Indiana here. I cross stitch, crochet, knit and sew. My tools are notions and the fabric, floss, yarn, hooks, needles, material and thread are supplies.
Australian here 👋 (so, British English) and my local cross-stitch supply stores have sections called “notions”, haberdashery here is like basic stuff for sewing and clothing alterations etc that you could find in a supermarket ❤❤ Really interesting because I’m so new to cross-stitch, I thought a notion was like a concept 😅 like “thoughts and notions”
I love vintage notions, in fact I have purchased a vintage sewing box on marketplace complete with buttons, pins, needles etc. and am always looking for more. I also have my Mom's sewing box as well as my grandmother's as well as my own from probably 35 years ago.. I am on the hunt for what I am calling a "mending box". In my head it is smaller and a place to keep a few different size needles, some pins, smaller spools of basic colors of thead (black, white, navy, dk green, red and maybe yellow), safety pins, a few black and white plain buttons. Just something easily organized to be used for simple repairs that need to be made in a hurry and kept on an end table or something. There probably is no such thing but I think there should be!
I was born in the 60’s and grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. We called them supplies not notions. My mom sewed most of my clothes for me and my sister. A little for my brother. Her last sewing project was a fleece bathrobe for my dad before she passed in 2013. My sister is a quilter and crocheter. I knit, cross stitch and diamond paint
In my (very long and ancient) experience, I've always known what notions are, but rarely actually use the word. For example, if I need a new seam ripiper, I might say "I need a new seam ripper", then go to the Notions Aisle at Joann (yes they call it that) and find one. However, if I need a seam ripper, a card of snaps, some sewing machine needles and a foot of velcro, I might say to someone Can we stop at Joann? I need a bunch of notions. FYI Joann does not call trims, zippers, thread, cutting tools etc., "notions" in their department scheme. Finally, on the back of every garment sewing pattern you will find a list of "Notions" needed to make it. Zipper, bias tape, bottons, shoulder pads, etc are listed there. I think of tools and supplies for cross stitch in exactly the same way, but tend to think of "accessories" as hoops and frames, stands, lights, project and notion bags (LOL) ... Distinctions without differences I guess. I learned sewing and decorative hand needle work pretty much simultaneously as a child. perhaps that's why it's all one and the same to me. Best wishes.
I’ve been doing cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, sewing clothes, and knitting since I was 10 years old. No matter which craft I am working on, it always has its own notions. I have sewing notions bag, a knitting notions bag, and a cross stitch/needlepoint notions bag. Also, having done my schooling in England till the end of high school, I remember a haberdashery was a store/department where we bought notions (needles, buttons, lace, trims, zippers, etc).
I’m in my late fifties and took a sewing class in high school, probably know the word notions from way back then. I never thought about it too much, but I like when hobbies and specific activities have there own lingo/vocabulary so I am definitely for keeping the word notion around!!
Texan here 👋🏼 😂. Regarding the needle minders for sewing…it so interesting bc there is the same mechanism (2 magnets working in tandem) but for different reasons. In sewing, back to back magnets are commonly used in English paper piecing to hold two pieces face to face whilst one shall hand sew them together. It’s very nice that it also holds a needle. Sewtites are my go to for this. I also use them to hold the label on the back of my quilt while I sew it on bc they are much more handy to me than a safety pins. I don’t use the word “notions” I say “supplies”or “equipment” or “stuff”😂. I am going to start saying “notions” so the word doesn’t disappear. 🫥 I’m gonna start calling my office supplies “work notions” and cutlery “kitchen notions”.
When I hear the word “notions” I see buttons, zippers, snaps, etc. “Haberdashery” brings to mind something like Durene Jones’ Haberdashery Shop cross stitch pattern (in UK). At 65 I don’t think I’ve ever actually spoken either word referring to anything!
Oh that was so strange to listen to! Coming to cross stitch from the knitting realm, I just "knew" what notions were. I think the term must be a lot more common in knitting, and similarly refers to all the tools and accessories you use - everything except the needles and the yarn.
I am Canadian and American and grew up using "British" English, (centre, colour etc.) I can't recall haberdashery being used where I grew up but notions, for me, is some sewing stuff. I often refer to my cross stitch items, (needles, thread conditioner, scissors, bobbins, magnets etc) as accoutrement because I like French. Not sure accoutrement is even correct. Also, I never refer to cross stitch as "sewing." I refer to it as embroidery, needlework, cross stitch, counted cross stitch....depends on where/when/context etc.
For me sewing and cross stitching are not interchangeable! Sewing is done to join fabrics or mend clothes. I do understand that the "sewing method" makes sense because it's the same motion as sewing in hand. But I'm not sewing when I'm cross stitching lol. I have no sewing history so I accepted notions as a cross stitch term but I don't think I really use it? 🤷♀️
I always thought haberdashery was meant for Clothing like a shop & maybe it's sewing accessories that we call Notions. How about Stitching Accessories, or Chachkies, LOL Many stores have a "notions" dept. which carries all the You name it small stuff.
I disagree with you. I’ve been sewing since I was 8. Been sewing 60 years. I’m old! lol. I think hoops are notions. In sewing thread is also a notion. Yes there are needle minders in general sewing. I’m from Michigan. I also would think of a project bag as a notion
I've always thought of notions as tools (fabric and floss as supplies)
Indiana here. I cross stitch, crochet, knit and sew. My tools are notions and the fabric, floss, yarn, hooks, needles, material and thread are supplies.
