TinkeringTimes

The vintage fabric Laurel dress

I was given several boxes and bags of old fabric to hunt through by an aunt, and keep whatever I liked. Amongst it I found a gorgeous peacock tones hexagon print. It sat in the cupboard waiting for the right project, as all fabrics do. And then I noticed Colette's range of patterns. I've bought three dress patterns - the Laurel, the Rooibos, and the Peony. It took quite a while to narrow it down to just those three!

The Laurel is a beginner's pattern and not having used Colette patterns before I thought it would be a good place to start, to get a feel for what changes I might need to make on the more advanced patterns.

As you can see I made a sleeveless version, partly because the fabric I used is quite stiff and wouldn't really have lent itself to sleeves, and partly because there wasn't enough fabric for them anyway.

The pattern is really easy to follow, and for any fiddly bits you may not have done before, there are links
to tutorials available on the Colette site such as putting in zips, making bias binding, and hand sewing slip stitches which are great (but time consuming) for catching hems and the final seam of bias binding.

After making a toile (muslin) to test the size and fitting I made a few adaptations:
1. Because the fabric was so thick it needed taking in quite a lot at the sides. If you use a light weight cloth as the pattern recommends, it will just fall and and flare just very slightly (true to the vintage 60s / 70s shift dress shape). If you ignore the instructions like me and use something thick, it hangs like a tent. So I took in the side seams and it became a much more fitted version than the original shift dress design. I read a lot of blogs about making the Laurel dress and it seems people often take in the sides to some degree but it's a matter of personal choice I think (and fabric).
2. The dresses are designed for a C cup and advise you that they have a snug fit. They are not wrong. I drafted the next size up (as suggested in the instructions), slimmed the bust dart down a bit, and there still isn't much wriggle room. (My next one will have another size up again and a yet more slimmed down dart). But that's a result of us all being a different figure, not that there's anything wrong with the pattern. It's not something I've seen many other Laurel makers comment on as being a common problem.
3. I made my own bias binding in the same fabric for the neckline but doing it with such thick fabric was very fiddly and not the smoothest or flattest effect. So for the armholes I used thin ready made stuff in a matching green. It felt like cheating but really no-one will ever know or care but me.
4. I did not make this adjustment but will when I use it next time: there is some gape at the back neckline. To correct this I'm looking at including either a back shoulder dart or a back neck dart. There are some really useful tutorials for this here, here and here. Quite a few Laurel makers also commented on back gape, though it wasn't clear if that was in the body of the back (in which case you could widen and / or lengthen the back darts?) or the neckline like mine.

Also I have read many blogs where the Laurel pattern fit people just great as it was, so don't be put off trying it. The best way to learn is just get stuck in!
I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and look forward to having an excuse to wear it soon.

Ten top tips for sewing machine beginners.

A friend of mine is starting out on her machine sewing adventures. I rattled off a very quick list of top tips for her. Because quite frankly, if you skip all the technical geeky know-how, machine sewing can drive you very crazy very quickly. So since I'd assembled this list, I thought it might as well be shared with anyone else who might find it useful. Let me know how you find them, and what other top tips you'd share with an absolute beginner?

1. Read the manual. You can only have a love affair with a sewing machine if you understand its needs. If you don't spend time getting to know its little ways, believe me you'll despise its very soul by the end of day one.

2. Make sure your tension is right, and then you probably never to need to mess with that ever again. Never ok? Not until you feel like you can call yourself an advanced stitcher.

3. Always use a sharp needle, don't use the same one for 5 years. It won't sew, it will pucker, catch, snap - all sorts of horrid things. Basically put in a new one every time you start a new project. If you sew lots and lots - like several times a week, use a new one at least once a month.

4. Always use the right needle - they are different thicknesses. The thinner the fabric, the thinner the needle. And swap it over if you change fabric.

5. Use the right thread - natural thread ie cotton for natural fabrics; man made thread ie nylon for man made fabrics.

6. Always go slow to start with and don't push your fabric through the machine: let the machine take it through at its pace - your job is just to hold it loosely and keep it straight - do that and the machine will take it off you at a lovely rhythm.

