Favourite Pieces for Every Day
"This is the perfect project to create for yourself or for a book-loving friend. Easily transport and read your favourite book anywhere, anytime. Create this fun book cover in an afternoon and have fun personalising it with your favourite sewing technique/s."
By Katrina Rodabaugh Photographed by Karen Pearson Published by Abrams, New York Dear reader you may find it strange that I am reviewing a second book on what is ostensibly mending or even another …
Slow Stitching is sort of my favourite thing at the moment. And I thought you’d like to know why it’s so important for living a simpler more intentional life. Some mindful moments in your slow crafting journey are always worth thinking about. I have an online tutorial video course that will show you
Inside: Find out 3 easy ways how to trace pattern on felt or fabric that will make your life and craft projects easier. These pattern transfer techniques will work great for quiet book patterns, DIY and craft, sewing or quilting projects. Have you ever thought that there must be an easier way to trace pattern
The Harper Tunic captures the best elements of my most worn closet staples— an easy, unfussy fit, half sleeves that stay out of the way (or slim, cropped long sleeves if you choose that view), flattering mid-thigh length, and one big pocket to catch all the miscellany I end up with throughout the day. The cut skims the body loosely making it ideal for layering in the fall and winter. It’s my favorite tunic to wear to the studio—when you’re working, comfort is key, but you still want to look put together. The Harper has an interesting and avant-garde appeal, and it would only be improved by drips and smears of paint or a dusting of flour from the kitchen. Make this style in various weight fabrics for year-round wear. Our most popular version of this tunic is made in our Midweight Linen, but we also love it in a lightweight gauze or warm, nubby wool for winter. This pattern comes with two variations: a short sleeve option and long sleeve option that's slightly narrower in the body.
This wristlet strap can be added to any pouch that you make. My favourite is the Anne Pouch. Wristlet straps can really take a pouch to a professional level, turn a pouch into a clutch and depending on fabric can take a pouch from day to night! Making my wristlet strap you will need 2 Hardware notions. In my tutorial i have used 12mm or 1/2
Learn how to use scraps to make useful and easy fabric bookmarks with this easy to follow pattern perfect for keeping and gift giving.
Precision Draping by Nelle Weymouth Link Because who doesn’t want to look like a 1940s babe (apart from me, that is). My favourite thing about this book is the font on the cover. I’d be over the mo…
Today's post is full of happy sewing.......i loved making this happy scrappy quilt, inspired by the patchwork bag i made a while ago for crafts beautiful magazine..........i used many of the same fabrics for the quilt and included the same kind of mix of bright florals, text printed fabrics, checks and stripes..... ........and some dots of course........i also added some haberdashery applique patches..........and a bit of cross stitch, embroidery and some buttons so it had a true 'sewing' feel................ ...............i used some of my favourite pink and white candy stripe for the binding........... .....................................and this delicious pam kitty love fabric for the backing............... .............it's a very cheery little quilt and i know we'll enjoy using it as much i loved sewing it.... .......i actually finished the quilt a little while ago and funnily enough over the last couple of weeks i haven't been doing as much sewing as usual because of things like doing some (grand)childcare over the holiday, working on non sewing design projects, having a business trip and having a big crochet craze :)..........more of that in another post........ ...........i did find some great sewing books over the easter break at a local thrift shop....... ............when i bought them the lady took my name and number so she can call me if any other sewing book treasures arrive there..............i don't do actual dressmaking (apart from for bunnies and mice) but i love books on the subject, especially the illustrations............... ..............a new little pile of fabrics here waiting for my next project which is about to begin............. ..........and here is a special gift which was sewn just for me by fellow cross stitch designer gail bussi........many of you will know gail for her beautiful sampler designs....she lives in south africa but is internationally renowned for her stunning embroidery.......we have often worked for the same magazines and i was thrilled when gail said she was making me a little mouse....and even more thrilled when the package arrived........this is camomile and her colours were chosen to match my blog :).......gail sells these adorable mice, she has a catalogue and takes commissions.......you can find *the mice of rosebud lane* here................. ...............one more sweet gift came my way this week.........a thank you for the (grand)childcare posy.....aren't they pretty? ..............and i'd like to say thank you to everyone who has left lovely comments on my previous post for my book giveaway....(it is still open if you would like to add your name)..............your comments are a joy and make me smile............wishing you a wonderful week.....some sunshine and flowers and lots of happy crafty times............back soon xxxxxxxxx
A fat quarter is a special cut of fabric taken a from yard. It is cut in half lengthwise and then widthwise. This results in a one-quarter yard cut that is almost square. This makes a fat quarter pretty handy for quilting and other projects. Here are 8 fat quarter projects you will love.
