Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 i Australian Homespun

Materials • 85cm (1yd) low-volume spot print fabric (cushion front and back) • Fat quarter green print fabric (binding) • 50cm ( 1/2yd) lightweight fusible interfacing • Green buttons in assorted sizes and shades – Peta used about 135 • Decorative red and silver buttons (about 15) • One star button (top of tree) • Clear monofilament (‘invisible’) thread • Stranded embroidery cotton to tone with your green buttons • DMC Light Effects in Antique Silver (E415) (optional) • Embroidery needle • 40cm (16in) square cushion insert • 30cm (12in) zipper to match the fabric – see Note • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with1/4in, zipper and walking feet • General sewing supplies Stitch used: Stem stitch Finished size: 35cm (14in) square Note: Read all…

Where do you live and work? I grew up in Seattle (USA), but recently we moved to Southern California. And it’s hot virtually all year round. So my workspace is indoors in the air-conditioned house. My main workspace is upstairs next to my side of the bed, where I have my crochet cart and a plethora of yarn for my late-night crochet habit. But during the day, you can usually find me in my crochet chair in my living room. I won’t lie, there is basically yarn all over my house, and I crochet where I want, when I want. What’s your family structure? I have a wonderful supportive husband who puts up with my crazy creative mind and craft projects in every corner of the house. We have three…

Materials • Fat quarter cream and light pink stripe fabric (appliqué background) • Small pieces of assorted print fabrics in pinks, yellows, oranges, greens, blues, chartreuse, brown and grey (appliqué) • 50cm ( 1/2yd) pink and cream stripe print fabric (border and binding) • Fat quarter backing fabric • Batting at least 60 x 50cm (24 x 20in) • 14 hexagon papers, 3/8in (or paper to make your own) • Six 60-degree diamond papers, 5/8in (or paper to make your own) • Two 60-degree diamond papers, 1in (or paper to make your own) • Appliqué glue such as Roxanne’s Glue Baste It • Fine cotton thread (appliqué) • Template plastic • Fine 2B pencil or water-erasable fabric pen • Lightbox (optional) • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing…

How would you describe your particular craft style? Many of my designs are inspired by the adorable, simple style of Japanese kawaii. There’s just something so charming and sweet about the style that instantly creates a sense of delight and joy in the person looking at it. Did your distinctive style happen over time or was it immediate when you started stitching? I think that I gravitated towards that type of style right from the beginning and over time have branched off into other styles, although I’ve heard a lot of people say that they can always recognise my work, as it has a very distinctive look about it. Are you good at all the crafts you’ve tried? It depends … I love projects that incorporate hand sewing or embroidery…

Craft Alive Toowoomba, QLD 10-12 FEBRUARY This show kicks off the Australian craft show season – with over 70 exhibitors from all over Australia. Learn: Sue Daley, English Paper Piecing specialist, fabric designer, author and international tutor. Watch a demo, grab a photo, and become an expert. Must Do: Get involved with Quilts of Hope. Check out the display of amazing quilts at the show and join the event. Sign up for your block and give back even more for children with cancer and their families. STITCH ! CASTLE HILL, NSW 17-19 FEBRUARY The Hills District of Sydney will be filled to the brim with the latest fabrics, needle craft supplies & patterns. Come Learn From: Annie London, Designer Stitches. Just back from her latest UK teaching tour. Annie will…

MARIA WIGLEY Classy cursive, trailing, loose thread ends and lacy lettering. Maria Wigley’s ‘threadmanship’ is practised and precise … and making text float is no mean feat. An array of writings is translated into stitched gallery pieces by this UK-based textile artist. “Poetry and songs have a huge influence over my work, as does listening to anecdotes about other people’s lives,” says Maria. “I certainly do not see myself as a writer, but I do involve my own thoughts as stitched text.” Her floating embroidered text is created using strong, soluble fabric, thread, a darning presser foot, sewing machine and an embroidery hoop. Maria free-machine embroiders the text and then dissolves the fabric. “The key to creating anything using soluble fabric is making sure you don’t have any floating islands.…

Where do you live and work? I live with my little family in beautiful Brisbane. I love the small-town feel of this big city and everything it has to offer. I’m very lucky to have a dedicated sewing studio in my house, thanks to some minor renovations we undertook last year. It’s a bright, clean space with heaps of room and a cutting table that I built with my daughter after seeing an Ikea hack idea on Pinterest. It holds just about everything I need and use and has made life so much easier. Why this particular craft? Like so many people, I was looking for something to fill nap time after our first child was born. My mum had picked up a magazine and was giving quilting a go,…

How would you describe your particular craft style? I am often attracted by everyday scenes: a linen kitchen towel with a bowl of fresh strawberries; my messy sewing table; tea time with my girlfriend … I try to remember those scenes or take snapshots for my drawing later. I like to make bags and pouches to adapt my drawings for usable, everyday items. I prefer to look at those ordinary, extraordinary beauties of everyday, rather than putting them away in the drawer. Is your distinctive style constantly evolving? I can get a bit lazy and sneaky when I have to repeat the same process. So, I always try to plan for something a little different and, usually, I’m very satisfied with the results. However, that doesn’t mean I always love…

