Bustle & Sew Magazine Issue 65 June 2016 Sampler

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Welcome to the June Issue

Summer is finally here! The days are at their longest now and it’s warm enough to enjoy the garden as the season of barbeques, picnics and festivals gets underway. In this month’s magazine we’re celebrating the delights of strawberries, cream teas and fairytales, with some delicious recipes from Debbie and a cute little Unicorn Trophy Head and Midsummer Night’s Dream embroidery from me. I’m particularly delighted to feature Allison Dey and her wonderful new free embroidery school - do be sure to check out her feature and visit her site - there’s so much going on there!

The July issue will be published on Thursday 30 June so please do look out for it then.

Meanwhile I hope you have a very happy month with lots of time for stitching!

Best wishes

Helen xx

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Tips for Stitchers When you’re working on a freestyle machine applique project there’s no need to finish off each individual piece. Simply raise your presser foot and skip between pieces, then snip away the threads at the end - after all the stitching will never be put under any strain so won’t come undone - and any snipped ends remaining just add to the handmade feel of the piece.

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Between the Covers …

Contributors

Tips for Stitchers

Page 4

July Almanac

Page 6

Hello Sunshine Applique

Page 8

Cream Teas and Sunny Days

Page 11

Allison Dey

Buttermilk Scones & Strawberry Jam

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Lovely Idea: Printable Ice Cream Cones

Page 16

Unicorn Trophy Head

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Moving from softies to stitching - and generously sharing her skills through her free online embroidery school

Poetry Corner: Shall I Compare Thee?

Page 20

Secrets of Successful Softies

Page 21

Meet the Maker: Heather Lawson

Page 25

Heather Lawson

Tips for Successful Selling

Page 27

Simple Cross Stitch Design

Page 29

A Visit to Bettys Tea Rooms

Page 31

Bringing vintage back to life with lovely makes for Hellish Designs

Summer Celebrations

Page 34

Lovely Idea: Miniature Cake

Page 38

Pretty Flamingo Handbag Mirror & Pouch

Page 39

Growing Summer Salads

Page 41

Summer

Page 43

Lovely Idea: Floral Hoop

Page 44

Meet the Maker: Alison Dey

Page 45

Introducing Embroidery School

Page 49

Midsummer Night’s Hoop

Page 50

June’s Favourite Blogs

Page 57

Meet the Milliner

Page 58

Lovely Idea: Beaded Plant Hanger

Page 60

Two Little Succulents

Page 61

Blast from the Past

Page 63

Home Comforts

Page 64

May Calendar

Page 65

In the Kitchen: Conversion Tables

Page 66

Templates

Page 67

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Debbie Thomson Keeps us very well organised, as well as researching some lovely features and creating our new “In the Kitchen” series

June In June the days are so long, and the nights so short that when the sky is clear, or there is a full moon, it can e hard to get enough sleep especially when you have a dog like Daisy who loves to wake you with a sloppy kiss at daybreak - fine in the winter months, but not so good when daylight arrives soon after 4 am!

But then, the fresh sparkling dawns are so wonderful that it’s hard to stay in bed for too long - the Newfies believe that an early morning walk is one of the nicest things you can do in the summer months and on a fine day I must admit I am inclined to agree with them! Even so, at the back of my mind, although there’s still plenty of summer ahead, I know that after the summer solstice 21st June or thereabouts, the days will slowly start drawing in again, so I love to make the most of the long summer evenings, sitting in the garden and reading or sewing until it grows chilly, the dew begins to fall and it’s time to come inside and switch on the lamps.

as wine, “champagne” and cordial, whilst elder flower fritters make a tasty summer treat. If you are picking elderflowers for culinary purposes then do choose a warm dry day and don’t take them from roadside trees as they will be polluted by traffic fumes.

The month of June itself probably takes its name from the Roman goddess Juno, though Celtic names for this month contain words for ‘mid’ or ‘middle’ as this month was regarded by the Celts as the height of summer. June is of course the month of the rose and in some parts of the UK, notably in Devon and Cornwall, it was traditionally believed that a rose picked by a young unmarried woman at midnight on Midsummer Eve and wrapped in paper would remain fresh until Christmas Day. If she then wore it on her dress it would be snatched away by the young man destined to become her husband.

June brings the Queen’s official birthday celebrated on the second or third Saturday of the month for purely pragmatic reasons - the weather is considered to be more reliable at this time of year to enjoy the various festivities.

(June was chosen by our present Queen’s father, King George VI whose actual birthday

Elder trees come into bloom in early June, their profuse, heavily fragranced creamy-white flower heads are unmistakable in our hedgerows. Both elder flowers and berries are wonderful for making a variety of drinks such

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Summertime brings cream teas and sunny days ‌ 6

In the Kitchen with Debbie : Buttermilk Scones and Strawberry Jam These scones are delicious and so light, just perfect with jam and cream for a real summer feel. I find this makes between 10 and 12 scones, depending on the Cuddly Sock size of the cutter you like to use. If you’re unfamiliar with metric measurements then you’ll find a handy Sheep conversion table at the end of the magazine.

