Creative Minds And Crafts
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SNOWBOOKS
0ROUDLY 0UBLISHED BY 3NOWBOOKS IN #OPYRIGHT ¹ 3NOWBOOKS ,TD 4HE CONTRIBUTORS ASSERT THE MORAL RIGHT TO BE IDENTIlED AS THE AUTHORS OF THIS WORK 3NOWBOOKS ,TD 0ENTONVILLE 2OAD ,ONDON . *. 4EL &AX EMAIL INFO SNOWBOOKSCOM WWWSNOWBOOKSCOM "RITISH ,IBRARY #ATALOGUING IN 0UBLICATION $ATA ! CATALOGUE RECORD FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE FROM THE "RITISH ,IBRARY )3". )3".
#ONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE CRAFTERS
!LISON "ROOKBANKS
)CE #REAM 0IN #USHION
!MY +AROL
0EBBLE "RACELET
!NNA 4ORBORG
,OG #ABIN 0ILLOW
#ASSI 'RIFlN
$ESK /RGANIZER
&IONA $ALTON
3UMMER 4OP
(EIDI +ENNEY
%LEPHANT 0OUCH
(ILLARY ,ANG
&ABRIC "ASKET
*UJU 6AIL
"OOK #OVER
+ATEY .ICOSIA
+NITTING .EEDLE #ASE
,ISA #ONGDON
,YN 2OBERTS
-AITREYA $UNHAM
-ARIKO &UJINAKA
-YRA -ASUDA
3ARAH .EUBURGER
4ANIA (O
4ANIA (OWELLS
THE PROJECTS
:AKKA 3TYLE 0OUCH
1UILTED 4HROW
-ARKET "AG
&ABRIC 3CARVES
0ATCHWORK 0URSE
,IBRARY 4OTE
(OUSE 4ISSUE #OVER
0ILLOWCASE !PRON
APPENDICES
3TARTING 9OUR /WN "LOG
2ESOURCES
!CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
)NTRODUCTION
7HEN ) SET OUT TO PUT TOGETHER A CRAFT BOOK ) DIDNT WANT TO CREATE @JUST ANOTHER COLLECTION OF PATTERNS )F THATS ALL THIS EDITION HAD AMOUNTED TO ) WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN PLEASED OF COURSE JUST TO WORK WITH THE CONTRIBUTORS BUT ) HAD SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND AS WELL 4HE QUESTION THAT CRAFTERS SEEM TO FACE MOST OFTEN IS @WHY BOTHER 4HE QUERY USUALLY COMES FROM OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHO HAPPEN NOT TO CRAFT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER PONDERED THE COMBINATION OF CORDUROY AND COTTON OR FELT AND SILK "UT ) THINK EVERY CRAFTER REACHES A POINT WHERE SHE ASK HERSELF THIS QUESTION USUALLY WHEN SHES HALF WAY THROUGH A KING SIZE PATCHWORK MADE OF v SQUARES OR AS THE EMBROIDERY mOSS KNOTS UP FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME !S THE BACK OF THIS BOOK WONDERS WHY DO WE BOTHER
UP WITH HALF A DOZEN @) WAS JUST CRAFTY AS A CHILD
TO MAKE THINGS BY HAND WHEN WE LIVE IN A WORLD
RESPONSES PERHAPS WITH A COUPLE OF @) DONT KNOWS
WHERE OUR EVERY MATERIAL DESIRE CAN BE FULlLLED
THROWN IN FOR GOOD MEASURE !ND IN A SENSE THAT DID
BY READY MADE SHOP BOUGHT ITEMS /N THE LARGE
HAPPEN ! LOT OF US WERE RAISED IN CREATIVE FAMILIES
SCALE ) LIKE TO THINK THAT THE @CRAFT WAVE IS A REACTION
AND OUR INSTINCTS WERE ENCOURAGED EVERY STEP OF THE
TO THIS WORLD WE CREATE BECAUSE THE MASS PRODUCED
WAY "UT WHAT WEVE DONE WITH THOSE INSTINCTS AND
JUST ISNT SPECIAL ENOUGH "UT IF CRAFTING IS THE DESIRE
WHAT OUR CREATIVITY MEANS TO US NOW AS ADULTS n )
FOR UNIQUENESS THEN THE SOURCE OF THAT MUST LIE IN
THINK THOSE ASPECTS ARE SPECIAL TO EACH OF US
EVERY CRAFTER n WE MUST EACH HAVE OUR OWN REASONS FOR DOING THESE THINGS
4HE PROJECTS IN THIS BOOK REmECT THAT INDIVIDUALITY 7HILE OUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION OFTEN OVERLAP
7ELL YES AND NO !S ) WAITED FOR THE CONTRIBUTORS
AND CERTAIN INmUENCES LIKE MODERN *APANESE CRAFT
WRITTEN DRAFTS TO COME IN ) SORT OF EXPECTED TO WIND
DElNITELY TEND TO DOMINATE OUR INTERPRETATIONS CAN
7HY DO WE BOTHER MAKING THINGS BY HAND
VARY WILDLY ! SKILLED CRAFTSPERSON MAY BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE EACH OF THESE PROJECTS EXACTLY BUT A CREATIVE ONE WONT BE ABLE TO RESIST ADDING HER OWN TWIST )T HAS BEEN A TRUE JOY TO WORK WITH THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THIS BOOK ) @KNOW THEM ALL IN SOME CAPACITY THROUGH THE ON LINE JOURNALS WE KEEP n A TREND WHICH HAS ONCE AGAIN ALLOWED CRAFTING TO BE A COMMUNITY SPORT 7OMEN USED TO GATHER TOGETHER TO KNIT AND SEW WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBOURHOOD FRIENDS &OR QUITE SOME TIME NOW THESE HAVE BEEN SOLITARY ACTIVITIES PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THEIR @BACKWARDS NATURE .OW WERE RETURNING TO THE NETWORKS WE USED TO ENJOY AND THIS TIME ITS ON A GLOBAL LEVEL THAT CONTRIBUTORS FROM !USTRALIA "RITAIN 0ORTUGAL AND !MERICA CAN CONSIDER EACH OTHER FRIENDS REALLY IS AMAZING 3O ) HOPE YOU HAVE AS MUCH FUN READING THIS BOOK AS ) DID CREATING IT )TS BEEN A LABOUR OF LOVE BUT IF YOURE READING THIS THEN ITS lNALLY lNISHED AND ) AM ONE PROUD EDITOR 7HEN 'EORGE (ARRISON WAS ASKED WHY HE FUNDED -ONTY 0YTHONS 4HE ,IFE OF "RIAN HE REPORTEDLY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE HE @WANTED TO SEE IT 3IMILARLY )VE MANAGED THE PRODUCTION OF THIS BOOK SIMPLY BECAUSE ) WANTED TO READ IT ) THINK YOULL AGREE IT WAS WORTH THE EFFORT
#RAFTERS
!LISON "ROOKBANKS ,OCATION 3YDNEY !USTRALIA /CCUPATION !RCHITECT !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST +NITTING 1UILTING 4EXTURAL -ANIPULATION 7EBSITE HTTPSIXANDAHALFSTITCHESTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE $ESIGN IS MY LIFE ) LIVE IT BREATHE IT WORK IT AND
MATERNAL RELATIONSHIP )T WOULD RECONNECT ME TO MY
MY LIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN lLLED WITH THE CHANCE
OWN CHILDHOOD AND PERHAPS MY CHILD WOULD GROW
TO CREATE !ND CRAFTING WITH DIFFERENT lBRES IS THE
UP LEARNING THE VALUES OF HANDMADE CREATIVE PLAY
PERFECT ANTIDOTE AT THE END OF A LONG DAY lLLED WITH
BASED ON INTERACTION AND EXPERIMENTATION USING
STEEL AND CONCRETE 4HROUGH MY CRAFTING WORK ) CAN
HIS IMAGINATION TO FUEL GAMES AND LEARNING RATHER
EXPRESS THE DESIGN PROCESS WHICH IS OFTEN STImED
THAN BEING DRAINED BY MODERN TELEVISION AND TOYS
BY BUDGET AND PROGRAMME CONSTRAINTS IN MY REAL
WHICH OVERSTIMULATE WITHOUT ALLOWING THE CHILD
LIFE AS AN ARCHITECT
EXPRESSION
) GREW UP IN A FAMILY THAT NATURALLY VEERED TOWARDS
"ABY CLOTHES AND CHILDRENS ITEMS ARE SOOTHING lLLED
THE HANDMADE n PARTLY BECAUSE OF A LIFESTYLE CHOICE
WITH LOVE AND TOLERANT OF lCKLE FASHIONS 4HEY ARE
AND PARTLY BECAUSE THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT ITEMS
PERFECT IN THEMSELVES n THEIR SMALLNESS AND EXACTNESS
COULD BE MADE BETTER DIFFERENTLY CHEAPER AND
AND THE FACT THEY REPRESENT NEW LIFE NEW HOPE
WITH MORE MEANING THAN A STORE BOUGHT PRODUCT
AND NEW DREAMS )T IS THE SMALL BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED
-Y MOTHER CONSTANTLY HAD A SEWING MACHINE OUT ON THE DINING TABLE -ATERIAL AND PATTERNS MINGLED WITH BALLS OF WOOL AND FAIRAISLE OR ARAN SWEATERS HALF lNISHED -Y DOLLS SLEPT IN CUSTOM MADE CLOTHES AND SHEETS AND ) COPIED MY MOTHER WITH MY OWN FULLY WORKING TOY SEWING MACHINE -Y FATHER MADE US TOYS AND DOLLHOUSES AND PAINTED LARGE ABSTRACTS LAYERED IN DETAIL AND TEXTURE 4HESE MEMORIES INGRAIN THEMSELVES BECOME A PART OF YOU AND LIE DORMANT UNTIL ONE DAY YOU CAN REJOIN THE THREADS IN THE HERE AND NOW 4HE BIRTH OF MY lRST CHILD REAWAKENED THE NEED TO CREATE AND PRODUCE HANDMADE ITEMS FOR OUR HOUSE AND OUR LIFE 3OMEHOW THE PIECES ) MADE WOULD JUSTIFY MY LOVE FOR MY CHILD AND CEMENT THE
/PPOSITE ST n 4HE LABEL UNDER WHICH !LISON
!BOVE $ETAILS LIKE THIS HANDSTITCHING MAKE A
SELLS HER CREATIONS
PROJECT REALLY SPECIAL
) REVEL IN THE ABILITY TO lND THE PERFECT PIECES TO CREATE A WHOLE ITEMS WHICH STILL APPEAL TO ME 4HEY REPRESENT SMALL
4HE ART WORLD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PARTICULARLY
VIGNETTES n AN IDEA WHICH HAS CONSTANTLY DRAWN ME
STRONG INmUENCE ON ME AND )VE ACHIEVED A LOT BY
IN ALL FORMS OF DESIGN AND PARTICULARLY IN ARCHITECTURE
EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT PROCESSES OVER THE
) REVEL IN THE ABILITY TO lND THE PERFECT PIECES TO
YEARS &ROM TIME IN A LIFE DRAWING STUDIO TO SEMESTERS
CREATE A WHOLE WHETHER THAT BE BUTTONS RIBBON
SPENT ETCHING AND PRINT MAKING TO WEEKENDS SPENT
SCRAPS OF HIGHLY DETAILED FABRIC OR THE PERFECT KNIT
PAINTING ALTERNATE FORMS OF EXPRESSION ARE IMPORTANT
TEXTURE %ACH ITEM WORKS ALONE AS A PIECE BUT ALSO
TO ME AND MY EVERYDAY LIFE ) DREAM OF A TIME IN THE
GAINS NEW LIFE WHEN PLACED AMONGST OTHERS %ACH
FUTURE WHEN ) HAVE SPACE ALONE FOR MULTIPLE FORMS
STITCH KNITTED OR SEWN EACH CUT EACH PIECE OF FABRIC
OF CRAFTING n PRINTING WEAVING SPINNING PAINTING
WOULD HAVE MEANING AND SIGNIlCANCE AS PART OF A
SEWING )D LOVE TO AMALGAMATE ALL THOSE INTO ONE
WHOLE AND AS AN INDIVIDUAL 3MALL THINGS ARE QUICK
FORM OF CRAFT SOMEHOW
DONT REQUIRE AS MUCH PATIENCE TIME OR COMMITMENT AS LARGER PROJECTS AND ) lND ) OFTEN NEED THE QUICK PROJECTS TO SATISFY MY CRAFTING NEEDS RATHER THAN THE LONG TERM PROJECTS
INSPIRATION ) AM MOST INSPIRED WHEN APPARENT SIMPLICITY CAN
BAMBOO SLATS WHICH ARE TEXTURAL PLAYFUL AND WHEN
BECOME SOMETHING MORE COMPLEX BY THE DETAIL
LIT STRANGELY ETHEREAL $IFFERENT lBRE TEXTURES CAN
THE PROPORTION OR THE MATERIALS ) CHOOSE TO USE )N
HAVE THE SAME IMPACT n THE PLACEMENT OF AN OPEN
THE SAME WAY THAT *APANESE ORIGAMI IS INTRINSICALLY
WEAVE LIKE LINEN AGAINST A HIGHLY FELTED PIECE OF
SIMPLE AND COMPLEX BOTH AT ONCE IT IS THESE
KNIT CAN CREATE DRAPES AND FOLDS AMONGST THE FABRICS
PARADOXES ) TRY TO lND IN MY OWN WORK 7HAT LOOKS
WHICH ARE FAR MORE APPEALING SOMETIMES THAN THE
SIMPLE CAN OFTEN BE COMPLEX AND VICE VERSA ) HAVE
OBJECT THEY BECOME ) LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING MY WORK
LEARNT A LOT FROM THE *APANESE WAY OF DOING THINGS
TO SHOW THESE ASPECTS OF AN OBJECT n THAT THEY ARE
n THE RITUAL OF TEA CEREMONIES MIRRORING THE RITUAL OF
MORE THAN JUST A POUCH OR AN ITEM OF CLOTHING BUT
LAYING OUT AND PIECING TOGETHER SEWN PATTERNS 4HE
CAN HOLD MYRIAD SHAPES AND FORMS WHICH CHANGE
ZEN STRUCTURING OF *APANESE GARDENS ECHOING THE
WITH EACH POSE
PROPORTIONS OF MATERIAL AGAINST MATERIAL 4HE PROCESS OF CREATING IS AN INTERESTING ONE )DEAS 3TRONGEST INmUENCES COME FROM *APANESE ARCHITECTURE
GERMINATE AND BECOME INSPIRED TO TAKE SHAPE 4HE
PAST AND PRESENT WHICH ALWAYS SEEKS TO lND BALANCE
MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ONES WHICH
AND CALM AGAINST ITS SURROUNDINGS EVEN WITH THE
DEMAND MY THINKING TIME AND WHICH CALL INCESSANTLY
USE OF APPARENTLY BRUTAL MATERIALS SUCH AS CONCRETE
TO BE DONE IN EUREKA MOMENTS OF INSIGHT 4HE IDEA
4HERE IS A SERIES OF *APANESE TEA HOUSES WHICH )
GETS THROWN AROUND IN MY HEAD DEVELOPED MAPPED
AM PARTICULARLY DRAWN TO n HAPHAZARD WEAVINGS OF
OUT CONSTRUCTED STUDIED AND PIECED TOGETHER
4HIS 0AGE -ORE STITCHING DETAIL /PPOSITE 4OP !LISONS BASKET BAGS ARE PRACTICAL AND ATTRACTIVE /PPOSITE "OTTOM 0ART OF !LISONS COLLECTION OF INSPIRING CERAMIC PIECES
IN MY STUDIO IS ORDERED CHAOS 0ERHAPS IT IS MORE CHAOS THAN ORDER BUT EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE NO MATTER HOW HAPHAZARD THAT APPEARS "OXES OF WOOL OVERmOW ALONGSIDE PILES OF MATERIAL n EACH APPARENTLY UNRELATED AND JUMBLED "UT EVERY SINGLE ITEM HAS A PURPOSE AND A POSSIBILITY 4HERE IS AN IDEA IN EVERYTHING 0OTENTIAL COLLABORATIONS OF WOOL AND FABRIC FORM IN GROUPS AROUND THE ROOM PATTERN AND CRAFT BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FALL OPEN TO INSPIRED IMAGES 4HEY REMIND ME WHAT ) AM CRITICALLY DRAWN TO AND ARE PART OF THE STEPPING STONE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT 0ROJECTS IN VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION LIE IN A PRODUCTION LINE ACROSS MY DESK THE IRONING BOARD THE COUCH AND THE mOOR !ND IN AMONGST THAT ARE LITTLE MOMENTS OF PURE DESIGN ETHOS
MY GROWING COLLECTION OF WHITE AND BLACK CERAMICS STITCH BY STITCH UNTIL IT IS AN ACTUAL ITEM mOATING IN
CLEAR GLASS SMALL TRINKETS FROM FELLOW CRAFTERS AND
BRAIN MATTER 4HEN ) CAN SIT AND START MAKING WITH
MY OWN ORIGINAL ARTWORKS 4HIS SPACE REPRESENTS
ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY ) HAVE LITTLE TIME TO PROTOTYPE
CONTROL OVER MY TIME GIVING MEANING TO A SENSE OF
TINKER OR THINK THINGS THROUGH IN REAL TIME SO WHEN )
SELF WHICH HAS CHANGED THROUGH THE AMALGAMATION
START ) CAN USUALLY WORK THROUGH EVERYTHING QUICKLY
OF MOTHERHOOD AND CAREER WOMAN )TS A SPACE FOR
4HE QUICKNESS OF A PROJECT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF
ME WHERE MY VALUE IS ABSOLUTE )TS A REFUGE FROM
THE PROCESS n ) LIKE QUICK lXES INSTANT RESULTS AND
TOYS AND CLEANING AND WORK WHERE MY IDEAS CAN FALL
INSTANT GRATIlCATION 9ET ) AM A PERFECTIONIST AND )
FREE AND ) CAN BE SELlSH IN WHAT ) DO
LIKE WELL CRAFTED DETAILS AND EXACTNESS OF PROPORTION COMBINED WITH GOOD QUALITY MATERIALS 4HAT LAST ITEM
) DONT CONSIDER MYSELF A PATTERNMAKER n TECHNICALLY
IS IMPORTANT n ALWAYS BUY THE BEST YOU CAN BECAUSE
) AM NOT TRAINED IN THE ART OF CUTTING AND SEWING )
IT WILL ALWAYS SHOW IN YOUR WORK AND THE WAY THE
FALL INTO DESIGNS AND LET THE MATERIAL SPEAK OF HOW
PIECES COME TOGETHER ) AM LEARNING THROUGH THIS
IT WANTS TO BE USED -Y PIECES ARE OFTEN VERY SIMPLE
CRAFTING PROCESS THAT LETTING OBJECTS BE THEMSELVES AND WORKING WITH THE MATERIAL CAN PROVIDE A BETTER RESULT THAN INSISTING ON PERFECTION IN DETAILS ) BRING TO EACH ITEM A WELL BALANCED SENSE OF PROPORTION COLOUR TEXTURE AND VISUAL DISPLAY THAT ALWAYS PROVIDES A WHOLEn AND INTIMATE DETAILS WITHIN THE WHOLE 4HE PIECES ARE THREE DIMENSIONAL IN FORM AND VISUAL EFlCACY
WORKSPACE 4HE DINING TABLE MY MOTHER USED NOW ACTS AS MY STUDIO TABLE EMBEDDING MY OWN LIFE AND PATTERNS INTO THE GRAIN OF THE WOOD ,ITTERED AROUND ME
IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION AND ) LIKE THAT 4HERE IS OFTEN
) HAVE .EW WORLDS OF TEXTURE TECHNIQUE IDEAS FORM
NO NEED TO BE COMPLEX 4HEIR COMPLEXITY COMES
AND SHAPE POSSIBILITY AND DESIRE HAVE BEEN SHOWN
FROM THEIR CUT OR THE FABRIC OR THE COMBINATION OF
TO ME 4O RECEIVE THE FEEDBACK WE DO FROM OTHERS IS
PIECES ) LIKE TO TAKE THE SAME PATTERN AND WORK
A WONDERFUL WAY TO lNISH EACH PROJECT
IT OVER MANY TIMES LETTING NEW LIFE BE BORN INTO IT THROUGH CHANGES OF COLOUR PALETTE 4HE KNITTED POUCH SERIES THAT ) HAVE BEEN WORKING ON RECENTLY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF lNDING A SIMPLE FORM AND WITH SUBTLE TWISTS EACH TIME ACHIEVING SOMETHING FRESH 4HE PATTERN INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK TAKES THE PROCESS ONE STEP FURTHER BY ADDING IN EXTRA HANDMADE ITEMS LIKE SHIBORI FELTING TO MAKE IT TRULY UNIQUE .UMEROUS TECHNIQUES CAN BE INCORPORATED WITHIN THE STRUCTURE AND THIS REALLY APPEALS TO MY SENSE OF WANTING TO ACHIEVE QUICKLY BUT EASILY 4HIS BOOK IS ABOUT A WONDERFUL ONLINE CRAFTING COMMUNITY WHO HAVE OPENED THEIR DOORS AND CREATIVITY TO LET PEOPLE BE INSPIRED AND LET IDEAS mOW AND DEVELOP 7ITHOUT THE IMMENSE TALENT OF THESE WOMEN ) WOULD NEVER HAVE MADE SOME OF THE LEAPS
"ELOW !LISONS DESK
:AKKA 3TYLE 0OUCH $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DESIGNED THIS PURSE AS A PROJECT TO GENTLY EASE BEGINNERS INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SEWING )T CAN BE KEPT SIMPLE AND COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR YOU CAN INVEST MORE TIME AND EMBELLISH AWAY TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT 4HIS PURSE CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE STITCHED AND CAN BE INTERLINED WITH A COMMERCIAL STIFF INTERFACING FOR A SHARP SMART LOOK OR INTERLINED WITH OR LAYERS OF A SOFT COTTON FABRIC FOR A SOFT SQUASHY LOOK 4HE DETACHABLE CORSAGE IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF JUST LAYERS OF PETALS HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW STITCHES AND A BUTTON OR BEAD FEEL FREE TO ADD SEQUINS OR DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND WHATEVER ELSE THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY
