Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2018 i Australian Homespun

THERE’ S LIFE IN THAT YET! Almie Louis is known as the ‘Grand Recycler’, and she has an eye for what can be salvaged and given a fresh start. She also has a knack for making her trash-to-treasures beautiful and unique. Take her framed wreath of fabric flowers, for example – beauty where there was once only rubbish. We applaud her for recognising the potential and then creating something lovely. And she estimates she has breathed new life into more than 1,000 has-beens. Want to see more? Go to her website at www.grandrecycler.comor Instagram @grand_recycler. Email Almie at almie@grandrecycler.com. MAN-SHED PINNY Probably best we don’t call it a pinny, in case it challenges the home handyman. But it shouldn’t, because it’s such a perfect combination of great design, practicality and…

Announcing the winner of Brother International’s 17th Annual Quilting Contest (Australia) Lisa Alexander’s bee-themed Nature’s Way has taken out top honours in the latest annual quilt competition from Brother International (Australian component). The competition is a creative initiative from Brother HQ in Japan for the Asia Pacific region and is organised each year to encourage eco awareness – a theme inspired by Brother Earth, which directs attention to sustainability. Lisa’s prize is a 16-night quilting cruise to Singapore with the wonderful Michelle Marvig at the helm (of the quilting classes, not the Ovation of the Seas ship!!!!). “The quilt depicts the queen bee watching over the busy worker bees pollinating flowers and working on the honeycomb,” explains Lisa. “It is made up of approximately 120 flower petals, 90 leaves and…

01 Penny Rose Fabrics ‘English Rose’ Main C6970-PINK, designed by Penny Rose Studio. Distributed by Millhouse Collections. 02 FreeSpirit ‘Autumn Grace’ Rose Paisley PWVM185. ROSEX, designed by Verna Mosquera. Distributed by XLN Fabrics. 03 Penny Rose Fabrics ‘English Rose’ Wreath C6973-PINK, designed by Penny Rose Studio. Distributed by Millhouse Collections. 04 Art Gallery Fabrics ‘Wild Bloom’ Corsage Charm Pink WBL-12034, designed by Bari J. Distributed by Craft Project – Charles Parsons. 05 Penny Rose Fabrics ‘English Rose’ Bunches C6971-BROWN, designed by Penny Rose Studio. Distributed by Millhouse Collections. 06 Northcott ‘Hopelessly Romantic’ 21811-21, designed by Deborah Edwards Northcott Studio. Distributed by Lloyd Curzon Textiles. 07 Moda Fabrics ‘First Romance’ 8400-11, designed by Kristyne Czepuryk. Distributed by PK Fabrics. 08 Penny Rose Fabrics ‘English Rose’ Bunches C6971-CREAM, designed by Penny Rose…

My earliest memories of craft in our house was Mum at the pottery wheel. She then moved onto weaving. I remember thinking they were big brown furry things but now I realise they were works of art! The ’80s were filled with Mum’s quilting and appliqué and finally her embroidery. We were surrounded! So how could we not do something creative??? 8-15 years old, I cross stitched – loved going to the embroidery shop with Mum and choosing my pattern and buying all of the supplies. At school, I remember being incredibly frustrated as I made a very crooked pair of shorts. The sewing machine was immediately put into the too-hard box. I also did a little Bargello embroidery and loved discovering new colour combinations along the way. I studied…

Where do you live and work? I live in one of the most beautiful valleys in the world ... in the mountaintops of Utah on the west side of Utah Lake, USA. The view is awe-inspiring. I enjoy every day I get to be here. I love the drive to and from home and the feeling of this area, but mostly the view. I live in a tiny little lake-house cottage filled with white painted bead board, light coloured furniture and pops of bright quilty goodness wherever you look. My workspace is currently downstairs, but because of the portability of my craft, I’m found most days sitting at the bench of my dining-room table with pins and thread strewn about on the tabletop, stitching the day away, glancing up every…

