Stitching New Beginnings from the Past

Enjoy a visit to Kim's wonderful Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeedlesAndKims

 where you are sure to find something you love. In today's feature Kim shares "since I was old enough to sew on a button, I’ve always dabbled in some kind of needle arts—crewel embroidery, cross stitch, sewing for the home, smocking, piecing quilts, needle felting or knitting. I’ve been working exclusively with felted wool for the past year." Enjoy reading about Kim's lovely Etsy shop and having a peek into her creative space.

by Needles and Kims

My name is Kim and I live in Louisville, Kentucky with my husband. Although Kentucky is my home state, my husband, my three sons and I have lived in many states over the years, coming back to Kentucky thirteen years ago. It was so good to finally come home!

My purses and home accessories are created from repurposed wool sweaters that I first felt in hot water in the washing machine. I embellish my items with vintage buttons, yarn, fibers, beads, repurposed and vintage jewelry—just about anything that jumps out and wants to be used! I especially like to reuse things that have already served another purpose. I also use every part of each sweater that I can. I come from generations of women who didn’t waste a thing, so naturally my thinking is similar. I use the biggest pieces for purses or larger bags, smaller pieces for baskets and other small items. Even the little scraps get used for making dryer balls. My creations are all one of a kind. I don’t use patterns, I just let the amount and shape of the wool determine how a bag or other item will be constructed.

Since I was old enough to sew on a button, I’ve always dabbled in some kind of needle arts—crewel embroidery, cross stitch, sewing for the home, smocking, piecing quilts, needle felting and knitting. My husband bought my current Bernina sewing machine for me in 1983 after our second son was born. I wanted a sturdy, dependable machine that was capable of mending boys’ jeans and also up to other heavy duty tasks. It continues to serve me well in stitching together several thickness of felt, handles or trims. I started working almost exclusively with felted wool in January 2009 and opened my Etsy shop in October 2009. My shop motto is “Stitching New Beginnings from the Past”.

I love nature and the outdoors, and spend a lot of time gardening and walking. I’m continually inspired by movement, shapes, shadows, light, and the juxtaposition of objects. Many of these inspirations come from nature. However, I can even be sitting in traffic, just looking around and come up with a new design from the interplay between objects.