!MY +AROL ,OCATION 0ORTLAND /REGON /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -OM $ESIGNER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3MALL !RT 1UILTS !BSTRACT 7ALL 1UILTS $ESIGN 7EBSITE HTTPANGRYCHICKENTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE !S MELODRAMATIC AS IT SOUNDS ) HAVE TO MAKE THINGS ) DONT SEPARATE hARTv AND hCRAFTv IN MY HEAD AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE 4HERE WAS A TIME RIGHT AFTER COLLEGE WHEN ) WAS REALLY HUNG UP ON DOING hSERIOUS ARTv WHICH REALLY WASNT SERIOUS AT ALL BUT WAS hARTv IN THE SENSE THAT IT WASNT CRAFTY AND WAS REPRESENTED BY GALLERIES AND PARTICIPATED IN JURIED SHOWS ) GUESS IF ) WERE TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ART AND CRAFT NOW IT WOULD ONLY BE THAT CRAFT OFTEN HAS A UTILITARIAN PURPOSE OR HISTORY BUT THATS ABOUT IT FOR ME "ACK THEN ) WOULD FEEL GUILTY FOR CRAFTING BUT WHEN MY NATURAL INTEREST BEGAN TO SHIFT TOWARDS CRAFTING EVEN MORE ) REALLY JUST LET ALL OF MY HANG UPS GO ) CRAFT AS A RESULT OF MY CIRCUMSTANCES ) HAVE AN INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE IN PAINTING DIGITAL VIDEO AND lLM ALONG WITH MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE ART BUT THESE MEDIUMS ARENT VERY PRACTICAL WHEN )M AT HOME WITH MY DAUGHTERS FULL TIME SO ) DO WHAT ) CAN AND WHAT lTS IN MY LIFE 2IGHT NOW ITS PRIMARILY SEWING DRAWING AND WORKING ON MY CRAFT BLOG 4HE ARTCRAFT DEBATE ENDED FOR ME WHEN ) REALIZED
GOING 4HE WORST TIMES IN MY LIFE LOOKING BACK ON
THAT ) FELT THE SAME DOING BOTH SO IT DIDNT REALLY
IT NOW HAVE COME FROM WHEN ) WASNT ABLE TO n
MATTER WHAT ) WAS DOING AS LONG AS ) ACHIEVED THAT
PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY n BE CREATIVE 4HATS WHY
FEELING ) WAS HAPPY 7HEN ) WORK ) HAVE NO CONCEPT
) DONT KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION hWHERE DO
OF TIME ) CAN JUST BE ABSORBED IN WHAT ) AM
YOU lND THE TIME TO DO SO MUCH v WHICH ) HEAR A LOT
DOING AND ) THINK ITS THE ONLY TIME OF THE DAY )
)TS LIKE ASKING ME HOW ) HAVE TIME TO SLEEP OR EAT
AM NOT MULTI TASKING 4HIS BRAINHAND CONNECTION
FOOD ) JUST DO
IS MEDITATIVE FOR ME AND IS REALLY WHAT KEEPS ME
-Y MOM SAYS ) HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY 3HE STARTED
MARRIAGES AND VERY FULL LIVES THERE ISNT A LOT OF FREE
CALLING ME hCRAFT QUEENv WHEN ) WAS ABOUT THREE
TIME 7HEN ) DO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE ITS USUALLY
AND THE NICKNAME STILL COMES UP EMBARRASSINGLY
ABOUT THE KIDS 4HIS IS GREAT BUT ITS HARD BECAUSE )
7HEN ) WAS YOUNG CREATING WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL
AM WITH THE GIRLS ALL DAY 4HE CRAFT BLOG HAS KEPT ME
EXPERIENCE FOR ME BECAUSE ) COULD DO IT ALONE IT
CONNECTED TO WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING AND GIVES ME
DIDNT REQUIRE OTHER FRIENDS 4HERE WERE ONLY BOYS IN
A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE BIG SHOW AND TELL 4HIS
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN ) WAS GROWING UP AND ) HAD
HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT FOR ME AS AN ARTIST .OT JUST
A BROTHER SO ) LEARNED WAYS TO KEEP MYSELF BUSY BY
TO GET FEEDBACK BUT TO FEED ME VISUALLY AS WELL 4HE
MYSELF AND CRAFTING WAS THE MAIN ONE
ONLY THING ) NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF IS BEING ONLINE TOO MUCH AND KNOWING WHEN TO TURN OFF THE COMPUTER
) THINK CREATING IS ALSO A WAY ) CONNECT TO OTHER
AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN AND WORK ) HAVE BEEN ABLE
PEOPLE ESPECIALLY OTHER ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS !T THIS
TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH FRIENDS ONLINE WHO WOULD
TIME IN MY LIFE ITS SO HARD TO HAVE A REAL CONNECTION
NEVER THINK ITS ODD FOR ME TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME
WITH PEOPLE OTHER THAN MY FAMILY ) AM IN MY EARLY
WRITING AND THINKING ABOUT IRON ON VINYL OR WHICH
S AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE JOBS FAMILIES
THREAD ) SEW WITH 4HIS CONNECTION HAS REALLY
7HEN ) WORK ) HAVE NO CONCEPT OF TIME /PPOSITE h,OCATION $EVICEv -ONOPRINT AND
"ELOW $ETAIL OF SMALL QUILT h3POTSYv
COLLAGE ON PAPER
AFFECTED MY CREATIVE OUTPUT ) KNOW WITHOUT THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE COMMUNITY ONLINE ) WOULD NEVER BE DOING SO MUCH )T FEEDS ITSELF AND ) THINK THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL THING ) FEEL LIKE ) AM REALLY PARTICIPATING IN LIFE WHEN ) CREATE NOT WATCHING IT GO BY
INSPIRATION ) AM INSPIRED BY SO MANY THINGS -Y TASTES CHANGE LIKE EVERYTHING BUT RIGHT NOW THEYRE QUITE ECLECTIC )VE ALWAYS LIKED MID CENTURY GRAPHICS TEXTILES AND FURNITURE BUT LATELY ) HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE EXCITED BY TH CENTURY GRAPHICS LIKE OLD 3EARS CATALOGS FROM THE MID S OLD COOKBOOKS AND PERIODICALS
MADE QUILTS TO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES WARM 4HAT WAS
) LOVE MUSIC AND THE RADIO ESPECIALLY TALK RADIO LIKE
THE REAL PURPOSE OF SOME OF THE QUILTS BUT THE WOMEN
4HIS !MERICAN ,IFE AND OTHER PUBLIC RADIO SHOWS
ALSO MADE CHOICES ABOUT FABRICS PLACEMENT COLOR
LISTENING WHEN ) WORK IS VERY INSPIRING
AND DESIGN AND ) LOVE MAKING THE SAME DECISIONS EVEN THOUGH MY QUILTS LOOK NOTHING LIKE THE HISTORICAL
!LSO ANYTHING DOMESTIC n AS IN FOR THE HOME n IS
ONES THAT ) AM SO IN AWE OF !PRONS ALSO GET ME
REALLY FASCINATING TO ME ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS ROOTS
ESPECIALLY EXCITED BECAUSE ) LOVE THINKING THAT SO
ARE UTILITARIAN BUT THE EXECUTION MAKES IT ART ,IKE
MUCH TIME WAS TAKEN TO MAKE A GARMENT THAT WAS
QUILTING ) FEEL SUCH A CONNECTION WITH WOMEN WHO
GOING TO GET SO DIRTY 7E WOULD NEVER DO THAT TODAY 7ELL WE DONT DO THAT DO WE 7E DONT SEW APRONS TODAY 7E ALL USE PAPER TOWELS AND THROW THEM OUT ) HAVE ALSO BEEN RESEARCHING NEEDLEWORK MORE ESPECIALLY SAMPLERS ) THINK THIS INTEREST IS DUE TO MY TWO GIRLS AND WANTING TO GET THEM STARTED ON HAND SEWING PRETTY SOON ) ALSO LOVE THE FAMILY TREE AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTING THAT HAPPENS IN NEEDLEWORK LIKE BIRTHS DEATHS WILLOW TREES AND ALL THE LIFE AND DEATH IMAGERY ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE THINGS 4HE MORBID BEAUTY IS REALLY AMAZING TO ME
!BOVE $ETAIL FROM ONE OF !MYS ABSTRACT QUILTS ,EFT @&RESH ACRYLIC ON CANVAS /PPOSITE 7E ALL LIKE TO PRETEND OUR STUDIOS ARE ALWAYS SPOTLESS BUT !MY DOESNT HAVE ANY QUALMS ABOUT SHOWING HER SPACE AS IS
WORKSPACE &OR ABOUT l VE YEARS ) HAD A STUDIO OUTSIDE OF MY HOME AND ) WOULD SPEND ALL DAY THERE ) CAN BARELY REMEMBER THAT NOW 3INCE WE BOUGHT A HOUSE AND HAD THE GIRLS ) HAVE MOVED AROUND IN VARIOUS CORNERS OF OUR m ORESCENT LIT BASEMENT )T IS l NISHED WITH CARPET AND ALL BUT ITS FAR FROM IDEAL (ALF OF IT IS A PLAY AREA AND HALF OF IT IS MY SPACE 4HERE IS NO NATURAL LIGHT AND A RIDICULOUSLY LARGE PORTION OF MY STORAGE IS ON THE m OOR /NE THING ) LOVE ABOUT MY SPACE IS MY ABILITY TO WORK IN IT WITH MY CHILDREN !LTHOUGH HAVING ALONE TIME IS IMPORTANT TO ME ) AM REMINDED DAILY OF MY EARLIEST CRAFT MEMORIES WHEN ) SEE MY GIRLS PLAYING WITH THREAD PINS SCISSORS AND OTHER NOTIONS WHICH ARE NO DOUBT TOTALLY DANGEROUS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO BE PLAYING WITH -Y MOMS OWN CRAFT ROOM WAS NEVER OFF LIMITS TO ME AND APART FROM NOT USING THE FABRIC SCISSORS FOR PAPER ) COULD USE ANYTHING IN THERE ) KNOW THIS IS WHAT MADE MY l RST EXPERIENCES IN CRAFTING SO AMAZING ) WAS NEVER TOLD NO AND ) KNOW ) DEVELOPED MY EARLY SKILLS BECAUSE OF IT 3O WHEN ) WATCH MY TWO YEAR OLD TAKE ALL THE STUFl NG OUT OF A BAG FOR THE TENTH TIME IN AN HOUR ) JUST SMILE AND LEAVE IT ON THE m OOR UNTIL NAPTIME
1UILTED 4HROW $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HE ORGANIC UNPLANNED PROCESS OF MAKING THIS QUILT h9ELLOW AND 7HITEv IS WHERE ) FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE WITH TEXTILE WORK RIGHT NOW 7HEN ) PAINT ON CANVAS ) WORK WITH PAINT DRAWN LINES AND COLLAGED PAPER !LL THESE ELEMENTS ) NOW USE IN MY QUILTS BUT WITH FABRIC AND THREAD INSTEAD OF PAINT PAPER AND PEN AND INK 7HEN ) WORK ON THESE LARGE QUILTS ) REALLY DO VERY LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN ) DO WHEN ) PAINT ) WORK ON THE WALL WITH A PIECE OF m ANNEL TACKED OVER THE WALL SURFACE THAT THE FABRICS STICK TO AND ) COMPOSE AS ) GO AND NEVER KNOW WHAT THE QUILT WILL LOOK LIKE UNTIL ITS DONE "ECAUSE ) WORK THIS WAY DIRECTIONS ARE HARD TO GIVE ) CAN GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A QUILT THAT LOOKS REALLY SIMILAR TO THIS ONE BUT THE EXACT NUMBER OF SHAPES OR THE EXACT SIZES OF ALL THE BACKGROUND PIECES ARE NOT GIVEN SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SO TEDIOUS TO HAVE TO MEASURE THIS MUCH AND FOR YOU TO RECREATE IT IN THIS WAY )TS MORE OF A hSTYLEv OF WORKING WITH FABRIC THAT ) AM SHOWING HERE RATHER THAN AN EXACT PATTERN 3O HAVE FUN AND DONT WORRY ABOUT MAKING IT PERFECT
!NNA 4ORBORG ,OCATION ,ONDON %NGLAND /CCUPATION 0UBLISHER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST "AGS 1UILTS 0RINTING #ROCHET 7EBSITE HTTPWWWTWELVEORG
WHY I CREATE 7HEN ) THINK ABOUT MY CRAFTINESS IT SEEMS LIKE THERES AN UNBROKEN LINK FROM NOW BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD )N TRUTH THERE WAS A PERIOD IN WHICH ) WASNT THAT INTERESTED IN CRAFTY PURSUITS ) WAS ABSORBED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES %VEN THOUGH MY CHILDHOOD DAYS WERE SPENT PAINTING CERAMIC lGURINES AND CUTTING OUT PAPER PONIES THE CRAFTING ) NOW INDULGE IN WASNT NECESSARILY BORN FROM THOSE ACTIVITIES 3O HOW DID ) GET TO THIS POINT /NE DAY ) MADE A HAMSTER 4HATS NOT POSSIBLE YOU SAY ONLY 'OD CAN MAKE A HAMSTER OR MAYBE A MOMMY AND A DADDY HAMSTER IF THEY LOVE EACH OTHER VERY MUCH "UT ONE DAY ) WENT INTO MY LOCAL CRAFT SUPERSTORE AND DECIDED ) WAS GOING TO MAKE MY OWN RODENT FRIEND 4ECHNICALLY ) ALREADY HAD A ONE n THIS WAS WHEN ) WAS AT UNIVERSITY AND -ONTY WAS MY PERSONAL MASCOT A PARTICULARLY TAME AND FRIENDLY GOLDEN HAMSTER BUDDY 4HE CARTOONS )D DRAWN OF HIM HAD INSPIRED ME TO GO $ AND THIS WAS WHEN IT ALL STARTED 4HAT WAS THE TURNING POINT 7HAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A HAMSTER 7ELL YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR FELT SOME THREAD STRING FOR THE ARMS AND LEGS AND SOME STUFlNG !ND THEN YOU JUST START CREATING %VEN THOUGH )D PLAYED AROUND ON MY MOTHERS SEWING MACHINE WHEN ) WAS YOUNGER HANDSEWING THIS FELLOW WAS TRICKY ) COULD VISUALIZE THE BASIC SHAPES ) WOULD NEED TO GET THE lNISHED PRODUCT BUT PERFECTING THEM WAS ENTIRELY DOWN TO TRIAL AND ERROR )N THE END MY HAMSTER HAD THE HEAD
FROM ONE PROTOTYPE AND THE BODY FROM ANOTHER BUT
) BEGAN KEEPING AN ON LINE JOURNAL NEARLY SIX YEARS
HE WAS STILL PERFECT
AGO WHICH ISNT EONS EVEN FOR THE INTERNET BUT IT WAS WELL BEFORE YOUR AVERAGE PERSON WOULD HAVE
)T WAS AROUND THIS TIME WHEN ) WAS BECOMING THE
KNOWN WHAT A BLOG WAS ,OOKING BACK )M NOT SURE
&RANKENSTEIN OF THE TOY WORLD THAT ) DISCOVERED
WHAT ) WROTE ABOUT BEFORE ) STARTED CRAFTING "UT A
#RAFTSTER WWWCRAFTSTERORG (ERE WAS A GROUP
SLOW TRICKLE OF COMMENTS GREW STEADILY AS MORE AND
OF PEOPLE WHO WERE PROUD OF THEIR CREATIONS
MORE CRAFT BLOGS POPPED UP AND SOON ) WAS PART OF
n THEY SHARED THEIR IDEAS AND SHOWED OFF THEIR
AN AMAZING COMMUNITY
lNISHED PRODUCTS AND THERE WAS HARDLY A HINT OF EMBARRASSMENT 7OW ) CERTAINLY WASNT RUNNING
4HE SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION )M GIVEN FROM THIS
TO SHOW MY FRIENDS THE SILLY ANIMALS )D MADE BUT
NETWORK HAS ALLOWED MY CRAFTING TO GROW BY LEAPS
MAYBE THESE #RAFTSTER PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND
AND BOUNDS &ROM THE lRST TOTE ) MADE A FEW
0OSTING TO THOSE MESSAGE BOARDS GAVE ME MY lRST
YEARS AGO TO THE MORE IMPRESSIVE ) HOPE BAGS )
TASTE OF APPROVAL AND PRAISE FOR THIS NEW CREATIVITY
MAKE TODAY )M ALWAYS AMAZED TO lND THAT THIS IS
SO ) TOOK IT TO MY BLOG
SOMETHING )M REALLY LEARNING )TS NOT SOMETHING
)M ALWAYS AMAZED TO lND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING )M LEARNING /PPOSITE 4HE HAMSTER THAT STARTED IT ALL
"ELOW $ETAIL OF !NNAS LUNCH BAG
) STUDY IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE BUT PRACTICE REALLY DOES MAKE PERFECT )M ALWAYS PLEASED WHEN ) THINK OF THE SKILLS ) HAVE TODAY THAT DIDNT EXIST IN ME A MERE FOUR YEARS AGO ) LOVE CRAFTING BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A BROAD TERM ) BEGAN WITH A FELT HAMSTER BUT ) NOW SEW DRAW QUILT CROCHET AND KNIT AND ) PRINT WITH BOTH MY LETTERPRESS AND FROM HAND CARVED STAMPS ) DO THESE EACH WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SKILL BUT ) ENJOY THEM ALL #RAFTING FOR ME IS ABOUT TURNING AN IDEA INTO REALITY ) REALLY ADMIRE MY FRIENDS WHO CAN SAY THEY APPRECIATE EACH STEP OF THE PROCESS BUT THATS NOT TRUE OF ME ) LIKE TO DEVELOP AN IDEA BUT ) lND CUTTING FABRIC A BORE IRONING IS HOT AND TEDIOUS AND SEWING CAN BE FRUSTRATING AND NEVER ENDING %ACH STEP CLOSER TO BEING lNISHED IS EXCITING THOUGH n ) LOVE WATCHING MY PROGRESS ESPECIALLY IN LARGE PROJECTS 3EEING THE END PRODUCT AND KNOWING ) MADE IT n THAT IS CREATIVE HEAVEN
INSPIRATION !BOVE ! PATCHWORK STRIP BAG
-Y TASTES REALLY VARY AND EVOLVE FROM MOMENT TO MOMENT AND IT HAS TO BE DOWN TO THE VARIETY OF
"ELOW 6ERY PINK BIRD PRINTS
SOURCES FROM WHICH ) TAKE INSPIRATION 0ERHAPS THE MOST OBVIOUS OF THESE SOURCES IS THE VAST QUANTITY OF MAGAZINES ) BUY EACH MONTH )M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH UPWARDS OF TWENTY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS BUT ) HAVENT GOT A SINGLE ONE ) ENJOY MY TRIPS TO THE BOOK SHOP TOO MUCH TO SUBSCRIBE ) DONT CARE IF ) HAVE TO WAIT AN EXTRA DAY OR SPEND AN EXTRA POUND n WAITING FOR A NEW ISSUE TO APPEAR ON THE SHELF IS PART OF THE EXCITEMENT ) HAVE A NUMBER OF MAGAZINES WHICH ) BUY REGULARLY AND RATHER THAN BEING CRAFT MAGAZINES THEYRE ALL OF THE @HOME AND GARDEN VARIETY ) LOVE TO SEE PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAREFULLY AND SOMETIMES NOT DECORATED ROOMS AND SEE HOW EVERYTHING lTS TOGETHER ) lND THAT THE AESTHETIC OF A ROOM CAN INSPIRE A PROJECT BY ITSELF )NSTEAD OF SAVING ALL THE
MAGAZINES ) BUY ) CLIP MY FAVOURITE PICTURES AND
/NE OF MY FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF THE INTERNET CRAFT
PASTE THEM INTO AN INSPIRATION BOOK 4HE BOOKS
COMMUNITY IS THAT WERE SO HAPPY TO BE EACH OTHERS
PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO GIVE ME DECORATING IDEAS
INSPIRATION )TS NOT SO MUCH THE lNISHED PROJECTS
FOR MY OWN HOME BUT THE COLOURS AND STYLES OFTEN
WHICH INSPIRE ME THOUGH THEY CAN CERTAINLY BE
INFORM MY CRAFTING CHOICES
FABULOUS ) TEND TO SEE THE COMBINATIONS OF FABRICS AND COLOUR 4HE BEST EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE NUMBER
3PEAKING OF THAT ) lND THAT )M DRAWN TO A SURPRISING
OF PROJECTS )D BEEN SEEING IN REDS AND YELLOWS AND
ARRAY OF DIFFERENT STYLES ) FEEL LIKE MY BRAIN IS A
BLACKS 4HIS ISNT A COMBINATION ) WOULD HAVE BEEN
6ENN DIAGRAM WHERE EACH CIRCLE IS A UNIQUE STYLE n
DRAWN TO MYSELF n NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE ) WOULDNT
MAKING THE CIRCLES OVERLAP IS DElNITELY A CHALLENGE
HAVE THOUGHT OF IT WHICH IS SOMETIMES TRUE BUT
) LOVE THE MODERN *APANESE STYLE WHICH HAS TAKEN
BECAUSE ) SIMPLY THOUGHT ) WOULDNT LIKE IT "UT THE
OVER THE CRAFT WORLD BUT ) EQUALLY ADORE THE CLEAN
COLOUR MIX GREW ON ME AND WHEN ) STARTED CHOOSING
BOLD 3CANDINAVIAN LOOK ) USE A LOT OF +AFFE &ASSETT
PATTERNS FOR A NEW QUILT WHAT WAS ) DRAWN TO
FABRICS AND AM VERY PRONE TO GOING OVERBOARD IN THE
%XACTLY ) LOVE THE lNISHED PRODUCT AND IN A SENSE
PRINT DEPARTMENT )M FOND OF THE PINKS AND AQUAS OF
) COULDNT HAVE DONE IT ALONE
SHABBY CHIC !ND ) LOVE RETRO PRINTS ANYTHING FROM THE S TO THE S (OWS A GIRL SUPPOSED TO DECIDE BETWEEN ALL THOSE
"ELOW ! FAVOURITE QUILT IN SURPRISING COLOURS
WORKSPACE 7HEN ) lNISHED THAT lRST HAMSTER ) PUT THE LEFT OVER MATERIALS IN A SHOEBOX AND THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF MY @STUDIO "UT CRAFTING IS AN EXCELLENT HOBBY FOR HOARDERS AND IT WASNT LONG BEFORE THE SHOEBOX EXPANDED TO A SET OF DRAWERS ) LIVED IN A STUDIO APARTMENT FOR A WHILE AND ITS TINY DINING ROOM BECAME THE CRAFT ROOM AS MY OBSESSION GREW )T WAS GREAT TO SPREAD OUT MY MESS ON THE TABLE AND WALK AWAY MID PROJECT WITHOUT WORRYING THAT IT WOULD BE IN THE WAY 7HEN ) MOVED TO ,ONDON ) PACKED THREE BAGS AND TWO OF THEM WERE lLLED WITH FABRIC AND NOTIONS n THERE WAS ONE FOR CLOTHES AND EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD JUST HAVE TO WAIT )T WAS SYMBOLIC OF CRAFTINGS HOLD ON ME THE THOUGHT OF HAVING TO GO A DAY WITHOUT A PROJECT WAS FRIGHTENING )VE MOVED HOUSE ONCE AGAIN SINCE ARRIVING IN ,ONDON AND FOR THE lRST TIME ) HAVE A PROPER ROOM ALL TO MYSELF FOR MY STUDIO n WITH A DOOR AND EVERYTHING ) HAVE A LARGE DESK WHICH HOLDS
