My 5 "Must-Have" Tools for Slow Stitching |Tools I Use Everyday

[@elizabethlampi7667]

Over time I have purchased or been gifted all these items and use each one of them. The wax I purchased when doing stitched bead work and now that I’m dabbling in slow stitching I find some threads really glide nicer if they are pre-waxed. The markers/pens are great to draw curved flowing lines to follow and I have come to really like the water soluble pens. What I haven’t done in earnest is an art journal. Yours is wonderful, very inspiring. I have lots of scrap papers I use to joy ideas and thoughts as well as notebooks throughout the house. I never know when I want to jot down something I want to write in a card, a crafting idea, or simply a need to get my thoughts written down. Thanks for sharing this part of your journey 🫶🏼

[@DanielaMellen]

Thank you for your thoughtful comments.

[@Karelife]

I have a cat that loves all things floss so I keep all my tools in a little tackle box and it separates everything in little compartments. One of my favorite tools is a needle nanny or needle minder. It’s a little cute magnet that attaches to your fabric and holds the needle. I have a cute little teddy bear. Another thing I use for floss is small bags to hold my floss and pieces while I’m working on a project. Yep I’m organized. Thank you for the bees wax idea.

[@DanielaMellen]

You are very organized! I admire you. I like the idea of separating the floss like that.

[@atwoodwoman]

I love a little clear or mesh pouch that I can keep my projects in. I can quickly see which project I’m working on and grab it it to go. Also, head lamp and glasses. I love my bees wax. It smells sooo good and helps my skin moisturized.

[@DanielaMellen]

That's a great idea! I love the clear organizers for that same reason!

[@judithhopes151]

Please show in detail that lovely little iron.

[@DanielaMellen]

I find it very helpful. Here is a similar one bit.ly/3oXSz1T

[@Vera-y8m]

I use beeswax too and it's also soothing on sore cracked lips. My favourite thing is cheap clear pencil cases that I use to keep my little bits and pieces and tiny projects in. Some cosmetic tidies are useful too. I use clothes pegs to wrap my threads around and keep them in little melamine bowls or trays for accessibility. My favourite needles are between as my hands are small. The most important thing is light and here in Northern Ireland I need to sit by the window or use the fabulous magnifying desk lamp my kind brother William has bought and fitted for me. I keep my needles in a biscuit tin with a magnet fitted inside the lid and several little sachets of silicon to make sure they stay dry ❤

[@DanielaMellen]

What great tips! Love all the ways you keep things accessible and easy to use. ❤️

[@deeleach8300]

ohhh, I love those cute floss holders. So much fun compared to the cardboard ones.

[@DanielaMellen]

They are adorable and brighten my day.

[@craftygrandma56]

Great video!! When you showed the beeswax I suddenly understood why my mom used to run her thread through a candle which was made of beeswax! I recently bought some snipits and now can't live without them. I also invested in a needle threader which is a godsend as my eyesight diminishes and the sun goes down by 7:00 p.m. Another find is a small embroidery how which helps keep things in place and stops me from jabbing myself. I love your art journal!! I was curious to know how you tack the squares down to the page? I am trying to find a way to tack mine down only they are wool granny squares and have been trying everything from glue to staples!! I too have my notebook next to my laptop to use to jot things from videos I see or any inspiration I get and then to use when we have a power outage and there is no internet to check it out!!! or you go to see the tutorial and it is no longer there (becoming more and more frequent) Don't laugh, but I loved your idea of keeping my snipits of thread in jar - mine have graduated from a small plant holder to my mom's crystal vase!! I must admit it does look lovely when the sun shines through! LOL!! Thanks for a great video!

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks so much! I use either glue or staples to tack the squares to the page. What a great use of a beeswax candle for waxing threads!

[@giusicoluccia6594]

Thank you...my favourite 'tools' are illustrated books for inspiration...love your art journal 😍

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks so much! I love illustrated books too.

[@sararichards518]

My varifocals are the tool I can’t work without!! So they are the most important. My needle threader (see above) A book of stitches and their variants. I’m going to get a phrixion pen or two - it’s a good way to actually write words which I’ve wanted to do for a while. Thank you for sharing.

[@DanielaMellen]

All great tools!

[@doreensherk287]

❤ good ideas, I really like the idea of an art book. I use much the same as you for the tools, but not the art journal. I think I may even have one in my sewing room and will start using it. Thanks your sharing 😊

[@DanielaMellen]

Thank you! I find the art journals very helpful.

