What other types of fiber-arts-related crafts do you do?

We know you love to sew, but what other fiber-arts-related crafts do you enjoy? Let us know in the comments.

Threads Magazine, editor
Posted on Mar 1st, 2010 in sewing

Comments (13)

deemail writes: I embroidered first, I still have a set of tiny tea towels that I did at 4 with a long filled running stitch, then I learned to sew, crotchet, knit, weave, upholster, beaded jewelry now and then, machine knit, machine embroider, and machine quilt. I am still trying to learn how to spin...love it all...
Posted: 2:50 am on March 16th

donnabgoode writes: Yes, I do am a multi-doer.

I am into crochet with a passion. I have made three girl's dresses with
fabric and a crocheted top - I love the way they look.
I took a class learning to make circle quilts by (yes, believe this) cutting
the circles out of the main fabric and replacing them with other circles
fit back in as well as strips cut out and replaced. This method has created
my "own" quilt which I have spent much time embellishing this last year. it is
3/4 of the way done.
My next project is using fat quarters to make dresses for little girls and combining crocheted pockets with these.
I am studying about design and think I would have done it if other things
had not come my way - life, family, etc.
I also have a purse I am making from an orchid sweater with felting. I designed it myself. It is almost done!
Posted: 10:11 pm on March 9th

Lady_Jaydee writes: The thing we ALL have in common is that we're tactile! We all love to use our hands to create and "touch and manipulate" beautiful things. Wouldn't it be neat to have a collage of photographs of all of our different hands, possibly holding something we're creating or working on - weaving spinning, tatting, folding cloth flowers, beading, sewing, felting, knitting etc??

Fwani, I identified with you so much! I too have lots of other "tactile" things I love to do, I once did lapidary work and still have some of the jewelry I made as a teenager. I sew, embroider, crochet and knit (I never got the knack of tatting though). I love to have my sock knitting on hand or in my purse for boring drives. I love beading and needlework both machine and hand, have created crewel pictures, hooked rugs, prom dresses, coats, etc. My favorite sewing projects have included Care Clown costumes for a hospital clown friend of mine, with zany and funny acoutrements! I've done stained glass, ceramics and hand built pottery, watercolors, oils and pastels as well as mixed media. Other favorites include a HUGE Macrame, long, white cotton rope, and glass fishing-net-balls, artsy design plant hanger that hung from the second storey ceiling, next to the bar in our sunken living room. I got the rope on spools on sale at the hardware store and did it in increments, enclosing the glass balls in macrame designed netting at the top and using large 2' diameter brass rings to connect the segments towards the bottom where the pots were hung in the rings, above and at eye level. During construction, I had to stretch it all out from one end of the house practically to the other and it was difficult to maneuver as it grew, and especially hard to estimate the lengths of rope I needed for each of the segments. After was all said and done though It was very satisfying to see the light catching the blue and yellow glass balls at the top and I used tropical plant vines that really stood out - LOTS of compliments on that one! I left it when we sold the house as it was custom made for the "spot".

Like you Emmyt, I like to do things that have never been done before and make them up as I go along. I once made a three foot by four foot Batik painting in hot wax with a bamboo brush on light cotton canvas. It was of a blazing sunset with a path from the foreground to the background (into the sun) and a woman with flowing hair running towards the sun, mostly in yellows and oranges and reds and purples. I had to start with the lightest color and layer it with wax to the next darkest color, removing the wax where I wanted to make it darker and finishing with the complete wax removal. It was messy and a little daunting at first, but I was offered $500 for it by a psychiatrist friend, so I took it!

I'm older now and not as apt to do huge projects as I once was, being content to knit lacy socks. Little projects can be just as classy as big ones. It's the "challenge" that gets me moving - how about with you-all?

