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A Bustle & Sew Publication Copyright Š Bustle & Sew Limited 2014 The right of Helen Dickson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Every effort has been made to ensure that all the information in this book is accurate. However, due to differing conditions, tools and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses and other damages that may result from the use of the information in this book.
First published 2014 by: Bustle & Sew Coombe Leigh Chillington Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 2LE UK www.bustleandsew.com
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Welcome …. Hello, and welcome to the final issue of 2014! We’re ending the year in super-style here at Bustle & Sew with this, our bumper Christmas issue! I don’t know where this year has gone, for us here at Bustle & Sew it’s been a wonderful super-busy exciting time with so much going on. The biggest change has of course been that my daughter Rosie has joined the team and she’s had a huge input into creating our new look - both for the magazine and our lovely new website. We both very much hope you approve of all the changes and will be asking you for your opinion in the New Year. But there’s still a little stitching time left in 2014 as we all prepare for Christmas, and this month’s magazine has lots of festive goodies for you. We have not one, but TWO, Meet the Maker features, six new projects for all levels of ability and extra features and articles too. So why not make yourself a cup of Elves’ coffee (page 10) and sit down for a jolly good read! As you know, we usually publish on the last Thursday of the month, but the January issue will be sent out on the last FRIDAY - because the last Thursday is actually Christmas Day itself!! So please don’t think your magazine’s gone astray, you’ll discover it in your in-box on Boxing Day, 26th December to enjoy while you scoff the last of the mince pies or work your way through your tin of Christmas biscuits! And now we’d all like to wish you ….
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Best wishes
Helen xxxxx
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Tips for Stitchers To avoid your thread twisting and tangling as you stitch, turn your needle slightly (a quarter to half turn is enough) with each stitch. If your thread does become twisted as you work, then drop your threaded needle and let it hang loosely while it unwinds itself.
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Christmas Story: The Carol Singers Page 44
CONTENTS
Hari Kuyo
Page 46
Alpine Cushion Cover
Page 47
Lovely Idea: Christmas Gift Tags
Page 51
1914: Christmas Truce
Page 52
December’s favourite blogs
Page 53
And finally …..
Page 54
Conversion Tables
Page 56
Templates
Page 57
Contributors
December Almanac
Page 6
Jolly Robin Christmas Hoop
Page 7
Elves Coffee
Page 10
Meet the Maker: Laura Ann Cope
Page 11
Setting the Date
Page 14
Polar Bear Trophy Head
Page 15
Great Supplier: Billow Fabrics
Page 17
Merry Christmas Shopping
Page 18
The Night Before Christmas
Page 20
Baby No-owell Christmas Hoop
Page 21
Mistletoe - Not Just for Kiesses
Page 24
Lovely Idea: Felt Stocking
Page 25
What Kate Baked: Xmas Wreath
Page 26
Baking Shopping Pages
Page 28
Sleepy Badger Hottie Cosy
Page 29
Meet the Maker: Grace Gatley
Page 32
Lovely Idea: Crochet Xmas Trees
Page 35
Taking Care of your Scissors
Page 36
Etsy Favourites
Page 38
Figgy Pudding Tea Cosy
Page 39
The Christmas Robin
Page 42
Rosie Studholme Puts together all our lovely ideas, shopping and baking pages as well as researching/editing our features and interviews. Laura Ann Cope Runs Sew Mice from a small home studio in the West Midlands with her furry helpers - cats Betty & Margaret and playful puppy called Matilda. What Kate Baked Kate’s blog is devoted to the sweeter things in life - including this month’s bake - her Christmas Wreath - yum! Grace Gatley Specialises in mixed media textiles and creates illustrative, quirky pieces of textile art, accessories and homewares.
Lovely Idea: Pallet Christmas Tree Page 43
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Jolly Robin Christmas Hoop ‘Tis the season to be jolly ..
and this little robin looks very cheerful perched on his snowy holly branch decorated with shiny red “berries”. There’s a little simple applique, but this project is really all about the hand embroidery, using satin stitch, French knots, whipped chain stitch and stem stitch. Shown mounted in 8” hoop.
Ÿ ¼” shell button
Materials
Ÿ 12 small shiny red beads for holly berries
Ÿ 10” square medium weight (eg cotton duck) fabric
Ÿ 4 small pearl beads to decorate text
Ÿ Scraps of cotton and felt for applique you will need light and dark brown, 2 or 3 shades of green, red and light grey. Ÿ Stranded cotton floss in colours to match your fabric scraps, additionally in DMC shades 309 (red), 310 (black), 902 (rich purple), 907 (bright green), 3051 (sage green), 3830 (dark pink), 4042 (very merry variegated floss), blanc and E415 (silver) .