7. Always start off with your needle in the fabric, and turn the wheel to do the first 2 or 3 stitches manually, so that the needle picks up the thread below well and isn't rushed - or the thread can break and catch.

8. Always wash your fabric before you even cut out the pattern. Fabric will shrink at some point which can screw up the measurements of what you make. And if you use two different fabrics together and they shrink in different ways, you might as well have just bought some fabric, and put it straight in the bin. Always wash them before your cut your pieces out.

9. Boring geeky tip: always iron everything! pieces before you start, seams flat, corners sharp... etc. Most people don't do this, and it shows. I'm an ironing evangelist. You won't regret it.

10. Finally - get to know your overlocking stitch and buy an overlocking foot. It will stop your fabrics from fraying or prevent you having to spend forever sewing a million extra seams and hems. 

Charley Harper Colouring Books

Just a quick post to say - you'll know I'm an absolute geek for pattern. Likewise coluring-in has featured time and time again on this blog - I do genuinely find it soothes the soul and brings peace to a hectic mind.

So imagine the joy of discovering that some of Charley Harper's divine illustrations of birds, animals and other stylised designs have been turned into colouring books! There's the Charley Harper Deluxe Coloring Book (above) or the Charley Harper Birds & Words Deluxe Coloring Book (below).

They've probably been around for ages and are just new to me, but still...
The only decision now is which one to choose.*

*No choice: get both. 

Great British Sewing Bee: The Follow Up

Sewers and crafters around the UK have been cosying up every Tuesday evening to watch The Great British Sewing Bee where contestants follow a pattern, use their ingenuity, and tailor make a bespoke item each week. Reviews of the show among the sewing community are a little mixed, but mostly favourable. We (the discerning, sewing, viewing public) mostly agree that it's not quite clear who the target audience are; that the 'how to' making guides are ridiculous in many ways; and that we still love the Great British Bake Off, the big sister to this show, a little more unreservedly. We're also mostly agreed that the dashing and oh-so-pernickity judge - Savile Row Tailor Patrick Grant - is the real star of the show. Partly for his charming good looks, partly for his wit, and most importantly really, for his insistence on attention to detail. A man who likes his corners pointed and his seams pressed. Rightly so. We're especially agreed that thank god it's nothing like Kirsty's Handmade Home (the less said about that the better).

In anticipation of next week's final, where my money's on Lauren by the way; matching Anne inch for inch on perfectionism but striding way ahead of her in the ability to take a risk, I wanted to flag up where to keep an eye out next for my two favourite contestants.

Lauren: has a stunning and very well planned sewing business in Birmingham just ready to launch. With a bricks and mortar and online shop, and a beautifully programmed workshop programme about to commence, Lauren's already absolutely maximising on the exposure and popularity at her fingertips. It looks like a lovely place and she's stocked it with very well chosen supplies. http://www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk/

Tilly: many sewing bloggers, makers and general DIYers already had Tilly on their radar before the show, as popular craft blogger Tilly and the Buttons. She's stepped that up a gear and based on some of her work in the programme, and a top up professional clothes making course, is now making and selling sewing patterns and running workshops around the country. http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/

I also had a soft spot for mechanic Mark, the gentle giant with a way for debonair historic costumery. I'm not sure what his plans are but I imagine they include the odd ruffle here, a dandy swagger there...

ps It won't surprise you to hear  The Great British Sewing Bee book is already out. Containing essential haberdashery advice, how to use patterns, types of fabrics, items to make, and boosted with some fashion history and tempting photography, at £10 (half price) I'd say it's definitely worth a shot.

Image: Lauren's version of Tilly's Mathilde blouse from the Mathilde Maker Gallery

Quick: a sumptuous downloadable Valentine's Day card!

Need a top quality card for Valentine's? No time to nip out or whip something up yourself? Ta-da look what I found from Jen and Floris at Love vs Design. Just head over here to download the proper pdf and print it out on some nice thick card. Job done.

And it has a little secret - a bundle of valentine's vouchers. To put inside and offer the recipient... well that's on a need to know basis...

