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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 November Magazine As we journey towards Christmas, as well as seasonal patterns, we have included some projects that we hope will make very special gifts for your loved ones this year. As well as stitching, we’ve been busy tasting Rosie’s recipes for sweets and chocolates this month, which again, when prettily packaged will make great gift ideas. We also chat to two talented makers and find out more about the real Mrs Tiggywinkle too. We’re also very excited to be able to let you know that Bustle & Sew will once again be at the Etsy Made Local Fair in Bristol next month. We’ll keep you updated online, but meanwhile, please pencil in the day - that’s Sunday 2 December - hope to see you there. And finally, as always, I do hope you’ll enjoy this month’s edition, and just a quick reminder that the December issue will be published on the last Thursday of the month - in this case Thursday 29 November. 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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Tips for Stitchers Here at Bustle & Sew we’re not afraid to tackle harder topics, such as …when things go wrong! This does happen and if you do make a mistake or aren’t happy with the way your work looks, then don’t be afraid to start over! You can unthread your needle and use the blunt end to pull up the offending stitches - or if this doesn’t work for you try using a pair of fine pointed tweezers. Sometimes, if things have gone badly awry you may even need to use your embroidery scissors (those sharp points are really handy here) to cut out some stitches. But that’s one of the positives about embroidery - it’s so easy to begin again, and mistakes are simply part of the learning process.
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Between this month’s covers … Tips for Stitchers
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Take the Scenic Route Hoop
Page 43
October Almanac
Page 6
Lovely Idea: Tubeway Art
Page 46
Cactus Tea Towels
Page 8
Meet the Maker: Shea Goitia
Page 47
Stir Up Sunday
Page 11
Christmas Pudding Cushion
Page 49
Thrifty Stitching
Page 12
Poetry Corner
Page 51
The Real Mrs Tiggywinkle
Page 13
Home Comforts
Page 52
Lovely Idea: Advent Wreath
Page 16
In the Kitchen: Conversion Tables
Page 53
Zodiac Mini Hoops
Page 17
Templates
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Countryside Hero: The Sparrow
Page 19
Meet the Maker: Chelsea Bock
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Keeping your Toes Warm: A Real Fire
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Merry Christmas Hoop
Page 25
Blast from the Past - Holly and Berry
Page 28
November Gardener
Page 31
Winter Deer Pin Cushion
Page 32
Seasonal Ingredient: Sweet Chestnuts
Page 35
Rosie’s Recipes - Sweets and Chocolates Page 36 Seasonal Ingredient: Venison
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November Thomas Hood’s poem, November, describes the fog and gloom of an autumn day in London in the early Victorian period. It’s interesting though, that today we are much less likely to experience foggy Novembers than in his time. Since the late nineteenth century the number of sunshine hours in November has steadily increased, partly due to the decrease in the burning of carbon - and hence smog-forming - fuels, but also because the pattern of November winds has gradually shifted from a tendency for cloudy southerlies to more clear and cold northerlies. November nights may still be foggy however, especially in the countryside, where the mixture of bonfire smoke and spent cordite hangs on the damp autumn air as we return from our village bonfire party. But they are just as likely to be crystal clear and the sky as high as the moon. If I walk up to our village playing field, away from any
light pollution then the star constellations are bitingly bright while the air carries the first taste
“November is the pioneer of Winter, who comes, with his sharp winds and keen frosts, to cut down every bladed and leafy bit of green that is standing up, so as to make more room for the coming snowflakes to fall…. But among these images of desolation which strike the eye more vividly through missing the richly-coloured foliage that threw such beauty over the two preceding months, November still has its berries which the early frosts have ripened to perfection.”
of frost. After nights like this, the mornings can be magical as the frost and fog combine to cast a
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spell across the valleys. Then … almost reluctantly it seems … the late rising sun burns off the remnants of the night and the rich colours of any remaining autumn foliage flare in the hedgerows. But still, November is a darkening month - during its course day length decreases by approximately one and three-quarter hours and in London we experience only 8 hours and 13 minutes daylight out of the 24. This is the month we commemorate those who have fallen in battle as Remembrance Sunday is observed on the closest Sunday to the eleventh - the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice at the end of World War 1. This year brings an especial poignancy as we mark the centenary of the end of this terrible conflict, when in 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the hostilities finally came to an end.
