N ew
Knit
Our wise little owl hat now
Upcycle
Sew
Vintage tea towels into purses
Fun dinner placemats tonight
M A G A Z I N E
31
Fun ideas to knit, sew & crochet
must-do MAKES
Mother’s Day gifts!
WIN!0 £30 rafty of c oks bo
Notebooks Make-up bag Pretty purse
Quilt Your own starburst mirror
MEET
A trendy chevron necklace tonight
Lamb-tastic!
ISSUE 11 / UK £4.99
Crochet
Printed in the UK
Claire Bates of trend-setting boutique Landbaby
Swing into spring with our crocheted lambs!
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WELCOME
TO Crafty
editor’s fave
airs in need I’ve got four ch and think this of a makeover lster y will do sheepskin upho k you! th very nicely, an 47 ge pa on it Find
i
’m 31 years old and not ashamed to say that I still get care packages in the post from my mum. (The last one contained peaches in brandy! Super spoilt!) Certainly, life without mothers would be much, much harder, and every now and again it’s nice to let them know just how much we appreciate all the little things they do for us that seemingly go unnoticed. That’s where handicrafts really come into their own – there’s nothing quite like a handmade present to really show someone how much they mean to you, so you’ll find lots of makes in this month’s Crafty that we think would go down a treat with the mater in time for Mother’s Day on the 30th March. Whether it’s our make-up bag on page 65, all our cute vintage tea towel upcycles on page 32 or the knitted coat hanger covers on page 57, ideas abound for gifts – so start putting your to-make list together this very second! I’ll see you here next month, crafty folk. And thanks for the peaches, mummio – keep ‘em coming!
Meeting owner of Landbaby Claire Bates and having a peep at her lovely little Liverpool flat was a huge highlight this month. Impeccable taste, I must say! Page 26 Have you seen how popular Art Deco sunburst mirrors are becoming? DIY versions are popping up all over the place, but I’ve never seen a quilted one – until now! I love ours so much that I’ll be making one for my bedroom wall. Page 75
Sarah Adie
We’ve set up an Angel Policy for all projects.
Editor
Unless otherwise stated, please assume that all
sarah.adie@practicalpublishing.co.uk
designs are for personal use only, are protected by copyright and are not for commercial use.
Crafty Magazine
@crafty_magazine
Crafty Magazine 003
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@crafty_magazine EDITOR’S LET TER
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What’s
inside
Projects 18 Little lambykins
COVER
Keep your crochet sweet for spring with our trio of joyful little lambs.
♥
32 Vintage, darling!
MAKE
From purses and totes to lovely notebook covers, vintage tea towels can do it all!
36 pyjama time! Keep your jimjams tidied away with this crocheted pj case.
40 Filet crochet Lorna Watt from Knits for Life shows you how to get to grips with filet crochet, with four exclusive block patterns.
43 Rainy days and Mondays Chalk up another win for the whimsical with these too-much-fun cloud placemats.
47 Feeling sheepish What better makeover for any of your chairs than some comforting sheepskin upholstery?
51 Timberrrrr! Bust out your sewing machine for this amazing bag that looks just like a tree stump!
month Bonny lambs a go go this pals! with this crocheted trio of
54 Zig and zag 18
Make a statement with this awesome crochet necklace. All your pals will want one, guaranteed!
57 Fenn the Jackalope
CONTENTS
Sew your very own jackalope (a mythical creature with antelope horns and a jackrabbit body!).
65 Painted ladies A make-up bag is the perfect Mother’s Day pressie. Here’s how to make one!
68 Off the rails
65
Make your wardrobe look simply spiffing by knitting yourself some coat hanger covers.
70 Why the whales came The cutest whale pincushion there ever was – complete with its very own fish pins!
72 Hey, doll! Make over your kids’ room with these amazing doll face cushions.
47
75 My sun and stars Art Deco sunburst mirrors are seriously hot but seriously expensive, so here’s how to quilt your own without smashing open your piggy bank.
80 The freebie See what you can make with this issue’s free gift of 21 reusable stencils.
84 Be wise 68
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Heads have never been so snug than when under our funky little knitted owl hat.
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PEOPLE
Don’t miss out!
94
Subscribe to Crafty and get 3 issues for £5! Page 30
06 Meet your makers Who’s helped us put Crafty together this month. Good work!
26 In my Liverpool home Have a poke around owner of Landbaby Claire Bates’ beautiful Liverpudlian abode.
60 family affairs Erika Knight and Minerva Crafts tell all about working as part of a motherdaughter craft team.
86 Liz Foster Design We paid designer Liz Foster’s York studio a little visit to find out more about her business.
98
90 Getting stocked MoonKo’s top tips for getting your products stocked in independent shops. Invaluable!
94 Piecing it together Find out all about mosaics from amazing artist Cleo Mussi.
98 Stitch n’ bitch Why you should never be scared of wool and knitting needles, by author of Woodland Knits, Stephanie Dosen.
86
90
60
07
REGULARS 07 News Find out what’s happening in the craft world and beyond.
16 Save the date Your very handy cut-out-and-keep calendar for March.
26
17 World Book Day competition Your chance to get your mitts on £300 worth of arts and crafts books in time for World Book Day.
97 Next month What’s coming up in the next issue of Crafty.
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MEETmYOUR akers 75
51
43
LAURA POTTS
TINA RODAS
DIANA STAINTON
Laura is a designer, quilter and self-proclaimed fabric addict, usually found in front of her sewing machine, sketching designs for her next project, or making a mess of the dining room with fabric offcuts, thread and rogue pins.
Tina’s the creator of Hi Tree, making adorable textiles and toys using sustainable materials. She does all the design and production herself and created her company quite by accident while she was a stay-at-home mum and staying up late testing the limits of her sewing machine. hitree.blogspot.co.uk
Diana’s a London-based crafter and creator of Pygmy Cloud, a little brand of handmade playful and quirky plush toys and homeware, which began as an outlet for her crafting and photography ideas. See her cute felt cloud coasters and grumpy plush bears at pygmycloud.com
dimplestitch.etsy.com
65
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Crafty Magazine Practical Publishing International Ltd Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG info@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 561 1202 Fax: 0161 474 6961 www.practicalpublishing.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor Sarah Adie sarah.adie@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0161 474 6994 Editorial Assistant Hugh Metcalf hugh.metcalf@practicalpublishing.co.uk Creative Art Editor Sally Myatt Photographers Rachel Burgess, Suzy Wimbourne Illustrator Sophie Higginson Sub-Editors Lee Campbell, Becky Higgins, Justine Moran, Ashleigh Morgan CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Dosen, Kate Hancock, Pearl Hegedus, Kate Heppell, Lorna Watt, Kay Whittaker, Diana Woolf SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES 0844 561 1203 PUBLISHING & ADVERTISING Publishing Assistant Janice Whitton Advertising Sales Executive Noune Sarkissian noune.sarkissian@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 826 0612 Advertising Co-ordinator Rachael Edmunds Subscriptions Manager Daniel Tutton Marketing Co-ordinator Lua Fongod Design & Photography Director Matt Williams Group Sales Manager Kevin Edwards Publisher Gavin Burrell Publishing Director Dave Cusick Managing Director Danny Bowler Group Managing Director Robin Wilkinson DISTRIBUTION Newstrade COMAG Magazine Distribution Craft Trade Distribution Practical Publishing International Ltd Craft Store Distribution Executive Jane Bates jane.bates@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 826 0613
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Crafty Magazine is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd. All material © Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Crafty Magazine is used under licence from Practical Publishing International Holdings Ltd. No material in whole or in part may be reproduced without the express consent of Practical Publishing International Ltd.
LAUREN HOLLOWAY
CAROLINE BURKE
CLAIRE DONOVAN
Lauren strives to live a creative life and her biggest passion is her business Maybe Mabel, although she also loves music. She plays piano and ukulele and has lived in both Australia and New Zealand.
An artist with a penchant for Japanese stationery, cushion hoarding and sweet chilli crisps, Caroline writes a fashion and lifestyle blog and loves to make fun projects for sew-phobic crafters! burkatron.com
Claire is a crafter and interiors addict. She recycles as much as she can for her projects and is in the process of creating the handmade home of her dreams, sharing her progress on her blog.
maybemabelhandmade.etsy.com
hearthandmade.co.uk
The publisher welcomes contributions from readers. All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide licence unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate, but the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors. While reasonable care has been taken when accepting advertisements, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions, but will investigate any written complaints made.
Crafty Magazine (ISSN 2051-6568) Published by Practical Publishing International Ltd
CONTRIBUTORS
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editor’s fave
ushroom or “I do love a m g my own two, so growin s. You’re al pe definitely ap er ov d te vi all in for supper!”
Tat’s amazing ♥ We’ve long admired the hand-embroidered, appliquéd goodness of Jan Constantine’s designs, but it’s her latest range, inspired by retro body art, which has us clearing space on our sofas. The Vintage Tattoo Collection includes lavender pockets, cushions and purses adorned with hearts, anchors and lucky horseshoes. janconstantine.com
What’s
new Keep up to date with all the latest news and trends
1
Fu ng i Fu tur es gi Futures get ycle? The boys from Fun Grow your own and rec ir ingenious The us. m iley face) fro a double tick (and a sm grows beautiful, d coffee grounds and business takes discarde m. They’re t mushrooms from the gourmet, ready-to-ea with DIY kits t bu the foodie world, becoming big news in ady thinking alre ’re we The High Street, available from Not On uld grow them. home in which we co about dark spaces at co m/ fun gif utu res no ton the hig hs tre et.
Issue 11 in fabric 1 Trendy chevrons are the order of the day and this Palos Verdes fabric is equally as gorgeous as the chevron necklace on page 54. £3.50 per quarter metre, thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk
2
2 Every cloud has a silver lining (especially our placemats on page 43), and we don’t think we’d mind cloudy skies as pretty as this cotton by Kate Spain. £3 per quarter metre, backstitch.co.uk 3 This modern woodland scene from Kauniste reminds us of our felled tree barrel bag on page 51. £6 per quarter metre, theswedishfabriccompany.com
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What’s
new High Fibre Fiona Henderson is the brain behind High Fibre Designs, under which she has created an exciting chunky, pre-felted yarn, among others (denim yarn, anyone?). We could think of all sorts of uses for this wonderful stuff, but her take on bangles shows off what you can do even with a simple design. Fiona sells on Not on the High Street, as well as her website highfibredesign.co.uk
made for music Modelled on a 1980s ghetto blaster, the Berlin Boombox is a speaker for your Smartphone made from recycled cardboard (and speakers too). It not only makes for a cool alternative to the all-too-minimal speakers of today, but it comes in a DIY kit too, so you can flex your making muscles and have the satisfaction of another job well done. berlinboombox.com
Oh Sew Sweet ♥ Quilting, sewing, haberdashery... and traditional sweets. We’re not quite sure why no one has crossed a haberdashery with a sweet shop before, but the prospect of buying Kola Kubes and fat quarters all in one place has us very excited – our dentists, not so much. You can buy online, but if you ever find yourself in Barnsley, be sure to pop in for the full Oh Sew Sweet Shop experience. ohsewsweetshop.co.uk
What’s new
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t Ta ils Fro m Th e Fo res y seller Colette Ets m fro ls ytime tai How cute are these pla h a little clip de creations come wit Bream? These handma n become ca e ones (or big kids) on the back so that littl agination im e littl a ons with only foxes, wolves or racco e as a on all sm a cy o fan necessary. We might als Mr Fox! own version of Fantastic handbag charm, our om co let teb rea m. ets y.c
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You Crafty devils Instagram, Facebook or tweet your Crafty makes, tag them #thatscrafty and we’ll feature our faves in the mag
worth £65 Falcon Enamelware mixer not only a top of the line ker of a master ba , it’s d its bit a lise as ita elf rev s urs ha yo m) cy co fan If you lconenamelware. (fa n lco Fa list. ice h wis ssic ur riation on its cla that should be on yo ng new colours as a va ati cre e, , ch are na elw pa h am wit en s ir pudding iconic, durable Crafty reader make the ky luc To e ay. on aw lp e he giv To to e. 5 white and blu n Grey worth £6 p enamelware in Pigeo question. we’ve got one set of pre and answer a simple re lwa me na ne lco /fa om p.c enter, go to ppjum
Remember our God’s Eyes in issue 8 of Crafty? You’ve all been having fun making them! We’re loving this one by @PaulieFul on Twitter.
Instagram devotee @madweeyin’s been a busy soul indeed, inspired by our weaving feature in issue 8.
Falling (for) leaves
This new seasonal fabric from Ikea is not only super lovely by itself, but it can also be cut and stitched to make cushions to scatter about your sofa. Super Scandinavian inspiration for spring! ikea.com 009
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Instagrammer @chickface finished her flamingo granny square the very same day her subscription copy of issue 8 came in the post.
What’s new
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What’s
new
urite Favo s thi
Weave
This social network for stitchers has been set up by Crafty columnist Mr X Stitch. Head over there to sign up, make thread-loving friends and show off your most fanciful needlework. mrxstitch.com/weave
Wonderwool On April 26th-27th, Wales will be coming over all wonderful and woolly with the annual outing of Wonderwool Wales. This super show, held at the Royal Welsh Showground, gives you the chance to shop beautiful yarns, enrol in Woolschool and learn a new skill, as well as see some of the creative geniuses of the knitting, crochet and yarn-producing world at work. You might, for example, be interested in Alison Murray’s 8 foot-tall knitted books of myths and legends with a giant knitted dragon alongside. We can’t wait to see that! Tickets cost £9.60 for adults (kids go free) and you can get yours from wonderwoolwales.co.uk
Party time
It may be your party, but you won’t want to cry if you head to Shop Sweet Lulu. The USbased emporium stocks the most delightful party decorations and favours. Our shopping basket looks like something out of our party planning dreams! shopsweetlulu.com
What’s new
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The Bell Jar Pingle m Etsy seller The Glass This miniature dome fro e sewing kit tur nia mi om) houses an equally tton and co (theglasspingle.etsy.c s, pin ety saf , hooks and eyes, les ed ne s, pin ing lud inc ether it’s best for So far, we’re not sure wh a tiny tape measure. er way, we’ve got shelf looking sweet! Eith using or keeping on a head over to reader of Crafty – just one to give away to a ter. en to le sping ppjump.com/theglas
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Boxpark Boxpark is not just a pop-up shop, it’s a whole pop-up shopping centre. Having found its home in 2011 in London’s super-trendy Shoreditch, this specially curated collection of shops has been a touch revolutionary, as each of the retail units is actually an open-ended shipping container. This issue we talk to Debbie Moon, owner of indie boutique MoonKo (page 90), who’s just set up home here alongside some of the coolest big brands and small companies in the UK. boxpark. co.uk
Hola girl
Felicity Hall’s needlepoint designs are definitely something to write home about – and she’s stocked at Liberty London for her troubles! But it’s her latest design that really does it for us, taking a chintzy floral that you might expect from needlepoint designs and overlaying it with cool typography to make a super-stylish cushion. Buy the PDF for £10 and get to work. Your sofa will thank you! felicityhall.co.uk
HOT OFF THE PRESS
The Great Interior Design Challenge The next in line to the BBC’s Great British series is this competition to find the UK’s best amateur interior designer. The accompanying book is filled with inspiration and handy how-tos for around the home. £20, anovabooks.com
The New Crochet
Felted Knit Amigurumi
We might not know what the old crochet was, but we certainly like the new one. Clean, wearable patterns and charming photography mean this is certainly one for the bookshelf. A beginner’s guide, there are 38 projects to choose from sp you’re certainly spoilt for choice. £12.99, crownpublishing. com
Amigurumi is a crochet technique, but it also denotes a certain Kawaii-influenced style we just love! That’s the basis of these knit-then-felted characters – tiny toys, big eyes, hugely cute. £14.99, krausebooks.com
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The Crafter’s Guide to Packaging Handmade Products One for the handmade business heads. Need a little inspiration on building your brand through the use of packaging? This book has endless inspiration, case studies and tiny tutorials for transforming how your customers see your products. £12.99, searchpress.com What’s new
28/01/2014 18:35
Bake it
Angel Adoree’s
Cinnamon Tea Cosies
Keep your tea warm and your guests charmed with these very sweet pastry teacup toppers. Perfect for any Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! Project Angel Adoree Photography Yuki Sugiura
Ingredients (makes 6) ww250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting ww1 tbsp ground cinnamon ww½ tsp salt ww125g butter, softened ww100g caster sugar ww1 tsp vanilla extract ww1 free range egg, beaten For the topping ww4 tbsp caster sugar ww½ tsp ground cinnamon Prep 45 mins, plus chilling Cook 12–15 mins
HOW TO
1
Sift the flour, cinnamon and salt into a bowl, then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and vanilla and mix into a stiff paste, then mix in the egg to form a dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/fan 160ºC/gas mark 4. Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper.
