Tools

Unlike most people, I feel like my desk supplies are an extension of my very being. I express myself through my work so the vehicle I use to do that means a lot to me.

Over the past year, I've created my basic toolkit that is easily transportable, basic and always by my side. I splurged this summer on a shaker wooden trug at Castaway & Folk when my daughter was taking a quilting class there. It's the perfect size and I love how it has two compartments: one of which I use for immediate sewing supplies and the other for my backup supplies. I'm that picky about function.

When I committed myself to the Refugee Stories series, I knew it was time to upgrade from my DMC six strand embroidery floss. I only ever used 3 strands at a time so it was a huge time waster when I spend hours a day hand embroidering. After researching what other embroidery artists used, I invested in a sample pack of Valdani perle cotton, size 12 thread. The thickness is perfect for hand embroidery and the color range is never ending. It takes time to order the full range of colors from Valdani in Canada but it's well worth the wait. You can find starter sets in the U.S. for a quick ship. The threads are easy to keep organized and it's so nice not having to wind my thread onto bobbins before I start a new color. Another time waster.

I'm still looking for the perfect embroidery needle, one that's easy to thread but doesn't tear apart fine cotton organdy, a contradictory situation. I've tried every brand out there, including Merchant & Mills and several handmade Japanese brands. I haven't tried these hybrid needles from JEC in Atlanta yet though. If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears.