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A Bustle & Sew Publication Copyright Š Bustle & Sew Limited 2018 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 2018 by: Bustle & Sew The Cottage Oakhill Radstock BA3 5HT UK www.bustleandsew.com
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Welcome to the April Magazine At last spring is truly here - all around our village the hedgerows are bursting into leaf while the sound of birdsong in the mornings is almost deafening! This is one of my favourite times of year as we look forward to the warmer months ahead. This month’s issue has a definite feel of spring too as we take a look at the bird we most associate with the season - the Cuckoo - as well as some spring flowers too - the daffodil, bluebell and wild garlic, whilst Rosie’s Recipes celebrates the availability of lovely fresh laid eggs from small flocks up and down the country. Our little Spring Lamb is possibly my favourite pattern this month, and I’ve also included some tips on working with fleece fabric. And don’t abandon your unfinished projects, we have some hints to help you learn to love them once again. I do hope you’ll enjoy this month’s edition, and just a quick reminder that the May issue will be published, as always, on the last Thursday of the month - in this case Thursday 26 April. So if you’re a subscriber watch out for it arriving in your inbox then! Until then, I hope you have a wonderful month!
Helen xx
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Tip for Stitchers When you’re working on a hand embroidery project and you need to move from one area of your design to another do not trail the thread across the back of your fabric as it may show on the front or, if your project is to be used for practical purposes, a long thread may catch and pull spoiling your work. If the distance between the areas you’re working is relatively small weave the needle through the back of your worked stitching until you reach the new area. For longer distances it’s best to finish off and re-start in the new place.
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Between this month’s covers … Tips for Stitchers
Page 4
Auntie’s Cat Cushion Cover
Page 43
April Almanac
Page 6
The Cuckoo
Page 45
Hessian Plant Tubs
Page 8
Lovely Idea: Pompom Branches
Page 49
A (very) Little Guide to Hand Embroidery
Page 11
From Passion to Profit
Page 50
Finishing your Abandoned Projects
Page 13
Little Spring Lamb
Page 54
Spring at Lowood
Page 16
A (very) Little Guide to working with Fleece Page 57
Lovely Idea: Embroidery Hoop Spheres
Page 17
Meet the Maker: Kimberly Hodges
Page 58
Embroidered Scissors Case
Page 18
Lime Cordial
Page 61
Daffodil Sunday
Page 20
Freddie’s Dinosaurs
Page 62
Home Comforts
Page 64
The Final Guide to Transferring your Design Page 21 The Beautiful Bluebell
Page 27
In the Kitchen: Conversion Tables
Page 65
Floral Hoop Embroidery
Page 29
Templates
Page 66
Poetry Corner: The Patchwork Quilt
Page 32
Tastes of the Season: Jersey Royals
Page 33
Rosie’s Recipes: Eggs-tra Special!
Page 34
Tastes of the Season: Wild Garlic
Page 41
Instagram Round-Up
Page 42
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April The name of the month derives from the Latin verb “aperire” which means to open. Although we’re not quite sure why they named it so, it does fit well with the changing seasons as, from the Mediterranean to southern Scandinavia, April brings the bursting open of buds to reveal vivid green spring leaves. This greening of the countryside is one of the joys of living in a temperate part of the world where the seasons are so distinct. We are past the spring equinox now, and here in Britain the green flush of spring moves northwards up the length of the land at roughly a walking pace, from the Isles of Scilly in the south to Shetland in the far north. A fine April morning is, for me, one of the best times of the year. Blossoms, fresh green foliage and exuberant birdsong are all so uplifting for the soul after the long dark days of winter. It’s harder to follow the progress of the seasons in town of course, but one way is to watch the progress of urban trees. Whether they are native varieties like the oaks in Greenwich, London and other city
parks, or long-established introductions like sycamore and lime, horse chestnut and London plane, all deciduous trees are a window upon the changing seasons. Because of the heat generated within cities, the buds of these urban trees usually open earlier than those in the
“The cuckoo comes in April, and stays the month of May; sings a song at midsummer, and then goes away.”
countryside. Whether in town or countryside, traditional sayings fail to specify on which day the cuckoo should return, but that it returns in April is not disputed. There are numerous superstitions relating to the cuckoo girls may ask it when they will marry,
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or old men when they will die, and the calls that follow will indicate the number of years each must wait. On hearing the first cuckoo, for prosperity you should turn or jingle any change in your pocket or purse and to avoid a year of idleness or illness you should get up and run. If the call comes from your right you will have good luck all year long, but if you are standing on bare earth you will be dead within 12 months(!) The first of the month is of course April Fool’s Day - which this year coincides with Easter Sunday - the first time I can remember this happening! Later in the month April 8 is observed by many Buddhists as Buddha’s birthday, although the exact date is unknown. The foundar of Buddhism was born Gautama Siddhartha, the son of a tribal leader in what is now Nepal, probably around 563 BC. He is said to have attained enlightenment while sitting under a banyan tree at Buddh Gaya in Bihar, India. His birthday is celebrated in Japan as the flower festival of Hana Matsuri.
