Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Australian Homespun

THIS MONTH’S WINNER Tammurah Lamson, from Deepwater, NSW, for her My My Butterfly quilt: “I was so glad to pick up my August copy of Homespun (Vol 16 No 8), as a niece was born earlier that month and I was struggling for inspiration for a suitable quilt for her. Then I opened it to Monica Poole’s cot quilt, and it was just perfect! So I headed for my fabric stash and created a quilt in the right colours for her nursery. I quilted it in the traditional manner, as I did not have any pre-quilted fabric and I had a bit of fun with free-motion quilting on the appliqué (still have my learner plates on there). I’m very pleased with the results. Thanks so much for your great mag…

Cutting edge Recent food and entertaining hype may spell culinary excellence, but it puts pressure on dinner-party hosts to outperform friends. They not only need to serve up something scrummy, but also have to make the table presentation special. Designer dinnerware is one solution but it’s a little easy – and expensive. And, besides, we think Homespun readers might prefer something that requires a little creative ingenuity. Hence our buttoned-up approach. Let’s start with the cutlery. This natty presentation idea couldn’t be simpler – and it’s a super-fun way to make use of surplus buttons. The buttons need to be generous enough in size to take fine gift-wrap ribbon threaded through their holes to secure them in place. In a matter of seconds, you’ve created a conversation-starter decoration to score…

Materials • Large assortment of scrap fabrics – about 3m (3 1/4yd) in total (blocks and Borders 1 and 3) • 90cm (1yd) white tone-on-tone spot print fabric – see Vicki’s Fabric Tip (blocks) • 1m (1 1/8yd) charcoal grey tone-on-tone spot print fabric (blocks) • 1.1m (1 1/4yd) white tone-on-tone leaf print fabric (Borders 2 and 3) • 60cm ( 3/4yd) blue print fabric (binding) • 4.2m (4 5/8yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 210cm (82in) square • Sewing machine with 1/4in and free-motion feet • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • General sewing supplies Finished size: 188cm (74in) square Finished block size: 12in Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements…

You’re living for a short while in Germany, aren’t you? Yes, we are living here for five years, at this stage – my husband is working in an International Christian boarding school here. Is that a culture shock for your Australian family, especially at Christmas? It’s strange having to get your head around winter at Christmas, although where we lived in Sydney had experienced its fair share of cold Christmas Days in recent years. Somehow, it feels odd not to have salads for Christmas lunch. There was no snow here on Christmas Day last year, but we did get some just before New Year’s. How did you celebrate last Christmas? As we have always done in Australia, we went to church to celebrate the reason for Christmas – Jesus’s birth…

Where do you live and work? I live with my husband and two daughters, aged six and four, in Melbourne. How did you start your sewing career? It all started by being inspired after borrowing a sewing book from the library and then buying a basic second-hand sewing machine from eBay. What would you do without sewing? I also really enjoy cooking as a creative outlet. What are the stitching tools you that you simply couldn’t live without? My seam ripper and small rotary cutter. What would you like to change about your workspace? I’d love it to be bigger. I currently work in a corner of our dining room. It would also be great if it would clean itself once in a while! How many different crafts do you…

When did you first become interested in quilting? Growing up, I always enjoyed crafts and creating things, but it wasn’t until I went to my first craft show, in 2008, that I fell in love with quilting. It was like a whole new world had opened up to me. The fabrics, the quilts, the designs … I was in awe of what was out there and I just knew I wanted to be a part of it. What was the first quilt that you ever made? At that same craft show, I grabbed a little bundle of fabrics. I also bought a quilt pattern that was simple, just 6 inch squares and strips. However, when I had cut it all and laid it out, I wasn’t totally happy with the…

Do you make lots of quilts? Yes, I make a lot of quilts. I have many projects on the go at any one time and love working in this way. I’ll begin a new quilt as soon as the idea strikes and then keep coming back to it until it’s complete. How did you come up with the idea? The idea for Star of Wonder came to me when I was researching for the The Quilters’ Guild of NSW’s 2015 red-and-white challenge. Lone Star quilts are beautiful but the traditional method for construction left me wondering if there might be another way to create this design. My quilt is essentially an eight-pointed star with each point created using different-sized diamonds. I used many red-and-white scraps from my stash to create…

Where do you call home, and who do you live with? My two grown children live in the US, and I miss them very much and don’t get to visit as often as I’d like. I met my husband five years ago when he came to visit the US. We fell madly in love, I moved to Australia, and we married soon after. We live simply and often caretake for others, so we’re a bit nomadic in our middle-age. His friends here think we’re a bit mad. I caught the tail-end of the hippie era and slid comfortably into the punk movement in the late ’70s, so my family is used to my crazy ways. Raised by Depression-era ladies, I never became much of a consumer and always ran my…

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 Designs The Village Green, Shop 16/22-24 Kenthurst Road, Dural, NSW 2158. Ph: (02) 9651 2256, email: info@anniesdesigns.com.au, website: www.anniesdesigns.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. Atkinson, Rebecca – see box at left. Australian Country Spinners Toll Free: 1800 337 032, ph: (03) 9380 3888, website: www.auspinners.com.au. Bernina Australia (Contact address only) Unit 10, 15 Carrington Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154. 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. Black Possum Fabrics Shop 1, 197 Myall…

PERFECT PATCHES One of the sweetest designs in Patons Crochet Cuties pattern book is this Motif Vest, which is alive with bright colour worked in all sorts of crochet patterns. It’s a little masterpiece that your child is going to love. Worked in Regal 4-ply cotton or Big Baby 4 ply, it’s ideal for intermediate-level crocheters. Your nearest yarn store should have a copy of this book. If not, call 1800 337 032 or visit www.patonsyarns.com.au. BEYOND BOLEYN Whoever said there’s nothing new in the world clearly hasn’t seen Shirlee McGuire’s wonderful brooches. They’re themed around Henry VIII’s multiple wives, so there’s plenty of scope for making a full range!!! “I create work inspired by characters from history and classic literature – wearable art, pieces on canvas or framed and…

FRÉDÉRIQUE MORREL Bring an image of Parisian artists to mind and chances are it will involve easels in Montmartre squares and bereted figures selling pictures on the banks of the Seine. Or perhaps masterpieces on Louvre walls, if you’re taking it up a cultural notch or two. Well, let’s fix another picture in your imagination – one that puts a fresh twist on those hackneyed perceptions and brings delight and whimsy, making you want to touch and pat and stare. The setting for this different artistic perspective is just a little wilder and wackier, taking place in an apartment in Paris’s 10th arrondissement, on the Right Bank – not far from those artist/vendors in Montmartre, as the crow flies (or as the deer walks, in this case ). Step into…

How did you start your sewing career? I’m not sure if I have a ‘sewing career’, as such. Sewing to me is fun; it’s a hobby. I started contributing my quilts for publication after a magazine contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in having my patterns published. My first reaction was to say no. At that stage, I hadn’t been quilting for long and had never used or even read a pattern, so the idea of writing one was extremely daunting. When I asked a friend what she thought, she said “Of course you can write a pattern”, so I did. I’m glad that she had faith in me when I was doubting myself. What would you do without sewing? I really don’t know what I’d be doing…

It makes sense that English country squires (round, ruddy and rollicking – pip, pip!) would have an affinity with Santa (also round, ruddy and rollicking – ho, ho!). But Becky Smith did such a fine job of introducing one to the other, that the spirit of the two materialised as these cheerily aristocratic Lord of the Manor/St Nic Christmas stockings. All tweedy, houndstoothy and tartan-esque, some are patterned with pups and ponies. You can buy these from Becky’s appropriately named Smokin’ Tweed shop; go to www.smokintweed.etsy.com.…

Patch Project 1: Creative Mending of Knitted Sleeves Name: Karen Barbé Blog: blog.karenbarbe.com Instagram: @barbekaren Facebook: facebook.com/ karenbarbe.textileria Karen has come up with a cute way to reinforce her much-loved knitwear that was starting to flag and sag at the elbow. Using duplicate stitch (Swiss darning) to create patterned patches, she made the area stronger and much more visually interesting than your everyday plain darning. Patch Project 2: Mending Moth Holes with Moths Name: Joanie Gorman Blog: ninimakes.typepad.com Instagram: @ninimakes While studying a moth on her window, Joanie was struck with inspiration for an embroidery design – she’d use a moth design to cover moth holes! Using needle felting to create the piece, she then added embroidered detailing and trims around the moth before stitching the motif…

POUCH OF PLENTY PURPOSES Toiletries Shoes Sewing iPad Other Materials • Fat quarter of taupe handkerchief linen (pouch front panel) • 40 charm squares, 5in (Dresden Plates and patchwork) • Fat quarter of print fabric (lining) • 35cm (14in) zipper • Batting at least 45 x 65cm (18 x 25in) • 50cm ( 1/2yd) of 12mm (1/2in) wide cream lace • Template plastic • Freezer paper • Compass • Sewing machine with1/4in, zipper and walking feet • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • General sewing supplies Finished size: 24 x 38cm (9 1/2 x 15in) Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics (except the charm squares) be pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. Seam allowances…

How did you start your sewing career? I came to sewing in my ’30s. I had dabbled a little, sewing some clothes earlier, but didn’t get into quilting until the purchase of a little shop in the Hills district of Sydney in the ’90s. My mum and I bought the local haberdashery store and changed it into a patchwork shop. My patchwork career started in the shop; I did classes with a couple of teachers and was so hooked that I ate, slept and dreamt patchwork. I was so obsessed, every thought was of colour and design. Then, I started to design my own quilts and taught them in our shop and ventured out to teach in other stores, as well. What would you do without your stitching? If I…

How would you describe your style? What makes it unique? I like to think of my style as ‘happy’ and perhaps eclectic. I love to see my toys make people smile and create a bit of fun. Why this particular craft? I love toys. I’ve always loved to draw, and pursued pattern making so that I could create my own drawings and characters in 3D. I love fabric and really enjoy re-purposing fabric, especially giving an old garment a new lease of life as a soft toy. Have you tried plenty of others? I have tried dozens of crafts – Nuno felting, quilting, knitting, screen-printing, lithographs, photography, graphic design, scrapbooking, clothes-making, jewellery design, reupholstering furniture, wool embroidery, teddy bear making … the list goes on. Any good stories along the…

Materials • Patons Cotton Blend 8 ply 50g balls: one ball each of Brown (20), White (01) and Cream (03) plus a small quantity of Black (02) for embroidery • 3.00mm (UK 11/US -) crochet hook – see Note • 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles • Fibre fill • Wool needle for finishing Finished size: 70cm (27 1/2in) approx. Note: Parental supervision is recommended for children under three years as this toy could potentially present a choking or strangling hazard. This is an intermediate skill level knitting and crochet project. Use only the yarn specified. Other yarns are likely to produce different results. Quantities are approximate as they can vary between knitters/ crocheters. Correct tension is not essential for this project but note that it is worked…

Materials: • One ball of 8 ply crochet cotton in Candy Pink (12) – see Note • 4.00mm (UK 8/US 6) crochet hook • 18cm (7in) timber embroidery hoop – see Note • Wool needle for sewing in ends Finished size: 18cm (7in) internal diameter Note: Read the instructions before starting the project. Australian/UK crochet terms are used throughout; readers from North America should consult a crochet manual to ensure they interpret the instructions correctly. No tension is given for this project. The crochet is worked on the outer ring of the embroidery hoop only – set the inner ring aside for now. Kate used Rico Essentials Cotton DK yarn, which is mercerised. This process binds the yarn together and makes it very smooth with a subtle sheen…

01 ink & weave tea towels are made from linen and are screen-printed with deliciously dry messages. 02 Function and aesthetically focused design have intersected at Fenton & Fenton. We love the criss-cross pattern on the ‘Ike Rope’ chair, which is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. 03 Update your tableware with striking Ikea solutions. We’ve mixed and matched products from the Tickar, Ungdom and Skäck ranges. 04 This clock has numbers; just not for telling the time! Contact Independence Studios for your nearest retailer of the scrambled ‘Mixed #’s’ clock. 05 MiniWilla’s whimsically graphic ‘Hello’ tray is made from birch and is available from Leo and Bella. 06 We love the fun print, moccasin silhouette and tassel detail on this Radical Yes! dotty design. 07 “I wanted to make…

THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS Out on the plains the brolgas are dancing Lifting their feet like war horses prancing Up to the sun the woodlarks go winging Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day Down where the tree ferns grow by the river There where the waters sparkle and quiver Deep in the gullies bell-birds are chiming Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day Friar birds sip the nectar of flowers Currawongs chant in the wattle tree bowers In the blue ranges lorikeets calling Carols of bushbirds rising and falling Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day Music: William G. James/ Lyrics: John Wheeler Materials • Scraps of linen fabric in grey, white, light brown and red…

Materials • 1.8m (2yd) natural linen (background) • 80cm ( 7/8yd) pocket fabric – see Note • 40cm ( 3/8yd) pocket trim fabric – see Note • 40cm ( 1/2yd) binding fabric • 1.8m (2yd) backing fabric • Thin batting at least 180 x 90cm (70 x 34in) • 70cm ( 3/4yd) ribbon or crochet trim • Acrylic paint in black and white • Fabric medium • Stencil brush or sponge stick • Lettering stencils – Rebecca used 5in Edwardian font upper and lower case and 3in Times New Roman – see Note • Assorted embellishments – Rebecca used a doily, JOY cross stitch, green and brown felted wool, diamante button, crochet trim and perlé cotton – see Note • Erasable fabric pen • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat •…

What’s your favourite element of this project? Definitely the Dresden Plates; they’re just so sweet and so much fun to make. How many different crafts do you do? I love to make quilts and do stitchery. I can’t fit in any more crafts than that. I don’t have the time. What’s your favourite – and why? Stitchery is my absolute favourite. Seeing my ideas and drawings come to life with threads is so wonderful. My favourite designs to stitch are garden-related – I love flowers. When did you start sewing and who taught you? I’ve been quilting for about 10 years. I was mostly self-taught, then I learnt a lot from various friends, but I still enjoy learning new things every day. What would you do without your special stitching…

Melodramatic operas and novels tell us that artists and designers need to suffer for their talents in draughty garrets – struggling to be noticed, enslaved in their poverty. It’s ’sposed to be noble or romantic or some such, but what’s so noble about never having a chance to bring your ideas to public attention? Or about desolation and destitution, for that matter? April Cornell had grander plans and proved that the path to design success is a matter of going global and making a big noise about what you’ve got to in order to tap into that huge market. “It was via Afghanistan that the business began. I travelled there in the 1970s, buying nomadic Koochi dresses made from Russian chintzes, old Uzbek embroideries, woollen shawls, cotton kilims and silk…

Materials • An assortment of red and white print and tone-on-tone fabrics to total about 4m (4 1/2yd) (star) – see Jessica’s Fabric Tip • An assortment of white tone-on-tone print fabrics to total about 2.5m (2 3/4yd) (background) • Several solid or tone-on-tone red fabrics to total about 2m (2 1/4yd) (sashing, border and binding) • 3.7m (4yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 170cm (66in) square • Perle 12 thread in white (hand quilting) • Rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat • Template plastic and permanent-marking pen • Erasable fabric-marking pen • Sewing machine with ¼in foot • General sewing supplies Finished size: 152cm (60in) square Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. This project is recommended for experienced quilters as it requires a…

Materials Dollygram • Two rectangles, 16 x 22cm (6 x 8 1/2in) of natural linen or homespun cotton – see Note (body) • Rectangle of cotton batting 16 x 22cm (6 x 8 1/2in) • Light blue and red machine-sewing threads (notepaper lines) • Stranded embroidery cotton in red, white and black – see Note • Fine-point permanent black marker (optional) • 15cm (6in) length of red ricrac (optional) Envelope • Two squares, 26cm (10 1/4in) of linen or other fabric – see Step 14 (envelope and lining) • Stranded embroidery cotton in contrasting colour • Decorative 25mm (1in) button • Press stud Ornament • Two rectangles, 13 x 18cm (5 x 7in) of linen or cotton fabric – see Note (body) • Rectangle of cotton batting 13 x 18cm…