Sunday, April 27, 2014

Slow Stitching and Watching

What do you do while you hand stitch? Sometimes I just sit quietly, or visit with family or friends. But if I don't need the silence or social interaction, this is a list of my favorite hand stitching entertainments:
** I love to listen to CBC radio, which has a wide variety of podcasts to enjoy.
** Did you know there is a weekly Canadian quilt talk show available on podcast?!  How did I not know about this?!?! Brandy Lynn Designs from BC has 40+ podcasts to enjoy while you are quilting.  Click here to start listening while you do your hand stitching (click on live podcasts). 
** Of course I like to listen to Bonnie's Quiltcam episodes which are archived, so if you can't watch it live, you can watch the podcast anytime - click here.
** If I am binding and don't need to focus on the task and can spare a glance here and there, I watch a TV show on my laptop while stitching.
One of my favorite shows is "Call The Midwife". Season 3 has started and you might be able to catch some episodes on PBS - click here. I watched episode #1 while stitching down the binding on my UFO of the month, and saw Chummy (one of my favorite characters) using a hand crank sewing machine. That is definitely on my list of machines to find because no electricity is required which means it would be a perfect camping sewing machine! (You know you're an addict when...)
What do you like to do when hand stitching? Link up your hand stitching blog post below and if you have ideas for shows you enjoy while stitching, please share!






21 comments:

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I love listening while stitching. I listen to Pat Sloan's podcast at All People quilt. I also listen to the Jefferson Hour Podcasts. Audio books are great too!

Wehago designs said...

Well I often like to just listen to lots of music, but tonight I am watching world superbike racing from Assen, I often take a glance up I case I really need to check every that is happening, maybe this is why it is a slow stitching night

Ellen said...

Thanks for all of the links Kathy. I usually plunk myself down on the couch and watch tv while hand quilting/sewing.

I really like the fabric you are using for your binding.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I LOVE Call the Midwife! :) I have the DVD set and watched it all twice / going to order the new one when it is out.

Jo said...

I like the TV going in the background while I have a glass of wine.
But today I was busy packing my car for a 2 week trip...
No sewing .....

Karen said...

I have not heard of "Call the Midwife" and I like those kind of shows. I like to have the tv on while I hand stitch though I do find myself stitching slower at times when s program gets very interesting.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love Call the Midwife and Chummy - I saw that machine also. I have gone through so many shows while quilting on the frame - I prop the laptop at the top of the frame on the last two rollers and go through show after show. I have never gotten into Bonnie's quilt cam I tried watching it once but the quality was good - it was back when she first started to do it and I never tried it later.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

should read "wasn't good" I'm sure the quality of the recording is better now

Me and My Stitches said...

I have a TV in my sewing room and it is almost always on. Bad thing is, it sometimes is distracting and I find myself watching and not stitching! I also like to crank up the music - seems I get more done that way!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I do my slow stitching with my lap hoop while in my recliner in the living room, so the TV is almost always on ... usually on an old movie (so I only have to look up when I know something good is coming) or on a baseball or hockey game (again, I can usually tell by the announcers' voices if something good is going to happen, not to mention that they have enough instant replays for me to be able to see whatever I missed).

Willow River Piecemakers said...

So this is the third time this week that I have heard something about Call the Midwife - totally checking this out - I love podcasts and thanks so much for giving me a new batch to listen to! I slow stitch in the living room and usually catch up on my HGTV shows and most recently when the boys are at baseball practice, I just have silence - kinda nice!

Cathy said...

I prefer the sounds of silence. If the windows are open I like to listen to nature sounds around me...birds, the wind rustling leaves, dogs barking in the distance or cows mooing, etc. Every once in awhile I listen to an Irish music CD.

Cathy Tomm said...

Thanks for hosting again. I have some plans to sew tonight. I may have to look at the pod casts.

CathieJ said...

I usually put a cd in and listen to some country music. Very relaxing and calming for stitching.

Teresa in Music City said...

Call the Midwife is one of my favorites too Kathy!!! I tell everyone I know to look it up and watch it! Chummy is such a sweetheart :)

I usually sew in silence - I like the quiet. But when I want noise, I usually plug in my earphones and listen to an audiobook.

Ivani said...

I listen a CD or watch TV.
No slow stitching for me during this Sunday. Your quilt looks great. Happy week! Hugs

Jill said...

Thank you for all the quality listening & watching suggestions. I am going to have to try out some of the podcasts. Sometimes I have the golf channel on and hope it helps my game just by observing. Lol!

margaret said...

I sometimes listen to the radio whilst stitching, usually music, often Chris de Burgh wins and one of his many CD`s keep me company and take me back to the Royal Albert Hall where I saw him live 3 yeas ago wonderful. I too am a fan of call the midwife, hopefully there will be another series.

Kate said...

You've got some great things to keep your ears busy while your hands are busy stitching. Like you, I have a variety of things, but listening to music is probably my default.

Jill said...

It looks great as it is. I am normally a border person as I think it frames a quilt. But this looks pretty good. Just about any binding would work. Nice job!

Mary said...

I love listening to CBC while I sew or Bonnie's quiltcam, but now I'll check out the BC quilter for sure. Just got a hand crank last month (to take sailing lol). I have it set up in dining room and can just sit and pop off a few crumb blocks while waiting for laundry or whatever