Needles are pesky little critters – they always seem to be wandering off. But not if you make up a porte-aiguilles or needle holder. Chez Mounette has a chart and instructions for doing just that. And, while the blog is in French, the photos are all you need to figure out how to make one of your own. This would be a handy item to have in your sewing kit, but would also be great to make for gifts.
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Designer Spotlight: TeaJeigh Designs
I feel like I’ve written about TeaJeigh Designs before but I think maybe it’s just because I have shared this shop’s patterns a few times before that it feels familiar. But it’s worth a look so let’s take a peek at their offerings!
This shop based in Canada has a variety of designs, but many of them are what she calls “mix and match” designs. These all feature a quote or saying that takes up on half of the design, while the other half includes an associated image, such as the person who said it, a mandala design, half a butterfly or a tree or what have you.
The biggest category in the mix and match section is mandalas, so that’s why I picked one of them to share. They aren’t all strictly mandalas, and most of them have a feminist or positive thinking vibe to them. The one shown does actually include a floral mandala design, and you can change the three colors used to suit your decor or your favorites if you like.
This one uses four colors total and measures 183 by 214 stitches. On 14 count fabric that would make the finished design 13.2 by 15.25 inches, or 33.5 by 38.7 cm. There are other counts given in the pattern notes if you want to make a smaller version.
The thing that’s cool about these designs and why they are called mix and match is that you can swap in other text if you like this mandala but a different saying, for example.
The mix and match designs also include butterflies, fantasy and nature, baby and kids, Halloween and fall and winter and Christmas designs, so there are a lot of options if you like this style.
In addition to these designs you’ll find other Christmas and winter patterns, often still with a lot of text, as well as spring and summer, fall and Halloween and Valentines Day designs.
Not feeling seasonal? Check out the Lord of the Rings projects, or other fandom designs, humorous and nerdy projects, Pride and feminist designs, projects for teachers and nurses, full mandalas and nature themed projects.
Check it all out at TeaJeigh Designs on Etsy.
[Photo: TeaJeigh Designs]