Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i Australian Homespun

Slip one, knit one, hang one There’s nothing new about covered coathangers, we know, but this is a simple and visually very effective yarn-stash buster – and it’s also making a designer statement out of all those surplus hangers breeding at the back of the wardrobe. Experienced knitters will know how to perfectly tailor these knits to fit the hanger, but this is also achievable for less-confident novices, if they replace expertise with a little ingenuity. First of all, drag out all those scrap lengths of yarn you’ve been wondering how to use. Cast on 10 or 12 stitches (this will vary according to your yarn, so do a trial run to test your tension before starting). Then stocking stitch five or six rows in one colour before starting on…

Fashionistas will tell you that women are obsessed with shoes. But a quick survey of the Homespun girls revealed that stilettos can spell expense and blisters – and everyone vowed undying affection for this fabulously stitched alternative. We didn’t go so far as to shout out “Thanks, Liz Payne” to the creator of these sneakers, but we came pretty close! You can buy a pair from www.etsy.com/au/shop/flirtingwithyellow. And while you’re at it, take the time to check out Liz’s other ideas on @lizlpayne (Instagram and Twitter) and www.facebook.com/flirtingwithyellow (Facebook).…

PILLOWCASE DRESS by Darla Quail, Little Quail Cr eations Simple patchwork sundress with elastic neckline and bias-tape shoulder straps. Contact: littlequailcreated.blogspot.com.au  /2013/07/kcwc-day-1-pillowcase-dress.html BUNNY HOP DRESS by Ruby Jean’s Closet Sleeveless design featuring bunny appliqué, with knotted three-dimensional ears and floppy paws that hang over the bodice seam. Contact: www.rubyjeanscloset.com SUNNY FLOWER PILLOWCASE DRESS by Ruby Jean’s Closet Variation of the classic pillowcase dress; this one has a cut flower appliqué and pet al collar. Contact: www.rubyjeanscloset. com LADYBUG DRESS by Sweet Jane Studio Made from black linen and Japanese ladybug fabric, with a vintage-inspired Peter Pan collar in cream linen and red piping accent. Fully lined and closes with an invisible zipper in the back . Contact: www.sweetjanestudio .com FORGET-ME-KNOT DRESS by…

What does summer mean to you? Nicole (pictured right) – Days at the beach with our three dogs and salted caramel ice cream in a waffle cone. Sharon – Sun, fun, longer evenings, time to sew. Sewing like crazy for Christmas. Do you go all out at Christmas and then fall over the finishing line to a January holiday? Nicole – Sharon is definitely a Christmas Queen, that is a title she has earned. Hobbysew closes for a small period over Christmas, so we all get a bit of a break to refresh and start the New Year. Sharon – I completely deck the house out for Christmas – decorations all around the house, table runners, the lot. Last year I even made some little stockings to hold…

What’s your favourite element of this project? I just love the calmness of the blues and how the low volume fabric complements them while still creating interest within the quilt itself. How did you start your sewing career? I started sewing at school – just small items through a textiles and design class. But my real passion for sewing started when I made a quilt for my son to celebrate his move into his ‘big boy’ bed. It was a simple Irish Chain quilt bought as a kit from my local sewing centre. My passion for quilting grew from then, and now I have the great privilege of working with some amazing fabric designers, creating and sewing quilts that I get to share with the world. What would you do…

Here’s just a taste of what we’ve got in store for you: PRETTY PASTELS • Butterfly and flowers cot quilt and cushion set • The sweetest elephant softie ever BRIGHTLY BEAUTIFUL • A quilt with hot, hot, hot kaleidoscope colours • Mega-mixed shades for a crocheted bag FEBRUARY HOMESPUN – ON SALE FEBRUARY 4 PLUS the launch of our fabulous new BOM – see details on page 32…

IS IT SAFE TO GO BACK IN THE WATER? They don’t come any cuter than this – every time we looked at this photo, the entire staff at Homespun went “Aww!”. This weeny kid’s shark hoodie is the work of clever Michelle Stabile, and you can view and buy more of her charmers at Busy Belle Handmade, www.etsy.com/shop/busybellehandmade. WE FELT LIKE ICE CREAM Even if you don’t venture out of your craft studio this January, you can get that special summer feeling with felt and pompom cones, courtesy of Laura Murray, from Paper & Pin. Laura shares her step-by-steps at www.paperandpin.com/kids-crafteasy-peasy-felt-ice-cream-cones. Or check her Instagram: @paperandpin and Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/paperandpin. MAKING A SPLASH As part of our summer celebration, we decided we’d visit an idyllic beach house to photograph our January…

