Desert Island Stitching Supplies

[Elizabeth]

As some know, I'm heading off for a year in Taiwan in just under 2 months time, which may even turn into as long as 2 years, it now seems! Anyway, I've naturally been thinking about what stitching stuff to take with me. There are shops there and some expats living there have given some shops locations etc. At first I was thinking of just taking some of the many kits I've accumulated over the past few years and perhaps kitting up some other designs as well. After all, a year's not that long, but now that there may be two years in the equation, I'm thinking about more serious stash importation!! Sure, I can get hold of new, but I'm not up for oodles of duplicates and extra money is not likely to be available for stuff I, basically, already own.

So, what do you think? And what would you take to keep your stitchin' fingers busy during a year or two away??

[sharonb]

You will have silk coming out of your ears - take linen

[Elizabeth]

Which type were you thinking of?

[Romilly]

I'm not Sharon, but I'd think just about any linen you like to stitch on. Linen the fiber is likely to be harder to come by in general. :)

What an exciting adventure you're embarking on!

[Elizabeth]

Mmm, true for you. I normally mail order anything like that that I need anyway - UK or US as the prices are much the same and, in Taiwan, the shipping costs will be about equal too, so I'm not too concerned about taking that with me.

Yeah, we have a lot of fun ahead and DH is thinking of applying for funding for an international (English language) MBA for the possible 2nd year, so I could really give my language skills the boost of their life!!

So, what would everyone else take??

[Carol-Anne]

Firstly, materials and tools for anything your can't bear not to do for two years. Then something you have been itching to try but never get around to. If you are going to have more spare time, it is a good oportunity to do it.

The kits sound like a good idea because you should have everything you need already packaged up.

What an exciting opportunity. I hope you have a fabulous time.

CA

[Elizabeth]

Mm, the idea of trying something new is a good one. I had already planned to take a few tools etc for experimenting quite a bit as well. As for the spare time bit, it's possible I may actually have less.... However, we shall see!

[AnnieB]

I like the idea of taking some kits or designs you've kitted yourself. Otherwise, you just know you won't have the color or fabric you want when you think of something to make on the fly. Might be a good time to gather some of your UFO's and take them along (I assume you are like the rest of us and have some lying around).

Two years would be a long time to go without new stash shopping. I think you will have to succumb to at least some of that!

Annie

[Elizabeth]

I don't have UFOs. Do you believe me???!!!LOL!!=)

Oh, OK, there's one C&G sample I gave up on and will probably throw out and 3 things my mum gave me from childhood, but do those count??

Yup, I want to do some stash shopping, but I don't want to do lots of duplicating.

[AnnieB]

Actually, I only have one myself, a larger piece that I haven't worked on much once I decided I liked doing small pieces better. I just love the feeling of actually finishing something.

Carol-Anne's suggestion got me thinking about new things I haven't tried. If I were to be in your situation, I think I'd try tatting. It doesn't take much in the way of supplies, but it does take practice. So if I didn't have total access to things I already like to do, I would spend more time practicing the new skill.

Annie

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I agree with you. I'd hate to go without that feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a project, but I remember coming across one stitcher who told me she'd never finished any project in her life! Imagine that! How awful!

I was thinking of blackwork, which I haven't got to yet but have some glorious patterns and the supplies to make them up, as well as some stumpwork/needlelace creations that need things like the coloured wires I've bought and not used or the terrific half cone set and hedebo stick etc that came as part of last year's anniversary pressie from DH. I think stumpwork is virtually unheard of in Taiwan, so I may even be able to sell some pieces.... Just the legalities of the matter (earning money as a student etc), which no-one seems to have a really clear idea of at all!!!LOL!

As for other craft ideas, beading crafts seem to be big in Taiwan, so I'd like to learn some of those whilst I'm there. Knitting and quilting supplies are freely available and I've not done much of either of those. Lots to decide!

[Liz in Kansas]

I would take kits made up of the patterns, wires, etc., that you already have acquired but not had time to work on yet. That would make the adventure a completely educational experience! Actually, if it were me going, the problem would be how to choose just a few things to take! I would want to try everything! LOL! Oh my. I think I see your problem! I guess the real question would be, how much space do you have in your luggage?

[Elizabeth]

Liz hun, I see we have more than just a forename in common!!=)

The answer to the real questions is: not much! We get 20kg each of hold baggage plus 7kg of hand luggage (so, just under 60lb each), so that adds up to very little when you consider that's meant to do for a year or two! We should be air-freighting a box of books as well, so I should be able to pad that nicely with fabrics, threads and so on.

I've already got the threads and patterns out for 5 XS designs....and am selling an absoloute quantity of thread etc on e-bay (link on my page).