Fanciful Utility: a New, Free Template!
We’re excited to hear the feedback from those of you who already have your copy of Fanciful Utility, and to say thanks, we’re happy to share a new, free template you can use with the techniques in your book to create something special for holiday gift-giving!
Whether you choose to embellish the project with tiny beads, as suggested in the original 1859 text, or employ your own favorite decorative techniques, as Liz did with the version shown here, you’ll have an elegant little something to enjoy or share. For the free project sheet, please click through or right-click and save:
Beaded Needlebook Project Sheet
Here’s a needlebook Liz made from the project sheet templates. It’s scarlet shot silk with a cream chintz lining and cream wool felt shaped needlepages edged with wheat-colored blanket stitch. The exterior embroidery features wheat-colored feather-stitching, satin-stitched vining, and cream beading-stitch petals. It is suitable for both modern and historic use, and Liz thinks it’s kind of snazzy.
We’d love to see one done with tiny glass beads, as in the original! If you use this template (remember, they’re for personal use, not making things to sell!), pop us an email with a few shots so we can share them!
Posted in Fanciful Utility
39 Responses to “Fanciful Utility: a New, Free Template!”
Love the Fichu Pattern!
Oooooh, am I first??? Yay! My favorite part of historic sewing is the attention to tiny detail. My grandmother started teaching me embroidery and handwork when I was 5 and I’ve always loved to find a way to put in little pretties where only I can see!
Oh….favorite part…that’s a tough one! Historic sewing is such a marvelous creature! I think I just love the challenge of doing something “different” and executing all the unique details & techniques!
*Awesome* giveaway, by the way. Such a lovely little peice! And the download – perfect! You two make a phenomenal ‘team’!
Another beautiful piece! I can not wait to try it!
I think that my favorite bit is doing something that most people think is new, but is actually something just ‘found’ again…like tatting lace, or knitting socks with a knitting machine or frame…or making rugs out of fabric scraps!
Anyway, thank you again for the wonderful website and all the help you have given me anytime I asked!
My favorite part of historic hand sewing is how relaxing it is. The repetition soothes my frazzled nerves.
I love the fact that hardly anyone does it any more. It helps me to reconnect with my family members from the past. (I have several older pieces and the patterns that they have made)
I love to see the free patterns you post! I love to look through the website look forward to placing an order in the near future! Hand sewing is a wonderful way to put a personal touch on homemade gifts!
I love handsewing and that is probably my favorite part of historical sewing. I’m working on a reproduction 9-patch quilt right now. I will quilt it over the winter to use during spring reenactments. I’ve already bought Anna’s book and really love the idea of doing some minature ones for my doll Melvina.
My favorite part of historic sewing is…watching someone else do it
I love the hand sewing because it’s a way to show many people that things can still be made by hand and don’t need a machine all the time. You can get more detailed in smaller areas when working with your hands.
This would have been perfect tonight when I was doing interpretation at the Clarke House Museum. I found myself searching for some “perfect” accessories to litter around while I explained charitable giving. Of course this would be perfect for modern sewing applications as well – besides creating serious envy among friends.
My favorite part of handsewing- finishing a garment!
From a humorous angle – trying to baste a white collar onto a jewel neck dress – while wearing the dress and standing in front of a mirror while doing it – really!!
I made one of the items from “Fanciful Utilities” for our unit’s Christmas party. One of the guys asked if I could make him one also. December 15th is my birthday!
Sewing by hand is by far the most relaxing thing I do. To sit quietly, lost in my own thoughts, and do something with my hands….which at some point will be a useful/beautiful item. Not much can top that.
[...] Speaking of Victorian needlebooks, head on over to The Sewing Academy if you’re interested in either making your own or winning one in a giveaway! [...]
Best part of historic hand sewing- getting it finished and showing it to others or giving it as a gift!
My favorite part is hand sewing to a period drama.
No one taught me to hand-sew. Somehow I springboarded from little printed cross stitch patterns to hand-sewing. I loved making fabric go together. I loved taking the teensiest stitches. I loved it so much I invented my own stitch. I later learned my new stitch–hidden stitch–had been invented by another sewist in another century. No matter, I still believe it’s mine!
Beth, I have your second entry in hand, too.
My favorite historic handsewing is counted thread cross-stitch. I love to watch geometric patterns growing under my hands.
Just love the book and the free needlebook project sheet. I’m a real procrastinator who is still trying to learn to sew at 60! These little projects are fun for me, as I work toward improving my stitching!
Love it! And enjoy your site!
My favorite thing about historic handsewing is having a finished garment or item. Very satisfying!
The book is wonderful! What I love about historic handsewing the the beauty of the projects, which are quite fun to research and track down, as well as the challenging aspect of many of the projects. Such a sense of accomplishment when one finishes!
My favorite part about historic handiwork is the vast creativity and unique outcome. Each individual can/will make the same pattern but each product looks perfectly unique suited to the maker’s tastes. I add that things created by our own hand seems to hold so much more value.
Oh hand stitching is my favorite! The best part I believe is the sense of accomplishment you feel after finishing a project.
Hand sewing is very portable. I can work on a hand sewn project almost anywhere. I appreciate hand sewing techniques that allow me to replicate original garments. Anna’s book, Fanciful Utility, is just lovely! I’ve read through it and hope to start on a project or two from it after the holidays.
Beautiful needlebook! My favorite part of handsewing (period or not) is being able to take it out of my sewing room and work on it in the evenings around the woodstove with the family…
I enjoy the research and taking the effort to make it correct to your impression.
My favorite part of historical sewing is the fact that
Different pieces look so difficult are actually quite easy to do.
Being a mostly self taught sewer, makes it very satisfying to say
That you’ve made an entire wardrobe. Gotta love it!
Hi Liz! the needlebook is lovely. I am so grateful for your book _The Dressmaker’s Guide to Fit and Fashion 1840-1865″ — it has been so very helpful. Thanks for your dedication !
Oooops I forgot my Favorite Part — it’s keeping the hand arts alive, and continuing to develop skills I began learning as a child.
I can’t wait to get a copy of Fanciful Utility! My favorite part of historic hand sewing is definitely rolled hems. They always look so lovely and they’re fun to sew!
theamateurseamstress.blogspot.com
I would love to win! I am a non-sewer so my favorite part of historical sewing is looking at what others have made and admiring their wonderful talent!
Can’t wait to start the work on the new needlebook. Yay! <>
My favorite part of hand sewing is the meditation you get by the rhythm of the stitches. I purchase antique steel needles and the perfect movement of my hands through a exquisite piece of fabric gives me a inner satisfaction that is unlike any other crafting that I preform. Unlike machine, the fabric lays differently when hand sewn. It molds the body better, flows better and the overall effect is one to behold. Thank you to the Sewing academy for the wonderful hints, instructions and contributions. What a tremendous resource.
I am excited to see all the entries. Thank you for the lovely comments. I am glad to hear people are enjoying the book.
My favorite part of sewing is the fiddly handsewing; the smaller the better. I just love figuring out “how did they do that?”
Thanks everyone for entering! I’m off to assemble the full list of comment entries and order entries, and will be back in a moment with a winner!