Needlework Tools....

What are your favorite needlework tools?...Do you stitch in hand, or use a hoop/frame?
I use a wooden hoop, even though I stitch on linen...I have tendonitis, and it flares up if I try to stitch 'in hand'...(also if I stitch "over-one"...a good excuse to avoid it unless absolutely necessary) I found a better grade of hoop when I was in England and brought one home..the ones here are getting so flimsy and cheaply made they are more like pressed paper than wood...

I have never bought or used the fancy platinum or gold needles..I figure they weren`t available in the 17th century, and judging by the fineness of the needlework, weren`t missed either...

My favorite scissors are an old inexpensive pair of stork scissors..they have been sharpened many times...I have other more expensive pairs...some for Hardanger with a black finish (I find it hard use the chrome ones, the stitching reflects in them making it harder to judge accurately), a pair of mini shears for cutting linen, and a pair of 'snip' scissors with a curved blade for removing stitches...but I always reach for my old 'faithfuls'...they just fit my hand and feel familiar and comforting somehow...
I have a sewing stand that belonged to my aunt`s mother...I had admired it often as a child, and when her things went to auction, had my husband buy it...it sits beside me and holds 'some' of my stitching (I have taken to putting things in individual project bags and storing them away when not working on them..it made for much less clutter..the best ones I have found are zippered nylon 'night deposit' bags..available at the dollar store..there is a clear pocket on the front to slip in a pic of the project for easy identification)

That is pretty much it..I have a magnifying lamp, but no stand, and it`s so heavy the table clamp doesn`t hold it too well...so I don`t use it (i`m getting to the point where I should be using some sort of magnification though) my main requirement is a comfy chair and plenty of light..and, of course time to stitch everything I want to...I`m still working on the pillow for my aunt...*sigh*...getting really bored with the border though..(no pun intended...)...ttfn...

Jane Turner original

This is the Jane Turner(1668) original sampler reproduced by 'The Essamplaire'...I fell in love with the colours on this one, as well as the lady in the garden which graces the center. This is a beautiful sampler, with many elements common to English band samplers of this period. Many of the bands of double running stitch may be familiar...also the eighth band from the top which features the stylized Stuart 'S'. The original of this sampler is in the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, so it may very well be Scottish, although I don`t see any obvious Scottish motifs on it. The lady in the garden in the center is featured on a number of other samplers, although this is one of the prettiest renderings i`ve seen. There is a sampler almost identical to this one in a private collection dated 1667. It may be the sampler of a sister or have been done by a student of the same teacher.

Jane Turner in progress..

I started this ambitious sampler quite a long time ago, but, as usual, got distracted by other things...I also find I have to be able to give it my full attention while stitching so as not to make mistakes in the double running bands...also there are stitches on it I haven`t attempted yet, that I will definitely have to practice on my doodle cloth first...like trellis and spiral trellis..(I have to admit, spiral trellis scares the bejeebers out of me)...I really have to get back to her though...I will take her along with me to Colorado this winter, and hopefully make some real progress. The top picture is the back, and the other one is the front...does anyone know how to get Blogger to let you put pics where you want?

Jane Turner repro

This is hopefully what my sampler will look like when I get it done...(notice I said 'when'..not 'if' ...i`m an optimist)