Check out One Seed Wonders Skool Membership where there are Videos and PDF's in the Classroom for this project.
Galentine, Palentine, Valentine's Day
These make a great gifts for yourself and friends who like to travel. I've spent more than a few solo hours writing, stitching and people-watching in restaurants and cafes around the world. There was even a Meet-Up Group in Paris that got together weekly to sew and have coffee and tea together while I was there on Sabbatical.
Slow Stitching
I began stitching as a way to slow down from the fast-paced holidays into peaceful WInter evenings, placing devices aside as another cue for my mind and body to calm itself down in evening's bubble before heading up to bed.
I'd read some FUN FACTS about Fabric Frequencies.
According to Tachyon Energy, Wool has an extremely high frequency. Linen does as well. Both are rated at 5,000 but drop to 0 if worn together! Silk and Cotton not so high (unless it's Organic Cotton, but then it's only rated 100). But the human body's frequency is around 100 so there's always that ... and so we want to cover ourselves in fabrics that resonate at higher frequencies to not have them pull energy from us if we're to procure their healing properties. Here's a link to a study measuring fabric frequencies, and another on the healing powers of linen and wool.
This provided just the nudge I needed to chose working with high-quality wool on this project. I was still in gift-giving mode and looked towards Valentine's Day as the next celebration.
1.2 mm OEKO-TEX®Certified Red Wool Felt
wide-eyed needle & wool thread
heart template
red elastic
velcro
video
V
In the video below, you'll see the 3 stitches used:
- Running Stitch (which I also used making the reusable tea bags here)
- French Knots
- Blanket Stitch.
I keep mine in a heart-shaped tin, found here (OR a less expensive version in wood is here). Go on an Artist's Date with yourself and search for something similar if you don't have a jar or something already to use as a small sewing container. There are lots of videos showin how to make sewing rolls on YouTube, too.
The heart, when finished, is about 2.75"x2.75"x1.5". I made the Kits from extra supplies (while they last) if they are of interest to anyone.
Fillers
I used scraps to stuff it and cut the pieces into roughly 1/4" x 1/4" smaller bits and packed the pouch, created by blanket stitching the two hearts together rather tightly, pushing the felt bits as deep into the top and both sides as I could, before sewing the last 2" up along the edge.
I used felt to stuff this pin cushion but you could use anything you have at hand. There are many options - just make sure what you use is dry. I can see using an old (clean sock that's come out of the washer/dryer without it's mate).
The first small cushion I made, when I was ten, was stuffed with tear-soaked tissues after I'd bawled my eyes out when WeatherWax, my rabbit, died.
I came to at the end of the day ... lying on my bedspread with an empty packet of kleenex strewn about in crumpled balls around me. A bowl of soup was left outside my door when I decided I'd hide myself away a little longer and sew a soggy secret cushion for my red-headed Barbie in a stretchy black & white striped bathing suit lying next to me ... crying another river.
From my 3rd floor bedroom window I'd watched my father bury my bunny below. He didn't know I knew. I don't think he did anyway. He didn't look up. He may have heard me opening my window though.
He didn't let on he knew I was watching him kneeling beside the box I'd bundled my bunny in as he dug a hole under the dogwood tree below. He paused before lowering him down and covering him up. I quickly withdrew back into my room and resumed sewing Barbie her pillow.
I appreciated that he chose just beneath my window. WeatherWax was one of 5 rescued bunnies our Scout Leader had brought to Brownies 2 weeks before. Mine was the longest survivor. I didn't go to Brownies that next Wednesday. Mom let them know why. When I returned everyone ran up to me to let me know they were sorry and that helped two weeks later.
My cushion eventually dried and was eventually given to Barbie ... tossed into the cardboard box that was her home.
Saw dust is a traditional filler. Sand and finely ground walnut shells have been used, too, to keep pins & needles sharp. I've included some into the kit in case you want to make one of those little strawberry attachments. That's what they're for - to sharpen pins. I've yet to come across a dull pin though and I'm rather old, if I do say so myself.
Pin Cushion Sachets
The next little cushions sewn were sachets kept close at hand and worn on my wrist ... filled one with garden-grown lavender & rose petals ... I use dried garden herbs (rosemary, sage & citrus leaves & peels. They sit in my night table drawer and perfume where I've sometimes slow stitched myself to sleep.