2
Divide the dough into two pieces (A and B). Roll out each piece into a large rectangle and cut into strips about 5mm wide. On piece A, fold every other strip all the way back over itself. Lay one strip from piece B over piece A with the gaps perpendicular to the strips on piece A. Place it quite close to the line where you folded the strips from piece A back. Now unfold the strips from piece A, laying them over the strip from piece B. Next, fold back the strips from piece A that you Cinnamon Tea Cosies
CM11 pp12 Bake it - Angel adoree.indd 12
The Vintage Tea Party Year
by Angel Adoree, published by Octopus Books, £20 octopusbooks.co.uk
didn’t fold last time and lay down the next strip from piece B, positioning it as close as possible to the first strip from piece B. Repeat this pattern until you have used all the strips from piece B and have created a lattice structure. Use a pastry cutter that is marginally bigger than your teacups to cut out six discs from the lattice. Put these onto the baking sheet. (If you have a ramekin the same size as your teacups, upturn it, cover it with a square of non-stick baking paper, lay the toppers over it and
gently push the edges of the pastry discs over the edge of the ramekin base to create a lip – you’ll need to cut your circles 2cm larger than your teacup in this case. You can bake the biscuits on the ramekins.)
3
Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown. As soon as the toppers come out of the oven, shake over a mixture of the caster sugar and cinnamon and allow the pastry to cool.
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What’s
new
reads GOOD
WANT MORE ? Get over to Denise’s website for an abundance of DIY and sewing inspiration lovesewing.com
Super sewist Denise Wild is the mastermind behind LoveSewing. com, directs all the content on the BurdaStyle USA website and still finds time to team up with her sewing machine to keep her wardrobe in check. We talk to her about new book, Mend & Make Fabulous
as well as more advanced techniques such as replacing a zipper or adding lining. On top of the how-tos, Mend & Make Fabulous also shows some brilliant options for adding creativity and style to existing garments. It’s a combination of a basic skill manual and sewing reference with an inspirational, creative DIY how-to.
Where did your passion for sewing come from? I started sewing when I was 13 and fell in love straight away. I love the creative side, the meticulous, detailed, hands-on side, and creating something that no one else has. My mum and grandma sewed, so I think it was only a matter of time before I caught the bug as well. Tell us a little about your website. LoveSewing.com is an online destination for sewing and fashion. We publish daily articles focused on fashion and style that include sewing tips and techniques, DIY and how-tos, plus creative inspiration.
Do you make do and mend? Of course! When I’m tired of something, I’ll revamp or alter it in some way (or I’ll pass it along to someone else who will do the same). And I’ve always got a mending pile to work on. I try to avoid disposable clothing by investing in pieces that will last as long as I commit to taking care of them. I’d say about 80% of my wardrobe is made from scratch, mended, or altered. I’m very grateful for the sewing skills I have because they let me create unique clothes that fit me perfectly, they allow me to preserve what I own, and they mean I can be creative when I find something in store that’s not quite right.
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What was your last project? I host the sew-along on BurdaStyle.com, so every month I make at least one garment from a BurdaStyle pattern. I’ve also just finished sewing a dress for a friend’s wedding. Where do you like to look for sewing and style inspiration? I’m regularly on Style.com to keep up with what’s happening on the runway, but I’m most inspired by street style and the people around me when I travel. I love seeing someone else’s take on a trend when they mix it with their personality. To me, that’s the most important thing about sewing, fashion and DIY – be inspired, but do what’s right for you.
The Review
r lifestyle was top of ou Living a thriftily fabulous is ok bo e littl y and this hand resolution list for 2014 no are re the h ug y. Altho helping us along the wa nd & Make Fabulous, Me in h suc as ts projec for with oodles of tutorials its pages are packed e ob rdr wa r gs in you not only fixing up the thin g sin mi sto cu o but als you’ve worn through, ary cheery. Getting the dre the n tur to es techniqu is ssed or twisted seams know-how to mend stre ing pip d ad to rning how a lifesaver for us, but lea d nts has us really excite me llish be em and other s. ce pa ir the gh ou to put our clothes thr £12.99, Search Press
Where did the idea for Mend & Make Fabulous come from? I meet many people who are interested in sewing. But one thing I’ve noticed is that basic sewing skills including sewing on a button or repairing a tear are often lost on a new generation of working professional women, as well as young fashionable types. Mend & Make Fabulous is a must-have reference that provides basic mending knowledge
GOOD READS
What technique from the book do you think is the most useful? My favourite technique is the slip stitch. It’s a simple stitch that’s portable (because it’s done by hand) and very versatile (you can use it to fix a hem, reattach a lining, mend a hole etc).
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50 Pincushions to Knit & Crochet
By Cat Thomas Can you ever have enough pincushions? The answer may well be yes, but we just love them as quick makes when we don’t have time to fit in a big project. While we’re more familiar with sewing up a pin-holding storm, we love the variety of designs in 50 Pincushions to Knit & Crochet – there’s so many to choose from (and it doesn’t help that we love pretty much every single one!). Pretty flowers, cute animals and cool geometric patterns – we just don’t know which to make first! £10.99, Search Press
Want to win our reading list for this month? Head to ppjump. com/crafty11books for your chance to win these four titles. UK entrants only
Crochet Boutique By Rachael Oglesby Whether you’re making for yourself or as a gift for someone else, crafting something that looks like it could be from the high street will always be a sure-fire hit. That’s designer Rachael Oglesby’s calling when it comes to crochet and also the message behind her first book, Crochet Boutique. The makes inside may not be the most complicated of patterns, but they’re all gorgeous, well made and, above all, wearable. The perfect book for giving your wardrobe a spring overhaul. £11.99, Lark Crafts
I’m all over th is book with its funky ideas. One Mr Bear pincus hion brooch for me, please!
Spinning & Dyeing Yarn By Ashley Martineau While most of us are used to knitting and crocheting with the end result in mind, Spinning & Dyeing Yarn has opened our eyes to a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to yarn. We now know different dyeing techniques, how to build a spindle and some of the processes that go into preparing a fleece. What we love best about this book though is the little section at the back all about setting up your own handmade yarn business. £25, Jacqui Small LLP
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editor’s fave
GOOD READS
28/01/2014 18:13
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save the date
March 1st mar-8th mar Create! fashion illustration
7th mar-9th mar bristol international jazz & blues festival
Head to the V&A in London to be inspired by the garments on display and come up with your own designs at this young person’s workshop. vam.ac.uk
Make like a scatman and get your fill of jazz and blues, with 40 concerts and late-night jamming.
Love mid-century furniture, retro lighting, ceramics and vintage textiles? Manchester’s Vintage Show at Victoria Baths is the event for you!
bristoljazzandbluesfest.com
vintagehomeshow.co.uk
2nd mar Vintage furniture flea
7th mar-9th mar spring quilt Festival
20th mar-23rd mar hobbycrafts
Prints, ornaments, cushions, glass, crockery – all your little retro hearts could ever desire can be found in Bethnal Green this month.
Make your way to Duxford in Cambridge for all things quilting this month. Make sure you take a camera to snap your favourite quilts!
judysvintagefair.co.uk
grosvenorshows.co.uk
Birmingham’s NEC is home to the awardwinning Hobbycrafts show once again, with lots of workshops and experts on hand to share advice. hobbycraftshows.co.uk
5th mar-11th mar jersey textile showcase
13th mar-16th mar the spring knitting & stitching show
22nd mar-2nd nov the colourful world of kaffe fassett
Dressmaking workshops, a make-and-take theatre and a contemporary quilt display can all be found at Olympia in London this month.
Combine a Channel Islands jaunt with the Jersey Textile Showcase – lots of workshops, cake decorating, a fashion show and Gala dinner are all included.
16th mar the vintage home show
theharbourgalleryjersey.com
theknittingandstitchingshow.com
Bath’s American Museum is hosting an exhibition of the work of knitwear and textile designer Kaffe Fassett with over 100 of his pieces on display. americanmuseum.org
6th mar-9th mar creative stitches
15th mar-10th may we’ll show you ours...
29th Feb head of the river race
All sorts of crafty goings-on, plus workshops, talks and demonstrations help make up this very popular Glasgow fair.
Head to Gallery Oldham in Manchester for an exhibition of photography, drawing and sculpture – all made by staff members.
creativestitchesshow.co.uk
galleryoldham.org.uk
One of London’s longest-running sporting traditions, the race will see 400 crews come to fight it out for the crown. Don’t forget the Pimm’s! horr.co.uk
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Competition
Win £300 worth of books for
World Book Day 6th March 2014, worldbookday.com
Craft books are, in our opinion, just as valuable to have on the shelves as story books. They get the creative juices flowing and help teach new skills, not just for kids, but adults too. That’s why, in celebration of World Book Day, we’ve got over £300 worth of books related to sewing, crochet, knitting and lots of other bits in the Crafty curriculum to give away.
Bookworms of the world, we salute you! On the 6th of March, we once again see the dawn of World Book Day, a global celebration of the written and bound word. Its aim is to make sure children are encouraged to explore the pleasures of reading and build up their own personal libraries with free National Book Tokens. This year, World Book Day is 17 years old – a few of the Crafty team even remember getting tokens when at school!
To be in with a chance of winning this bundle of books, head over to ppjump. com/craftyworldbookday and answer this simple question:
Q
Which author do we interview in our book review pages this issue?
The closing date for this competition is 3rd April 2013. Winner will be chosen at random. There are no cash alternatives. Employees of Practical Publishing and contributing companies and their families are not permitted to enter. Winner’s name is available on request. The judge’s decision is final. This competition is only open to UK residents.
17 CM11 pp18 Competition 17
COMPETITION 28/01/2014 17:59
Make it
Little s
n i k y b lam
Say a big hello to spring with our supersweet trio of amigurumi lambs
FOR THE KIDS The perfect bedtime companion for all your little lambs
Measurements w w approximately 7-8” sitting, using a DK weight yarn
Materials
w w 2 x 50g balls Twilleys of Stamford Mist DK in Winter Snow 1001 (A) w w 1 x 50g ball DK weight yarn in Twilleys of Stamford Mist DK in Harvest Festival 1010 (B)
Project Kate Hancock Photography Rachel Burgess
A
s you drive around and about, chances are you’ll have spotted a few bonny little lambs popping their heads up to say hello, which can only mean one thing – spring is on the way! We’re full of the joys over here at Crafty so thought we’d help wave goodbye to winter with a spot of amigurumi and show you how to make little lambs of your very own.
w w yarn offcut for nose w w 3.5mm crochet hook w w 2 x 20mm safety eyes w w toy filling w w yarn needle w w stitch marker
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This pattern by Kate Hancock, the designer behind the Patchwork Moose brand, is written using UK crochet terminology. You can use any yarn and appropriate hook to
make this, but be aware that this will directly affect the size of the finished piece. Amigurumis need to be crocheted quite tightly to avoid the stuffing from showing through, so if you use a different weight yarn to the pattern, make sure to use a slightly smaller hook than the yarn recommends. Amigurumi was the reason I learnt to crochet,” Kate says. “I saw these little crochet creatures and I just had to learn to make them myself. I’ve enjoyed crocheting many other things but I always come back to amigurumi. I think it’s because they‘re made with so much love and every one
you make is different, with a character all of its own. You can’t really make them wrong, any mistakes just add to their personality, and by being handmade you can tell somebody cared about making them, and it shows. A slightly wonky nose or an arm longer that the other just makes them more appealing.
HOW TO
This pattern is made in a spiral of continuous rounds. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round and move it up to the beginning stitch of each new round as you start it.
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COVER ♼
MAKE
019 CM11 pp20-23 Crochet Lambs.indd 19
LIT Tle lambykins 28/01/2014 19:08
Make it
THE LAW
If you’re intending selling this project, you’ll need to obtain a CE mark. Find out more at ppjump.com/ sellingtips
ABBREVIATIONS Ch chain Sl slip stitch Dc double crochet Dc2 double crochet twice into the same stitch (increase) Dc2tog double crochet next two sts together (decrease) Htr half treble crochet Tr treble crochet St(s) stitch(es) Rem remaining Rnd round
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Head With yarn B, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: Dc2 in each st. 12 sts Rnd 3: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next st] 6 times. 18 sts Rnd 4: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times. 24 sts Rnds 5 & 6: Dc in each st around. Mark sts 10 and 20 of the next rnd with a piece of scrap thread. (This will indicate where to attach the eyes). Rnd 7: Dc in next 6 sts, [dc2 in next st, dc in next st] 6 times, dc in rem 6 sts. 30 sts Rnd 8: Dc in next 6 sts, [dc2 in next st, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times, dc in rem 6 sts. 36 sts Rnd 9: Dc in each st. Rnd 10: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 5 sts] 6 times. 42 sts Rnd 11: Dc in each st. Cut B, leaving a long tail. Change to yarn A. Rnd 12: Working through the front loops, sl in each st. 42 sts Rnd 13: Working through the back loops of the previous
rnd, [dc2 in next st, dc in next 6 sts] 6 times. 48 sts Rnd 14: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 7 sts] 6 times. 54 sts Rnds 15-19: Dc in each st. Attach safety eyes now, placing them in the sts marked earlier. Stuff Head. Rnd 20: [Dc2tog, dc in next 7 sts] 6 times. 48 sts Rnd 21: [Dc2tog, dc in next 6 sts] 6 times. 42 sts Rnd 22: [Dc2tog, dc in next 5 sts] 6 times. 36 sts Rnd 23: [Dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts] 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 24: [Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts] 6 times. 24 sts Rnd 25: [Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times. 18 sts Stuff Head. Rnd 26: [Dc2tog, dc in next st] 6 times. 12 sts Rnd 27: Dc2tog on all sts. 6 sts Sl and fasten off, leaving a long tail to thread on needle. Finish stuffing Head and thread needle repeatedly
through all sts, gathering together to close. St firmly.
Eyelids (make 2) With yarn B, ch7. Row 1: Dc in 2nd ch from hook, htr in next st, tr in next st, htr in next st, dc in next st, sl into last ch st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Ears (make 2) With yarn A, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: Dc in each st. Rnd 3: Dc2 in each st. 12 sts Rnd 4: Dc in each st. Rnd 5: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next st] 6 times. 18 sts Rnd 6: Dc in each st. Rnd 7: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times. 24 sts Rnds 8 to 18: Dc in each st. Rnd 19: [Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times. 18 sts Rnd 20: Dc in each st. Rnd 21: [Dc2tog, dc in next st] 6 times. 12 sts Rnd 22: Dc in each st. Sl and fasten off, leaving a long tail.
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BODY With yarn A, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: Dc2 in each st. 12 sts Rnd 3: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next st] 6 times. 18 sts Rnd 4: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times. 24 sts Rnd 5: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 3 sts] 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 6: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 4 sts] 6 times. 36 sts Rnd 7: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 5 sts] 6 times. 42 sts Rnd 8: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 6 sts] 6 times. 48 sts Rnd 9: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 7 sts] 6 times. 54 sts Rnds 10-14: Dc in each st. Rnd 15: [Dc2tog, dc in next 7 sts] 6 times. 48 sts Rnd 16: Dc in each st. Rnd 17: [Dc2tog, dc in next 6 sts] 6 times. 42 sts Rnd 18: Dc in each st. Rnd 19: [Dc2tog, dc in next 5 sts]* 6 times. 36 sts Rnd 20: Dc in each st. Rnd 21: [Dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts] 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 22: Dc in each st. Rnd 23: [Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts] 6 times. 24 sts Rnd 24: Dc in each st. Rnd 25: [Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts] 6 times. 18 sts Rnd 26: Dc in each st. Sl and fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff Body firmly.
Arms (make 2) Arms are worked from Hoof up. With yarn B, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: [Dc in next st, dc2 in next st] 3 times. 9 sts Rnd 3: [Dc in next st, dc2 in next 2 sts] 3 times. 15 sts Rnd 4: [Dc in next 2 sts, dc2 in next 2 sts, dc in next st] 3 times. 21 sts Rnds 5 to 8: Dc in each st. Rnd 9: Dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts, [dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc in next st] twice. 16 sts Stuff Hoof. Mark the 12th st of the next row with a piece of scrap thread. Rnd 10: Dc in each st.
Cut B, leaving a long tail. Change to yarn A. Rnd 11: Working in the front loops, sl in each st. 16 sts Rnd 12: Working in the back loops of the previous rnd, dc in each st. 16 sts Rnds 13 to 24: Dc in each st. Rnd 25: [Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts] 4 times. 12 sts Stuff Arm. Rnd 26: Dc2tog 6 times. 6 sts Sl and fasten off, leaving a long tail to thread on needle. Finish stuffing Arm and thread needle repeatedly through all sts, gathering together to close. St firmly. Hoof detail Use yarn A to st onto the Hoof. Attach your yarn to the mr at the bottom of the Hoof. With a needle, sew into the st marked earlier with scrap thread and make a long st, exiting vertically at the centre of the Hoof. St again in the same place, looping the yarn around the Hoof. Fasten off securely.