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Ÿ Bondaweb Ÿ 7” hoop for mounting - I painted mine white - this is easy to do with either emulsion or chalk paint.
You will need: eggnog, espresso coffee and grated nutmeg. Brew your coffee and steam the eggnog as if it were milk. Pour espresso into cup and add steamed eggnog. Spoon the froth onto the top of your coffee and lightly sprinkle nutmeg on top. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
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Meet the Maker
talks to us about bunnies, craft fairs and how she started her craft business,
Sew Mice
Laura runs Sew Mice from a small home studio in the West Midlands with her three furry helpers - cats Betty & Margaret and the new addition to the team, a very playful puppy called Matilda.
I completed a textile surfaces degree at Staffordshire University and graduated in 2010. It really was the best experience of my life, I met so many friends and learnt so many new techniques. I also got to meet likeminded designers that I had looked up to for years such as Maxine Sutton and Ashley Thomas! I then decided that making was all I wanted to do and I knew I wanted to do it from the comfort of my own home as I had the space for a studio and a very supportive partner. I decided to do my very first craft fair in February 2011 and it was the most nerve-racking thing I had ever done! I was worried about the reaction to my products and the things I had made, but it couldn’t have gone better and to get my very first sale and meet my very first customer (the 5 year old little boy buying a gift for his mum!) was all part of the thrill!
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In 2012 after doing many more craft fairs and continually making and selling products I decided to set up my business properly through the help of The Princes Trust where I was given all the help I could have asked for! Fastforward to today and my business is getting stronger and stronger each month that passes and I couldn’t be more grateful and proud of what I have achieved! My products are sold in many shops in different towns including Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lancaster and London, I’ve been featured on many blogs and in well known magazines and I will have a small feature on the discovery channel this coming November!
My bunnies have been by far my most popular product and definitely my favourite too. I launched them in January this year and they have sold like hot cakes ever since! There is nothing more uplifting then hitting the jackpot with one of your handmade items, that you have put so much time and care into making and knowing that other people share the same amount of love for your product. The handmade market is a very hard market to crack, so when
Polar Bear Trophy Head I’ve wanted to make a new trophy head for some time - and what could be nicer than an adorable baby polar bear (note: no baby polar bears were harmed in the making of this pattern!).
He is sewn from a soft low pile fur fabric, and has a large black button nose, as well as a pair of rather smart eyebrows! Shown mounted on 8” hoop.
Ÿ Toy stuffing
Materials
Ÿ White thread
Ÿ 18” square soft low pile white fur fabric (I used Tilda polar bear fabric - see suggested supplier on page 17)
Ÿ 8” x 6” light weight card Ÿ Glue gun or pva glue (optional but makes sewing the head to the background fabric much easier).
Ÿ 8” square white felt Ÿ 10” square background fabric Ÿ 8” embroidery hoop Ÿ Two 3/8” black safety eyes Ÿ 3/4” black button for nose Ÿ Black and white embroidery floss
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Merry Christmas Garland, Berry Red www.berryred.co.uk
Christmas Hessian Bags, Cotswold Trading www.cotswoldtrading.com
Merry Christmas Hessian Cushion, Berry Red www.berryred.co.uk
Merry Christmas!
------------Add some festive cheer with these fab accessories!
Wool Felt Garland, Nutmeg and Sage www.nutmegandsage.co.uk
Merry Christmas Teaspoon, The Cutlery Commission www.thecutlerycommission.com
Home for Christmas Doormat, Berry Red www.berryred.co.uk
Recycled Jumbo Storage Bag, Ellie Ellie www.ellieellie.co.uk
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Christmas Treats Pocket Tin by Happy Jackson, One Brown Cow www.onebrowncow.co.uk
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact that all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night with "assembly required" till morning's first light.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired, in hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."
We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, till our eyes, they went blurry; our fingers all hurt. The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin before we attached the last rod and last pin.
The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds, while Dad and I faced the evening with dread: a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's townhouse to boot! And now, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot! We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat— let no parts be missing or left incomplete! Too late for last-minute returns or replacement; if we can't get it right, it goes straight to the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear but 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear, With each part numbered and every slot named, so if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out, all over the carpet they were scattered about.
Then laying the tools away in the chest, we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest. But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, and not run to the store for one single thing! We did it! We did it! The toys are all set for the perfect, most magical, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went, although I suppose there's something to say for those selfdeluded— I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!
If you’d like to read the original poem “The Night Before Christmas” then please just CLICK HERE.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and staple the stair! Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand." "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."