Also it's beautiful. A quick, beautiful card that you made yourself (well you did, with a little help that's all). For all of us who love handmade and refuse to let it be a retail thing. Thanks Jen and Floris, you saved the day.

Reindeer cushion cover tutorial

I'm going to start by saying this is not my tutorial, it's by the lovely Katbaro on Flickr who has been one of my longest standing flickr friends. For years I knew her as an amazing foodie then *ping* out of the blue it turns out she does crafts too. So when I saw this in my festive flickr stream I was instantly smitten, and utterly chuffed to find out she'd written a tutorial for it. Any credit goes to her, I'm merely sharing the love. So pop over to her blog post and get to work...

How I learned to draw from an 8 year old: aka finding Zentangle

For work, I was visiting some schools to look at the work they do across the artforms. At one junior school I was given a few sketches some 8 year olds had done. I was staggered. The intricate, complicated, beautiful patterns they had managed to create was way beyond any expectations for their years, probably even for a 15 or 16 year old they would have been impressive. It wasn't a fluke, there was page after page after page, from every child in the class. Something staggering was going on. 

Colouring in for Grown-Ups

You may know I'm a huge fan of colouring in. It relaxes me, helps me feel free and childlike again, and polishes up my thinking about how to use colour and pattern.

I recently came across a real grown up colouring book Garden Party! with a nod towards those fantastic 1970s vintage children's illustrations. There's a sample page show above, and 29 more inside.

The publishers say it's "Set in a dreamy landcape of stylized patterns, this garden party buzzes with life. Whimsical and wild images of birds, frogs, bugs and other creatures populate flowery fields that pulse with psychadelic energy." 

I've added this to my Amazon Associate favourites - these are the books I love so much I want to recommend them. Nobody's sent me them to review, I don't know the authors or the publishers. They're just books I love and think you might too.

Craft Tutorials

I don't know a single person who crafts that doesn't love a good tutorial. No matter how experienced, enthusiastic, professional or skilled you are, there's always more to learn. Seeing how other people do those fiddly creative things can be so inspiring.

I have lists of tutorials everywhere but I've finally hit on a genius way of keeping them all fresh, in one place, where I can not only find them but see them at a glance too. Pinterest is perfect for such a thing. So from now on I'll be noting them all there, on my Make This board. And then I thought, why not share them with you too. There's already a good stash on there and I'll be adding to it continually.

So far you can find...

Achievements

*Disclaimer - the above is not my list but lovely Laura of Cupcakes for Clara...

I'm not one for looking back, or new year's resolutions and such. I try and be the person I want to be in small amounts ever day, and work out how to be better rather than deconstruct what's already done.

But I saw this and it stopped me in my tracks. How often do we stop and remind ourselves how far we've come? How hard we've worked? What difference we made? Recently I learned the importance of saying things out loud; and a certain group of friends around me have said many times this year  'look how far we've come'; and another certain group of ladies have said 'here's what we want to acheive for 2012'.

So I'm going to take inspiration from the lovely Cupcakes for Clara, whose list this is, and remind myself what I have managed to acheive this year, rather than beat myself up about what I haven't. Thanks Laura, for reminding me what's important.

Sewing Suffolk Puffs / Yoyos with Year 6

Last Friday's Secrets & Codes workshop was all about starting actual sewing, at last! After some prep for the children's artwork two days earlier, in which they began to draft their final designs, we finally moved on to cracking out the needles and thread.

Firstly I must say someone has done an excellent job of this with them already as they were able to thread the needles beautifully and knew what a running stich was, which saved us all a lot of time. They were very excited about being able to choose the colour of felt for their Yoyo (as it's known in the US - Suffolk Puff in the UK). I took along this little sample (above) which I'd prepared so they could pass it round and scrutinise it to give them some gist of what to expect; and a few of Jennifer Collier's paper versions to give them a feel for some more creative options. 

It was wonderful to see the few who felt they couldn't do this at the start proudly finish their little works and ask to take them home, we did start off with a few 'I can't sew' murmurings, but I promised them they would be able to by the end, and they worked hard to see if actually they could. The teacher said she really enjoyed the session and found it very theraputic (which was also lovely, as the group is quite pleasantly excitable - I imagine a little injection of calm now and again is no bad thing for Miss!)

