your freezer paper and iron it on (shiny side down). You can stitch around with the freezer paper still attached. And you can use the freezer paper template multiple times.  For the demonstration below I’m using a plain paper pattern.

More on the ghost kitties in a moment….

notes from the forest

mark making with stamps and paint on newsprint in progress

In other news I’ve just come back from the Squam Art Retreat in New Hampshire.  A glorious time  was had by all. Maybe mostly me. I so needed the change of pace and some time to play and experiment and listen to the loons and the wind in the pines. The group energy is wild and motivating. I came home with lots of percolating ideas.  The class (taught by myself and Autumn Song) was a day of creative play that began with mark making. The rest of the day is top secret…

And you never know who you might bump into in that big pine forest….

The dastardly owl and sleepy very nice mice and little  wire bed by Mary B. So sweet!

make a cat ghost doll

download the pattern

You will also need:

  • cotton fabric
  • a basic sewing kit
  • chopstick or similar
  • stuffing – I like wool
  • buttons
  • embroidery thread for the features

1.  Download and cut out the template.  Pin it to a double layer of fabric (right sides together) and trace with a pencil or disappearing marker. Mark the space for the opening indicated on the pattern.

2. Remove the paper pattern and re-pin the fabric (use lots of pins).  Cut out around the seam line with 1/4 inch seam allowance.

3.  Stitch the seam by hand or machine.  Clip tiny wedges into the seam allowance around the curves. Clip close to the seam but be careful not to snip it. Clip off the tips at the ears and tail and remove a little of the seam allowance. Reducing the bulk at the points will make them turn out more easily.

back to the cats in just a moment:

It has been a priority here for years to create high quality and fun free patterns (there are tons) like the ghosty cats on an ad free site. There are not very many of those left and it is becoming increasingly difficult. In an effort to keep the free awesomeness flowing I’ve created an opportunity for you to support and show some love to my free pattern library.

support the ann wood handmade free pattern library with a happy donation

Support free patterns like ghosty cats with a happy donation. 

Click here to add your support.

 

back to the cat spectres:

4. Turn it right side out. Use a chopstick to push out the small parts.Gentle pressure and a twisting motion will help push the tips all the way out.

5. Place the pattern over your right side out cat and use a pencil to poke through the paper to make guide dots for the simple features.

6. Stuff -I’m using this wool stuffing.  Add a little at a time and be careful not to block narrow parts.

Read More

fall project ideas, sew a scrap quilt on a foundation plus a spooky read

September 8, 2023
by annwood
quilt blocks made with vintage scraps

Happy National Sewing Month to those who celebrate. I’m not even making that up, it’s a real thing since 1982. My big fall project is a scrap quilt. I’ve never gotten a quilt across the official finish line. I’ve made a couple tops that ended up as duvet covers which doesn’t really count.

lovely old quilt

This is one of those past efforts (in 2016 Brooklyn).

This time there is a do-able plan and a legit quilt is gonna happen. The kind you run into at flea markets, soft, homespun and scrappy but sturdy enough to really use.

quilt blocks made with vintage scraps

sew a scrap quilt on a foundation

It’s going to be sewn one block at a time to foundation fabric (lightweight muslin).

What I love about this plan:

  • The square muslin “container” inspires me.
  • The one block at a time thing makes it feel doable. I can babystep my way through it.
  • The foundation gives the very scrappy  scraps extra stability and makes the blocks easy to deal with.

There will eventually be a schedule for how many blocks per week but I’m messing with the process for a while to experiment my way towards what I want.

The muslin blocks are 10 inch squares. I don’t know exactly what the finish size is yet – I’ll figure that out after I have 50 or so blocks to play with. I will keep you updated on all the scrap quilt developments as they happen.

The foundation method is stitching scraps to the muslin. I’m using an improv process, no planning ahead, just grabbing scraps and stitching them on. That’s the kind of “make do” utilitarian and vintage feeling quilt I’m looking for. I think the quilting will be super simple and oldschool too, I’m leaning in the direction of yarn knots.