Materials • 2.5m (2 7/8yd) white tone-on-tone print fabric (appliqué background, and Borders 2 and 4) • 80cm (1yd) dark blue fabric (appliqué, block frames, sashings and binding) • Fat quarter of white tone-on-tone print fabric (background of beach hut blocks) • 25cm ( 1/4yd) dark red tone-on-tone print fabric (Border 1) – see Note • Three fat quarters of cream tone-on-tone print fabrics • Four fat quarters of red tone-on-tone print fabrics • Five fat quarters of medium and light blue tone-on-tone print fabrics • Four fat quarters of red-on-white print fabrics • Fat eighth of dark blue tone-on-tone print fabric (boat hull and dolphins) • Scraps of dark brown fabric (boat masts) • 4m (4 3/8yd) backing fabric (quilt and cushions) • Batting at least 205 x 160cm…

If you weren’t doing this, what would occupy your time? Well, I’m actually doing a lot of different things at the moment. I never seem to have just one thing going on. I’m currently training to be a secondary-school teacher, making my crafts and giving workshops to help promote ‘Stitch it Simple’. Who taught you your crafting skills? My mum taught me to sew, and I have distinct memories of making clothes together when I was at high school. They were always in bright, crazy fabrics, and I remember all my friends at school thinking I was a bit weird. But I remember loving them. My gran was also a sewer, and we used to make little outfits for teddies. After taking an A-Level in art, I chose to do…

Materials • 36 chubby sixteenths (25 x 28cm/9 x 11in) assorted print fabrics (block backgrounds and bottom row) • Large variety of scraps to total about 2.5m (2 3/4yd). Each scrap needs to be at least 6 1/2 x 3in (ice-cream arcs) • 80cm (1yd) each of cream and black tone-on-tone print fabrics (ice-cream spikes) • 30cm ( 3/8yd) navy tone-on-tone print fabric (ice-cream cones) • 1.8m (2yd) black print fabric (border) • 55cm ( 5/8yd) brown print fabric (binding) • 3m (3 3/8yd) backing fabric • 25 lengths of ricrac in assorted colours and widths; each length must be at least 60cm (24in) long and at least 12mm ( 1/2in) wide (block embellishment) • Batting at least 180 x 145cm (70 x 56in) • Thin paper (foundations) • Cardboard…

Materials • 1.85m (2yd) mid-yellow tone-on-tone fabric (centre background) • 1.65m (1 3/4yd) white with grey dot print fabric (Border 2 background) • 1.3m (1 1/2yd) white homespun (umbrellas and beachballs) • 25cm ( 3/8yd) bright yellow and white spot print fabric (Border 2 piecing) • 25cm ( 3/8yd) bright yellow gingham fabric (Border 2 piecing) • 35cm ( 3/8yd) multicoloured print fabric (Border 1) • 50 squares, 10in of print fabric. Claire used six light pink, four mid pink, four red, four orange, two red-orange, four light green, four mid green, two dark green, two yellow-gold, four light blue, four mid blue, two teal, two dark blue, two mid purple, two dark purple and two white/multicolour – see Note and Claire’s Fabric Tip (appliqué and foundation-pieced colourwash umbrellas) •…

Materials • Fat quarter of pale green tone-on-tone fabric (cushion front background) • Fat quarter of red print fabric (cushion back) • 25cm ( 1/4yd) orange print fabric (cushion gusset) • Fat quarter of dark blue print fabric (bud calyxes and binding) • Fat quarter of teal print fabric (bud calyxes and binding) • Assorted red, orange and pink print fabric pieces (flower buds and yoyos) • Scrap of blue print fabric (bud calyxes) • 1m (1 1/8yd) calico (cushion front and gusset lining and cushion insert) • 55cm ( 5/8yd) lightweight double-sided fusible batting such as Pellon • DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in Red (321) • 40cm (16in) zipper • Fibre fill or feathers – see Note (cushion filling) • Freezer paper • Lightweight cardboard • 5mm ( 1/4in)…

01 For tasty gift wrapping, Love Mae has designed this ice-cream paper in delicious soft pastel colours. 02 Sweets for the sweetest young things. This cute little onesie features a brightly beautiful motif and feminine lace sleeves. Contact Alex & Ant. 03 my2socks offers yummy designs that keep your look cool and feet warm. 04 Pretty and practical – a Davis and Waddell ice-cream-cone jar to stock all your favourite summer treats. 05 “Time for something sweet … to eat,” as Winnie the Pooh would say. Nest Accessories can help out with this clock, available in four ‘flavours’. 06 Jump and scream for ice cream! Contact Seedling for this skipping rope with strawberry swirled handles. 07 Creative Tops’ ‘Retro Treats’ range of tableware and accessories would not look out of…

