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??

[Elizabeth]

So, I think I've more or less decided what to take now:

A few kits and kitted up designs.
My whole Anchor stranded cotton collection (They seem to go for DMC in Taiwan and I've no mind to start a 2nd collection)
Selected pearl cottons
Selected Kreinik and other metallic threads
Selected beads and trims
Several nice patterns scanned from magazines (where personal copies are allowed)
Fabric for some designs, but most stuff I can get locally.
A good selection of all sorts of needles (I'm going to make myself a nice, big new needlecase and fill it) as well as tools like hedebo stick, half cone sticks and so on, plus stumpwork wire and a few cotton molds etc.
General embroidery, fabric, hardanger and goldwork scissors.

Sir is interested in taking an MBA out there after the initial year which, as it follows the US rather than UK pattern, would mean another 2 years so, in case that happens, I'm preparing a 2nd box for possible air freighting which I'll either leave with friends or easy to get at for the key holder of our storage.=)

[Sj]

Hi Elizabeth,

I've just had a quick look at some of your work and you are very prolific! I have recenly returned from a long stint in another country (Cyprus) and had the same problem. I took all the wrong things and not many of the right things! From your work that I have looked at, you seem to be more than capable in many areas, there are some beautiful pieces there. May I make a suggestion?

You will find (as I did) that being in another country will inspire you in completely different ways. I would leave all the kits and patterns at home (save them for a rainy day when you are back), take basic materials (threads, needles, wire, beads and maybe some fabrics) and be inspired by your surroundings when you get there. Take a note/sketchook and collect source material for your designs.

Use this fantastic opportunity to create something completely unique that you would never do if you hadn't gone. I have never been to Taiwan but from a quick look at their tourist board website you are going to be bowled over with ideas! The pieces you make will be a fabulous addition to your portfolio of work and a lasting reminder of your time in Taiwan.

Regarding Anchor versus DMC: I use both (although I prefer DMC). The different makes have diffferent colour selections and if you can't find a suitable colour in one you will probaly find it in the other. DMC is slightly softer than Anchor but if you are mixing threads anyway, espeially with other types you won't notice this. I have mixed them in a silk shading (similar to the labrador) and not been able to tell.

Hope this is useful, you will have a fantastic time!

Sj

[Elizabeth]

Thanks SJ!=) I know Taiwan, so I know what I'm going to and also that I just want to stitch for relaxation rather than designing etc, although I expect to do a bit of both. Also, we don't know how long we'll be out there - maybe even a permanent move, but we just don't know! Anyway, I'm sure I'll have something to show later on.

BTW, I'm not that prolific, what you see on my page, Webshots etc is the work of 7 years or so, during most of which time I was ill and had little else to do and did a lot of rather small things!=)

Thanks.-=)