Where do you live and work? After arriving from Denmark and living in Perth, we made a sea change and now live in the south-west of Western Australia, in the Margaret River wine district, on a five-acre property. We recently finished building our new home, giving me the opportunity to hijack the building we lived in during the build for sewing classes. I do have a wonderful work space in our home, as well, making it possible to be creative at all hours of the day and night. What’s your family structure? I live with my husband, two dogs, four chickens and two Betta fish (each in their own aquarium, as they do not socialise). We have two sons; one lives nearby with his wife and our gorgeous six-month-old granddaughter,…

MATERIALS • Three calico squares about 18cm (7in) (embroidery background)• DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in White (Blanc), Light Pewter (169), Black (310), Tan (436), Light Beaver Grey (648), Very Light Terracotta (758), Ultra Very Dark Topaz (780), Very Light Apricot (967), Light Yellow Green (3348), Very Dark Sand (3772) and Light Mocha Beige (3864) – see Note• Size 7 embroidery needle• Three timber hoops 12cm (5in) diameter (framing)• One 15cm (6in) embroidery hoop (working) – see Note• Three squares, 15cm (6in) cream felt (back finishing)• Pencil• Lightbox (optional)• General sewing supplies Stitches used: Backstitch, long and short stitch, satin stitch, straight stitch Finished sizes: 12cm (5in) diameter; design areas 9.5 x 8cm (3 3/4 x 3 1/8in) approx. Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. The…

How did you feel when you first started sewing? My first experience of sewing was with my mum when I was little. She sewed a lot of things, and I wanted to give it a go, too. Even though the garment I made was completely imperfect, it felt very satisfying to create something by myself. I had much the same feeling when I made my first quilt. Has your response to your craft changed much since then? I probably love quilting more now than I did when I made my first one. I’ve learned some valuable lessons and quite a few hints and tips over the years, so these days, it’s still satisfying to finish a quilt but it’s also a lot less imperfect. What is it that keeps you…

MATERIALS • 32 squares, 4 1/2in in assorted print fabrics – see Note (diamonds)• 55cm ( 5/8yd) solid cream fabric – see Note (background)• 20cm ( 1/4yd) light blue floral print fabric (binding)• 90cm (1yd) backing fabric• Batting at least 80cm (32in) square• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat• Sewing machine with 1/4in and walking feet• General sewing supplies Finished size: 71cm (28in) square Note: Read the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed (except charm squares, if you’re using them) and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. Kristin used a charm pack of the ‘High Tea’ range from Lecien and a charm pack of Kona Snow for the background. Seams allowances of 1/4in are used throughout. PREPARATION…

Ashford Wheels & Looms Ph: 1800 653 397, website: www.ashford.co.nz. Asia Discovery Tours Ph: (02) 9267 7699, website: asiadiscoverytours.com.au. Bernina Australia Ph: 1800 237 646, website: www.bernina.com.au. Brother Australia Ph: 1300 880 297, website: www.brother.com.au. Care2Create Ph: 0412 534 379, website: www.care2create.com. Carol’s of Midland Ph: (08) 9250 2722, website: www.carolsofmidland.com.au. Ceebee Quilts Ph: 0429 727 636, email: ceebeequilts@outlook.com. Chez’s Crafty Affair Ph: (08) 9093 2305, email chezscraftyaffair@yahoo.com.au. Constantine Quilts Ph: (08) 8825 6214, website: www.constantinequilts.com. Craft Alive Ph: (03) 9682 5133, website: www.craftalive.com.au. Craft Collections Ph: 0419 616 714, website: www.craftcollections.com.au. Craft Events Ph: (02) 9452 7575, website: craftevents.com.au. Dragonfly Fabrics Ph: (08) 8948 0691, website: www.dragonfabric.com.au. Echidna Sewing Products Ph: (07) 3390 3600, website: www.echidnaclub.com.au. Fabric Patch Ph: (07) 5442 4613, website: www.fabricpatch.com.au. Fabric Pixie Ph: 0415 826 994, website:…

