Tangle Stitches for Quilters & Fabric Artists by Jane Monk who is a certified Zentangle Teacher | Book Review

I have been a hug fan of Zentangling since I met Beckah Krahula, the author of One Zentangle A Day: A 6-Week Course in Creative Drawing for Relaxation, Inspiration, and Fun (One A Day) by Krahula, Beckah (unknown Edition) [Paperback(2012)]

I find the simplicity of line drawing and doodling to be the perfect creative outlet for my busy life.  You can not imagine how excited I was to come across a book that incorporates two of my favorite past times. 

The book  Tangle Stitches for Quilters and Fabric Artists: Relax, Meditate, and Create with Rhythmic Stitches by Jane Monk combines her love of zentangling with machine stitching.  If you are an avid quilter, then you will enjoy some of the tangle patterns in this book.

Personally, I am a beginner level sewer and I think this is going to be the perfect book to get me back to my machine and try out some of the over 40 tangle patterns in the book.  The projects included in Tangles Stitches range from beginner to intricate. From the video above, you see that the author has included some great projects.   I know that I will most certainly be starting with the pretty vase project and then move quickly onto the journal cover stitched on felt project.  The instructions are very straight forward and easy to follow. I recommend this book if you love Zentangling and enjoy stitching.  I found that many of the patterns could easily be converted for use in hand stitching onto wearables.  If you like Zentangle, doodling, and sewing then you may want to give this book a try.


Note: I am not affiliated with Zentangle or the Author.  Nor am I paid for this review.

Dimensions by EK Success Project Review

I was sent this kit to review for an article at "Craft Critique".  I had to make and then write a review on the instructions and the finished project.  If you want to know  the pros and cons to this particular kit, I recommend checking the article out at this link.


This really fun pillow cover kit is from the "Handmade Embroidery" line by Dimension Needlecraft (from the E.K. Success product lines).  I like the company slogan "with a few simple embroidery stitches and a little applique, you can create a heartwarming project in just a weekend with our Handmade Embroidery line".  Which is true, this kit is easily finished in one weekend and is great for those with limited free time to work on embroidery projects but want to enjoy the relaxing fun of doing embroidery.   This is also a nice kit for introducing embroidery to beginners.  The project is cute and the fabric and appliques are good quality cotton.  

The "Bird on a Flower" pillow cover kit is designed by Erin Ries.  The kit is designed to fit up to a 14" pillow which is not included in the kit but easy to find at any local craft supply store.  It is a colorful and fun crewel embroidery project that I am very excited to make.

The contents of the Bird on a Flower Kit are:

Pillow Cover

• pre-printed cotton fabric pillow cover in 100% cotton 

100% heavy cotton

• pre-printed cotton fabric appliques

Applique sheet

• color coordinated cotton thread

color coordinated thread and thread holder

• one needle
• one set of brief but simple instructions

To finish the kit, you need to purchase a 12" or 14" pillow to fit inside of the cover.

The instruction booklet and the Dimensions website do have some simple instructions and diagrams for their versions of the following stitches and knots:

● buttonhole stitch

● running stitch

● back stitch

● stem stitch

● french knot

The first step was to lay out the supplies to see what I had to work with and iron all the cotton pieces to remove the wrinkles.  Then I cut out the appliques.  

These are really nice appliques that do not seem to unravel easily but I decided to apply a 

little fray check to the edges of the pieces (just in case).

The instructions on how to apply the stitches and appliques onto the pillow are very brief, as you can see in the photo below.  

This is great for me, I like my instructions short and to the point.  However, since this kit is being promoted as good for beginners, it might cause someone who prefers more in depth instructions some small discomfort. 

So the next thing is to begin to applique the different fabric die cuts onto the pillow cover.

The kit directions for the actual stitches are far more detailed than the project directions and 

include diagrams that are easy to follow to finish the different appliques.

So once I had finished all the stitches and appliques, I added some buttons to personalize the pillow cover to add a little more dimension to the finished project.

It is cotton and will wrinkle easily.  However, I like the casual look of wrinkled cotton so this look totally works for me.

Overall, this would be an easy project to introduce someone to applique work and basic embroidery stitches.  All the supplies are included (except the pillow) and the directions are very brief and simple to follow.  It is also a great kit for short trips or just to do on a weekend.  You can also add to it by adding buttons, stones, ribbons, etc.

Tips:

1. Always keep the color picture, you can use it as reference, just in case the diagrams do not make sense to you.
2. Utilize the color coded card that is included in this kit to perfectly match the colors to the diagrams.
3. Place all the parts in a ziplock for an easy and inexpensive traveling kit.  Just grab it and you have something to work on when the opportunity presents itself.

For other kits by Dimensions, check out Amazon.

