Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Australian Homespun

THIS MONTH’S WINNER Kokila Haddon, from Carrum Downs, Vic, for her Pockets the Elephant project: “As soon as I saw Pockets the Elephant, by Simone Gooding, in the February 2016 issue (Vol 17 No 2), I fell in love with him. I am a little (a lot) obsessed with elephants and knew that I had to make him immediately. Well, almost immediately. I had to wait for my 100% wool felt to arrive in the mail. I think he is adorable and have been looking for some more May Blossom patterns to add to my collection. Thanks for a great magazine!” Congratulations to Kokila for her great effort. As the winner this month, she will be receiving the following prizes: • Colour Knitting with Confidence book, by Nguyen Le, guides…

Tilda’s Toy Box by Tone Finnegar, $44.99 Tilda fans will be delighted with Tone’s latest book. It provides instructions for making dolls with numerous outfits; cute softies, including a monkey, snake, whale and parrot (see photo above); and soft furnishings for children’s bedrooms, such as quilts, cushions and bunting. You can even accessorise your little girl with bags and purse projects. All patterns are provided full size in the back of the book, and each project is illustrated with an array of photographs and diagrams. Homespun readers who are making our Foxley Village block of the month will be particularly pleased to know that all of the sample projects in the book have been made using the Tilda ‘Sweetheart’ range, which is one of the fabric collections used in Foxley…

Materials • 20cm ( 1/4yd) natural linen (bag sides and appliqué background) • 25cm (10in) square of ticking or stripe fabric (bag back) • Assorted scraps of print fabric (camera appliqué and patchwork) • 50cm ( 1/2yd) print fabric (lining) • 50cm ( 1/2yd) lightweight fusible interfacing • 50cm ( 1/2yd) fusible bag batting • Fusible web • 40cm (16in) heavy-duty zipper • 1.7m (1 7/8yd) of 25mm (1in) wide cotton webbing (bag strap) • Adjustable strap hardware – ring and slider wide enough to accommodate the cotton webbing • Small piece of printed cotton ribbon (optional embellishment) • Erasable fabric-marking pen • Threads to match the bag fabric and assorted colours for appliqué and machine embroidery • Sewing machine with 1/4in, zipper and open-toe/appliqué feet • Rotary cutter, ruler…

Where do you live and work? I currently live in southern California, in a tiny little house really close to the ocean. And my family is quite big, so I work all over the house. In my room, I have a desk, but I mostly work on my laptop in bed. Downstairs in the finished garage is where I do all my sewing. It is so not glamorous, but I have shelves and shelves and tables and stations and I don’t have to put anything away, so it works just fine. What’s your family structure? I have four kids and a very, very supportive husband – so supportive, he learned to cook this past year while I was working day and night. Why this particular craft? Sewing patchwork projects is…

THIS MONTH’S DESIGNERS’ CONTACTS PROJECT 1: SWEET JUSTICE Vicki Knight Email: vickilorraine@hotmail.com PROJECT 2: BEATRICE BEAVER Jennifer Goldsmith Frazzy Dazzles – the gentle art of making Email: jenny@frazzydazzles.com  Website: www.frazzydazzles.com PROJECT 3: BOY TOYS Leanne Milsom Email: lp.milsom@bigpond.com  Blog: www.lizzie-the-quilter.blogspot.com PROJECT 5: PICTURE PERFECT Minki Kim Website/blog: minkikim.com  Instagram: @zeriano PROJECT 6: FATIMA’S FASHION Allison Dey Malacaria SweaterDoll Email: sweaterdoll@gmail.com  Website: sweaterdoll.blogspot.com PROJECT 7: BACK TO THE FUTURE Jemima Flendt Tied with a Ribbon Website: www.tiedwitharibbon.com  Blog: www.blog.tiedwitharibbon.com Instagram: @tiedwitharibbon Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Tiedwitharibbon PROJECT 8: CASE STUDY: LUGGAGE TAGS Roslyn Mirrington Bloom Blog: bloomandblossom.blogspot. com.au PROJECT 9: ALL EARS! Amy Sinibaldi nanaCompany Blog: www.nanaCompany.typepad.com  Instagram: @amysinibaldi BLOCK OF THE MONTH: FOXLEY VILLAGE Natalie Bird…

ELEGANT EASY STITCH Sometimes, the very best things are the simplest – like this stylish garter-stitch knitted throw. Off-white and golden stripes are embellished with nothing more frivolous than four corner tassels, which are as easy to make as the rug itself. This pattern is worked in Patons chunky Inca yarn and is one of the designs featured in the Patons, Cleckheaton and Panda Throws and Rugs No. 357 pattern book, available from your favourite craft supplier. Or contact 1800 337 032 or patonsyarns.com.au for your nearest stockist. THE CURIOUS ENCASEMENT OF BUTTONS Jean Kake, of Quilted Cupcake, never intended using her vintage Goodwill Singer sewing machine, which she picked up for a mere $15. It was always going to be just a lovely, evocative decoration for her studio. But…

