Ep. 1 - Mockingbird test knit, sewing a quilt curtain, and spinning on my supported spindle.

This is the start of a new series called "Fiber Stories". A journal style video of everything that I'm knitting, spinning, sewing, and weaving. I hope you enjoy!
Instagram @brookwillow_
Ravelry at Brookwillow
Making Co App at Brookwillow
Email at [e-mail]
Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/Brookwillow
Mockingbird Shawl by Kelsey Stephens Designs
Replay Sport in Pale Pink from Primrose Yarn Co
Handspun yarn is Crystalize on Grey Corriedale from Primrose Yarn Co
Quilting books are Better Homes and Gardens that I thrifted
Laurel Quilt pattern using scrap fabric
Drop spindle from Spanish Peacock
Spindle bowl from The Spindle Shop
Fiber from Lavender Lune
If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments :-)

[@ChristieArcher]

Thanks for this fun and entertaining episode. HUGE TIP for your quilting: Before you start cutting your fabric, heavily starch and press your fabric. It will give you a lot more precision which is paramount with quilting. Also, press each seam as you go. Pressing and starching are your best friends when it comes to sewing. HTH 😊

[@brookwillow]

This is a great tip!! I keep forgetting starch exists 😅

[@cglick01]

Always - add styling!! This style video was very enjoyable to watch.

[@brookwillow]

Thank you!! And I sure will add the styling 😃

[@polinakonstantynopolska1060]

Please include the styling part as well. I like the new and the old format. The new format is lovely and dreamy :)

[@brookwillow]

Yay thank you! 🥰

[@KNIT_LA]

Your shawl is beautiful! Love it against the color of your shirt!

[@brookwillow]

Thank you! 😊

[@laurelzuberi8921]

You are one of my style inspirations already! Yes please do styling!! I love all your episodes

[@brookwillow]

Oh you are so sweet! I’ll be sure to add the styling 😃

[@maureencatmom7844]

Yes to the styling. Enjoyed this video so much. Your shawl is gorgeous!!

[@brookwillow]

Thank you so much!! 🥰

[@MYROCKOROCKO]

Fabulous! Lovely! Interesting! Creative! Thank you, for all your inspiration 😉

[@brookwillow]

Haha thank you!! 🥰

[@jodiebaxter8603]

I love all of your videos! Always inspiring and beautiful seeing what you are making and hearing what you have to say. Definitely want to see how you style your me made pieces. Thanks for providing us with this great content.

[@brookwillow]

That is so kind, thank you! ❤️

[@whiskandpurlpodcast2846]

Thank you so much! I enjoyed this type of video, your projects are as always lovely! Hope you have a great Summer! ♥

[@brookwillow]

Aww thank you!! I hope you are enjoying your summer as well 😃

[@JuliaRutherford-nx3qn]

Love the new format! ❤ Yes, to adding styling.

[@brookwillow]

Yay! Thank you!

[@skeinsofdreamsknits]

Ahna, your handspun shawl is like major goals for me! Thank you for all the inspiration. I absolutely love the quilt curtain idea and all the while I was thinking the quilt blocks were for the inside :D I like the quilt blocks on both sides idea haha

[@brookwillow]

Thank you so much 🥹 ❤️

[@whome2289]

Beautiful shawl! Love the colors. 😍 I always appreciate your styling videos, being a little style impaired. 😊

[@brookwillow]

Aww thank you!! ❤️

[@JenniferRoughOut]

Thank you for a lovely video-- love the new style

[@brookwillow]

I totally agree!! It’s like an ice breaker when you see a shawl in the wild to ask the person about it 😍

[@chantaler.8118]

Hello, it's a yes to styling and the new format!!!

[@brookwillow]

Yay!! I’m excited to make the next video!

[@MakingItwithDee]

Once again Anna, you nailed it! I would love to see you style your pieces too please. 👏👏👏

[@brookwillow]

Thank you 🥹 and yay I’ll incorporate that into the video!

[@maureencapotosto9257]

Really like this new format. Lovely shawl.

[@brookwillow]

Thank you very much!

[@lauriejarboe6087]

love how you morph your podcasts to be current and creatively relevant. Keep it up and I cant wait to see the FO of the porch curtain.

[@brookwillow]

Thanks so much! 🥰

[@christineb2797]

Always love the styling,

[@brookwillow]

Ok good!! 😃

[@YoungfolkKnits]

So lovely Ahna! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ and great shawl 😮 it looks amazing

[@brookwillow]

Thank you Kaci! 🥰

[@lilliput_makes]

Love the new format and cannot wait for the next episode! I also spotted your little void kitty. 🐈‍⬛ I would love to meet them in the future! ❤

[@brookwillow]

Oh yes that’s Lou Lou! She’s usually pretty shy but will sometimes make an appearance ☺️

[@emmaw_e]

Love your shall ! And yes, the styling part would be nice !

[@brookwillow]

Yay thank you!

[@myrdc]

I'd love to see a styling segment as well ❤

[@brookwillow]

Yay!! I’ll be happy to make one!

[@mariesm3876]

Loved this podcast. Styling on future podcasts would be welcome

[@brookwillow]

Thank you ☺️ and will do!!

[@cazs5474]

Love this format, your quilt curtain is going to be amazing ! Yes to styling :)

[@brookwillow]

Thank you!! 😃

[@georgiavictor-gordon9839]

Love this style of video….but I’d love any version you’d do, you’re very inspiring 😊.

[@brookwillow]

You are so sweet! Thank you 🥰

[@ninamariaknitting]

I was thinking the other day about how much I'd love to see a video from you soon and here you are! I love how excited you are about all your crafts and you were one of the big influences when it came to me trying spinning. I fell in love super hard and I'm so glad I tried it. I really like the new format and I hope it continues to work for you. I've been struggling to film as well and have been playing around with a different format last week - hopefully it works.