To make life easier for everyone I prepared a cheat sheet which we had up on the smartboard the whole time. I thought since I'd made it, why not make it available for any other teachers or stitchers who wanted to try it alone or with their class. So you can see it below or download it here You are welcome to make copies and use it as you wish, though please remember to credit the source if you do, thanks.

Japanese Washi Tape

I have a weakness for stationery. If you know me, you'll know this well. Come to think of it I always have. I was a prolific letter writer as a child and a teen, there's always been a treasured box of special paper and pens in the background. Now I'm older the lure grows ever stronger. I could write reams about the addiction and its finer points. For now, for those of you who have yet to discover it, let me introduce you to Washi tape. The gentleness of masking tape with the beauty of Japanese design.

Its uses are limitless. I've done the wrapping of parcels yes, but did you know you can write on it? Or that it sticks to glass? We've made paper chains with it and gently stuck children's tags to oversized maps with it in workshops. I've used it to tag the pages of diaries and twirl round cardboard tubes to make magical  castle turrets which would rival any in the pages of a Grimms fairy tale book. (I have not - yet - stuck it to my keyboard, that's the work of Minifanfan Eng. But I'm not ruling it out...)

And I'll tell you a secret. You can buy it in the UK, you can, from perfectly packaged mail order companies nestled in nice big barns in the country. At perfectly packaged big barn prices. Or, you can buy it where I do, where it suddenly seems more affordable, like you might actually want to use it when it arrives rather than saving it for best (ie never, gathering cobwebs at the back of a drawer). Get your fill from Pretty Tape on Etsy. (Of course you could also go to Japan and buy it there, but for the rest of us...)

Still stuck for ideas?
Try this facebook page, or this Pinterest search,

Free downloadable tote bag pattern

People seemed keen on the free downloadable quilting patterns so I thought I'd point you in the direction of a couple of other new free downloads. Sewing with Oilcloth is a new book and a little different from the usual 'How To's. It focuses purely on how to get the best from oilcloth and having used this fabric myself a few times I know exactly how tricky it can be, especially without the right sewing machine foot. So I welcome it and wish there were more books out there that looked particularly at specific fabrics and how to make the most of their unique characteristics.

If the full book is too much to contemplate for now, try these two samples from it. A simple Farmer's Market Tote Bag which I really like because it looks huge and has extra pockets (we all need extra pockets); and a table runner. Being honest I have never and probably will never use a table runner so make your own mind up on that one, but what caught my attention was the chalkboard cloth used. I can see the potential for all sorts of things there.

Free Quilting Patterns

 
It's got to be said. I'm not the world's biggest quilting fan on the whole. I have dabbled a little now and again, and there are a few folks on Flickr who blow my mind with their quilting skills - and essentially, the aesthetic judgement they use. My friend Lu Summers has accidentally introduced me to some of its better features and I'm more prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt than I once was. Reading the book Witch Child helped me appreciate the heritage of quilts a little better and that improved my understanding and appreciation a little more.

And so it was I found myself browsing the Moda fabrics website. Hidden away there, was a host of free quilt patterns - click on the black scissors on *this page*. Some of which demonstrated the things I don't like about quilting - I won't name them. And some of which demonstrated the ways in which my opinions are changing: bright colours, contemporary designs, alternative patterns. So if you're a quilting type go, rummage, download and stitch.

Elementals Birds

Following up the Happy Work post, here's the finished product. One of them anyway, I'm making two more in slightly different colourways. The birds are for a project and touring exhibition called Elementals organised by Inga and Andy Hamilton, aka Rockpool Candy and My Tarpit.

When they sent me the invite to take part, here's what was explained to me...
"Elementals is a special experiment to see if artists, printmakers and craftspeople can physically embody feelings of peace, harmony and goodwill in their work and tangibly affect the environment in which it's shown.
  Definition: Elementals - thoughts that once created become attached to their creator and are fed by further thoughts and actions"

Having let the idea mull around my mind for a while I began to think about clouds and summer and this song, whilst at the same time thinking about the small and big science and technology that I find so fascinating in relation to the potential for craft. I wondered if there was a way to include serotonin, the so called 'happy hormone' and began looking for a way to understand it visually. 