● 1 egg ● 3-4 tablespoons buttermilk

Method ● Rub the butter into the flour, then stir in the sugar and the fruit

Preheat your oven to 220oC / Gas Mark 6/ 425oF

● Beat the egg and gradually add, followed by the buttermilk a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together and is soft, without being wet.

Ingredients ● 225 g self raising flour

● Flour your table or board and roll out the dough to ¼ inch/6.5 mm. Cut out circles using a cutter and put on a lined baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes and cool on a wire rack.

● 40 g caster sugar ● 75 g butter ● 50 g sultanas

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If you’ve enjoyed making our unicorn then you might like to check out our other animal heads.

Available separately or as a collection in the Bustle & Sew store.

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Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st, Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to Time thou grow’st.

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Wm Shakespeare 1564 - 1616 9

Secrets of Successful Softies Free Pin Cushion Mice pattern www.bustleandsew.com

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Craft Markets: Tips for Successful Selling

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With the coming of June the summer fair and fete season is upon us, and whether you’re selling your work as part of your own business, or as a fundraiser, here are some helpful tips for selling success …

Craft markets, village and church fete and other fairs and events are a great place to attract customers. If you’re thinking of attending a commercial event though, be sure to do your homework first. ● Find out about the other exhibitors. What are they selling?

Does their work complement or compete with yours (not always a bad thing, but too many similar businesses at one event doesn’t work well) ● I would recommend checking whether the event is purely for crafts (and/or produce etc) or if the organisers are also including sellers offering mass-produced items.

These could well affect your sales, making yours expensive in comparison - and the less discerning purchaser is likely to go for the cheapest option. (I know this through personal experience!) ● Is the event being held at a good location, for example in a town market place or hall?

And have the organisers promoted it effectively through leafleting/posters/local media/online etc. Will it be well sign-posted on the day? ● Having established this, then take time to consider where your stand will be located (corner positions usually work well). What equipment is provided and what will you need to take with you? If you have the chance then visit the venue beforehand. ● Again, if you’re selling commercially then do be sure that you have the appropriate insurance. You will definitely need public liability insurance, which luckily for these kinds of events is relatively inexpensive and easily found online.

Once you’re happy with all of this then it’s time to think about the day itself.

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● It’s great to get there early if you can - often people will drop in on their way to work for example, and if the organisers allow you can start making money early in the day - I found I could never relax into the experience until I’d covered my costs of attending. ● Smile, smile, smile! If you’re cheerful and approachable - and enthusiastic about your products - you will draw in potential customers. This isn’t about the hard-sell something I’m uncomfortable with - more about being friendly and chatty. But while you’re chatting don’t forget to keep an eye on your stall. You don’t want to miss a prospective purchaser or, even worse, discover one or two items have mysteriously disappeared from your display while your back was turned (unpleasant I know, but it does happen). ● Take a helpful friend if you are able. They will be able to assist with sales while you’re busy, provide cover for you during those essential comfort breaks and also be company during quiet periods. ● Be knowledgeable and persuasive - know what’s great about your products, and what benefits it will bring the customer and why they should purchase it. Again, this isn’t about the hard sell, more about listening to your customer and offering your thoughts and suggestions. ● Take along business cards/leaflets if you have them, or at the very least notes of your contact details so the undecided customer can find you again later. ● And finally - enjoy the day! I always loved craft markets, they’re a great way to meet your customers and get lots of helpful feedback too.

Summer Celebrations Here in the UK this month we are celebrating the Queen's Official 90th Birthday (although her real birthday was back in April!). There will probably be many street parties happening up and down the country, so I thought I might share with you a suggested street party menu and also if a street party seems a little large scale, a suggested afternoon tea menu. Due to available space, we are only printing one recipe from each menu. But if you would like the recipes from my other suggestions, please just email me debbie@bustleandsew.com

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In the Kitchen with Debbie : Coronation Chicken Coronation chicken was developed by a cook named Rosemary Hume, to celebrate the Queen's coronation in 1953, hence why I felt it was a must for the Queen's 90th. birthday celebrations. It later appeared in 1956 in a cookery book by Constance Spry.

Ingredients ● 1 kg Chicken Thighs ● 500 ml Chicken Stock

In its original version, whole chickens were used, first poached Cuddly in water andSock white wine, with carrots, bouquet garni, salt andSheep pepper corns. It was served with a rice salad. This is my own version that’s very popular with my family and is ideal as it can be made well in advance and chilled before serving.

● 1 Onion, roughly sliced

If I am making it with left overs from a roast, I mix by eye. If I am cooking it as pre-planned meal, I use chicken thighs, tastier than breasts and also more economical. These quantities will serve for as a main meal, so you will need to adjust the amounts according to how many you are catering for and whether it is as a main dish or part of a buffet.