Disclaimer

Review of the E.K. Success - Martha Stewart Embroidery Set

The E.K. Success Company sent me this cute baby one-piece and cap embroidery set from their Martha Stewart Crafts embroidery line.  I love making gifts for infants.  So I was very excited that they had a new line of embroidery projects for baby gifts.  At first glance the kit looks a little plain because the colors on the packaging are printed in a yellow ink that seems to fade out the colors of the thread on the baby set.  The thread colors are actually more vibrant out of the packaging.  I really liked the simple "let it bee" design on the two baby project pieces, along with the color choice of the threads for this design.

Kit Contents

Here is what comes in the kit:

• 1 cotton one-piece pre-printed in wash-away ink
• 1 cotton cap pre-printed in wash-away ink
• 1 needle
• presorted cotton thread (Papaya, Marina, and Pumpernickel)
• easy illustrated directions

One piece shirt

The one piece shirt and cap are very soft and made of 100% cotton with the designs already printed on them in a "wash-away ink".   

baby cap

I love that the company placed the threads on a color coded thread organizer card that directly corresponds with the drawings, which makes it easy to identify the right threads.

Additionally, the Martha Stewart  Embroidery Kit includes an easy to follow Key Chart that not only lists the stitches but breaks it down by color.  

The directions themselves are well illustrated and easy to follow.  Instead of being too wordy, they have done the illustrations in varied thicknesses and colors that correspond back to the chart.  

You only need to do three stitches to complete this kit.

• the stem stitch
• the back stitch
• the french knot

All you have to do is look at the Key Chart and match the line and you will know which color and stitch to use.  This is an ideal beginner embroidery project and the final pieces are so adorable.

Tips:

• The pieces in this kit are pre-printed in a wash-away ink, so remember not to pre-wash the two pieces or you will lose the design. 
• Use an embroidery hoop, it makes the project go faster.

For more Martha Stewart Kits, check out Amazon.

Disclosure

My Experience with the "Handmade Embroidery Kit" from EK Success Brands

I was very excited to find out that I would get a chance to make and review some embroidery products.  I love embroidery because it allows for so much creativity and it is a very portable craft.  Those of you who sit on the sidelines of your children's sports events can relate to the need for that.  The kit I received is from Dimensions and is from the new "Handmade Embroidery Line".  The Butterfly Ornament Kit is designed by Carolyn Gavin for the E.K. Success Brands company.    The project is 4.5" by 5" and  is simple enough to finish in one evening.

Above is a quick look at the contents of this kit which include the following:
● Project directions.

● Printed poly/cotton fabric

● Die-cut polyester felt shapes

● Pre-sorted cotton thread

● Polyester Stuffing

● 1 needle

The instruction booklet and the Dimensions website do have some simple instructions and diagrams for their versions of the following stitches and knots:

● running stitch

● straight stitch

● back stitch

● chain stitch

● french knot

The first thing that I did was to lay out the supplies to see what I had to work with.

Then I followed the instructions that said to fold the long edges of the yellow piece fabric, so that they meet in the center.  I found it is easier to iron the edges down so they woud hold their shape while I stitched.

I then sewed a running stitch down both sides of the folded fabric.  This piece will be used to create a hanger for the ornament.

The instructions directed me to sew the yellow piece to the large blue butterfly die cut.  Once that was sewn, I added the small pocket on to the back.

Then I took the white flower die cuts and stitched them according to the directions.  I found using two strands looked much better than just using one (as the instructions suggested).

I then stitched the rest of the die cuts loosely following the directions (since I used two strands instead of one). They give you plenty of thread in the kit, so this was not a problem.  I took the different die cut shapes and sewed them onto the orange butterfly die cut.

The orange material started to fray as I sewed the die cut pieces on, so I put a little liquid seam sealant to prevent that from continuing to happen.  I thought about trimming the frayed bits off but I think they added a little character to the butterfly ornament. 

As I was working on this project, I realized it would make a cute tooth fairy pillow.  That cute pocket in the back is just the right size.

So once I had finished all the accent stitches, I added some beading to add a little more dimension to the butterfly ornament.  I know my daughter will enjoy this cute decoration to hold little treasures.  This would be an easy project to introduce someone to embroidery.  All the tools are included and the directions are simple to follow.

Tips:

●  Keep the color picture, you can use it as reference, incase the diagrams do not make sense to you.
●  Utilize the color coded card to perfectly match the colors to the diagrams.

●  Place all the parts in a ziplock for an easy and inexpensive traveling kit.  Just grab it and you have something to work on in the doctors waiting or sports events sidelines.

● Thread is on a presorted color coded card to make it easier to complete project, just match the color to the drawing and stitch.
● Be careful of the aqua green and blue which are kind of similar in color.   They blend together to easily.  A brighter green would have been nicer mix with the bright pink and yellow to give more dimension to the project.
● The orange butterfly die cut does fray.  I used a liquid seam sealant that prevents fabric from fraying to avoid any frustration on my part.


Disclaimer