Holidays & Celebrations Be inspired to make and create for your
Issue Twenty Six
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Holidays & Celebrations
Issue Twenty Six 2015
Welcome Traditional holidays and celebrations are some of the core aspects of any culture. Whether it is a harvest festival, a religious holiday, or a national observance, our celebrations are woven tightly into our overall cultural identity. Holidays and celebrations are an important part of our life and something we should all make time for. In planning for this issue we both became excited about all that comes with holiday times: food, family and friends, lugging out lights, special decorations, gift giving and reminiscing about holidays and celebrations from the past. They are a favourite time for 'crafters', a fabulous opportunity to make a special gift for someone, or to decorate your home in a particular theme which can be rewarding and loads of fun for the entire family. Holidays and celebrations add an excitement and a lot of enjoyment to life, and it is our hope that you discover plenty of projects and inspiration to help make your next holiday planning even more special.
Warmly Lenna & Janice
Inside this issue: App Instructions
2
Welcome
3
Feature Photo
4
Designer Profile
5
Christmas Mouse Ornaments
8
Etsy Find
11
Pumpkin Placemats
12
Wanda the Witch
14
Inspiration Find
18
Wild Berries Centrepiece
19
Let’s Decorate
21
Feature Page
22
Fabric Pumpkins
23
Blogger Find
25
Sparkly Jewels Trick/Treat Bag Fabric Find
26 28
Book Review
29
Video Project
30
Let’s Create
32
Feature Page Pinterest Favourite Finds Button Snowman
33 34 35
Feature Page
38
Holiday Stitchery Designs
39
Newsletter
42
Subscriber Page
43
Back Issues
44
We Need Your Help
45
Copyright Disclaimers
46
Until further notice celebrate everything
My name is Manuela. I'm a not-quite-grown up Italian girl that lives in Slovenia. I love everything handmade. Everything I create comes from my imagination and is made with lots of love.
Designer Profile
Manuela Trani of i ManuFatti
I’m an Italian who was born and lives in Slovenia, in a small town by the Adriatic sea called Isola. It’s a nice tranquil place close to the Italian border, from which you can see both the sea and the Alps, and if the weather is clear enough you can even spot Venice, on the other side of the gulf… well, that is, with good field glasses at least. I started sewing regularly four years ago, as I was going through a not-soeasy time in my life. I really needed to
find my own stress reliever and that’s when needles, threads and especially felt came to my rescue. It was love at first stitch! I haven’t stopped since and am now the proud owner of a little but successful online shop, i ManuFatti, where I sell patterns of my own original felt designs. I also have a blog, imanufatti.blogspot.com where I share free tutorials for all the felt enthusiasts like me. I am a complete hand-sewing addict. It really means a lot to me.
“I just can’t stay away from felt for too long!”. I usually wake up early in the morning and start sewing right away. Sometimes I even forget to take off my pyjamas or to have breakfast before heading to my small craft room and start working. That’s how much I love what I do, I just forget about everything else! This routine however has changed significantly since the birth of my first son, a month ago. I still try to get some stitching done though, between one diaper-change and another. I just can’t stay away from felt for too long!
Designer Photo Gallery
When I was about 8 years olds, I learned the basics of hand sewing at school. Sewing is like riding a bicycle: once you learn it, you never forget it. Of course I have developed and improved my technique since, and for that I have to thank the Internet and the lovely folks that share their sewing experience and knowledge on their blog or Youtube. So, I can say I’m basically self-taught; I’ve never taken sewing classes but would totally recommend them to anyone interested in learning the wonderful art of hand sewing.
The first project I designed and stitched was a tiny rooster, a felt Easter ornament in pretty pastel shades. I still have it! It’s sort of a keepsake of that fortunate day when I discovered I was still able to sew and was also able to design my own felt pieces.
Requirements List 8" (20cm) piece of grey wool or wool blend felt 4" (10cm) piece of white wool or wool blend felt ½” x 6” (2cm x 15cm) piece of red wool or wool blend felt 4” (10cm) piece of hemp twine ¼" (2mm) thick Cotton sewing threads to match felt colours + black thread to sew the eyes DMC embroidery thread white and red or perle cotton thread (size 8) DMC embroidery thread peach/pink White wool yarn to make the pompoms Two ½" (1cm) red buttons Two black round glass beads to make the eyes Fibrefill polyester toy stuffing Peach/pink powder blush and a cotton bud General sewing supplies
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Christmas Mouse Ornaments Designed by Manuela Trani Approximate Size 4” (10cm) Decorate the Christmas tree with these adorable little mouse characters, or hang them from a prominent door knob in your home. Embellished with hand embroidered scarves and carrying candy canes, they are so sweet that you will want to make a Christmas collection of them. Step 1 ~ Cut out the template shapes supplied. Pin the arm and leg paper templates on grey felt and cut out four felt pieces of each. Sew two arm pieces together to make one finished arm, using Blanket stitch and matching grey thread. Start sewing from the top (the shoulder) and leave a tiny opening to insert some fibrefill polyester toy stuffing. Sew up the gap when done and secure the thread with a knot at the back. Repeat this step to make the second arm. Follow these instructions to make the legs as well.
