MORE FOR JAN"S BASKET

This week when sorting through a box of odds and ends I came across a piece Jan had stitched several years ago as a sample for me. It was to show how my design a ring of violets would look stitched in a different count fabric.... my pieces were usually stitched on 35 count.

A pity to waste it, when it matched the items for her workbasket so we used it for a new top on her pincushion.

THE FIRST PIECE

The first piece for Jan's collection for her needlework basket was delivered at the weekend. I stitch a Pin Whimsey ( Pinkeep) using a design based on one of the flower patterns that I know she had stitch on her Punto Antico Mat. The thread used was 'Lola' in a mauve shade and it matches the fabric she had used round the top edge of the basket and I backed it with her green fabric.

 Do you call them Pin Whimseys or Pinkeeps?

Possibly the name Pin Whimsey dates back to Victorian times when these small keepers for pins came in many different shapes. The oldest one I have was my grandmother's,  shaped like a slipper it is beautfully made of purple silk over thin card and gold satin for the with the tiniest stitches round the sole and neat herringbone stiches on the side. The tassel on the top is made of silk thread  and it still has a few pins pushed into the sole.

Where Pin cushions were useful in the home, these small flat holders were  devised to carry pins in sewing bags or pockets with the points safely sheathed.

WATCH THIS SPACE !

As part of Jan's birthday present, I have agreed to make the needle work assessories  for a work basket she resently lined with fabric. There was not time from her request to make them in time for her birthday so I have promised to complete and give her one a week for the next eight weeks, so watch this space as I will share with you all what I stitch.

Her chosen colour scheme covers a wide range of greens and purples.