Amazing value at just $4.65 US (single issue price) or just $3.65 US (monthly subscription).Inside this issue, seven appliquéd projects to inspire you. * Appliqué a friendly neighbourhood onto a tea towel to brighten your kitchen * Craft a covered fabric box with your favourite fabrics * Sew a pretty patchwork bag, embellished with Yo Yo flowers * Sew and applique a wise owl glasses case * Create a set of teacup mats with simple applique techniques * Create a cute birdie badge Meet - Guest designer Helen Stubbings from Hugs 'n Kisses and applique a stunning doorstop using Helen's quick and easy appliqueing techniques Watch - a demonstration on how to reverse applique Discover 6 of our favourite free pattern tutorials Be inspired, meet our Etsy and Blogger finds One Tap Shop - for fabric, books, home décor and hard to find craft supplies All this and more
This month, I've rounded up five fresh needle felt accounts to add to your Instagram feeds! Did you know that you can follow hashtags, like #needlefelting, on
About this time each year I like to visit a local Japanese book store for inspiration. I can usually find some type of sewing, knitting or embroidery book that stirs my creative juices, even if I c…
Sewing is one of our favourite things here at Hot Pink Haberdashery. It’s a fantastic and calming pastime (considering all goes to plan of course!) and it produces some of our favourite haberdashery pieces. Sewing is a staple of what we do here and what we help facilitate you to do too - from clothing to cushions, bedding to baby shower presents, sewing is absolutely pivotal in within haberdashery. Whilst we know how to sew and what it can do for us, what do we actually know about the history of sewing? The answer for us was: not very much - until we did our research! Sewing has a vast and interesting history, first arising in the Paleolithic era! We want to share this pretty cool history with you so that when you’re working away on your sewing machine or hand sewing your favourite stitch, you can remember this… What is sewing? Of course we know sewing as it is today, but breaking it right down to its fundamentals, sewing is the craft of fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with a needle and thread. As mentioned, it is one of the oldest textiles arts and it started in the caves. Before the more advanced spinning or weaving came about, archaeologists believe that our Stone Age ancestors across Asia and Europe sewed fur and skin clothing using bone, antler and Ivory needles, using ‘thread’ made from various animal body parts such as sinew, catgut and veins (thankfully that’s not the case anymore…). Unsurprisingly, for thousands of years, sewing was always done by hand until the invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century and the rise of technology which led to mass production and export of sewn objects. Hand sewing is still practised around the world today and is associated with high quality tailoring, couture fashion and custom dress making (as well as being used as a means of creative expression like us!). Origins of sewing Sewing has been a necessity in cultures and societies for millions of years. It was used to stitch together animal hides for clothing, warmth and shelter. A great example of this is looking at Inuits, who would use sinew from caribou and those American Plains and Canadian Prairies used sophisticated sewing methods to assemble tipi shelters. Moving around the world, sewing was combined with the weaving of plant leaves in Africa to create baskets; thin strips of palm leaf would be used as thread to stitch wider strips of palm leaf to make the coil. Moving North East from Africa, the weaving of cloth from natural fibres was originated around 4000 BC and even earlier, during the Neolithic Age was when the sewing of cloth accompanied this development. Middle Ages During this time, Europeans who could afford it, would employ seamstresses and tailors. Sewing was mainly a woman’s occupation and all sewing before the 19th century tended to be practical. Clothing was expensive so women had the important job of extending the longevity of items of clothing. Sewing was used for mending, reusing (such as making quilts etc.). Making clothes from scratch was long and tedious (weaving pattern making, cutting, alterations..) which meant that women were able to barter