APPRECIATE THIS LUXURY WHILE IT LASTS n MY STUDIO IS
BOTH MY COMPUTER AND MY SEWING MACHINE )VE
JUST ABOUT PERFECT AT THE MOMENT
GOT SEVERAL CABINETS WHICH HOLD BOXES OF RIBBONS AND TRAYS OF MY LETTERPRESS TYPE AND ALL MY FABRIC
)N A SENSE DECORATING OR DESIGNING A STUDIO CAN
IS KEPT ON SHELVES IN THE BUILT IN WARDROBE -Y
BE DIFlCULT BECAUSE ITS A SPACE THATS JUST ABOUT
VIEW IS SPECTACULAR AND ) HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF TO
YOU )T SOUNDS GREAT BUT WHEN YOURE DRAWN TO SO MANY DIFFERENT STYLES IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE TO KEEP IT TONED DOWN ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL SPACE )M ALWAYS AMAZED THAT MY STUDIO DOES SEEM TO @HANG TOGETHER GIVEN THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PIECES CAN BE QUITE DISPARATE )VE GOT STARK 3CANDINAVIAN PRINTS AND FRILLY TEA TOWELS AND MODERN STORAGE BUT ) THINK IT SOMEHOW ALL WORKS (AVING STARTED WITH A SHOEBOX ) KNOW ) DONT REALLY NEED THE DEDICATED SPACE TO CREATE BUT ITS LOVELY TO ESCAPE INTO MY OWN ROOM AND SIT AMONGST THE FABRIC AND RIBBONS AND DREAM
4HIS 0AGE !NNAS SUNNY STUDIO /PPOSITE ! VERY GIRLY LITTLE PURSE
-ARKET "AG $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT !FTER REALIZING HOW MUCH OF MY FOOD WENT OFF BEFORE ) GOT AROUND TO EATING IT ) DECIDED TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THE WAY ) SHOPPED )NSTEAD OF BUYING THE WEEKS GROCERIES IN ONE GO ) WOULD VISIT THE SUPERMARKET A FEW TIMES A WEEK AND BUY ONLY WHAT ) NEEDED FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS )TS A GREAT IDEA AND DEl NTELY REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT GOES TO WASTE BUT ) DONT LIKE THE PILES OF PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS THAT CAN BUILD WITH THIS SCHEME 3O ) DECIDED TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM TOO 4HIS MARKET BAG IS GREAT AND VERSATILE )TS ROOMY AND STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY YOUR CARTONS OF MILK AND IT CINCHES UP AT THE TOP TO MAKE SURE THE BISCUITS DONT GO ROLLING AWAY "EST OF ALL IT HAS A HANDY POCKET INSIDE WHICH THE ENTIRE BAG CAN TUCK INTO ) CAN CARRY THIS AROUND IN MY REGULAR PURSE AND )VE ALWAYS GOT AN EXTRA BAG READY TO GO -Y BAG IS MADE FROM LIGHT WEIGHT COTTON FOR MAXIMUM FOLDABILITY BUT THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS TO TRY OUT #ONSTRUCT YOURS OUT OF CANVAS FOR A ROUGH AND READY VERSION OR LINE IT WITH A WATERPROOF FABRIC FOR CARRYING COLD ITEMS 9OU CAN EVEN SIMPLIFY THIS ALREADY EASY PATTERN BY LEAVING OUT THE POCKET AND CINCH AND YOULL HAVE A BAG YOU CAN WHIP UP IN NO TIME m AT
TURN POCKET OUT OF BAG AND FREE FROM HANDLES TURN POCKET INSIDE OUT
FOLD HANDLES DOWN FOLD BOTH SIDES IN TOWARDS THE MIDDLE
FOLD TOP AND BOTTOM TOWARDS MIDDLE
TUCK BAG INTO POCKET
#ASSI 'RIFlN ,OCATION (AILEY )DAHO /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME (OMESCHOOLING -OM !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 0INCUSHIONS 4OTES 3OFT 4OYS $ECORATIONS 7EBSITE HTTPBELLADIATYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE )VE BEEN CRAFTY ALL MY LIFE -Y MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHERS WERE ALL TALENTED AT A VARIETY OF CRAFTS AND NEEDLEWORK SO MAKING THINGS JUST SEEMED TO COME NATURALLY FOR ME ) CAN STILL HEAR MY GRANDMOTHER SAY h7ELL ) CAN MAKE THAT v WHENEVER WE WOULD GO OUT SHOPPING AND )D SHOW A SPECIAL INTEREST IN SOMETHING !S KIDS MY TWIN SISTER AND ) INDULGED IN EVERY SORT OF CRAFTING POSSIBLE FROM BATH SALTS TO BOOK MAKING FROM WEAVING TO WOOD BURNING 7E WERE ALSO ENTREPRENEURALLY MINDED WHEN IT CAME TO OUR CRAFTING AMONG OTHER THINGS WE MADE PUPPET KITS AND SOLD THEM DOOR TO DOOR TO OUR VERY GENEROUS NEIGHBORS ,ITTLE DID ) KNOW THAT THAT WOULD BE A CAREER PATH LATER IN MY LIFE ) WANTED TO BE LIKE THE PIONEERS AND MAKE CANDLES AND RAG RUGS AND CORN HUSK DOLLS ) LOVED BOOKS LIKE THE ,ITTLE (OUSE SERIES AND 4HE "OXCAR #HILDREN AND
PEOPLE AND DONT REALLY ENJOY HOUSEWORK BUT ) THINK
MOVIES LIKE 4HE 3WISS &AMILY 2OBINSON AND EVEN
WHAT ) LEAST LIKE ABOUT IT IS THAT YOU NEVER HAVE MUCH
THE 46 SERIES 'ILLIGANS )SLAND -Y IMAGINATION
TO SHOW FOR YOUR LABOR 4HE LAUNDRY THE MEALS THE
WOULD BE ALL mUTTERY THINKING OF MAKING CUPS FROM
GROCERY SHOPPING ETC ARE JUST A NEVER ENDING CYCLE
COCONUTS AND DIGGING THROUGH THE LOCAL DUMP TO
AND ITS HARD TO FEEL ANY SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
lND CRACKED CHINA FOR DINNER PLATES 4HAT TYPE OF
WHEN IT NEVER SEEMS TO BE DONE 7HEN ) CRAFT ) END
THINKING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF MY
UP WITH SOMETHING TANGIBLE ) HAVE SOMETHING THAT
PERSONAL STYLE FOR EXAMPLE IF ) NEED NEW CURTAINS
SAYS h,OOK WHAT ) DIDv
THEN MY lRST THOUGHT IS TO CHECK MY VINTAGE LINEN COLLECTION TO SEE WHAT ) CAN MAKE RATHER THAN LOOK
) LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF SEEING WHAT ) CAN CREATE ON
THROUGH A CATALOG OR GO TO THE MALL
MY OWN AND WHEN )M PLEASED WITH THE RESULT ITS EXTREMELY SATISFYING )F OTHER PEOPLE LIKE WHAT )
)M RAISING THREE KIDS ON MY OWN AND SINCE WE
MAKE TOO THEN THAT IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE ) AM
HOME SCHOOL MY DAYS ARE VERY BUSY )M LIKE MOST
MOSTLY SELF TAUGHT AND MY WORK IMPROVES THROUGH
TRIAL AND ERROR n AND PATIENCE 7HEN ) WAS YOUNGER ) CRAFTED MOSTLY FOR THE END RESULT SEWING WAS ONE OF MY LEAST LIKED CRAFTS BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH PREP WORK ) HATED CUTTING OUT THE PATTERN ALL THE PINNING AND THE THREADING OF THE SEWING MACHINE n) JUST WANTED TO GET IT DONE AND ENJOY MY CREATION .OW ) ENJOY THE PROCESS AS MUCH AS ) DO THE END RESULT 4HESE DAYS SEWING HAS BECOME ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES ) LOVE THE SMELL OF THE FABRIC THE lRST TIME ITS IRONED MATCHING THE THREAD ALIGNING THE PATTERN PIECES AND PRESSING OPEN THE SEAMS !S FAR AS HAND SEWING ) lND IT ALMOST MEDITATIVE ) ENJOY SITTING IN THE EVENING WITH MY WORK IN MY LAP AND MY HOT TEA NEARBY AND LETTING MY THOUGHTS DRIFT ) DONT LIKE TO MAKE MISTAKES BUT WHEN ) DO ) DONT GET NEARLY AS FRUSTRATED AS ) DID WHEN ) WAS
YOUNGER )F ) MAKE A MISTAKE ) PULL OUT THE STITCHES AND REDO THEM BECAUSE ) KNOW ) WONT BE HAPPY WITH IT IF ) DONT )TS ALL JUST PART OF THE PROCESS #ROCHETING IS ALSO VERY RELAXING FOR ME AND ) lND THE STITCH REPETITIONS ARE LIKE THE CHANTING OF A "UDDHIST MONK ALLOWING THE DUST OF A STRESSFUL DAY TO SETTLE 4HE THINGS THAT ) HAVE THAT ARE MOST SPECIAL TO ME ARE THINGS THAT WERE HANDMADE BY MY FAMILY ! QUILT FROM MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER HANDMADE BABY CLOTHES FROM MY GRANDMOTHER A SCULPTURE FROM MY MOTHER DRAWINGS BY MY SISTER AND OF COURSE lRST DRAWINGS AND PINCH POTS FROM MY CHILDREN 4HESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ) HOLD MOST DEAR n ALL HANDMADE ALL FROM THE HEART
) LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF SEEING WHAT ) CAN CREATE ON MY OWN /PPOSITE "USINESS CARDS FOR "ELLA $IA #ASSIS
"ELOW #RAFTS NOTIONS AND INSPIRATION ON #ASSIS
DESIGN LABEL
CRAFT CABINET
INSPIRATION )F MY INSPIRATION HAD A THEME SONG IT WOULD BE 7HAT A 7ONDERFUL 7ORLD BY ,OUIS !RMSTRONG ) TRULY l ND INSPIRATION ALL AROUND ME BUT ESPECIALLY IN NATURE )M LUCKY TO LIVE IN A BEAUTIFUL RURAL AREA WHERE )M SURROUNDED BY FORESTS AND RIVERS SNOWY MOUNTAINTOPS AND BRIGHT BLUE SKIES ) GET TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE LOVELY SHADES AND SHAPES OF NATURE RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR ) AM CAPTIVATED BY THE SUBTLE COLOR CHANGES AT DUSK AND THE WAY THE LIGHT AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR PLAYS UP THE VARIETY OF TONES IN FAMILIAR OBJECTS !LTHOUGH WE ARE COVERED UP IN SNOW FOR SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR SPRING AND SUMMER ARE VIVID WITH BRIGHTLY BLOOMING WILDm OWERS -Y GARDENS ARE MAINLY PERENNIALS AND ITS JUST ONE MORE PLACE WHERE ) CAN SEE THE SHIFT OF COLOR AND LIGHT AS THE SEASONS COME AND GO -Y MOTHER AND SISTER AND ) USED TO OWN A m OWER SHOP WHERE ) LEARNED ABOUT MANY DIFFERENT TYPES
OF m OWERS AND GREENERY -Y EXPERIENCE AS A m ORAL DESIGNER HAS BEEN A HUGE INm UENCE ON MY DESIGNS ESPECIALLY THE PINCUSHIONS ) USUALLY HAVE A m OWER IN MIND WHEN )M CREATING ONE FROM FELT OR )M EMBROIDERING )M TRYING TO GET THE FEEL OF THE m OWER AND AM NOT INTERESTED IN REPRODUCING IT &LOWERS ALONE SUPPLY AN ENDLESS SOURCE OF IDEAS FOR SHAPE AND COLOR #HILDRENS LITERATURE IS ANOTHER VAST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR ME ) HAVE A RATHER LARGE COLLECTION OF CHILDRENS PICTURE BOOKS AND ) LOVE PERUSING THROUGH THEM WHEN ) NEED TO SPARK MY CREATIVITY 3OME OF MY FAVORITE ILLUSTRATORS ARE &EODOR 2OJANKOVSKY $EMI %LSA "ESKOW 0ETER 3IS 7ANDA 'AG ,OIS ,ENSKI %STHER 7ILKINS AND 'ARTH 7ILLIAMS TO NAME A FEW ! FAVORITE PASTIME IS LOOKING AT BOOKS IN THE CHILDRENS SECTION OF USED BOOKSTORES AND l NDING NEW TREASURES TO BRING HOME ) DEVELOPED AN EARLY LOVE OF ALL THINGS VINTAGE FROM GOING TO m EA MARKETS WITH MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER -Y GRANDMOTHER WAS A HUGE ANTIQUE COLLECTOR AND HER HOUSE WAS LIKE A MUSEUM IN ITSELF SO IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN RAMPANT AND SEE DESIGN FROM OTHER DECADES )N THE SAME WAY PERIOD l LMS ARE ANOTHER GREAT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION ) ESPECIALLY LOVE LOOKING IN THE BACKGROUND OF SCENES TO SEE HOW THE ROOM IS DECORATED WHAT TOILETRY ITEMS ARE OUT ON THE VANITY COLOR COMBINATIONS ARCHITECTURE CLOTHING AND SO ON )NSPIRATION FOR ME IS JUST A WAY OF LOOKING AT THE WORLD AND REINTERPRETING WHAT ) SEE INTO SOMETHING TANGIBLE )MAGES RAIN DOWN LIKE CONFETTI AND ) GO AROUND PICKING UP THE LITTLE COLORED PIECES AND TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING PRETTY )M AWARE OF TRENDS BUT ) DONT PUT MUCH CONSIDERATION TOWARDS THEM WHEN )M DESIGNING NEW ITEMS "EING IN MY FORTIES )M ONLY TOO WELL AWARE THAT TRENDS COME AND GO BUT GOOD DESIGN STAYS CONSTANT ,EFT #ASSIS SEWING MACHINE WAITING PATIENTLY /PPOSITE &ABRIC VALUABLE FABRIC
WORKSPACE )T WOULD BE LOVELY TO HAVE A DEDICATED ROOM FOR MY CRAFTING BUT THATS NOT POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW 3INCE WE HOME SCHOOL THE EXTRA ROOM WE HAVE IS USED AS OUR SCHOOLROOM SO MY WORK HAS TAKEN OVER THE KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM AND MOST OTHER m AT SURFACES NEARBY )VE TRIED TO CONVINCE THE KIDS THAT WE CAN DO WITHOUT THE KITCHEN BUT ) HAVENT GOTTEN VERY FAR WITH THAT IDEA ) HAVE SEVERAL OLD CUPBOARDS THAT ARE STUFFED WITH FABRIC AND RIBBON AND ASSORTED OTHER DO DAHS AND )M ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR VINTAGE CANISTERS AND OLD WOODEN BOXES BECAUSE ) USE THEM FOR MORE STORAGE SPACE )F YOU LOOK IN ALMOST ANY LIDDED CONTAINER NEAR MY WORKSPACE YOU WILL l ND IT STUFFED WITH SOMETHING THAT ) USE IN MY CRAFTING ) HAVE SEVERAL WIRE MESH CARTS THAT )VE ORGANIZED WITH MY SEWING NECESSITIES AND ) PULL THOSE AROUND WITH ME DEPENDING WHERE )M DOING MY WORK 4HE SEWING MACHINE IS ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER AND THE IRON IS ALWAYS UP HAVING THINGS OUT AND ACCESSIBLE MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO GET CRAFTING DONE BUT ITS NOT THE WAY TO HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE
&ABRIC 3CARF AND "ROOCH $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS IS THE PERFECT PROJECT FOR A SEWING NOVICE BUT THE l NISHED PRODUCT IS AMAZINGLY VERSATILE AND FUN "ECAUSE THESE SCARVES ARE SO QUICK AND EASY TO WHIP UP YOU CAN MAKE AN ENTIRE RANGE TO MATCH YOUR WARDROBE IN WEIGHTS TO TAKE YOU FROM COOL AUTUMN EVENINGS TO THE COLDEST WINTER DAYS 4HE PRETTY m OWER BROOCH CAN BE USED TO FASTEN THE SCARF IN PLACE AND ITS A LOVELY ACCESSORY ALL ON ITS OWN "ECAUSE THIS PROJECT USES A RELATIVELY LARGE PIECE OF FABRIC ITS IDEAL FOR SHOWCASING A PRINT YOU CANT BEAR TO CUT INTO PIECES
&IONA $ALTON ,OCATION !DELAIDE !USTRALIA /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -UM 'RAPHIC $ESIGNER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS "AGS #HILDRENS #LOTHES 7EBSITE HTTPHOPSKIPJUMPTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE 4HE IMPULSE TO MAKE THINGS HAS ALWAYS BEEN
!S LONG AS ) CAN REMEMBER CRAFT OF SOME SORT HAS
WITH ME -Y MOTHER IS A PAINTER AND CRAFTER AND
BEEN A PART OF MY LIFE FROM PAPER CRAFTS SUCH AS
SO ALWAYS ENCOURAGED MY BROTHER AND ) TO MAKE
MAKING #HRISTMAS CARDS AND INVITATIONS TO SEWING
THINGS AND ENGAGE OURSELVES CREATIVELY ) THINK )
BAGS AND CUSHIONS BAKING CAKES AND RESTORING
MUST HAVE BEEN A BIT OBSESSIVE AND SINGLE MINDED
FURNITURE WITH MIXED RESULTS FOR THE LATTER ) MIGHT
ABOUT CRAFT AS A KID BECAUSE ONE OF MY EARLIEST
ADD 7HY DO ) DO THIS WHEN ) COULD JUST HEAD TO A
CRAFTING MEMORIES IS BADGERING MY PARENTS TO BUY
DEPARTMENT STORE FOR A SIMILAR ITEM 4HESE ARE MY
POTTERS CLAY AND ONCE IT WAS PURCHASED ASKING
TWO CENTS
THEM TO BRING IT OUT TO PLAY WITH OVER AND OVER AND /6%2 AGAIN ) LITTERED MY POOR PARENTS HOUSE WITH THOSE UGLY CLAY CREATIONS )M STILL OBSESSIVE ABOUT THE THINGS ) MAKE BUT )M GLAD TO REPORT THAT ) CAN UNPACK MY OWN EQUIPMENT NOW !ND ) EVEN CLEAN UP AFTER MYSELF SOMETIMES TOO
4HERE IS A SIGNIlCANT SENSE OF PERSONAL SATISFACTION A SORT OF SELF ADMINISTERED PAT ON THE BACK ONE GETS FROM COMPLETING A PROJECT AND STANDING BACK TO ADMIRE THE RESULTS OF ONES HANDIWORK (OME MADE HAS MORE PERSONALITY MORE MEANING AND IS MORE FROM THE HEART THAN STORE BOUGHT THINGS #RAFTING CONNECTS US TO SOME OF THE CHARMING BITS OF TIMES PAST 4HE PROCESS OF MAKING THINGS OFTEN SEEMS TO HAVE A MEDITATIVE CALMING AND EVEN HEALING EFFECT ,IKE MOST PEOPLE WHO MAKE THINGS ) lND CRAFTING IMMENSELY SATISFYING -Y HUSBAND ALWAYS TEASES ME FOR @GOING ABOUT THE LONG WAY TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING 4HE PRODUCTION OF OUR WEDDING INVITATIONS FOR EXAMPLE INVOLVED TWO SEPARATELY PRINTED SHEETS RIBBONS GLUE STAMPS A WAX SEAL AND LOTS OF FOLDING CUTTING AND GLUING )N OTHER WORDS LOTS OF TIME
/PPOSITE $ETAIL FROM A BABYS QUILT
!BOVE &IONAS SOFT TOYS ARE A HIT WITH BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS
) LOVE THE CHALLENGE AND THRILL OF PERFECTING A NEW SKILL !LL BEFORE WE WROTE ON THEM AND ADDRESSED THE
TASTE FASHION AND AESTHETIC 2EMEMBER ALL THOSE
ENVELOPES 4O ME THIS IS PART OF THE FUN OF CELEBRATING
UNATTRACTIVE WOVEN HARD BAKED BREAD WALL HANGINGS
AN OCCASION (ANDMADE DETAILS CAN MAKE AN EVENT
AND GUMNUT PEOPLE CRAFTED IN THE S ) KNOW
UNIQUE MORE PERSONAL AND YES JUST THE WAY )
THAT SOME OF THE THINGS WE MAKE NOW WILL SUFFER A
LIKE IT 0ERHAPS THERE IS AN INNER CONTROL FREAK INSIDE
SIMILAR FATE CRAFT IS AS MUCH DRIVEN BY FASHION AS
EVERY CRAFTER )N ANY CASE FOR ME IT IS EVERY BIT WORTH
ANYTHING ELSE (OWEVER AT THEIR BEST HAND CRAFTED
THE EXTRA @TROUBLE TO SEE AN IDEA COME TO FRUITION
ITEMS SEEM TO HAVE SPECIAL POWERS ! FRIEND OF MINE HAS A BABY BLANKET THAT WAS KNITTED BY HER GREAT
3IMILARLY ) LOVE THE CHALLENGE AND THRILL OF PERFECTING
GRANDMOTHER )T WAS USED TO RECEIVE ALL HER GREAT
A NEW SKILL 4HEY ARE USUALLY SMALL THINGS BUT THE
GRANDMOTHERS BABIES AND THOSE OF HER GRANDMOTHER
CONQUERING OF A CRAFTING GOAL CAN HAVE ENORMOUS
AND AUNTS %VEN MY FRIEND WAS BOUGHT HOME FROM
FEEL GOOD MILEAGE
HOSPITAL WRAPPED IN IT 7HEN ) VISITED HER A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE BIRTH OF HER lRST CHILD LAST YEAR
4HE SECOND POINT n THAT HAND MADE IS MUCH NICER
SHE HAD THE BLANKET LAID OUT WAITING 7E STARED
n IS A SLIPPERY ONE SO MUCH DEPENDENT ON PERSONAL
AT IT WITH REVERENCE 3URE ANY BLANKET THAT PLAYS
THAT KIND OF STARRING ROLE IN A FAMILY IS SPECIAL BUT
WELL AS THE QUALITY OF SOME OF THE MATERIAL ESPECIALLY
THE FACT THAT THIS ONE WAS HAND KNIT BY MY FRIENDS
WOOLS AND TWEEDS 4HRIFTING IS ALSO NEEDED BECAUSE
GREAT GRANDMOTHER ADDED TO ITS IMPORTANCE
WE ARE BUDGET CONSCIOUS AND ITS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO NOT LET MY SEWING SUPPLY PURCHASES GET IN THE WAY
