N is for needlewoman.

What’s a needlewomen without a healthy stash of needles? My hand-sewing ones range almost from A to Z: from applique to yarn needles (photo A). The three in the top middle—between the rippers—are vintage, probably from my grandmother. One is marked ten cents, and one is marked five cents. They’re keepers!

When unsewing is required, which is way too often, I have…drum roll…a collection of seam rippers. And that’s just what they do when I get frustrated after unsewing a seam two or three times: they often rip the fabric. Does impatience get you in deep dodo too?

The ripper on the left in photo A is my oldest one from junior high home ec class (engraved with my name…thanks Dad!). The one on the right is my newest, Alex Anderson’s 4-in-1, that is a ripper and a stiletto, presser, and turner (thanks Alex!).

And for straight pins, I have long flower heads, glass-head and plastic-head applique in two sizes, pearl-head and glass-head dressmaker in a bunch of sizes, short sequins, assorted sharps, and silks. Making their home in the strawberry emery “pouch” are an assortment of quick-to-get-to hand-sewing needles. 

I’ve been teased a time or two about fussy placing my pins in their cushion (photo B). Doesn’t everyone do that?

My steel needlewomen notions also again range almost from A to Z: from ballpoint to wing machine-sewing needles. I fooled around with a plain ole universal machine needle making a wedding gift in July, a batik Log Cabin quilt block (photo C). 

The first round of "logs" are folded strips that hold the invitation (photo D). I used a A size 11 needle. It's “just perfect” because it makes small holes, which is great when sewing finely woven batiks “just in case” unsewing is required. Whew, for once, this was a project with impeccable seams! Yipee, no rippie!!!

The ring bearers were the bride’s young son and the groom’s not-quite-two nephew.

And the flower girls were the groom’s young nieces. Cute, huh! 

And for the bride and groom…the dress is vintage and was remade to look new. What great things a needlewoman can do!

Being a needlewoman is awesome!