JULY IS THE PERFECT TIME TO ...

1) Try your hand at natural dyeing. 
Fire up a hotplate and experiment with  these totally accessible projects  by Alexxa Gotthardt . Try your hand at natural dyeing on wool, silk or cotton using  red cabbage, coffee, carrot, hibiscus and onion. 

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2) Prep your fabrics for sewing and quilting.
Have you ever been super-excited to start up  a stitching project only to find that your fabrics are not as ready, willing and able as you are? Why not take advantage of the fresh summer air to prep the fabrics in your stash that you'd like to have pre-washed? Here's a super how-to guide by Oliver + S.

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3) Air-out and regroup your yarn stash. 
Think of this as Christmas in July! If you're anything like me you'll be sure to find some treasures that you've forgotten about. It feels like new yarn all over again!
This is the perfect time to monitor and protect your stash from creepy crawlies, group yarns into project-sized families and becoming inspired by your personally curated collection.

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4) Start a (portable) paper piecing project.
What could be more fun than a pocket sized project that you can work on here and there with no timeline or pressure. If you need a relaxer, a small, hand-stitching project might be just the answer. Here's the lovely Laura Kemshall of Design Matters TV with a superb introduction to paper piecing.

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5) Use a drop spindle.
Can you imagine that the humble spindle can do every bit of work that a spinning wheel can do? With very little investment, and a relatively small learning curve, the drop spindle can add a HUGE element to your knitting, weaving or rug hooking world. 
Working with yarn that you've spun by hand will add a new level of interest that can't be matched. Need a spindle? Check out our drop spindle starter bundles, available in the shop.

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6) Hook a rug.
If you've not tried rug hooking, what better time than now? It's the perfect thing for summer decks and sipping ice tea. Getting started might be much easier than you'd think. Check out this earlier post about why You Don't Need to Break the Bank to Hook a Rug.

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7) Knit a gift.
Summer is a great time to knit small, portable projects which also happen to be perfect for gift-giving. Have a basket set aside for socks, hats, shawls etc.. How beautiful to be able to choose a handmade gift when the next special occasion comes around. Need some inspiration? The Market Wrap pattern (pictured here)  is available for simple summer knitting.

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8) Sew a cloth doll.
What could be more fun than a whimsical little  sewing project that fits in your pocket? Allow yourself to lose track of time as you explore  patterns, tips and inspiration by Ann Wood Handmade.

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9) Take time out to read.
Enjoy a great summer read - or several! Need a recommendation? Check out Ann Bogel's  list of 12 feel-good books that you can read in an afternoon.

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10) Walk, sit, journal and sketch.
Give yourself permission to take time for contemplation. Go for a walk. Sit and sketch. Record your creative thoughts for future inspiration. Need convincing? Check out Grey Whale on the life changing magic of keeping a sketchbook.

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