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STEP 1
Requirements List 18” x 22” (46cm x 56cm) fat quarter each of Prairie cloth, plaid fabric and binding fabric 11” x 18” (28cm x 46cm) fat eighth of six toning pumpkin fabrics 24” (60cm) length of backing fabric 24” x 30” (60cm x 76cm) thin batting Black sewing thread Rotary cutter, mat and ruler Double sided fusible paper Sharp scissors Walking foot General sewing supplies
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Pumpkin Placemats Designed by Janice Kellaway Approximate Size 10½” x 13” (27cm x 33cm) each placemat NB a ¼” seam allowance has been used throughout this pattern Length is based on fabric 44” (112cm) wide What better way to decorate the table for your next celebration than with these stunning placemats. Suitable for both Halloween and Thanksgiving tables, they are fun and easy to make. This pattern will produce four placemats or double the requirements to accommodate a larger family gathering. . Step 1 ~ Cut out four 8½” x 11” rectangles from the prairie cloth. From the plaid border fabric, cut two strips 1½” x 8½” and two strips 1½” x 13”. Pin and sew the 8½” strips to the sides of the prairie cloth. Press flat. Pin and sew the 13” strips to the top and the bottom of the prairie cloth. Press well. This will stabilize the prairie cloth so it will not fray. Step 2 ~ Print the template page. (Note there is a reverse pattern). Transfer each pumpkin shape onto the smooth paper side of the fusible webbing. Cut out each shape roughly. Press to the back of your selected fabrics rough side facing down. Cut out on the line. Remove paper when cool.
Forever on Thanksgiving Day The heart will find the pathway home. ~Wilbur D. Nesbit
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STEP 1
Requirements List 6” (15cm) length cream body fabric 8” x 10” (20cm x 25cm) striped fabric for legs 12” x 20” (30cm x 52cm) pantaloons 15” (40cm) length dress fabric Feature button for brooch Orange wool roving, mohair or doll hair Two small black seed beads for eyes DMC embroidery thread black (310)and to match other felt colours. DMC Perle thread for pantaloons Blush for cheeks 4” x 8” (10cm x 20cm) felt for bag 9” x 10” (23cm x 26cm) black felt for hat 6” x 8” (15cm x 21cm) light grey felt for cat Fibrefill stuffing Freezer paper 8 ply black wool and US 00 (3.5mm) crochet hook or 12” (30cm) black cord for bag strap No 9-10 Crewel needle Turning tool Water soluble marker General sewing supplies
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Wanda the Witch Designed by Lenna Green Approximate Size 21” (55cm) long A ¼” seam has been used throughout this project Length is based on fabric 44” (112cm) wide
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As a child I remember a favourite character from the popular television show Sesame Street. She appeared in cartoon form and was called Wanda the Witch. She lived somewhere west of Washington and around her waist she wore a worm! She was not a scary witch, more of a harmless, friendly character able to delight small children. It was the memory of Wanda from my childhood that inspired my very own fabric version which I hope will delight children as well.
Advice from a pumpkin: Be well rounded Get plenty of sunshine Give thanks for life’s bounty Have a thick skin Keep growing Be outstanding in your field Think big! By Ilan Shamir
Requirements List 14” (35cm) length background fabric 7” x 9” (18cm x 23cm) leaf fabric 14” x 16” (35cm x 40cm) cotton batting Freezer paper DMC embroidery threads berries #3857 #3860 #976 greens #935 #3011 #830 Crochet hook US 5 (1.9mm) No 20 cream crochet cotton Water soluble marker Quick vanishing marker No 9-10 Crewel needle Embroidery hoop Cream hand quilting cotton No 10 quilting needle Fusible webbing
Wild Berries Centrepiece Designed by Lenna Green Approximate Size 11” (28cm) diameter Incorporate this adorable centrepiece into your next festive occasion. Give it pride of place in the centre of the table or use it as a candle mat on a sideboard. Embellished with delicate applique leaves, hand embroidered berries and trimmed with a crocheted edge, it is sure to become a treasured heirloom.
Basting spray General sewing supplies
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STEP 1 Step 1 ~ Cut out the template piece supplied and tape together in the centre to join. Iron the background fabric then cut two 10” squares. Trace the design onto the centre right side of one of the squares using a water soluble marker. Use a lightbox or well lit window. Trace the leaves onto the smooth side of the fusible webbing labelling each leaf with a number as indicated on the pattern.
Book Review
Felt-o-ween by Kathy Sheldon & Amanda Carestio 40 scary-cute projects to celebrate Halloween Read what customers are saying about this book. “This book is wonderful!! Full of adorable and fun projects for Halloween. I love it as much as their previous book, "Heart felt Holidays". I'm going to get started on my Halloween projects right away. Fun ideas for all ages.”
Time for coffee… This title features felting projects that will appeal to parents and children. It requires little to no stitching, making it suitable for beginners. It includes 40 fun designs. Celebrate the spookiest day of the year by having some crafty fun! The team behind the popular Fa La La La Felt and Heart-Felt Holidays brings you 40 scary decorations and costumes for a festive Halloween. Requiring little or no stitching, these felted projects are 100 per cent beginner-friendly, including pumpkin candy bags, a huggable stuffed vampire, a creepy crawly wreath as well as plenty of ears, headbands, and other wearables for revelers young and old.
Tap here to read more about this book
“Can't wait to try all of the great projects in this book. Clear, concise instructions to help you achieve great results.”
Video Demonstration How to Make a Gift Card Pocket
FABRIC GIFT CARD POCKET Gift cards are a good idea for those family and friends that are hard to buy for at Christmas time, but sometimes they can seem a little impersonal. Here’s the solution, a quick and easy handmade fabric pouch trimmed with festive ribbon.
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