Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019/January 2020 i Australian Homespun

An inspiring 30-minute documentary about the remarkable achievements of Surayia Rahman teaching Bangladeshi women to stitch kantha tapestries is now available online to stream. Surayia Rahman, a self-taught artist working in a number of different media, began exploring the possibilities of creating kantha to hang on a wall in a style that has come to be called ‘kantha tapestry’. In 1982, she helped establish the Skill Development for Underprivileged Women program, providing designs, selecting thread colours and supervising production of these kanthas. As well as generating income for communities, the project has ensured the preservation of traditional skills. Watch the film at vimeo.com/ondemand/threads…

Forget floral arrangements, fruit bowls and rolling hills — it’s the graffitied laneways of Melbourne, neon signs and tattoos that tapestry artist Niki McDonald turns to for design inspiration. Her bold and brave approach to a traditional craft has led to an eye-catching series of artworks and has generated fresh interest in tapestry. Sydney-based artist Niki was captivated by Melbourne’s edgy streetscapes while visiting, and was inspired to capture their beauty in stitched artworks. “After a week of absorbing the urban landscape — the tagging and graffiti, the walls, the people and their clothing — I drew a series of drawings on tapestry canvas and began stitching,” says Niki. “The repetition of the stitches echoes the pixels of digital work and the spray paint used on the streets.” Her fresh…

MATERIALS • 85cm (1yd) solid white fabric (centre background, Borders 2, 3 and 5) • 50cm ( 5/8yd) turquoise print fabric (Borders 1 and 4 and binding) • 20cm (¼yd) each of red and green print fabrics (Border 3) • Scraps of assorted green print fabrics (appliqué leaves) and five other fabrics (flower centres) • 90cm (1yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 91 x 102cm (36 x 40in) • 28 x 33cm (11 x 13in) rectangle of lightweight fusible woven interfacing (stitchery stabiliser) • Fusible web • Aurifil Cotton Mako Ne 12 threads in Yellow (2130), Red (2250), Pink (2452), Black (2692), Dark Blue (2725), Blue (2805) and Green (2882) or very fine crochet thread in desired colours (flowers) • Appliqué needle • Size 0.85mm (US 13/UK 7) steel…

MATERIALS • Fat quarter of off-white cotton or linen fabric (background) • Fat eighth of red print fabric (top and bottom borders) • Fat sixteenth of green tone-on-tone print fabric (top and bottom peeper borders) • 38 x 33cm (15 x 13in) fusible stabiliser • 40 x 36cm (16 x 14in) thin batting (framing) • Cottage Garden Threads in Victor (KD22), Swamp Gum (207), Carrot Seed (310), Dandelion (307) and Oregano (809) • Au Papillon Fil D’or thread in Light Gold • DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in White (Blanc) • Embroidery needle • Very fine-pointed fabric marker • A4-size timber frame • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine • General sewing supplies Stitches used: Backstitch, French knot, satin stitch, straight stitch Finished size: 29 x 20cm (11 1/2…

Homespun’s sister magazine, Quilters Companion, partnered with Travelrite Australia 11 years ago to offer amazing quilt and textile tours to fabulous places around the world. The itineraries have been carefully planned by quilters for quilters to take in the best quilt and textile experiences the world has to offer. Most of the tours include a major quilt event, with other exciting destinations added in – such as museums and shops as well as experiencing local destinations. Here we share some of the memories that our readers enjoyed with well-known quilters, and tour hostesses, Michelle Marvig and Chris Jurd. America with Chris – October 2018 Chicago, Shipshewana, Houston There were so many highlights on this fantastic tour, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park, the Mennonite Amish visitor…

If I had been asked this question 10 years ago, there’s no way I would have listed half of what I have achieved as I didn’t even own a sewing machine and I doubt I would have listed writing one book, let alone two. So to look forward 10 years is hard, but that said, let’s dream a little. I would love to have my own little quilt and fibre shop full of beautiful prints and hand-dyed Indy yarns. A nice big and inviting classroom with couches at one end for casual sit and stitch days. Maybe I would have learnt to knit! Chasing grandchildren and finding a third book written by me on my bookshelf. My biggest hope is that I am still doing what I love, whatever that…