Finishing your abandoned projects
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Daffodil Sunday Did you know that the first Sunday in April is known as Daffodil Sunday? This tradition dates back to the nineteenth century when, as part of the Victorian culture of charity and doing-good, families would pick bunches of these lovely golden flowers from their gardens and take them into local hospitals to cheer up the patients. This year of course, Easter Sunday falls on 1 April - the first Sunday in the month - so most events here in the UK have been put back by a week to April 8. It’s well worth checking to see if there’s one near you as many historical properties - and even whole villages celebrate the arrival of these cheerful blooms - the harbingers of Spring
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Possibly the most frequent query I receive is “How do I transfer my embroidery design from the printed page to my fabric?” This is one of those questions where there isn’t a single right or wrong answer – it’s all about choosing the method that works best for you. hand while tracing with the other - unless it's really small and simple your fabric is quite likely to slip out of position leading to frustration and a spoiled design (I am speaking from experience!). If you have some then masking tape is the best to use as it's easier to remove than Sellotape and leaves less sticky residue. Use the smallest amount you actually need and keep it to the edges of your fabric, just in case.
The easiest method to transfer a design is of course an iron-on transfer, many of which used to be given away free with needlework magazines in the mid-20th century, printed in either blue or silver. My grandmother had a huge collection of these transfers, all carefully stored in a biscuit box with a cute puppy and kitten picture on the lid. There were sunbonnet and crinoline ladies - too many to count - birds, bears and an infinite variety of flower patterns. If you enjoy stitching vintage, it's still easy to find these old designs in thrift shops, at jumble sales and of course on auction sites such as eBay.
● When everything is securely held in place, trace over your design with a sharp pencil or a water soluble temporary fabric marker pen. I have read debate online about whether or not the marks from these pens can reappear over a period of time, spoiling your finished work. I haven't personally experienced this problem, but if in doubt then use a pencil.
But if you don’t have a transfer and want to transfer a downloaded pattern (like those in this magazine) there are several different methods available to you, some of which are easier, and so perhaps more popular, than others.
● This will leave a permanent mark, but it won't bleed into other areas and should be covered by your stitching.
Tracing your Design If you're embroidering onto a pale coloured, light-weight fabric, then it's easy to trace your design onto it as though it was tracing paper. To do this: ● Print your design in the usual way at the correct size for your project ● Tape your printed sheet to a light source most usually a light box or window pane. ● Position your fabric over it, right side up, making sure that the design is beneath the position you have chosen for your finished embroidery. ● Tape your fabric in place over the paper. Don't be tempted to try to hold it with one
Monstera deliciosa pattern
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The Beautiful Bluebell
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The Patchwork Quilt She mixes blue and mauve and green, Purple and orange, white and red, And all the colours in between To patch a cover for her bed. Oblong, triangle, star and square, Oval, and round she makes them fit Into a wondrous medley there, Colour by colour, bit by bit. Over her knee it swiftly flows, And round her feet, a bright cascade, While at her touch it grows and grows, Until at last the quilt is made And then across the bed it lies, A thing of gorgeous crazy bloom, As if a rainbow from the skies Had shattered in her little room.
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Tastes of the Season: Jersey Royal Potatoes Jersey Royal potatoes have been grown on the Channel Island of Jersey for 140 years. The southfacing island slopes are perfect for producing these early cropping potatoes as the soil is light and well drained on the steep fields that slope down to the beaches. There is little danger of frost as the fields are so close to the sea, so the potatoes can be planted early and will grow fast producing beautifully flavoured tubers. The best fields’ crops have to be lifted by hand as machinery is unable to cope with the steepness of the land. If you spot some, be sure to eat them on the same day to really appreciate their freshness - boiled plain or with a spring of mint and served with a little butter and salt. Besides being unique to Jersey, the Jersey Royal enjoys EU protection of designation of origin in much the same way that France was granted sole use of the word 'champagne'. The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is an official recognition granted by the EU to protect the product as it is produced in its country of origin. In other words, if a batch of potatoes doesn't have the PDO it isn't the genuine article. Jersey Royals are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates or starch, which are usually the main source of energy for the body and vital for growth and development. They’re also a great source of vitamin C and other vital nutrients. You can find out more and get some great recipe ideas too at www.jerseyroyals.co.uk
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Rosie’s Recipes: Eggstra Special!
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Inspiration
inspiration
A closer look at some of the accounts we love‌ C:\Users\Debbie\Downl...\penandpaperpatterns.png
@ernieandirene
@urbannestdesigns
Based in Pennsylvania, Holly creates felted, handmade fiber art wall hangings featuring lots of animals, but mostly sheep and alpaca because they're her favorite!
Lindsey is a wife, mama, llama lover and chocolate enthusiast based in Salt Lake City. She designs and makes beautiful embroidery, weaves and macrame.