NSW – Sydney February 17 Sydney UsefulBox Sewing Lessons & Events’ Frocktails; Sydney CBD. Gather together over a cocktail with other sewists to meet new friends and talk sewing. Wear a ‘me made’ and join in for an evening full of sewing, prizes and fun. Open 7pm. More information (and to book in): Visit www.usefulbox.com.au, email usefulboxblog@gmail.com and follow on Instagram @usefulbox. March 8-11 Rosehill Rosehill Stitches & Craft show; Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, James Ruse Dr. The show has an amazing range of crafts and exhibits to see. The show returns in a lighter and brighter building at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse with inspiring stands, classes, demonstrations, guest artists and displays. You will find all you need for your next project. Open 10am-4pm. Buy tickets at the door or online. More…

NATALIE BIRD THE BIRDHOUSE Website: www.thebirdhouse.com.auEmail: thebirdhouse@bigpond.com IN RETROSPECT … “I’ve kept the very first fabric doll I ever made, to look at every now and then and remind myself how far I’ve come. It is absolutely horrid! And I thought it was fabulous at the time.” THANKS TO THE INDUSTRY “I have met some of my best friends from a shared passion for patchwork. Designing and working in this industry has allowed me to be at home while my girls grew up, to travel all over the world, teaching, and to be creative every day. I am very grateful for this.” “When I found patchwork, I found my place in the world.” MY STYLE IS: “Homely – a bit folksy. A lot of my designs feature heartfelt sayings, cute…

TIME TO MEET OUR GIFTED BOM STITCHER SISTERS RACHEL & SARAH ROXBURGH The Roxburgh sisters are the creative dynamos behind the wonderful Roxy Creations brand, and they are two of Homespun magazine’s favourite designers – wildly creative and impeccable craftswomen. Despite the fact that Rachel lives in Italy and Sarah in Australia, Homespun has brought them together for our fabulous 2018 Block of the Month project because of their rare skills and unmatched reputations. Their work is distinctive and eclectic, covering any number of different design commissions, with styles ranging from bright and whimsical through to vintage romantic, all of which is evident in this Block of the Month. By way of introduction, we thought we’d bring you this visual scrapbook of their past Homespun projects to give you the…

I think I’ve always enjoyed doing something creative. My favourite subjects at school from a very young age were art and sport. Rachel and I were surrounded by creative people from both sides of our family. On Mum’s side, our grandfather was an amazing painter; our grandmother could knit and sew; and our mother did pottery, weaving and quilting when we were young. On Dad’s side, our aunty is unbelievably creative – she can do anything and has been such a source of inspiration. I have very early memories of a cupboard where my grandmother had her creative supplies. I loved going in there to find fabric, wool, threads and my favourite – her button tin. It was like a candy store of goodies. The first thing that I remember…

MATERIALS • 2.7m (3yd) white low-volume print fabric (background) – see Note• 22 strips, 2 x 21in in assorted bright prints (chameleon)• 30cm ( 3/8yd) each of three assorted lime green print fabrics (leaves)• Three assorted fat quarters of lemon green print fabrics (leaves)• Fat eighth of forest green print fabric (leaves)• Two fat eighths of olive green print fabrics (leaves)• Fat quarter of blue-green print fabric (leaves)• Three fat quarters of assorted green print fabrics (leaves)• 50cm ( 1/2yd) each of two bright green print fabrics (leaves)• Long strips of at least three green solid fabrics (leaf stems)• 50cm ( 5/8yd) black and white stripe print fabric (binding)• 2.7m (3yd) backing fabric• Batting at least 173 x 135cm (68 x 53in) plus a rectangle, 50 x 60cm (20 x…

How long have you been embroidering? For around eight years now, but I started embroidery ‘properly’ around two years ago. Previously, I made mixed-media painted pieces that I stitched into. Do you like to work in a wide variety of styles and designs? I quite like to stick to certain formats, usually working in hoops between 3in and 6in, but I’m planning to branch out a bit and experiment with some larger pieces and pieces in oval hoops and I’m also thinking of framing some for an upcoming exhibition. I tend to work with one style, ‘drawing’ with thread then filling in areas with small stitches, but I quite often like to create more densely filled in pieces, too, like these cat faces. Are animals a favourite subject of yours?…

