Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021/January 2022 i Australian Homespun

Welcome to our special Mindful issue. With all the anxiety and concerns of living through a pandemic, including the numerous lockdowns, many Australians (and people around the world) are experiencing higher levels of stress. So, we have curated a collection of projects that will offer some solace, advice and activities that encompass the notion of wellbeing and mindfulness. We asked our contributors to design projects with this in mind, and we also asked them how they are coping through these times. Most of the projects are hand sewing; the slower method is a more calming practice. And we include a few machine-sewn quilts, with appliqué and embroidery thrown in, and two very bright quilts to alleviate your mood. Also machine sewn, is a fabulous yoga mat bag designed by Ali…

From a kaleidoscope of butterflies to a field of wildflowers and an iridescent peacock — the winged, feathered and colourful have captured Beth Hoyes’ imagination. In her embroidered artworks, she replicates the delicate patterns and rich colours found in nature while exploring the symbolic meaning and folklore of different creatures. Butterflies, in particular, are especially significant for Beth. “I was drawn to the symbolism of butterflies being transformative creatures, which resonated with me when moving from the UK to the USA and the adaptability needed in experiencing a new culture and setting,” she says. Beth moved to Denver, Colorado, four years ago, where she was introduced to a whole new environment of inspiration, including campervan trips to the Rocky Mountains with her husband. “The mountains are beautiful and full of…

MATERIALS • Eight fat eighths (9 x 18in) of coordinating floral print fabrics• 22cm (8 1/2in) square feature print fabric (fussy cut panel)• 15cm (6in) floral print fabric (handles)• Pair of old jeans – see note. Ali suggestions a minimum of 78cm (30 1/2in) of usable length; the denim can be pieced together to make up required lengths.• 2m (2 1/4yd) fusible woven lightweight interfacing• 75cm ( 7/8yd) lining fabric• 1m (1 1/8yd) medium weight fusible interfacing• 1m (1 1/8yd) fusible fleece• 30cm (12in) square of cork vinyl• 20cm (8in) zipper• Four circle rings 3cm (1 1/4in) diameter• Three magnetic snaps 18mm ( 3/4in) diameter• Eight rivets 10mm ( 3/8in) diameter with a 6mm (1/4in) shank• Press or rivet tool• Craft glue• Binding clips• Fabric starch• Jeans sewing-machine needles size…

As a creative person, what has been your most profound experience during the pandemic? My most profound experience has been a change in my perspective. For the past few years I have been unsettled and feeling the need for a change. Maybe a new house in a new location or a creative renovation, but suddenly those feelings have been replaced by ‘gratefulness’. I have everything I need right here. A comfortable home, beautiful garden (thanks to my husband), well-stocked craft room (thanks to shopping online), and I am able to give and receive creative inspiration right here on my mobile phone. This makes me grateful because I know I am one of the lucky ones.…

CONCEPTUAL ART KNITTED IN SMALL SCALE Indiana-based Althea Crome is a self-taught fibre artist who has pioneered conceptual knitting in small scale. As a miniaturist she appreciates the importance of scale, as a knitter she respects the art of traditional technique and pattern design and as an artist she rejoices in adaptation, discovery and experimentation. Althea's process of creating extreme knitting requires an incredible level of precision and skill to incorporate portraits, images and even personal narratives into her microscopic knitting. In order to achieve the level of detail required for her pieces, she makes her own knitting needles from surgical wire, some as small as .01 inches; she uses a fine silk sewing thread, rather than yarn, to achieve the tiny stitches that compose her works. Her needles can…

Designing and stitching has definitely helped me feel more connected at this time of being physically separated from my quilting/stitching community. In particular, creating a quilt for a sew-along and sharing ideas online has been a fabulous way to connect with wonderful people from all over the world and not feel so isolated. There is an amazing sense of community when you are all working on a project with the same goal, sharing ideas and positivity.…