&OR MOST OF US TIME IS A VERY PRECIOUS COMMODITY
OF NECESSARY THINGS LIKE GROCERIES OR HEALTH CARE )
IT IS SO NICE TO RECEIVE SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE
LOVE BEING ABLE TO CREATE SOMETHING FROM AN ITEM
HAS POURED SOME OF HERS INTO +NOWING THAT SHES
SOMEONE NO LONGER WANTED "UT MOST IMPORTANTLY IT
PROBABLY SPENT THAT TIME THINKING OF YOU AND WHAT
MAKES ME FEEL CONNECTED IN SOME SMALL WAY TO THE
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO RECEIVE MAKES IT EXTRA SPECIAL
WOMEN OF MY GRANDMOTHERS GENERATION WHO LIVED
7HEN AN E MAIL IS THE NORM THERE IS SUCH CHARM IN
THROUGH THE $EPRESSION WHO HAD TO THINK CREATIVELY
RECEIVING A HAND MADE GIFT OR CARD
ABOUT HOW TO USE THEIR RESOURCES n TURNING OLD SHIRTS INTO QUILTS AND SO FORTH ) THINK WE CONSUME FAR TOO
4HIRDLY ) ALSO LOVE HOW CRAFTING CAN CONNECT US TO
MUCH @NEW THESE DAYS AND )D LIKE TO THINK )M
THE PAST -Y MUM TAUGHT ME HOW TO SEW AND MY
KEEPING CERTAIN SKILLS OF THRIFTINESS ALIVE USEFUL SKILLS
GRANDMOTHER TAUGHT ME HOW TO KNIT AND BAKE ) SEW
THAT ) MIGHT BE ABLE TO PASS ONTO MY DAUGHTER
WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF RECYCLED FABRIC FABRIC FROM CHARITY SHOPS OR CUT UP OLD CLOTHES ) DO THIS
)TS THE FOURTH POINT HOWEVER n CRAFT AS A KIND OF
BECAUSE ) LIKE THE PATTERNS ) lND IN OLDER FABRIC AS
THERAPY THAT IS MOST INTERESTING TO ME AND DElNITELY
"ELOW ! STUFFED MENAGERIE
/PPOSITE "OTTOM &IONAS DAUGHTER MODELS A CUSTOM MADE SKIRT
/PPOSITE 4OP 0ATCHWORK IS A LONG LASTING TREND
3OMETHING YOU CAN TRANSFORM AND HOPEFULLY BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO GIVE A NEW USE 7ITHOUT SOUNDING TOO SENTIMENTAL HOWEVER THESE DAYS MY DAUGHTER IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS TO ME 4HERE ARE SO MANY FUN THINGS YOU CAN MAKE FOR BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN BIBS SHOES CLOTHING AND TOYS !LSO ) LOVE SEEING WHAT PATTERNS COLOURS AND TEXTURES SHE IS DRAWN TO 4HE TOYS ) NOW SELL STARTED AS GIFTS FOR MY DAUGHTER ) WANTED TO lND SOME FUN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SOFT TOYS FOR HER AND WHEN ) COULDNT lND ANYTHING TO MY LIKING IN SHOPS ) STARTED EXPERIMENTING WITH SEWING MY OWN (AVING A CHILD HAS OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF CRAFTING POSSIBILITIES FOR ME FOR WHICH ) AM IMMENSELY GRATEFUL 4HE COLOURFUL FRIENDLY NATURE OF CHILDRENS THE MOST POIGNANT $URING DIFlCULT TIMES IN MY LIFE
CLOTHING TOYS AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS INSPIRES ME
) HAVE OFTEN TURNED TO CRAFT #RAFT HAS ENORMOUS
EVERY DAY
DISTRACTING QUALITIES !S GOOD AS A GRIPPING NOVEL A GOOD PROJECT CAN TRANSPORT ME SOMEWHERE ELSE TURN MY FOCUS ELSEWHERE 0LUS AT THE END YOU HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOUR EFFORTS SOMETHING TANGIBLE AND CONCRETE !FTER THE BIRTH OF MY DAUGHTER ) BATTLED FOR A YEAR WITH POST NATAL DEPRESSION ) FOUND THAT BURYING MY HEAD IN A CRAFT PROJECT WAS JUST THE KIND OF ESCAPISM ) NEEDED FROM THE CHALLENGES OF DAY TO DAY BABY CARE $URING THIS TIME ) LEARNED TO KNIT AGAIN AND WHILE MY KNITTED CREATIONS FROM THAT TIME WILL NEVER WIN AWARDS THE PROCESS OF MAKING SOMETHING REDISCOVERING A NEW SKILL JUST FOR MYSELF MADE ME FEEL GOOD )N NO SMALL PART IT HELPED ME THROUGH THAT DIFlCULT TIME
INSPIRATION !SIDE FROM THE USUAL SUSPECTS LIKE COLOUR PATTERN FABRIC MAGAZINES AND THE INTERNET ) lND LOTS OF INSPIRATION IN VINTAGE CLOTHES TEXTILES AND CROCKERY )VE HAD A LIFE LONG @THING FOR THE STRUCTURED HEAVY WOOL JACKETS AND SUITS OF THE S KNIT VESTS AND BEAUTIFULLY PATTERNED WOMENS DRESSES FROM THE S AND S ) LOVE THINGS WITH A STORY SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SOMEWHERE ELSE BEFORE IT CAME TO YOU
WORKSPACE 0RESENTLY MY WORKSPACE CONSISTS A LARGE OLD WOODEN TABLE )T SITS IN THE CORNER OF AN OPEN THOROUGHFARE IN OUR HOME ADJACENT TO THE MAIN LIVING AREA &OR THIS REASON ) TRY TO KEEP IT UNCLUTTERED BUT IT RARELY IS /N THE TABLE ARE MY COMPUTER SEWING MACHINE AND ALL MANNER OF CLEAR PLASTIC AND PAPER COVERED BOXES CRAMMED FULL OF THREAD BUTTONS EMBELLISHMENTS PAPER AND OFl CE SUPPLIES AND LOTS OF MY FAVOURITE FAT QUARTERS ) LIKE TO KEEP THEM CLOSE TO ME /N THE WALL IN FRONT OF ME IS MY @INSPIRATION BOARD n A PIN BOARD OVERm OWING WITH PICTURES THAT INSPIRE POSTCARDS TEAR SHEETS FROM MAGAZINES PHOTOS AND FABRIC SWATCHES (ERE THERE ARE ALSO SHELVES HOUSING MY CRAFT BOOKS %LSEWHERE IN THE ROOM IS AN ARTS CRAFTS ERA HUTCH 4HIS USED TO HOUSE OUR BEST CHINA BUT ) HAVE CO OPTED IT FOR FABRIC STORAGE 5NDER MY TABLE ARE LARGE PLASTIC TUBS CONTAINING MORE FABRIC &ABRIC STORAGE IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM
!BOVE &IONAS WORK DESK "ELOW &ABRIC OFTEN ENDS UP SQUEEZED INTO EVERY LITTLE SPACE /PPOSITE ! BUTTON FOR EVERY PROJECT
,IBRARY 4OTE $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS LIBRARY TOTE IS A FAVOURITE PATTERN 7ITH A SMALL CHILD ) FOUND WE WERE VISITING OUR LOCAL LIBRARY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE AND USING THE SAME CANVAS BAGS WE USE TO HAUL OUR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FROM THE MARKET WAS JUST NOT CUTTING IT 4HIS TOTE BAG IS QUICK AND EASY TO MAKE AND CAN BE EMBELLISHED AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOU DESIRE )T HAS A SIMPLE BUT PRETTY POCKET WHICH IS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A LIBRARY CARD AND A FEW OTHER NECESSITIES 4HIS TOTE CAN ALSO BE MADE TO ANY SHAPE OR SIZE THAT YOU LIKE n TO HOLD OVERSIZED PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OR NOVELS AND MAGAZINES FOR YOU
(EIDI +ENNEY ,OCATION 0ENNSYLVANIA 53! /CCUPATION !RTIST !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWMYPAPERCRANECOM
WHY I CREATE 7HEN ) WAS A CHILD MY PARENTS WERE ALWAYS WORKING ON ONE PROJECT OR ANOTHER &ROM AS FAR BACK AS ) CAN REMEMBER MY MOTHER SEWED 3HE HAD JOBS CREATING ELABORATE WINDOW TREATMENTS AND THEN ANOTHER CREATING TINY STUFFED FELT CREATURES AT !NNALEES DOLL FACTORY -Y FATHER USED TO CREATE LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS THAT AMAZED ME AND HE SCULPTED LITTLE MEN OUT OF CLAY ) HAVE MANY EARLY MEMORIES OF MY DAD RECORDING "OB 2OSS SHOWS AND THEN USING THEM TO TEACH HIMSELF TO PAINT ) WAS ALWAYS FASCINATED WITH HIS PROCESS THE BIG JAR OF BRUSHES AND TUBES OF OIL PAINTS -Y PARENTS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME TO EXPLORE MY INTEREST IN CREATING 4HEY ALWAYS BOUGHT ART SUPPLIES FOR HOLIDAYS AND WE HAD FREE USE OVER MY MOMS SEWING MACHINE SINCE SHE lRST TAUGHT US TO SEW !T ONE POINT WHILE ) WAS GROWING UP MY PARENTS
THEM JUST SO 7E WOULD ALSO DRESS UP OUR DOLLS IN A
FORMED THEIR OWN CRAFT BUSINESS *AN *ER #RAFTS AND
SIMILAR FASHION "ESIDES THIS INTEREST IN TEXTILES MY
) ATTENDED SOME CRAFT SHOWS WITH THEM )T SEEMED
SISTERS AND ) WOULD EXPERIMENT IN THE KITCHEN &OR A
SO SURREAL TO ME THEY HAD BUSINESS CARDS AND COULD
BIG PART OF OUR CHILDHOOD WE WERE LATCH KEY KIDS
ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY SELLING THINGS THEY LOVED TO
3O WHENEVER WE GOT HOME WE WOULD TAKE OUT THE
MAKE
COOKBOOKS AND LOOK FOR NEW THINGS TO MAKE -OST OF THE TIME IT WAS COOKIES OR CAKES BUT WE LIKED TO
-Y TWO SISTERS AND ) WOULD SPEND HOURS GOING
MAKE DINNER DISHES AS WELL
THROUGH MY MOTHERS FABRIC SCRAPS 7E SPENT A WHOLE SUMMER ONCE ENTERTAINING OURSELVES BY
-Y OLDER SISTER AND ) WERE VERY CLOSE IN AGE AND ONCE
MAKING OUTlTS OUT OF THE SCRAPS NO SEWING INVOLVED
SHE CAME HOME WITH A PRESENT OF HANDMADE PAPER
THOUGH JUST DRAPING 7E WOULD EACH TAKE TURNS
DOLLS SHE HAD MADE ME ) LOVED THEM SO MUCH BUT
PICKING OUT JUST THE RIGHT FABRICS AND THEN ARRANGING
WE WERE MORE INTERESTED IN MAKING THEM INSTEAD OF
PLAYING WITH THEM 7E WOULD SPEND HOURS CREATING
FOCUSED ON COUNTRY STYLE CRAFTS 4HINGS LIKE SEWING
NEW CHARACTERS THE BOYS USUALLY HAD BLACK EYES TO
QUILTS AND HOUSEHOLD DECORATIONS
SHOW HOW TOUGH THEY WERE AND THE GIRLS WOULD HAVE DRESSES WITH ELOBORATE PETTICOATS 7E MADE UP
!S ) GREW OLDER MY FOCUS TURNED MORE TO PAINTING
NAMES FOR EACH OF THEM 4AFFY WAS ONE NAME WE
AND DRAWING ) THINK A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH MY
USED TOO MANY TIMES 7E KEPT THEM ALL IN A BROWN
THOUGHTS ON SEWING PLUS ONCE ) MOVED OUT ) DIDNT
PAPER BAG UNTIL THE COLLECTION GOT TOO BIG THEN IT
HAVE A MACHINE OF MY OWN ) DRIFTED BACK TO FABRICS
WAS TRANSFERRED TO A SHOE BOX FOR SAFE KEEPING
AGAIN ANYWAY TAKING UP HANDSEWING FOR QUITE SOME TIME ) WORKED ON QUILTS FOR AWHILE BUT COULD NEVER
-Y MOM TAUGHT ALL THREE OF US TO SEW AT A PRETTY
REALLY GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THOSE PROJECTS 4HEN
YOUNG AGE /UR lRST PROJECTS WERE THINGS LIKE SMALL
) STARTED CREATING SOME LITTLE PLUSH TOYS IN MY MIND
DOLL ITEMS BLANKETS PILLOWS ETC !ND AS WE GOT
THEY WERE FOR KIDS ) ALSO WORKED ON PLAY FOOD ALL
OLDER THINGS LIKE HAIR SCRUNCHIES 4HOUGH ) REALLY
OUT OF FELT AND EVERY PEICE SEWN BY HAND 4HIS WAS
ENJOYED SEWING THEN ) DID LOOK AT IT AS SORT OF A
ACTUALLY THE lRST THING ) SOLD ONLINE BUT IT WOULD BE A
COUNTRY HABIT 3OMETHING THAT WASNT VERY COOL AND
FEW MORE YEARS BEFORE ) MADE A BUSINESS OUT OF IT
-Y PARENTS ENCOURAGED ME TO EXPLORE MY INTEREST IN CREATING /PPOSITE 0APER AND FABRIC COLLAGE PIECES
"ELOW "OXES OF (EIDIS INSPIRED CREATIONS
) DIDNT GET BACK INTO SEWING WITH A VENGEANCE UNTIL A FEW YEARS LATER ) STARTED AGAIN FOR FUN WITH MY OWN MACHINE 3OMETIME WHILE STRUGGLING AGAIN WITH WHAT ) THOUGHT YOU HAD TO SEW ) FOUND A STYLE OF MY OWN ) REALIZED THAT SURE SEWING MACHINES CAN BE USED TO MAKE TRADITIONAL ITEMS BUT ) COULD ALSO CREATE THINGS OF MY OWN DESIGN WITH IT AS WELL )T SORT OF HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT ) WAS CREATING ODD PURSES BACK THEN 0URSES SHAPED LIKE HEDGEHOGS AND ONES THAT WERE SEWN OUT OF DECONSTRUCTED STUFFED ANIMALS ) HAD SOME SCRAPS ) WAS TRYING TO USE UP BECAUSE ) COULD NEVER RESIST BUYING STRANGE FABRICS AND ) FOUND A LONG THIN PIECE OF BROWN VINYL LIKE FABRIC ) USED THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FABRIC AS THE CRUST FOR A SLICE OF TOASTAND THEN THINGS WENT ON FROM THERE 7HILE ) LIKED MAKING HANDBAGS MY ACTUAL LOVE WASNT IN THE ACTUAL PURSE CONSTRUCTION BUT TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING ODD INTO A PURSE 4HIS
7HILE MOST OF MY WORK TIME IS USED FOR SEWING
IS ALSO HOW ) STARTED MAKING PURSES SHAPED LIKE
THESE DAYS ) DO LIKE TO EXPERIMENT WITH ALL SORTS
TOASTERS
OF CRAFTING ) SPIN YARN ) CREATE WITH PAPER AND ) STILL PAINT -AKING THINGS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST FEELS ESSENTIAL TO EVERYDAY LIVING TO ME ) lND JOY IN CREATING ANYTHING WITH MY HANDSWHETHER IT BE BAKING A CAKE OR SEWING AN ELABORATE STUFFED BEAST OUT OF FELT ) CANNOT IMAGINE A TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE ) WONT BE EXPERIMENTING AND MAKING NEW THINGS ) REALLY FEEL IT IS JUST PART OF WHO ) AM
INSPIRATION %VERYTHING ) COME IN CONTACT WITH MOTIVATES ME TO CREATE FROM LARGE THINGS LIKE VISITING ART MUSEUMS AND SEEING OTHER PEOPLES ARTWORK TO SMALL THINGS LIKE PEELING PAINT ON A WINDOW LEDGE ) AM INSPIRED BY THE COLORS AND TEXTURES OF FABRIC 3OMETIMES JUST THE RIGHT WEAVE OR PRINT CAN INSPIRE A WHOLE NEW PLUSH CREATION -Y KIDS ARE ALSO A HUGE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR ME 4HEY LIKE TO GIVE ME IDEAS AND CHALLENGES -Y OLDEST SON ONCE TOLD ME HE DIDNT THINK ) COULD SEW A GLASS OF MILK THAT CHALLENGE WAS ALL ) NEEDED FOR INSPIRATION AND SEW ONE ) DID
-Y HUSBAND IS A TATTOO ARTIST AND ALWAYS INSPIRES ME WITH THE THINGS HE IS ABLE TO DO ON SKIN 4HOUGH HE AND ) HAVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT STYLES AND MEDIUMS HIS COLORS AND ARTWORK ALWAYS INSPIRE ME (E IS A GREAT REMINDER THAT WHILE MAKING ART MIGHT BE A JOB IT IS ALSO SOMETHING WE DO BECAUSE WE LOVE IT ) TRY TO KEEP PAPER SNIPS IN A BOX THINGS THAT ) LIKE THE COLOR OF OR MAYBE A PATTERN OR TYPESET ) LIKE GOING BACK THROUGH ALL THE SCRAPS !ND WHILE THEY MAY NOT CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO A PROJECT ) THINK LOOKING AT THE OBJECTS IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE CAN BE INSPIRING )NSTEAD OF LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND SEEING THE JUST THE BACKYARD LOOK CLOSER EXAMINE THE WAY THE LEAVES CURL AND THE COLORS IN THE GRASS
WORKSPACE -Y STUDIO IS A ROOM IN MY HOME ) HAVE A LONG BLUE TABLE THAT MY HUSBAND BUILT FOR ME OUT OF COUNTERTOP ) USE THIS AREA FOR SEWING AND SOMETIMES EVEN FOR PAPER PROJECTS ) HAVE SHELVES FOR MY FABRIC STASH BUT ALSO KEEP SHELVES UP IN THE ATTIC TO HOUSE IT ALL ) HAVE ONE TABLE ) SET ASIDE AS A hPACKINGv TABLE /NE REASON ) REALLY LIKE HAVING MY STUDIO SPACE IN MY HOME IS THAT ) FEEL ) CAN WORK WHENEVER THE MOOD STRIKES -ANY TIMES ) HAVE GOTTEN UP OUT OF BED AT AM BECAUSE A BRILLIANT IDEA HAS FORMED AND ) WANT TO WORK ON IT RIGHT AWAY
) lND JOY IN CREATING ANYTHING WITH MY HANDS /PPOSITE 4OP ! CROWD OF CUPCAKES
"ELOW ! BEAUTIFUL OLD SEWING MACHINE READY TO WORK
/PPOSITE "OTTOM (EIDIS STUDIO STORAGE
4ISSUE #OVER $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) LOVE HOUSES 4HERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE IDEA OF HOME THAT REALLY STIRS UP GOOD FEELINGS INSIDE ME 4HIS IS WHY ) DECIDED TO CREATE A HOUSE FOR MY PROJECT ) LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT A HOUSE 7HETHER IT BE THE ACTUAL HOUSE ITSELF WALL PAPERS SHINGLES AND SO ON OR THE IDEA OF HOME BEING THE PLACE WE RETREAT TO 4HERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME
(ILLARY ,ANG ,OCATION /AK 0ARK )LLINOIS /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -OM !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS 1UILTING !PRONS "AGS 0INCUSHIONS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWWEEWONDERFULSCOM
WHY I CREATE 7HILE )M A SUCKER FOR THE UNIQUE APPEAL OF A HANDCRAFTED ITEM IT TRULY IS THE PROCESS OF CRAFTING THAT KEEPS ME HOOKED "RAINSTORMING NEW IDEAS IS WHAT ) LOVE AND THE THRILL OF AN IDEA COMING TOGETHER DRIVES ME TO THE SEWING MACHINE AGAIN AND AGAIN ) SWEAR THERE IS AN AUDIBLE CLICK WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN MY HEAD 4HAT MOMENT IS THE HIGH ) CRAFT FOR /F COURSE )M NOT ONLY AN vIDEA GALv ) DElNITELY WANT TO SEE PROJECTS THROUGH TO CONCLUSION BUT )M NOT ONE TO RELAX AND REVEL IN MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS -Y HEAD IS ALWAYS TWO OR THREE PROJECTS AHEAD OF MY lNGERS )F ) HAVE ONE PROJECT IN THE SEWING MACHINE ) HAVE AT LEAST TWO OTHERS CUT OUT FABRIC PILED UP FOR A COUPLE MORE AND EVEN MORE SKETCHED OUT AND READY TO GO ) DONT TRY TO lLL UP MY WORKSPACE LIKE THIS BUT ITS UNAVOIDABLE 7HEN A NEW IDEA POPS INTO MY HEAD IT IS ALL ) CAN DO TO NOT IMMEDIATELY
AT MY DISPOSALCHALLENGES SUCH AS MAKING THE
ABANDON MY CURRENT PROJECT )LL LEAVE A PROJECT IN
CUTEST STUFFED KITTY DOLL OR THE PERFECT NOT TOO BIG
THE MACHINE AND GO YANK FABRIC FOR THE NEW PROJECT
NOT TOO SMALL HANDBAG OR COMING UP WITH THE MOST
BUT THATS AS FAR AS )LL LET MYSELF GO ! LITTLE SELF
BEAUTIFUL WAY TO REUSE A THRIFTED mORAL SHEET 4O ME
DISCIPLINE THE INSTINCTUAL STOPPING POINT THAT KEEPS
A WONDERFULLY CRAFTED ITEM IS LIKE A PUZZLE AND ) LOVE
MY MIND FROM GETTING TOO FAR AHEAD OF ITSELF AND
SOLVING PUZZLES )TS SIMILAR TO OTHER ROLES )VE HAD IN
THE WONDERFUL FEELING OF HAVING A lNISHED OBJECT ALL
LIFE LIKE DEBUGGING CODE OR HUNTING DOWN A FACT FOR
WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP ME IN CHECK
A PATRON AT THE LIBRARY ) OFTEN TRIP OVER THE SOLUTION 4HERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE ONE KEY IDEA THAT CLICKS
) OFTEN FEEL LIKE )M THE SOLE CONTESTANT ON A CRAFTING
IN PLACE AND MAKES THE WHOLE IDEA GEL 3OMETIMES
REALITY SHOW IN MY HEAD ) SET UP CHALLENGES THAT )
ITS THE VERY lRST IDEA THE SPARK 3OMETIMES ITS THE
THEN MUST SOLVE USING THE MATERIALS AND KNOWLEDGE
SMALLEST DETAIL THAT WILL lNALLY MAKE AN IDEA COME
TOGETHER LIKE THE BABY QUILT ) RECENTLY MADE FOR A
AND MAGAZINES CAN BE LIMITING )VE STUMBLED
FRIEND -Y BIG IDEA WAS TO BASE THE QUILT ON 'RANT
UPON SOME OF MY FAVORITE DESIGNS WHEN ) WASNT