TRAVELLERS' CHECKS  … as in cross- stitched personalised luggage tags. You can buy the kit (real leather tag; two colour threads wound onto little aeroplane cards; and a needle) from Maid in China, maidinchinadesign.com/product/maidinchinadesign.com/product/stitch-luggage-tagstitch-luggage-tag. The soft leather tag is perforated so you can cross stitch your own initials – and you can pop your business card or contact information inside. Then there’s a similar-principle passport wallet, where you stitch where you’ve been on a world map. Love it and leave with it!…

Where do you live and work? I live in Southern California. My sewing space is our formal dining room. I sew on the dining-room table and I need to clear off my sewing machine and cutting mat three or four times a year, when we eat in that room. I’ve slowly taken over more and more space there, adding a couple of bookshelves to hold my fabric and thread and starting a mini quilt gallery on the wall. It’s far from an ideal space, but it has good lighting, and I’m grateful for a space where I can leave my projects out and just sit down and sew when I have a few minutes. What’s your family structure? I’m married, with three children, ages 19, 18, 15 (though the oldest…

It all comes down to beauty in the beasts with Ann Wood’s wondrous creatures. Her perfectly formed mosquitoes ominously arch their bodies on long fragile legs, probosces aimed, ready for piercing. But those same menacing insects are dressed in genteel lace and fine, fine prints. What? Sewer rats stop for a casual chat, their odiousness forgotten in the amiability of their stance and a sartorial style set by lace kerchiefs at their necks. Massed creepy-crawly spiders escaping from a jar – normally the stuff of nightmares – are redeemed courtesy of couture outfitting. As for Ann’s raven – he may be dark and brooding but he looks as if he’s getting on in years, with slightly frayed fabric around his once-lethal beak. And his sharply watchful eyes carry a tired…

MATERIALS • 46cm (18in) square of solid cream fabric (cushion front)• 46cm (18in) square of calico (lining of cushion front)• Fat eighth brown spot print fabric (booth seat (#4) and wide border)• Fat sixteenth black and brown swirl print fabric (tablecloth (#32) and narrow border)• 30cm (12in) square of dark brown tone-on-tone print fabric (floor (#1) and lettering)• 30cm (12in) square of medium brown tone-on-tone print fabric (appliqué background)• 5 x 30cm (2 x 12in) brown stripe print fabric (booth baseboard embellishment (#3)• 8 x 30cm (3 x 12in) very dark brown tone-on-tone print fabric (booth baseboard #2)• 30cm (12in) square of coffee bean print fabric (appliqué border)• 30cm ( 3/8yd) coffee cup print fabric (pillow back and appliqué cups)• 20cm ( 1/4yd) red plaid print fabric (edge piping and…

FRANCES LEATE How did you feel when you first started sewing? Of necessity, I was a sewer for most of my adult life (mainly fashion and home furnishing items) before I discovered patchwork and quilting and I can truly say that was when I first started to really enjoy sewing on a machine. This discovery happened about 22 years ago and quickly turned into an enduring passion. Has your response to your craft changed much since then? I’ve continued to discover and learn new skills, such as appliqué and embroidery by hand, and now often use these techniques with my quiltmaking. I really enjoy mixing hand and machine stitching, and often in the same project. As I have less pressure to meet deadlines now, I’m finding I’m doing a lot…

MATERIALS • 40cm ( 1/2yd) pink and orange print fabric (pocket, fabric basket, thread catcher and lower pincushion)• 40cm ( 1/2yd) in total of one or two coordinating solid fabrics – see Note (pocket lining, fabric basket lining, thread catcher lining, upper pincushion)• 30cm (12in) square of cotton batting• 30 x 40cm (12 x 16in) lightweight woven fusible interfacing• 30cm (12in) square of heavyweight woven fusible interfacing• 30cm (12in) square of fusible web• 50cm ( 1/2yd) of 12mm (1/2in) dressmaker’s boning (thread catcher)• 13cm (5in) of 22mm ( 7/8in) wide hook and loop tape such as Velcro• Decorative shank button (pincushion)• 20mm ( 3/4in) self-cover button (thread catcher)• 10 x 20cm (4 x 8in) ceramic tile (pocket weight)• Fibre fill• Perlé 5 or 8 cotton• Fabric marking pen• Paper for…