16 Fat Quarters Facebook: @16fatquarters Aroha Quilts (NZ) Ph: +64 7 884 4590, website: www.framingquiltandcraft.com Ashford Wheels & Looms website: www.ashford.co.nz/yarn Asia Discovery Tours website: asiadiscoverytours.com.au Batik Oetoro Ph: (02) 4943 8808, website: www.dyeman.com Bellarine Sewing Centre Ph: (03) 5221 3034, website: www.bellarinesewingcentre.com.au Bernina Australia Ph: 1800 237 646, website: www.bernina.com.au Birch Creative Ph: (03) 9069 4070, website: www.birchcreative.com.au Brother Australia Ph: 1300 880 297, website: www.brother.com.au Can Do Books Ph: 1300 308 261, website: www.candobooks.com.au Carol's of Midland Ph: (08) 9250 2722, website: www.carolsofmidland.com.au Catherina’s Vintage Stitches Ph: (03) 5852 3356, website: www. catharinasvintagestitches.com.au Clover Manufacturing Website: www.clover-mfg.com Cottage Garden Threads Ph: (03) 5668 1513, website: www.cottagegardenthreads.com.au CraftAlive Ph: (03) 9682 5133, website: www.craftalive.com.au Cynthia’s Ark Ph: (08) 8527 2120, website: www.cynthiasark.com.au Dragonfly Fabrics Ph: (08) 8948 0691, website:…

Quilter's Holiday is lovingly designed by celebrity designer and creative director of Tilda, Tone Finnanger, and brought to you by Homespun magazine and Two Green Zebras. Featuring her whimsical style, this is Tone’s world-first Block of the Month. It takes you on a journey flowing with the excitement of a quilter’s holiday from start to finish. Featuring Tilda’s new fabric range, Happy Campers, the mostly appliqué quilt will take you through a journey of sewing, seaside and sunshine.…

MATERIALS • 50cm ( 5/8yd) linen embroidery fabric (outer stocking) • 30cm red print fabric (lining, cuff and hanging loop) • 50cm ( 5/8yd) thin fusible batting • DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in White (Blanc), Medium Red (304), Black (310), Red (321), Bright Red (666), Very Light Tan (738), Ultra Very Light Tan (739), Very Light Apricot (967) and Medium Mocha Beige (3863) • Au Papillon Fil D’or Metallic Thread in Light Gold • Gütermann 50wt cotton thread in Gold Brown (G1444) • Gumnut Stars stranded silk in Medium Hazelnut (945), Dark Hazelnut (947), Ultra Dark Hazelnut (949) and Very Light Pewter (992) • Gumnut Buds Perle silk in Dark Apple Green (587), Ultra Dark Apple Green (589), Dark Hazelnut (947), Ultra Dark Hazelnut (949) and White (990) • Mill…

Stitching with metallic thread can be a little frustrating at times. Here are a few tips shared with me over the years that can help prevent tangles and fraying of the thread: • Always use a short length of thread, about the length of your forearm or less. • Pull your thread through a thread conditioner or beeswax before stitching to help protect the surface of the thread as it repeatedly pulls through the fabric. • Treat your metallic thread gently and embroider a little more slowly than you usually would. The extra care and time taken often results in far fewer frustrating tangles.…

50 FAT QUARTER TOYS: EASY TOY SEWING PATTERNS FROM YOUR FABRIC STASH By Ame Verso A celebration of handmade toys featuring fabulous stuffed animals, handmade baby gifts and more, all using fat quarter cuts of fabric. Continuing the series from 50 Fat Quarter Makes, this collection features beautifully styled photography, step-by-step diagrams and templates for more than 50 handmade toys with patterns, provided by 10 top international talents. These include Amie Plumley, co-author of the bestselling Sewing School books, Ayda Algin of Café Nohut, Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive, best-selling author Emma Hardy and Aurifil thread designer and founder of #GreatBritishQuilter, Sarah Ashford. All the toys are made using simple sewing techniques alongside patchwork, appliqué and embroidery. Published by David & Charles CROCHET STASHBUSTERS By Nicki Trench There has always…