7OODS BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES AND ) WAS TRYING TO lND
EVEN LOOKING 4HE PROPORTION IN A GREAT PHOTOGRAPH
THE RIGHT MIX OF MODERN AND QUAINT ) HAD STYLIZED
TRIGGERS AN APRON DESIGN 4HE SHAPE OF AN ANTIQUE
TREES A ROLLING HILL LINE AND A NEAT IDEA FOR REALLY
TOY STARTS ME ON A TOYS ON WHEELS KICK 4HE JUMPER
TEXTURAL QUILTING BUT IT lNALLY ALL CAME TOGETHER
A FRIEND MADE FOR HER TODDLER GETS REWORKED AS A
WHEN ) PICKED OUT A GREAT VINTAGE TABLECLOTH FOR
UNIFORM FOR AN ARMY OF BIG FOOTED BUNNIES /N THE
THE BINDING 4HE WHOLE SCENE IS SURROUNDED BY A
OTHER SIDE THERE WAS THE QUILT lASCO WHERE ) TRIED TO
BLUE SKY BINDING AND )M lNALLY SATISlED WITH IT /F
MAKE A CLEVER PATCHWORK FROM THRIFTED RED SHIRTS AND
COURSE AS SOON AS ) CUT THE BINDING OUT ) STARTED
ENDED UP WITH A COMPLETE MESS )VE HAD AS MANY
YANKING FABRICS FOR A NEW STUFFED TOY IDEA
FAILURES AS SUCCESSES WHEN BRAINSTORMING hOUTSIDE THE BOXv 7HEN )M WORKING A PROJECT ) OFTEN THINK
4HE SENSE OF SATISFACTION THAT COMES FROM SOLVING
OF THAT SCENE IN 0RETTY IN 0INK WHEN -OLLY 2INGWALD
THE RIDDLE OF A NEW PROJECT IS EVEN GREATER WHEN
IS DESIGNING HER PROM DRESS FROM THE TWO CAST OFF
THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION IS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
DRESSES AND SHE HOLDS UP A PIECE OF RUFmED SLEEVE
0OURING THROUGH MY STACK OF CRAFT AND DESIGN BOOKS
TO HER FOREHEAD AND THEN SHAKES HER HEAD AT HOW
4HE SMALLEST DETAIL WILL MAKE AN IDEA COME TOGETHER /PPOSITE 6INTAGE STYLE ANIMALS ON WHEELS
"ELOW ! TRIO OF STUFFED BUNNY TOYS
SILLY AN IDEA IT WAS 7HILE THE RECONSTRUCTED DRESS SHE COMES UP WITH IS NOTORIOUSLY BAD BRAVO FOR THE PROCESS /FTEN THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO A TRULY COOL IDEA IS THROUGH A LOT OF THOSE HEAD SHAKING MOMENTS 4HE FURTHER AWAY FROM MY COMFORT ZONE ) TRAVEL THE MORE SATISFYING IT IS TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE A PROJECT ) LOVE TRYING NEW THINGS LEARNING NEW METHODS INVESTIGATING NEW MEDIUMS ) TEND TO JUMP INTO WHATEVER NEW IDEA ) HAVE WITHOUT MUCH STUDY OR THOUGHT ) FEEL THE MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW SOMETHING IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE THE LESS FUN IT IS 4HE INTERNET IS GREAT FOR ME BECAUSE IT IS SO EASY TO lND QUICK HOW TOS FOR EVERY POSSIBLE CRAFT ) GRAB THE SHORTEST ANSWER TO A QUESTION ) CAN lND AND RUN WITH IT ) OFTEN MAKE MISTAKES THIS WAY BUT TO ME THEYRE NOWHERE NEAR AS DISCOURAGING AS BEING
THE TRENDS AND SIMILARITIES 4HEYRE ROOTED IN THE
OVERWHELMED BY THE ENTIRETY OF A DISCIPLINE !LSO ITS
IMAGERY OF MY CHILDHOOD THE CERTAIN INDELIBLE
A LOT MORE FUN IF YOU NEVER KNOW THE RULES
IMPRESSIONS MY CHILDHOOD SURROUNDINGS IMPRINTED ON MY SUBCONSCIOUS ) AM OBSESSED WITH A SPECIlC
YELLOW n A BRIGHT SATURATED MUSTARD YELLOW %VERY
INSPIRATION
TIME ) SEE IT SOMEWHERE ) THINK )M DISCOVERING IT FOR THE lRST TIME n IN A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE #ARL ,ARSSON HOUSE IN 3WEDEN A PAINTED WALL IN MY
) USED TO THINK MY INSPIRATION CHANGED WITH THE
%LLE $ECORATION MAGAZINE )T JUST DAWNED ON ME
WIND ) HAVE VOLUMES AND VOLUMES OF CLIPPING
RECENTLY THAT IS THE YELLOW OF THE PAINTED WOODEN
BOOKS FROM THE PAST TEN OR SO YEARS JAMMED FULL
FURNITURE IN MY CHILDHOOD ROOM .OW ) SEE THESE
OF THINGS )VE CUT FROM MAGAZINES .OW OLDER AND
CHILDHOOD INmUENCES ON MY AESTHETICS SO CLEARLY
WISER ) CAN SEE WHEN ) LOOK BACK THROUGH THEM
n THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE BOOKS ) READ THE PROGRAMS ) WATCHED ON TV THE WHOLE COLOR PALETTE OF THE S 3OME THINGS ARE MORE OBVIOUS THAN OTHERS SUCH AS THE LOVE OF MODERN $ANISH FURNITURE THAT ) INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS /THERS ARE MORE DEEPLY EMBEDDED AND POP UP WHEN )M LEAST EXPECTING THEM (OLLY (OBBIE THE FOLK ART WALLPAPER PATTERN FROM MY GRANDPARENTS HOME THE SIMPLE WOODEN SHAKER BOXES THAT ALL THE WOMEN IN MY FAMILY TREASURE THE STYLISH GLAMOUR OF MY -AGIC -ARY PAPER DOLLS THE DUSTY PEACHY PINK THAT MY GRANDMOTHER LOVED ,OIS ,ENSKI AND ALL THE S AND S ILLUSTRATION FROM MY MOTHERS CHILDHOOD BOOKS ) PICK OUT ALL THE FODDER OF /SCARS CHILDHOOD WITH THIS IN MIND 7HILE ) HAVE RELAXED SOME ABOUT PICKING TOYS HELL ACTUALLY PLAY WITH OVER BEAUTIFULLY
DESIGNED WOODEN TOYS WITH THEIR TIMELESS BEAUTY
WORKSPACE
) STILL STOP AND CONSIDER EVERY ITEM ) BRING INTO OUR HOME ) LOOK AROUND OUR PLACE AND THINK ABOUT WHICH
! WORKSPACE DEDICATED TO CRAFTING IS THE KEY TO ME
THINGS ARE CREATING THOSE DEEP GROVES IN /SCARS
GETTING ANYTHING DONE ) SHARE A SMALL HOME WITH
PSYCHE ) CANT EVEN PICK OUT A COLORING BOOK FOR HIM
A HUSBAND AND A TODDLER AND CARVING OUT A LITTLE
WITHOUT THINKING OF HOW HELL REMEMBER IT TWENTY
SPACE FOR MYSELF WHERE ) CAN LAY EVERYTHING OUT AND
YEARS FROM NOW
HAVE IT STILL BE IN THE SAME STATE WHEN ) RETURN IS A COMPLETE NECESSITY ) WANT MY ENTIRE HOME TO BE
! HUGE INmUENCE ON MY CURRENT CRAFTING BESIDES MY
ORGANIZED BUT TIME AND ENERGY ALWAYS SEEM TO RUN
OWN CHILDHOOD IS EVERYONES COLLECTIVE CHILDHOOD
OUT 4HE ONE PLACE THAT ) HAVE TO BE ORGANIZED IS MY
)M OBSESSED WITH ALL THINGS VINTAGE AND KID TOYS
CRAFT ROOM )TS A TINY ROOM SO EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE
TEXTILES GAMES BOOKS ETC ) GET SO MUCH INSPIRATION
IN ITS PLACE 4UCKING THINGS AWAY AND TIDYING UP MY
FROM CHILDRENS BOOK ILLUSTRATION 4HE COLORS ARE
WORKSPACE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE RELAXING ACTIVITIES
AMAZING THE LINES THE TECHNIQUES THEY USED THE
)VE RECENTLY REDONE MY ROOM ORGANIZATION AND NOW
FASHIONS THE STORYTELLING )M ALWAYS PICKING UP
)M HAPPY AS A CLAM IN THERE
VINTAGE KIDS CLOTHES AT THE THRIFT STOREnWHETHER THEYLL lT /SCAR OR NOTnTHE PRINTS ARE SO MUCH FUN
-Y NEW BUTTON STORAGE SYSTEM ) USED TO HAVE ALL MY
) ESPECIALLY LOVE S MESSAGE KNITS BY (EALTH 4EX
BUTTONS IN A PRINTERS DRAWER WHICH WAS GREAT FOR
-Y FAVORITE NEWBORN OUTlT OF /SCARS WAS A VINTAGE
SEEING THEM ALL AT ONCE BUT TOOK UP SO MUCH SPACE
ONESIE THAT HAD h) (EART -OMMY ) (EART $ADDYv
4HIS NEW SYSTEM OF HAVING THEM IN SMALL CLEAR JELLY
PRINTED ALL OVER IT ) HAVE AN ABSURDLY LARGE COLLECTION
JARS NAILED TO THE BOTTOM OF A SHELF IS SUCH A SPACE
OF VINTAGE KIDS BOOKS THAT ) GO BACK TO TIME AND TIME
SAVER LOOKS VERY COOL AND IT IS SO SATISFYING TO DUMP
AGAIN FOR INSPIRATION
/PPOSITE !BOVE 3HELVES OF CRAFT AND INSPIRATION
"ELOW 4HE INGENIOUS BUTTON STORAGE SYSTEM
/PPOSITE "OTTOM 4HE UBIQUITOUS INSPIRATION BOARD COVERED WITH PROJECT IDEAS
OUT A TINY COLLECTION OF BUTTONS IN MY HAND AND RUN THROUGH THEM LOOKING FOR JUST THE RIGHT ONE -Y FABRIC ) STACK MY FABRIC ON BOOKSHELVES AND THE STACKS MUST BE NICE AND NEAT SO ) CAN SPY EVERYTHING THATS IN THEM )F THEY START TO GET LUMPY AND LOPSIDED ) HAVE TO REFOLD ) SPEND A LOT OF TIME REFOLDING -Y DISPLAY SHELVES ) REALLY LOVE MY DISPLAY SHELVES ) LOVE TO REORGANIZE THEM AND STAGE LITTLE SCENES !LL THE TOYS AND KNICK KNACKS IN THERE KEEP ME COMPANY WHILE ) WORK )TS WHERE ) DISPLAY ALL THE AMAZING WORK THAT )VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO TRADE OR BUY FROM FELLOW TOYMAKERSBLOGGERS -Y INSPIRATION BOARDS ) LIKE TO KEEP MY INSPIRATION BOARDS SPARE ENOUGH THAT ) CAN SEE WHAT ) HAVE
!BOVE ! BASKET OF CUTIES
GOING ON THERE )VE lNALLY SEPARATED OUT MY TWO WORLDS IF YOU WILL /NE IS FOR THRIFTCRAFT AND IS ALL FASHION AND ACCESSORIES AND THE OTHER IS FOR WEE WONDERFULS AND IS ILLUSTRATION DOLL AND TOY DESIGN
"ELOW ! QUILT SHOP .O ITS ONLY (ILLARYS FABRIC SHELVES /PPOSITE (ENNY THE DOLL TAKES A BREAK
0ILLOWCASE !PRON $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS LIBRARY TOTE IS A FAVOURITE PATTERN 7ITH A SMALL CHILD ) FOUND WE WERE VISITING OUR LOCAL LIBRARY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE AND USING THE SAME CANVAS BAGS WE USE TO HAUL OUR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FROM THE MARKET WAS JUST NOT CUTTING IT 4HIS TOTE BAG IS QUICK AND EASY TO MAKE AND CAN BE EMBELLISHED AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOU DESIRE )T HAS A SIMPLE BUT PRETTY POCKET WHICH IS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A LIBRARY CARD AND A FEW OTHER NECESSITIES 4HIS TOTE CAN ALSO BE MADE TO ANY SHAPE OR SIZE THAT YOU LIKE n TO HOLD OVERSIZED PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OR NOVELS AND MAGAZINES FOR YOU
*UJU 6AIL ,OCATION ,ONDON %NGLAND /CCUPATION -OTHER 7RITER 4EACHER !GE .EARLY !REAS OF )NTEREST #LOTHING "EADING +NITTING 0AINTING 7EBSITE HTTPJUJULOVESPOLKADOTSTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE !S LONG AS ) CAN REMEMBER ) HAVE HAD A CRAFTING COMPULSION -Y MIND IS OBSESSIVELY PREOCCUPIED WITH DESIGNING AND MAKING THINGS ALL KINDS OF THINGS ,IKE MANY PEOPLE WITH OBSESSIONS ) TRY TO MASK MY EXTREME INTEREST ) DONT USUALLY TALK ABOUT IT BUT )M THINKING ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME 4HAT LOOK OF POLITE INTEREST ON MY FACE AS ) TALK TO YOU IS REALLY ME WORKING OUT HOW THE COLLAR OF YOUR SHIRT IS CONSTRUCTED AND ENJOYING THE COLOUR COMBINATIONS IN THE POSTER ON THE BUS BEHIND YOU 7HEN ) WAS EIGHT ) WAS FASCINATED BY A SILVER CAT SUIT THAT ONE OF #HARLIES !NGELS WORE WHEN SHE WAS DISGUISED AS AN ALIEN DONT YOU JUST LOVE THOSE S PLOTLINES ) WANTED TO MAKE IT SO BADLY BUT ) DIDNT KNOW ANYONE WHO COULD TEACH ME TO SEW &AMILY LORE RECOUNTED MY MOTHER DARNING MY FATHERS SOCKS WITH ELECTRIC TAPE 4HERE COULD BE NO HELP FROM THAT QUARTER 3O ) TAUGHT MYSELF &ROM SCRAPS OF ADVICE LIBRARY BOOKS AND EARLY
READ AND EASILY UNDERSTAND INSTRUCTIONS ) HAVE SINCE
EXPERIMENTS ) LEARNED HOW TO CROCHET KNIT AND
LEARNED THAT NOT EVERYONE HAS THIS SUPERPOWER -Y
SEW BEFORE ) WAS SIXTEEN ) PROBABLY DIDNT DO ANY
KRYPTONITE WOULD BE SPELLING AND MENTAL MATHS 9OU
OF THESE WITH GREAT SKILL BUT ) MADE UP FOR IT WITH
CANT HAVE EVERYTHING
ENTHUSIASM ) SEEM TO BE BLESSED WITH THE ABILITY TO
) GOT A JOB IN A FABRIC STORE AND MADE CLOTHES FOR
OF A BOYFRIEND ANOTHER WAS *ONE "AKER A KNITWEAR
MYSELF AND FRIENDS THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL 4HIS
DESIGNER ) WORKED FOR 4HEIR EXAMPLES AS WOMEN WHO
WAS THE EARLY S WHEN PUNK AND NEW WAVE STYLES
LIVED AND WORKED AS ARTISTDESIGNERS AND MOTHERS
ALLOWED A LOT OF DRESS FREEDOM
WERE IMPORTANT TO ME 4HEY GAVE ME A TEMPLATE OF HOW MY LIFE COULD BE 4HEY WERE ALSO VERY GENEROUS
) TOOK KNITTING WITH ME EVERYWHERE ) EVEN MANAGED
AND TAUGHT ME A LOT
TO DO IT SECRETLY UNDER MY DESK IN SCHOOL ) THOUGHT FASHION COLLEGE WOULD BE AN OASIS FOR 7HEN ) THINK BACK TO THESE DAYS ) REMEMBER LOOKING
ME A PLACE WHERE ) COULD lNALLY MEET LIKE MINDED
AT TEXTILES AND CLOTHES ALL THE TIME ) WENT TO QUILT
PEOPLE AND LEARN THE SKILLS ) WAS DYING TO KNOW )N
EXHIBITIONS ANTIQUE SHOPS FABRIC STORES ALWAYS
SOME WAYS IT WAS INTERESTING ) LOVED AND EXCELLED
BY MYSELF BECAUSE ) DIDNT KNOW ANYONE MY AGE
IN COSTUME HISTORY BUT ) DIDNT lND LIKE MINDED
WHO SHARED MY INTENSE INTEREST ,UCKILY ) DID HAVE
STUDENTS 4HE OTHERS WERE MORE INTERESTED IN FASHION
A COUPLE OF MENTORS IN MY LATE TEENS AND EARLY
THAN CLOTHES 4HEY LIKED THE CONSTANT CHANGES AND
TWENTIES /NE WAS !NNE 2OBERTS THE ARTIST MOTHER
FOLLOWED THE STYLES IN MAGAZINES
-Y MIND IS PREOCCUPIED WITH DESIGNING AND MAKING THINGS /PPOSITE ! HANDMADE SHIRT MODELLED BY A
"ELOW *UJUS WORK IN PROGRESS
MANNEQUIN DESIGNED BY ILLUSTRATOR -ARIA +ALMAN n A JUNK YARD lND
) LEFT COLLEGE EARLY AND SET UP A BUSINESS DESIGNING HAND AND MACHINE KNITWEAR WHICH ) HAD MADE BY HOME WORKERS 4HIS DID WELL BUT AFTER A FEW YEARS MY NOW HUSBAND AND ) DECIDED TO TRAVEL ,ATER ) CAME TO ,ONDON AND DID AN -! IN TEXTILE DESIGN ) CONTINUED TO PURSUE AN INTEREST IN HAND MADE ITEMS BY SPECIALIZING IN HOOKED RUGS ) STUDIED WITH FASCINATION THE HISTORY OF THIS CRAFT AND HOW ANTIQUE RUGS SPOKE OF THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THEY CAME FROM ) MADE RUGS ENTIRELY FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS INCLUDING OLD CLOTHES AND PLASTIC BAGS USING PERSONAL IMAGERY FROM MY SKETCHBOOKS ) WAS INTERESTED IN THE HAND MADE AND IN TEXTILES
3INCE THEN ) HAVE COMBINED MAKING THINGS FOR
) HATED THE WAY FASHION GLORIlED AN IDEALIZED BODY
EXHIBITION AND SALE WITH WRITING ABOUT THEM IN CRAFT
AND HAD NOTHING TO SAY TO ANYONE OF A DIFFERENT
BOOKS AND TEACHING
SHAPE EXCEPT MAYBE hHIDE IN BLACKv ) HATED THE lCKLENESS AND THE WASTE OF IT
,IKE A LOT OF BLOG AUTHORS ) HAVE A FAMILY AND A HOME TO CARE FOR AS WELL AS MY CRAFTING WORK )M SHORT ON
) LIKED LABOUR INTENSIVE EMBELLISHMENTS THAT HAD NO
TIME AND GET EASILY BORED AND FRUSTRATED WHEN )M
PLACE IN THE #ANADIAN GARMENT INDUSTRY ) WAS TRAINING
TRYING TO PRODUCE VOLUME FOR SALE
FOR ) HAD NO INTEREST IN JEANS @CASUAL SPORTSWEAR EVENINGWEAR OR ANY OF THE USUAL INDUSTRY CATEGORIES )F THERE WAS A NAME FOR WHAT ) LIKED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN hCOSTUME FOR EVERYDAY WEARv "UT WHO WOULD WEAR THIS EVERYDAY COSTUME ) WOULD ) DRESS IN A CREATIVE FUN SOME MIGHT SAY RIDICULOUS WAY %VERYDAY ) ENJOY PUTTING MY CLOTHES TOGETHER ) NEVER WEAR JEANS AND ) DONT OWN A PIECE OF BLACK CLOTHING OKAY EXCEPT FOR UNDERWEAR ) BRIEmY TRIED A MORE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY lRST CHILD BUT IT DIDNT LAST LONG AND CAN BE BLAMED ON MATERNAL MADNESS .OW ) GET MORE OUTLANDISH WITH MY CLOTHING CHOICES EACH YEAR ) WANT TO LOOK LIKE EVERYDAY IS A CELEBRATION EVEN IF )M JUST CLEANING OUT MY KITCHEN )N MY lNAL YEARS AT FASHION COLLEGE ) SPECIALIZED IN KNITWEAR AND MILLINERY WHICH PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO DESIGN BOTH THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT SHAPES 4HIS SUITED ME BETTER
INSPIRATION "OOKS ARE MY GREATEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION ) LOVE THE )NTERNET FOR MAKING THE WORLD MY MARKET PLACE AND CONNECTING ME TO OTHERS WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS BUT ) STILL APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE OF LOOKING AT BOOKS !NTIQUE ETHNOGRAPHIC TEXTILES AND ORNAMENTATION REALLY EXCITE ME 4HE IDEA THAT AN !FGHANI GIRL WILL WEAR THE EMBROIDERED BIB OF HER CHILDHOOD DRESS REAPPLIED TO DIFFERENT GARMENTS THROUGHOUT HER ENTIRE LIFE FASCINATES ME )T INTERESTS ME BECAUSE OF THE VALUE PLACED IN THE HAND MADE AND THE -Y HUSBAND SAYS ) HAVE A WHIM OF IRON ) CONSTANTLY
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CLOTHING AND THE WEARER
HAVE NEW OBSESSIONS !S WELL AS THE CRAFTS ) HAVE
4HE EMBROIDERY IS IMBUED WITH SYMBOLISM AND
MENTIONED ) HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH JEWELRY
MEANING THAT ENDURES !ND THE LIFE OF THE TEXTILE
BEADING POLYMER CLAY GLASS BEAD MAKING FELTING
IN THE FORM OF DIFFERENT GARMENTS ENDURES AND
DOLL MAKING PAINTING PRINTING BOOK MAKING AND
ACQUIRES NEW VALUE FROM ITS LONG ASSOCIATION WITH
OTHER CRAFTS
THE INDIVIDUAL
%ACH NEW INTEREST MEANS COLLECTING MORE TOOLS
) ALSO lND THESE ANTIQUE TEXTILES IMMENSELY BEAUTIFUL
AND MATERIALS AND LEARNING NEW SKILLS ! PROCESS )
) SPEND TIME DRAWING FROM BOOKS AND IN MUSEUMS
ENJOY BUT ONE THAT ENCUMBERS MASTERING A CRAFT AND
AS ) lND IT HELPS ME TO OBSERVE MORE CLOSELY
REQUIRES LOTS OF SPACE AND TIME )M NOT TRYING TO MAKE WORK THAT LOOKS LIKE THE ) HAVE LONG ADMIRED TEXTILE ARTISTS LIKE *ANET "OLTON
ETHNOGRAPHIC ITEMS ) ADMIRE ) JUST TRY TO LET THEM
AND *ULIE !RKELL WHO HAVE A SINGLE STEADY VISION AND
MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON ME AND SEE HOW THAT lLTERS
PURPOSE IN THEIR WORK BUT )M AFRAID THAT THUS FAR
THROUGH IN MY WORK
)M NOT ONE OF THEM ) HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN UP BELLY DANCING AND AM REALLY (OWEVER AT NEARLY FORTY )M BEGINNING TO SEE
ENJOYING MAKING MY COSTUME WHICH DERIVES SPECIlC
COMMON THREADS IN MY INTERESTS AND lND WAYS
INmUENCE FROM THE TEXTILES AND GARMENT SHAPES OF THE
TO TIE THEM TOGETHER %MBELLISHED TEXTILES DRESS
-IDDLE %AST AND !SIA 4HERE IS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY
COLOUR AND PATTERN ARE COMMON THEMES WHETHER )M
OF !MERICAN 4RIBAL 3TYLE ALSO KNOWN AS !43 BELLY
PAINTING MAKING SWEATERS OR BEADING /NE OF THE REASONS ) BEGAN TO BLOG ABOUT MY CRAFTS
