My Needle Cases

Okay. These are pictures of the needle cases I've made. Figured I'd put them all in one place. I actually enjoy designing and making these. I think it's a good design -- based on a pretty exhaustive review of what is out there. Frustrated with what's available (structurally, functionally and aesthetically) I decided to design my own.

I like making these and I've had a few requests to make needlecases for folks and find each project an interesting creative challenge. They take me at least about six hours to make these thing. I like the fact that they're unique and not cranked out like the other ones I've seen around. It also makes me feel closer to my Mom.

I can't total the hours I knew her sitting at the sewing machine while I was growing up. Everytime I walk into a fabric shop I'm reminded of her. She spent so many years of my childhood working nights at a Cloth World (are any of those still around?) and I'd go with my Dad to pick her up at 9. Of course they'd spend more time afterwards doing closeup. I remember that he'd stay in the car and I'd go into the store to wait for her to be finished. That's where I learned what I know about fabric. Walking up and down those aisles, touching all the fabrics. Tulle, broadcloth, silk, beast fur, ginghams, notions...all waiting to be transformed by someone's time and labour into something of use and beauty. In some small way I most love being part of that kind of continuity of creating for others thing they can treasure and use.

Like I said, I've had a few requests to make needlecases for folks and I'll have to post a few of those when they're finished. (most pictures expand when clicked)

The Original
Made out of three blue fabrics.
The exterior fabric is a cool batik-style.
I only found one small quilt piece at the fabric shop although I asked if they had any in stock and even searched the tables to see if I could spot any -- cause I LOVE this fabric. Its dynamite.

I especially enjoyed playing with the japanese kimono print on the inside. The image is actually a collage of a Japanese geishaeisha in kimono holding a parasol, but I played with the pieces so they come through as an abstract with not figurative form.

The third fabric is a tie-dye fabric in blue for the outside cross bar closure. This is my personal needlebag and I love it still.

Redbeard in Red (for my friend Redbeard)
So in between my first case and this second one I had a few ideas about improving the design.

Nothing major, just a bit better job at hiding the stitching of the velcro (there's velcro on the inside pockets and the outside closure).

Also, I reinforced these more. Made for a better design. Also, the middle pockets, which are for circular needles were narrowed -- you don't need wide pockets for these. Turned out pretty nicely.

I had Redbeard choose the four fabrics when he was in town. He chose a contrasting lime green thread which unfortunately doesn't show up in these pix as it looks great again the dark red. I was glad how this turned out.
March 2005

Fantasía para la Berenjena
(for mon ami Aubergine)
Well, this one got completed right after Redbeard's. They both accompanied me to the fabric shop to pick out their fabrics. Both of these used four fabrics (up from the inaugural three of my first case).

Aubie's was a bit experimental in that he chose mixed colors (well, two really -- browns and blue). The bandanna fabric on the inside was a pain in the ass to work with -- its think like gauze and I was afraid of shredding it in the machine. Also, it stretches like a mo-fo. When he chose it I wasn't sure how it was going to come out but I think it works. I made a small pocket on that left side for a needle gauge and sort of hid it in the bandanna pattern. You can make it out if you click on that image.

I liked the spool fabric on the outside. That was pretty cute. I think the interior rust colored rose fabric was a nice touch. When we'd first talked about a needle case for him he was thinking all florals but I think he butched it up in the end. Turned out nice I think.

Three for three on the proud meter. Oh yeah, and the tiny pocket on the middle portion came out cute. I had fun piecing that together.