If your’e into a more organized process and result you can find a great tutorial for sewing a string quilt on a foundation here.

Before beginning I washed the muslin and scraps. To start, cut your foundation squares and pin a scrap, place another over it (right sides together) and stitch a seam (¼ inch seam allowance)

Fold the fabric over and press. Place another scrap over it and repeat until your muslin block is covered.

Flip the square over and trim the edges. This step is weirdly satisfying. Put the cut offs back in the scrap pile if they’re big enough.

The first couple squares I made over the weekend are sewn by hand but the plan is to mostly machine sew. I already like it.

table with vintage paper back and patchwork pouches

the spooky read

My friend Katy and I read a spooky vintage book every year. This years selection is “The Other” Thomas Tryon. We both love a scary novel, preferably written in the 70’s and preferably made into a film in the same decade and preferably a vintage copy with old book smell. Previous titles include Burnt Offerings and Rosemary’s Baby. This one is a winner on all counts.  I got it on Ebay for 6 bucks.

4 fall project ideas

It’s the perfect time to make a crow! This beautifully stitched example  was made from the crow sewing pattern by super talented stitch club member Kari M. If your crow needs a hat find a free template and diy for a paper hat here.

making sharp applique points

Bat Applique –  or “batlique” Get the free template and diy instructions here. They are especially cool stitched to vintage linens. And you’ll learn how to make super pointy applique points.

owl ornaments made from scraps

Owl Ornaments – these little owls are a perfect fall scrap project

Mini Tetra Sachet’s – Make little sachet’s with the tetra tutorial. I’m using all sorts of herbs from the garden and throwing in some cloves too. I’m all about a seasonal smell.

little hand stitched squirrel

Forest Folk Sewing Pattern – it’s time to make the squirrels! I sure do love to put a scarf on somebody little…

colorful handmade pirate birds with fancy bicorne hats (you should make one)

this is why we can’t have nice things – beware of scammers

Important note regarding pirates! Not the fun kind. I sell patterns here, ann wood handmade, and also on Etsy. Nowhere else. Shady websites steal images from me and other small pattern designers. One of those sites is currently pumping out lots of Facebook and Instagram ads for sewing patterns. It’s a bait and switch scam – anyone who purchases from them gets nothing or close to nothing. I and other designers have reported them to their webhost and Meta (facebook and instagram). So far there has been no action taken by the host. Meta has removed the ads but not deactivated the ad account so be aware.

Incidentally International “Talk Like A Pirate Day” also lands in September – the 19th.  Find the template for the little bicornes here.

What’s your national sewing month project? Will you join me in making a scrap quilt? Are you in the mood for a scary book? Let us know in the comments. Happy National sewing Month to you!

make scrap fabric patchwork : recreational piecing

August 25, 2023
by annwood

Plants and patchwork make me happy, I can’t get enough of either of them.

The process has an energetic phase and a meditative phase. The energetic phase is grabbing a bunch of scraps and piecing them together quickly. I find my results are most satisfying when I don’t over think this part. Join a couple pieces, iron your seams open, cut it up and join them again. Repeat until it’s as patchworky as you’d like. I make a pretty big mess when I do this.

baskets of scrap fabric being ironed and pieced together randomly.

Pro Tip: Load your machine with gray thread- it works for most fabric colors. Also keep your stitch pretty small. If you’re going to cut your patchwork up to make stuff it won’t easily fall apart before you assemble your project.

This quick paced piecing always gets my wheels turning. The resulting patchwork is a great start for all sorts of projects.

get the pattern button

patchwork project  ideas:

woebegone pines

scrappy trees 

needle books

mushrooms

It’s also a great way to start your 100 day stitch book pages 

patchwork cut into little square and rectangles on a cutting mat

Lately I have felt a strong spiritual directive to make some simple little pouches. That’s what got me thinking about patchwork this week. The next step was to cut my shapes.