/PPOSITE 4OP ! BEADED CUFF
WAS TO HELP ME TO FOCUS AND COMPLETE WORKS ) DIDNT WANT MY BLOG TO BE A SELF INDULGENT DIARY BUT )
/PPOSITE "OTTOM $ETAIL FROM ONE OF *UJUS UNIQUE
DID WANT TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF WHY ) WAS DOING
SKIRTS
WHAT ) WAS DOING AND HOW ONE INTEREST LED TO AND INmUENCED ANOTHER
!BOVE ! WHIMSICAL COLLAGE
DANCERS WHO MAKE THEIR OWN COSTUMES INm UENCED BY THE NOMADIC TRIBAL PEOPLE OF THESE AREAS 4HEIR )NTERNET COMMUNITY SHARES ADVICE AND STYLE IDEAS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY THE CRAFT BLOGGING COMMUNITY DOES #OLOUR IS A VERY IMPORTANT FEATURE OF ALL MY WORK AND )M NEVER FAR FROM MY PAINTS )N THE LAST FEW YEARS )VE BEEN TAKING MY PAINTING MORE SERIOUSLY 7HERE PREVIOUSLY IT WAS A MEANS TO RECORD AND DEVELOP IDEAS ) NOW SPEND MORE TIME PAINTING FOR ITS OWN SAKE ) LIKE TO PAINT IDEAS OF THE THINGS THAT INSPIRE ME BUT MAKE THEM WORK AS PICTURES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT -ANY PAINTERS HAVE INm UENCED ME INCLUDING COLOURISTS LIKE "ONNARD AND -ATISSE AS WELL AS MORE CONTEMPORARY PAINTERS ) LOVE THE WATERCOLOUR
WORK SPACE
STILL LIFES OF *ENNY 7HEATLEY AND THE LANDSCAPES OF 3COTTISH PAINTER "ARBARA 2AE
) WORK FROM A .ORTH FACING STUDIO IN MY ,ONDON HOME WHERE ) SOMETIMES TEACH SMALL CLASSES
) LOVE THE WAY THAT WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS DISPLAY THE
3EVERAL YEARS AGO ) SPENT a ON GREAT HALOGEN
ENTIRE PROCESS OF PAINTING .OTHING IS CONCEALED !LL
LIGHTING )T REALLY MAKES WORKING IN THE DARK %NGLISH
MISTAKES AND EXPERIMENTS ARE ON DISPLAY
WINTERS AND EVENINGS MUCH EASIER (OWEVER ) STILL l ND WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY A PROBLEM AND AM NOW
) THINK EMBRACING ACCIDENTS IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND
SAVING FOR SOME PHOTOGRAPHIC LIGHTING
EXCITING PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESSES ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE HARNESSED IN ART AND CRAFTWORK IN ORDER
)T IS THE LARGEST ROOM IN OUR HOUSE BUT STILL DOESNT
TO PREVENT IT FROM LOOKING TOO DULL AND MASTERLY
FEEL NEARLY BIG ENOUGH AS IT HOLDS A PLAN CHEST SMALL SOFA COMPUTER PRINTER DESK FOLDING EASELS PAINTING TROLLEY CHAIRS IRONING BOARD l LING CABINET SEWING MACHINE JEWELRY WORK BENCH CUTTING AND SEWING TABLES AND STORAGE FURNITURE )N STACKED TINS AND LABELED BOXES ) HOUSE MY COLLECTION OF PAINTS FABRICS BEADS BUTTONS RIBBONS YARN m EECE ART MATERIALS TOOLS PAPERS EPHEMERA #$S BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS 4HAT SOUNDS TERRIBLY CLUTTERED BUT ) DO PUT AWAY AND TAKE OUT THINGS DEPENDING ON WHAT )M WORKING ON -Y BEADING TABLE AND COMPUTER DESK ARE ALWAYS SET UP AND READY TO GO 4HERE IS LITTLE WALL SPACE BUT A PIN BOARD AND WASHING LINE HOLD INSPIRING IMAGES AND ITEMS ) LOVE BEING IN HERE
/PPOSITE 4OP #ATS LOVE CRAFTS /PPOSITE "OTTOM 0IECES OF A COLLECTION !BOVE 3TYLISH VINTAGE TINS
0EBBLE "RACELET $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) PLAY AROUND WITH FELT BEADS AND SILK A LOT ) LOVE THE WAY EACH OF THESE MATERIALS CAPTURES BRILLIANT COLOURS IN VERY DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND ) LOVE TO MIX THEM TOGETHER )N THIS BRACELET ) HAVE FELTED @PEBBLE BEADS WITH SILK SCRAP INCLUSIONS ) CHOSE A NEUTRAL COLOUR FOR THE FELT SO THAT THE SILK SCRAPS WOULD REALLY POP "UT OF COURSE THE COLOURS SIZES AND TEXTURES BEG TO BE EXPERIMENTED WITH )T SORT OF LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING 0EBBLES &LINTSTONE MIGHT WEAR 'REAT FOR THE WINTER WHEN A DELICATE BRACELET WOULD GET OVERWHELMED MY SWEATERS
+ATEY .ICOSIA ,OCATION $ALLAS 4EXAS /CCUPATION $ESIGNER #RAFT %NTREPRENUER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 4OTES 0URSES 0IN #USHIONS 3OFT 4OYS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWONEGOODBUMBLEBEECOM
WHY I CREATE ) REMEMBER BEING FOUR YEARS OLD WAKING UP ONE MORNING TO A TOASTED BAGEL AND MY FATHER SETTING UP A BLANK T SHIRT AND SEVERAL BOTTLES OF FABRIC PAINT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE FOR MY SISTER AND ) (E TOLD ME TO DO WHATEVER ) WANTED TO THE SHIRT TO WRITE MY NAME ON IT PERHAPS 4O DECORATE IT ) DONT KNOW WHY HE CHOSE THIS PARTICULAR ACTIVITY ON THAT PARTICULAR MORNING BUT ) REMEMBER THINKING THAT IT WAS A WONDERFUL WAY TO START THE DAY !ND IT DIDNT MATTER THAT ) ENDED UP DECORATING THE BACK OF THE T SHIRT INSTEAD OF THE FRONT BECAUSE ) WAS FOUR AND AT FOUR YEARS OLD RULES LIKE hTHE TAG GOES IN THE BACKv DONT REALLY MEAN ANYTHING !LL ) KNEW WAS THAT ) CREATED SOMETHING AND IN MY LITTLE WORLD OF PAINT AND BLANK T SHIRT NO RULES EXISTED )VE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT )M LUCKY TO HAVE CREATIVE
SWITCHED GEARS AWAY FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSION
PARENTS PARENTS THAT KEPT BUCKETS OF MARKERS AND
AND BEGAN TO PURSUE WHAT )D ACTUALLY WANTED ALL
CRAYONS IN THE KITCHEN CABINETS WHO PUT ME IN ART
ALONG TO BE AN ARTIST
CLASSES TAUGHT ME HOW TO DRAW A THREE DIMENSIONAL BOX AND ULTIMATELY ENCOURAGED ME TO BE SOMEONE
) DIDNT HAVE A PLAN OR REAL IDEA OF WHAT ) WANTED TO
WHO MAKES THINGS 3URPRISINGLY THOUGH ) GREW
CREATE BUT ) KNEW THAT ) WANTED TO OWN MY OWN SHOP
UP DREAMING OF BECOMING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AND SELL MY CREATIONS 7ITHOUT HESITATION ) CALLED
TEACHER BUT IT WASNT UNTIL COLLEGE WHERE ) MAJORED
MY FATHER AND TOLD HIM ABOUT MY NEW PURSUIT )
IN %DUCATION AND EXPERIENCED TEACHING lRST HAND
REMEMBER SAYING BLUNTLY h) WANT TO START A BUSINESS v
THAT ) REALIZED THAT BEING A TEACHER WAS NEVER WHAT
AND THEN GIGGLING TO MYSELF BECAUSE AT THE TIME IT
) REALLY WANTED )NSTEAD WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO
SOUNDED CRAZY AND OVER AMBITIOUS BUT ) DIDNT CARE
TEACHING WERE THE MATERIALS INVOLVED 4HE PAPERS
) WENT FULL FORCE AT THE BEGINNING AND STARTED /NE
PENS STICKERS A DECORATED ROOM CONSTRUCTION
'OOD "UMBLEBEE WITHOUT ANY CLUE AS TO HOW TO
PAPER AND GLUE !ND MUCH TO EVERYONES SURPRISE )
OWN AND MANAGE A BUSINESS !ND HONESTLY AT THAT
TIME THE hBUSINESSv SIDE WASNT IMPORTANT ) WASNT
STRUGGLE WITH TODAY )T ALWAYS HELPS THOUGH TO TELL
FORMAL ABOUT TAXES INCOME OR RECEIPTS BECAUSE ALL )
MYSELF TO PLAY TO REMIND MYSELF THAT FOR ME BEING
WANTED WAS TO MAKE THINGS THAT PEOPLE COULD BUY
AN ARTIST COMES BEFORE BEING A BUSINESS OWNER TO
AND USE 3O ) DESIGNED THE /NE 'OOD "UMBLEBEE
RELAX AND TO ALWAYS HAVE FUN
WEBSITE WHIPPED UP A FEW PURSES AND POUCHES AND ADDED THEM TO THE SITE !ND BEFORE ) KNEW IT PEOPLE
4ODAY ) STILL RUN /NE 'OOD "UMBLEBEE BY MYSELF
BOUGHT THEM AND ) STARTED TO GET REQUESTS AND
AND ALL MY PRODUCTS ARE STILL DESIGNED AND CREATED
DEMANDS FOR MORE )T WASNT UNTIL ABOUT A YEAR OR SO
BY ME !T TIMES RUNNING A ONE WOMAN CRAFT
LATER THAT ) STARTED TO THINK NOT ONLY LIKE AN ARTIST BUT
BUSINESS CAN BE VERY OVERWHELMING AND DEMANDING
LIKE A BUSINESS OWNER ) HAVE TO PUT INTO ACCOUNT MY
BUT ITS ALWAYS REWARDING AND EXCITING ) KNOW WITH
CUSTOMERS AND THEIR NEEDS AND WANTS THE PRICE OF
/NE 'OOD "UMBLEBEE THAT )VE FOUND MY NICHE THE
MATERIALS PACKAGING HOW ) MIGHT PHOTOGRAPH THE
PERFECT JOB FOR ME
ITEM FOR THE WEBSITE AND SO MUCH MORE )T CAN BE DIFlCULT TO SEPARATE THE hTHINKINGv FROM THE WHIM OF CREATING AN ART PIECE AND ITS SOMETHING ) STILL
"EING AN ARTIST COMES BEFORE BEING A BUSINESS OWNER /PPOSITE &OUR YEAR OLD +ATEY DECORATES HER
"ELOW )NSPIRING TRINKETS ON A LINE
T SHIRT
INSPIRATION .OTHING MOTIVATES OR INSPIRES ME MORE THAN A NEW STASH OF FRESH FABRIC A PERFECTLY SHARPENED PENCIL OR A NEW SET OF WATERCOLORS 4HERE ARE SO MANY POSSIBILITIES INSTILLED IN SOMETHING UNUSED THAT ) OFTEN CANT HELP DISCOVERING WHAT ONE OF THOSE POSSIBILITIES MIGHT BE )TS AN URGE A PULL AN INSTINCT THAT NEVER FAILS )F ) EVER lND THAT )VE LOST MOTIVATION OR THAT ) CANT THINK OF ANYTHING TO MAKE A TRIP TO AN ART SUPPLY STORE IS USUALLY THE BEST CURE ) GET A LOT OF MY IDEAS FROM MY CHILDHOOD OR FROM WHAT USED TO BE )M INSPIRED BY THE PAST OR ANYTHING OLD ANYTHING WITH A STORY BEHIND IT LIKE ANTIQUE BINOCULARS OR THE PATTERN ON A PAIR OF VINTAGE PILLOW CASES /NE OF MY FAVORITE SOURCES OF hOLDv IS %BAY )
!NOTHER MAJOR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR ME IS OTHER
COULD SPEND HOURS UPON HOURS LOOKING AT THE ITEMS
ARTISTS 3OMETIMES IT HELPS TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER
UP FOR AUCTION DRINKING IN THEIR SHAPES COLORS AND
ARTISTS ARE MAKING TO GET MY OWN GEARS IN MOTION
USES ) ALMOST ALWAYS COME AWAY WITH A NEW IDEA A
4HERES SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT LOOKING AT A FELLOW
NEW SPARK TO START MY NEXT PROJECT
ARTISTS CREATION AND WALKING AWAY WITH AN IDEA OF MY OWN ) FEEL THERES A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTISTS IN THAT WAY AND ) LOVE TO LOOK AT SOMETHING BRILLIANT MADE BY A FAVORITE ARTIST THAT INTRIGUES ME AND IN TURN ENCOURAGES ME TO BE JUST AS BRILLIANT
WORKSPACE -Y WORKSPACE IS SMALL INTIMATE AND OFTEN CHAOTIC )N ONE PART OF THE ROOM YOU COULD lND A PILE OF PAPER SCRAPS AND IN ANOTHER A BOX OF VINTAGE BUTTONS OR A TANGLE OF COLORFUL RIBBONS ) HAVE A SECTION FOR PACKAGING MY PRODUCTS ONE FOR CUTTING PAPERS ANOTHER FOR SEWING PROJECTS AND OTHERS FOR EVERY CRAFT PROJECT IMAGINABLE -Y IDEAL WORKSPACE WOULD BE GIGANTIC AN OPEN ROOM WITH A LONG TABLE IN THE MIDDLE FOR CUTTING FABRICS AND PAPER 4HE WALLS WOULD BE LINED WITH SHELVES STACKED WITH PERFECTLY LABELED BOXES AND PRETTY JARS OF BUTTONS AND KNICK KNACKS /H WHAT A DREAM "UT OF COURSE A ROOM LIKE THAT IS FAR FROM POSSIBLE FOR ME
RIGHT NOW AND SO ) MAKE THE MOST OF MY TINY ROOM
) MUST ADMIT THAT MY CRAFT ROOM IS RARELY NEAT AND
AND ) MEAN THAT ALMOST LITERALLY
TIDY AND IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN DISARRAY !T TIMES THE CHAOS CAN BE DAUNTING AND HECTIC AND ITS NEVER
3OMETIMES ) LIKE TO GET OUT OF MY LITTLE ROOM AND WORK
EASY TO lND MY BEST SCISSORS OR THAT PERFECT BLACK
IN OTHER PARTS OF MY HOUSE )T HELPS ME hGET OUTv AND
PEN "UT THE DISORDER ISNT NECESSARILY A BAD THING
WORK IN A NEW ATMOSPHERE EVEN IF )M JUST ONE ROOM
BUT REmECTS THE FACT THAT )VE BEEN WORKING THAT )M
AWAY ! LOT OF TIMES ) PACK UP MY MATERIALS AND PLOP
IN THE MIDDLE OF A PROJECT OR THAT )VE RECENTLY HAD A
IN FRONT OF THE 46 IN THE DEN AND WORK THERE /THER
BRILLIANT IDEA AND )M TRYING TO BRING IT TO LIFE ) LIKE
TIMES ) SPREAD OUT ON THE mOOR IN THE LIVING ROOM
TO THINK OF MY CLUTTERED STUDIO AS A GOOD THING AS A
AND WORK ON MY HANDS AND KNEES LIKE ) DID AS A KID
REMINDER THAT )M AN ARTIST AND THERES NOTHING ELSE
)TS ALWAYS FUN AND SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO MAKE A
)D RATHER BE
MESS TO SPREAD OUT AND SEE WHATS BEFORE ME TO SEE WHAT ) HAVE TO WORK WITH
/PPOSITE 4OP !N APPLIQUE DESIGN FOR A PURSE /PPOSITE "OTTOM ! UNIQUE BUTTON CUFF
"ELOW &UN TOYS MIXED WITH PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS ON +ATEYS DESK
)CE #REAM 0IN #USHION $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROJECTS BECAUSE ITS SUPER EASY QUICK USEFUL AND LENDS ITSELF TO ENDLESS CREATIVE DESIGNS 0IN CUSHIONS IN GENERAL ARE SO MUCH FUN TO MAKE BECAUSE YOU CAN USE ALMOST ANY OBJECT AS ITS BASE ADD A LITTLE PADDING AND FABRIC AND VOILA "UT THERES SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT A TINY PIN CUSHION MEANT TO HOLD ONLY A FEW SPECIAL PINS BECAUSE ITS NOT ONLY FUNCTIONAL BUT ALSO CHARMING AND CAN REALLY ADD A LITTLE FUN TO SEWING 4HIS PATTERN HAS ENDLESS VARIATIONS USE RED AND WHITE POLKA DOT FABRIC AND MAKE A MUSHROOM OR USE SKIN COLORED FABRIC AND EMBROIDER A FACE TO MAKE PEOPLE PIN CUSHIONS 4HE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS SO YOU SHOULD DEl NITELY BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN WITH THIS PROJECT 4HE PATTERN IS SO SIMPLE AND QUICK YOU MIGHT l ND YOURSELF ADDICTED TO MAKING THEM BUT DONT FRET THEY MAKE GREAT GIFTS FOR ALL YOUR CRAFTY FRIENDS
,ISA #ONGDON ,OCATION 3AN &RANCISCO #ALIFORNIA /CCUPATION %DUCATION #ONSULTANT !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST %MPHEMERA 3EWING 0AINTING #OLLAGES 7EBSITE HTTPBIRDINTHEHANDTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE &OR ME ALL OF MY CREATIVE ENDEAVORS ARE INTENSELY INTIMATE AND SPIRITUAL ) SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN MY LATE TWENTIES AND EARLY THIRTIES )T WAS AT AGE THIRTY THREE THAT ) DECIDED ) WAS TIRED OF FEELING SO HORRIBLE ALL OF THE TIME AND THAT ) OUGHT TO GET TO KNOW MYSELF BETTER TO FACE WHATEVER ) WAS AFRAID OF AND TO lND WHAT MADE ME HAPPY ) WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO lND AN AMAZING THERAPIST WHO HAPPENED ALSO TO BE AN AMAZING TEACHER AND WHO HELPED ME TO SEE THAT ) WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN MY PHYSICAL BODY THAT ) WAS INDEED A SPIRITUAL BEING WITH INCREDIBLE CREATIVE POTENTIAL 4HIS WAS THE GREAT TURNING POINT IN MY LIFE ) WENT OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT MEDICATION AND DELVED INTO LOOKING AT EVERYTHING ABOUT MYSELFWHAT ) FEARED WHAT HAD
!T lRST EVERYTHING ) MADE OR DREW OR PAINTED WAS FOR
SHAPED WHO ) WAS AND WHAT ) WAS PASSIONATE
ME ) DIDNT EVEN TELL PEOPLE THAT ) WAS SPENDING MY
ABOUT 7HEN ) GOT STUCK ) WORKED IT OUT BY WRITING
ALONE TIME WORKING AT MY KITCHEN TABLE !T THE TIME
OR PAINTING OR DRAWING
) LIVED IN A VERY SMALL STUDIO APARTMENT !ND THEN BIT BY BIT ) STARTED TO REVEAL MY CREATIONS TO OTHERS
)T WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT MY CREATIVE LIFE TOOK OFF
) PAINTED AND SEWED AND ) KEPT JOURNALS lLLED WITH
) HAD ALWAYS MADE STUFF AND ) ALWAYS LOVED ART AND
WRITING AND PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHS ) SHARED THEM
DESIGN ) GREW UP IN A FAMILY OF CRAFTERS AND ARTISTS
WITH TRUSTED SOULS FAMILY MEMBERS AND CLOSE FRIENDS
AND WAS ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY ARTISTIC MEDIUMS
AND LOVERS !ND FOR A TIME THIS IS WHAT FED ME
AND OPPORTUNITIES TO INVENT SOMETHING NEW "UT THIS TIME IT WAS DIFFERENT ) REALIZED THEN THAT ) HAD
!ND THEN THERE IS SOMETHING TRULY AMAZING THAT
TO MAKE THINGS IT WAS NO LONGER JUST A HOBBY )T
HAPPENS WHEN YOU DISCOVER YOU NOT ONLY LOVE TO DO
BECAME MY NEW ANTI DEPRESSANT
SOMETHING BUT THAT YOU ARE QUITE GOOD AT IT !ND IT HAPPENS WHEN A WIDE ARRAY OF OUTSIDERS NOT JUST
YOUR LOVER OR MOTHER LETS YOU KNOW THAT YOUR WORK
) SHARED MY CREATIONS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT EVERYDAY
IS PLEASING TO THEIR SENSES
LIFE !ND WHAT STARTED SLOWLY AND TENTATIVELY HAS BECOME ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF MY LIFE 4HROUGH
4HIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME !ND IT WAS A MOST
MY BLOG ) HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH
LIFE AFlRMING DISCOVERY ) THINK WE ALL LIVE TO EXPRESS
OTHER CREATIVE SOULS AROUND THE PLANET !ND IN THIS
OUR TRUE SELVES TO LIVE UP TO SOMETHING OR TO BE
COMMUNITY OF CRAFTERS AND ARTISTS WE SHARE OUR WORK
SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY 7E WANT TO BE UNDERSTOOD
CRITIQUE AFlRM ADORE AND BEFRIEND .O LONGER IS MY
TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS AND TO BE LOVED EVEN WHEN
IMMEDIATE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND LOVERS AND FAMILY MY
WE REVEAL THE DARKEST OR MOST VULNERABLE SIDES OF
INSPIRATION AND AUDIENCE .OW ) HAVE THE WORLD
OURSELVES !ND THROUGH MY ARTWORK AND CRAFTS ) FELT A DEEP CONNECTION WITH MYSELF AND OTHERS THAT ) HAD
!ND SO ) AM MOTIVATED EVERYDAY TO MAKE SOMETHING
NEVER FELT BEFORE
NEW TAKE A NEW PHOTOGRAPH TRY A NEW PILLOW DESIGN SHARE A NEW COLLAGE CREATE A NEW DRAWING
!ND SO IT WAS THEN THAT ) VENTURED OUT INTO THE
AND THEN TO SHARE IT WITH A THOUSAND OTHER PEOPLE
CYBERSPACE AND BEGAN MY OWN BLOG THROUGH WHICH
4HIS HAS KEPT ME MORE ALIVE THAN ) HAVE EVER BEEN
) AM MOTIVATED EVERY DAY TO MAKE SOMETHING NEW /PPOSITE 3TENCILS ON ,ISAS INSPIRATION BOARD
"ELOW /NE OF ,ISAS TRADEMARK LOG CABIN CUSHIONS
!ND NOW WHEN ) DO FEEL DEPRESSED OR ANXIOUS BECAUSE ) AM HUMAN AND SOMETIMES ) STILL FEEL THOSE THINGS) CAN CREATE SOMETHING NEW AND IT GROUNDS ME ENTIRELY /R ) CAN GO READ ANOTHER CRAFTERS BLOG AND FEEL INSPIRED BY WHAT THEY HAVE MADE )TS A REALLY WONDERFUL DAILY EXPERIENCE
