Summertime Stitching Craft Review

Many hobbyists enjoy stitching. Sewing is one form of stitching, either by hand or by sewing machine. But it is not the only stitching craft. There is also stitching found in embroidery and in needlework. Quilting is also a form of stitching and yarn crafts (crochet and knitting) involve stitches.

In this review, we will look at a few examples in the craft world of stitching. And since summer is just beginning, we shall focus on a summertime theme.

Sundresses to Sew

Image Source: Pixabay

 

Summertime encourages the wearing of lightweight clothing. Thus, a sweet sundress is just the thing for those hot summer days.  There are a large variety of sundress patterns available in your local fabric stores and on Amazon and Etsy.

Vintage patterns are also found on the eBay site when you are in the mood for that ‘retro’ look.

Pick up a new (or vintage) sundress pattern from Simplicity, McCalls and more at your favorite place to purchase sewing patterns and stitch up something new for your summer vacation. 

Stitch a Quilt

Quilt pattern for a modern Flashback design
by Orange Dot Quilts on Etsy

Quilting is another form of stitching and takes many forms from a full bed size blanket quilt to quilted home decor in the form of placemats and table runners, hot pads and more. You can find this pattern at Dora's Etsy Store

With so many quilting patterns to choose from, your summer stitching choices are unlimited. 

Embroidery & Needlework

Embroidery Example - Pixabay Image

Projects in embroidery, cross stitch and plastic canvas needlework are great summer projects for the hobbyist because they are usually small and, thus, very portable. Take along one of these smaller projects on your summer vacation or your staycation in your backyard while the kids are playing in the pool. 

My tissue box cover craft project in progress

I worked on this tissue box cover in plastic canvas and yarn while house sitting and pet sitting my grandpuppy Pepe the Poodle while my Kids and Grandkids were on vacation. A fun way to feel productive while living at someone else’s home. 

Finished tissue box cover
with cartoon character design

*Note: Finished project is now in my Etsy Shop here! :) 

Summary

Image Source: Pixabay

So, choose your favorite form of stitching and fill some of your free summertime hours working on the creative project you like best. 

For more Craft Reviews

Check out ReviewThisCrafts.com

*Summertime Stitching Review written by Wednesday Elf

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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The Whole Kit and Caboodle

 A Craft Kit Review

What's the meaning of the phrase 'The whole kit and caboodle'?

A collection of things. 

Dictionary Meaning of Kit & Caboodle (The words have similar meanings):

• A kit - is a set of objects, as in a toolkit.
• A caboodle (or boodle) is an archaic term meaning group or collection. 

In crafting, a kit means having everything you need for your next DIY project in one box or package.  Below are some examples of kits for crafters in a variety of mediums. They are especially helpful to beginners who might not know exactly what they might need to have when learning a new craft. 

Craft Kits

Crochet

Start your own Jurassic Park with this dinosaur crochet kit! This kit includes all the materials you need to make 4 different dinosaurs, including a T-rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Brontosaurus! It even includes instructions for how to customize your dinos with pattern variations. 

Kit includes 

The Yarn (Yellow- Blue- Purple- Pink- White), Plastic Safety Bead eyes x 8, Pipe Cleaners, Stuffing, Darning Needle and Crochet hook (size G6/4.00mm).  The Kit also includes the pattern bundle of 5 unique patterns, each with their own full-length video tutorials so you never miss a stitch!

Knitting

This Beginner Knitting Kit for a snood is a great start for someone who is interested in learning to knit.

You can learn cast on, cast off, knit, purl and sewing thanks to basic illustrations and guidance included in How To Knit manual in this kit while you create a beautiful snood.

Everything you are going to need for your snood is included in the kit. All you need to do is decide which color you would like and whether you want knitting needles or not.

Sewing

Dragon - Sewing KIT, artist pattern, stuffed toy tutorials, soft animal, soft toy DIY craft kit.

This SEWING KIT includes a printed pattern with easy to follow step-by-step instructions and a link to a video tutorial. Plus, supplies for making this adorable mini dragon toy.

Felt

Create an adorable centerpiece kit for your holiday décor. This POLAR BEAR & PENGUINS FELT APPLIQUE CENTERPIECE KIT comes with everything you need to complete it (Stamped Felts, Cotton Floss, Acrylic Yarn, Needle, and Instructions) except the stuffing. The completed centerpiece measures 11.5" x 9" x 10". Kit can be found in the eBay store House of Sylvestermouse.