Legs (make 2) Legs are worked from Hoof up. With yarn B, ch6. Rnd 1: Dc3 in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next 3 sts, dc3 in next st, and cont around to the back of the foundation chain, dc in next 3 sts. 12 sts Rnd 2: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts] twice. 16 sts Rnd 3: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next st] 8 times. 24 sts Rnd 4: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 2 sts] 8 times. 32 sts Rnd 5: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next 3 sts] 8 times. 40 sts Rnds 6 to 9: Dc in each st. Rnd 10: [Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts] 8 times. 32 sts Cut B, leaving a long tail. Change to A. Rnd 11: Working in the front loops, sl in each st. Rnd 12: Working in the back loops of the previous rnd, [dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts] 4
Hoof shaping Use yarn A to shape the Hoof. Attach your yarn to the top of the foundation chain (on the bottom of the Hoof). With a needle, sew into the centre of Rnd 10 of the Hoof and make a long st, exiting vertically at the top of the foundation chain, looping the yarn around the Hoof. Pull this st tight. Sew through these two points repeatedly, pulling each st tight, before making another one. Fasten off securely.
the open neck of the Body and st on firmly. Take a long length of yarn and st through the first Leg about 1cm from the top, through the Body and into the second Leg about 1cm from the top. St back through the second Leg, the Body and the first Leg in the same place and pull firmly. Repeat these sts back and forth through the Legs and Body until the Legs are securely attached but still movable, then fasten off. Repeat this process for the Arms, attaching them in the same way, just below the neck. Flatten the Ears and fold the open edge in half to form a leaf shape, then st closed. Pin the Ears to the Head horizontally, in line with the eyes, and when you’re happy with the placement, st on firmly. Sew the Tail to the lower back. Weave in any loose ends.
tail With yarn A, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: Dc2 in each st. 12 sts Rnd 3: [Dc2 in next st, dc in next st] 6 times. 18 sts Rnds 4 to 6: Dc in each st. Rnd 7: [Dc2tog, dc in next st] 6 times. 12 sts Rnds 8-13: Dc in each st. Sl and fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff Tail.
CLICK IT Check out this YouTube video for help with your magic ring ppjump.com/magicring
Making up Starting with the Head, st the Eyelids on, making sure to curve them around the eyes. With your chosen thread, embroider a Y shape onto the nose. Place the Head on top of
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times, dc in rem 16 sts. 28 sts Rnd 13: [Dc2tog, dc in next st] 4 times, dc in rem 16 sts. 24 sts Rnd 14: [Dc2tog] 4 times, dc in rem 16 sts. 20 sts Rnd 15: [Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts] 4 times. 16 sts Stuff Hoot. Rnds 16-24: Dc in each st. Rnd 25: [Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts] 4 times. 12 sts Stuff Leg. Rnd 26: Dc2tog 6 times. 6 sts Sl and fasten off, leaving a long tail to thread on needle. Finish stuffing Leg and thread needle repeatedly through all sts, gathering together to close. Stitch firmly.
LIT Tle lambykins
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Make it MAKE IT
LITTLE LAMBS Measurements
approximately 4” sitting using a DK weight yarn
Materials
1 x 50g ball DK weight yarn in Twilley’s Mist DK in Winter Snow 1001 (A) 1 x 50g ball DK weight yarn in Twilleys of Stamford Mist DK in Harvest Festival 1010 (B) stitch marker
HOW TO
This pattern is worked in a spiral of continuous rounds. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round and move it up to the beginning stitch of each new round as you start it.
HEAD & BODY With yarn A, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: 2dc in each st. 12 sts Rnd 3: *2dc in next st, dc in next st* 6 times. 18 sts Rnd 4: *2dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts* 6 times. 24 sts Rnd 5: *2dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts* 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 6: *2dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts* 6 times. 36 sts Rnd 7: *2dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts* 6 times. 42 sts Rnds 8-12: Dc in each st around. 42 sts Rnd 13: *Dc2tog, dc in next 5 sts* 6 times. 36 sts Rnd 14: Dc in each st around. 36 sts Rnd 15: *Dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts* 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 16: Dc in each st around. 30 sts Rnd 17: *Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts* 6 times. 24 sts Rnd 18: Dc in each st around. 24 sts Rnd 19: *2dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts* 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 20: *2dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts* 6 times. 36 sts
Stuff Body firmly. Rnds 21-25: Dc in each st around. 36 sts Rnd 26: *Dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts* 6 times. 30 sts Rnd 27: *Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts* 6 times. 24 sts Rnd 28: *Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts* 6 times. 18 sts Stuff Head. Rnd 29: *Dc2tog, dc in next st* 6 times. 12 sts Rnd 30: Dc2tog around. 6 sts Sl to 1st st of rnd and fasten off, leaving a tail to sew with. Finish stuffing and pass needle repeatedly through all 6 sts, gathering together to close. Stitch firmly.
EARS (make 2) With yarn A or yarn B, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: 2dc in each st. 12 sts Rnd 3: *2dc in next st, dc in next st* 6 times. 18 sts Rnds 4-8: Dc in each st around. 18 sts Rnd 9: *Dc2tog, dc in next st* 6 times. 12 sts Rnds 10-13: Dc in each st
around. 12 sts Sl to 1st st in rnd and fasten off, leaving a tail to sew with.
NOSE With Yarn B, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: 2dc in each st. 12 sts Rnds 3-4: Dc in each st around. 12 sts Sl to 1st st in rnd and fasten off, leaving a tail to sew with.
TAIL With yarn A, make a mr. Rnd 1: 6dc into ring. 6 sts Rnd 2: 2dc in each st. 12 sts Rnds 3-6: Dc in each st around. 12 sts Rnd 7: Dc2tog around. 6 sts Sl to 1st st in rnd and fasten off, leaving a tail to sew with. Making up We brushed one lamb for a slightly fluffy look. If you want to brush your lamb you can use a soft wire pet brush and gently brush the Body and Head in short, quick movements in different directions until you achievthe
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look you like. Brushing will work with most yarns, both natural and synthetic, but you may like to crochet a little square to practise on/try out before you start on your lamb. If you are brushing your lamb brush both the Head/Body and Tail before assembly. Stuff the Nose slightly. Align the Nose so that the top edge rests on the 5th rnd down from the top of the Head. Stitch on firmly.
Stuff the Tail and stitch to the lower back.
Weave in any loose ends and tie a little ribbon around your lamb’s neck.
BITS & BLOGS
Using your chosen thread embroider a ‘Y’ shape onto the Nose and two little diagonal stitches either side of the Nose for the eyes.
Keep up with spring with for blogger Mei’s pattern cute! So bit. rab fat the g Molan ei rum igu /am ppjump.com
Flatten the Ears and fold the open edge in half to form a leaf shape, then stitch closed. Pin the Ears to the Head horizontally, 7 rnds down from the top and 5 stitches away from the Nose. Sew to the Head.
We just love these sley. micro piglets by Kim Lap a for a ide od Definitely a go first crochet project. sley ppjump.com/kimlap
eky little Or what about this che signer de t che cro by n cke chi make sy ea An r? Lucy Ravensca try. your kids might like to r ppjump.com/ravensca
WANT MORE ? Find even more doe-eyed animals on Kate’s Etsy shop patchworkmoose. etsy.com
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SHM39 (Page 72)_Layout 1 06/02/2014 14:32 Page 1
Crochet gifts
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PATTERNS FOR PERFECT PRESENTS
] exclusive Bluebird of
happiness pattern from designer heidi Bears
] Cute makes for babies ] learn the basics with
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step-by-step guides ] treats for friends and for yourself!
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aCCessories, garments, toys gift ideas for and more! valentine’s day, mother’s day and easter
h and all good it m HS W a, sd A o, sc Te in e bl la ai Av newsagents and craft stores chet ro /c m co s. ag em or .m w w w t si vi To buy online,
CM11 (Page 25)_SH 09/01/2014 11:40 Page 57
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Behind the scenes
In my Liverpool
home
Landbaby proprietor Claire Bates takes us on a tour of her life, loves and Liverpool abode Words Sarah Adie Photography Suzy Wimbourne
T
here are a few streets in Liverpool that look, quite frankly, just like London. In fact, they’re said to have been modelled on the Royal Borough of Kensington and certainly, if you were just dropped in from above and hadn’t
seen any of the outlying area, you’d be forgiven for expecting to hear a few Cockney twangs. Around Hope Street, Faulkner Square and Catherine Street is where you’ll find Claire Bates, owner of highly successful lifestyle shop Landbaby (landbaby.co.uk) roaming and, although she isn’t Liverpool born and bred, she’s certainly made this creative quarter of The Pool her home away from home. Her cosy little flat can be found in a beautifully converted Georgian townhouse just a stone’s throw from Faulkner Square – where all sorts of TV and film crews can often be found (think Warburtons ads, Hollyoaks and all that jazz), and where it’s not unheard of to be heading off to the city centre only to be confronted by a horse and cart crossing the road or people dressed in army uniform. “We always get notes through
In my Liverpool home CM11 pp26-29 interview feature.indd 1
DID YOU KNOW? Landbaby was named as one of the top 100 shops outside of London by Vogue and one of the top 50 by The Daily Telegraph
the door saying take your blinds down and take anything out of the window if they’re doing filming,” Claire says. Surreal as that might sound, it’s a world that Claire’s taken to dipping her toe into every now and again, working as an extra for several films including Noble (out this year) and 2011’s Captain America. “I wanted to see how the costume and theatre design side of it evolved, and even now I’d love to go and do something like that,” she says. “While we were sitting around people would be really bored, but I’d take some embroidery or something for the shop, so for me it was also a really good opportunity to sit and do that.” This part of Liverpool has certainly seen its fair amount of changes. Once a very wealthy part of town (as evident by the sheer size of all the houses on the streets) and a postcode everyone wanted to
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COME ON OVER If you want to see your home in Crafty email craftymag@practical publishing.co.uk
see on their letterheads, The Quarter – a part of Toxteth – lost its sheen somewhat during the riots in the ‘80s and suddenly no one wanted to live in a part of town so burnt out. Now, its fortunes have changed once again, and people are coming in their droves to claim one of the Georgian houses for their own, with the area proving most attractive to creative souls. “This is around where John Lennon used to live,” Claire says. “He used to go to my art school and the pubs we go to, he used to go to. That’s why it still attracts a lot of creative people – a lot of our neighbours are musicians or artists.” So it’s little wonder that since she moved to Liverpool to study fine art, Claire hasn’t really moved far from this part of town, house hopping every few years on the same street, or to one just around the corner. Although she’s renting her flat,
1
1 A complete Jan Constantine original. No
2 Some of a friend’s cork people...The Beatles,
other bulldog cushion out there has claws!
of course!
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Make it
CLICK IT Claire tells all about setting up her business on our website craftymag.com
2
Claire has still been very successful in putting her stamp on the place, and her love of all things folksy, natural and handmade is all too apparent – everything has its pride of place and its own story, connected to Claire and her life in some way. She bought the painting of a clown above her bed because her friend had a very expensive Tatty Devine necklace in a similar design that they lost on a night out, her crocheted lampshade was made for her by one of her shop assistants as a moving-in present and her obsession with cuckoo clocks and Swiss houses stems from her grandfather, who had one that she coveted for years and still isn’t in possession of. “Now it’s in Sweden in my uncle’s house. I told my dad about it and a couple of years ago this little music box arrived in the post... he’d bought me one off eBay. That started it off and every time I saw one after that I bought it. My grandad wasn’t an artist but he was really interested in making things out of wood, so we’d spend ages in the shed making things and going on walks. Even my love of nature comes from him.” Another prize possession of Claire’s is her dining table, made out of old ware boards from pottery company J & G Meakin, which was based in Stoke-on-Trent, near to where Claire originally hails from. She designed the table and her father made it from the reclaimed wood. “It’s nice in the evening when my friends come round to put a few stools around the table instead of sitting on couches,” she says. “You can sit eight people around it and have dinner and then I can sew on it, it’s just the right size. I also bought the pottery to go with it from a vintage fair in Liverpool In my Liverpool home CM11 pp26-29 interview feature.indd 3
– it’s the kind of thing that was painted on the boards. I just really wanted to find the pottery that was originally made on them and put it back on there.”
My grandad and I would spend ages in the shed making things and going on walks. Even my love of nature comes from him In a fire, Claire would save... 1 Her Swiss music boxes and cuckoo clocks (but all of them, not just one)
2 3
Her record player Her ware board table
3 Claire Chrystall’s cute little jumper cats. We like! 4 Claire when she was four. Her dad carved it out of an old tree trunk in their back garden. 5 The J & G Meakin pottery Claire bought to go
3
Although family is always close to Claire’s heart, where homeware is concerned, she also loves to support other designermakers at home, as well as stocking their products in her shop. Crafty fave Amy Lawrence’s necklaces are proudly displayed on a dressmaker’s form in the living room (Claire was one of her first stockists, way back when she was just selling brooches and gloves), a beautiful piece by wire illustrator Louise Wilson (louisedawnwilson.co.uk) sits above the bed and she has two very cute upcycled jumper cats on her sofa by Claire Chrystall (childrensillustrators.com/clairechrystall). “A lot of the work in the house is products I sell in the shop, and it’s sometimes come about that I’ve bought the work for myself and then decided to have it in the shop.” Which very nicely sums up just what Claire is all about – although Landbaby is her company, she doesn’t see it as a business. Launched in 2006 out of complete necessity – fresh out of university, Claire couldn’t find a job so had to go into business for herself, setting up with just £50 and furniture taken from a skip – Landbaby has seen Claire through some really hard times (including being forced to sleep in the shop just to have a roof over her head) to now, where she’s considered a truly successful businesswoman, winning Best Independent Retail Business at the Merseyside Independent Business Awards last year. “I see it as a part of me, it’s my saviour, it’s my safe place and that’s why everything I do is for the shop and why it reflects my personality,” she says.
with her ware board table 6 Two of Amy Lawrence’s knitted necklaces – some of the first ever to be made!
And that’s why we think it’s just so very successful indeed.
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Landbaby is a part of me, it’s my saviour, it’s my safe place and that’s why everything I do is for the shop
3
WANT MORE ? Put your credit card through its paces at the ever wonderful Landbaby landbaby.co.uk
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In my Liverpool home 28/01/2014 19:17
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Make it
Vintage, ! g n i l Dar With Mother’s Day but around the corner, you’re probably starting to think about what presents to crack on with. Our vintage tea towel upcycles could be just the thing! Photography Rachel Burgess
F
ancy trying some upcycling of an evening? Then make your way post haste to the internet, where you’ll find all sorts of amazing vintage tea towels just ripe for a craft conversion or two – all of which would make really lovely Mother’s Day presents. Here are just three ways you can use old tea towels in your making – and we challenge you to come up with some ideas of your own once you’re done with these. Instagram all your makes and tag them #thatscrafty so we can find them.
Click it eBay is a veritable treasure trove for vintage tea towels. You’ll have a hard time choosing your faves! ebay.co.uk
Materials
w w vintage tea towel (outer fabric) w w 8.5cm sew-in purse clasp w w fabric for lining and base w w iron-on interfacing w w pins w w pattern sheet
VINTAge, Darling! CM11 pp32-35 Vintage tea towels.indd 32
Tweety pie Project Kay Whittaker
HOW TO
1
Using Template 1 on the pattern sheet, add a 1cm seam allowance and cut two pieces of the outer fabric, two of the lining and two of the interfacing (with no seam allowance). Using Template 2, add a 1cm seam allowance and cut one piece of the contrast fabric, one of the lining and one of the interfacing.
2
Place the lining pieces right sides together and sew up the sides from A to B and from C to D. Roughly sew around the bottom using running stitch and pull the cotton so it gathers and fits the
032
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Find the template on youR
FREE
pattern sheet
1
2
3
4
5
6
circumference of the base. Mark the four points on the base and match up to the seam and centre points. Pin in place and sew together.
3
Iron the interfacing to the back of the outer pieces and the base, then repeat Step 2 for the outer pieces. Turn inside out.
4
Fit the outer piece into the lining so the right sides face each other.
5
7
Pin the two outer flaps to the two lining flaps and sew all the way around, leaving a 2� gap at the top (E to F). Turn inside out through this gap and iron the flap seams flat. Sew up the gap.
6
Find the midpoint of each flap and mark with a dot. Line the dot up with the midpoint of the clasp and secure each side with a couple of stitches.
