I love slow stitching projects. Remember the little projects that I wrote about here? I’ve managed a few more. One that I use daily is a little drawstring rosary purse that started as a slow stitching project. Richard likes college basketball, and I have him watching old movies. You know, movies from before cursing made its way into every line. Yes, that includes black and whites, though not silent films. I’m the kind of person whose hands must be busy. Slow stitching pares great with television.
It began after I ran across an Australian blog, Petalplum, that is all about slow-stitching, hand-work, and needle crafts. I fell in love! Ellie has a book, a blog, an online store, and a Youtube channel, which is where I found her.
Image credit: petalplum.com
Of course, I began a new slow-stitch project! First, I thought I’d use tissue paper to hold everything together, then remove the tissue. To that end, I cut strips from an old pattern that, I promise, no one will miss. However, the pattern tissue ripped easily so, leaving the tissue in, I added a sheer crinoline. Next, I pulled pieces of really old lace, cording, ribbon, and just about anything, to audition together.
I used mostly old, ancient lace with a yellow, brownish tint and a few rips. Interestingly, the tissue adds another layer of antique color. Then, I just started stitching embellishments on, layering two or three pieces, one on another. My strips are about four inches wide and maybe twelve inches long. It took a few attempts, but I finally settled on using a regular hand-quilting thread in beige. It barely shows in the picture or on the pieces.
Waiting for stitches.
I slowly introduced some old, pastel pieces and used lace as binding. Anything goes! And I surprised myself at how carefully I’ve been stitching. Nothing moves or shifts. The stitches don’t show. And when I cut it, the stitches didn’t fall out. What a pleasant surprise! I’m sure mom would be quite proud of my tiny, secure stitches. Richard asked what I’d do with this “stuff,” so I decided to make a rosary bag for the rosary that stays on the table next to my chair.
I simply cut off what I needed (4″ by 8″ or so) and faced it with a piece of off-white quilting cotton. Then I folded it in half, leaving openings for the drawstrings, stitched up the sides, I put in the drawstring. Voila!
It’s perfect. I love the old look and that some of my mom and grandmother’s lace is part of my prayer life. I plan to make a few more for my sisters. Then we’ll see where it goes.