Stir Up Sunday Stir up Sunday is a tradition that harks back to Victorian times when the family would gather together to stir the Christmas pudding five weeks before Christmas. The opening words of the Book Of Common Prayer, used on the last Sunday before Advent, read: "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people," so the tradition stands that this is the day to stir your puddings ready for the big day ahead! Christmas pudding traditionally contains 13 ingredients that represent Jesus and his disciples. It is traditionally stirred (while making a wish) by each member of the family from East to West, to remember the Wise Men that visited Jesus in the Nativity Story. The traditional garnish of a sprig of holly represented the crown of thorns. Adding coins or charms to the pudding was said to bring luck to the person who discovered them in their slice of pudding on Christmas Day. The traditional lucky charms were a silver coin for wealth, a wishbone for luck, a thimble for thrift, a ring for marriage, and an anchor for safe harbour. This year Stir Up Sunday falls on November 25, so gather friends and family around and get ready to stir that pudding together!
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Thrifty Stitching One of the easiest ways to sew on a budget is to take a look at the scraps remaining from previous projects. If you’re anything like me then you’re sure to have lots of scraps, as I personally find it really hard to discard even the smallest pieces of pretty fabric. So why not consider making something from them? I have an ambition to one day make a postage stamp quilt, or they’re great for applique, or to incorporate into smaller items such as bookmarks, pin cushions etc.
If you do need to shop for new fabrics, then it’s always worth having a good rummage through the remnant bin (most shops have them) or if you’re used to shopping online, then check out any scrap bundles or similar - they will often have a discount or clearance section and some great bargains can be found. I’ve always found village fetes and other fundraising events to be a great source of both fabrics and notions. I have found vintage buttons - often still on their cards, flosses, and sewing items such as darning mushrooms, thimbles, needle books and much more besides. I think my favourite discoveries at such events have been embroidered table linens, the kind that were so popular in the mid-20th century - crinoline ladies, cute animals and all kinds of floral garlands, swags and bouquets.
It’s also possible to make lovely new items from old pieces you may have stashed in your linen cupboard, attic or elsewhere in the home. Old woollen blankets are great for stitching cuddly softies - or if you have enough of them, cut away any worn pieces and use the remnants to make a warm and comforting patchwork throw. Curtains can also be cut up and reused - Flora below was made from curtain fabric, whilst old woollen knitwear can be washed at a hot temperature so that it felts, and again is great to use for all kinds of projects.
It always seems a little sad to find these items on sale for often just a few pennies, as somebody has spent a lot of time and trouble creating them. The standard of stitching can be variable, but even the less expertly done are good for cutting and working into new projects - bunting, cushions and quilts are just some examples.
And, thinking of old clothes, if they’re simply too threadbare to repurpose or reuse in new projects, then before you throw them away, take a good look at them first. Remove buttons and zippers, as these can be used both in new projects and also to mend existing clothing.
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The Real Mrs Tiggywinkle
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Taste of the Season: Sweet Chestnuts Chestnuts, to me, are so evocative of this time of year - when I think of chestnuts, then a cosy fire, dark nights and a general sense of feeling snug and warm indoors come instantly to my mind. Late October through to late December is the sweet chestnut season here in the UK, and it’s time to get foraging before the squirrels take them all! The sweet chestnut tree is actually a native of the Mediterranean, and many of the original chestnut trees in the UK were originally planted by the Romans. For a special winter treat you can’t do much better than a traditionally roasted chestnut. If you have a fireplaee, get your fire burning well and throw a handful of chestnuts (cut across the top first to prevent any explosions) into a roasting pan. After about 10 minutes, depending upon the fierceness of your blaze, you should have beautifully roasted nuts that are easy to peel. If you don’t have a hearth you can easily roast them in the oven at 200C for about 20 minutes - but again don’t forget to cut a cross in the top first.
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Toffee and Fudge
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