C:\Users\Debbie\Downloads\Ins...\fuzzyandflora.png
@wildearthembroidery
@woodland.tale
Harriet is a Nature Enthusiast based in Cheltenham. She designs and creates beautiful embroidery hoop art - we especially love her cacti!
Kate stitches tales in beautiful Ukraine. Not only does she make and sell gorgeous plushies and dolls, her Etsy store also stocks unique rubber stamps made by her husband.
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From Passion to Profit
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It’s wonderful when you discover that it’s actually possible to earn some money by doing something you love - like sewing! In part three of our series of hints and tips for new sellers we’re looking at marketing and PR…. reverse too - why not picture one of your most popular products on the back?
Effective marketing and PR are absolutely essential without them you won't be able to reach your potential customers and tell them about your products. Unless people know you exist and how they can purchase from you then you'll never be able to sell anything.
Catalogue or Brochure Woooo - sounds scary - but isn't really. If you're operating as a "proper" business then you'll need something to give out to new and potential customers to remind them or introduce them to your business and products. If it's early days, then this doesn't need to be expensive or complicated - consider a simple postcard with an image of one or more of your products on the front and all your information on the reverse. Take them to a craft fair next time you go and slip one into every customer's bag, and make sure they're available for people to pick up whether they purchase from you this time or not - they may well be your customers of the future.
Sometimes people become confused between the terms marketing and PR - Marketing is using advertising, leaflets, business cards and other methods to communicate information about yourself and your business to target your customers, whilst PR (public relations) is using the media to make your customers aware of your business. Featuring in magazines or newspapers - or maybe even appearing on TV or being interviewed by local radio, are all great ways to gain exposure for yourself and your business. Then of course there's going online with your own website and using social media - coming in future issues.
If you're more established, then a product catalogue can be very useful, showing your entire range - great to send to retailers and press representatives who may well pick up on one or more of your designs. Make sure your catalogue has a good photograph of each product as well as brief details (including any available variations) and a reference number - to avoid any confusion if and when an order is being placed. I would recommend creating a separate price list so that if your prices change you don't have to ditch your existing catalogues and create a whole new one.
But back to marketing and PR - before you even begin to try to spread the word about yourself you need to have all your tools and information ready. Business Cards These are a great way of making sure people remember you and your products. Imagine you're at a craft fair when a retailer gets chatting to you. She loves your products and is interested in stocking them. She can't make a decision on the spot but would like to get back to you in the next few days and asks - do you have a business card? I'm sure you'll agree that handing her a nicely produced, clear, well-branded business card with all your contact details is far preferable to scribbling your contact details on the proverbial back of an envelope!
If you sell through craft fairs then the organisers will be doing plenty of advertising - after all they want their fair to be well attended so sellers will repeat their bookings next time. It may be that you feel this is sufficient advertising for your business at present otherwise consider other low-cost advertising methods - local post office or newsagents' window displays, local press, village magazine etc. and concentrate on gaining exposure through other methods.
It's easy to design your own business card, or use an online service with easy templates - but be sure they tie in with your overall branding (see February’s issue for more about this). Don't forget cards have a
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A (very) Little Guide to Working with Fleece Fabric When you’re working with soft cuddly fleece fabric there are just a few things you need to remember to help you achieve the nicest possible result:
● Pin or tack your seams together before stitching and push the pile down between the two pieces of fabric while doing so. This will help to disguise the seams on the right side and give thickness to the pile around the edges of ears and other parts of your softie. If you do catch any pile into your stitching when you’re sewing the seams, then this can be lifted from the seam with the blunt end of your needle.
● When you’re cutting out your pieces, do try not to cut too much of the fur pile, especially if it’s quite long. It may be easier to try using a craft knife or rotary cutter as you’re less likely to accidentally snip strands of fur away. ● Fleece fabric can be sewn either by hand or machine, but I do think that for the neatest, least visible seams and best finish it’s probably best to stitch by hand. But do make sure your stitches are small - even though the fabric is quite thick. If your stitches are too large, then your seams will be a lot weaker and you may even find yourself with gaps that need closing.
● You should insert any pins at right angles to the seam and not along it to avoid stretching and slippage. If machine stitching you can sew over pins placed at right angles to the seam though, as fleece can be stretchy, slippery and generally difficult to handle, you may wish to baste before machining seams. I usually find pinning is perfectly adequate for hand stitching though.
● When you’re hand stitching a short back stitch is probably the best stitch to use for this type of fabric.
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Home Comforts At this time of year garden centres and supermarkets are full of spring bulbs and flowers perfect for creating a miniature indoor spring garden. Carefully remove the bulbs and plants from their containers and gently tease out the roots, breaking as few as possible. Line the bottom of the container with a few pebbles to help drainage then plant your chosen with a selection such as grape hyacinths, dwarf irises and small narcissi and perhaps a primula or two. Push the bulbs in carefully spreading out the roots and filling the gaps between them with a little indoor compost. When your container has finished flowering and the danger of frosts is past (your plants won’t be fully hardy after they’ve been indoors) replant its contents in your garden to enjoy again next spring.
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