Australian here 👋 (so, British English) and my local cross-stitch supply stores have sections called “notions”, haberdashery here is like basic stuff for sewing and clothing alterations etc that you could find in a supermarket ❤❤ Really interesting because I’m so new to cross-stitch, I thought a notion was like a concept 😅 like “thoughts and notions”
I love vintage notions, in fact I have purchased a vintage sewing box on marketplace complete with buttons, pins, needles etc. and am always looking for more. I also have my Mom's sewing box as well as my grandmother's as well as my own from probably 35 years ago.. I am on the hunt for what I am calling a "mending box". In my head it is smaller and a place to keep a few different size needles, some pins, smaller spools of basic colors of thead (black, white, navy, dk green, red and maybe yellow), safety pins, a few black and white plain buttons. Just something easily organized to be used for simple repairs that need to be made in a hurry and kept on an end table or something. There probably is no such thing but I think there should be!
There used to be mending boxes in the 80’s called sewing baskets and many of those crossed over into cross stitch baskets.
I was born in the 60’s and grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. We called them supplies not notions. My mom sewed most of my clothes for me and my sister. A little for my brother. Her last sewing project was a fleece bathrobe for my dad before she passed in 2013. My sister is a quilter and crocheter. I knit, cross stitch and diamond paint
I heard someone call a needle minder a "needle nanny" today. I love that! Happy Stitching from Kari StClair- Springfield, Missouri.
In my (very long and ancient) experience, I've always known what notions are, but rarely actually use the word. For example, if I need a new seam ripiper, I might say "I need a new seam ripper", then go to the Notions Aisle at Joann (yes they call it that) and find one. However, if I need a seam ripper, a card of snaps, some sewing machine needles and a foot of velcro, I might say to someone Can we stop at Joann? I need a bunch of notions. FYI Joann does not call trims, zippers, thread, cutting tools etc., "notions" in their department scheme. Finally, on the back of every garment sewing pattern you will find a list of "Notions" needed to make it. Zipper, bias tape, bottons, shoulder pads, etc are listed there. I think of tools and supplies for cross stitch in exactly the same way, but tend to think of "accessories" as hoops and frames, stands, lights, project and notion bags (LOL) ... Distinctions without differences I guess. I learned sewing and decorative hand needle work pretty much simultaneously as a child. perhaps that's why it's all one and the same to me. Best wishes.
I’ve been doing cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, sewing clothes, and knitting since I was 10 years old. No matter which craft I am working on, it always has its own notions. I have sewing notions bag, a knitting notions bag, and a cross stitch/needlepoint notions bag. Also, having done my schooling in England till the end of high school, I remember a haberdashery was a store/department where we bought notions (needles, buttons, lace, trims, zippers, etc).
I’m in my late fifties and took a sewing class in high school, probably know the word notions from way back then. I never thought about it too much, but I like when hobbies and specific activities have there own lingo/vocabulary so I am definitely for keeping the word notion around!!
I'm from Edinburgh, Scotland and I've only heard of haberdashery when referring to the place to buy your kit, I'm in my 50's
I’m all for making haberdashery the from now on used term for all notions. I need many haberdashery pouches.
Texan here 👋🏼 😂. Regarding the needle minders for sewing…it so interesting bc there is the same mechanism (2 magnets working in tandem) but for different reasons. In sewing, back to back magnets are commonly used in English paper piecing to hold two pieces face to face whilst one shall hand sew them together. It’s very nice that it also holds a needle. Sewtites are my go to for this. I also use them to hold the label on the back of my quilt while I sew it on bc they are much more handy to me than a safety pins. I don’t use the word “notions” I say “supplies”or “equipment” or “stuff”😂. I am going to start saying “notions” so the word doesn’t disappear. 🫥 I’m gonna start calling my office supplies “work notions” and cutlery “kitchen notions”.
When I hear the word “notions” I see buttons, zippers, snaps, etc. “Haberdashery” brings to mind something like Durene Jones’ Haberdashery Shop cross stitch pattern (in UK). At 65 I don’t think I’ve ever actually spoken either word referring to anything!
Oh that was so strange to listen to! Coming to cross stitch from the knitting realm, I just "knew" what notions were. I think the term must be a lot more common in knitting, and similarly refers to all the tools and accessories you use - everything except the needles and the yarn.
Hmm yeah. I knit sometimes and I have heard "notions" being used for knitting yarn needles, point protectors etc.
I am Canadian and American and grew up using "British" English, (centre, colour etc.) I can't recall haberdashery being used where I grew up but notions, for me, is some sewing stuff. I often refer to my cross stitch items, (needles, thread conditioner, scissors, bobbins, magnets etc) as accoutrement because I like French. Not sure accoutrement is even correct. Also, I never refer to cross stitch as "sewing." I refer to it as embroidery, needlework, cross stitch, counted cross stitch....depends on where/when/context etc.
For me sewing and cross stitching are not interchangeable! Sewing is done to join fabrics or mend clothes. I do understand that the "sewing method" makes sense because it's the same motion as sewing in hand. But I'm not sewing when I'm cross stitching lol. I have no sewing history so I accepted notions as a cross stitch term but I don't think I really use it? 🤷♀️
🪡😊
I always thought haberdashery was meant for Clothing like a shop & maybe it's sewing accessories that we call Notions. How about Stitching Accessories, or Chachkies, LOL Many stores have a "notions" dept. which carries all the You name it small stuff.
It’s both!
I disagree with you. I’ve been sewing since I was 8. Been sewing 60 years. I’m old! lol. I think hoops are notions. In sewing thread is also a notion. Yes there are needle minders in general sewing. I’m from Michigan. I also would think of a project bag as a notion
Cross Stitch is a form of sewing, and therefore, the tools used are called notions. It's not that complicated.