MATERIALS • 25cm ( 1/4yd) white/ecru cotton or linen fabric• DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss: Light Chartreuse (16), Variegated Yellow (90), Mid Pistachio Green (320), Plum (718), Light Emerald Green (912), Mid Baby Green (966), Very Dark Mauve (3685), Blue Violet (3746), Variegated Sunrise (4110)• DMC Perle No 12: Black (310)• Anchor Stranded Embroidery Cotton: Light Purple (86), Very Light Violet (95), Purple (112)• Country Cottage Threads Stranded Cotton: Passion Flower (609)• Fine permanent-marking pen or preferred fabric-marking pen• Thin batting and stiff acid-free cardboard• Size 24 or 26 embroidery needle• Three 16cm (6 1/4in) embroidery hoops• Craft glue• General sewing supplies Finished size: 16cm (6 1/4in) diameter Stitches used: French knots, stem stitch, wrapped running stitch Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Two strands of embroidery thread…

Email: thebirdhouse@bigpond.com; Website: www.thebirdhouse.com.au Machine quilted by Fiona Bell, Quilting Fairy — Phone: 0419 713 644, Instagram: fbell1_quiltingfairy If you haven’t already done so, join our Facebook group to share your progress and join in the discussion with almost 4000 members: Homespun 2021 Block of the Month: A Letter to My Daughter Finished size: 188 x 162.5cm (74 x 64in) Stitches used: Backstitch, chain stitch, cross stitch, detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, French knot, running stitch, satin stitch, straight stitch Note: Materials required for the entire project were listed in  Part 1, published in Homespun #200, Vol 22 No 1. They are from the Heartstrings and Birdhouse Basics fabric ranges designed by Natalie herself. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. To make your quilt unique and to achieve…

NSW FABRIC PIXIE Goonellabah 0415 826 994 deanne@fabricpixie.com.au www.fabricpixie.com.au HOBBYSEW Orange (02) 6361 7420 patriciajcole@gmail.com www.hobbysew.com.au LYN’S FINE NEEDLECRAF T Baulkham Hills (02) 9686 2325 lynsneedlework@aol.com www.lynsfineneedlework.com.au RAINBOW PATCHWORK Lismore (02) 6622 3003 rainbowpatchwork@gmail.com rainbowpat chwork.com.au STITCH BETWEEN THE BRIDGES Tamworth (02) 6765 4138 stitchbtbtamworth@gmail.com stitchbetweenthebridges.com.au STITCHED N FRAMED Port Macquarie (02) 6581 3338 info@stitchednframed.com.au stitchednframed-com.au.3dcartstores.com URSH’S SEWING Narrabri 0419 492 370 www.facebook.com/ Urshs-Sewing-9043295 42910592 WHATEVER WHERE-EVER CRAF T Howlong (02) 6026 5489 info@whateverwhereever.com.au www.whateverwhereever.com.au ZELLY’S CRAFTS & GIFTS Gilgandra 0427 479 131 zellyscraftsandgifts.com.au VIC CATHARINA’S VINTAGE STITCHES Kyabram (03) 5860 6710 www.facebook.com/ CatharinasVintageStitches LESLEY MAYS PATCHWORK & CRAFT Mildura (03) 5022 2330 info@lesleymays.com.au lesleymays.com.au LILY LANE Rosedale (03) 5199 2777 Jennifer@LilyLane.com.au www.lilylane.com.au MAREE ST CLAIR Strathfieldsaye 0429 393 757 maree@mareest clairquilts.com.au www.mareestclairquilts.com.au PALM BEACH QUILTING Carrum Downs (03) 9775…

