Finished - Needle Roll

Pockets for pens and glue pens

Pin cushion, needle book and two good sized zipper pockets

I am so pleased with how my finished needle roll has turned out.  I made a few changes to the pattern, more in design interpretation rather than anything to the measurements.  The backing fabric for the middle outside cover and binding is not linen but a scrap from this shirt.  I made a covered button to tie in with the inside lining and the fabric on the base of the vase. Mine has possibly ended up a bit puffier than the one in the pattern due to the wool blend batting I  used.

I am going to enjoy using this needle book, I love all the colours I've used and special fabrics and trims.

Finished measurements are approximately 16" x  8.5"
Pattern from Sue Spargo - published in Inspirations Magazine 94/2017

A Private Swap

Way back in January I received an email from Claudia asking where I got the pattern for the  Liberty needle book I made myself last year.  Because it is a pattern of my own design, and no two are ever the same, I offered to make her one in a private swap.  After a little to and fro of emails to each other we agreed on a project for her to make me.

The needle book I made Claudia, consists of bright  Anna Maria Horner hexis quilted onto a natural linen,  This gave the cover rather a firm finish, but I am really pleased with how it has held its shape.  The inner is a cream solid, and the pockets are another bright Anna Maria Horner print,  She does a lot of different craft work, so asked if it was possible to put in more than one page of felt for the needles, so I put in two sheets of hand dyed wool felt.  Again my little zippy pocket on the right hand side for scissors and other things you don't want falling out.  Finished off with a matching covered button and ribbon loop.

In return, Claudia made me some beautiful crochet butterfly bunting to hang in my sewing room.  I requested rainbow, and they definitely fulfil that criteria.  Currently I am having fun deciding where to hang them.  There were also some loose ones that I want to attach to a twiggy branch like  she did here. Some vintage handkerchiefs and chocolate completed my beautiful package.

Thanks for a fun and colourful swap Claudia.

A Needlebook for my Sister

 

When my sister commissioned a Liberty needle book. I thought I would be making something similar to the one I made myself.  However my sister had seen this needle book, that she thought would suit her needs better.  She duly ordered herself the labels for each type of needle and sent them to me.

After making my Liberty hexis, I appliqued them onto natural linen, then cross hatch quilted it to hold everything firmly and stop the linen from stretching so much.

The next steps had me stumped for a little while, cos I wanted to make the cover stiffer than my usual needle books and have it look more like an actual book with all the felt pages it would need to contain. (Eight in total).  After a little bit of faffing around with cardboard, I created the outer cover, which has a spine. When folded it measures 5" x 7'' x .75"

The next step was the interior, after deciding on natural linen, I fortuitously found some felt in my collection that co-ordinated with the Liberty I used for the scissor keep. I also used this Liberty fabric for the top and lower edge binding.  The page labels have been attached with a double sided tape - specially for fabrics that I received in swap.  Much easier than sewing them on.

 I have kept a record of my process, of what worked and what I would do differently should I make a needle book in this style again.

I am really pleased with how this has turned out, and enjoyed making it for you.  I hope you enjoy using it little sis.