Exact Change Etui by Betsy Morgan

It’s no secret that both Willing Hands 1 & 2 by Betsy Morgan have been hugely popular books throughout the global needlework community.

It’s also not surprising when you consider that Betsy had stored up a lifetime of projects and waited until just before she retired from teaching to publish a legacy of her work for generations to adore and admire.

This is probably a good time to tell those who are yet to purchase both books that that you are missing out big time! If that is you, quickly click HERE while no-one is looking…

For the rest of us, we want you to turn to page 48 in Willing Hands 2 as we’re going to take you back in time to when Betsy was still teaching.

Betsy is going to take us through the process of designing our own version of her etui Exact Change.

Now straight away we can hear a few students moaning… ‘I don’t want to design anything, I just want to re-create the existing design.’ Well, we’re glad you joined us today, because the very purpose of this project was so Betsy could help those who lacked confidence in designing, build up their abilities.

Here is how it works, Exact Change is basically a counted thread sampler that you turn into an etui with a series of accessories.

Betsy has put together a plethora of different bands, blocks, patterns alphabets, numbers and motifs arranged in a modular format so that you can easily switch in and out whichever elements you like.

Furthermore, she encourages all her students to consider using different coloured linens and threads, again to suit their own style.

There are pages of charts to select from, all of which are interchangeable.

Then there is the added thrill of determining which of your chosen elements will appear in which piece of the etui.

The etui itself houses four accessories, a needlebook, pincushion, scissor fob and waxer box.

You might decide to repeat a specific motif or pattern across each, use a selection of coordinated colours to tie them all together, or be completely random in your choices and see where that leads you. The combinations are endless.

And just to up the ante a little more and push you further out of your comfort zone, Betsy has used a total of 22 different stitches across her library of elements, all of which add layers of interest thanks to the wonderful variety of textures and finishes.

Hopefully anyone with design anxiety will feel calmer now that you realise the secret to this design is in its name – yes you can follow what Betsy has created but at the same time make Exact Change to her original piece based on your own selections. So it’s the same as hers, just… different! It’s yours.

Besty is inviting you on a stitching adventure and she’s holding your hand the entire time.

Why not accept the invitation and be amazed at how satisfying your needlework can be when you sit in the design chair and start making your own creative selections.

Who knows where all this might lead you…

Make Your Own Exact Change Etui

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Exact Change Etui by Betsy Morgan is a biscornu-shaped etui with an exuberance of counted thread stitches to explore.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Exact Change Etui includes everything* you need to re-create this biscornu-shaped etui: Fabrics (unprinted), interfacings, interlining, wool felt, beading thread, embroidery thread, bead and needles.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the book.