As our population exceeds 80% double vaccinations, freedoms to travel around our country are opening up. Perhaps you are planning holidays over the Christmas/New Year period? The businesses listed on these pages would love to welcome you. Just check their current opening hours before you visit. NSW SYDNEY Banksia Yarns 3c East Market Street, Richmond 2753 Ph: (02) 4505 1615 shop@banksiayarns.com.au www.banksiayarns.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm Lyn’s Fine Needlecraft 2/9 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills 2153 Ph: (02) 9686 2325 lynsneedlework@aol. com www.lynsfineneedlework .com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm Patchwork on Pittwater 1 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale 2103 Ph: (02) 9999 6159 robyn@quilts.net.au Open: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm BLUE MTNS & BEYOND Hobbysew Orange 221 Peisley Street, Orange 2800 Ph: (02) 6361 7420 patriciajcole@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ hobbyseworange Open: Mon–Fri…

2 Green Zebras Ph: (02) 9553 7201, website: www.twogreenzebras.com Ashford Wheels & Looms Website: www.ashford.co.nz Banksia Yarns Ph: (02) 4505 1615, website: www.banksiayarns.com.au Cairns Create It Ph: (07) 4031 3024, Facebook: Cairns Create It Can Do Books Ph: 1300 308 261, website: www.candobooks.com.au Catharina's Vintage Stitches Ph: 1300 308 261, website: www.catharinasvintage stitches.com.au Crochet Australia Ph: (07) 5472 8586, website: www.crochetaustralia.com.au Cynthia’s Ark Ph: (08) 8527 2120, website: www.cynthiasark.com.au Dragonfly Fabrics Ph: (08) 3889 6024, website: www.dragonfabric.com.au East Coast Fabrics Ph: (07) 8948 0691, website: www.eastcoastfabrics.com.au Faeries in my Garden Ph: (07) 3869 0808, website: www.faeriesinmygarden.com.au Heights Sewing Centre Ph: (03) 5229 3558, website: www.heightsewing.com.au anome J Website: www.janome.com.au Knit & Yarn Ph: 0408 153 631, website: www.knitnyarn.com.au Kornacraft Sewing Centre Ph: (08) 8522 3246, website: www.kornacraft.com.au Lily…

EMBROIDERED BAUBLES Keep Christmas memories alive, and celebrate the spirit of giving with beautiful Christmas ornaments. Stitch the flat panel and then attach to an ornament for a gift that will be used for years to come. You can find the free design download at: www.juliehalldesigns/ pages/free-designs FEDERATION FAIRIES Margaret Clark was one of Australia’s most celebrated illustrators during the Art Deco era. Many of her magical fantasy illustrations appeared in children’s magazines and advertising. Her designs and work, preserved by www.federationfairies.com.au, is among the most iconic of Australia’s children’s classics. Some of her designs have been brought to life on fabric in the new Federation Fairies range by Devonstone Collection. Check out the fabric collection at: www.twogreenzebras.com/ category/2064-federation-fairies-october-2021 GO WITH THE FLOW Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first introduced the concept…

MATERIALS • 30cm (12in) square of bone coloured natural linen fabric• 30cm (12in) square of lightweight fusible interfacing• DMC Stranded Embroidery Floss: Mid Brown (433), Blue Green (502), Ultra Very Light Beige Brown (543), Dark Moss Green (580), Light Drab Brown (612), Light Beaver Grey (648), Dark Orange Spice (720), Mid Old Gold (729), Very Light Terra Cotta (758), Dark Beige Brown (839), Hunter Green (3346), Mid Yellow Green (3347), Very Dark Antique Blue (3750), Light Terra Cotta (3778), Terra Cotta (3830)• Fine permanent-marking pen or erasable fabric-marking pen• Embroidery needle• Machine-sewing thread to match the linen fabric• 20cm (8in) embroidery display hoop• General sewing supplies A kit is available for $29 — it includes DMC threads, pre-transferred stitchery pattern on linen and woven iron-on stabiliser. Contact Amy Kallissa to…

