Favorite Finds Product Reviews
Weeks Dye Works™ 2018 New Colors
Years ago, Miranda Weeks McGahey started dyeing fabrics in her apartment bathtub for fun. A cross-stitch shop asked her to instead try her hand at flosses, and a needleworker’s dream product was born. Since their humble beginnings in 1994, Weeks Dye Works has grown to more than 500 color/fiber combinations and countless fans. Per their website, their “[process] baths, which create the thread colors, have grown from a few 50-yard baths a week to several 13,000-yard baths a day.” With their extensive rainbow-hued kaleidoscope of colors, one would think there would be little room for expansion, but the creative minds at Weeks Dye Works (an all-woman–run facility) have proven there is always more room for color in a stitcher’s basket. Enter their new quartet of colors released earlier this year at the Nashville Needlework Market. The colors range from two soft pastels to two rich, bold hues. Oyster (1147) is a blend of grayish pearl that morphs into a soft lavender; it’s reminiscent of the pearlescent inside of an oyster shell, much like its namesake. Bee’s Knees (1223a) features subtly shaded hues of golds that will have you dreaming of spring’s bumblebees and fresh honey. Roasted Fig (#1235) is a rich, reddish brown that looks like it was dipped from a jam jar made from the fresh sun-kissed figs of summer. And last, but not least, Santa Cruz (2114) showcases the strikingly vibrant shades of the rolling Pacific Ocean and will have stitchers longing for a day on the water. To learn more about Miranda’s “bathtub days,” view the full rainbow of floss colors, or to find a retailer, visit www.weeksdyeworks.com.
Roxanne Glue-Baste-It Dip & Dab
Sometimes when stitching or finishing, you need some type of adhesive, but as stitchers we’re trained to be very cautious when using glue on or around our treasured stitches. What if there was a glue that was safe to use and wouldn’t have to dry for 24 hours? Enter Roxanne Glue-Baste-It Dip & Dab! Use it to glue-baste seams or for finishing projects. It’s perfect for ornaments or needlework smalls when sewing is not an option or when you need a temporary hold until the sewing can take place.
Made in the USA, this adhesive is 100 percent water soluble and dries within minutes so you only have to hold it in place for a short time. When dry, the glue is clear and stays flexible, which is ideal for stitching. The adhesive holds until the item is washed or moistened, so you can easily remove the glue if desired. The Dip & Dab features a unique applicator that allows you precise control of the glue placement, which is incredibly useful. Roxanne Glue-Baste-It Dip & Dab is available in needlework or quilting stores and online at Annie’s Craft Store. For more information or to order, visit AnniesCraftStore.com.