7
Starting at the hinge, sew the clasp in place using back stitch. Push the fabric into the clasp as you work along. 033
eureka! To make a glasses case, just add an extra 4cm to the bottom of the template
VINTAge, Darling!
alty er n
tiff,
Make it
The notebook Project Claire Donovan
Materials
w w vintage tea towels w w découpage glue w w notebook
Click it
w w plastic card (or something to help spread the glue) w w brayer w w fabric scissors
For more crafting fun and hilarity, check out Claire’s blog
w w sharp scissors
hearthandmade. co.uk
w w baking parchment or a surface suitable to get messy
1
2
3
4
HOW TO
1
Prepare your surface area. Cut your tea towels to wherever you want the pattern to be on your notebook. If you open your notebook and leave a 1½” border, you can trace around your fabric and cut it out.
2
Add some glue to the cover and use your plastic card to spread it around, then apply the fabric and use your brayer to ensure an even coverage. Glue the spine and the back cover.
3
Use very sharp scissors to snip the fabric at the spine and cut either side of the edges. You will have a little piece of fabric to tuck into the spine at the top and bottom.
4
If you wish, cut your tea towels to fit the inside of your notebook covers and glue down, folding the corners carefully and using a brayer to ensure even coverage.
VINTAge, Darling!
CM11 pp32-35 Vintage tea towels.indd 34
5
Place a piece of baking parchment on the cover side you just glued so you don’t have to wait for it to dry before doing the front cover. Once the front cover is glued, place another piece of baking parchment inside the cover and close the book. Put another piece on top of the notebook and flatten with a heavy object until dry.
5
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Bag it up
Want more?
Project Caroline Burke
We’re big fans of Caroline’s blog so hop on over to have a look burkatron.com
Materials
w w 2 vintage tea towels w w needle & thread w w sewing machine w w iron
HOW TO
1
Cut one tea towel to make a 14x16” panel. Cut a 19x3” section from each tea towel for the straps. Make sure you measure and mark out the pieces so you know you have enough fabric before you make the first cut.
1
2
3
4
2
To make a strap, fold the fabric over on itself, right sides facing, and press with an iron. Sew along the open length to close the strap (you can secure the frayed edges with a zigzag stitch). Turn the strap inside out so the right side is visible and secure the ends with a blind stitch. Press with an iron to finish. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make your second panel and strap.
3
Take the tote bag panel, right sides facing away, turn over the top if you need to hem it and pin your finished strap in place. Use a running stitch approximately 1cm from the top to secure the strap. Repeat the running stitch again a few centimetres further down to secure the strap again at the bottom. Repeat with the second strap and panel.
eureka!
4
Once the straps are attached, place the two panels together, right sides facing, and sew around the bottom and sides of the tote. You can finish with a zigzag stitch to bind any fraying edges. Turn the bag inside out to reveal your finished vintage tote! 035
CM11 pp32-35 Vintage tea towels.indd 35
You don’t have to use tea towels. Check out your local second-hand shop for vintage tablecloths or fabric Use two different tea towel designs so your tote has alternative sides to show off
VINTAge, Darling!
29/01/2014 09:02
Make it
Pyjama time! CM11 pp36-38 Crochet PJ case.indd 36
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PYJAMA time! Crochet sweet flower hexagons to wrap around your pyjamas for a vintage-inspired touch of home décor Project Susan Pinner Photography Sian Irvine
Materials
w w approximately 60g in several colours of Merino
ww 5mm crochet hook ww star-shaped button
wool DK yarn (colours A, B, C & D in pattern) ww approximately 60g in several colours of cashmere/ Merino blend DK (same colours as Merino yarn) ww approximately 40g of cream or white Merino DK (used double)
tension ww Each side of hexagon measures 9.5cm
SIZE ww 35cm from point to point of assembled hexagon
W
hat do you do with your pyjamas when you’re not wearing them? For us it’s the eternal quandary, only solved by the wonder of a pyjama case. It’s great because it keeps your PJs right where they need to be for a quick and easy escape to the land of nod, but also because, come daytime, it disguises itself as an ordinary pillow.
Ch Chain
Dtr Double treble crochet
Sl Slip stitch
Tr
This one is made from crocheted flower hexagons and the two strands of yarn are held together to create a plump, dense fabric.
037 CM11 pp36-38 Crochet PJ case.indd 37
ABBREVIATIONS
Treble crochet
Rep Repeat
PYJAMA TIME! 28/01/2014 19:30
Make it
how to
Flower hexagon motif (make 8) Using A, ch4 and sl to form a ring. Rnd 1: Ch2 (counts as 1 tr), tr11 into circle, sl to complete rnd, cut and weave in ends. 12 tr Rnd 2: Using B, [ch2 (counts as 1 tr), 2-tr cluster] in same st, *[ch2, 3-tr cluster] in next st; rep from * to end of rnd, ch 2, sl to complete rnd, cut and weave in ends. 12 tr clusters Rnd 3: Using C, attach yarn in a ch space, [ch3 (counts as 1 dtr), 2-dtr cluster] in same ch space, *[ch 3, 3-dtr] cluster in next ch space; rep from * to end of rnd, ch3, sl to complete rnd, cut and weave in ends. 12 dtr clusters Rnd 4: Using D, attach yarn in any space, ch2 (counts as 1 tr), [tr2, ch2, tr3] in first space, *tr3 in next space, [tr3, ch2, tr3] in next space; rep from * 5 times, tr3 in next space, sl to complete rnd, cut and weave in ends. 6 sides Rnd 5: Using background colour, attach yarn in a corner ch space, ch2 (counts as 1 tr), *tr1 in next 9 sts, [tr1, ch2, tr1] in corner space; rep from * 5 times, tr1 in next 9 sts, tr1 in first corner space, ch2, sl to complete rnd, cut and weave in ends. 6 sides of 11 tr with ch 2 corners
Tr/dtr clusters
Make tr or dtr sts into the same st base, holding the last loop on each st on the hook, as many times as required. Yrh and pull through all the remaining loops on the hook to draw all sts together to make a cluster. Complete the st with a ch st.
Making up Sew the pieces together and fold as shown in the diagram. Leave two sides of the middle hexagon open on one side for inserting the pyjamas. Stitch on the button. The buttonhole will be formed from natural holes in the crochet work. The easiest way to see how the construction of the cushion comes together is to photocopy and cut out the diagram and fold along the lines shown. You will then have a clear threedimensional model of the cushion. the book Granny Squares by Susan Pinner, published by GMC, ÂŁ14.99 thegmcgroup.com
PYJAMA TIME! CM11 pp36-38 Crochet PJ case.indd 38
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Make it
filett
e h c o r c
This clever crochet technique lets you draw or spell anything on a grid using just two simple stitches: chain and treble crochet. Want to learn how? Photography & project Lorna Watt
F
ilet crochet is a traditional staple of granny chic, with old school crafters using it to create intricate crochet lace designs from vast charts. Give it a quick Google and you’ll find everything from slogans to ornate rose borders. Therein lies the best thing about adding filet crochet to your hooking arsenal – you can make pretty much whatever you want. That’s why we asked talented crocheter Lorna Watt to show us the basics and help get our heads around working from a chart.
Filet crochet CM11 pp40-42 filet crochet.indd 40
Filet crochet is worked as a series of solid blocks within a mesh of open spaces. Each row is a series of blocks and spaces. Each block or space is a group of three simple stitches – a block is a series of three treble crochet stitches worked in three consecutive stitches and a space is a group of two chain stitches (worked over two skipped stitches) followed by one treble crochet stitch worked in the next stitch. All rows begin with a three-stitch turning chain, which counts
as an extra treble crochet stitch at the beginning of the row to complete the border. Find out how to get started with this interesting technique over on page 42. Onward!
Materials w w cotton crochet thread
w w iron
w w cloth
ww pins
w w 1mm crochet hook
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WANT MORE ? Check out Lorna’s website for inventive crochet and knitting patterns, as well as yarnbombs galore! knitsforlife.com
041 CM11 pp40-42 filet crochet.indd 41
Filet crochet 28/01/2014 19:32
Make it
how to
Reading the chart: – Odd rows are read right to left. Even rows are read left to right. Horizontally symmetrical charts can be read either way. – Dark square: Block (3 tr). – Light square: Space (ch 2, sk 2, tr).
1
Work a starting chain in multiples of 3 plus 1: Chain 3 for every box in row 1, plus 1 chain stitch for the turning chain. For the pictured charts, chain 28 [(9x3)+1].
2
For rows beginning with a space, chain 3 for the turning chain (counts as an extra treble crochet stitch), chain 2, 1 treble crochet in 9th stitch from hook. Continue working blocks and spaces according to the chart to the end of the row.
3
For rows beginning with a block, chain 3 for the turning chain (counts as an extra treble crochet stitch), 1 treble crochet in 5th stitch from hook, 1
treble crochet in each of the next 2 stitches. Continue working blocks and spaces according to the chart to the end of the row.
4
To make the picot edging, rotate your work a quarter turn clockwise to begin the edging down the left side. In each square space, work 3 double crochet stitches and 1 picot (chain 3 or 4 and slip stitch into the first chain). Add 1 double crochet stitch for the corner. Repeat for each side, slip stitch to the first single crochet stitch, break the yarn and weave in the ends.
5
Blocking is crucial for filet crochet. Stretch and pin your finished object into true shape right side down, cover with a dry cloth and steam-iron. For projects like coasters and wall hangings, you may even want to use starch or a liquid spray-on stiffener.
Plot your own!
Using these basic charts, you can make your own block designs too. Be sure to show us yours on Instagram, tagging them #thatscrafty. Here are Lorna’s top tips!
1
Experiment with your own small projects. Make a custom coaster set, some special bunting or write your favourite text message on a witty doily Filet crochet
CM11 pp40-42 filet crochet.indd 42
2
Finished objects look compressed vertically, so compensate when charting a design by vertically elongating it a bit
3
For chart inspiration on a small scale, browse cross stitch jewellery motifs and Fair Isle knitting designs
4
Mix it up with other crochet borders like shell or block edging 042
28/01/2014 19:32
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Rainy days ys
a d n o &M
It won’t be just the food that impresses dinner guests with these hand-sewn cloud placemats. What a corker! Project Diana Stainton Photography Rachel Burgess
G
rey and gloomy clouds might not fill us with much hope when they’re looming overhead, but stick them on your dinner table in the form of placemats and it’s an entirely different story. Designed by Diana Stainton, the lady behind homeware brand Pygmy Cloud (so called because she’s a fan of the weather and pygmy hedgehogs), these precipitous placemats are quick, fun and easy to make – the perfect project for a rainy day!
043 CM11 pp47-49 Cloud placemats.indd 43
I love sewing by hand, I find it very therapeutic and I can take it anywhere,” Diana says. “You’ll often find me sewing on the London Underground on my way to work or my studio. I also like woodwork, but I can’t say I’ve mastered the art of that yet! My grandmother did a lot of embroidery which has influenced the way I work – it’s a nice way to add detail and embellish crafty products.
R ainy Days & Mondays 28/01/2014 19:46
Make it
Find the template on youR
FREE
pattern sheet
R ainy Days & Mondays CM11 pp47-49 Cloud placemats.indd 44
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1
Shop it here
2
3
Cookie Parlor’s cloudis all shaped cookie cutter at wh w kno We . kinds of fun nth! we’ll be baking this mo m, £3.70 cookieparlor.etsy.co
4
5
Materials w w 3mm cork sheet
ww air-erasable pen
ww grey wool felt
ww template
ww scissors w w white stranded cotton ww embroidery needle w w Copydex glue
QUICK FIX!
Want a one-evening crafty project? This is the one!
(or a big Per fect for any nurser y wall se the ), om kid ’s bedro om stickers will keep the glo uds... clo are y the if n away – eve £30 , om s.c parkinsinterior
HOW TO
1 2 3
Cut the cork and felt into a cloud shape following the template.
eureka! Use Copydex to glue the felt to the cork as
Draw raindrops onto the felt using the air-erasable pen and cut out.
it’s strong, flexible and dries clear Use scissors to cut the cork instead of a craft
Apply Copydex to the felt and cork. Leave the glue to dry until it becomes tacky (about 10 minutes). Press the two pieces together firmly. Leave to dry overnight.
knife as it gives a better edge Apply the glue sparingly, especially on the felt, as you don’t want it to
4 5
Stitch around each raindrop, using a running stitch through both layers.
WANT MORE ? We love Diana’s funky designs. See more on her website!
Finish off by using an overcast stitch around the edge of your cloud placemat.
pygmycloud.com
045 CM11 pp47-49 Cloud placemats.indd 45
tic? Got a flair for the drama er silv rling ste this n The thunder and lightning , sir! necklace should suit you .50 £63 k, o.u y.c ller soremi-jewe
R ainy Days & Mondays 28/01/2014 19:46
CM11 (Page 46)_CM 09/01/2014 12:28 Page 46
Something for everyone whatever your passion from beautiful alpaca yarns (from our own herd) to luxury designer yarns. Well supported with haberdashery, patterns and kits to give you inspiration. We also have a range of ďŹ nished products such as alpaca bedding, handmade toiletries and gifts. New this season is our range of Gift Baskets for a gift idea with a difference. SEE READER OFFER P63 TO GET 10% DISCOUNT USE OR QUOTE SH38 The Little Wool Company Tel: 01409 221699
www.thelittlewoolcompany.com 046
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Feeling h s i p e e h s Visitors will flock to this seat immediately if you upholster one for your living room! Project Cassandra Ellis
Don’t forget to check out Cassandra’s lovely website for more ideas cassandraellis.co.uk
Photography Catherine Gratwicke
Natural fibres thrill our fingertips. Using our sense of touch is vital to our wellbeing, and touch thrives on contrast and variety. Sheepskins offer an irresistible opportunity for tactile indulgence. I believe that the positive feelings we get from sheepskins, or any fur, are primeval. They offer more emotional warmth and comfort than any other fibre group and we respond to them at a very simple level – they feel good, so we do too, Cassandra says. “We had a stool like this when I
047 CM11 pp50-52 sheepskin stool cover.indd 47
WANT MORE ?
was growing up and I loved it. It was always in my mother’s room and I can remember sitting on it with my fingers firmly rooted in its fur, legs swinging. As a project, it is a little nostalgic for me, but I also think it’s a wondrous piece of furniture for both big and small people to rest on and enjoy. I’ve made this a very simple project, but you can make it more ‘professional’ by ensuring the stool is freshly upholstered if necessary and applying a lining to the underside of the stool.
Feeling sheepish 28/01/2014 19:57
Make it
feeling sheepish CM11 pp50-52 sheepskin stool cover.indd 48
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Make it here Before you begin
Materials
an upholstered stool of your choice (antique, vintage or new) sheepskin (make sure it’s large enough to cover the top and sides of your stool, with extra to fix to the underside) staple gun (electric is great if you have one) sharp scissors
Decide if you need to modify or improve the stool in any way – whether by painting, sanding, stripping or waxing. You need to do this before you attach the sheepskin. If you’re using an antique or vintage piece, you also need to decide if you want to remove the old upholstery. Perfectionists would say yes, but you may not like what you find underneath… which means you’ll have to replace the upholstery as well. It’s up to you whether you want this to be a short or a long project.
how to the book
Cloth by Cassandra Ellis, published by Kyle Books, £25 kylebooks.com
1 2
If your stool has removable legs, remove these now.
Lay the sheepskin right side down and centre the stool on top. Pull the edges of the sheepskin over it and staple them down onto the wooden frame of the stool. Make sure you pull the sheepskin tight as you go and fold the corners in.
3
Trim away any excess so that you have a nice clean line. Reattach the stool legs if necessary and you’re done – except for finding a good place in your home for it to sit.
eureka
PICK IT UP
There are a wide variety of sheepskins available now. As farmers are introducing rare breeds back into their flocks, their skins are becoming more accessible. They’re usually wonderful colours and more natural in appearance than many of the commercial skins. It’s worth spending a little time and a little more money supporting an artisan business where you know the herd has had a good life and the animals have been treated humanely
You can get real sheepskin from wool festivals, or faux online. Try ikea.com
049 CM11 pp50-52 sheepskin stool cover.indd 49
course For a great beginner ’s r way to you ke ma , ery in upholst central The Goodlife Centre in to use how rn lea ’ll You n. Londo over re-c to how all the tools and day! a chair seat – all in one k thegoodlifecentre.co.u
a bit If you want something of more intensive, then one five ry’s ste hol Up of Ministry es in week or weekend cours a good Manchester could be starter s, sse cla choice. Small ric make fab off 15% and cks pa s. this a winner in our eye o.uk ministr yofupholstery.c
ft in the And if you ’d rather cra ss with cla a n the , de rysi unt co nna Joa r ere olst master uph s at Heptinstall, who teache e ous neh sto old iful beaut may well @theFarm near Bath, r be the answer to all you . ms ble pro tion renova at-the-farm.co.uk
feeling sheepish 28/01/2014 19:57
Head online for exclusive tutorials, competitions & free downloads
Visit our brand-new Crafty Magazine website to get all the craft news you could ever want, enter competitions to win all sorts of crafty goodies and tickets to fun events, get great business advice from industry experts and designer-makers, download our templates, find lots of funky mini makes in the DIY section and get all sorts of foodie inspiration for growing (and cooking) your own! What’s more, if you join our Craft Club, you’ll also be able to keep up to date with all our latest posts and offers, so you know you’ll never miss out on any of the Crafty fun.