Materials • 30cm (12in) square of white fabric (background) • 30cm (12in) square of fusible embroidery stabiliser • DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in Blanc (white), Black (310), Red (321), Light Drab Brown (612), Very Light Old Gold (677), Pale Yellow (744), Ultra Very Very Light Blue (828), Dark Salmon (3328), Medium Yellow Green (3347), Light Yellow Green (3348), Light Peacock Blue • Felt in red and pink (padding) • Fusible web • Embroidery and beading needles • Mechanical pencil • Embroidery hoop (optional) • General sewing supplies (3766), Ultra Dark Beige Grey (3790), Dark Turquoise (3810), Dark Raspberry (3831) and Light Raspberry (3833) • Mill Hill antique seed beads in Cinnamon Red (03048) • Kreinik #4 braid in Gold Cord (002C) Stitches used: Detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, fishbone…

You designed this little doll’s cot quilt as a Christmas present, didn’t you? Yes, I thought it would make wonderful Christmas gift – something to treasure for a lifetime. Do you often make hand-stitched Christmas gifts for friends and family? Yes, I often do. I usually make some padded Liberty coathangers, someone usually receives a quilt and, last year, I knitted my daughter a detailed cabled hat. I cook a lot of things as Christmas gifts, as well. Are craft supplies always on your Christmas wish list? Not really, but I would always welcome them. I often wish for a class somewhere as a gift. It’s wonderful to learn something new. Did you always hanker after a doll’s crib when you were a child? I hankered after anything to do…

Materials Large book • 25cm ( 3/8yd) or fat quarter text print fabric (outer cover) • 25cm ( 3/8yd) or fat quarter tape-measure print fabric (inner cover) • Three sheets of grey felt about 25 x 30cm (10 x 12in) (book pages and appliqué) • 90cm (1yd) black and white herringbone ribbon, 18mm ( 3/4in) wide (ties and trim) • Five flower-head pins • 1.5m (1 5/8yd) black suede thonging (hoop and scissor ties) • One 15 x 20cm (6 x 8in) plastic zippered sleeve – see Note • Mini cutting mat such as an Olfa 6 x 8in mat Small book • 20cm ( 1/4yd) or fat eighth stripe print fabric (outer cover) • 20cm ( 1/4yd) or fat eighth floral print fabric (inner cover) • One sheet of…

TOUR GUIDE 1 PORT MACQUARIE 2 KEMPSEY 3 COFFS HARBOUR 4 DORRIGO 5 ARMIDALE 6 SOUTH GRAFTON 7 & 8 LISMORE 1. Port Macquarie STITCHED N FRAMED Where’s Port Macquarie: Situated half way between Brisbane and Sydney on the mid-north coast, about a four-hour drive from Sydney. Where in Port Macquarie: 14 Acacia Avenue. Turn off the Pacific Highway onto the Oxley Highway. Turn right at Lake Road, left at Fernhill Road, then right into Acacia Avenue. Who plays host: Jenny Gibbs is the owner, with help from Mary, Dawn, Kathy, Lark, Gail and Sue, who all come with many years of patchwork experience. Worth visiting because: We love to promote and develop patchwork, quilting and textile art within Port Macquarie and the surrounding areas. Our store is fully stocked…

How would you describe your particular craft style? Difficult to answer, really, because my projects vary so much. I’m very drawn to pretty fabric and colour palettes, and my love of animals means that they feature regularly in my stitchery designs. I like to think there is innocence about my design work. Did your distinctive style happen over time or was it immediate when you started stitching? I don’t think my style has changed over the years. Current trends and fabric lines always make a difference, but I’ve always drawn my stitchery designs from photographs, and I don’t think my drawing style has particularly changed. That doesn’t stop me from looking back and cringing at some of my earlier work, though! Are you good at all the crafts you’ve tried?…

What does summer mean to you? During summer, I love to get my vegetable garden producing at a breakneck speed! Our family likes to go to the beach to swim and walk our dogs. Do you go all out at Christmas and then fall over the finishing line to a January holiday? Christmas is always fun and busy, celebrating with family and friends. Now that my children are older, the gift giving is much easier and Christmas is much more relaxed. Still, I really look forward to the quiet days after Christmas to take it easy and to sew. What’s your idea of the perfect Christmas and summer break? I love spending time with my family and friends, enjoying relaxed summer meals together. We may spend a few days at…

How would you describe your particular craft style? My style is heavily influenced by the nature around me. It’s fun and colourful, and it’s meant to bring a smile. Did your distinctive style happen over time or was it immediate when you started stitching? It took time to develop, and I consider it to be ongoing. I’m constantly gaining new ideas from all sorts of places. Are you good at all the crafts you’ve tried? Far from it! I love trying new crafts all the time and I appreciate the time it takes to build skills in each craft. Other than crafting, how do you like to spend your time? I love walking in the woods, picking berries, watching birds and enjoying Sweden’s beautiful landscapes. Is stitching a great diversion…

What’s your idea of the perfect stitching day? The perfect day would be raining, the house would be tidy, the phone turned off, someone else would be running the kids around and cooking dinner. I would have the blissful luxury of thinking, completely undistracted, about my stitching and nothing else. Dream on! Where do you like to do your work – in a studio, in the garden, in an armchair? I like to work in my sewing space, where everything I need is on hand. It has a view to the garden and lots of natural light. In a perfect world, it would be organised and perpetually neat! Until now, have you ever had special portable sewing kits? If so, how did they measure up? I’ve had several sewing kits…