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Baby No-owell Easy Applique A number of people have asked if I could include a pattern that would be suitable for beginners or even nimble-fingered children to try. This little owl needn’t just be a Christmas make either - substitute the holly and berries with leaves and flowers for yearround appeal. Only the stocking needs machine stitching, but if you used felt instead of fabric then this too could be
hand stitched. Shown mounted on an 8” hoop.
Materials ● 10” medium weight background fabric ● 6” x 4” biscuit coloured felt for owl body ● 9” x 2” dark brown felt for branch ● 8” x 3” white felt ● 4” x 3” patterned cotton for owl chest ● 3” x 2” cotton for spectacles ● Tiny scrap of golden yellow felt for beak ● Scraps of green felt for holly leaves ● 1 ½” x 3” fake fur for stocking top
● 3” x 6” red cotton fabric for stocking ● Small amount of toy stuffing for stocking ● 2 x 3/8” black buttons ● 2 x ½” red buttons ● Stranded cotton floss in biscuit, gold, red and colour to match your owl chest fabric. ● Bondaweb ● PVA glue or hot glue gun ● 8” hoop
Add some colour to your Christmas dĂŠcor with this fabulous felt stocking by Laura Howard. Decorate with pompoms, ric rac, ribbons and buttons - Father Christmas will
Look! a lovely idea ------------------
Felt Stocking
Image: Laura Howard courtesy of Tuts+, find the FREE tutorial here http://crafts.tutsplus.com/tutorials/make13
Mince Pie Wreath
> 200g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet > 150g mincemeat > 1 tbsp brandy > 1 medium egg, beaten > 25g flaked toasted almonds > 25g dried cranberries > Grated zest of 1 orange > 3 tbsp icing sugar
Fancy something a little different this Christmas? Look no further than this fabulous Mince Pie Wreath by the lovely Kate from What Kate Baked. It’s a sure fire way to impress this Christmas!
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Unroll the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Stir the brandy into the mincemeat 2. Spread the mincemeat over the pastry sheet, leaving a 2cm border. 3. Starting from the longer edge of the pastry sheet,
Sleepy Badger Hottie Cosy There’s nothing quite like a hot water bottle to snuggle up to when it’s cold outside … and now your hottie can be even nicer with our cute sleepy badger cosy.
Badger is sized to fit a standard hot water bottle and there’s a simple envelope closure at the back so you can refill your bottle easily. Perfect for toasty toes all winter long! Cosy measures 16” x 10” approximately to fit 13” x 7 ½” bottle.
● Black tapestry wool or 4-ply knitting yarn
Materials
● Crewel needle
● 18” x 24” grey felt or felted wool (I used an old cardigan)
● Bondaweb
● 18” x 24” ready quilted polycotton fabric
● Embroidery foot for your sewing machine
● 8” square cream felt
● Black and grey machine thread
● 8” x 6” black or very dark grey felt
● Temporary fabric marker pen
● 8” x 6” tweedy woollen fabric for tummy ● 2” square pink fabric for heart ● Stranded cotton floss in pink, cream and grey
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Cinnamon Stick Christmas Trees, Beledien Handmade www.etsy.com/shop/beledienhandmade
Christmas Decorations
Glitter Reindeer, Cupful of Trinkets www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Cupf ulofTrinkets
Fabric Tree Decorations, Poppy Treffry www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PoppyTreffry Snowman Plush Ornament, Poosac www.etsy.com/uk/shop/poosac
Ceramic Hearts, 99 Heads Art Studio www.etsy.com/uk/shop/99heads
Linen Tree Decorations, The Lemon Pony www.etsy.com/uk/shop/thelemonpony
Figgy Pudding Tea Cosy This is a really easy, but very effective Christmas make - I know my teapot will be ready for those Christmas teatime visitors. All I need to do now is make the mince pies! My teacosy measures 10” across the bottom edge and I’ve given measurements, materials and the template to suit this size, but please see how to measure your pot to make sure your cosy is the perfect fit this Christmastime!
● Stranded cotton floss in dark green, red, purple and white
Materials ● Two 12” squares of medium weight cotton fabric for exterior
● Sewing thread for your machine - cream or another light colour for the bobbin, then black and gold for the needle.
● One 4” x 2” rectangle for loop
● Bondaweb
● Two 12” squares of felted wool, prequilted material or similar for the lining ● Fabric scraps to make your figgy pudding - including white, red and green felt, brown felt or a nice textured fabrc for the pudding itself and a patterned cotton for the plate.
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● Embroidery foot for your sewing machine.
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Fancy a change from the traditional Christmas tree this year? Pop over to Affirmaison for the tutorial for this fab pallet tree!