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! r r r r Timber Your sewing machine will never be put to better use than when making this amazing tree stump-esque bag! Project Tina Rodas Photography Rachel Burgess
I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK, I work all night and I work all day!
O
k, so sewing a tree bag won’t turn you into a lumberjack, but it certainly will get this song stuck in your head for days on end – a small price to pay for such an amazing end product, we think.
ww 1 brown zipper at least 14” long ww cotton in a contrasting pattern for inside lining w w 2 x 41” long straps in a contrasting colour w w dark brown & green thread
If you’re looking for a make that will go down insanely well with kiddies this year, then, by Jove – this is the one! Fun, whimsical and a great chance to practise your machine embroidery skills... this bag’s got it all. Don’t forget to snap shots of your makes and Instagram them with the hashtag #thatscrafty so we can find them with ease. Happy making, one and all!
051 CM11 pp53-55 Tree Stump Bag.indd 51
Materials
ww brown, beige/tan & green felt
w w green ribbon w w pattern sheet
ONE FOR THE KIDS FOR THE KIDS
Kiddiewinks will get a huge kick out of this leafy little bag... it’s suitable for adults too!
Timberrrrr! 28/01/2014 20:05
Make it
WANT MORE ?
Tina Rodas Designer-maker Tina’s creativity knows no bounds – aside from making all manner of tree-related bags, coasters and plushy toys, she’s also been known to play a bit of bass and cello, and spends much of her spare time spinning fire.
Exciting!
HOW TO
1
Cut a 20½x13½” piece and two circles 7” in diameter from your interior fabric for the bag lining. Trim a 20½x13½” panel and two 3x1” pieces from the brown felt for the zipper tabs. Cut the beige felt into two double layer circles 7” in diameter so you have four circles in total. It’s good to double up the felt on the ends to give the body of the bag a little stiffness.
2
With the outer brown felt turned so the long side is facing you, start stitching the wood grain pattern in the top-right corner, sewing long waves near the edge of the fabric. When you get to the end of one row, turn the fabric and sew along the edge for an inch or two, then turn again to sew back up to the other side. Repeat this pattern until you’ve stitched wood grain into the entire piece. There are no mistakes, so don’t be afraid to be adventurous. It can be a bit time consuming but it’s well worth it!
3
Machine-stitch a giant spiral onto each of the circles you cut out of the exterior felt before sewing the two layers together for added stiffness. Sew a big circle ¼” from the edge around the entire circumference of the circle. Once you’ve closed the circle, begin spiralling inward until you reach the middle.
We’re a bit in love with Tina and her awesome designs. Find out more about her at hitree.blogspot. co.uk
5
Switch to a zipper foot and sew the zipper to the outer layer first, then sew the lining. Position the zipper teeth facing the right side of the brown felt and the smooth back side of the zipper facing the right side of the lining fabric. When sewing the lining, leave ½” unsewn at each end. Press each seam after you’ve attached the zipper to both sides. The felt will be a little finicky to press because of its thickness.
TimberrrrR! CM11 pp53-55 Tree Stump Bag.indd 52
ditch the For a quick crafting fix, a brush for ad thre and needle Honestly and some Mod Podge. g is ba d ge upa co dé ’s WTF our of top the at definitely make list this month! wtf ppjump.com/honestly
6
Attach the round ends of the lining to the inside body lining. Start by pinning in place, right sides together, then sew using a ¼” seam allowance.
7
Take the 3x1” pieces of brown felt and fold them in half. These will need to be placed at each end of the zipper. Sew with the loops facing in and the ends facing out to each end of the zipper. Make sure the zipper is open when you do this. Sew the lining to the zipper for extra reinforcement. Trim off the extra little ends of the felt loop and the zipper to make a nice, clean edge.
8
Hand-sew the outer ends onto the body using blanket stitch, which will give the end piece a tree bark texture.
9
To make a leaf zipper pull, cut a 3” piece of green ribbon and two green leaves using the template. Sandwich one end of the ribbon between one of the template pieces and a piece of green felt, then sew all around the perimeter of the leaf to secure the ribbon. Sew your leaf vein pattern. After one side is complete, pass the open end of the ribbon through the eyelet in the zipper then sew the other leaf on as before. Tie the ribbon in a knot for extra security.
4
Fold the bag in half, pinning the straps on the bag 2” from each edge. The straps should overlap a little on the bottom. Reinforce them with a stitch across. Sew along each side of the straps, using your foot as a guide. Make sure to stop 2” from the top where the zipper will go.
bits & blogs
eureka! Once you’ve sewn the wood grain pattern, machine or hand-embroider little hearts into it for added detail. Use different colours for added contrast
sweet This strawberry bag’s so opens It ! che tha too us it’s giving tote bag, ed -siz od go a into out it in its but we think we’ll keep st part. mo the for strawberry form rial. tuto the for g tba iKa Head to g ppjump.com/ikatba
us – so Chevrons still do it for thank the lord for Mandy g you Pellegrin’s tutorial showin rendy er-t sup a up how to knock blog! her on rial tuto the bag. Find erglue ap cp bri /fa om p.c ppjum
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pattern sheet
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053 CM11 pp53-55 Tree Stump Bag.indd 53
Timberrrrr! 28/01/2014 20:05
Tim
Make it
ABBREVIATIONS ch chain
st stitch
sts stitches
dc double crochet
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Crochet and chevrons – two of our favourite things combined! Just mix up the colours for a different look each time Project Pearl Hegedus Photography Rachel Burgess
Materials w w Rico Design Baby Cotton Soft DK in Mouse Grey 026 (A) & silver 025 (B) w w Drops Muskat DK in Warm Yellow 51 (C) w w 3mm crochet hook ww flat-nosed pliers w w 5mm jump rings ww silver-plated bolt ring ww approximately 40cm silver-plated link chain w w 30mm ribbon end crimps
C
rochet’s where it’s at for statement necklaces at the moment, and this particularly pretty one by Pearl Hegedus hits another of our favourite trends – chevrons! Whether you make it for yourself or a bestest bud, expect compliments all round once you’re done. To achieve a nice, slightly expanding shape, work in reverse order from top to bottom so the first two rows will be crocheted with the light grey colour (which will form the top two rows on the finished piece).
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Pearl He Pearl’s been craft obsessed since a teenager, when she was given a beading book as a birthday present. Since then she’s tried cross stitch, card and jewellery making, crochet... the lot. She’s currently dedicated to designing the perfect pair of knitted boot cuffs. giftsandbobs.etsy.com
zig & zag 28/01/2014 20:16
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HOW TO
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Ch 71 with for this necklace at colour B. Wool Warehouse with Row 1: Starting the code CR11 with B, work 1dc woolwarehouse.co.uk in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in next 4 ch, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in next 5 ch, *skip 1 ch, 1dc in next 5 ch, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in next 5 ch*. Rep from * to *. Turn. Row 2: With B, ch1, 1dc in next 5 sts, skip 1 st, 3dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 sts, *skip 1 st, 1dc in next 5 sts, skip 1 st, 3dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 sts*. Rep from * to *. Turn. Row 3: With A, ch1, 1dc in next 5 ch, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in next 5 ch,* skip 1 ch, 1dc in next 5 ch, 3dc in next ch, 1dc in next 5 ch*. Rep from * to *. Turn. Row 4: Repeat Row 2 with C. Row 5: Repeat Row 3 with C. Row 6: Repeat Row 2 with A. Row 7: Repeat Row 3 with A. Fasten off.
n more Show the chevron eve push love with these really fun overed d-c han from de ma s pin buttons. Fab dab! m, £5.50 paperpumpkin.etsy.co
Making up Weave in all ends and cut the yarn. Fold your piece like a concertina to get the final shape. Take your ribbon end crimps, slide them onto the end of your finished piece and press them together with flat-nose pliers. Take your chain, measure two 20cm pieces and secure them to the crimps using jump rings. Add the clasp to the chain and you’re done!
wooden Anyone who can give pizzazz is d de ad of spoons a bit this set of alright by us. We love ow. 20 from Hope and Will om/ notonthehighstreet.c hopeandwillow, £12
eureka!
Try dyeing a bit of light yellow cotton yarn in turmeric powder to make orange yarn. Heat up 500ml water in a pan with four teaspoons of turmeric, leave for 15 minutes, then wash in cold water until the water runs clean Use a smaller hook than the recommended size to make sure your stitches are nice and tight. Tight crocheters should use a 3mm hook and loose crocheters should use either a 2.5mm or a 2.75mm hook Put a piece of felt on the crimps when you press them together because the findings are delicate and the pliers can easily leave marks on them
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e Keep it quirky with som le ilab ava , ers ast co n chevro in all sorts of colours. , £15 finestimaginary.com
WANT MORE ? Like Pearl’s designs? You can find more on her Ravelry page ravelry.com/designers /pearl-hegedus
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pattern sheet
Fenn the e p o l a k c Ja Forget yetis and unicorns, our favourite mythical creature is the humble jackalope. 50% jackrabbit, 50% antelope, 100% cuteness! Project Cassie Barden
Measurements
Finished size: 15x23” (including ears)
Materials
w w1/3 yard of wool or wool-blend fabric for jackalope (yardage is based on 42”-wide fabric) w w 10”-square of cotton print for inner ears w w 6”-square of brown felt for antlers w w 1x14” strip of purple felt for scarf w w tear-away stabilizer ww black embroidery floss w w brown embroidery floss to match felt
Photography Brent Kane
F
enn left the South-West deserts of the United States as a young jackalope, itching to see the world. He has photographed endangered camels on the steppe of Mongolia and walked the lava fields of Iceland, sampled satay on the lively streets of Kuala Lumpur and dined on ceviche in Peru. After any adventure, he prefers to sit in a café with a bit of cocoa, a pastry and a good book. Fenn currently lives with his flatmate (a narwhal) in Seattle, where he writes short fiction and where the many coffee shops keep him cosy throughout the year.
w w 400g toy stuffing ww freezer paper w w pins w w template
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Make it
THE LAW
If you’re intending selling this project, you’ll need to obtain a CE mark. Find out more at ppjump.com/ sellingtips
the book Everyday Handmade by Cassie Barden and Adrienne Smitke, published by Martingale, £19.99 shopmartingale.com
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Bits and Blogs Body front (wrong side)
4”opening opening 4"
Body back (right side) Start Start
how to
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Cut out the pieces from freezer paper. Cut two jackalope bodies, two arms, two arms reversed and two ears from the wool. Cut two ears from the cotton print and four antlers from the brown felt.
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Use ½” seam allowances unless otherwise indicated. To prepare the antlers, whip-stitch two antler pieces together, starting at the pronged edge. Once you get a few stitches around the top, gently stuff the points.
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Continue taking several stitches and stuffing the antler as you work toward the bottom. Leave the bottom of the antler open and tie off your thread so it’s hidden in the seam allowance. Finish stuffing the antler, leaving approximately ½” for the seam allowance. Repeat for the second antler.
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To prepare the ears, sew one wool and one cotton ear right sides together around the curved edges, leaving the bottom open. Clip the points and curves, turn right side out and press.
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Fold each ear on the dashed lines shown on the pattern and pin. Tack ¼” from the raw edges.
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Sew two arm pieces right sides together around the curved edges, leaving the straight edge (the shoulder) open. Clip the curves, turn right side out and press. Fill the arm with stuffing, leaving ½” at the shoulder for the seam allowance. Repeat for the second arm.
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Using three strands of black embroidery floss and tear-away stabilizer, stitch the belly button and face details onto the front body. We used a back stitch for the eyes and mouth, a stem stitch to border the nose and a satin stitch to fill in the nose.
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The next two steps are a bit tricky, but pin carefully and sew slowly and you’ll be successful. Layer all the pieces, matching the raw edges. Start with the back of the jackalope body, right side facing up. Lay the ears with the inner piece of each ear facing up on the head, followed by the antlers. Lay the arms on the chest. Last, lay the front body piece right side down on top of everything and pin the perimeter.
of sock We’ve all heard at about monkeys, but wh l, just far al in sock dogs? All Create to ad too cute! He Simples! l. ria to tu e th r Studio fo dog ck ppjump.com/so
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Sew around the perimeter, leaving a 4” gap along one side, between an arm and a leg. Back-stitch at the beginning and end. Clip the curves around the feet and head and between the legs.
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Gently turn right side out through the gap. Fill the head and body with stuffing and sew the gap closed using a ladder stitch.
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Trim 5” off the felt strip and clip one end to create a fringe. Using a few small hand stitches, secure the other end to Fenn’s chest at the neck. Wrap the remainder of the strip around the neck, covering the first strip. Trim so the ends meet at the back of the neck and hand-stitch.
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agerie with this Add to your men g little feline by rather smart lookin ttern’s in Spanish Lelelerele. The pa e link in Chrome th but if you open you. it’ll translate it for le le rele ppjump.com/le
ushies Make your kids’ pl ing them rn tu earn their keep by Loving this o. tw or into a backpack n and Curls. tutorial from Cotto tonandcurls ppjump.com/cot
fenn the jack alope 28/01/2014 20:19
What’s hot
family s r i a f Af
Erika Knight
We find out what it’s like being part of a motherdaughter craft team – just in time for Mother’s Day! Interviews Sarah Adie
W
ith Mother’s Day fast approaching (stick 30th March in your diary lickety split, everyone!), we got to wondering what it would be like to work with your mum day in day out as part of a creative business. To find out, we caught up with two crafty teams both keeping it in the family and doing rather well – knitting brand Erika Knight (erikaknight.co.uk) and haberdashery Minerva Crafts (minervacrafts.com).
Minerva Crafts
Erika Knight
Erika Knight and daughter Arabella Harris partnered up just over a year ago to run design company Erika Knight, which sells the most delicious yarns, patterns and books to keep every knitter under the sun as happy as pie. Read on to find out who the bossy one is and how a glamping trip was responsible for them starting their business partnership...
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What led you to set up your business? “I’ve been knitting and designing yarns for many years and for companies all over the world. I promoted yarns that I loved to work with through my books, but I became increasingly frustrated that so many yarns and shades were being discontinued – the gap was there and it just made sense that I should design my own yarn collection. I tried to keep the ethos very simple, as has become my signature throughout my career, and the most important thing for me was to support British manufacturing and make all the yarn here in Britain.” Erika 060
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How long has it been running? “We’re in our fifth season now and I‘ve been so thrilled by the phenomenal response that the yarns have received. Feedback from the end consumer – the knitter – is so important to me as it enables us to adapt and to understand where we should be headed next. That’s the thing I love most about the craft industry – it’s a great community. I try to ensure that we have a personal relationship with our stockists and knitters at every level of the business.” Erika How did you two come to work together? “In a way I feel like we’ve always worked together. I grew up making mood boards and helping to select colours – in fact I first learnt colours from the Rowan Yarns shade card when I was about two! Mum has always worked from home (in between travel), so design and knitting was just a part of my environment. We’ve been working together full time for just over a year now – I think we first discussed it when I took mum glamping for a little bit of a holiday and I realised that I could help in a practical way. I was working for an events company in London organising film premieres and PR stunts – but organising mum felt like more of a challenge!” Arabella What’s it like working with Arabella? “It’s wonderful, she’s phenomenal! Not only has she brought unbelievable organisational skills to the business but she has an amazing eye for colour, design and detail. She has a much more cerebral approach than me, so working together is a true partnership. I love the idea of this being a family business that will grow and develop.” Erika And what’s it like working with Erika? “I already knew a lot about the business and how mum works. I know what her skills are and what she is less good at – I can fill in the gaps. We complement each other, which makes us a strong team.” Arabella Who’s responsible for what at work? “We both do a bit of everything really – our roles aren’t very defined, but I think that’s what I like most about working in a small team… you get to learn so much more.” Arabella How do you separate work and home life? “It’s all a bit blurry to be honest, but the
Erika and Arabella go glamping most important thing is having a separate working environment. My only stipulation before I began working with mum was that we have a studio space for work – and it’s been a great success. It’s so important to be able to shut the door on work and leave it behind in the evening – although that’s often at about 9pm for us!” Arabella Has working together changed your relationship? “We’ve always been very close, but it has made me understand more about how hard mum works and what she has achieved in the craft industry.” Arabella “I’ve always felt that we were close, but to me it’s a great bonus to be working with Arabella – not many people get the opportunity to be with their daughter every day once they’ve grown up. I love it!” Erika
erikaknight.co.uk
Do you ever argue at work? “We try to keep things professional but sometimes the façade slips and I feel like a moody teenager. But most things can be solved with a cup of tea and a biscuit!” Arabella What advice do you have for other mother-daughter business teams? “It’s crucial not to be mother and daughter at work, there needs to be mutual respect and professionalism.” Erika What’s your Mother’s day message to your mum? “Happy Mother’s Day and thank you so much for everything! I’m so proud to be working with you!” Arabella What’s next for Erika Knight, the brand? “Global domination!” Arabella & Erika
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What’s hot
What made you set up your business? “We opened in 1998, so we’ve worked together for almost 16 years now! We started off as a traditional needlework shop in Lancashire and over the years we’ve expanded into many more ranges including thousands of fabrics, sewing patterns, haberdashery, knitting yarns, crochet supplies and cardmaking. So much so that we needed a 24,000 sq ft warehouse and shop to fit it all in!” Annette
Minerva Crafts
Vicki Ormerod and mother Annette have been running Lancashirebased Minerva Crafts – so called after the Roman goddess of handicrafts and arts – since 1998. From knitting, crochet and cross stitch to embroidery, beading and patterns, they’ve got it all!
