Author Archives: Laura

How to Pack Softly

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One of the mysteries of travel is how to pack a suitcase. For me, there are three big concerns: weight, keeping things dry, and packing so nothing breaks while en route. My lightweight cloth suitcase with wheels is my go-to companion on trips. And having seen my luggage sitting on the tarmac in a heavy rainstorm, I know that everything in my suitcase must be in a plastic bag.

And then there is breakage. In the past my hand-dyed threads were displayed in plastic trays at a venue. And often I returned with the plastic trays cracked or broken by the airline baggage system. But finally I came up with a soft, lightweight, non-breakable solution- fabric trays.

How to Make a Quick Fabric Tray

  • Choose an old quilt that is hankering for a new life. The quilts I’m using measure about 20 inches by 20 inches.
  • Fold the quilt with the right sides together at each corner. Stitch across the folded quilt at about 3 inches from where the sides meet to the fold.
  • You may want to use the walking foot on your machine.
  • Roll the corner flaps back to reveal the pretty quilt interior.
  • Fill the fabric trays with beautiful hand-dyed threads.
  • Enjoy your flight!

Stitching for Spain: Travel Plans?

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Let’s say you’re just too busy to travel to Spain to take my Improvisational Hand Embroidery on Wool class. What do you do? You could check out one of my free tutorials or add my book Free-Form Hand Embroidery on Wool book to your library.

Free-Form Hand Embroidery has these 5 embroidery designs for you to play with. Chapters include the types of fabric, thread, and needles to use; how to transfer the patterns for each project to the wool; and, step-by-step directions to guide you through the stitch process for each design. Helpful embroidery stitch diagrams are included too.

And don’t forget this bonus project in the book: how to make an etui or small sewing kit.

Illustrated with colorful details, this book is ideal for those who want to explore the world of free-form embroidery and stitching just for the pleasure of it.

So join me in Spain (sort of) and create a free-form project on wool today!

Stitching for Spain: Kits!

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One of the things I like to do for my students is provide a kit of fabrics and threads for workshops. This way they don’t have to schlep a cart full of items to class. I become the schlepper. Above is the kit for the Improvisational Hand Embroidery on Wool class I’m teaching for the Asociación Española de Patchwork in March.

Students will have a selection of wool fabrics, a booklet of embroidery stitches, needles, an array of my hand-dyed threads, and a cute little needle hold created by moi. Ok. It’s true I don’t speak French or Spanish. But I know enough not to order liver and onions in a restaurant. And I know how to schlep.