/j/
Posted: 6:23 pm on March 4th

Fwani writes: In addition to "sewing" by hand and machine, I have done beading, leather work, various and sundry embroidery techniques including machine embroidery--woo-hoo!!, knitting (presently my main passion), crochet, needle felting, inkle weaving (kind of a strap weaving technique), dyeing, doll and stuffed animal making, I make purses, occasional quilt making, origami (transferable skill). Almost all of my friends do multiple multiple artsy-craftsy things. A lot of times one thing just kind of leads to another. And one friend just kind of sucks you into another craft where you meet new friends who suck you into......... Well, you get my drift. And then addition to the above I have in my basement lapidary (rock polishing) equipment (don't ask!) Who knows where that might lead?
Posted: 9:39 am on March 4th

Sewing2enjoying writes: I have done several types of fabric sewing and lately I discovered if you can fold paper into shapes, you can do the same with fabric. I have been practicing and have been successful with a particular flower form which can be sewn into anything and decorate quilts, purses, scarves, added onto tops, skirts, etc. They can be lovely. It is always fun to find another way to use fabric. It feels like "winning" to be able to create something you haven't tried before. Now I want to try some of the other flower forms I have seen. Wouldn't it be fun to have several different "flowers" affixed to a wall hanging? I think so. It wouldn't have to be large to be effective, either.
Posted: 3:09 pm on March 2nd

genevievesoma writes: I love to make things with my hands so I make purses, cloth dolls, stuffed animals, quilts, things made of clay, baby things. I also make shirts for my youngest grandson and dresses and other clothes for my granddaughter and my self. I own a Husqvarna Viking Designer II so I do embroidery on many of my projects. My list of waiting projects is long.
Posted: 12:46 pm on March 2nd

dolewo writes: I love to create everything from dolls to home dec. My dad was an upholsterer and my grandmother a seamstress, I learned everything about dress making from her. I also do embroidery and quilt making. I love other crafts as well, clay, beading, you name and I have probably already tryed it, or it is on my lists of things to do.
Posted: 6:25 am on March 2nd

artcat writes: In the past I have knitted, crocheted, sewn all kinds of clothing from lingerie, to wedding dresses, coats, as well as drapes and curtains and even tow straps and a new canvas cover for a grass catcher (husband comes up with the weird projects!).

I did some crazy quilting with all the embroidery and embellishments, made beaded jewelry, and because I am a painter I have painted on fabric. I also did some silk painting, doll making, purses, batik, and just about anything I could think of to do. I love working with fabrics, embellishments, art and craft materials. Now I have just started doing some quilting, and find it to be relaxing fun.
Posted: 8:57 pm on March 1st

samlilypepper writes: While I love to sew clothing and home decor, I also enjoy cross-stitching, crochet, beading, and although not a fibre-art, stained glass.
Posted: 7:57 pm on March 1st

Gwyn_Hug writes: I just started weaving about a year ago. My goal is to eventually weave fabric that I can then sew to make my own clothes. So far, I'm working at the scarf and kitchen towel level. It's different from sewing - repetitive in a soothing way. I enjoy them both!
Posted: 7:53 pm on March 1st

Tatsy writes: Currently, I'm beading almost as much as sewing. I also knit, tat, crochet, but not as much now as I used to. Learning a new skill is just as satisfying as pursuing an old one.
Posted: 6:40 pm on March 1st

Pictonstitcher writes: I love to weave and spin and have learned a lot by being a member of a weavers and spinners guild.
Of course I now find myself with lots of yarn which must be either knitted or woven into fabric but that's no hardship.
Some of my spinning is perfect for making felted hats.
I enjoy embroidery, too, the hand variety.

Posted: 6:30 pm on March 1st

emmyt writes: I love to embroidery. I have a Huskvarna Viking Designer Diamond emboirdery machine and I abosolutely love it. I do many types of emboidery, I made wall hangings of all sizes and many free-standing lace items. The largest hanging I have made so far is 3ft by 6ft banner for our Pond Club. Found a design for American Doll shoes that are so cute I just keep making them. I have made at least 8 pairs already to go with the doll outfits I make. I also made a free standing lace christmas tree that is really very nice. Of course I am a person who cannot do things as the instuctions say, I always have to change it to be bigger and better. The Origninal tree instructions had 27 parts to it that you attached to a 18 inch styrofoam cone, I ended up with 47 parts on mine on a 22 inch cone. Just can't get enough of the embroidery, every item is a new challenge. Love it!
Posted: 6:05 pm on March 1st

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.