Where do you live and work? I live in beautiful sunny Queensland, north of Brisbane. Not too far from the coast, so I can enjoy all my favourite things by the sea. My sewing space is always neat, BEFORE cyclone Mandy starts a new project! I can’t wait until the day I have my own studio. What’s your family structure? I’m extremely close to my family. I have something in common with each of them and I love going back home to visit them all. I especially enjoy Dad’s good cooking. I grew up in a small coastal town near Bundaberg, where I met my childhood sweetheart. Nick is extremely supportive of me and is always willing to help me. Oh, the things I have had him doing over the…

MATERIALS • 13 fat quarters of assorted print fabrics• 2.5m (2 3/4yd) solid white fabric (background)• 50cm ( 5/8yd) green print fabric (binding)• 3.75m (4 1/8yd) backing fabric• Batting at least 190cm (74in) square• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat• Sewing machine with 1/4in and free-motion feet• General sewing supplies Finished size: 167cm (66in) square Finished block size: 51/2in square Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. A seam allowance of 1/4in is used throughout. PREPARATION AND CUTTING 1 From each of the fat quarters of assorted print fabrics, cut: • Four strips, 3 1/4in across the 21in width of the fabric. Crosscut them to yield 28…

MATERIALS • Fat eighth of calico or cream linen – Tania used an old heavy cotton bed sheet (head and arms)• Fat eighth of multicoloured floral print fabric – Tania used a vintage fabric from an op shop (dress)• 15cm (6in) square of black and white knit fabric – Tania used an old T-shirt (legs)• 20 x 30cm (8 x 12in) black felt (hair)• Scrap of pink felt (cheeks)• 55cm ( 5/8yd) of 6mm ( 1/4in) wide burgundy ribbon• 15cm (6in) square of lightweight fusible interfacing• DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in Very Light Dusty Rose (151), Black (310) and Red (321)• Fibre fill• Turning tool or chopstick• Cardboard, paper, glue and HB pencil (patterns)• White tailor’s chalk and water-erasable fabric-marking pen• Sewing machine with 1/4in foot• General sewing supplies Stitches…

MATERIALS • 20cm ( 1/4yd) each of nine solid fabrics in assorted colours (blocks and cornerstones)• 80cm ( 7/8yd) solid green fabric (blocks, cornerstones and binding)• 3.7m (4 1/8yd) solid white fabric (background, sashings and border)• 4.6m (5yd) backing fabric• Batting at least 230 x 190cm (91 x 77in)• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat• Sewing machine with 1/4in and free-motion feet• General sewing supplies Finished size: 210 x 175cm (82 1/2 x 69in) Finished block size: 12in square Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. A seam allowance of 1 /4in is used throughout. PREPARATION AND CUTTING 1 From each of the nine solid…

ECHIDNA SEWING TNC NEEDLES – TRY YOUR FREE PACK We’ve been searching for years and, at last, the perfect needle is here! Hard-chrome plated with a reinforced blade, TNC needles will stitch through any difficult project with ultra-precision and ease. With less flex and breakage than other needles on the market, they’ll sew the perfect stitch every time. Try a free pack today – get in touch via our contacts below. Phone: 1800 000 360 Email: sales@echidnasewing.com.au Website: www.echidnasewing.com.au WACKY JACKY’S BEAUTIFUL BATIKS CLUB 2018 Wacky Jacky’s is about to release its new 2018 Beautiful Batiks Club. Amazing Colour, amazing quality – you won’t get better batik anywhere. Check out the website. Phone: 0408 995 440 Email: jacky@wackyjackys.com.au Website: www.wackyjackys.com.au 2 GREEN ZEBRAS TILDA ‘LEMONTREE’ PATCH CAT KIT…