I designed and printed some 'little fluffy cloud' fabric, then machine embroidered over it with a connecting pattern made up of the skeletal formula of the serotonin hormone. The wings, tail and beak were added and the bird made up into a stuffed soft toy style model.

There are 100 artists / makers taking part in the exhibition which tours from the...

Richard F Brush Gallery at St Lawrence University in Canton, New York State to
R Space Gallery, Lisburn, N. Ireland
Wharepuke Print Studio, New Zealand 
And a UK gallery still being arranged. 

Hanging Around

You might remember a little while ago I mentioned this, and before that, this. Well the end result was this wall display shown above (You can see it in a bit more detail here). The image has been floating around Facebook for a little while and a few people have asked how I did it. So, here's how...

It's really very simple, and quite versatile. I wanted to use plants just because we don't have plants anywhere else inside, but you could just as easily use them to hang jewellery, toiletries and beauty products, or in a different room for pens, paintbrushes, haberdashery etc.

You just need some pots with holes in them. These were a mix from IKEA and handmade from Etsy.  

Adventures in Resin Jewellery Making

Cutting a long story short, I had the joy of attending a workshop in making resin jewellery this weekend. It was run by paper and textile artist Jennifer Collier at her gallery / studios Unit Twelve in the glorious Staffordshire countryside.

In the first half of the workshop we learned about how to mix and set the resin, and were set to work picking and choosing from all kinds of found objects - stamps, feathers, beads, buttons, jigsaw pieces - you name it... As it happened I'd brought some things of my own too - some copies of old family papers, a few rolls of washi tape, some packs of replica papers from a museum, some antique and new buttons, a few bits of fabric (and Mr Fort - who brought various Star Wars related bits). 

After just two hours we had all our pieces in the moulds with the resin poured in. Feeling most pleased we headed off for the evening, ready to return for part two the following day. The workshop has to work this way, to allow time for the resin to dry. In part two we popped (and in some cases whacked) our pieces out of their moulds, got messy with some really hardcore glue and drills, and attached the jewellery findings of our choice. You can see all the pieces we made *here*.

Jennifer is a brilliant workshop host, incredibly well organised and attentive, with a wonderul range of 'stuff' to play with. She also has that rare talent of slowly and subtly building everyone's confidence throughout the session; recognising everyone's individuality and understanding how to help them get the most from what they're doing, confidently and happily. And she plies you with more tea and cake than anyone could feasibly squeeze in*. The workshops are running again in August - go to Unit Twelve and click on 'workshops'. Highly recommended.

*Ahem - tea and cake most definitely not at the same time as playing with wet resin. Health and safety nightmare apparently! Jennifer was very careful to make sure we enjoyed them both separately, she's good like that.

UK DIY report

Some of you may remember me doing a research project a few years ago called UK DIY, which spawned its own blog and a programme of exhibitions, projects and events.

Since I researched the DIY / subversive / counter culture - call it what you will - craft scene in the UK in 2006 I've been promising to share the report I wrote. It's now available over on my work blog for all to read.

To give you a flavour the contents page reads as follows... Defining DIY :: A Potted History :: Textiles :: Gender Stories :: Inclusivity & Anti-elitism :: Anti-consumerism & The Individual :: Political Crafting :: Interdisciplinary Content :: Street Crafting :: Sharing, Authorship and Currency :: Art & Anti-Art :: Entrepreneurialism :: Quality :: Exhibition & Project Potential :: Options and Recommendations

The UK DIY blog has been quiet for the past year or more but I think that's fine. It started something amazing, and now other projects, networks, blogs and more have sprung up all over the country in ways that suit the times and spaces they populate. I don't think it would be either possible or necessary to try and document it all in one place anymore, there are so many other good blogs covering the variety of activity in so many ways and that's such a good thing.

So I'm pretty much letting UK DIY go, putting it to bed, or rather taking the seed that it was and bedding it back in the soil to see what else grows from it. I already have lots of ideas that I know came as a result of that work, and I think there will be many more in the very near future...
 