Was this design of yours inspired by happy seaside holidays with your family? We live in a seaside suburb, and that has been my inspiration for this design. I’ve always wanted to make a seaside-themed quilt, but, as usual, never got around to making one. My son moved out of home, and I decided to redecorate his room with a seaside theme – hence this quilt and cushions. I’m also in the process of completing a seaside embroidered wallhanging in the same theme. Do you take your stitching with you on your holidays? Yes, I certainly do. I can’t just sit and chat or watch TV with idle fingers. I usually trace some embroidery pieces and prepare some English paper piecing prior to a trip. Occasionally, I may start a…

What does summer mean to you? Hopefully, lazing by the beach, readings LOTS of books. It’s my down time from a busy year. Do you go all out at Christmas and then fall over the finishing line to a January holiday? Not really that big at Xmas, though now I have two grandchildren, that might change! What’s your idea of the perfect summer holiday? By the water, doing nothing much. Eating, reading, relaxing. And, of course, catching up with the family. Do you take the opportunity to do more or less stitching over the holiday period? No stitching if we go away, but when I’m back home, all available time is sewing. I don’t get a lot of sewing time during the year, so I make the most of it…

What does summer mean to you? Definitely going to the beach. We live close to the beach, so Sunday mornings are always spent at the down there under my big brolly with a picnic breakfast, a coffee, watching my girls spend hours jumping the waves ... that’s what I always look forward to when I get the very first hint of summer holidays. Do you go all out at Christmas and then fall over the finishing line to a January holiday? Our Christmases are always quite low key, but as my husband always has two weeks off at this time of the year, we usually make a trip to Busselton to catch up with friends, laze on the beach and eat long, slow lunches at the amazing wineries and breweries…

Materials • Fat quarter geometric print fabric (feature fabric) • 1.5m (1 5/8yd) pink cotton twill fabric (bag back, gusset, straps and lining) • 1.1m (1 1/4yd) bag batting such as Matilda’s Own • 5cm (2in) heavy-weight interfacing such as H640 Pellon • Keyring clip • 46cm (18in) and 18cm (7in) zippers • Two metal strap adjusters (1 1/2in) wide • 3m (3 1/4yd) of 25mm (1in) folded bias binding to match the pink twill • One large sheet of template plastic – see Note • Paper for pocket pattern • Chalk pencil • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine • General sewing supplies Finished size: 27cm x 53cm (10 1/2 x 21in) plus strap Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is…

Materials • 35cm ( 3/8yd) each of nine assorted blue print and solid fabrics (Log Cabin blocks) • 35cm ( 3/8yd) each of eight assorted low-volume white print fabrics (Log Cabin blocks) • 50cm ( 5/8yd) blue stripe print fabric (binding) • 4.5m (5yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 221 x 152cm (87 x 60in) • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with 1/4in foot • General sewing supplies Finished size: 206 x 137cm (81 x 54in) Finished block size: 131/2in 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. Cutting 1 Make…

How did you start your sewing career? I first started sewing sequins onto paper to make cards, when I was really young. Then, I followed through at school and at home with my mum, who made all our clothes. What would you do without sewing? I’d be very bored! I don’t think I’ve ever felt that, but I would if I couldn’t sew. What are the stitching tools you couldn’t live without? I love all the things I use in appliqué. The little pins and the fabrics glues. I like to try out new things when they come onto the market. Also, I have a bit of a thing for those lovely green templates. I love to hand piece, and they are a definite ‘can’t be without’ for me. I’m…

Amelia Kates 186-188 Princes Highway, Beverley Park, NSW, 2217. Ph: (02) 9553 7457, email: sales@ameliakates.com.au, website: www.ameliakates.com. Annie’s Cottage Crafts PO Box 2, St Helens Tas 7216. Ph: (03) 6376 2727, email: info@anniescottagecrafts.com.au, website: www.anniescottagecrafts.com.au. Ashford Wheels & Looms Ph: 1800 653 397, website: www.ashford.co.nz/yarn. Asia Discovery Tours Suite 1302, Level 13, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Ph: (02) 9267 7699, website: asiadiscoverytours.com.au. Australian Country Spinners Toll Free: 1800 337 032, ph: (03) 9380 3888, website: www.auspinners.com.au. Beachside Quilting email: beachsidequilting@bigpond.com. Bellarine Sewing Centre 395-399 Moorabool Street, Geelong, Vic 3220. Ph: (03) 5221 3034, email: bellarinesewingcentre@outlook.com, website: www.bellarinesewingcentre.com.au. Bernina Australia Ph: 1800 237 646 or (02) 9899 1188, email: bernina@bernina.com.au, website: www.bernina.com.au. Birch Haberdashery & Craft Ph: (03) 9450 8900, website: www.birchhaby.com.au. Blessington Unit 23, 13 Gibbens Road, West…