How have you stayed grounded and focused during the pandemic? I’ve found having a consistent routine and locking into my beliefs essential for staying focused and productive. This requires a lot of self-discipline! I’ve learnt the hard way that if I follow my feelings, rather than a timetable, it will be a very bumpy ride! So, I walk regularly, despite the weather. I eat a clean and healthy diet, because it makes me feel better both physically and mentally. I pray and meditate on God’s Word and practice thankfulness. I’ve also begun to practice deep breathing techniques, which physically relieves my anxiousness about the situations around me. They really work! My favourite app is Breathe, Hold, Be; favourite scripture is “Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication, with…

MATERIALS • Calor Yarns Plassard Champetre 50g: two balls of Grey Tones (73) [Main (M)]• Calor Yarns Merino Soft DK 50g: one ball Silver (90) [Colour 1 (C1)], one ball Cream (12) [Colour 2 (C2)], one ball Blossom (471) [Colour 3 (C3)]• One set of 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) double-pointed knitting needles (set of five needles)• One set of 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) double-pointed knitting needles (set of five needles)• One pair of 3.25mm (UK 10/ US 3) knitting needles• One pair of 4.00mm (UK 8/ UK 6) knitting needles• Removable stitch markers• One set of 12mm ( 1/2in) safety eyes• Black tiger tail jewellery wire• Two 2cm ( 3/4in) squares of felt (whiskers)• Two 40cm (16in) lengths of round elastic (cat’s skirt)• Craft glue• Polyester fibre fill• Yarn needle•…

THE MINDFUL MAKER: 35 CREATIVE PROJECTS TO FOCUS THE MIND AND SOOTHE THE SOUL By Clare Youngs In today’s crazy world, it can be difficult to slow down and make time for the simple joy of making, so Clare Youngs has designed a wide range of projects to help you experience the pleasure and satisfaction that making something with your own hands can bring. The best thing about practising mindfulness through craft is that you have something tangible to show at the end. From a small coral reef-inspired embroidery hoop to making pompoms and tassels to add to the edge of a pillow or blanket, you can learn techniques such as block printing, punch needling, shibori dyeing, weaving, macramé and quilting, all of which encourage a mindful approach and a…

This quilt uses a large variety of print and solid fabrics designed by Natalie from her Heartstrings and Birdhouse Basics ranges, distributed in Australia by Two Green Zebras. Although we will be publishing all the patterns for the small stitcheries so that you can trace them onto linen yourself, you can also purchase all the designs pre-printed on linen — then it’s just a matter of stitching them, cutting out the shapes and appliquéing them to the background fabric. This Block of the Month project is being published over six issues of Homespun, from February/March 2021 to December 2021/January 2022. The materials required to make the complete quilt were published in Part 1 in the February/March 2021 issue. Contact our subscriptions department to order a subscription or back issues, or…

WRAPPING WITH BROWN PAPER AND ROPE With some brown paper and a few simple craft supplies, it’s amazing what can be achieved. Amaryllis from Ohoh deco (www.ohohdeco.com)is the creative mind behind these three gift-wrapping projects. With accordion folds, a miniature bouquet and paper tassels, she shows you how to dress up your presents in style! For step-by-step instructions, visit www.ohohdeco.com/ 3-easy-ways-wrap-presents-brown-paper WRAPPING WITH FABRIC Furoshiki is an ancient Japanese craft of wrapping items with a square piece of cloth (traditionally silk or cotton). Today, cultures all around the world use this technique as a beautiful, and reusable, way to wrap gifts. Darae Johnson, from Indigobird (www.indigobird.ca), provides a terrific tutorial for gift wrapping with fabric, adding a sprig of greenery at the end for a festive touch. You…

As the country opens its borders, and learns to coexist with Covid, many local guild quilt shows will be able to go ahead with their in-person events. Let us know about your events – email details to dsegaert@umco.com.au or send them to Homespun Diary Dates, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670. Please notify us at least four months before the event. Victoria November 11–14 Melbourne Victorian Quilters Showcase Exhibition Melbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf More information: exhibitions@victorianquilters.org November 11 – December 18 Box Hill Australian Quilts in Public Places Exhibition Box Hill Art Space, Box Hill Town Hall 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill More information: exhibitions@victorianquilters.org December 2–5 Melbourne Australasian Quilt Convention Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne More information: www.aqc.com.au/about-us February 18–20 Box Hill Ruby Jubilee…