Manchester Craft Hack event needs you

If you're reading this there's a chance you might be interested in craft, DIY culture, hacking and / or the city that is Manchester.

As it happens, there's an event happening on May 14th combining all of those things in the sumptuous and utterly wonderful setting of Victoria Baths. What's more, that event needs you.

Handmade is the name of the event which is orchestrated by the FutureEverything gang, as part of their annual festival of digital innovation. Be quick - submit your ideas by April 18th *here* 

If that is your cup of tea, and you're going to be in the area. I'd suggest you keep the afternoon of Friday 13th free too, can't say any more for now!

Carrying on the craft hack theme, though a little less digitally, I've spotted some great hacks lately, especially with pallets. The image above is StudioMama's pallet chandelier - pretty unexpected and yet incredibly subtle and beautiful. Other top pallet hacks I found below include...

Raindrop Melody maker

Like it? Not only does this Raindrop Melody Maker looks gorgeous, as you might expect from Japanese designers but - even better - click through to the actual melody maker and you can play it like a musical instrument. 

It will let you click on each separate droplet wich makes a different note and sound, then it remembers it and starts adding it to a loop while you choose your next droplet. Each drop shows up in colour as it's played, then fades back to grey letting the next droplet shine. 

I should add it's not new, it's been around a while and I saw it probably a year or more ago but something just reminded me of it and I had to dig it out again to share. Also be warned - it's highly addictive!

Created by Lullatone, who also have some other soothing musical genius dotted around their site, such as warming, happy lift music; classical baby lullaby loops; and experiments in sound around the house.

Command Team

Some exciting news, I was approached to become part of the 3M Command Team. From the logo I'm feeling all Charlie's Angels / A-Team.

In reality it means I, along with my two team members, are responsible for providing interior design and styling ideas that make use of 3M command products - hooks and general 'putting things on walls' kit. They are a bit special because they don't leave any marks on the wall (which when you've only just decorated is a bit of a relief quite frankly).

The ideas we create will be spread around interweb world via the magic of facebook, digital TV, and will also pop up in real life at next week's Ideal Home Show.

So watch the facebook page and keep an eye on my blog for easy and stylish ideas about sprucing up your home or office. And remember that secret project? You'll be seeing more of that soon...

Entomology Embroidery

I happened across this designer of simple, beautiful, yet intricate embroidery designs and kits. What Delilah Did is the business name of Sophie Simpson who is based in Norfolk (England).  It was actually the subtle eggshell coloured bee, flat on the table, that first caught my eye. I considered buying the kit for a while until I read it's her most complicated one, so I'll probably just stick to admiring it from afar.

There's something about her work that carries all the best qualities of English curiosity in it, droplets of Alice in Wonderland, corners of Victorian museums and such.

I would really recommend a visit to her shop, prices are unbelievably reasonable and as far as I can see she really has thought of everything.

If you're a purveyor of handmade goods at craft fairs I'd also hugely recommend you visit this post on her blog. For a first attempt at a display I'd say she could give masterclasses on how to dress your stall.



 

I'm just over here on pinterest...

Just a little note to let you know, if you didn't already, about Pinterest.

Firstly to say it's here - www.pinterest.com - like a big social, global, web based mood board. It rather niftily lets you bang a quick url into a field* (or 'pin' it) and bam - there's your image on your board. Since it links straight back to where you found it, all the credits / acknowledgements to the original owner of the image are sorted automatically - brilliant! 
*Or you can do it the old fashioned way and just upload an image.

At present it's mostly the domain of craft and decor types but I can see limitless potential for how it could be used. You can have individual boards or collective ones, depending on whether you set it so that only you can post to it, or whether you allow other people to as well.

What favourite item would you hang on a hook?

I recently asked people on twitter what favourite item they'd hang on a hook and why, and maybe where or any other details they wanted to add. (There was a reason for this strange question, which will become clearer in time!) But the replies were so colourfully wonderful and strange I wanted to find a way to list and share them so here they are...

