Innholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2025 i Australian Homespun

Welcome to a very special issue of Homespun, which I hope you will enjoy reading as much as we have enjoyed creating. This issue was planned in the shadow of our 25th Anniversary Edition, which celebrated our birthday and presented our Better Together charity quilt supporting Beyond Blue. On page 34 you’ll find a feature covering the results of our raffle, which raised more than $4,500 for Beyond Blue as well as awareness within our community of the importance of slowing down and cultivating a mindful practice. When reflecting on reaching 25 years in the market, we considered how Homespun has always been so much more than just a local craft magazine. It has presented world-class Australian and international designers and their projects to our readers and we have unearthed…

Artist Moy Mackay is a master of swirling, twisting, fanning and layering fairy-floss like merino fibres into glorious works of art. Her vibrant felted paintings depict buzzing garden scenes and story-book charming cottages, inspired by the lush landscapes of the Scottish Borders, where she lives. When she’s not elbow-deep in fibre, she’s running her art gallery, writing books and organising workshops and retreats – to share her love and skills for this magical artform. Even from a very early age Moy was drawing, painting and making. “My mother was, and still is, someone who was always hooked on the latest crafting trend. Her brother was a painter and it was he who taught me to paint. I spent hours just watching him paint, often by a lochside in the Highlands…

First published in 2016 MATERIALS ○ 31 x 36cm (12 x 14in) cream fabric (background) ○ DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in Very Dark Shell Pink (221), Light Shell Pink (223), Very Light Shell Pink (224), Medium Antique Violet (3041), Light Antique Violet (3042), Dark Hunter Green (3345), Medium Yellow Green (3347) and Light Yellow Green (3348) ○ No 7 embroidery needle ○ Water-erasable fabric-marking pen or 3B pencil ○ Wooden frame with 19.5 x 24.5cm (75/8 x 95/8in) opening ○ 20cm (8in) embroidery hoop (optional) Stitches used: Backstitch, detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, French knot, satin stitch, straight stitch Finished size: 15.5 x 20cm (6 x 8in) (design area); 28 x 33cm (12 x 13in) (framed) Note: Read all instructions before starting the project. All embroidery is worked with three strands…

First published in 2016 MATERIALS ○ 45cm (17in) square of mint green wool felt -see Simone’s Fabric Tip (elephant) ○ 10 × 15cm (4 × 6in) rectangle of light grey wool felt (back of ears) ○ Fat quarter light grey linen (dungarees) ○ 15 × 25cm (6 × 9in) rectangle of novelty print fabric (pockets and hatband) ○ 9 × 12cm (3½ × 4½in) rectangle of yellow stripe print fabric (hat) ○ 9 × 12cm (3½ × 4½in) rectangle of lightweight fusible batting (hat) ○ One 20mm (¾in) turquoise felt ball (hat) ○ Two 6mm (¼in) English glass doll’s eyes ○ Upholstery thread (eg Gütermann) for attaching the eyes ○ Fibre fill ○ Freezer paper for patterns ○ Turning and stuffing tools ○ Long doll-making needle ○ Sewing machine ○ General…

First published in 2009 MATERIALS ○ 30cm (113/8yd) natural-coloured handkerchief linen (body) ○ Fat quarter pink spot print linen (pantalets and bib) ○ Fat quarter pink stripe print linen (pantalets and bib lining) ○ 7.5 x 10cm (3 x 4in) pink cross-hatched linen (inner ear) ○ 7.5cm (3in) square of brown linen (nose) ○ DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton: Medium Light Shell Pink (152) and Very Dark Beaver Grey (645) ○ Embroidery needle ○ Three 14mm (5/8in) cream buttons (pantalets). See note ○ Polyester fibre fill ○ Thin cardboard and HB pencil ○ Water-erasable fabric marking pen ○ Wooden skewer or chopstick ○ Sewing machine with 1/4in foot ○ General sewing supplies Finished size: 35.5cm (14in) Stitches used: Ladder stitch, satin stitch Note: Read all instructions before commencing the project. Careful and…

First published in 2003 MATERIALS ○ 1.3m (11/2yd) plain indigo cotton fabric (sashiko patches and lining) ○ 15cm (1/4yd) each of three or four different Asian-inspired print fabrics ○ 25 x 50cm (10 x 20in) fabric stabiliser or interfacing ○ 60 x 90cm (24 x 36in) quilter’s fleece ○ Pencil and ruler ○ Indigo sewing thread ○ White dressmaker’s carbon ○ Paper (patterns) ○ Sashiko quilting thread or white pearl cotton and a sharp embroidery needle ○ Sewing machine and general sewing supplies Finished size: 30cm (12in) deep by 40cm (16in) wide. Including the handle, the bag is 76cm (30in) tall. Note: Please read all instructions carefully before commencing the project. All cutting instructions and pattern pieces include 1/4in seam allowances. PREPARATION AND CUTTING 1 Trace pattern pieces A, B, and…