[@apiecemaker1163]

I have a vintage sewing basket that makes me happy that I keep the project I’m working on at the time in. I have tried the beeswax holder like that but must have gotten a flawed one because my thread won’t go thru it. After seeing yours, I will retry another one. I love my snips. I also use a small stickable thimble dot sometimes when working with thicker items. Enjoyed seeing your favs. 👩‍🌾👍💙

[@DanielaMellen]

The sewing basket sounds so sweet!

[@victoriabergesen6775]

I have been using the beeswax as Daniela shows for decades. It does eventually get too dried out. I threw away some recently because it had been forgotten for a decade. The wax is also affected by temperature and humidity. So placing it in a warm spot, like a sunny window sill can help. Don't ever try to heat it up on a stove or with any kind of flame.

[@apiecemaker1163]

@@victoriabergesen6775 thank you so much for sharing. It definitely is an old one. I’ll get a new one and try it out. God bless and happy sewing.

[@mariaruiz3848]

Very helpful information. Thank you for sharing😍

[@DanielaMellen]

My pleasure 😊

[@juststartingover2735]

I am interested in trying slow stitching. Your videos like this are very helpful. Thank you.

[@DanielaMellen]

I'm so glad! It's a very enjoyable process because you can use up beautiful materials and create something at your own pace, in your own style. Thanks for commenting.

[@catincj1952]

As a relative newbie, these are very beneficial. My cart is full 🤣😂🤣😂

[@DanielaMellen]

Thanks for commenting!

[@debbiefrick4380]

I have considered picking up beeswax but wondered if it would dull the shiny threads. Does that happen? I love thread snips. They're handy and the short blades lesson the chance of my cutting the work when I snip a thread. My newest favorite tool is a magnetic pin cushion. I am horrible at losing needles if I use more than one, and I get nervous when I'm not sure where the needle is! I now only use one needle but sometimes lay it down instead of sticking it through the fabric. Now I lay it on the magnet. When I fumble a needle and it twirls out of my hand, I run the strong magnet around me until it attracts the needle.

[@DanielaMellen]

I havent found that the bees wax dulls the threads.Since I just glide my thread across the wax disc, not much wax is transferred. And the wax is hard, not gooey. The magnestic pin cushion sounds like a great idea, as I keep a magnet for just finding my lost needles and pins.

[@CarinaPiersay]

Hi Daniela! I have the same thread snips you have. Imma go and order those frixion markers right now! Thank you for sharing. I hope you haven’t a great Monday 👍🏼

[@DanielaMellen]

The thread snips are so easy to use! Enjoy your day!

[@Salix631]

All you need for slow stitching is a pair of scissors, a needle, a few pins, some threads and fabric scraps. It is essentially a thrifty craft and can be done with the absolute minimum of equipment. Please don't feel you have to go out and buy stuff before you can do it. Some other things may be desirable, or convenient but they are not essential, just use what you have, and do it.

[@DanielaMellen]

Absolutely!

[@judymarkel8029]

I have my moms rocking chair pin cushion. It's so old I have another pincushion pinned on top of it. Haha The tea cup for thread ends and holds my scissors I have never used beas wax on my threads. I will try it

[@DanielaMellen]

So sweet to use your mother's pin cushion! Let me know if you find the wax helpful.

[@judymarkel8029]

I will thank you

[@rosemarywood5044]

I love the way you explain things..you keep relevant and dont ramble on like some of the video clips which can be very irritating!!

[@DanielaMellen]

So nice of you to say. Thanks.

[@zhinka1]

May I ask what you use for marking dark fabric that is easily removed? Thank you

[@DanielaMellen]

I haven't found anything that is truly easily removed. Currently, I use a white chalk pencil and mark the fabric EXTREMELY lightly, just enough to see. Once sewn or finished with the piece, I dab it with a damp cloth to get rid of the marks. I'm still on the hunt for a dark marking fabric tool.

[@zhinka1]

thank you for replying !I appreciate your answer, I will try a chalk one, I used a white so called erasable pen but it did not come off well on my denim @@DanielaMellen

[@LaurieDucharme-j5u]

What is that iron called, and do you get it from a fabric store?

[@DanielaMellen]

It’s a steadfast travel iron. You can find similar ones on Amazon or at fabric stores.