Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Needle Roll Help!

Today is the 1st of April and that means the dreaded needle roll challenge is upon us! I'm sure there are many of you out there who have no anxiety about this particular finishing at all - but frankly I'm very nervous!

This being my first adventure in needle rolling, I've decided a simple design is best in case I need to re-do it should something disastrous happen during finishing. I've found a small free pattern from The Floss Box that I'm pretty sure I will be doing. But my question is - how much extra fabric do I need to leave around the stitched design for finishing purposes? I want to get this right!

In other news, I got another crisp white envelope in the mail with the wonderful Handcrafts Online return address label in the upper right corner today :) It is my LHN Wool Needlebook and Scissor Fob chart! And Mary Kathryn included a beautiful skein of "School Yard" green from The Gentle Art because I placed my order on St. Patrick's Day. How sweet is she?!


No new development with my "Thankful" tin. I need to make a trip to the craft store and mosey around to figure something to put in it for my sister. That will have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight DH and I are going on a double date to see the Blues play (hockey). And of course that means Tivo will have to manage American Idol for us as well.

9 comments:

lena-lou said...

I have not made a NR yet so I cannot give you any advice.
Do you have any 'Shepherds Bush' Needlerolls in your stash with the finishing details ? They are good ones :)

If not, no worries :) I know that AnneS did a tutorial on the Focus on Finishing blog for a NR finish. http://focusonfinishing.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/needleroll-class-2/

I have not read it (sorry Anne) but when I glanced through it looks very easy to follow from the pictures. Hope that helps you and you enjoy doing it :)

Kathy A. said...

Not to worry after your beautiful pinkeep the needleroll will come along well too. I have only done one needleroll so can't help much.

Anonymous said...

I haven't done a needleroll yet either :( But there are some wonderful instructions on Focus on Finishing :)

Good luck I am sure you will be fine :)

Michele B. said...

Kim, for the needleroll I am trying (also my first) I looked at the FOF tutorial and tried to copy how much fabric was on all sides of the design. I may have made one side too short but the seam alllowance isn't that wide so I'm hoping it will work out. Good luck on this challenge - I think we are both going to need it!

Dawn T. said...

On the top and bottoms of mine I leave at least 4 inches each way. It is always easier to cut away excess fabric than not having enough. As for my sides I usually leave about 2 inches on each side. I usually just measure about 1/2-1 inch out from the design (on the sides) and that is the spot I sew my seam.

Sally said...

I can't wait to see your needleroll Kim. It's a long time since I made one but there is a gorgeous one in this month's Gift of Stitching magazine so I might be stitching another one soon.

I can't wait to get my LHn chart. I haven't heard anything from Mary Kathryn so I think she must be waiting for the R&R fabric.

Janet said...

Good luck with the needleroll, I've not made one so will be watching yours with interest. Thanks for sharing re Handcrafts Online. I love visiting new sites, especially those who have proven their commitment to customer service.

Wanda said...

Oh I am with you on the needleroll I am stiching one as well and went to Focus on Finishing to get my directions. I always say better to err on to much fabric then to not have enough!

mainely stitching said...

Oh, good, I see everyone's already pointed you to Anne's tutorial at Focus on Finishing. She made it pretty clear, I thought. Good luck!