I’ve been slowly collecting the things I need to do some projects from this book…
I reviewed it HERE.
I ended up ordering a copy from Amazon. I’ve been trying to save money and not buy so much but this book, I really liked. REALLY LIKED.
It’s funny…the ones that really caught my eye, aren’t on the front cover. I liked the ones that mimic chalkboards.
I read through the book to see what supplies I needed and decided to start collecting them so I can start a project from the book.
The book called for Size 12 pearl cotton. They suggested several colors but I decided to just get white and cream. I’ll use embroidery floss if I need colors….
They also called for quilting thread. From the pictures I assumed they meant hand quilting thread…so I got that.
Then they mentioned these pens Uni-Ball Signo Broad Gel Pen. You can find that HERE.
The book suggests using a fabric from Marcus Brothers called Basecloth. I had trouble finding it when I searched. I finally found it HERE…and ordered. I ordered PLENTY. I was afraid I wouldn’t find it again.
I have the interfacing bought now too…
I think I had some batting here but I’m leaning towards filling them with sand instead.
The last thing I needed…PressNSeal. Yes…PressNSeal. This is how they used it.
It says to lay a piece over the design and trace it onto the PressNSeal. Then put the PressNSeal on the fabric and stitch through it.
I’ll be honest, I’m a little pessimistic on whether this will work or not. Has anyone tried it? I’m hoping to try it soon.
I have the supplies collected so all I need is a little time. If using PressNSeal works, I’m going to be a really happy camper. I’ll report back to you on what I think of the PressNSeal method.
Jo, I personally have never used the press n seal but I know a ton of ladies who use it in machine embroidery. I’m sure it will work for hand embroidery. Glad you are gathering the supplies. I sure wish my thrift stores here had fabric like yours do. But we don’t. Sigh!
Take care. Love, hugs and prayers coming your way.
Hi Jo, I have used the press and seal for hand embroidery on a few wool projects and it works great. You just trace the design on the press and seal and then smooth it over your fabric. It doesn’t move till you take it off. Great stuff.
I have been pulling out some of my CCS as I have been enjoying your projects as you work on them. Even ordered from Needle case goodies. Great service.
Hugs to you and the family.
Kim
I’ve used Press and Seal for Machine quilting a time or two. Get your tweezers ready! It can be difficult to get all the pieces of plastic out from under the stitches. Hopefully it’s easier with hand embroidery. I’d suggest using an ink that is similar to the color you are stitching in. Black Sharpie was not a great choice, I found.
I can’t imagine trying to remove Press and Seal for my embroidery, or anything sewn for that matter. I use Sulky water dissolvable stabilizer to transfer designs and it works wonderfully. It even comes in sheets for the printer so you don’t have to trace. I love Press and Seal, but only in the kitchen.
I use Press and Seal to hand embroider all the time. Works great! Take smaller stitches, and pull it away gently from the sides while keeping your finger on the stitching. I use tweezers to get out the little pieces. Try it -you’ll like it!
Jo, I have not done any embroidery in a number of years but there is a product I used the same way it is telling you to use the Press n Seal that I really liked. Of course i cant remember the name. It washed off when you finished. It did not leave the fabric feeling stiff or anything. Maybe this pattern cannot be washed. I’m not familiar with those pens? Maybe someone will know the name of what I’m describing. I think you could also print on it from the computer or use a copy machine. No tracing. But more expensive I’m sure. Saved a lot of time with a detailed design but these look pretty simple and really cute. Anxious to see you finished product.
When I make pin cushions, I fill them with ground walnut shells. They are cheapest to buy at a pet supply where they are sold as bedding for lizards and other reptiles.
I also use ground walnut shells for pinnies. I’ve used sand before as well, so both work! I made my first pinnie with a trash bag attached when I was on a retreat on a whim and the retreat house was right by the Icicle River in Leavenworth, Washington, so I went to the river and got some sand!!
I used Press N Seal for machine quilting, but found I had tiny pieces of the stuff stuck in the stitches. I imagine it would be even harder to remove from hand stitching which isn’t as tight as machine. I did find after picking and tweezing til I was crosseyed, if I ironed the PnS it would ball up and made it easier to pick it out of the stitches. Good luck.
I got this book too!
Press and Seal works wonderfully! I used for embroidering letters on wool. Easy peasy and I did not need tweezers. I learned the technique from Debbie, herself. Really fun!
Hi, Jo. I have used the Press ‘N Seal in quilting (I’m not big on embroidery). I taped it to plain paper and scanned my quilt pattern and printed it to the Press ‘N Seal paper. It downloaded great. I placed it over my quilt block, and stitched thru it for my block motif. The idea was good, but the Press ‘N Seal did not hold up to the machine stitching thru it. It perforated great but left bits under my thread which had to be removed by lint roller or tweezers. LOL, guess I had to be different from everyone else.