Quilting

Quilted tote bag kit.  

Kit includes Pre-cut fabric of your choice from several designs offered, plus instructions. 

Finished size: 14”x14” with 19” handles

*For more quilting ideas, read this review by Sylvestermouse all about creating a gorgeous wall hanging with a Quilt Magic Kit Wallhanging

Holiday Décor Kits

Create your own bead and sequin Christmas ornaments as Sylvestermouse did. Read her review here to find a variety of kits for many lovely ornaments.

Craft Kits for Kids

There are many craft kits made especially for children.  This review of the Hide and Seek Rock Painting Kit by Wednesday Elf is perfect for kids, especially ones who enjoy artistic endeavors like my grandson David does.

Summary

As you can see, there are craft kits in every medium you can name. Whatever your crafting interest is, you will find a kit available. 

Related Link:

• Make Halloween Ornaments with Easy Craft Kits by Sylvestermouse

See More Craft Reviews at

ReviewThisCrafts.com

*Craft Review by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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A Brief Review of Quilting for National Quilting Day.

Patchwork Quilt (Pixabay)

National Quilting Day

When: The third Saturday of March

Where: Celebrated worldwide

National Quilting Day was begun in 1991 by the National Quilting Association to celebrate all quilt-makers and quilt lovers and to give recognition to the special art form called 'Quilting”. It has  evolved into a worldwide celebration, often connected with quilting shops with quilters getting together to work on a quilt. 

Basic History of Quilting

 

Handmade Quilted Vest - Etsy

Early records date quilting back to the 11th and 12th century where quilted garments were worn by the Crusaders.  Not accustomed to the cooler climate and needing clothes with warmth, quilted vests were invented.  These vests had 3 layers (top, filling, and backing) stabilized by a few stitches at critical points (called counterpoints).  Counterpane quilting (decorative stitches only) evolved from these first vests.

*Handmade Quilted Vest can be found in the Etsy Shop Couleurs Patchwork.

Patchwork Quilts 

Bedford Home Quilt Set - Amazon

Patchwork quilting goes back to the founding of colonial America and filled the need for warmth and decoration.  The cold weather and a rough life  wore out the original quilts brought with the pioneers from Europe and the quits needed to be repaired ~ thus, beginning the “patchwork” quilt.

Quilting Book available on eBay

Later, quilting became a social event with women gathering together and cutting fabric into various shapes, resewing them to form a design.  Many designs well-known today came out of these social circles.

Family Quilting

I can remember my grandmother spending hours at a time in her favorite rocking chair hand-sewing tiny pieces of material together for her beautiful quilts.  Since she was an accomplished seamstress as well (making most of the clothes my siblings and I wore), we could often recognize several of the fabric pieces used in her quilts as being from leftover material from the dresses or shirts we were wearing). Fifty years later I still have some of her handmade quilts.  A true treasure. 

Quilting Has Evolved

Quilting is not just for quilt blankets these days.

Quilted Purses, Lanyards & Table Runners

Quilting, both hand-sewn and machine quilted, is used for everything from clothing to accessories to home décor.  


CutePurseNalities on Etsy creates fantastic machine quilted purses on her quilting sewing machine.  

Green Frogs Fabric Lanyard

Kathie, an Iowa quilter, began making quilts and quilted wall hangings, then her quilting evolved to purses.  When she opened her Etsy Shop featuring quilted purses, she used the word purse in her shop name; thus, Cute PurseNalities came about.  

Over time, Kathie has added more quilted items in the form of coin purses and colorful fabric lanyards.  She has a wide variety of lovely creations made in interesting fabrics in her Etsy Shop.  

Quilting Today

Today there are numerous pattern books available for the quilter, as well as classes and quilting workshops.  My creative daughter-in-law attends at least two quilting weekend workshops every year.  She says it brings back the fun of the early days of women getting together in those social quilting circles. 

Heritage Quilts on Amazon

So, take a class, get some quilting pattern books with templates for various designs, or get together with a quilting circle at your church or community center to enjoy the art of quilting and celebrate National Quilting Day.  


*Check out more crafting ideas @ ReviewThisCrafts.com


(c) Wednesday Elf (Written 3/19/16; Updated 3/19/2022)

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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