INSPIRATION -Y MIND IS ALWAYS l LLED WITH IDEAS )N FACT ) HAVE A NUMBER OF SMALL NOTEBOOKS IN MY BAG AND LYING AROUND MY OFl CE AND APARTMENT ON WHICH ) HAVE SCRIBBLED SKETCHES OR NOTES OR LISTS OF IDEAS ) AM FAMOUS AT WORK FOR LOSING CONCENTRATION IN LONG MEETINGS BECAUSE ) AM DRAWING SOMETHING OR MAKING LONG SCHEMATIC MAPS OF INTERWEAVING IDEAS -Y COWORKERS TOLERATE IT BECAUSE GENERALLY ) AM WELL ORGANIZED AND A GOOD THINKER AND CONTRIBUTOR TO THE WORK AND ) DO THINK THEY VALUE THE CREATIVE ENERGY ) BRING TO OUR SOMEWHAT CEREBRAL DAILY TASKS 3O ) AM NEVER AT A LOSS FOR WHAT TO MAKE ) JUST DONT HAVE THE TIME OR MONEY FOR SUPPLIES OR THE TECHNICAL SKILL TO EXECUTE ALL OF MY IDEAS ) MAKE DO WITH THE TIME AND SUPPLIES AND TECHNICAL SKILL THAT ) DO HAVE !ND ) GENERALLY DIVE RIGHT INTO PROJECTS -Y MOTHER USED TO TEASE ME WHEN ) WAS A KID BECAUSE WHENEVER
) DECIDED THAT MY BEDROOM SHOULD LOOK DIFFERENT OR THAT ) NEEDED A NEW LOOK ) WOULD SIMPLY GO FOR IT WITHOUT THINKING IT THROUGH) COULD NOT WAIT FOR HELP OR SUGGESTIONS IN FACT ) COULD HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT HELP OR SUGGESTIONS !ND SO IT IS GENERALLY THE SAME TODAY ) GET INSPIRED BY A LOT OF THINGS ALL THE TIME !ND SO ) WRITE THE IDEAS DOWN SO ) DONT LOSE THEM AND THEN ) BEGIN MAKING WHATEVER ) AM FEELING LIKE 4HERE IS NO CHARTING OR GRAPHING 2ARELY ARE THERE PATTERNS -Y SISTER AND MOTHER AND ) ARE ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS AND WE ARE ALL LIKE THIS 7E WORK FROM OUR GUT 7E TRY AND EXPERIMENT 7E USE OUR INTUITION AND l GURE IT OUT ,ATER IN THIS BOOK ) WILL DESCRIBE HOW TO MAKE A UNIQUE LOG CABIN PILLOW ) HAVE NEVER USED A PATTERN FOR THIS OR READ DIRECTIONS 3O WRITING THEM FOR OTHERS HAS BEEN QUITE AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE 0EOPLE OFTEN ASK ME WHERE MY IDEAS COME FROM AND WHAT INSPIRES ME 4HAT IS A HARD QUESTION FOR ME
!BOVE +EEPING INSPIRATION AND TOOLS HANDY ,EFT 5NIQUE TRIMS AND RIBBONS MAKE A PROJECT SPECIAL /PPOSITE -ARGARET THE #AT KEEPS AN EYE ON
TO ANSWER BECAUSE ) AM A VERY VISUAL PERSON WHO NOTICES EVERY MINUTE DETAIL IN VERY ORDINARY THINGS 3O IT MIGHT BE A CRACK IN THE WALL OR THE WAY COLORS ARE PAINTED ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING )TS NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO TAKE MY CAMERA AROUND WITH ME AS ) RUN ERRANDS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO CAPTURE COLORS AND SHAPES AND CONTRASTS THAT INSPIRE ME "UT THE USUAL THINGS ALSO INSPIRE ME NATURE ) LOVE BIRD AND TREE AND WOOD IMAGERY POETRY AND CERTAINLY OTHER PEOPLES ART ) ALSO LOVE FASHION AND BOLD GRAPHIC DESIGN ,IVING IN AN URBAN AREA RICH WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES AND AN ABUNDANCE OF ARTBOTH IN THE STREET AND IN GALLERIESMAKES FOR NEVER ENDING INSPIRATION 4HE ART SCENE IN 3AN &RANCISCO IS AMAZING AND ) GO TO ART SHOWS HERE IN 3AN &RANCISCO REGULARLY ) THINK ) AM MOST KNOWN FOR MY LOVE AND USE OF COLOR IN ALL OF MY WORK ) AM SURROUNDED BY IT WHERE ) LIVE IN THE -ISSION $ISTRICT ) LOVE WORKING WITH COLORFUL VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY FABRICS AND USING MUTED BRIGHT COLOR IN MY ARTWORK ) WEAR COLORFUL CLOTHES THOUGH )M ALSO KNOWN TO WEAR ALL BLACK FROM TIME TO TIME ) HAVE COLORFUL WALLS IN MY APARTMENT ) TAKE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A l LM THAT TAKES SUPER SATURATED PHOTOGRAPHS )N THE END IN ORDER TO FEEL INSPIRED ITS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF OPENNESS TO THE BEAUTY AND ENERGY THAT IS AROUND YOU !ND ) THINK THATS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING )TS NOT SO MUCH WHAT INSPIRES YOU BUT THAT YOU ARE INSPIRED TO CREATE )N MY EXPERIENCE TRUE INSPIRATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY A FEELING OF JOY 7HEN ) AM INSPIRED ) AM NEVER SO JOYFUL !ND SOME DAYS ) AM SO INSPIRED THAT ) CAN TAKE BITS AND PIECES OF IT AND SAVE THEM FOR DAYS WHEN ) AM FEELING DEPRESSED OR FRIGHTENED
WORKSPACE /NE OF THE PLACES IN WHICH ) TRY TO CONTAIN ALL OF MY INSPIRATION IS MY STUDIO -Y FRIEND .ATHALIE CALLS MY APARTMENT hORGANIZED CHAOS v BECAUSE ) HAVE SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS AROUND BUT THEY ARE ALL PLACED
PURPOSEFULLY AS IF TO MAKE A STATEMENT !ND ) THINK
OTHERWISE ITS REALLY HARD TO lND WHAT ) WANT WHEN
MY SMALL STUDIO EPITOMIZES THIS CHARACTERIZATION )TS
) START A PROJECT
SO SMALL IN FACT THAT ) OFTEN HAVE TO SPREAD PROJECTS TO MY BEDROOM WHICH IS CONVENIENTLY ATTACHED BY
-Y CATS LIKE MY STUDIO TOO 4HEY ARE KNOWN TO
A LARGE OPENING OR TO THE KITCHEN OR LIVING ROOM
BAT ALL OF MY SMALL SUPPLIES OUT OF THE MANY
7HEN ) BOUGHT THIS APARTMENT IT WAS IMPORTANT
COMPARTMENTALIZED TRAYS ) COLLECT AND PLAY WITH
TO ME THAT ) HAVE A ROOM TO MAKE A STUDIO AFTER )
THEM ALL NIGHT LONG AS ) SLEEP !ND THEY SOMEHOW
MOVED FROM MY SMALL ONE ROOM APARTMENT !ND
LIKE MY SEWING CHAIR BETTER THAN THE BED OR SOFA
SO WHILE IT DOESNT HAVE MANY OF THE AMENITIES )
)TS COVERED IN THEIR FUR AND ) RARELY VACUUM IT OFF
HOPE TO SOMEDAY HAVEA UTILITY SINK WITH RUNNING
-Y STUDIO IS ALL ABOUT ME !ND WHEN PEOPLE COME
WATER REALLY GOOD LIGHTING AMPLE SHELF STORAGE AND
TO VISIT ITS THE ROOM THEY LIKE TO VISIT MOST TOO EVEN
A HUGE CUTTING TABLEIT IS STILL MY STUDIO AND IT IS MY
THOUGH IT DOESNT HAVE PLATES OF FOOD IN IT OR A SOFA
FAVORITE ROOM
OR A TELEVISION 4HEY LOVE TO LOOK AROUND !ND THAT GIVES ME A WONDERFUL FEELINGxAND MAKES ME FEEL
4WO YEARS AGO ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS BUILT ME A
WELL MORE INSPIRED
WORKTABLE AND COVERED AN ENTIRE WALL WITH CORKBOARD SO ) COULD PIN EVERY INSPIRATION TO IT 4HIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FEATURES -Y STUDIOS NOT VERY BIG SO THINGS ARE STUFFED IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY AND ITS GENERALLY VERY MESSY ) TRY TO KEEP MY FABRIC
"ELOW AND /PPOSITE +EEPING EVERYTHING ON HAND
COLLECTION NEAT AND ORGANIZED AND SORTED BY COLOR
FOR CONSTANT CRAFTING
,OG #ABIN 0ILLOW $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) l RST BEGAN MAKING MACHINE MADE LOG CABIN PILLOWS WHEN ) ACQUIRED A WONDERFUL *APANESE CRAFT BOOK THAT FEATURED THEM ) WAS DRAWN TO THEM IMMEDIATELY AND BEGAN CREATING MY OWN USING A MIX OF COLORFUL VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY FABRICS 4HAT WAS NEARLY A YEAR AGO AND ) HAVENT STOPPED MAKING THEM SINCE 6ERY TRADITIONAL LOG CABIN SQUARES USE ONLY THREE DIFFERENT FABRICS AND CONTRAST LIGHT TO DARK FABRICS IN OPPOSING CORNERS ) PIECE MY LOG CABIN PILLOWS TOGETHER USING THE TRADITIONAL PATTERN BUT THEY ARE A FAR CRY FROM THE TRADITIONAL DESIGN ) PLAY WITH A MIXTURE OF SOLID AND PATTERNED FABRICSSOMETIMES UP TO DIFFERENT FABRICS IN LARGE PILLOWSBOLD COLORS TEXT AND PATCHES -Y FAVORITE PART OF MAKING EACH OF MY PILLOWS IS SELECTING THE FABRICS ) WILL USE 0IECING THE FABRICS TOGETHER IS STRIP BY STRIP TO CREATE A BALANCED INTERESTING AND BEAUTIFUL PIECE IS AN INCREDIBLY SATISFYING AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE
,YN 2OBERTS ,OCATION $EVON %NGLAND /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -UM !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT TOYS 3CARVES "AGS "ABY 1UILTS 7EBSITE HTTPMOLLYCHICKENBLOGSCOM
WHY I CREATE ) HAVE ALWAYS CRAFTED ONE OF MY EARLIEST MEMORIES IS SITTING WITH MY MOTHER WATCHING HER SEW 7E WERE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TO TRY THINGS OURSELVES ) STILL HAVE A LITTLE TEDDY BEAR THAT WE MADE TOGETHER WHEN ) WAS ABOUT lVE YEARS OLD ) GREW UP SURROUNDED BY WOMEN WHO HAD LARGE FAMILIES AND LITTLE MONEY SO THERE WERE CHILDRENS CLOTHES TO BE MADE AND MENDED HUSBANDS SOCKS TO DARN AND SCRATCHY WOOLLEN JUMPERS TO KNIT -Y FATHER KNEW HOW TO KNIT AND SEW TOO SOMETHING HE LEARNED WHILST SERVING IN THE "RITISH .AVY DURING 7ORLD 7AR 4WO 3AILORS WERE EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THEIR UNIFORMS WHILE AT SEA AND EMBROIDERED MANY PIECES FOR THEIR SWEETHEARTS AT HOME TO WHILE AWAY THE TIME %VEN THOUGH MY FATHER HAD HUGE HANDS WITH lNGERS LIKE BIG FAT SAUSAGES HE COULD
MADE FROM OLD WOOLLEN BLANKETS THAT ARE FELTED IN A
SEW THE TINIEST NEATEST STITCHES
HOT MACHINE WASH AND THEN DYED TO PRODUCE A HUGE PALETTE OF COLOURS
-Y MOTHER REFUSED TO BUY ANYTHING SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD MAKE HERSELF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT CAUSED
/LD CURTAINS VELVET CUSHION COVERS AND CHILDRENS
ME GREAT EMBARRASSMENT AS A TEENAGER n ) WANTED
CLOTHING ARE OTHER FAVOURITES OF MINE ALL SUPPLYING A
A SCHOOL SCARF LIKE EVERYBODY ELSES NOT A HAND
FABULOUS ARRAY OF COLOURS PRINTS AND TEXTURES
KNITTED EFFORT #RAFTING IS SOMETHING THAT SAVES MY SANITY IT PROVIDES .OW THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE )M BECOMING MORE LIKE
A VERY WELCOME ESCAPE FROM MY BUSY HECTIC LIFE
MY MOTHER EVERY DAY ) TOO NOW PREFER TO MAKE
3MALL CHILDREN ARE INVARIABLY NOISY BLESS THEM SO
RATHER THAN BUY ) PARTICULARLY ENJOY RECYCLING OLD
TO BE ABLE TO SIT IN MY CRAFT ROOM SEWING LISTENING
FABRICS ) LOVE TO TRAWL AROUND MY LOCAL CHARITYTHRIFT
TO THE SOUND OF NOTHING IS HEAVENLY ) PARTICULARLY
SHOPS LOOKING FOR TEXTILES -Y SOFT TOYS ARE USUALLY
ENJOY EMBROIDERY BECAUSE IT CAN BE DONE IN SILENCE
ALTHOUGH ) DO LOVE MY SEWING MACHINE WITH A
MESS UP SO MY ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD BE DONT
TREMENDOUS PASSION
BE AFRAID OF THAT FABRIC GIVE IT A GO
#REATING SOMETHING UNIQUE FROM AN ASSORTMENT OF ODDS AND ENDS IS VERY SATISFYING GIVING A SOFT TOY ITS OWN CHARACTER BY PLACING ITS FEATURES IN A CERTAIN WAY
INSPIRATION
IS GREAT FUN )VE LEARNT THAT ITS BEST NOT TO GET TOO hPRECIOUSv WHEN IT COMES TO CRAFTING ) lND EXACTNESS
)NSPIRATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE HELPING OUT AT
STImING AND NO LONGER WORRY ABOUT FEATURES BEING
ARTS AND CRAFTS SESSIONS AT MY CHILDRENS SCHOOL IS
SYMMETRICAL OR WHETHER ONE ARM IS HIGHER THAN THE
ALWAYS A GOOD SOURCE 4HE CHILDREN ) WORK WITH ARE AT
OTHER IN FACT IT ALL ADDS TO THE CHARM OF A THING
AN AGE WHERE THEIR hINNER CRITICv HASNT KICKED IN YET SO THEY CREATE WITH GAY ABANDONMENT 4HE COLOURS
) AM VERY GRATEFUL TO MY PARENTS FOR BRINGING US UP
THEY PUT TOGETHER AND THEIR PLEASURE IN DRAWING
WITH A h9OU CAN DO THATv ATTITUDE THEY BELIEVED THAT
SOMETHING WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT PERSPECTIVE OR
SOMETHING SHOULD ALWAYS BE ATTEMPTED EVEN IF YOU
ACCURACY IS A JOY TO WATCH 0ICASSO ONCE SAID THAT
$ONT BE AFRAID OF THAT FABRIC GIVE IT A GO /PPOSITE "UNDLES OF ,YNS HAND DYED WOOL
"ELOW ! GORGEOUS PILE OF CRAFTS
AND !LAN !HLBERG 2ICHARD 3CARRY /LWYN 7HELAN %MMA #ARLOW "RIAN 7ILDSMITH AND MANY OTHERS &INALLY THE )NTERNET AH THE WONDERFUL )NTERNET WHAT CAN ) SAY THAT HASNT ALREADY BEEN SAID &AR FAR TOO MUCH TIME IS SPENT STARING IN AWE AT MY COMPUTER SCREEN
WORKSPACE ) WORK FROM HOME IN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY THE DINING ROOM OF OUR %DWARDIAN HOUSE 4HE ROOM IS NORTH FACING WHICH MAKES IT PERFECT FOR STORING MY FABRICS n NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT TO FADE THEM ) HAVE &RENCH DOORS THAT ALLOW A LOT OF LIGHT IN AND WHICH LEAD TO HE SPENT A LIFETIME TRYING TO UNLEARN EVERYTHING THAT
A LITTLE COURTYARD WHERE ) LIKE TO SIT AND SEW IN THE
HAD BEEN TAUGHT TO HIM AT ART SCHOOL SO THAT ONCE
SUMMER
AGAIN HE COULD PAINT FROM THE HEART LIKE A CHILD 3O ) USUALLY COME AWAY FROM THESE SESSIONS INSPIRED BY A LITTLE PERSON !BOVE ALL THEY REMIND ME THAT CREATING SOMETHING IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN SOMETHING THATS EASY TO FORGET WHEN YOURE STRESSING OVER YOUR &RENCH SEAMS 6INTAGE FABRICS ARE ANOTHER INSPIRATION FOR ME ) LOVE CHILDRENS PRINTS FROM THE LAST CENTURY PARTICULARLY THE S S AND S ) ALSO HAVE A COLLECTION OF VINTAGE DRESSES MADE BY THE $UTCH CHILDRENS LABEL /ILILY 4HEY EXCEL AT PRODUCING BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL ITEMS OF CLOTHING WITH COLOURS AND PATTERNS THAT CLASH IN THE MOST WONDERFUL WAY !GAIN ) SUPPOSE ITS ALL ABOUT NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO ANY RIGID RULES WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN 3TICKING WITH THE CHILDHOOD THEME CHILDRENS ILLUSTRATION IS SOMETHING THAT ) ALSO lND VERY INSPIRING (AVING HAD FOUR CHILDREN WE HAVE A VAST SUPPLY OF BOOKS AT HOME ) PARTICULARLY LOVE THE WORK OF *ANET
!BOVE ! SIMPLE PURSE IN ,YNS UNIQUE STYLE 2IGHT "EAUTIFUL HAND PAINTED SILK
4HERES A BEAUTIFUL lREPLACE WHOSE MANTELPIECE HOLDS SOFT TOYS MADE BY FELLOW CRAFTERS BASKETS OF BEADS AND SEQUINS MY CHILDRENS ARTWORK AND SOME OF MY CHERISHED BOOKS 4HERE IS ALSO AN OLD #HEMISTS CUPBOARDS BOUGHT AT AN AUCTION WHICH HOUSES SOME OF MY RATHER LARGE FABRIC STASH ) HAVE A BIG OLD DESK WHICH IS MY MAIN WORK AREA AND THREE LARGE UNITS WHICH MY VERY CLEVER HUSBAND MADE TO STORE MY BOOKS BITS BOBS BOXES AND YET MORE FABRIC
2IGHT ,YNS FABRIC COLLECTION INCLUDING VINTAGE /ILILY PATTERNS GIVE A SPECIAL LOOK TO HER PROJECTS "ELOW !NIMALS ON PARADE
#HILDREN REMIND ME THAT CREATING IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN
0ATCHWORK 0URSE $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DESIGNED THIS PURSE AS A PROJECT TO GENTLY EASE BEGINNERS INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SEWING )T CAN BE KEPT SIMPLE AND COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR YOU CAN INVEST MORE TIME AND EMBELLISH AWAY TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT 4HIS PURSE CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE STITCHED AND CAN BE INTERLINED WITH A COMMERCIAL STIFF INTERFACING FOR A SHARP SMART LOOK OR INTERLINED WITH OR LAYERS OF A SOFT COTTON FABRIC FOR A SOFT SQUASHY LOOK 4HE DETACHABLE CORSAGE IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF JUST LAYERS OF PETALS HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW STITCHES AND A BUTTON OR BEAD FEEL FREE TO ADD SEQUINS OR DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND WHATEVER ELSE THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY
-AITREYA $UNHAM ,OCATION .EW *ERSEY 53! /CCUPATION 3CIENTIST 4EACHER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST %MBROIDERY 3EWING 3CREEN 0RINTING 7EBSITE HTTPWWWCRAFTLOGORG
WHY I CREATE )T ALL STARTED ONE DAY WHEN ) WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN MY MOTHER TOOK ME AND MY SISTERS TO A STORE THAT SOLD CROSS STITCH KITS AND LET US EACH PICK ONE OUT ) STILL HAVE THE PROJECT A LITTLE BAG WITH A GOOSE ON IT )T WAS A SLIPPERY SLOPE FROM THERE ) STARTED SEARCHING FOR PATTERN BOOKS AND COLLECTING COLORS OF THREAD AND MY MOM COMMISSIONED A SET OF PLACEMATS ONE OF WHICH IS STILL NOT DONE ) DID MAINLY CROSS STITCH UNTIL ) STARTED PICKING UP OTHER THINGS IN COLLEGE ) WENT TO -)4 WHICH HAS TWO NORMAL SEMESTERS SEPARATED BY A MONTH LONG hINDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES PERIOD v DURING WHICH ANYBODY CAN TEACH SHORT CLASSES ) TOOK A QUILTING CLASS TAUGHT BY ONE OF MY CLASSMATES ONE YEAR WHICH WAS AN ENTREE INTO SEWING AND FABRIC CRAFTS !FTER THAT ) MADE A QUILTED PILLOW OF THE -)4 GREAT
4HATS WHAT INTRODUCED ME TO THE WHOLE ONLINE CRAFT
DOME IN mORALS WHICH AT THE TIME ) THOUGHT WAS A
COMMUNITY ) STARTED #RAFTLOG A FEW MONTHS LATER
GREAT IRONIC OBJECT )T FELL APART ONE DAY WHEN ) TRIED
MAINLY AS A WAY OF PROCRASTINATING WRITING MY 0H$
TO WASH IT )M STILL SAD ITS GONE
THESIS BUT ALSO AS A WAY TO SHARE MY WORK WITH THE GROWING CRAFT BLOG UNIVERSE
/NE OF MY MAIN INSPIRATIONS FOR CRAFTING SOON BECAME -ARTHA 3TEWARTS MAGAZINES AND BOOKS ) STARTED A
(OW THAT COMMUNITY HAS GROWN OVER THE THREE YEARS
LITTLE JOURNAL TO KEEP TRACK OF WHICH ISSUES HAD THE
)VE BEEN BLOGGING HAS JUST BEEN MIND BLOWING )TS
PROJECTS ) WANTED TO TRY 4HAT JOURNAL WAS THE lRST
A LARGE PART OF MY CONTINUED EXPERIMENTATION WITH
INCARNATION OF MY CRAFTING WEBSITE #RAFTLOG "OTH OF
DIFFERENT CRAFTS AND A HUGE SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
MY SISTERS HAD BEEN KEEPING BLOGS FOR QUITE A WHILE
AND IDEAS