Look! a lovely idea -------------------
Pallet Tree
Image: http://www.affirmaison.com/2012/11/our-pallet-christmas-tree.html 20
Christmas Story The Carol Singers
The Wind in the Willows Chapter 5 (abridged) by Kenneth Grahame air, singing one of the old-time carols that their forefathers composed in fields that were fallow and held by frost, or when snow-bound in chimney corners, and handed down to be sung in the miry street to lamp-lit windows at Yule-time. CAROL
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ounds were heard from the fore-court without—sounds like the scuffling of small feet in the gravel and a confused murmur of tiny voices, while broken sentences reached them—'Now, all in a line—hold the lantern up a bit, Tommy—clear your throats first—no coughing after I say one, two, three.—Where's young Bill?—Here, come on, do, we're all a-waiting——'
Villagers all, this frosty tide, Let your doors swing open wide, Though wind may follow, and snow beside, Yet draw us in by your fire to bide; Joy shall be yours in the morning!
'I think it must be the field-mice,' said he Mole, with a touch of pride in his manner. 'They go round carol-singing regularly at this time of the year. They're quite an institution in these parts. And they never pass me over—they come to Mole End last of all; and I used to give them hot drinks, and supper too sometimes, when I could afford it. It will be like old times to hear them again.'
Here we stand in the cold and the sleet, Blowing fingers and stamping feet, Come from far away you to greet— You by the fire and we in the street— Bidding you joy in the morning! For ere one half of the night was gone, Sudden a star has led us on, Raining bliss and benison— Bliss to-morrow and more anon Joy for every morning!
It was a pretty sight, and a seasonable one, that met their eyes when they flung the door open. In the fore-court, lit by the dim rays of a horn lantern, some eight or ten little fieldmice stood in a semicircle, red worsted comforters round their throats, their forepaws thrust deep into their pockets, their feet jigging for warmth. With bright beady eyes they glanced shyly at each other, sniggering a little, sniffing and applying coat-sleeves a good deal.As the door opened, one of the elder ones that carried the lantern was just saying, 'Now then, one, two, three!' and forthwith their shrill little voices uprose on the
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Alpine Cushion Cover The last pattern in this month’s magazine takes us off to the mountain slopes. The skiing figure was taken from a vintage embroidery transfer - which is why, if you’re a skiing enthusiast, you may consider some of her equipment looks a little out of date! This project s a mixture of hand and machine applique and hand embroidery. Cover to fit pad measuring 14” x 24”
Materials ● 14” x 24” rectangle blue felt for front panel ● Two rectangles of white felt, one measuring 6” x 24” and one 10” x 24” (one of these rectangles is for the mountain background and one for the ski slope. I used slightly different shades to show up the difference).
● Scraps of felt and fabric for skier and shadows on mountains (see picture for guidance on colours etc) ● Two shades of green felt for trees. Check the template for size of pieces needed (template supplied at actual size) ● Stranded cotton floss in grey, white, very pale blue, dark grown and colours that work well with the fabrics you’ve chosen for the skier.
● Two 14” x 16” rectangles blue felt for cushion back (simple envelope closure)
● Bondaweb and Temporary fabric adhesive spray
● 12” x 24” red gingham fabric for borders
● Embroidery foot for your sewing machine.
Seeds & Stitches: living creatively within the seasons, adventures, family life and craft.
Mary Jane’s Tearoom: just the most adorable wooliness for yarn-lovers everywhere!
Anna Scott: embroidery & design “if I am not stitching, I am most likely thinking about it.”
Coco Rose Textiles: colour, more colour and crochet - perfect for a grey winter’s day!
And finally … it’s time to take a break from the Christmas preparations and put your feet up for a while! December’s bite-sized tips and trivia
In Britain, eating mince pies at Christmas dates back to the 16th century. It is still believed that to eat a mince pie on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring 12 happy months in the year to follow.
Radio … radio …. The first British monarch to broadcast a Christmas message to his people was King George V.
Q: What’s Santa’s favourite pizza?
In Victorian England, turkeys were popular for A: Why, deep pan, crisp and even of course! Christmas dinners. Some of the birds were raised in Norfolk, and taken to market in London. To get them to London, the turkeys were supplied with boots made of sacking or leather. The turkeys were walked to market. The boots protected their feet from the frozen mud of the road.
Present Days …. Try searching car boot sales or charity shops and for smaller gifts and stocking fillers, or vintage clothing and antique jewellery shops for something really special - you'll be giving a unique present as well as recycling. Wrap and label Christmas presents as you buy them and that way you save yourself a whole evening nearer Christmas day to relax and put your feet up
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