How important is it to you to sit in a favourite chair and slowly stitch during the pandemic? For me personally, stitching has always been my happy place and my own form of therapy. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, I’ve noticed that my anxiety levels have increased. There are so many more uncertainties in life and a general feeling of displacement now. It’s been so important during these times to regularly take a step back, sit in my favourite chair and stitch. Even if it’s only for 10 minutes, I can have a moment of clarity where I can regain a tiny bit of control and still get a sense of accomplishment — even if it’s just one lazy daisy!…

How has knitting helped you through the lockdowns of COVID-19? I have been in six lockdowns here in Melbourne. I am very fortunate that I have been okay during this period and for that I am extremely grateful. Knitting is something I do every day and it has been even more important to me during COVID. It allows me to relax and collect my thoughts and, at the end of it, I have a beanie, a sweater, a throw or a pair of socks. Plus it is my day job and any time I can move away from the computer and sit down with a piece of knitting and some fabulous yarn has been a good thing. I have caught up with my knitting buddies when I can, hastily scheduling…

For me, the last 18 months have not changed much. I have retired and have had more time to sew, but we built a house during Covid and we were renting during the build, so I had very little space to sew. Now the house is done I have a lot of time and luckily, I have quite a lot of fabric, so I don’t need to buy any. We live in country Victoria and have not had a single case within two hours from us. Our lockdowns have not been as bad for us because everything is more than 5kms away, so I suppose we have those sorts of exceptions.…

Blog: www.neverenoughhours.blogspot.com, Instagram: @katehendersonquilts MATERIALS • 38 squares, 10in of assorted print fabrics (blocks)• 1.4m (1 1/2yd) solid cream fabric (background)• 55cm ( 5/8yd) grey print fabric (binding)• 3.5m (3 3/4yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 172cm (68in) square• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat• Sewing machine with 1/4in and free-motion feet• General sewing supplies Finished quilt size: 152cm (60in) square Finished block size: 12in Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabric be 100% cotton, pre-washed (excluding the 10in squares) and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. Pre-cut squares are suitable for this project: Seam allowances of 1/4in are used throughout. Kate recommends pressing all the seams to one side unless otherwise stated. CUTTING 1 Trim 25 of the…

You designed A Letter to My Daughter prior to the outbreak of COVID, but in many ways the messages are relevant. In what way have your heartfelt messages changed to reflect the pandemic and the lockdowns? The pandemic has highlighted to me just how important social connection is to us all. We have a daughter who lives interstate, also my brother and many friends we’re missing dearly. I know most people would be in a similar situation. Until now, we’ve taken for granted the ability to jump on a flight to visit with loved ones, to enjoy travelling and to go where and when we like. Some of the sentiments in the A Letter to My Daughter quilt are relevant at this time, such as; Fill your Home with Love,…

LILY AND LENNY LOVEBIRDS SOFTIES By Melanie McNiece Pattern $9.95 These two sweet lovebird softies with appliqué hearts make a sweet and easy gift to make. LION SOFTIES By Kate Henderson Pattern $11.95 This super-cute lion softie is a perfect playmate for any child with a love of animals. BABY BEAR DOLL By Simone Gooding Pattern $14.95 A baby doll with a bear bonnet, bear toy and patchwork quilt makes a great gift for a child. TULLIVERS TRA VELS TURTLE SOFTIE By Jennifer Goldsmith Pattern $14.95 Made from felt, this travelling turtle comes with sweet accessories such as a backpack, map and even his lunch. BLUEBELL DOLL By Julianne Ehlert-Connor Pattern $11.95 Bluebell is a cute, chubby cloth doll dressed in a frilled skirt and underskirt, red bloomers and shoes…