Sunday, May 03, 2020

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly linkup where we celebrate of the art of hand stitching! We are an international group of stitchers who believe that the process of creation is just as important as the end product. We hope you will enjoy seeing the projects we are working on, and be inspired to pick up a needle and thread and join us.


late night binding on Anita's Arrowhead quilt
Last Sunday I was suffering from a serious lack of hand stitching energy infusion. I realized from the comments people sent me that I needed to remedy that situation right away. It's strange how I didn't fully acknowledge it before Sunday, but the combination of 1) experiencing social isolation (lack of being with my/any people), 2) being a trauma social worker during a pandemic, and 3) sewing PPE in the evenings, is a stressful combination, and I didn't fully see the toll it was taking on me.


hand binding mini quilt "en plein air"
So/sew... I committed myself to focusing on my hand stitching in a serious way this past week and hand stitched 332" of binding! The binding of my April UFO Anita's Arrowhead was 270 " and 62" of binding was in my Pinwheel Party miniature quilt (stitched outdoors while wearing my winter coat!). Two quilts were finished, while enjoying hours of relaxing hand stitching.


And I have to show you the beautiful shawl my friend Louise made for me. Is this not the most gorgeous thing ever?!? It came in the mail at the perfect time this week and I have been wearing it every day since then. It's the perfect way to wrap myself up in comfort, with such beautiful colours and a hand made treasure from my dear friend. Even though we can't be together indefinitely, and we are missing out on our much anticipated spring shop hop, we can always be together in spirit.
I'm feeling so much better this week ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’—

Today I'm back to working on my tea towel embroidery. If it's not snowing or raining I'll be sitting outside, breathing in some fresh air while I stitch myself back together.

What are you hand stitching this week? How are you holding up in the new COVID reality? Link up your blog post below and cheer us up with your beautiful projects!


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20 comments:

Kim Sharman said...

Such a lovely shawl your friend lovingly fashioned for you. It is beautiful and how lovely you look wearing it. Love your photo. I am glad you are feeling a little cheerier this week. These last months can take a toll on our everyday life. It is a most wonderful thing to be able to enjoy a little slow stitching. Enjoy.

Gretchen Weaver said...

The shawl is lovely, your friend knew you needed a pick me up! It's important to make some 'me' time, sewing those masks is depressing but very needed. How much more binding do you need to sew? Have a great week and don't forget your me time.

Faye said...

So glad you#'re feeling much better! Everyone has difficult days and weeks sometimes. You are not alone!
What a beautiful shawl. Lucky you.

Created by Kathi said...

Have fun finishing your binding and taking finishing photos of each quilt! I love that photo of you with your new shawl!!!!
Kathi

Jill said...

Glad to hear that you are feeling better. You are a perfect example of the benefits of hand stitching. Love your red striped binding. Coincidentally, I have the same chosen chosen for my next quilt.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

What a lovely shawl! What a wonderful gift. I made a few masks for family but they really stressed me out.

Kate said...

Glad you are feeling better. It's easy to just get overwhelmed by everything that's going on. The shawl is beautiful! You made good use of your stitching time this week, congrats on getting a couple of projects to the finished pile.

Sarah said...

I'm so glad you've got your head around things! That shawl is beautiful, really nice colours running through it. Enjoy your slow Sunday stitching.

Deb A said...

I am so glad to hear you are feeling more upbeat this week. With a difficult job in the best of times I can't imagine during these times. I am so happy that some nice hand stitching has helped this week. Your shawl is just beautiful. I wish you hours of relaxing slow stitching today. Take care my friend.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

it is a trying time and we all have to try to stay upbeat and continue on the best we can for some us it isn't that hard because we were never social to begin with but those that are out around people all the time it is harder I imagine. Beautiful shawl

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Wishing you a day if relaxation and renewal with some stitching and fresh air included! Thanks for having this link-up every week - I really appreciate it!

Deanna W said...

You must be feeling better. That shawl does look wonderful on you...your colours?! Glad all our encouragement has found you stitching again.

Karrin Hurd said...

What a lovely shawl and what a wonderful friend. Congratulations on finishing two quilts! So glad you are feeling more upbeat this week!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Oh Look at you, Kathy! You are so beautiful and especially wrapped in the love you are feeling from that beautiful shawl. Those colours are wonderful on you.

Chantal said...

That's a very lovely shawl and those colors suit you so well. You are gorgeous. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Being a trauma social worker must be so hard on any given day but during this pandemic, it must be gruesome. You might want to read my post on Friday May 1st. Some people said it was uplifting. You take of yourself. We love you. ♥ ;^)

Louise said...

What a gorgeous shawl! I wish I was the Louise who made it. Glad to hear that all that binding sewing helped your mental state. You deserve a break! :)

Angela said...

I am glad you are feeling better! The shawl is like being wrapped in love!

CathieJ said...

Kathy, we are all trying to stitch ourselves together. I am so glad that you got your stitching mojo back and with such a wonderful completion. Your shawl is beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing you progress on the tea towel.

Sherrie said...

Hi Kathy,
Glad to hear your feeling better. Love the Shawl...so pretty. Have a great stitching day!

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Kathy, I'm so grad that you're doing better. It's really funny how we can miss seeing the obvious - like when we need to take care of ourselves. I've been doing lots of hand stitching and even learned how to do rug hooking this weekend...just 'cause! Take care of yourself and I'll see you next week :-)