MINDFUL MACRAMÉ: Create, journal and unwind through meditative knotting Isabella Strambio Combine the art of macramé with the practice of mindfulness in this stunning book. Each of the 17 projects contains breathing exercises, questions to reflect on and guided journal prompts so that you can centre yourself while crafting something beautiful. This book offers a unique combination of practical and personal, inviting you to embrace a mindful and meditative experience through knotting. Choose from quick 30-minute creations (jewellery, belts, keyrings), those that take less than an hour (coasters, placemats, plant hangers) to more intricate designs that invite a few hours of you-time (wall hangings, baskets). Each one is customisable in colour and size, offering opportunities to decorate your home with meaningful pieces or make thoughtful gifts. Included within are easy-to-follow…

ONLINE Molly Bear Designs Ph: 0488 136 961 mollybeardesigns@hotmail.com mollybeardesigns.etsy.com Open: 24/7 Online The Maker’s Stash Ph: 0414 543 858 www.themakersstash.com Open: 24/7 Online ACT Crafty Frog Shop 4, 107 Marconi Crescent, Kambah 2902 Ph: (02) 6296 6240 shop.crafty.frog@gmail.com www.craftyfrog.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–3.30pm 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 Bumble Bee Designs Ph: 0414 264 953 bumblebeedesignsboutique@gmail.com www.bumblebeedesignsboutique.com Open: Online 24/7 Lyn’s Fine Needlework 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 BLUE MTNS & BEYOND Hobbysew Orange 221 Peisley Street, Orange 2800 Ph: (02) 6361 7420 patriciajcole@gmail.com FB: Hobbysew Orange Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm Post Office Patchwork 33 Ross Street, Glenbrook…

Please notify us at least four months before the event. New South Wales May 24–25 Leeton Leeton Pieces n Patches Uniting Church Hall, 42 Church Street, Leeton More information: Naomi naomi.mcdougal1@outlook.com May 29–31 Hawkesbury CraftAlive Hawkesbury Hawkesbury Showground, 40 Racecourse Road, Clarendon More information: www.craftalive.com.au ACT June 19–22 Mitchell Canberra Quilters’ Annual Exhibition CraftAlive Canberra EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell More information: www.canberraquilters.org.au Victoria June 12–14 North Bendigo CraftAlive Bendigo Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road, North Bendigo More information: www.craftalive.com.au Queensland August 7–9 Bundaberg Bundaberg Quilters A Wonderland of Quilts Multiplex Building Civic Avenue, Bundaberg More information: bingeracottage@outlook.com South Australia July 11–13 Adelaide South Australian Quilters’ Festival of Quilts CraftAlive Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Road, Wayville More information: www.saquilters.org.au…

First published in 2014 MATERIALS ○ 1.9m (2⅛yd) dark cream textured fabric (quilt and cushion background). ○ Tone-on-tone print scraps in a variety of colours ○ Fibre fill (cushion stuffing) ○ 1.25m (1⅜yd) fabric (quilt backing) ○ 1m (1⅛yd) compressed wool or wool-blend batting ○ No 10 appliqué needles ○ Embroidery needles ○ Threadworx overdyed Pearl No 5 in Fantasy Island (51043) ○ Embroidery threads in a variety of colours to match and complement the appliqué fabrics. As a guide, Tita used Finca Presencia Cotton Perle No 16 in Lemon (1220) and Mid Olive Green (4812) and Gütermann Top Stitch thread in Goldenrod (106), Chocolate (230), Moss Green (283), Spring Wine (368) and Ivory (414) ○ Hand-quilting threads to match the fabrics used for the Suffolk puffs ○ Five A4…

First published in 2013 MATERIALS Note: The range of Panda Magnum colours has changed a little since this project was first published. Where the original colour is no longer available, close substitutes have been listed here. ○ One 100g (4oz) ball each of Panda Magnum 8ply: White (colour 301), Pink (colour 305), Antique Rose (colour 1049), Splice (colour 2314), Lemon (colour 1003), Inca Gold (colour 336), Coral Haze (colour 2367) and Orange (colour 378) ○ One 50g (2oz) ball of Cleckheaton Country 8ply: Pink (colour 2267) ○ Two 50g (2oz) balls of Cleckheaton Country 8ply: Orange Peel (colour 2396)  ○ One 5.00mm (H-8 USA; No 6 UK) crochet hook ○ Wool needle ○ General sewing supplies Finished size: 85 × 100cm (33½ × 39½in) Notes: Use only the yarns specified for…