Materials • Large assortment of scrap fabrics to total about 5m (5 5/8yd). Your assortment should be about half light-value fabrics and half medium- or dark-value fabrics. It will need to include some pieces as large as a fat quarter for some of the patches in the three largest blocks • Fat quarter red print fabric (Courthouse Steps and Courthouse Steps Variation block centres) • 25cm ( 3/8yd) cream floral print fabric (Border 1) • 90cm (1yd) red floral print fabric (Border 3) • 55cm ( 5/8yd) green print fabric (binding) • 3.6m (4yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 200 x 175cm (77 x 70in) • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with 1/4in and free-motion feet • General sewing supplies Finished size: 184 x 159cm (70…

What does this craft mean to you? This craft means the world to me. It’s how I express my creativity. It’s how I tell the world that I’m here and this is what I do. It’s how I make many friends and build common connections with people who are interested in similar things. It brings me satisfaction when I see someone who has never sewn a toy before pick up one of my designs and decide that they’re going to make it. It brings me happiness when I see children clutching one of my toys while grinning like they’ve just won the best prize ever. How long have you been creating softies? I started by taking an evening class in my early 20s, where I made a teddy bear. I…

What or who was the inspiration for this new baby design? The fabrics were my inspiration for this design. I was sorting through my cupboard full of fabrics and folding them into colours. When I’d put a few of these fabrics together, they looked so nice and reminded me of a baby boy. So my new design was born. Did it take you long to come up with the sweet embroidery designs? Stitchery is my favourite thing to do, so as soon as I had a design in mind, I knew it was going to have embroidery and be a boy quilt. I thought boy-toy designs would be perfect. Are baby and children’s projects favourites of yours? I like to make a variety of projects, from big bed quilts to…

Why this particular craft? I sew because I love it. Years ago, I was hand embroidering my own and my children’s drawings. One day, my husband brought home a sewing machine, and I was curious whether I could do the same sort of ‘drawing with thread’ with the sewing machine. It turns out I could, and what was even better was that I could do it so much faster. I began to create projects that I could embellish with my sewing illustrations, and I discovered a new passion along the way. Have you tried plenty of others? Oh, yes! Over the years, I’ve dabbled in lots of crafts: card making, scrapbooking and even creating little mini albums for each month. But that felt a little too much like homework –…

Materials • 50cm ( 5/8yd) each of six light print fabrics – see Note (blocks) • 16 fat quarters of assorted print fabrics – Jemima used two each of navy, aqua, green, mint, coral, cerise, light pink and beige (blocks) • 50cm ( 5/8yd) aqua print fabric (binding) • 1.4m (1 1/2yd) extra-wide backing fabric • Batting at least 220 x 140cm (86 x 55in) • Matilda’s Own Drunkard’s Path 4 1/4in templates or freezer paper to make your own – see Note • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with 1/4in and walking feet • General sewing supplies Finished block size: 8in Finished quilt size: 203 x 122cm (80 x 48in) Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics…

How would you describe your particular craft style? It’s always difficult to step back from your own work and objectively define your style. I guess mine is structured, detailed and practical, and usually incorporates flowers in some form. Did your distinctive style happen over time or was it immediate when you started stitching? I feel that my style evolves constantly as I learn new techniques. I become bored quite quickly, so I’m always on the search for new or more efficient ways of making things. As I learn more, my style becomes more structured and detailed. Are you good at all the crafts you’ve tried? Not at all. Many a project languishes at the back of the cupboard because I wasn’t happy with my execution. Most of them are clothes…

Vic – Melbourne June 18-19 Sunbury Sunbury Stitchers & Quilters’ ‘Fifty Shades of Red’ Quilt Show; Memorial Hall, Stawel St (Melway 382E4). Shops, raffles and door prizes. Proceeds from charity quilt raffle will go to Sunbury C.F.A. Open Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Entry $7, seniors $5. More information: Phone Evelyn on 0449 142 485. July 9 Melton Willows Quilting Group Quilt In; Senior Citizens Hall, McKenzie St (Melway 337 C9). Guest speaker is Neil Chisholm. Morning and afternoon tea supplied. Open 10am-4pm. Entry $7. More information: Phone Maureen on (03) 9743 3962 or email mamohr@iprimus.com.au. Vic – Country June 17-19 Bendigo CraftAlive Bendigo; Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Rd. Bringing together both talented interstate and local exhibitors, focusing on creative hand-finished products, DIY products, craft supplies, homewares and creative workshops.…

How did this quilt get its Sweet Justice name? I sometimes like to choose a name for my quilts to reflect the blocks that I used in the making process. Because the main block in this quilt is the Lawyer’s Puzzle block and there is a border of Courthouse Steps blocks, I wanted a name that had something to do with law. I struggled a bit because the beautiful florals that I used just didn’t want to have anything to do with the law! I finally settled on ‘Sweet’ for the flowers and ‘Justice’ for the law. What was your inspiration for the design? My inspiration, as usual, came from the array of beautiful scraps that were waiting patiently in my sewing room to be used…