That’s where the meditative phase begins. Before I start to assemble the pouches I’ll add hand stitching and patches. I want these tiny bags to feel layered and worked, the patchwork is a huge head start in that direction.

That’s my stitch plan for the weekend – slowly hand stitching this little collection of squares and rectangles. I’ll post some progress in my instagram stories.  And if the pouches are sweet I’ll post a tutorial soon. Stay tuned.

brown paper packages tied with bakers twine and decorated with stamps. Colorful post cards and fabric are tucked into the package.

Happy mail! Lots of mushroom sewing patterns are headed out into the world. Thank you!

Hot off the press! Don’t look directly at it… The Golden Sun Notecard is in the shop now.

What’s your weekend sewing project? Is there recreational patchwork in your future?

Let us know in the comments.

the vacation sewing box, mini stitched mushrooms, and the finished 2023 stitch book

August 16, 2023
by annwood
a box filled with hand stitch projects prepared- it's pretty messy

meditative stitching

Simple hand stitching is an ideal activity for percolating ideas. It occupies me but doesn’t require too much brain power and lets my subconscious do its background magic. That background magic is key to everything and there is a lot to percolate! I’m working on new projects to share here and getting ready to head to Squam to teach a workshop all about having ideas…

a box filled with hand stitch projects prepared- it's pretty messy

This box of stitch projects is built for that, a vacation from thinking. Decisions are already made and you can just pull something out and start sewing. My box is lots of mending and mini mushrooms.

a red and white mushroom mad from fabric photographed in nature.

I made the spotted guy from the cut off part of some recently hemmed pants. The soft cotton twill was splattered with bleach first. Now I’ve got a mushroom that matches my pants and I’m positive that’s going to come in handy someday.

finishing the 100 day stitch book

It’s finally assembled! Two big differences for me this year are leaving the edges raw and thinking of the pages in pairs. I loved having a second chance at compositions by treating 2 pages as one image/idea. And I mostly did not work on them consecutively. Especially when I wasn’t 100% happy with what I’d done, putting the idea aside for a bit helped a lot. Checkout the final assembly of the finished pages in the video below.

learn more about the stitch book project here

Don’t see the video? Click here.

plus the mr. socks photo challenge winner!

Congratulations Diane! (@lubydiane on instagram). I love that your mr. socks had a friend on his adventures and all the photos were fantastic. A bundle of scraps will be headed your way! Check out the full reel on instagram. So sweet!

two tiny cat rag dolls posed playfully by a pond

Let’s wind up the summer with another photo challenge

Show us your mushrooms! Are they poisonous? Enchanted? Do they magically appear only when the moon is full? Stitch up a mushroom and take a photo. Please use #annwoodmushroompattern to share on instagram or facebook. Post your photo before the end of September. A panel of esteemed judges (me) will chose the winner of an awesome little bundle of scraps in early September.

a very small indigo capped stitched mushroom captured in the wild

Do you have a travel sewing project? Are you ready for September?!
Are you an over-achiever already working on holiday stuff? Let us know in the comments.

when life gives you lemons make tiny needle books and herb markers

July 14, 2023
by annwood
a mini cloth gook fastened with a red string

a very small cotton needlebook with a haret in the center - there is a needle with green thread in it wrapped in a criss cross fashion

And also maybe a sad bulb… 

let’s start with the needle book

It’s super small, just 2 and ½ by 3 inches. And it’s made with template C and the heart from the free needle book tutorial. A couple details are different from the pattern:

  1. I added a layer of cotton batting in the heart and rectangle.
  1. Instead of the loop closure  I used a string with fringed ends. It’s tied around the button and long on one end for wrapping. 

It was fun to make and the size is sweet but most importantly it helped me bust out of inertia. 

Usually, in the early summer, I take a little  time off to travel or just mess around in the garden and swim. This year, instead of that, I got super sick and did a lot of tedious website maintenance work…  Finding my energy and focus on the other side of that and getting back into a working/creative rhythm has been tough. I’ve been firmly stuck in the doldrums, not even a whisper of a breeze to push me out.

a mini cloth gook fastened with a red string

 In a doldrum emergency like this the question to ask myself is : what would I be willing to do. Not what should I do, but what might I possibly, actually, maybe be able to get myself to do.  For me the answer was a tiny needle book. And twig herb markers.