One of my favourite responses was from Lu Summers (or @Lusummers) who said she'd "display a collage of all the mirrors I've been collecting in my hallway." I found a few other examples of people who'd had that same idea like Ula's bedroom collection and Haskell Harris' Hallways set:


And this set which Naomi found on Anthropologie:

 
I happen to know Lu lives in a farmhouse and is a dab hand at design so am looking forward to seeing her own take on this idea eventually.

So what were the other replies? OK here goes - get ready for some really random ideas! 

@RachelCockett, a museum strategy / development type person has many favourite things on hooks already including a Naga necklace, a World War 1 bayonet, a bronze fish shaped bell and a hand forged copper and silver spoon. (Her house sounds like a fabulously fascinating place. Any photos please Rachel?!)

Artist educator @K8ieSmith sent me a photo of her rather sweet and dainty toy poodle dangling from her hook rail.

Figure from history Sir James Pennyman (Leader of an English Civil War Regiment) - yes you read that right - told me his mum's boss at a nursery in the 1950s really did hang naughty boys on hooks for such crimes as hanging your coat on the giraffe peg when you know you're an elephant (phew thank god times have changed!)

Textile designer-maker and author @RuthSinger hangs 'just a few' vintage handbags on hers. I suspect that 'few' is way into double figures on the quiet right Ruth?

And more traditional home comforts like dressing gowns, aprons and pictures can be found on the hooks of designer-maker @laurafallulah and craft follower @jenimartian 

Rather boringly in our house we have nothing other the occasional mirror and a guitar hanging on hooks. Must do something about that! So what favourite item would you hang on a hook, and why and where? 

Free downloadable Jennifer Collier Calendar

Ok so we may be in January already, but textile and paper artist Jennifer Collier has created a beautiful calendar free to download. It features the work of other textile and paper artists who form part of the exhibition and workshop line up at Jennifer's gallery and studio, Unit Twelve.

So if you're a bit partial to special stationery, or work by the likes of Samantha Bryan, Helen Musselwhite, Julie Arkell, Debbie Smythe and others of that ilk, treat yourself to a freebie calendar now.

Better still, get down to Unit Twelve this year - it's a beautiful trip out into the country.

A few fine things...

Image: top row LuSummers; bottom row Laura Fallulah

So as you know I'll be at the Chorlton Arts Festival Christmas Craft Fair this Saturday selling my wares.

Most of it you can see online but there's quite a bit of new stuff too especially some brand spanking lovely touchy feely clasp frame purses a bit like these but in other designs and fabrics (because I am utterly addicted to making them - it's like putting a rather perplexing puzzle together successfully against all the odds!).

Anyway, you know all that. What I wanted to tell you is I'll also have a few special guest items from my amazingly talented friends Lu Summers and Laura Fallulah. Similar in taste to my things - small, neat items with a heavy dose of geometry, pattern and a nod in the vintage direction. Hand selected by me for your delectation and delight. Many of which aren't available to buy online so you're in for an extra special treat.

If nothing else you must at least promise to come and pick up and gently stroke one of Lu's notebooks, they're so incredibly soft you wonder how on earth they can have been printed. She's a genius and nothing less.

And of course, it being a Christmas fair, there will be decorations and cards for a touch of festive festooning.

I have a good feeling about this one. See you there.

Chorlton Arts Festival Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday 27th Nov
St Clements Church
11am - 4pm

(Edge Lane, Chorlton , M21 9JF)

Come and say hello

If you like things like these, come and say hello and have a good rummage in person. Feel the bumps of lace, trace precise straight lines with your finger nail, pinch the pointy end of the birdy beaks, and ask me, "Exactly how long does it take to embroider that?"

All of these goodies and I will be at St Clements Church in Chorlton, Manchester on Saturday 27th November; 11am - 4pm, as part of Chorlton Arts Festival's Christmas Market.

It's a lovely place and they do make a nice cup of tea. See if you can get your (here it comes - deep breath) *Christmas shopping* out of the way nice and early this year. There are around 35 stalls to choose from. (Also if you've not been to Chorlton before it's worth a trip over for some lovely shopping and bars, cafes and restaurants generally).