First published in 2008 MATERIALS ○ 2.4m (2⅝yd) muted gold print fabric (background) ○ Fat quarter cranberry print fabric (Churn Dash centre block and berry appliqué) ○ 1m (1⅛yd) olive green print fabric (vine and leaf appliqué, and binding) ○ 50cm (½yd) light green print fabric (leaf and flower appliqué) ○ Fat eighth black print fabric (flower appliqué) ○ Fat quarter medium green print fabric (oak leaf appliqué) ○ 16 fat quarters of assorted print fabrics, including some red fabric (middle border Churn Dash blocks and flower and berry appliqué) ○ 3.6m (4yd) backing fabric ○ Batting at least 190cm (72in) square ○ Freezer paper and watererasable fabric marking pen ○ ⅜in bias bar ○ Fabric glue (water-soluble and acid-free) in liquid and stick form ○ 004 monofilament thread ○ Rotary…

First published in 2017 MATERIALS ○ Scraps of a wide assortment of medium-dark print fabrics to total about 6m (61/2yd) ○ Scraps of a wide assortment of light print fabrics to total about 6m (61/2yd) ○ 70cm (3/4yd) blue spot print fabric (binding) ○ 2.5m (23/4yd) extra-wide (275cm/108in-wide) backing fabric ○ Batting at least 230cm (92in) square ○ Rotary cutter, ruler and mat ○ Sewing machine with ¼in foot and walking foot (optional) ○ General sewing supplies Finished size: 220 x 216cm (861/2 x 85in) Note: Read all the instructions before starting this project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide except for the backing fabric, which is 275cm (108in) wide. CUT THE FABRIC 1 From the assortment of…

Over the years, Homespun readers have generously shared their experiences, sending in photographs of the projects they made from our magazine and, these days, sharing via social media posts. In Homespun’s Facebook BOM groups, our readers shared their stories along with images of their version of our BOM quilts, often made for loved ones from treasured fabrics collected over years, which themselves held memories. Through the sharing of their crafting experiences, complete strangers have become a supportive community. It was reading these stories that touched us — and led to an idea that reached out to the heart of the crafting community and raised vital funds for the important work of mental health organisation Beyond Blue. In celebration of our 25th anniversary, we had the special honour of managing the…

First published in 2009 MATERIALS ○ 1.7m (1⅞yd) of 150cm (60in) wide natural linen (background) ○ 2m (2¼yd) in total of assorted fabrics in pink, green, yellow and blue (appliqué) ○ Fat quarter brown fabric (trunk) ○ 10cm (⅛yd) pink-red print fabric (ladybug wings) ○ 40cm (½yd) multicolour stripe print fabric (binding) ○ 2.7m (3yd) backing fabric ○ Batting at least 150 × 170cm (59 × 67in). See note ○ Fusible web. See note ○ Lightweight interfacing ○ Water-soluble tearaway stabiliser. Kellie used Floriani Stitch N Wash (trunk appliqué) ○ Template plastic, permanent marker, water-erasable pen and UHU glue stick ○ Quilting gloves. See note ○ Rotary cutter, ruler and mat ○ Sewing machine with darning or free-motion foot (must be able to lower the feed dogs) ○ General sewing…

First published in 2005 MATERIALS Note: When this project was first published, Debbie Bliss Merino Aran wool was listed. As that yarn is no longer available, we have substituted a close match: Heirloom Merino Magic 10-ply, available from The Australian Yarn Company. We believe that the gauge of Heirloom will match the Debbie Bliss and the fibre content is exactly the same. However, Heirloom yarn is less dense than Debbie Bliss, so the sweater will be a little lighter than originally envisaged. ○ Heirloom Merino Magic 10-ply 50g wool • Main Colour (MC) — shade 6237 (Cognac): 4 (5, 5) • Contrast One (C1) — shade 6234 (Celery): 1 (2, 2) • Contrast Two (C2) — shade 6219 (Moss Green): 1 (2, 2) • Contrast Three (C3) — shade 6246 (Pastel…

First published in 2018 MATERIALS ○ An assortment of print fabrics in light, medium and dark values (blocks). You will need pieces at least 10in square for the A and C shapes and fat eighths for the B shapes ○ 1.3m (1½yd) cream tone-on-tone print fabric (block backgrounds) ○ 70cm (3/4yd) cream shirting print fabric (sashings and Nine-patch blocks) ○ 1.5m (1⅝yd) red print fabric (sashings and binding) ○ 30cm (⅜yd) blue print fabric (Nine-patch blocks) ○ 80cm (⅞yd) cream floral print fabric (setting triangles and corners) ○ 3.6m (4yd) backing fabric ○ Batting at least 180cm (70in) square ○ Size 10 or 11 milliner’s/straw needles (hand piecing) ○ Template plastic and permanent-marking pen ○ Mylar (no melt) plastic ○ Sandpaper board (optional) ○ Spray starch ○ 2B pencil ○ Rotary cutter,…