[@brookwillow]

Aww I’m so excited you picked spinning! Isn’t it great? 😃

[@claudiapeterson4824]

My first time watching and I really enjoyed your format. And I always enjoy watching knits being styled. It helps give me ideas for wearing my knits!

[@brookwillow]

Aww thank you! 🥰

[@orlamcgettrick8309]

Adored this video ❤️ I think a styling component to your video would be so fun. Can't wait to see your patchwork curtain

[@brookwillow]

Yay! Thank you!

[@a.pop_07]

Wow, your shawl is stunning! I would love to see how you style your sewn items, too. Also, I really love this style of video!

[@brookwillow]

Oh thank you! 🥰

[@annikakuck5114]

I thing a bojagi quilt might be the right thing for your outside area. It’s quilted with sheer linen so it’s not blocking the light and it’s reversible. 😊

[@brookwillow]

Oh YES! These are so cool. I was thinking about making a half one for our bathroom!

[@vale251]

nice video, it is a pleasure to spend time with you 🙂

[@brookwillow]

Thank you so much 😃

[@thekindles1183]

Love styling. Wonderful video! Creative people just need to switch things up sometimes. All the best, Kimberly

[@brookwillow]

I totally agree, that is exactly what I needed before it got too mundane!

[@cathyringer]

LOVE the revamp!!!!

[@brookwillow]

Yay I’m glad!!

[@rockstarkate78]

Loved the new format! Fun to watch.

[@brookwillow]

Thank you 😃 I’m glad!!

[@normasmith9596]

Lovely podcast The new format is great. I would love to see sewing stylized Your curtain idea is such a good one. Cant wait to see it finished. That shawl will be perfect for fall. happy making

[@brookwillow]

Thanks so much! 🥰

[@kendrawheeler314]

Yes to styling and the new format!!!

[@brookwillow]

Yay!! I’ll be excited to add the styling with the next video 😃

[@miserybutane298]

I love a good shawl knit with handspun. i've done 2 completely handspun shawls, and one that's a blend of commercially spun yarn and handspun. definitely pairs well with tweedy commercial yarns and millspun yarns.

[@brookwillow]

Oh yes! I think they are such a great use for handspun

[@AHandKnitLetter]

Loved this video! Your shawl is so beautiful. I want one now!❤

[@brookwillow]

Aww Becky you’re the sweetest 😃

[@MrsGrinnellma]

I love your video!! I love the Vlog type style of it. Your esthetic is just so pleasing.

[@brookwillow]

Thank you so much 😃

[@workinghandsfibrearts]

All the formats - all the stories - yes to the styling! I'll watch everything you put out. You are a talented maker and I feel really inspired by your content. 💖

[@brookwillow]

Thank you so much 🥹

[@gwenrushing9794]

I'm not an expert on quilting or sewing of any kind, but I would consider putting a backing fabric (even a bed sheet) and running some quilting lines or even tying the backing to the quilt top. You don't have to use batting. The reason I say this is because the weight of the curtain/quilt is going to be on those seams in your quilt blocks if they are not stabilized to the backing. If you are using linen (LOVE this) and the weight of the fabric causes it to fray at the seams it could make holes, then there goes all your hard work. Food for thought.

[@brookwillow]

I did not even consider that! Thank you for pointing that out 😃 maybe I’ll put the linen bedsheet I have between the two and just tie them together throughout

[@barbararadzeviciusbondi4150]

I like the Vlog formate for my KZbin channel mainly because I'm not a Test Knitter or a professional Sample knitter who only selling and promoting a designers product. I do watch a few Test Knitter type Podcasts and I've noticed that a lot of women who are test knitter exclusively now include other vloging footage. So for me ...I prefer the Vlog type of everyday crafting with Yarn Shopping and footage of beautiful scenery where people live. I also love visiting Crafters studios and how we all organise our collections of Crafting materials. I collect Quilting Fabrics, and specifically Novelty prints and 4 Designers Ive followed for many years..KFC collective, Tula, Charley Harper and some Liberty and stored in Colour. I do like your Out and About footages.

[@brookwillow]

Oh nice! I bet you make lovely quilts with those fabrics 🥰

[@janebrock9058]

Styling yes! You don't look like a beginner quilter, those blocks and colors are fantastic! You will probably think of this yourself, but you can always put a clear shower curtain in front of the quilt to keep it dryer/ cleaner! Great idea to make it to begin with!

[@brookwillow]

That’s such a great idea!! 😃

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

Your handspun looks great. Love the drape of your Mockingbird Shawl. 🧶I really like this format. Several years ago, I decided to break away from the traditional video format and I have enjoyed posting videos a lot more. I look forward to seeing the progression of your quilt.

[@brookwillow]

Thank you so much 🥰 I think it’s good for creativity to switch things up!!

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

I loved this video!!

[@brookwillow]

Yay thank you!!

[@gwenrushing9794]

Get an iron on stabilizer for your flimsy fabrics. It will make your quilt sewing much easier.

[@brookwillow]

Oooh great tip! Thank you 😃

[@christinegiroux8471]

I'm looking forward to seeing your finished quilt curtain- that's a unique idea! Also, I wanted to know how many braids of fiber and yarn skeins you used for the mockingbird shawl?

[@brookwillow]

Oh yes I completely forgot to mention that 😂 I bought 2 skeins of the replay sport but used maybe 1.25 skeins. And I bought 3 braids of fiber!

[@lesliesgarden6798]

Love the new format! I always like to see how you style your handmade pieces, so one vote here for a styling portion in your next video. ✨✨✨

[@brookwillow]

Ok awesome!! 😃