How did you start working together? “It started when I was young. Mum would be working in the shop on Saturdays and my dad always took my younger brother to football, so my grandma used to babysit me. One weekend she couldn’t, so my mum took me with her to work. From that day on I was hooked and went to help out at the shop every weekend without fail. Even at eight years old, I remember priding myself on being able to help customers! I worked every Saturday and during the summer holidays and then when I started going to secondary school I even went down on the bus after school every night to help out.” Vicki What’s it like working with Vicki? “Vicki absolutely loves her job – and it shows. She’s probably the most enthusiastic, driven, dedicated person you could meet. She pushes the business forward with so many exciting ideas and new initiatives and it’s a pleasure to work alongside her – most of the time anyway!” Annette And what’s it like working with Annette? “I count myself as one of the luckiest people in the world. I have a job that I love and I get to work alongside my family every day. I’ve always been really close to my mum and we have a great working relationship. I wouldn’t change working with her for the world.” Vicki Who’s responsible for what at work? “Mum takes care of the Minerva Crafts store and all of our workshops and craft groups every week. We recently won an award for the best local independent shop so we’re really proud of it! I look after the online side of things – our website (minervacrafts.com) and our craft community website (LookWhatIveMade. com). It works out well as I’m more technically minded and mum is great at helping customers face to face and giving knitting and sewing advice.” Vicki Who’s the bossy one? “It’s me! I know it is! I like to think that I’m the one that gets things done and makes things happen – my mum would just tell you I’m 062
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bossy! For my birthday last year a friend of mine made me a sign to put up in the office at work that says ‘I’m not bossy, I just have better ideas’. It really made me laugh – it’s not just my mum that thinks I’m bossy.” Vicki What’s the secret behind working with your mum? “It’s quite hard to say really. Because I’ve always worked with my mum I suppose I don’t really know anything else. I think if you both have the same drive, motivation and principles then you will succeed.” Vicki What advice do you have for other motherdaughter business teams? “You both have to love what you do and be equally committed and focused. You don’t have to be in each other’s pockets. Share the tasks between you that need to be done so each person has their part to play.” Vicki What’s your Mother’s Day message to your mum? “The best way to show you care is always with something handmade. I know my mum always really appreciates anything I make for her. I’ll have to think of something special for Mother’s Day.” Vicki What’s next for Minerva Crafts? “We’re always working to improve our service, expand our product range with new and exciting lines and develop our website, and this will continue in 2014. Last year we launched the Minerva Craft Club and it’s been an exciting development for us that rewards our regular customers with great savings, a free membership to our Swatch Club and a VIP invitation to the Minerva Craft Club Christmas Party in December and Minerva Crafts Meet Up in June.” Vicki
CLICK IT
Check out the Minerva Crafts w ebsite w hen you have a tick minerva crafts.c om
Happy crafters, Vicky and Annette (L-R) 063 CM11 pp60-62 A family Affair.indd 63
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CM11 pp74 (SH40 house ad)_Layout 1 28/01/2014 14:26 Page 1
Create beautiful makes you can cherish and share
or f t e s t Ge spring ! 228 Inspirational ideas for quick-and-easy craft projects including: – Cute crochet courtesy of Sally Shepherd and Little Bo Peep! – Sew your own kitchen accessories with a 1950s twist – Mother’s Day cards, gifts, tips and tricks using patterned paper, buttons and blooms – Stitch, paint and bake your way to designing your own buttons
Plus
3
Fabulous free gifts!
– Handmade with Love woven labels – 32-page designer paper pack – A1 template sheet
On sale 20th February 2014
WORTH
£9.99
Make it
Painted
s e i lad
In need of Mother’s Day pressie inspiration? Ponder no more! Just sew up this fold over make-up bag and collect your Child of the Year Award afterwards Photography Rachel Burgess
Lauren Holloway Lauren’s a northern lass living it up in Newcastle-uponTyne, where she works out of her little flat in the city making bags, purses and homeware on her vintage 1954 Singer sewing machine (jealous? Us?), and just generally being as creative as possible. maybemabelhandmade.etsy.com
Project Lauren Holloway
L
ong gone are the days when it was acceptable to hand over a card with some macaroni on it as a Mother’s Day present.
Materials
w w 4 x 9”-square fabric pieces (two outer fabric & two lining fabric. Measurements include ½” seam allowance). We used
Our craftiness has come on a long way since school, and now if we don’t use our powers to make presents instead of buying them for Mothering Sunday (30th March, do NOT forget!), we’ve got a lot of explaining to do!
Garden Gate Midnight & Kona Royal w w 1 x 8” zipper w w leather/faux leather for corners & tassel ww charm for zipper/tassel end cap (optional) w w fusible fleece (or Fuse A Web & bonded lining material) w w tracing paper or card, ruler
Hence this rather delectable make-up bag sewing tutorial, which looks lovely with a fabric and leather combo and will definitely keep your mother sweet well into 2015.
w w split or jump rings (optional) w w fabric scissors w w iron w w glue w w pins or bulldog clips w w pencil/pen
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MONEY OFF Get 10% off all fabric from The Fabric Loft with code CRAFTY11 thefabricloft.co.uk
eureka! Using a fleece lining on your fabric gives your bag some sturdiness and structure, otherwise it could end up floppy Pick a block coloured lining fabric that complements your outer fabric Double-stitch around your outer fabric to give it extra strength
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Cut your lining and outer fabrics to 9” square (two pieces of each). If using fusible fleece, cut two 9” squares and iron onto the back of your outer fabric. If using Fuse A Web or similar, cut two 9” squares and iron onto the back of your outer fabric, peel off the paper and iron onto your bonded lining material.
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Using a plate or mug as your guide (or freehand if you’re confident!),
draw a quarter circle shape onto your card or paper and cut out. Use this template to cut four pieces out of your leather. You want the shape to be about 3½” high/wide.
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Place your leather corners onto the outer fabric, then pin to secure (or use bulldog clips). Sew along the curved edge of your leather using similarcoloured thread. 066
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Lay one of your lining fabric squares face side up on the table with your zipper along the top facing upwards. Place an outer fabric piece right The perfect pressie for side down on Mother’s Day – and to get top of the zipper you permanently in the good books! and the lining fabric. Pin along
PRESENT IDEA
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the top to keep it in place and double check that it’s all perfectly aligned. Sew the two pieces of fabric and the zipper together. You’ll need to open the zip halfway then, once you reach the zip, lift the foot, keeping the needle down, and gently slide the zip backwards and carry on sewing to the end of the zip. When you get about 1cm from the end of the zip, gently curve the zip end out of the top of the fabric pieces.
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Flip the fabrics over so they’re the right way round and you have the zip on one side. Top-stitch along the top of the outer and lining fabrics, about 5mm from the zip edge, keeping the fabric taut as you go.
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Place your second lining piece on the table facing up then put the two bits of fabric attached to the zipper on top facing up, with the top edge of the zip aligned with the top of the lining piece underneath. The outer fabric should be facing you. Place your second outer fabric piece face down on top of the pile, lining it up with the zipper and the second lining piece on the very bottom. Pin together and sew as before.
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Flip all the fabric the right way round so you have the zipper in the middle and top-stitch along the edge of the remaining two pieces as you did before with the other side.
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Undo the zipper about halfway (it’s very important you do this otherwise you’ll have some serious unpicking to do later on!). Take the two pieces of outer fabric and pull them together so they’re facing each other. Repeat for the lining pieces. You’ll have the outer pieces on one side of the zipper facing each other and the lining pieces on the other side facing each other. Make sure the zipper is pulled towards the lining pieces and that the leather corners all match up correctly.
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Stitch all the way along the perimeter of the fabric pieces, leaving about a 2-3” turning gap at the bottom of the lining fabric. Cut off any excess fabric and zipper ends sticking out.
10
Push the outer fabric through the turning hole in the lining fabric. This is where your half-open zipper becomes very important. Push out the corners of
the outer and lining fabric pieces from the inside, using a pencil or similar.
11
Fold the edges of the turning gap inwards and stitch together. If the fabric pieces are a bit creased, give it one final iron and push the lining fabric inside the outer fabric. Voilà! You have a lovely fold over make-up bag ready to use!
12
(Optional.) If you want to give your bag a little something extra, attach a charm onto the zipper pull using a split or jump ring. You could also add a leather tassel and a charm. Cut a small rectangle of leather about 2½x2” and cut upwards along the longer side, leaving a 3mm gap in between each cut. Stop about 5mm from the top. Glue along the top edge and roll it into a tassel shape. Take the tassel end cap, glue inside the cap and place your rolled tassel inside. Attach this to your All Lauren’s bags are a zipper pull sight to behold. Find more and add in her Etsy shop maybemabelhandmade. your charm.
WANT MORE?
etsy.com
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Make it
Off the
s l i Ra
With a small amount of yarn, a bit of imagination and Fiona Goble’s pattern from Cute and Easy Knitting, turn basic, boring coat hangers into something a little bit special Photography Caroline Arber
Materials
For the striped cover Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK w w DK; 110m per 50g ball; 55% Merino wool, 33% microfibre, 12% cashmere – 1 ball in
ww cable needle (for cable stitch cover) ww tapestry needle ww 2 x 43cm wooden
I
f you care about the clothes in your closet, shouldn’t you care about what they’re hanging on as well? The best thing about these cute knitted coat hangers (other than their cables and pompoms) is that the yarn will stop your tops falling off into the abyss of the wardrobe floor.
coat hangers
Striped cover (MAKE 1) Cast on 18 sts in A. Rows 1–6: Knit. Leave A at side and join in B. Rows 7–8: Knit. Rep last 8 rows 18 times more. K 6 rows in A. Cast off.
Rose Pink 042 (A) Rowan Cashsoft DK
tension
w w DK; 115m per 50g ball; 57%
ww 20 sts x 48 rows = 10cm
extra fine Merino wool, 33% microfibre, 10% cashmere – 1 ball in Lime 509 (B)
Project Fiona Goble
measured over garter stitch ww 25 sts x 36 rows = 10cm measured over cable stitch
For the cable
Size
stitch cover
ww To fit standard wooden
SMC Select Extra Soft Merino
coat hangers measuring
Pompom trim
w w DK; 130m per 50g ball;
43cm across
Make 2 pompoms in B, each 3cm in diameter. Braid or plait three lengths of yarn to make a 12cm length of cord. Fasten a pompom to each end of the cord.
100% Merino wool – 1 ball in Lime Green 5165 (C) w w 3.25mm knitting needles
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Present idea These are so quick and easy to make you can whip up loads and give them as really lovely pressies
Cable stitch cover (MAKE 1) Cast on 19 sts in C. Row 1: P3, k4, p5, k4, p3. Row 2: K3, p4, k5, p4, k3. Row 3: P3, C4F, p5, C4F, p3. Row 4: K3, p4, k5, p4, k3. Rep last 4 rows 33 times more. Cast off.
Making up & finishing Fold the knitted strips in half lengthways
with RS out then join one of the short ends and half of the long seam using mattress stitch and matching yarn. Put the cover over the hanger, carefully taking the hook through a gap between stitches in your knitting.
Cute & Easy Knitting by Fiona Goble is published by CICO Books at ÂŁ12.99 and is available from all good bookshops. Call 01256 302 699 quoting GLR 8UC to purchase a copy at the
Complete the long seam and the second short seam using mattress stitch. Wrap the pompom trim around the striped coat hanger.
069 CM11 pp68-69 coat hangers2.indd 69
the book
special price of ÂŁ9.99 including free P&P. For further information, please visit cicobooks.co.uk
Off the r ails 28/01/2014 20:36
Make it
Find the template on youR
FREE
pattern sheet
Materials w w 8x12” piece of aqua felt (upper body & fins) w w 7”-square piece of white felt (underbelly), w w 4”-square piece of red felt (heart & fish) w w 4”-square piece of blue felt (blowholes) w w basic sewing kit w w templates w w 6 flat head quilter’s pins w w black & red embroidery floss w w aqua & red sewing thread w w wool or polyester stuffing w w disappearing ink fabric marker
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Why the s e l came a wh Our little whale will be quite content to hold your pins and needles – just no harpoons, please! Project Cathy Gaubert Photography Cynthia Shaffer
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Trace the fin (twice), gusset and side templates onto the aqua felt, then trace the reverse of the side template. Use a disappearing ink fabric marker to mark the letters on the gusset and sides. On the side piece, mark point B at the nose and point A at the tail end, and on the reversed side piece, mark point D at the nose and point C at the tail end. Cut out.
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Match points A on the side and gusset. Stitch using a 3mm seam allowance from A to B. You can snip off the excess at the front end once you’ve sewn both sides to the gusset.
5
Trace the underbelly template onto the white felt and cut out, making a slit that measures approximately 6.4cm. You’ll insert the stuffing here later. Transfer the markings for the fins (where the gusset should match up) and mark point E.
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Tack the fins into place on the underbelly using a few basting stitches, leaving long tails so the stitches can be pulled out later.
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Matching points E on the gusset and underbelly, carefully stitch from point E around one side of the tail, the body and the other side of the Match points C on the reverse side and the gusset, tail, ending where you began. then stitch from C to D. Trim the excess straight across. Stuff firmly with wool or polyester stuffing. Close the Referring to the template for opening with a few stitches. placement, stitch the eyes using four strands of black floss. Trace the heart template With two strands of black floss, onto the red felt and cut stitch the lashes. out the shape. Place the heart
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onto the belly, covering up the now closed opening. Using two strands of red embroidery floss, attach the heart to the belly.
10
Snip off three sides of the flat head quilter’s pins, leaving a little bit of the plastic surrounding the top of the pin.
11
Trace the blowhole template onto the blue felt and cut out three shapes. Sandwich one pin between a blowhole and the remaining blue felt. Stitch together the blowhole and felt close to the edge of the shape, enclosing the pinhead. Trim the felt along the edges of the blowhole.
12
Repeat Step 11 to make the remaining two blowholes.
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Poke the pins into the whale, and you’ve got yourself a handy pincushion. Or keep the pins out and, voilà, a cute new softie for the kiddies. the book Stash Happy: Felt by Amanda Carestio, published by Lark Crafts. RRP £12.99. Readers of Crafty Magazine can claim it for the special price of £9.74 plus P&P. To order please call 01273 488005 or go to thegmcgroup.com and quote code: R4344, before 30th April 2014
13
Trace the fish template onto the red felt twice and cut out three of the six traced pieces. Embroider an eye on each piece, making
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sure to create matching sets. Assemble the three matching fish pins together. Trim the felt along the edges of each fish.
why the whales came 28/01/2014 20:40
Make it
HEY, Doll!
This pair of pillows, inspired by a set of painted wooden Scandinavian dolls, is perfect for perking up a dull sofa, as well as an ideal choice for the kiddies’ rooms Project Neal Grundy Photography Fiona Goble
Materials
w pencil w 55x117cm piece of pale pink felt w 41x80cm piece of light mauve polyester fleece fabric w small piece of light pink polyester fleece or felt for the cheeks w small piece of black felt for the eyes w 20cm square of fusible web w 38cm circular pillow insert form w dark grey embroidery thread w light pink & mauve sewing threads
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w w w w
pair of compasses basic sewing kit iron pattern sheet
For the man pillow 20x41cm piece of dark brown flannel or felt small piece of red felt for the mouth dark brown & red sewing threads For the woman pillow 31x41cm grey flannel or felt small piece of bright pink felt for the mouth grey & bright pink sewing threads
T
hese friendly faces are made from felt with appliquéd features and the backs are made from polyester fleece to give them a nice, soft feel. Once you’ve made one pair, you can invent a whole range of characters, changing the hair, eyes, and so on by varying the shape and colour of the appliqués. how to
1
To make the templates for the pillow front and the two pieces for each pillow back,
use a pair of compasses and a pencil to draw three circles, each 38cm in diameter. Cut out one whole circle for each pillow front. For the back pieces, cut the circles as shown, remembering to straighten the sides on the lower edge of each inner back piece (this will help make sure the hem on this piece is neat).