 If you don’t see the video click here.

The little book would make a great gift and I might make a couple for the shop (I’m still in a tiny needle book making place). You can check out the book in the video above. The thread wrapped needle detail is a simple thing that makes it feel extra special.

making stick herb markers

Every year I mean to make them and don’t. They’re super quick and easy, just twigs with the bark shaved off and a fine sharpie. Mine are kind of a mess but that’s in keeping with the current theme here. I love them.  

The tiny projects did the trick, somewhere between the needle book and the twig markers  there was a glimmer of motivation and momentum. The wheels are turning again and I’m nurturing that precious momentum. 

blulb stitched form cotton with a green sprout and sad stitched face

Let’s talk about this guy. He was a bonus project for the zoom botanical class.  I’m considering a sewing pattern or mini class for him.  

How is your summer? Have you hit the doldrums? What’s on your worktable? Do you need a sad bulb in your life? Let us know in the comments.

stitching mini tetras from scraps

May 5, 2023
by annwood

work table with multi colored mini fabric charms in pyramid shapes

These mini tetra charms are super quick and fun to sew (they are also pretty addictive).  All you need is a tiny scrap and a little stuffing and you are minutes away from a completed charm. I have no real plans/reason for these yet but I love making them. There is something so satisfying about the shape and size and variety of colors together. They are lucky charms or bookmarks (on a longer string) or garlands or jewelry.

I came across a tutorial years ago on the mairuru blog  (she has lots of great diys) but got around to trying them just lately.

I made charms in two sizes – very mini – using a rectangle 2 ½ by 1 ¼ inches and a larger size using a rectangle 2 by 4 inches.

Cut your rectangles and follow the diy here.

 

tiny fabric pyramid shaped charm - about 1 inch high in my hand

indigo pyramid shaped charm in my hand

You can also make an even larger version for a pincushion or pattern weight.  Start with a rectangle twice as long as wide.

The name, tetra, comes from their shape – tetrahedron- a triangular pyramid. The construction is magical and simple. You can also make little paper packages with pretty much the same technique. Check out this vintage tetra milk carton. So cool, but it apparently did not stand the test of time…

pyramid treat boxes in paper and card stock

I also made the packages in 2 sizes. The smaller size is made using a 4 ½ by 6 inch rectangle and the larger with a 6 by 8 rectangle. If you’re using heavier paper like card stock the larger size is best. For the little one I used kraft paper. a shopping bag is ideal.

*this post contains an affiliate link, meaning if you purchase through the link I get a small commission.

Roll the paper into a tube, overlapping the edges and tape or (glue stick) them. I used washi tape. Double sided tape is also great for the join.

Fold the edge over twice. You can glue or staple or even sew the edge. It also does not need to be folded – you could  trim the edge instead. Put treats or surprises (or little tetra charms inside).

Close the other end with the taped join on the side instead of the middle, fold and staple.

And we gotta talk about the stapler. Who new staples could be so charming? It was a Christmas gift and everything about it is appealing, the box it comes in, the midcentury design and the tiny staples. You can find it here * this is an affiliate link meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link.

I love the simple little packages! You can find more variations of them and other simple and sweet packaging ideas on my pinterest packaging board.

Will you stitch up some mini tetra charms? Do you love cool packaging? Does a tiny staple make you swoon? Let us know in the comments.

first ever zoom workshop, fabric boats and the last 3 stitch book pages

April 14, 2023
by annwood
textile seed pods

There’s a lot of news! The first ever zoom workshop,  fabric boat progress, the next art work update, a new notecard,  plus we are down to the last 3 stitch book pages and, by popular demand , the cardboard house measurements.

zoom workshop

Let’s start with the zoom. We’ll be making seedpods! The workshop is hosted online by my friends at French General. You can find all the details and sign up here.