● 150ml Double Cream

● 2 Bay Leaves ● Sprigs of Golden Marjoram and Thyme Salt and Peppercorns

● ½ Cup Crème Fraiche ( I use reduced fat) ● 2tbs Orange Marmalade ● 1½ tsps Curry Powder

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Summer Salads : there’s nothing as nice as growing your own 15

Working from home, successfully, responsively, and enjoyably

Meet the Maker

talks to us about crafting, creating and a change of direction from softies to stitching for her online business SweaterDoll Hello Allison, and thanks so much for talking to us - we love your simple, but funky embroidery designs and want to learn more about you and your business, so please tell us ‌.

How did you first begin crafting?

I was born in the deep south of the United States in the 1950s. It was a time when kitchens were still full of women who sewed from the rag bag, mending, making, and piecing every textile component of a home.

When I was seven, one of my grandmothers gave me a preprinted cross stitch potholder to work up.

We were a huge reading family and I lived in my head which was full of stories and magical landscapes. I loved having something in my hands that was so simple, just needle and thread and some fabric, that could also make pictures and tell stories.

My best friend and I made our first quilts by the time we were fifteen, having begged old clothes from the neighbors when our stash ran out.

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They were just rows of squares, but we were so proud of them.

Sewing was always part of my family. My great-grandmother was a seamstress on Broadway in New York. My grandfather inherited a textile factory from his employer who had no children. My mother made a lot of our clothes, and my stepmom was an artist for Hallmark cards and she was always handing me fabrics and yarns for making something.

I was trained to take care of the things we used, mending linens and clothing, and making toys and gifts.

I thought it was just natural to sew the curtains and aprons and my babies' layettes, crochet their little booties, and make their dolls and quilts. But I always remember that potholder as the beginning for me.

How did your business come about?

Due to the unexpected loss of support when my children were babies, I turned to selling handmade wall quilts and other stitchery items

If you’d like to discover Allison’s Free Online Embroidery School for yourself , then please do visit her website: SweaterDoll: Embroidery School

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The large flower is worked in the same way as before. The centre is French knots, with a ring of contrasting knots worked around the perimeter.

Cluster 1 The large blue flower is radiating straight stitches - I find it easiest to work stitches at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock then work between them to keep my stitches angled in the right direction. The centre is tiny French knots. The yellow bud is also French knots. The green leaf spray is joined fly stitch.

Cluster 4 The two big daisies have centres formed from French knots and the petals are bullion stitch.

All the large leaves are satin stitch worked at an angle to an imaginary centre vein.

Cluster 5

Cluster 2

The stitches are identical to those of cluster 2.

The roses are bullion stitch. The bright pink bud is formed from 3 lazy daisy stitches with quite long tails. The branch of blossom is back stitch with the buds themselves being formed by French knots.

Cluster 6

Cluster 3

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The large green fronds are long straight stitches. The small orange flower is bullion stitch and the stamens are fly stitch with long stems.

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1. The Moda Bakeshop is a classic but is still the best way to keep up with what’s going on in their wonderful world - and lots of free patterns too!

2. Over on Sugar & Cloth Ashley Rose offers us simply the nicest DIY's, desserts, and all of the pretty things in between to make for DIY inspired living 3. Katie is a girl after our own hearts!

Her favourite food is chocolate and she believes in eating it every day - in the form of healthy alternative deserts - find all the recipes over on her Chocolate Loving Katie blog!

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Debbie Thomson 21

Two Little Succulents There’s something very cheerful about succulents - and cacti too they always make me want to smile - possibly because they always look quite plump and well-fed (a bit like me haha!)

These are very easy to make from fabric scraps and the little terracotta plant pots they’re sitting in are readily available online. (Mine were from ebay). I simply glued my succulents into the tops of the pots, but you could add a little modelling clay, sand or even a few pebbles to weight the bottom if you preferred. They’d be a great craft stall make too!

● Hot glue gun

Materials ● Two miniature plant pots - mine measured 3” across at the top but if yours are a different size simply resize the templates accordingly. ● Scraps of green felt and fabric ● Small scraps of pink or another colour felt for the flowers ● Polyester stuffing

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Blast from the Past Each month it’s fun to look into my pattern box and pull out one of my earlier designs that I haven’t seen for a long time - and even nicer to share with others too! This one dates from early 2013 and I thought would be particularly suitable for our Afternoon Tea theme this month!

You can download the free pattern here in the full magazine.

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Home Comforts June is the month when the herb garden begins to come into its own - and one of the prettiest and most useful herbs - in my opinion at least is the humble chive with its miniature pompom shaped flowers of lilac, mauve and purple. Snip them off and scatter into your salads and soups for a burst of flavour and pop of colour. Chop the stalks finely and add to buttery new potatoes or simply grab a handful to make a simple display in a mug or jam jar - perfect for bringing the summer garden indoors.

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