Directions for making a pin keep

About what ???

Other than the fact I've always heard of this type "thing" as a "necessary" (grin), you can see a description, with directions/pattern, here:

I have one of these that was made especially for me by a little kid who called it a needle holder. I never heard it called a "necessary" but since it is sort of old fashioned and for me a useless object, I kind of like the idea of calling it that.

Lucille

That's nice. There are several designs out there for needle-cases as well. I have a different pin-keep which ended up with the pins stuck all around the perimeter - kind of radiating out of the stitched little flat piece. We also did a "colonial housewife" at the last stitch-away that the local retail association sponsosred. I'll look and see if it's a freebie pattern

- I think it was. If so, I'll send the instructions.

I think that Piecework or Antique Sampler had a really nice pin-keep in an issue a couple of years ago - I know that's almost worthless info - until I can find my back copies....

ellice

Yah - I did blow it there

What I am looking for is directions to make a pin keep of this sort

disc or square that you stick pins in around the edge. I have a quiltingfriend that would love it, but none of the designs I've seen would work forher.

Cheryl

I love little necessaries like that. I posted a link to the type I am looking for.

Cheryl

Ah, this is like the one I did some years ago, except mine is rectangular. I'll see if I can find either it, or the issue of Fine Lines or Piecework that it came from. And, there is a hope I'll go by the shop and between the owner & I we'll remember. Plus, there are some magazine back issues there...

I'm pretty sure it was quite simple - as in a piece of foam-core at the center, wrapped in batting. The top piece could be laced from the back, then you just put another piece of fabric over the back to cover it. But, I'll get you better detailed instructions.

ellice

Actually, a "necessary" usually holds more than just pins or needles. They hold all manner of supplies, such as floss skeins, scissors, etc. I've never heard the word "pin keep", but it's a delightful sounding name for an object that isn't quite a "cushion". The term "necessary" is quite old. But I'm old fashioned, so it stuck to me.

I have a lovely round object sent to me by an embroiderer, in shadow work, wherein you place the pin around the circle on the sides. It's really lovely. Too lovely for me to actually use.

Dianne

I like the phrase because it seems so elegant to me, of fine ladies stitching in the parlor whilst having tea.

That's exactly the thing I am looking for!

Cheryl

It is a nice term. Of course, the other colonial usage of "necessary" or necessaire - was the outhouse. So, personally, I always use the term "housewife" for the needlework "necessary" . Something about that tour of Mt. Vernon when I was 11 stuck....

You should use it - that's what lovely things are for...Or at least have it out where you can see it.

Some of the gorgeou etuis that people make - if you're not going to have it out, or use it, what's the point. I at least have justified to myself that things like gorgoues pin-keeps, and etuirs - I put them in the living room where if I actually were stitching in there - it's available - though not used regularly.

ellice

I agree. I made a needlebook for myself that is totally utilitarian because a) I'm going to USE it (and probably hard) and b) if I make it too pretty I'll feel I can't use it and c) if I can't use it, why waste the time when I need that time for something else?

But I'm kinda pragmatic that way.

ellice

Because it is a treasure to go through your drawers and cupboards, sort things out once in awhile, and come across it. The good feelings that brings can't be had for a million bucks.

Dianne

One of our very nice, good framing & needlework customers would do all the CA Wells classes (a group used to have her come here annyually). This nice lady was carting her gorgeous etui around in a big, cylindrical, cookie tin. It had it's own house - so nothing would happen to it. I think it only came out for special occasions.

I do agree with you. One of the canvas work classes that we taught at the shop is a pincushion/frame weight - depending on how you stuff it. Done with really nice assortment of threads, geometric stitches - but when done - you can use it, and should use it. These things hold up!

I did one of the little boxes (IIRC an acorn box, it's a little box, the roof lifts off) and have a little awl, some other trinkets for it. I want to do an etui, but wouldn't do another CA class. So, I've been thinking about doing one at one of the Sampler gatherings or the like. But, honestly, I wanted the little box, and my nice pin-keep and housewife because I can sit them out in the nice LR, and have something for the odd time I might be in there stitching. In this house, the LR is actually a real sitting room - no TV, just comfy seats, lamps, tables and a display of some collected art stuff. So, I'd like to think that the elegant etui, etc could be in there, and I could just pretend to be a lady and stitch little things in hand while entertaining company... OTOH, the pretty picture - well, there still is no floor in the LR, I'm still staining furniture in there, and the LR furniture is still stacked up in the sunroom, and the dog is having a great time sitting on my much cherished Queen Anne chair and ottoman.

ellice

That is a point, Dianne. Do you rotate what's out vs what's hidden away?

ellice

I'm sure I could have made it decoratively, but I just really needed one and didn't have the time to make it pretty AND solid for hard use.

I have a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old and we're planning a pregnancy some time within the next 18 months, so the pretty stuff will have to wait until I've gotten them successfully out of the house, which may take a couple more years.

IIRC, the Christmas cube, or something quite similar, was in either JCS or the ornament issue one year. I'll have to go hunting through my copies tonight.....

Carolyn

Dr. Brat wrote:

Hey - I totally understand that!

Thanks - it's my alternate universe....It's a theory. Before the floor got ripped up - our friends whose 4 kids are our nominal godchildren were all over for dinner (while all the college agers were in town). I was really surprised when the 16 yr old - and the 19 yr old (boy) & 21 yr old thought the sitting room was "really cozy and nice and they could definitely imagine just hanging in there and reading or hanging out" . I was stunned. Of course, the 11 year old - well - she's the one who at Rosh Hashanah dinner I caught jumping on the new, and somewhat splurgy, sectional in the family room...

Nah - don't wait on all the pretty stuff, but you're definitely busy. Just let them see the pretty stuff - on high shelves ;^) Hmmm, I can put you on the list to send baby sweaters to - I made one, and then by the time I finished it was a bit small for the baby....So, now I'm searching for people I know with relatively new babies to give the sweater to. And, yes, I did do one for charity as well (different, more washable wool blend).

ellice