I had the horrible realisation the other day that summer is almost over. It doesn't feel like we've had much of a summer in the UK. There were some nice days in May, then it was cold for ages! But even though the weather is nice now, there's only about a week of the summer holidays left, and then we'll be officially into autumn. In typical fashion, I had grand plans to make all kinds of things. Time seems to behave like an elastic band, not ... Read the Post...
Creativity and Landscape Part 3: Japanese Gardens
In the 1st post in this series, I talked about hierophany, the idea of markers in the landscape holding significance for both individuals and the local community, and what that might mean for us as creative people. In the second post, I wrote a little bit about using things found in the landscape as part of our creativity, in particular making dye from nettles. The dyed fabric is still folded up and awaiting another stint in the dyebath! In ... Read the Post...
Sewing With Knits: Choosing a Pattern
If you've missed the previous posts in the Sewing With Knits series, you can find them here. Once you've started to think about the fabric you'd like to use, the next step is finding a pattern. Stretch knits are great for tops and comfy dresses. You can make skirts from them as well. If you are choosing a pattern, often it will say on the packet what kind of fabric to use. But if you are drafting your own, adapting or reusing a pattern ... Read the Post...
How To Make A Wrist Pincushion Revisited
With the Great British Sewing Bee back on the television, I thought I'd revisit the wrist pincushion tutorial I wrote back in 2016. I still have the original pincushion, and I often use it when I'm sewing. We are who we are, and I still lose my pins if I don't have them actually attached to me! At the time, I had some wrist pincushion kits for sale on Etsy, but in different fabric. Unfortunately, once they had sold out I couldn't get any ... Read the Post...