Also at these sorts of things, I do sell some of my lovely collection of fabrics so if you're one of those people who wander round thinking, "well yes, all very nice, but I could easily make that" or one of those other people who regularly ask me, "where on earth do you find those fabrics?" Now's your chance to buy some of the fabrics I use and have a go at doing your own thing.

I love to meet people and chat so do come and say hello.

Japanese Sewing Books

Like many makers I'm just a little smitten with Japanese sewing books. It started several years ago now when I stumbling upon some in various blogs and I ordered a couple of books with children's toys, baby clothes and soft toys. 
 
I manage to keep the addiction in check and have 5 sewing books and one crochet book. 
Until now. I wanted to find some clean, simple tops to make to go with the skirts I've been whipping up.

As is always the way, you can never find one book that has all the ideas you like and none you don't. So after hours of mulling several over I settled on three (for now). Goodness knows how long they'll take to arrive but worth the wait.

If you've never used these don't be too scared. If you have a little sewing knowledge you can work everything out from the images which are very clear.

Do be careful with the sizing though. Some books go up to a Japanese size Large but in UK terms that's a 34" bust - so around a size 10-12.

You can work out the pattern of how measurements increase so it should be relatively straight forward to scale them up on your scanner or a photocopier.

Also be aware that the female Japanese figure is often proportioned differently to British women. If you have a more boyish figure you should be ok but for those of us with more curves think about which patterns to choose. All the ones I bought aren't fitted anyway but it is something to bear in mind. 

Completely by accident I've bought almost all mine from the same place so if you're looking try Pompadour on etsy or ebay.  

So next up - find a couple of metres of fabric and wait for the postie... 

 

Jennifer Collier's Banner Workshop

Paper and textile artist Jennifer Collier has opened a new contemporary craft exhibition and workshop space this year, called Unit 12. I went to have a look and take part in her Banner Workshop. Jennifer provides all you need for all her workshops but always invites you to bring some personal bits and bobs along to include too.

Since I'm slowly assembling items from my family's history these days I thought I'd use some of those so I have some sort of visual snapshot of some of that history. And a few bits from my own life to bring the old and new together.

The studio is a gorgeous space, perfect for workshops of around 10 people or fewer so you get really good support and attention (and lots of cups of tea and cake!). It's on a farm in the the beautiful Staffordshire countryside (about 1 hour's drive from Manchester or half an hour from Birmingham)

Lavender + gardening = lemonade

This crazy beast was getting far too large for the tiny garden attempting to contain it. So I spent a day cutting it right back and repotting it. The bees stayed away only and exactly when necessary, when I picked the whole thing up and shuffled it around. We worked harmoniously around one another. As I cut it back I cut the stems with flowers on and left them in piles a) to keep the bees happy elsewhere away from me and b) because there were so many flowers I couldn't bare to just get rid of them.

So now I have a ton of lavender waiting for something exciting to happen to it. I love lavender bags / cushions and have several around the house. But I have no inclination to start making any myself, so I needed other ideas. A quick search of lavender recipes unearthed lots of possibilities. It seems lavender honey, biscuits and scones are popular. But my favourite one was something a little different. Here's what I'm going to try: 

Lavender Lemonade. I can't explain why but somehow drinking it seems more 'right' than eating it. Here's what to do:

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of water
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 12 stems or about 1 cup of fresh lavender
• 2.25 cups lemon juice

Making:

• Bring half the water to the boil and mix in the sugar until dissolved
• Stir in the lavender, remove from heat, cover and leave to cool (should take about an hour or possibly more)
• When cooled add the rest of the water and the lemon juice (it might change colour when the lemon juice goes in - that's fine!)
• Strain the liquid so there's no lavender in it 

 

And serve. With lavender flowers, lemon, or mint garnish. And maybe ice. Possibly a straw. Hell go for a cocktail umbrella if you want. It would look nice in a pimms jug type arrangement. Should be enough for about 8 drinks (perfect picnic slurping then).

If, however, you prefer your lavender in a bag or cushion I do very much recommend you try Paperfish's lavender cushions and Pouch's lavender animals. Also if you happen to know where those bees live let me know, I want to eat the honey from my lavender!