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The Needlework Nutshell—July 1, 2006 Volume 2, Issue 7 July 1, 2006 <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> THE NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL Needlework news, musings, tips, contests, and what's happening now at FUNK & WEBER DESIGNS <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> Editor: Jen Funk Weber Mail to: mail@funkandweber.com Web site: http://www.funkandweber.com Your privacy is important to us. Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. *********************************************************** IN THIS ISSUE *********************************************************** 1. Needlework Musings 2. Tips and Tricks 3. What's New at Funk & Weber Designs 4. Readers Ask 5. Puzzle Contest 6. Contact/Subscribe/Unsubscribe *********************************************************** 1. NEEDLEWORK MUSINGS *********************************************************** Summer is together time. Kids are home from school; families and friends vacation together. I visited my 2 nephews and niece this month, ages 16, 15, and 13, respectively. Our visits have always meant *doing things together,* not just being in the same city or same house at the same time. And doing things together doesn't mean doing just what *I* want to do, or what *they* want to do. Everyone provides input and Everyone participates. Once, during a visit on the Oregon coast, we made a list of the activities Everyone wanted to do. Then we did them. I'm not sure who wrote "Dig a hole with steps down into it," but it was on the list and given the same consideration as "Visit aquarium" and "Explore tide pools." It was windy and cold when the time came to dig a hole with steps down into it, and *some* of the adults weren't especially enthusiastic about this activity, but we found a nook behind a cliff and, well, dug. It was serious business for a couple of hours, as we took turns digging inside the hole and building the ramparts outside. Everyone contributed. In the end, we had a lovely hole with steps down into it, pictures, and several hours of talking and working together. A bargain at any price, if you ask me. With such a history, perhaps it's not surprising that when I asked my nephews to stitch with me a couple of weeks ago, they agreed. Each selected his own fabric and fibers, then watched, listened, and set to work. Neither plans to pursue the craft further at this time, but they each completed their project, enjoyed it, and learned some skills that will serve them in other ways for the rest of their lives. I taught my niece to knit. We visited an independent yarn shop after a soccer game (took her friend with her, so yet another potential stitcher gained some exposure), and purchased needles and yarn for a scarf (what else?!). She practiced casting on in the car on the way home. She proceeded to knit in spare moments during the rest of our visit, and her scarf was over a foot long by the time we left. She discovered a number of friends at school who also knit, so she will have help when it comes time to cast off. I cherish the time I can spend with my nephews and niece, and enjoy learning about their friends, interests, and undertakings. That they're willing to reciprocate, and learn about *my* interests turns me to emotional mush. I know I'd be a poorer person if I didn't know something about robotics, soccer, and Girl Scouts, and they'd be poorer teens if they didn't know something about cross stitching and knitting. Now it's your turn. Grab a non-stitcher, any age, and teach him/her to stitch. Share what you know. It doesn't matter if you're an expert or a recent beginner; you know more than a non-stitcher. You'll have quality time together and both be richer for the experience. It's summer--there's no better time! *********************************************************** 2. TIPS AND TRICKS *********************************************************** Teach someone to stitch?! No way! I'm no teacher; where would I start?! At the beginning, of course, with fabric, fiber, frame, needle, and maybe a pattern. ASSEMBLE MATERIALS. If possible let the Learner choose his/her materials and pattern, as liking a project is the best motivater. It doesn't matter what fabric you use. It can be Aida, an evenweave, or canvas. Both of my nephews used 28-ct Cashel Linen, overdyed by Picture This Plus, stitching over 2 threads. When one commented, "Wow, that's small--kinda hard to see," I simply replied, "Yes, it is. If you find it's too hard to use, we can try another fabric." I didn't say that evenweaves were harder to work with than Aida, or that he should start with something different. I supported his choice, and he chose to stick with it. Maybe it was hard, but it wasn't *too* hard. While some people feel Aida is easier to stitch on than evenweaves, I believe that is a matter of opinion. For a very young person (say, 5-9 years old), or a person with vision or fine-motor difficulties, I might recommend Aida. Otherwise, I let the Learner choose. FRAME AND NEEDLE USE. Demonstrate how to mount fabric in the frame and how to thread a needle, then allow Learner to practice. Remember, not everyone uses a frame. This may be all you need to do. It's amazing what some people, kids especially, will do when materials are made available. But if more direction is desired, provide it. WHERE TO START A PATTERN. Whether you prefer to start in the center of a pattern, or at a corner, explain the way *you* begin. Remember, there's no one *right* way. To find the center of the fabric (or something close to it), fold the fabric in half lengthwise, and mark the fold in the approximate center with a few running stitches. Unfold, then re-fold the fabric in half widthwise, and mark this fold the same way. The 2 marked folds intersect in the center of the fabric. STOPPING AND STARTING THREADS. If you use a waste knot when you begin a thread, explain and demonstrate. If you just hold the thread under a finger while you make the first few stitches, explain and demonstrate. Some people like strict rules, others don't. In the beginning, I think it's better to keep the rules flexible. There's nothing so discouraging for a Learner as feeling she's doing something *wrong.