Hey there! I make felt pincushions for you to use or collect. They are whimsical and fun and entirely made by hand. I cut all the little felt pieces freehand with very sharp scissors and then I carefully stitch or embroider everything in place. All my designs have a story and I share that in the product descriptions. I love what I do and if you smile when you use one of my pincushions, I've achieved my goal.
My first sewing related memory is of my Mum's sewing machine whirring in the evenings after my sister and I had gone to bed. She made clothes so I made doll clothes, progressing to clothes for myself and later, when I moved to California, quilts. Then one day I discovered hand embroidery.
One Christmas I hand stitched pincushions for everyone and a couple of friends encouraged me to open an Etsy shop. At the time it seemed an impossible dream and I couldn't imagine selling my work! I shelved the idea but it never really let me go and in 2013, I nervously opened my Etsy shop. Around the same time I started selling at local quilt shows and I found that, even as a terrified introvert, I loved meeting the quilters who purchased my pincushions and learned that they appreciated the stories behind the designs.
So let's get a bit technical..... The felt I use for my designs is made in Europe. It is 100% merino wool and is certified organic in every aspect of production. I love working with it because it's soft and cuts beautifully. Sometimes I use hand dyed (not by me) felted wool fabric. I use this when I want extra texture or pattern and the small businesses I buy this wool from are run by women who do all the hand dyeing themselves. All my pincushions are stuffed with premium, soft polyester fiberfil. I never use nut shells for stuffing because of potential allergy problems.
And finally, welcome to my shop and my creative space. I'm happy you're here. I offer you virtual tea or coffee and warm scones. My name is Angele. I'm a maker, a wife and a mom. I live in California and spend as much time as I can in the mountains enjoying the snow, the trees and the lakes. I have an elderly cat and a retired racing greyhound who supervise my life and keep me company as I sew.
Find out what I'm currently making over on my Instagram account @fabricandink.