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Use the front template to cut out the front of each pillow from pale pink felt. Also cut a strip of pale pink felt measuring 10x115cm for the side strip of each pillow. Cut out the two back pieces for
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Find the template on youR
FREE
pattern sheet
each pillow from the fleece fabric.
3
Using the templates from the pattern sheet, cut out the hairpieces from dark brown flannel or felt for the man’s hair and grey flannel or felt for the woman’s hair.
4
Trace the templates for two sets of facial features – the eyes, nose, cheeks, mouth (and the moustache for the man) – onto the backing paper of the piece of fusible web. Cut out the shapes on the fusible web coarsely, not too close to the pencil outlines. Iron the fusible web onto the reverse side of the appropriate fabrics, putting your iron on a fairly low setting.
5
Peel the backing paper off the face appliqués
and position them on the fronts of the pillows, using the diagrams as a guide. Use the hairpieces to help you position the features, but don’t attach them just yet. Once you’re happy with their positions, iron the facial features in place, again remembering to have your iron on a fairly low setting.
b
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Hand-sew running stitches around the noses using light pink thread. For the man, work running stitches around the edge of the mouth using red sewing thread. For the woman, overcast the mouth in place around the inner and outer circles using bright pink sewing thread. On both pillows, machine-stitch around the cheeks, just in from the edges, using zigzag stitches and light pink thread. Using two strands of dark grey embroidery thread, hand-sew
073 CM11 pp72-74 Doll Face.indd 73
a
c
hey, doll! 28/01/2014 20:44
Make it
d six straight stitches out from the centre of the eye to just over the edge – the stitches should form a star shape over the eye. For the woman, use three strands of dark grey embroidery thread to work three straight stitches above each eye to create eyelashes. For the man, machinestitch around the moustache, using zigzag stitches and brown sewing thread.
e
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Pin the hairpieces in position and machine-stitch them in place using zigzag stitching only along the inside parts with matching thread. f
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Fold each side strip in half widthwise. Using matching thread and a 1cm seam allowance, machine-stitch the two short edges together. The side strips will now be a circle. Press the seam open.
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With right sides together, pin one long edge of a side strip around the outer edge of the front of each pillow, placing the seam of the side strip at the top of the head. Using light pink thread and a 1cm seam allowance, machine-stitch the strips in place.
h
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Fold under 3cm along the straight edges of one of the back pieces. Pin it in position, then work a machine zigzag stitch along the raw edge to secure the edge in place. Repeat for the other back piece.
11
With right sides together, pin the outer back piece of each pillow (the smaller piece) to the side strip, so that the straight edge of the back piece goes across the centre of the face, from one side to the other. Now pin the inner back piece (the larger piece) right side down to the side strip, so that its straight edge overlaps the straight edge of the other outer piece. Using light pink thread and a 1cm seam allowance, machine-stitch the back pieces to the side piece by sewing around the entire outside edge.
i
the book by Fiona Sew Quick Sew Cute, Press, Ivy by Goble, published k o.u ss.c ÂŁ14.99, ivypre
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Turn the pillow covers right side out and insert the pillow forms.
hey, doll! CM11 pp72-74 Doll Face.indd 74
074 28/01/2014 20:44
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Find the template on youR
FREE
pattern sheet
My sun s r a t s & Embrace the trend for all things Art Deco by quilting your very own sunburst mirror Project Laura Potts
Photography Rachel Burgess
T
he glorious sunburst mirror has been around for quite some time – first popularised by the ‘Sun King’ King Louis XIV of France – but it wasn’t until the 1940s and the Hollywood Regency period that it really took off. French metalworker Gilbert Poillerat made lots of these iconic mirrors, introduced a bit of an Art Deco edge and they became (and remain to this day) very popular – and rather expensive! If you’d rather not part with hundreds of pounds to have one, just whip out your sewing machine! Laura Potts – the designer behind quilting label Dimple Stitch – has come up with a fun project using the Dresden plate pattern to help you make your own sunburst mirror...and how lovely does it look?
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My mum used to sew a lot of my clothes when I was a kid and she taught me to sew. My grandfather was an artist and, although I never had the chance to meet him, I think it’s definitely in my blood,” Laura says. “One of my dearest friends had a baby a few years ago and I had no idea what to buy for her so I decided to make a quilt. It took me almost an entire summer of weekends and ended up being a lot more expensive than I had anticipated (I got carried away with buying different fabrics!), but I was so proud of the finished product. My friend was moved to tears when I gave it to her and that’s when I knew I was onto something special. She was one of the people who first encouraged me to start selling my quilts.
My sun & stars 28/01/2014 20:49
Make it
WANT MORE ? Laura’s quilts are cool, contemporary and a must see, so check out her shop, please! dimplestitch. etsy.com
Materials w w sewing machine with ¼” presser foot (or adjustable needle position) w w ½m Kona Cotton Solids in Maize for outer ring (A) ww ¼m Kona Cotton Solids in Canary for middle ring (B) w w ¼m Kona Cotton Solids in Wasabi for inner ring (C) ww matching thread ww 1m heavyweight stiff interfacing (like Pelmet Vilene s80/240) w w rotary cutter, ruler & cutting mat w w pencil ww scissors ww iron w w hot glue gun ww 20-25cm diameter round mirror w w pattern sheet w w pins
My sun & stars CM11 pp72-74 Starburst Mirror.indd 76
1
Using the largest template and your rotary cutter, cut 20 7½” wedges from fabric A, flipping the template back and forth to avoid wastage. Trim the template to the medium size and cut 20 5½” wedges from fabric B.
5
Open up the seam and press with a hot, dry iron to make your individual wedge.
6
Sew 20 wedges together for each ring using a ¼” seam allowance.
10
Place the middle ring on top of the largest ring, lining up the centre and the seams. Pin together and sew ¼” around the outside edge and also around the hole in the centre. Press.
2
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Press all seams to the side. You will now have a ring of wedges known as a Dresden plate, which should lie flat. Give it a good press with your iron so there are no creases.
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Trim the template to the smallest size and cut 20 3½” wedges from fabric C. You should now have 60 wedges of graduating sizes.
Fold each wedge in half lengthways, right sides together, and sew a ¼” seam along the widest edge. Trim off the folded corner to eliminate bulk.
Open up your wedge and turn it inside out, pushing out the point with a pencil to get a nice sharp point.
Place your Dresden plate onto your interfacing and trace around it. Cut this shape out, making sure you also cut out the hole in the centre. Pin your Dresden plate to the interfacing and sew together by stitching in the ditch between each ray. Repeat for all three rings.
Line up and pin your smallest ring then sew together in the same way. Sew around the centre hole too. You will now have a finished mirror frame!
On the back of your mirror, apply hot glue around the perimeter, moving quickly. Before it cools, position the mirror on top of the centre of your frame and press and hold until the glue dries. Hang on the wall and marvel at your work!
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eureka!
PICK IT UP Get all the fabric you need for this make from The Village Haberdashery thevillage haberdashery.co.uk
Be as accurate as possible with your cutting and in sewing your ¼” seams as this will ensure your Dresden plate lies flat. Measure with a ruler to make sure you’re sewing a true ¼” seam Press the seams of each ring in alternating directions to eliminate
The dresden plate This quilt pattern was popular in the 1920s and 30s, and was named after Dresden in Germany, famous for its decorative plates
bulk when sewing together
077
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MY SUN & STARS
28/01/2014 20:49
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Make it
Say it with
s l i c sten
Our free design stencils are just the ticket for crafting on the go. Here are just a few things you can do with them Photography Rachel Burgess Projects Caroline Burke
W
hen it comes to free gifts, they don’t come much cooler than a keyring chocka-block with lots of different design stencils. From arrows and chevrons to bowler hats and pipes, this month’s Crafty freebie of 21 reusable motifs
Say it with stencils CM11 pp80-82 Free Gift.indd 80
will most definitely keep you all very busy little Betties indeed. The fact that it comes on a keyring and can be kept on you at all times is just a bonus... rings on your fingers and bells on your toes, you shall have crafting wherever you go!
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FREE
Foxy!
♥
GIFT
Materials
w w cushion cover w w fabric paint w w fox stencil w w paintbrush w w magazine/newspaper
HOW TO
1
Remove the cushion from its cover and lay the cover on a flat surface. Use your stencil to mark out a rough outline of the images. The one shown is a 4x4 repeat design with the images approximately 2.5cm apart.
2
Place a magazine or newspaper inside your cushion cover so the paint doesn’t seep through. Now for the fun part! Lay the stencil over the outline and stipple the fabric paint onto the cushion using a paintbrush.
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1
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Remove the stencil to reveal the finished image. If there are any rough edges you can use a fine paintbrush to tidy them up, but this shouldn’t be necessary if you apply steady pressure when stippling.
4
Repeat this process until you finish your first row, then move on to the next.
5
Continue until you’ve finished your last image and leave to dry. Pop your cushion back into the cover and you’re finished! Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on your fabric paint with regards to washing and drying times.
5
eureka! Use the stencil to draw several templates
It’s a lot easier to work on plain
onto paper and then place them on
cushions with a flat pile – avoid
the cushion to give yourself an idea
textured or fussy covers
of the layout and the spacing you want to work with
You can also use these templates to cut out fabric shapes that you can stitch onto the cushion
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Say it with stencils 28/01/2014 21:09
Make it
Hot fuzz! Materials
w w moustache stencil w w pen w w pencil w w stationery (paper, envelopes, ring binder, notebooks)
HOW TO
1
Mark out the stencil pattern on your ring binder. Once happy with your design, take a pen and use the stencil to outline and fill in the first shape.
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Repeat the process across the first row. Continue until you’ve covered the ring binder and put to one side.
Use the stencil and pen to outline the moustache on your writing paper and envelopes to create a fun personalised set.
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Complete the set by adding moustaches onto notebooks, rulers and any other stationery you have.
eureka! Sharpie markers are great for projects like this These stencils would be great for creating DIY gift tags too! Draw onto card, cut out and tie onto presents and gifts Use the stencils to make your own rubberstamps – great for stationery or scrapbooking projects
5
want more? See what else you can do with these stencils on our website craftymag.com
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CM11 (Page 83)_CM 09/01/2014 14:32 Page 83
Blue Button Designs 3-7 Tatton Road – Sale – Cheshire – M33 7EB Tel : 07540634351 – Email : djpproducts@msn.com
01474 550289
BlueButtons
We have a great selection of purse frames and bag making accessories, buttons, fabric, wool and patterns for knitting and crochet plus lots of accessories including • Knit Pro • EriKa Knight • DY ChoiCE • SoaK there are lots more on the way
WE SELL wool and accessories, haberdashery, fabrics for crafting, patchworking, dress making and home furnishings, buttons and ribbons WE ALSO MAKE AND SUPPLY bespoke home furnishings including curtains, blinds, cushions, bed throws and nursery and junior bedding and accessories STOCK AND PRODUCTS: Wool SuPPliErS: Bergere de France, Patons, James C Brett, Jenny Watson, robin Wools, Schachenmayr yarns FaBriC SuPPliErS: Prestigious textiles, Clarke and Clarke, Bill Beaumont, voyage decorations, Chess, James hare, Cottons, fleece AND SO MUCH MORE
We pride ourselves on customer service and fast delivery, so take a look and you could be starting your next project this week. FrEE DElivErY ovEr £30
A boutique for craftmakers Textile, jewellery & paper craft supplies plus some lovely gifts aren’t we fancy!
Welcome to Stitch Me Lane Fabrics and Haberdashery, and independent fabric retailer! You will find the latest contemporary fabrics, ribbons and trim for the moder sewer. Over 300 prints to choose from and excellent
Visitors welcome by appointment at The Craft Room in Nottingham
customer service. Take 10% off your next order with coupon code crafty15 during check out.
www.stitchmelane.com – 07872 342718
Gorgeous fabric & patterns
www.thefabricloft.co.uk 1st 10% OFF until 3 March 2014 Discount Code: CRAFTY11 Fabulous Modern Quilting Fabrics Robert Kaufmann Kona Cotton Moda Momo Blend Fabrics Lucie Summers Lotta Jansdotter Riley Blake Aneela Hoey Kate Spain Malka Dubrawsky Ann Kelle Lori Holt
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Make it
Be e s i W
Always keep your head warm with Kate Heppell’s fun knitted owl hat Project Kate Heppell Photography Rachel Burgess
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his little owl hat is perfect for bridging the gap between winter and spring – designed by Editor of Knit Now Kate Heppell, it’s quick to make and will keep your head nice and snug until the weather warms up a smidge.
Kate’s always been a crafty soul and comes from a very creative family – her mother did a lot of sewing, her gran was really into knitting For an interesting woolly and her great-gran was all about read, head to Kate’s blog the crochet, so it’s unsurprising kateheppell.wordpress.com that she’s a dab hand with needles. Her first attempt at knitting was when she was 11 and had to
WANT MORE ?
Be wise CM11 pp84-85 Owl Hat.indd 84
make charity teddy bears (although she admits her gran did most of them as she was just “far too slow”). So why does Kate love it so much now? Because it’s satisfyingly logical. I’m much more of a maths brain than a creative type, so it’s the technical challenge of making shapes fit that gets me excited. I also find the act of knitting itself comforting and calming. There’s nothing quite like relaxing with some really good yarn, a fairto-middling DVD box set and no deadline.
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15.5 (16.5, 17.5) c
m
craftymag.com
CLICK IT
24.5 (25, 27.5) c
Read the rest of our interview with the lovely Kate over on our website
m
craftymag.com
Materials
How to
ww 2 balls Rowan Felted Tweed Aran in Mahogany 734 (MC), 1 ball each in Pebble 720 (CC1) & Soot 729 (CC2) w w 6mm needles w w tapestry needle wwTension: 15 sts x 25 rows = 10cm measured over St st on larger needles
ABBREVIATIONS CC Contrast colour K Knit K2tog Knit two together Kfb Knit one through the front then through the back (same stitch) MC Main colour P Purl Ssk Slip one knitwise, slip one purlwise, knit two slipped stitches together
Hat Using MC, cast on 38 (42, 46) sts. Row 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. Row 2: *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. Rep rows 1-2 twice more. Row 7: Knit. Row 8: Purl. Rows 7-8 form stocking stitch (St st). Work in St st until work measures 28 (30, 32) cm from cast-on edge, finishing after a purl row. Work rows 1-6 once more. Cast off.
Eyes (MAKE 2) Using CC1, cast on 6 sts. Row 1: K1, [kfb] 4 times, k1. Row 2 & all WS rows: Purl. Row 3: K1, [kfb] 8 times, k1. Switch to CC2 to work Row 4 and continue in CC2. Row 5: K1, [k1, kfb] 8 times, k1. Row 7: K1, [k2, kfb] 8 times, k1. Row 9: K1, [k3, kfb] 8 times, k1. 085
CM11 pp84-85 Owl Hat.indd 85
Cast off. Use tails of CC1 and CC2 to sew the eyes closed and form a circle.
Beak (MAKE 1) Using CC2, cast on 7 sts. Row 1: Purl. Row 2: Ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts Row 3: Purl. Row 4: Ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts Break yarn, thread through rem sts and pull tight to fasten.
Making up Using MC, stitch up the sides. Stitch Eyes (using CC1) and Beak (using CC2) to front, using the schematic and photo as a guide. Weave in all ends. Soak in lukewarm water and lay out on a flat surface to dry.
Sizing S (M, L) See schematic for finished measurements
be wise 28/01/2014 21:15
Behind the scenes
Liz foster n g i Des
Designer-maker Liz Foster lets her typographyrich work do the talking at her dedicated workshop space in York Photography Suzy Wimbourne Interview Hugh Metcalf
W
orking from home is fine and dandy for lots of makers, but it may come to the point where you need more room (for your stock and for your thoughts) so your handmade business can grow. Such was the case with independent designer Liz Foster. We love Liz’s appliqué cushions and her trademark taste for fonts mixed with food, but having recently moved out of the garden shed into her own studio at York Eco Business Centre, she’s turning her hand to bigger and bolder designs.
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The space “I came into the space last September, at the end of the summer. I’d been thinking of moving out of my working space at home during the year and had been looking at a number of artist’s studios and commercial units, but they were all quite expensive. This space isn’t cheap, but the figures work. I’ve not been here long but it’s starting to look like me. It was just an empty room before, but now I’ve painted it, put in a sink and put up shelves to hold all my fabric and my products.