* If the rules are flexible, she is more likely to feel confident and encouraged. STITCH FORMATION. Demonstrate how to complete a stitch. If making cross stitches, explain that the first leg of the stitch can go either direction (/ or ), but that once a direction is chosen, it's best to be consistent. The second leg, completing the X, is made on top of the first in the opposite direction. READING A PATTERN. Explain that every symbol on a pattern represents a different color fiber, not unlike Paint-By-Numbers, and that the colors are defined in the color key. Make the first 3 or 4 stitches to demonstrate, then turn the project over to the Learner, and watch while he takes a few stitches. ANSWER QUESTIONS AS NEEDED. Perhaps the most important thing you can do, is be available to answer questions and help as needed. Nothing is easier than putting a project down and forgetting about it because a Learner gets stumped or frustrated. ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE! I take it back; I think this is the most important thing. It doesn't matter what the Learner's work looks like at this stage. What matters is the effort and enjoyment. Assure a frustrated Learner that it gets easier and/or neater with practice. Commend the effort, if not the work. Offer suggestions for improvement sparingly. Too many suggestions for improvement, no matter how kindly meant, can make a Learner feel he just isn't getting it right. When offering a suggestion, deliver it in a sandwich; it goes down a lot easier. Tell the Learner one thing she is doing right or well (bread), make your gentle suggestion (meat or peanut butter), note something you like about her work (bread). For instance, "You're following the pattern very well. If you don't pull the threads so tightly, you won't see these holes between the stitches. I really like your colors; this is looking great!" Constructive criticism is easier to take when we know we're doing at least a few things right. Give it a shot. Look around and find someone with time on his/her hands, and replace it with some fabric and thread. If you'll do that, I'll provide the pattern! It's great for boys, girls, men, and women, and makes a nice magnet for the fridge. http://www.funkandweber.com/fw/nutshell/teach.pdf I don't need to tell you the many healthful benefits of stitching. When you teach someone to stitch, it's a gift much greater than the sum of its parts. *********************************************************** 3. WHAT'S NEW AT FUNK & WEBER *********************************************************** There's still time to register for the next BRACELET BASICS class, July 11-16. Lessons posted to the Yahoo! Group can be viewed at your convenience, or printed so that you can take them with you to the beach, the pool, or the baseball game. Visit our web site for details and to register. http://www.funkandweber.com/fw/index.html ~~~~~~~~~~ I have just been offered contracts to create 2 activity books for kids that have tie-ins with a movie coming out next summer! The contracts are not yet signed, so it's not a done deal, but I'm already getting excited. It's puzzle time! But there's more: the main character is *crafty.* I don't think it could get better--puzzles, crafts, book contracts. Wait...did I die? Is this heaven? ~~~~~~~~~~ Oh, yes, there are some new designs. Alas, they are not yet on our web site. We're just getting home from our trip to the wholesale NeedleArts Market in Indianapolis. Once we fill orders from the show, I'll get images of new designs on the site. I hope to have them up by the time you come to check the winner of the July puzzle contest! We'll see... http://www.funkandweber.com/fw/index.html *********************************************************** 5. READERS ASK *********************************************************** Please e-mail me with questions for this section. mail@funkandweber.com Sisu asked if winners of NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL puzzle contests are ineligible to win again for a period of time. Answer: No. I want Everyone to play as often as they want. The same person can win any number of times until a rule is made to prevent it. So far it hasn't been an issue, so I see no need for such a rule. But let this be a warning to you all: Sisu's good! Every puzzle solved, and all but one answer right, I think, and that may have been a matter of opinion. (And just for the record, in the end, whether right or wrong, it's my opinion that counts--for the puzzle contests, that is!) *********************************************************** 6. PUZZLE CONTEST *********************************************************** Play with me! Solve this puzzle, and be entered to win a free Funk & Weber Designs pattern! Winners will be randomly selected from all correct entries. E-mail your answer, with "PUZZLE CONTEST" in the subject line. The deadline for this month's puzzle is midnight (Alaska time, of course) July 7, 2006. The winner will be selected on July 8, 2006, notified by e-mail, and announced on our web site and in the next NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL. To avoid sending e-mail attachments, contest puzzles will be uploaded to our web site. I will provide a link to the puzzle only in THE NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL. To the puzzle! http://www.funkandweber.com/fw/nutshell/july.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~ June PUZZLE CONTEST WINNER: Pat from Arden, NC. And because we've been gone for the entire month of June, Pat has had to wait extra-long for her prize. Thanks for your patience, Pat! Answer: Keep it under your hat At the drop of a hat Put on your thinking cap Bee in her bonnet Wear two hats Red Hat Society Mad as a hatter Pass the hat It's summer and the sun is bright. I'm wearing my hat and sunscreen. Are you? (No, that's not part of the answer. That's me preaching skin cancer awareness.) *********************************************************** 7. CONTACT FUNK & WEBER DESIGNS *********************************************************** SUBSCRIBE: 57410-subscribe@zinester.com UNSUBSCRIBE: 57410-unsubscribe@zinester.com ARCHIVES: http://archives.zinester.com/57410 Jen Funk Weber mail@funkandweber.com http://www.funkandweber.com Copyright 2006, Funk & Weber Designs |
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