New South Wales February 7-9 Penrith CraftAlive Panthers Penrith, 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith. Open 9.30am-4pm. More information: www.craftalive.com.au February 22-23 Mittagong Biennial Quilt and Craft Show The Southern Highlands Quilters’ Guild, Mittagong RSL Club, Cnr Bessemer Street and Hume Highway, Mittagong. Open Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm. More information: Ann (02) 4885 2970 March 6-8 Wagga Wagga CraftAlive The Range Function Centre, 306 Copland Street, Wagga Wagga. Open 9.30am-4pm. More information: www.craftalive.com.au April 18-19 Queenbeyan Queanbeyan Quilters' Members’ Exhibition Bicentennial Hall, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Open Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. More information: queanbeyanquilters@gmail.com or call 0414 188 715 Victoria April 3-4 Cranbourne St Johns Quilters’ Creative Adventures Quilt Show St John’s Anglican Church, 27 Childers Street, Cranbourne. Guest speaker Helen Godden Friday @ 7pm. Open 10am-4pm. More information: Dianne (03) 5995…

MATERIALS • Fat quarter solid light blue fabric • 60cm ( 5/8yd) solid mid-blue fabric • 45cm ( 1/2yd) solid dark-blue fabric • Fat quarter solid red fabric • 40cm ( 1/2yd) solid coral fabric • 65cm ( 3/4yd) solid white fabric (background) • 40cm ( 1/2yd) solid light-pink fabric (binding) • 1.4m (1 1/2yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 137 x 107cm (54 x 42in) • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with 1/4in and walking feet • General sewing supplies Finished size: 122 x 91.5cm (48 x 36in) Finished block size: 6in square Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. CUTTING 1 From…

KATE RAMSEY Tell us something about your family life. I am married with two teenage children. No pets, but hoping to have a rescue dog join our family one day. How have you developed your skills? I have never received any training; I am very much self-taught and I make things up as I go. I’m a big believer that there is no ‘right or wrong way’ when it comes to slow stitching and it is very much about the process. What has been your personal and professional background in this industry? I used to own a scrapbook shop. I no longer scrapbook, but I look at the layout and design of my slow stitched pieces in much the same way as I did a scrapbook layout. I now own…

Try varying the number of thread strands and stitch length you use in different areas of a project. It’s a simple yet effective way to add some extra depth to an embroidered piece. In many of my projects, I like to use three strands for design elements that need to stand out or have a heavier look. When using three strands, I opt for a medium backstitch length. Two strands have a less bold look, but are still heavy enough to be seen easily. Two strands have less bulk, so they work well in a medium backstitch length but also perfectly well when a smaller stitch length is needed. I use smaller stitches when there are lots of curves or the design element I’m stitching is quite small. I will…

Sharon Burgess, Lilabelle Lane Creations Email: sharon@lilabellelanecreations.com, Instagram: @lilabellelane Quilted by Linda Cotton, Ladybug Quilting Phone: 0417 557 708, Email: ladybugquilting@bigpond.com FABRIC KEY Finished quilt size: 203cm (80in) square Note: Refer to the Fabric Key for the specific fabrics used in this project. Seam allowances of 1/4in are used throughout for the piecing. Instructions are given for working from the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can download the digital patterns from www.homespun.net. au and print them out instead. PREPARATION 1 This instalment of our Block of the Month provides instructions for making the Potted Blooms blocks for the outer corners of the quilt, completing Border 4 and finishing your project. 2 If you’re not using pre-cut papers, trace the daisy petal (curved Dresden Plate) shape from the Pattern…