Australian Homespun

Welcome to the August issue of Homespun. As we look forward to a change in season from winter to spring, we hope that you are embracing the changes we made in our last issue and are enjoying the extra articles and ideas in the magazine. We are also g

These are just a few of them … Twelve years ago, I started ‘Two Brown Birds’ designing craft patterns that are printed and distributed by the team at Creative Abundance. Since this time, I've been thrilled to have a number of projects featured in Hom

Dollmakers and crafters around the world are mourning the loss of the extraordinary Elinor Peace Bailey, who died in May. Elinor was the author or co-author of a number of dollmaking books, along with more than 100 self-published doll patterns. She h

Staff of the Royal School of Needlework, based in Hampden Court Palace in Surry, England worked on nine pieces for the Coronation of King Charles III in May. They included His Majesty's Robe of State; Her Majesty's Robe of Estate; the Anointing Scree

Introduce your feet to some fun with these colourful knitted shoelaces. American yarn company Berocco have provided the free pattern for them on their website at www.berroco.com/patterns/friedrich They are a quick and easy project using Berocco Sox y

Pattern was published in the June Homespun www.artsmartcraftcottage.com.au In the June issue we shared a gorgeous wallhanging designed and created by Libby Richardson of Artsmart Craft Cottage. The colours of the wallhanging didn't quite print right,

Which of us doesnWhich doesn't like the combination of ‘freefree’ and ‘easyeasy’? We were delighted, therefore, to find this crossthis cross-stitch pattern on the Smart Cross Stitch website, which is both! Indeed, designer Julia Zolotova has publishe

Global warming is at its peak and the earth is going through adverse climatic changes, it is high time for us to realise the importance of our natural resources before they deplete. The fact that today's activities are imposing a heavy burden on the

A sea change to a coastal village on the Bass Coast of Victoria led textile artist Jennie-maree Tempest in a new and exciting creative direction. Using her two-dimensional free-motion embroidery skills, she dived into three-dimensional textile sculpt

A doorstop is a practical addition to any home – but they don't have to be boring! Made with gorgeous gingham linen, this Pyramid Doorstop project is durable, easy to clean and comes together quickly with just a few basic sewing supplies. For your fr

• 40 x 90cm (16 x 36in) light brown wool felt (body) • 10cm (4in) square of light pink wool felt (inner ears) • 12.5cm (5in) square of darker pink wool felt (flowers) • 7.5cm (3in) squares of wool felt in assorted colours (flowers and leaves). Fiona

•33 x 27cm (13 x 10½in) of 32-count Antique Ivory linen by Zweigart — see Note •Cottage Garden Threads in Leatherbound (JK02), Woodstack (JK05), Candlestick (JK09), Chamomile Tea (JK11), Conservatory (JK12), Cashmere (JK23), Page Turner (JK24), Cobwe

Anorina Morris of Samelia's Mum recently added new life to a pair of torn jeans with sweet fabrics and big stitches. First, she lined the fabrics with a fusible stabiliser to give them strength. She then stitched them behind the torn openings with Au

• 25cm (⅜yd) raw natural linen • Assorted fabrics scraps at least 2¼in square to total about 30cm (⅜yd) (patchwork) • Fat eighth of two coordinating print fabrics (applique) • 40cm (½yd) coordinating print fabric (lining) • 25cm (⅜yd) lightweight fus

•One Layer Cake or 42 squares, 10in of assorted batik fabrics •1.1m (1¼yd) solid black fabric •3m (3⅜yd) backing fabric •Batting at least 168 x 148cm (66 x 59in) •Rotary cutter, ruler and mat •Sewing machine with ¼in foot •General sewing supplies Fin

• Assorted green print fabrics to total about 2m (2¼yd) • Assorted cream tone-on-tone print fabrics to total about 1.8m (2yd) • Fat quarter of brown mottled print fabric • 30cm (⅜yd) green print fabric #1 (Border 1) • 45cm (½yd) green print fabric #2

This bag is to be worn across the body. The flap closure is a fun opportunity to try out some leather or non-fraying faux leather or suede. The button stud closure is super easy to use and creates an elegant finish. The piping adds a nice pop and def

Araucania Yarns are created in Chile by a mother and daughter team. Their yarns are inspired by ancient South American crafts, which were often created using hand-painted natural yarns. The hand-painted colours of the soft 100% cotton yarn will put y

• 65 charm squares, 5in square • 2.1m (23⅜yd) solid white fabric • 1.7m (17⅞yd) solid pink fabric • 60cm (¾yd) red and white stripe print fabric (binding) • 3.2m (3½yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 190 x 155cm (75 x 63in) • Rotary cutter, ruler

The baby sweater is easy to make, with beginner knitters in mind. Using knit stitches, you will create garter stitch and it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping. This sweater will be perfect for babies to wear in the spring and summer we

• Plassard Primo 50g balls: 6 (7-8-9) balls Main Colour M — Cream: 1 ball each of three Contrast Colours: C1 — Forest, C2 — Burnt Rd, C3 — Chocolate • One pair each 5.50mm (UK 5/US 9) and 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles (or sizes needed to give corr

•45 x 105cm (18 x 41in) Permin 18-count linen in Natural •50cm (⅝syd) solid beige cotton fabric (backing) •DMC Etoile embroidery thread in Garnet (816) and Ecru •Size 22 tapestry needle •Appleton's Crewel Wool in Olive Green (242), Grass Green (251),

• 30 x 35cm (12 x 14in) rectangle of light-greyblue cotton • 25cm (10in) square of fusible interfacing such as Whisperweft • 25cm (10in) square of fusible batting such as Parlan • DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in Blanc (White), Black (310), Very Dar

Are you looking for a machine with a Stitch Regulator for free-motion stitching? The Continental M17 incorporates Janome's Accurate Stitch Regulator (ASR). The ASR Unit plugs directly into the machine and there are four diff erent feet attachments fo

Check out this free online course that off ers an introduction to slow hand stitching, which is both a process of ‘how-to’ and also a philosophy of gentle living. This is more than simply taking some thread, fabric and a needle. It's looking at your

The Sewing Shoppe 6/51 Tennant Street, Fyshwick 2609 Ph: (02) 6239 1214 sales@sewingshoppe.com.au www.sewingshoppe.com.au Open: Wed–Sun 10am–4pm Banksia Yarns 3c East Market Street, Richmond 2753 Ph: (02) 4505 1615 shop@banksiayarns.com.au www.banksi