“I used to have a garden shed/ summerhouse and I worked between there and the kitchen table, always juggling stuff. The practicality of having a space like this is that you can just put down your work and come back to it straightaway the next day. The amount of time you waste putting stuff away and getting it out again! “I was also running out of room and I knew I wanted to start working on bigger pieces such as furniture and
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wall hangings. The thinking space is important too. There are some great pluses about working at home – you can pick something up to work on at six in the morning or nine at night if you want – but the headspace of coming to work and having your working head on, no distractions... that’s allowed me to think about bigger ideas and be more creative.” The business “There was no plan to start a business 087 CM11 pp86-88 studio tour.indd 87
Liz foster design 28/01/2014 21:20
Behind the scenes
This is a stepping stone to a retail unit. It’s got me out of the house and into a professional headspace like this, I never said to anyone, ‘I’m going to make and sell cushions’. It happened quite organically. I have a background in fine art, having trained as a painter and taught it for 10 years. Then I had a baby and wanted to do something that meant I could be based at home, something that wasn’t as messy as painting and something that I could do for a couple of hours at a time. “I sell online and at a few shops, but the majority of my business comes from heading out to craft fairs and from word of mouth. I’ve been at the fairs for two and a half years so I’ve built up a bit of a client base. Social media is also really important for me – I’ve got zero budget for marketing and advertising, so it comes down to what I get up to online.
“The next project I’m working on is for a restaurant in Whitby, who found me on Twitter. It’s a seafood restaurant and they want chairs and cushions to fit with their décor scheme. I’m working on ideas for it now, but it’s definitely the direction I want the business to go. “My style is strongly typographic, using different fonts in combination with words – mainly food that captures Britain’s idiosyncrasies. I sometimes get tweets from font spotters, asking whether it’s this font or that. I really love creating fonts based on my own handwriting as it means that part of my work is completely original and all my own. My hangover from painting is including different textures in the work too, I love working with silk, linen and wool.”
The inside scoop “In the long term, what I’d really like is to get a retail unit – a walk-in studio space on a high street. I’d be able to work out the back and then there’d be a shop at the front. This is the stepping stone to that. It’s got me out of the house and into a professional headspace. I’ve got to make the money through the business to make the rent worthwhile. “I come into the studio five or six times a week, including at weekends. I’ve got a young son, Joey, who is five. My frame for the day is dropping him off and picking him up from school and in between that I’m here working. He likes coming here and getting out his Thomas trains or Lego. I really like that he can see me coming into work – it makes it feel like a proper job and that mum’s not just at home.”
WANT MORE ? Shop Liz’s wares online, where you can also get in touch about custom orders and advice about fabric lizfosterdesign.com
Liz foster design CM11 pp86-88 studio tour.indd 88
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New Issue 11 of Crafty is packed with more multi-craft inspiration than ever, including 21 free reusable design stencils on a handy key ring so you can craft as you go!
Available on
Issue 11 on sale 30th January Crochet your own springtime lambs / Upcycle vintage tea towels into purses, tote bags & notebook covers / How to sew a beautiful make-up bag / Learn the Japanese art of kogin embroidery / Knit a very cute owl hat / Discover filet crochet and much, much more!
Buy online at www.moremags.com/digital-editions www.craftymag.com
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28/01/2014 16:55
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t h e
M A G A Z I N E
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Stocking in independent shops With Debbie Moon, owner of MoonKo Interview Hugh Metcalf
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ebbie Moon is the woman with her name above the door at Sheffield-based indie retailer MoonKo (moonko. co.uk). Having traded online for years, at the end of 2013 she made the jump to open her first high street shop on Division Street in the city’s Devonshire Quarter. She’s here to tell you how you could see your wares stocked in independent boutiques. Tells us a little about what you do. I’d say I help support and manage emerging design talent and get them selling their work. I come from a creative arts background myself, which I then went on to teach in. I saw lots of graduates coming out of their degrees and not going into the industry, so I set up MoonKo to support creative designers, give them a platform to sell
their work and get them involved in the industry outside of a normal job. When did you open? MoonKo has been trading online for over two years, but I opened the first bricks and mortar shop in Sheffield just before Christmas. At the same time I also opened another shop at Boxpark in London. I’d held a shop there in November and it was because of how well it did that I decided to take the chance with the shop in Sheffield. Boxpark then asked if I wanted to go back, so I opened both at the same time! We’ve also got another selling space in Sheffield in Laundry, an exclusive hair salon. What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced? For a lot of the time it’s just been me 091
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doing everything! I’m also a full-time mum, and I started MoonKo when I had just had my little one, which meant I also needed to be a stay-at-home mum. I was trying to fit in going to meetings with having a very young baby and not having enough free time to do it all. Growth has been organic and quite slow, although some people say it’s happened quickly. We’ve just been so, so busy, but that’s a good thing considering that people are still talking about the recession. It’s the stock, independently made by the best of British designers – people just love it! What does a day in your life look like? I’ve got family commitments like the school run to work around, but I check my emails really early and deal with online orders so I can get stock together and packaged up in the morning. Once Get ting Stocked 28/01/2014 21:26
I’m at the shop in Sheffield and have opened up, I check with the staff down in London, check stock levels and generally make myself available to customers – it surprises people, they don’t expect the owner is going to be in there working! All the time I’m looking out for designers, answering their emails and looking at portfolios. Once the shop’s closed I go home and check emails again. It’s full on and sometimes I end up going to bed at 2am just trying to get on top of everything. Then sometimes you get those exciting emails with new opportunities, which can certainly add a lot more jobs to your day! What do you look for in a potential product for the shop? First it comes down to the quality, but further than that the product speaks for itself. Then it’s about the designer and the brand. They need to have thought the product out and there needs to be a development of style that the designer will continue to develop so that there’ll be new products coming out. Being active on social media is also something I look at – that they also promote themselves through the brand and what they do. That can sometimes be quite difficult, because a lot of time goes into the making. You get some incredible designers who unfortunately don’t do much on Twitter or Facebook as well, so I try to do some of that on MoonKo’s channels. Ethics are also important. All the products are handmade, mostly produced in the UK and don’t use materials made in sweatshops or the like. Get ting Stocked CM11 pp90-93 Guide to selling.indd 92
How do you decide what stock to carry? Once designers join MoonKo, I’m committed to them. We have a great community and the people I stock follow and support each other on Twitter as well, which is fantastic. It’s part of my job to talk to them about new styles and even make suggestions, giving feedback on what’s doing well in the shops. I say, ‘maybe you want to think about doing more of that’ or ‘maybe let’s try something else’. I’m also always researching and keeping an eye on what’s on the high street, social media, Pinterest and Tumblr. If something’s not working they’ll know from their sales, but it’s up to me as a retailer to ensure I sell all the stock. If you’ve got stock that’s not selling, you can’t leave it stagnant on the shelves. I move and change the shop regularly. You get the same customers that come in and they may not have noticed something, then you move it and they think it’s something new. So how important are new lines from a designer to you? So important! The customers we have might love one designer we stock and will want to keep collecting their pieces. I need somebody who’s always reevaluating and revisiting their work. Do they ever approach you? Yes! I get quite a lot in fact, but I do try to get back to them all. It takes me quite a long time to look at it, think about it and see how they’re doing elsewhere. I see if they’re active on social media,
have Folksy or Etsy shops and how their products are doing. It can take me up to three weeks to make first contact and get back to them. What tips would you give for making you sit up and take notice of a pitch? I’m not a big fan of the corporate style approach – mass emails that have been sent to 30 other stockists. Definitely avoid that, for me, anyway! It gives the impression you haven’t really done your research. I want to know a little about the designer – and a link to a website or site you’re selling through is important for me to see your work. If you haven’t got that as you’re just starting out, then images. But don’t send huge file sizes that are impossible to open, and if it’s a collection, just one or two images of it together, not singles of every one. I just don’t have the time otherwise. For that reason keep it relatively short and include why you would like to stock with the shop – where you’ve found out about it...That shows to me that they’ve taken the time to look into my brand. Keep it simple! How important is branding and packaging to buyers? People love aesthetics and in a shop, it’s very different to online. It’s sensory. They’re looking with their eyes, then with their hands. You need to have a product that makes people stop, pick it up and want to engage with it. Once they’ve picked it up or touched it, that’s when the product can start to talk for itself. I stock Merchant & Mills and it’s very traditional, but it stands out and it has got it right across the board. Consistency is key.
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Designers need to have thought the product out and there needs to be a development of style that they’ll continue to develop so that there’ll be new products coming out
WANT MORE ?
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a MoonKo designer? Check out the website to find out
Debbie’s dos and don’ts
moonko.co.uk
Do make it personal. Indie retailers are people, not faceless companies.
Do your research and address why you think your product is a good match for that particular store.
Do think out the whole of your brand. A good product is the best start, but much more goes into making it a success.
Don’t walk into a shop with a product pitch on a busy Saturday – they might not have time to talk to you. Always make contact by email or phone first.
Don’t expect an answer straight away. Stock decisions take time and even then the owner will be busy.
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Crafty business
Piecing it her
t e g To
From pattern making and grout to raiding friends’ homes for broken china, mosaic artist Cleo Mussi tells all Words Diana Woolf
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My textiles and mosaic making share the same emphasis on pattern making and building up patterns from simple blocks, as well as recycling materials
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osaic artist Cleo Mussi is full of all sorts of interesting stories. “A man once came up to me at a show and said, ‘I used to eat off those breasts as a child!” she laughs. This isn’t quite as bizarre a tale as it sounds, as the breasts the man was referring to were two large dinner plates Cleo had cheekily incorporated into a mosaic of a female figure. The incident nicely sums up two key aspects of her work: her sense of humour and her witty use of recycled, carefully positioned ceramics to create her quirky pictorial mosaics. These colourful, wall-hung artworks range from striking, life-size human(ish) figures and strange genetically modified creatures such as her sci-fi Robo Bunny (and his sidekick, Son of Robo) to smaller, more domestic pieces like branches of flowers, mirror frames and hearts.
Although her subjects are far ranging and constantly evolving, Cleo developed her own particular mosaic-making technique early on in her career and has broadly stuck with it ever since. She studied textiles at Goldsmiths’ College, London, in the 1980s, but soon after graduating started experimenting with mosaic, first using
pebbles and stones, and then finding her rhythm with recycled ceramics and tiles. Although ceramics and textiles seem like chalk and cheese, Cleo explains that the way she approaches the two is quite similar: “Both my textiles and mosaic making share the same emphasis on pattern making and building up patterns from simple blocks, as well as recycling materials.” Cleo moved out of London when she started a family and now has a studio in the garden of her Gloucestershire home, where she lives with her two teenage children and husband, textile artist Matthew Harris. And this is where, surrounded by boxes of china in every shape and size, she creates her weird and wonderful mosaics. Bigger pieces destined for exhibitions and installations require considerable planning, but once her ideas are formed, she sketches out the designs on a wooden board and then slowly fills in the pattern with ceramic tiles, usually working from the key elements outwards, filling in the borders with simpler colours and shapes. Each fragment of ceramic is carefully selected to make sure it works in terms of pattern and colour with its neighbours and is then cut to the right
size and shape using tile nippers before being stuck down in position. “It’s a bit like doing a giant jigsaw puzzle,” Cleo says. The final stage is grouting between the tiles using a wide, dark grout that acts as a type of frame for each tile, enhancing its colour and pattern and emphasising the fact that each piece is made from hundreds of individual elements, all united harmoniously into one single panel. This element of multilayering is an important part of Cleo’s work. Individual pieces of ceramic – like those breastshaped dinner plates – grab our attention and make us look twice. However, when stepping back, the pieces morph into a single figurative image. These images are deceptively simple, and although highly decorative with their bright colours and strong graphic elements, they also have a strong narrative. “I like making things that are attractive, but which also make people look twice and think a bit,” Cleo says. “I like playing on titles and details in my pieces so that viewers think they know what they’re looking at, but they may find an extra twist which makes them look a bit closer.”
WANT MORE ? See even more of Cleo’s lovely mosaics on her website mussimosaics.co.uk
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Crafty business
The mosaics she makes for her exhibitions have the strongest narrative element and are usually linked by one overarching theme, like installation Pharma’s Market, which covered evolution, genetic engineering and modern farming. Cleo’s currently working on an 80-piece installation for a show this summer called All Consuming, which has an even more ambitious theme, taking on climate change, sustainability and globalisation. She deals with these meaty themes with her usual mix of off-the-wall humour, unexpected detail and visual drama, with the show dominated by eight goddess-like, life-size symbolic figures. Taking on this type of challenging content clearly gives Cleo a buzz: “It keeps me interested as there is so much to talk about. I love making beautiful things and working with colour, shape, pattern and gesture – all these are really satisfying, and then within that I put a little something else which gives the pieces extra meaning.” Cleo’s been working on this show for nearly two years and clearly, like its title, it has been pretty all consuming. So what does she do to relax? The answer is she doesn’t really ever stop as, although she enjoys swimming and reading, most of her spare time is currently spent writing (and illustrating) a children’s book. “The book’s all about learning how to play and discovering your imagination and creativity,” she says. And looking at her surreal, zany mosaics that zing with energy and spontaneity, you can tell that this is a subject she is a real expert on.
The main ingredients you need to get started are a pair of tile nippers for cutting your ceramics into the right shaped tiles, a wooden board to mount the pieces on and glue
DIY mosaics Want to have a go yourself? Take some tips from Cleo herself!
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Mosaic making can be as difficult or as easy as you like depending on the amount of detail you decide to include and the size of the tiles you use. Keep designs as simple as possible to begin with, starting off small and with a very limited colour range. Beginners should create abstract patterns rather than more complex pictorial pieces. Repeat each project 20-40 times so you can really get the hang of the process. There are no easy short cuts!
The main ingredients you need to get started are a pair of tile nippers for cutting your ceramics into the right shaped tiles, a wooden board to mount the pieces on and glue. Grout is optional and depends on whether you like the look of a grouted mosaic or prefer placing the pieces close up to each other. And, obviously, a good supply of old china is vital. You can find china quite easily – try buying factory seconds or check out charity shops, markets and car boot sales, or even the back of friends’ kitchen cupboards. It’s surprising how much broken china people hoard!
WANT MORE ? See All Consuming at the Saatchi Gallery in London in May and at the Museum in the Park in Stroud in July
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FRurEowEn f!elt &
next month in
Sew yo h your fabric owl wit free kit!
M A G A Z I N E Over 30 projects to make/ Crochet our exclusive Emma Lamb mandala/ Kaffe Fassett’s business tips
Keep all your knitting needles neat and tidy (and easy to find!) with our funky little floral knitting needle roll
It’s our party and we’ll drink cake if we want to! Not really... but it is our first birthday, so here’s how to make cheesecake cocktails to help us celebrate
King Fu Panda!
Put your hand-sewing skills through their paces with our awesome little king panda necklace. Fun times!
* CONTENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Snug feet will sure look sweet in these trendy little crocheted house slippers, done in supercool yellow and grey
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28/01/2014 17:57
Back chat
Stephanie Dosen
wAnt m
ore?
Find o ut a Knits a ll about Tin y Ow nd m l ore a Steph bout a tinyow n ie at lknits.w
stitch & Bitch
ordpre
ss.co
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Sit down for a bit of a knit and natter with author of Woodland Knits, Stephanie Dosen Illustration Sophie Higginson Photography Freddy Ochoa/Tiffany Mumford
When I first started knitting I worked at a yarn shop in Tennessee. We saw around 50 knitters a day and it was wonderfully hectic. People often seem to walk into a yarn shop with a sense of wonder and hope, or an idea that they’re going to make something beautiful that will become a treasured family heirloom, or… they throw open the door, running into the shop with a look of panic on their faces, string flying everywhere, needles akimbo and no idea how all their stitches dropped or how their pattern could have led them so astray! When we lose our way in the middle of a project we’re not so unlike a happy wayfarer who has become helplessly lost in the wild woods. Suddenly, the threat of lurking bears is everywhere and the nagging thought of, “oh, how could I be so stupid?!” rings in our heads. We put our hearts into our work, so it can be an emotional experience when we mess up or when we’re not perfect, but I’m here to remind us all that messing up is natural. It’s part of the process. It shouldn’t make us feel stupid. Yes, it’s tempting to want to throw our needles out of the window sometimes when we’re frustrated, but what’s important is that we don’t give up and, further still, that we don’t become afraid of our knitting. When I was working at the shop, I sometimes wondered if I was selling deadly explosives instead of knitting patterns. Upon suggesting certain patterns to customers I was often met with looks of sheer terror and shaking heads. “No! No, no, no, I could never do that,” they would say, eyes wide open as if they’d seen a ghost. “I’m not very good. That looks hard. I can’t.” Over and over again, I’d hear this every day from most of the people I encountered. I have yet to hear it from
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someone who actually wasn’t capable of learning the new stitch or method! I began to realise that the thing that was stopping everyone was simply the words, “I can’t.” Those words are killers. And I myself am guilty of them. I wonder what would happen if we started saying ‘yes’ to our knitting? Knitting happens stitch by stitch, and once we’ve figured out how to do something, it’s often nowhere near as complicated as we thought. So let’s pledge, as knitters, to be brave! Let’s tackle every knitting challenge with the words, “I can do that!” Together, let’s stomp out the fear of knitting. We can be afraid of bears or of jumping out of planes, but let us never, ever be afraid of our knitting! Next month: Sewing school with Tilly Walnes returns!
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