The seedpod is one of my favorite classes to teach and I’ve done it in person many times here and in France. This will be my first zoom! With hopefully lots more to follow. You’ll learn a bunch about soft sculpture and the result is pretty spectacular.

click here for info and registration 

Checkout some workshop seedpods below:

textile seed pods

 

the cardboard house

The cardboard house was made without any real planning and not that much measuring… It’s wonky and a bit uneven. There will not be a tutorial or pattern for it but there is a post with building tips and because lots of people have asked I’ve added the approximate measurements below. I hope that helps and good luck with your cardboard house!

  • measurements are in inches:
  • across bottom – 11.5
  • ceiling/floor – 13.25
  • wall height – 9.5
  • roof – 13
  • and the depth is – 8.75

uppercase magazine


This week’s newsletter was sponsored by uppercase magazine. UPPERCASE is an always gorgeous quarterly print magazine for the creative and curious. The newest issue is all about surface pattern design, featuring the portfolios of 100 artists plus in-depth features with cover artist and fabric designer Anna Maria Horner as well as designers e bond, Kitty McCall, Mirth Studios and more. I’m a huge fan of Janine and uppercase was a contributor to the stitch illo volume.

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the fabric sailboat sew-along

I haven’t made a fabric sailboat in quite a while and had to follow my own directions closely. I’m happy to report they are excellent. My parts are nearly assembled and the hull is taking shape. The hulls are made from fabric and batting over cereal box cardboard. I’m always amazed at what graceful shapes a simple cardboard armature can make.

While the mast is drying in place I’m working on sails and flags. Next week I’ll make a passenger. I’m leaning towards wobblers… The sweet boats below are made by readers – 1. Terry Wilson and 2. Lindsey Bass. So adorable! if you’re making a fabric sailboat please use #annwoodregatta to share.

 

a couple more studio notes

The next art update is 4/20 at noon eastern time, you can sign up for an email notification here. Lot’s of small paintings and depending on the kiln situation there might be a couple new story bottles. And there’s a new notecard available now – peaceful moon.

the last three stitch book pages

Only three left?! It’s day 85 today, 4/14. Lot’s of people have already started assembling their books. I’m waiting until the very end to decide my page order. I know what pages I want to display together but have not decided on the overall lay out. In the last stitch book blog post on 4/29 I’ll do a demo of the alternative page joining method (raw page edges exposed) but if you’re anxious to get started the short explanation is follow these steps until step 11 . Instead of right sides together place the wrong sides together and then stitch around the edge.

What’s on your work table this spring? Are you a fan of zoom workshops? Are you assembling your stitch book? Let us know in the comments and happy garden season!

the 2022 ornament round-up : little projects for the holidays

December 9, 2022
by annwood

Little projects for your tree or an extra on a gift or place setting.  Easy and fun to make and give. This year my tree is a carefully chosen branch. Everything on it is made from my sewing patterns, some from the shop and some from the free pattern library. We’ll talk about that in a minute. 

First let’s check out 5 free projects from the interwebs.

 

1. These victorian cones are such a classic! You can fill them with treats or treasures. The free DIY is by www.halfyardsewingclub.com. The design and tutorial  are excellent. They’re super easy and you could sew up a bunch in a day – find the instructions here.

2. Fabric origami poinsettia ornaments –  they’ re quick and clever.

3. 3D ornaments made from hexies! Simple, brilliant and easy. My stick tree needs a couple of these.  Find the DIY at wild Olive. They would also be great as a garland.

4.  Felt ginger bread ornaments – find a little house here and a felt gingerbread man here.

5. A village wreath! The paper houses are super sweet. There are templates for cutting machines or PDF templates you can cut out by hand.  I love the forest village idea. You could also just make make the paper houses for a village or as ornaments.  Find it all at deliacreates.com

There are some great holiday ideas in the  stitch club community too, these trees are by Mary C. The pattern is the free scrappy tree pattern and she added the bead detail on the hanging string – perfect!

