Stitching Makes My Heart Sing Embroidery

What’s your idea of the perfect stitching day? My perfect stitching day would begin with an early rise (it’s no good having a short day!), a walk with my husband through the rainforest and along the beach, followed by a leisurely breakfast. Then, it’s into the studio to spend all morning on the sewing machine, constructing a bag, a wallhanging or a stitching accessory. The afternoon would be spent on preparation for my eagerly anticipated evening of hand-stitching. After a baked chicken dinner, you will find me curled up in the family room, watching one of my favourite detective shows, with needle and thread in my hand and contentment in my soul.

Where do you like to do your work – in a studio, in the garden, in an armchair?  I am blessed to have a dedicated studio for my sewing, with everything at my fingertips, but after the evening meal, my favourite place is my recliner, which is so relaxing for my hand-stitching.

How would you describe your stitching style? I’ve been an incurable romantic all my life, and this is reflected in so many of my designs. I love making beautiful things, but I’m a very practical person, too, so I like to make projects that are useful. Pretty and practical probably sums it up.

Do you have a very large stitching repertoire? I get bored fairly quickly, so I like variety and therefore spread my interests fairly wide. You will find plenty of wallhangings, bags, cushions, table runners, stitching accessories and children’s projects in my collection.

Is there any little annoyance that drives you nuts when you’re busy stitching? (dropped pins? Jamming machine? Interruptions?) I can’t count how many times I’ve forgotten to reverse the pattern when preparing fusible web appliqué pieces – most annoying!

What sorts of crafts do you avoid like the plague? Papercrafts and scrapbooking.

Other than crafting, how do you like to spend your time? My husband and I are avid birdwatchers, so when I’m not crafting, you’ll probably find me out in the wonderful Australian bush, searching for the beautiful birds we have in abundance.

Is your stitching a great diversion from tasks you’d prefer to avoid (eg: housework)? I try to be very disciplined and not allow myself to do any stitching until the necessary jobs are done. I was raised on the adage, “Work first, play second”, so it was ingrained into my life from an early age. I have to admit that stitching is so much more enjoyable, knowing that I don’t have things like housework hanging over my head waiting to be done, so I’m rather thankful for my strict upbringing.

If you were stuck on a desert island, with just one of each of the following, what would you want them to be?

* Piece of music - Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

* Movie - August Rush

* Book - The Bible

* Sewing project - A stitchery with lots of hand-stitching

Val Laird, Val Laird Designs –