PICK A PUSSYCAT – ANY PUSSYCAT Some designers/crafters are so clever. And it’s a natural to include Julie Williams, of Little Cotton Rabbits (www.littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk), in that accolade. She creates small animal knits that make you go all gooey inside. Plus, each one radiates a unique personality, despite diminutive proportions. We thought we’d show you her range of cats – tortoiseshell to tabby, plain to patched, and a few Siamese for good measure. “My animals are designed with little hands in mind,” says Julie. “They are around 9in tall and, with their fat little tummies, are a good size for children to hold, cuddle and play with.” You can see how some of them are clad, if you go to page 18, where we feature Julie’s tiny animals’ sweaters. Magical!…

Materials • Panda Magnum 8 ply 100g balls: two balls each of Blue (321) and White (301) • One pair of 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles or the size needed to give correct tension • 40cm (16in) square cushion insert • Wool needle for sewing seams Finished sizes: Chair back cover 28 x 38cm (11 x 15in); seat cushion 38cm (15in) square – refer to the Sizing Tip before you begin Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. This is an intermediate skill level project. Use only the yarn specified. Other yarns are likely to produce different results. Quantities are approximate as they can vary between knitters. Check the ball bands to ensure that all yarn of each colour is from the same dye lot.…

Materials • 20 x 40cm (8 x 15in) black fabric (hair) • 12 x 23cm (5 x 9 1/2in) skintone fabric (face and hands) • 23 x 26cm (9 1/2 x 11in) green fabric (shirt body and sleeves) • 13cm (5in) square of blue fabric (legs/pants) • 13 x 16cm (5 x 7in) black fabric (shoes) • 28 x 34cm (12 x 14in) yellow linen (underscarf) • 26 x 68cm (10 1/4 x 27in) print fabric – see Note (hijab/scarf) • 46 x 48cm (18 x 19in) salmon linen (dress) • Stranded embroidery cotton in black • Four press studs (dress and underscarf closures) • Fibre fill • Machine-sewing threads to match and contrast with the fabrics • Turning tool such as a chopstick • Paper and cardboard for patterns…

What were your feelings when you first started sewing? Sewing has always been a love of mine, ever since I was a young girl. I used to sew with the scraps from my nanna, and my mum was always sewing clothes for our family. I’ve grown up around sewing, and now am able to call it not only my hobby but also my business. Has your response to your craft changed since then? My love of sewing has grown so much since I was a young child. I had my mum take me to quilting classes when I was 16 and have never looked back since. It has gone from something I loved to do on the side to the main part of my day. What is it that keeps…

I have always learnt best by jumping in and having a go. I’m definitely a hands-on learner. I make plenty of mistakes, and I have discovered that it is best when I embrace them, rather than avoid them. With quilts, especially, I like them to look ‘handmade’ and reflect the work and love that goes into them. A quilt doesn’t have to be perfect, and I often make a conscious choice to leave a small mistake or an imperfect point etc., rather than redo it. Designing is a trial-and-error process. I’ve thrown many a prototype into the back of the cupboard, and some designs have certainly not seen the light of day. I have kept the very first cloth doll I made, which, at the time, I thought was soooo…

Stockists AUSTRALIAN CAPIT AL TERRITORY Hobbysew Belconnen Belconnen Ph: (02) 6253 0011 belconnen@hobbysew .com.au www.hobbysew.com.au Motif By Hand Crace Ph: 0402 622 919 motifbyhand@gmail.com www.motifbyhand.com NEW SOUTH WALES Fabric Pixie Goonellabah Ph: 0415 826 994 deanne@fabricpixie.com.au www.fabricpixie.com.au Hobbysew Kings Park Kings Park Ph: (02) 9621 4000 kingspark@hobbysew .com www.hobbysew.com.au Hobbysew Top Ryde Top Ryde Ph: (02) 9877 5067 topryde@hobbysew.com www.hobbysew.com.au Lyn’s Fine Needlework Baulkham Hills Ph: (02) 9686 2325 sales@lynsfineneedlework.com.au www.lynsfineneedlework.com.au My Sewing Supplies Kirawee Ph: (02) 9542 3513 info@mysewingsupplies.com.au www.mysewingsupplies.com.au Nesting Needles Coffs Harbour Ph: 0400 055 989 lisa@nestingneedles.com.au www.nestingneedles.com.au Patchwork on Park er Cootamundra Ph: (02) 6942 1104 jock-commins@bigpond.com Picton Patchwork & Quilting Picton Ph: (02) 4677 2802 troy@pictonpatchwork.com.au Post Offi ce Patchwork Glenbrook Ph: (02) 4739 9555 popatchwork@eftel.net.au www.postoffi cepatchwork.net.au Rainbow Patchwork Lismore Ph: (02) 6622 3003…