Oh good morning! I invite you in to take a look and perhaps take part in my question. What does your hand piecing set up look like? This is one of mine for the couch. A pillow covered with a tea towel and the needed piecing paraphernalia.
I also have a set up on the kitchen table which isn’t worth a photograph and another used when I’m piecing in my lap. I piece in my lap when I’m using the upright dining room chair. That’s for my back mostly.
Do you move around much when you’re piecing? and what does your piecing set up look like? what works for you? If you are so inclined to share and post on your blog, do link up and let us know. I’m sure we’d all like to see what you bring along with you. I know I would. I’d like to learn from y’all. In fact, I’ve yet to see anyone’s set up – up close. Not a single person. I’m really wanting to learn…
Blogging to Learn, *karendianne. The Mistress of LeeHaven.
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Hello, I am a new follower of your blog and enjoy it very much.
I relate wtih Lynda, above, I also use applique needles and the most important tool is my glasses. LOL I even use a magnafying glass that hangs around my neck.
I have just learned hand sewing and am loving the peacefulness of it. I am hand sewing the Klosjes (spools). I have always hand appliqued. I get all of my supplied together in a small tray and sit on the couch with the tray next to me. And also my lap top so I can check blogs and Facebook when taking a break.
It's nice to get to know you Karen.
Happy stitching,
Jan
I sit on the sofa with extra pillows behind my back. The handiest and dorkiest tool I use is a lanyard for my Gingher snippers – otherwise I leave them on the table, the armrest, under my leg…. My coolest tool is a little kit I bought that's intended for beading, from welldoneexperience.com. It has a zip compartment and an attached mat – I can keep extra pins and needles in the mat while I work.
Well I don't know how to link up but I posted my hand piecing area on my blog. You certainly won't be impressed……Maybe when my official sewing room is set up in the new home…..it will be something to write about. Love reading everyone's comments.
http://nonniescedarchest.wordpress.com
Charlsey
well….I perch up on the couch with my legs tucked under myself and 'hand work' away….after a while my knees and legs begin to ache from sitting so long without moving….I find I hate to move when I get everything settled like I want it…..this was an interesting post!!
I don't do a lot of hand piecing, but I always have some hand work available and that goes where I'm needed: Watching a movie with hubby, helping a kid with homework, making sure practicing of the piano is happening, etc.
But Amy, yet again you totally cracked me up with this hilarious comment! That's very cool… giggly over coffee, *karendianne.
I feel so uncool – I am not a hand piecer & therefore have nothing to add to this conversation…
Such a good post!
I still look like the One Eyed Wonder Pirate Queen, but improving everyday… Thanks for the incredible push: Allergies be gone! 
I use the pillow on my lap idea as well, however I found that putting a square tray with a 1 1/2-2″ edge on my pillow, very helpful. I even put anti-slip/ grip drawer lining material to keep everything from shifting. On my tray I keep my fabric pieces, scissors, thimble, pincushion and thread. And I have an empty tissue box to stick in all my extra bits of thread and fabric. When I move location I just take my tray with me! I will post a picture soon, just for you!
Not a handpiecer but wanted to stop by and say hello. Hope all is well.
I have a small cardboard box that I keep the handproject in (mainly to keep Brownie from stealing the pieces) and use a pillow covered in flannel (so the pieces stick) to lay out the blocks. I have one tin with the needles, threads and pins foe handsewing….
I think we all have our sewing nests set up in a particular way. I like to use a cushion on my lap to give my hands control and my spools paraphernalia is all in a tin. For applique, I spread out a bit more.
I haven't started that yet but I have started doing hexagons. I have one done!!! lol Does that count???
My mother had a small lap desk that was padded on the 'lap' side. I use that for my hand piecing. Just turn the padded side up, then the bottom (which was the top) rests on my lap really well.
I don't use a pillow – never thought about it. Sounds interesting though. Might try that! I piece sitting down, standing up gazing out of the window, watching TV in bed. I use the English method for hexagons, over papers, tacking first, then oversewing. I use a very fine applique needle, sometimes called 'straws',they are almost bendy. The eye is so small you can hardly see it. I use applique pins too, which are smaller than ordinary pins. The most important piece of kit?… my specs!
I don't have a set-up. I just have my pieces, my finger pincushion, thread snips, needles and thread and stitch — usually curled up on the couch but sometimes out on the roof garden, sometimes sitting at the computer.
If I'm piecing a block that's complex and I need to be really careful what pieces goes in next, then I set my pieces out on a piece of felt, right side down and pick them up one at a time. Stitch 'em. Then put the stitched unit back down before picking up the next to add to it. That's probably clear as mud. I'll try to get a picture or two of it.
I don't hand piece but I do hand applique. That said, my favorite chairs are straight backed because they are just more comfortable for my body. Whatever chair I sit in, tho, I have to have my hands supported. I like to use a firm, large cushion on my lap to support my hands. If I'm at a table I won't need to use the cushion, how ever.
I don't have a photo of it – but I'll try and remember to get one – I mostly piece sitting in my comfy chair in the living room – scissors, needles, thread, etc on the side table – a small pillow on my lap and my project on the pillow.
Sometimes I piece in Don's den while sitting and talking to him – same set up – just move everything in there with me.
Thanks for this fun post – I like to see what others are doing too.
Karen, you always ask wonderful questions….but I'm afraid I have no answer for this quesstion….hand-work just isn't something I do but I will look around the “net” and if I see something informative, I'll send a link your way.
I dislike hand sewing so I don't hand piece. Ask about machine sewing and I would have an answer.
Hi Karen, good morning. I have hand pieced very little, but when I do, it is on the dining room table with a cushion to my back, and legs crossed under me!! Hmmm, probably I am a bit odd, better wait for other comments for sure. Have a wonderful day!
Try not to hand piece….gives me the willies!!