their expertise in particular skill with one another. Decorative needlework such as embroidery was a highly valued skill at the time and from the Middle Ages up until the 17th century, sewing tools such as needles, pins and pincushions were included in the trousseaus of many European brides. Decirative embroidery was valued in countries and cultures all over the world - from Ireland to China, Morocco to Western Asia, cultures independent from each other found themselves with the same styles of stitching - pretty awesome! Industrial Revolution When we think of the The Industrial Revolution we think of heavy machinery, smoke and metal production - not necessarily of the textile industry that was born from it. The Industrial Revolution shifted the production of textiles from the household to the mills. The first sewing machine was patented in 1790 by Thomas Saint and but the early 1840s, other early sewing machines began to appear and by the 1850s, Isaac Singer developed the first sewing machine that not only surpassed the productivity of a seamstress or tailor, but could also be used at home. Following this, textile sweatshops full of underpaid sewing machine operators grew into entire business districts in large cities, including London which further supported the industry. Mainly full of women working up to 14 hour days to earn enough to support themselves, this was a super tough time for working women. Tailors became associated with higher-end clothing and tailor shops popped up around Savile Row and coming into the 20th century and beyond, Savile’s tailor businesses are still flourishing. What’s sewing today? In the 20th century, sewing machines became more affordable to the working class so the demand for sewing patterns grew. An American tailor and manufacturer called Ebenezer Butterick created paper patterns that could be traced and used by home sewers. These became wildly popular and off the back of the demand, several pattern companies soon established themselves. As some of you might remember, women’s magazines also carried sewing patterns for much of the 20th century but declined when ready-made clothing became a necessity when more women joined the paid workforce, leaving them with less time to sew. Today, the low price of ready-made clothing in high street shops and online, means that home sewing is largely confined to hobbyists in the Western world with the exception of cottage industries in custom dressmaking and upholstery! We hope you found the history of sewing as interesting as we did and continue to carry on the millions of years’ tradition of sewing and creation. If you've been inspired to pick up a needle and thread from reading this, check out our selection of sewing tools here
Threads Magazine
Quick and easy luxurious fabric covered notebook or diary. Full, free step by step tutorial. Great gift idea, create your own designs!
If you enjoy crafting with natural materials, creating needle-felted animals may be your new favourite hobby. This selection from the book, Sweet & Simple Needle-Felted Animals by Sachiko Susa provides an overview of the process plus some adorable project ideas to get you started.
A nice and easy tutorial today showing our favourite quick method for making rouleau straps (or spaghetti straps). We've applied this to our Flora Dress pattern for a super subtle yet sweetly effective alternative to the shoulder straps. You will need: a length of fabric, cut on the grainline, about 5cm wide and howev
Sicily Sweater in Rowan Cotton Glace is a free Crochet pattern by Rowan, available as a Downloadable PDF and includes instructions in English. Super fun to make, this pattern could be your next masterpiece!
I've got a free download pattern to share with you today! This one is a favourite pattern from my book , 2-IN-1 SHORTS . I'm the queen of...
Super Mom Free Super Mom machine embroidery design pattern. Super cute free design celebrating Mother’s Day! Click here to get it! Size: Size: 99 x 85 mm, 3.91′ x 3.34′ Available …
Forget invisible darning, sustainable fashionistas are flaunting the flaws in their old repaired clothes
The end of the month and it's time for my favorite link up, Sharon's "Let's Book It" over at Vrooman's Quilts . We all buy those patterns...
Fix your wardrobe by learning how to mend your own clothes! Join the sustainable fashion movement with Gathered.