There are a couple scrappy trees on my branch too. The branch happened by accident – I  stumbled upon an irresistible stick that would make perfect, simple tree just right for the things I made.  And a bunch of tinsel.

A branch in an antique ceramic bottle used as a christmas tree and decorated with simple stitched and paper ornaments

I’ve got one very helpful suggestion if you decide to do a branch tree. Get some glue dots. You can find them in craft stores.  The branch is pretty smooth and the dots keep the ornaments from sliding down. Also tinsel placement was crucial. I’m from the one strand at a time school of thought and I wanted tinsel to hang from the very tips of the branches – impossible without a glue dot.

That decorated stick is bringing me a lot of holiday joy, more than expected.  Let’s talk about the ornaments.  The afore mentioned scrappy trees, the also free sheep ornaments and lucky fish, and the mushroom is the mini size from the mushroom sewing pattern.

The wax paper snowflakes are made from this DIY (so fun and easy to make), the little paper snowflakes were cut by a friend. The star on top is also made from the wax paper ornament tutorial using foil and vintage paper. Find the little felt boat pattern in the shop here.

Thar she blows. I was so happy to see this guy, he’s one of my favorite ornaments and he’s been missing  for a while. Love his lacy spout. He is made from the little whale pattern. And finally the minimalist chicken, find the free pattern here.

Are you making ornaments? Do you have a favorite holiday project? Are you a one strand of tinsel at a time sort of person? Let us know in the comments!

happy and merry to you,

ann

make scrappy trees from recreational patchwork

November 11, 2022
by annwood

These little tree ornaments (or garland) are a quick and easy  project perfect for scraps and a great excuse for indulging in some recreational patchwork: sewing lots of random fabric scraps together (on the sewing machine) without thinking about it too much, inviting happy accidents.

The trees have batting inside and are finished with quilting stitches. As many or as few as you like.  I used muslin for the back, I like that they feel like tiny quilts.

To make the patchwork start with a big variety of light weight cotton and join pieces together. Press the seams open, trim the edge and sew more together etc. etc. 

When a bunch are joined you can cut it into smaller sections and join those together. You get the idea.  It could go on forever – joining, cutting and joining again. I love doing it and it also get’s me moving if I’m feeling stuck or  keeps my hands busy while an idea is percolating.

how to make the trees

download the tree template

You will also need:

  • embroidery thread
  • a large sharp embroidery needle
  • cotton batting
  • optional – muslin for the back
  • chopstick for turning
  • basic sewing supplies

1. place the tree template on your patchwork and cut out with about a 1/4 inch seam allowance

2. Place your tree back fabric (I’m using plain muslin) over thin cotton batting. If your back fabric has a wrong and right side you want the right side facing up.

3. Place the cut tree over the back fabric with the right side facing down.

4. Pin the pattern back on and cut out.

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back to the trees:

5. Sew around the edge of the pattern leaving one side partially open. The opening should be about 1 and 1/2 inch.

6. Trim off the points close to the seams being careful not to clip the seam. Clip little triangles out in the corners of the trunk and clip away any excess seam allowance.

7. Turn your tree right side out through the opening.

8. Use the larger end of the chopstick to push out the general shape and the sharper ends to push the points all the way out.

9. Fold in the opening edges and press the tree. Don’t sew it shut yet – leaving it open is handy for hiding the ends of your threads if you’re quilting it. Add some quilting stitches. I made the executive decision  not to care what the stitches on the back of the tree look like – wabi-sabi style. If you do care just turn the tree over with each stitch to make sure you’re bringing the needle out where you want it.

10.   When you’re done quilting bring the thread out at the tip to create a hanging string and finally whip stitch the side closed.

These are super quick – I made a bunch in just a couple hours and they go fastest in batches. They’re sweet to hang on a tree or anywhere and  a nice extra on a package.

I hope you make scrappy trees! You can use #annwoodpattern on instagram to share or join the community!