AND WERE MORE PLUGGED IN TO THE ONLINE COMMUNITY THAN ) WAS /NE OF MY SISTERS MADE EVERYBODY
-Y FAMILY HAS ALSO ENCOURAGED MY CRAFTNESS ) FONDLY
MARBLE MAGNETS FOR #HRISTMAS ONE YEAR AND TOLD ME
REMEMBER GOING WITH MY GRANDMA TO GARAGE SALES
SHE FOUND THE DIRECTIONS ON A CRAFT BLOG .OT -ARTHA
ONE SUMMER PICKING UP BAGS OF TRIMS POMPOMS
FELT AND WHATEVER ELSE ) COULD GLUE TOGETHER TO MAKE
.ONE OF THIS REALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTION OF WHY )
SOMETHING 3HE WAS A CROCHETER A CRAFT ) DIDNT PICK
CRAFT THOUGH 0RIMARILY ) JUST ENJOY MAKING THINGS
UP UNTIL YEARS AFTER SHE DIED AND JUST ONE OF MY
) ENJOY DOING A BIT OF EMBROIDERY WHILE )M WATCHING
CRAFTY RELATIVES 7E ALWAYS HAD QUILTS MADE BY MY
46 OR PICKING OUT THE PERFECT FABRIC FOR A NEW BAG )
GREAT GRANDMA OR VARIOUS GREAT AUNTS ANOTHER CRAFT )
LIKE TO MAKE CRAFTS THAT ENHANCE MY APARTMENT THAT
DIDNT PICK UP UNTIL MUCH LATER )N FACT MY lRST LARGE
) ENJOY WEARING THAT )M PROUD TO GIVE AS GIFTS
QUILT WAS MADE OF BLOCKS PIECED BY SOME UNKNOWN RELATIVE AND FOUND HIDDEN IN A CLOSET -Y SISTERS AND ) ALSO ALWAYS MADE STUFF FROM KNOTTED EMBROIDERY THREAD BRACELETS TO PLAYHOUSES IN THE WOODS /NE OF
INSPIRATION
MY SISTERS IS STILL AN AVID CROSS STITCHER AND MY OTHER SISTER IS ALSO VERY CREATIVE -Y MOM DOES STAINED
7HATS FUNNY TO ME IS HOW MANY OF THE BRANCH
GLASS AND BEADING AND MY SISTER IN LAW TAUGHT ME
POINTS IN MY CRAFTING DEVELOPMENT ARE SO CLICHED IN
TO KNIT -Y NIECE JUST TOLD ME THAT CRAFTING IS ONE OF
MANY WAYS &RIENDSHIP BRACELETS #ROSS STITCHED
HER FAVORITE THINGS SO MAYBE ITLL GO EVEN ANOTHER
GEESE -ARTHA 3TEWART AND MARBLE MAGNETS %VEN
GENERATION
THE SELF CONSCIOUSLY IRONIC CRAFT HAS BECOME A CLICHE
4HE GROWTH OF THE ON LINE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MIND BLOWING /PPOSITE 4HE FATEFUL GOOSE THAT STARTED IT ALL
"ELOW ! DRAWER OF GOODIES
WITH ALL THE hNOT YOUR GRANDMOTHERS CRAFTINGv TYPE BOOKS AND WEBSITES 4HE INTERNET HAS REALLY OPENED UP A MUCH BROADER ARRAY OF INmUENCES SO ) CAN MOVE BEYOND THESE CLICHES INTO MORE CREATIVE TERRITORY #RAFT BLOGGERS ARE GREAT ABOUT LINKING INSPIRING ARTISTS DESIGNERS AND SHOPS WHICH ) MIGHT NEVER HAVE COME ACROSS ON MY OWN .OT TO MENTION ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT EVERYONE MAKES ) READ ABOUT ONE HUNDRED CRAFT BLOGS SO ) AM NEVER AT A LOSS FOR BEAUTIFUL IMAGES AND GREAT IDEAS "UT )M ALSO STILL INSPIRED BY -ARTHA 3TEWART 4HE LEVEL OF QUALITY AND SKILL HER MAGAZINES ENCOURAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLUS TO ME RATHER THAN THE MUCH REVILED hPERFECTIONISMv SOME PEOPLE DEMEAN IT AS &OR A LONG TIME SHE WAS THE ONLY EVEN VAGUELY MODERN MAINSTREAM CRAFTING PORTAL .OW THERES MORE AVAILABLE IN BOOKS MAGAZINES AND ON 46 SO ) DONT RELY ON HER AS MUCH OR TWO APPEALING PROJECTS )TS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO ) AM ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CREATIVE AND MODERN
INVESTIGATE NEW CRAFTS
CRAFT BOOKS -Y LOCAL LIBRARY HAS A GREAT CRAFT BOOKS SECTION FROM WHICH ) ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE AN
*APANESE CRAFT BOOKS IN PARTICULAR ARE MY NEW
ARMFUL CHECKED OUT 4HE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS GREAT THIS
FAVORITE INSPIRATION THOUGH 4HE VERY CLEAN VERY
WAY BECAUSE ) CAN GET BOOKS THAT ) WOULDNT USE
MODERN AESTHETIC IS APPEALING TO ME IN A WAY ) NO
ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY BUYING BUT THAT HAVE MAYBE ONE
LONGER FEEL FOR CROSS STITCHED GEESE
WORKSPACE ) AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A DEVOTED CRAFT ROOM -Y CRAFT TABLE IS A COMPUTER DESK WHICH ) REALLY LIKE BECAUSE THE SPACE UNDER THE DESK WHERE THE COMPUTER IS SUPPOSED TO SIT IS JUST PERFECT FOR MY SEWING MACHINE /NE END OF THE TABLE HAS A CUTTING MAT RIGHT NEXT TO A PEGBOARD WALL FOR MY SCISSORS ROTARY CUTTER JEWELERS SAW AND OTHER TOOLS 4HE CABINETS AND SHELVES AROUND THE ROOM ARE PRETTY MUCH A MESS WITH SUPPLIES STUFFED EVERYWHERE ) LIKE TO GO OVERBOARD WITH THE SUPPLIES ) LIKE CRAFT SUPPLIES IN AND OF THEMSELVES &ABRIC AND YARN AND COLORED THREAD ARE JUST PRETTY (AVING EVERY COLOR OF
'OCCO PRINTING INK OR EMBROIDERY THREAD IS ALSO NICE
IN BLOGLAND AND WHATEVER ELSE SEEMS VISUALLY
BECAUSE WHEN ) FEEL LIKE CRAFTING SOMETHING ) MORE
APPEALING 7HENEVER )M AT A LOSS FOR A PROJECT )
THAN LIKELY ALREADY HAVE THE MATERIALS
CHECK THE LIST AND SEE IF ) FEEL LIKE STARTING ANYTHING NEW ) HAVE FOLDERS OF INSPIRING MAGAZINE AND
) KEEP ALL MY FABRICS IN TWO CABINETS OF LITTLE CUBBIES
CATALOG PAGES FOR BROWSING AS WELL
THAT ) THINK MUST BE MEANT FOR STORING SHOES ) LIKE HAVING THE FABRIC EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND ALL IN SIGHT
-Y COMPUTER IS AS MUCH A CRAFTING TOOL AS MY SEWING
SO ) CAN BROWSE FOR WHAT ) NEED OR EVEN START WITH
MACHINE ) RUN CRAFTLOG WITH -OVABLE 4YPE AND ) TRY
AN APPEALING PIECE OF FABRIC AS INSPIRATION FOR A
TO UPDATE THE SITE DESIGN EVERY FEW MONTHS +EEPING
PROJECT ) OFTEN START PROJECTS IN THIS WAY BEGINNING
ALL MY LINKS ORGANIZED IS ALSO QUITE A CHALLENGE BUT
WITH THE MATERIALS AND IMAGINING WHAT THEY COULD
) HAVE A SYSTEM FOR SORTING EVERYTHING INTO FOLDERS
BE ) AM STARTING TO GET GOOD ENOUGH AT SEWING AND
FOR SAFE KEEPING /NCE A MONTH OR SO ) GO BACK
CROCHET THAT ) CAN DRAFT MY OWN PATTERNS FOR SIMPLE
THROUGH MY BOOKMARKS AND DECIDE WHAT LINKS SHOULD
THINGS BUT MOSTLY ) USE PATTERNS FROM BOOKS OR THE
BE POSTED ON MY WEBSITE ) HAVE LEARNED THE HARD
INTERNET
WAY TO JUST DOWNLOAD PICTURES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECTS ) MIGHT WANT TO TRY 9OU NEVER KNOW WHEN
) TYPICALLY HAVE SEVERAL PROJECTS GOING AT ONCE A
A FAVORITE SITE MIGHT DISAPPEAR
COUPLE OF LONG TERM ONES INTERSPERSED WITH INSTANT GRATIlCATION CRAFTS ) ALSO KEEP AN IDEA LIST TACKED TO MY CORK BOARD ALONG WITH PRETTY CARDS EMBROIDERY SWATCHES NICE LETTERS FROM MY hIMAGINARY FRIENDSv
/PPOSITE 4OP ! PRETTY PLEATED BAG /PPOSITE "OTTOM ! MACHINE EMBROIDERED GARDEN "ELOW 6ERSATILE FABRIC STORAGE
$ESK /RGANIZER $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HESE EMBROIDERED FELT ORGANIZERS REALLY REm ECT ON ME AS A CRAFTER MY INm UENCES AND WHAT ) VALUE IN A PROJECT /NCE ) GOT THIS THICK FELT ON A TRIP TO *APAN A STEAL AT YEN ) KNEW IT WAS DESTINED TO BE A BOX OF SOME VARIETY !DD IN A MESSY SEWING DESK DRAWER AND THE PROJECT CAME TOGETHER )T IS BOTH USEFUL AND PRETTY ) ALWAYS ENJOY MAKING MORE CRAFT TOOLS PIN CUSHIONS SEWING MACHINE COVER NEEDLE BOOKS ETC THAT ) CAN ENJOY EVERY TIME ) CREATE SOMETHING ELSE 4HE ILLUSTRATION STYLE OF THE SEWING BOX EMBROIDERY SEEMS LIKE IT BELONGS IN A *APANESE CRAFT BOOK A l TTING MATCH FOR THE FELT 4HE HAND EMBROIDERY ON THE SEWING BOX PARTNERED WITH THE CANDY COLOR SCHEME SCRIPT LABELS AND VINTAGE PILLOWCASE FABRIC BACKING IS PRETTY AND NOSTALGIC 4HE FELT BOX ITSELF UNADORNED SEEMS SO GEOMETRIC AND SIMPLE THOUGH THAT IT HAS A MODERN APPEAL AS WELL )VE TRIED TO EMPHASIZE THOSE QUALITIES IN THE DESK TRAY VARIATION !LTHOUGH THE FELT BOX BASE IS THE SAME MATCHING IT WITH MACHINE EMBROIDERED SKETCHES IN GRAPHIC BLACK AND WHITE GIVES IT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FEEL 4HE BOX DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO CART IT AROUND WHICH IS WHY ) HAVE DESIGNED IT AS A DESK ORGANIZER )T IS SURPRISINGLY STURDY THOUGH A PROTOTYPE HAS SURVIVED MONTHS OF USE WITHOUT INCIDENT )F YOU PLAN TO STORE SAY PENCILS IN IT A DARKER COLOR FOR THE WALLS IS RECOMMENDED TO HIDE ANY MARKS 4HE USE OF HIGH QUALITY FELT IS IMPORTANT SINCE CRAFT FELT WILL PILL QUICKLY AND IS LESS DENSE )F YOURE LUCKY YOU CAN l ND THICK FELT AT A CRAFT OR FABRIC STORE )F NOT hINDUSTRIAL FELT v hPRESS CUSHION v AND hPRESS BLANKETv ARE GOOD KEYWORDS TO TRY ON THE INTERNET 9OU CAN ALSO FUSE TOGETHER OR LAYERS OF NORMAL THICKNESS FELT OR USE FELTED KNITS 4HRIFT
-ARIKO &UJINAKA ,OCATION 0ORTLAND /REGON /CCUPATION 7RITER AND %DITOR !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST +NITTING AND 3EWING #LOTHES "AGS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWSUPEREGGPLANTCOM
WHY I CREATE )S IT NATURE OR NURTURE THAT BROUGHT ME TO CRAFTING ) AM OF *APANESE DESCENT AND ) HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THE *APANESE TO BE PRONE TO ARTISTIC AND CRAFTY ENDEAVORS REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND OR PROFESSION ! SPIRIT OF AESTHETIC PERMEATES THE CULTURE IT IS INESCAPABLE ) COME FROM A LONG LINE OF CRAFTERS BUT NONE OF THEM WERE CONSUMED BY CRAFT n IT WAS SECOND NATURE -Y GRANDMOTHER IN *APAN WAS ALWAYS KNITTING OR CROCHETING AND EVEN WHEN SHE BEGAN LOSING HER SIGHT TO MACULAR DEGENERATION SHE KNIT ) STILL HAVE THE RUBY RED CABLED CARDIGAN SWEATER SHE KNIT FOR ME EVEN THOUGH IT HASNT lT FOR OVER A DECADE 7HEN ) THINK ABOUT MY AUNT IN *APAN ) ENVISION HER CONSTANTLY CREATING 4HE lRST TIME ) VISITED *APAN ) WAS FOUR $URING THAT VISIT MY AUNT MADE DOLLS FOR
-Y MOTHER HAS ALWAYS CLAIMED SHE IS NOT PARTICULARLY
MY BROTHER AND ME -Y BROTHERS DOLL WAS SUPPOSED
CRAFTY 3HE FEIGNS DISINTEREST IN SEWING AND KNITTING
TO LOOK LIKE OUR FATHER (E WORE A STRIPED SWEATER
AND CRAFTING BUT DURING MY CHILDHOOD SHE WAS
AND SPORTED A JAUNTY BERET -Y DOLL WAS ) THINK
CONSTANTLY CREATING AMAZING ITEMS -Y MOTHER
SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT MY MOTHER BUT MY AUNT MADE
SEWED NEARLY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY OUTlTS UNTIL )
THE MISTAKE OF LETTING ME SELECT THE HAIR COLOR AND
HIT FOURTH GRADE AND DECIDED TO BECOME A TOMBOY
THE BUTTONS FOR THE EYES 7ELL MINE HAD ORANGE HAIR
) REMEMBER MANY OF THE DRESSES SHE MADE FOR ME
AND CLEAR BUTTON EYES ) STILL HAVE THAT DOLL THOUGH
FOR MY SECOND GRADE SCHOOL PICTURE ) WORE A LONG
SHE DOESNT HAVE MUCH HAIR LEFT 4HROUGH THE YEARS
SLEEVED ORANGE DRESS WITH A WHITE LEAF PATTERN IT
MY AUNT HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE VARIOUS THINGS
WAS A LITTLE SCRATCHY 0OLYESTER WAS DISMAYINGLY
SHE KNIT ME NUMEROUS SWEATERS BOTH BY HAND AND
POPULAR DURING MY YOUTH FOR THE THIRD GRADE PHOTO
WITH A KNITTING MACHINE CROCHETED DISHRAGS CRAFTED
) WORE A DOTTED 3WISS DRESS WITH POOFY SLEEVES IN
CLASSIC *APANESE DOLLS
YOU NAME IT SHE MADE IT
FOURTH GRADE THE LAST DRESS ) ALLOWED HER TO MAKE
FOR ME WAS A MULTICOLORED POLYESTER KNIT OUTlT WHICH
WERE THREE GIRLS IN THE FAMILY AND THEY ALL WORE
) RECALL AS BEING A TAD CLINGY !T ONE POINT SHE GOT
BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CLOTHING .OT ONLY DID -RS (
REALLY INTO &ROSTLINE +ITS SHE SEWED DOWN BOOTIES FOR
SEW BUT SHE ALSO KNIT 3HE EVEN OPENED TWO FABRIC
THE WHOLE FAMILY RAIN PARKAS BACKPACKS AND DOWN
STORES ONE SPECIALIZING IN ALL NATURAL lBERS WITH
VESTS -Y MOTHER ALSO KNIT LIKE A lEND EMBROIDERED
LUXURIOUS SILKS AND WOOLS AND LINENS 4HE DAUGHTERS
TATTED HOOKED RUGS AND EVEN MADE JEWELRY 3HE
ARE ADULTS NOW TWO WITH CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN YET
WAS TRULY A RENAISSANCE WOMAN AND ONE OF MY
-RS ( CONTINUES TO FEVERISHLY SEW AND KNIT MAKING
GREATEST INmUENCES
OUTlTS FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE GRANDCHILDREN AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
!NOTHER PERSON WHO SIGNIlCANTLY INmUENCED ME AND GAVE ME CAUSE TO CRAFT IS -RS ( THE MOTHER OF !LICE
3URROUNDED BY THIS CONSTANT CRAFTING MAYBE IT
A CHILDHOOD FRIEND !LICE AND ) BECAME FRIENDS IN lRST
WAS INEVITABLE THAT ) WOULD PICK UP THE NEEDLES
GRADE AND EVERY TIME ) WENT TO HER FAMILYS HOUSE )
AND BREAK OUT THE SCISSORS !LICE AND ) ENROLLED IN
WOULD DISCOVER HER MOTHER ENSCONCED IN HER SEWING
A SUMMER SEWING CLASS WHEN ) WAS ABOUT NINE 7E
ROOM SURROUNDED BY PILES AND PILES OF FABRIC 4HERE
HAD A TOUGH TIME BUT ) STILL REMEMBER WHAT ) MADE
) COME FROM A LONG LINE OF CRAFTERS n IT WAS SECOND NATURE /PPOSITE ! 3UPER%GGPLANT ORIGINAL
"ELOW -ARIKO HARD AT WORK n IN A VEST SHE KNIT HERSELF
A SHORT SLEEVED ORANGE TERRY CLOTH TOP COMPLETE WITH HOOD )T DIDNT lT VERY WELL BUT ) STILL LOVED IT ) ALSO REMEMBER THE lRST SWEATER ) KNIT ) THINK ) WAS ABOUT TEN OR ELEVEN WHEN ) ASKED MY MOTHER TO TEACH ME HOW TO KNIT ) MADE A CREWNECK SWEATER VEST THAT BUTTONED UP THE BACK )T WAS MADE OF VERY VERY THICK GREY WOOL 3O ) SUPPOSE THIS CRAFTING THING IS A COMPULSION )T GOT INTO MY BLOOD AND ONCE ) STARTED ) COULD NOT STOP )T DIDNT EVEN MATTER THAT ) WAS NOT PARTICULARLY GIFTED ) WONT CONFESS HOW MANY TIMES )VE SEWN POCKETS TO THE BOTTOMS OF TROUSER LEGS ) SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS AT !LICES HOUSE SEWING THIS OR THAT WITH -RS (S PATIENT GUIDANCE -Y MOTHER AND ) KNIT TOGETHER AND WENT TO CRAFT STORES TO DABBLE IN THE LATEST CRAFT CRAZES #RAFTING COMES IN WAVES
FOR A COUPLE YEARS ) WILL BECOME SO OBSESSED WITH KNITTING THAT ) CANT THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE AND OTHER PERIODS ) CANT GO A DAY WITHOUT SEWING A COUPLE SEAMS ) CRAFT BECAUSE ) MUST
COLORS IN A BUSINESS LOGO ) AM EASILY DRAWN IN BY COLOR THE BRIGHTER THE BETTER AND PATTERN AND INSPIRATION ALSO COMES IN THE FORM OF DREAMS OR VISIONS 4HESE VISIONS INCUBATE IN MY HEAD AND IF ) DONT TRY TO CREATE THEM IN TANGIBLE FORMS ) GO A LITTLE CRAZY ! COUPLE MONTHS AGO FOR EXAMPLE ) SAW
INSPIRATION ) AM INmUENCED NOT ONLY BY MY FRIENDS THE MEDIA AND POPULAR CULTURE BUT ALSO BY THE OBSCURE OFFBEAT AND UNEXPECTED SUCH AS A DELICATE PASTRY OR THE
A SMALL MESSENGER TOTE BAG ) LIKED BUT THE AVAILABLE COLORS WERENT TO MY TASTE ) CONTEMPLATED TRYING TO MAKE A SIMILAR BAG BUT DISCARDED THE IDEA lGURING IT WOULD BE TOO COMPLICATED ! FEW DAYS LATER ) AWOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH A PICTURE OF THE BAG IN MY BRAIN ) COULDNT GET BACK TO SLEEP BECAUSE MY BRAIN STARTED DISSECTING THE PIECES OF THE BAG TRYING TO lGURE OUT HOW TO BUILD IT 4HIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND ONCE ) ACTUALLY GOT UP AND STARTED DRAWING OUT THE PATTERN 4HESE VISIONS AS STRONG AS THEY ARE ARE ALSO mEETING AND CAN DISSIPATE IF ) DONT QUICKLY GET TO THEM
!BOVE AND ,EFT -ORE OF -ARIKOS UNIQUE BAGS /PPOSITE )T MAY BE IN THE BASEMENT BUT SHES GOT TWO SEWING MACHINES
WORKSPACE )N THE PAST ) HAVE SET UP MY SEWING MACHINE
ABOUT TRANSITION RIGHT -Y CURRENT WORK AREA SHARES
WHEREVER IT lT ) LIVED IN *APAN FOR A YEAR AND
SPACE WITH A TREADMILL AND A GUEST BED ) HAVE TWO
BORROWED A SEWING MACHINE WHICH ) PROMPTLY SET
REGULAR SEWING MACHINES ONE A NEW *ANOME
UP ON AN IRONING BOARD )T WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE
AND THE OTHER AN %LNA 3UPER MANUFACTURED CIRCA
TRYING TO SEW A FULLY LINED TRENCH COAT WHILE HOLDING
) ALSO HAVE A "ERNINA SERGER -ETAL SHELVING
THE IRONING BOARD STEADY
UNITS AND LARGE STORAGE CONTAINERS HOLD MY FABRIC AND YARN STASH AND MY BOOKS PATTERNS AND NOTIONS
7E RECENTLY MOVED SO ) AM STILL WORKING ON MAKING MY WORKSPACE MY OWN /UR HOUSE IN NEED OF MUCH RENOVATION IS IN A STATE OF TRANSITION SO IN THIS SPIRIT ) HAVE ESTABLISHED MY WORKSPACE )T WENT FROM THE SECOND STORY TO THE BASEMENT A SPACE ) INITIALLY REFUSED TO CONSIDER FOR MY CRAFTING SPACE )TS ALL
4HIS CRAFTING THING IS A COMPULSION ) CRAFT BECAUSE ) MUST
3UMMER 4OP $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT !LTHOUGH )VE TRIED TO BROADEN MY HORIZONS ) l ND MYSELF COMPELLED TO SEW GARMENTS AND BAGS ) HAVE DECIDED TO SHARE THIS UNCONTROLLABLE PASSION WITH A PATTERN OFFERING FOR YOU )TS A LITTLE SUMMER TOP THAT IS QUITE VERSATILE YOU CAN USE A VARIETY OF FABRICS FROM COTTON KNIT TO SILK TO QUILTING COTTON YOU CAN EMBELLISH IT WITH RIBBONS OR BUTTONS OR SEQUINS AND YOU CAN USE CONTRASTING FABRIC OR EVEN RIBBON FOR THE STRAPS 4HIS PATTERN IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE INSTEAD OF TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT PIECES TO CUT )M GIVING YOU INSTRUCTIONS TO CREATE A SHIRT BASED OFF ONE YOU ALREADY OWN )TS ALWAYS DIFl CULT TO TELL IF A GIVEN PATTERN WILL l T YOU WELL BUT THIS METHOD ENSURES YOU GET YOUR FAVORITE l T ) HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AND THAT IT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE A WHOLE WARDROBE
-YRA -ASUDA ,OCATION (ONOLULU (AWAII /CCUPATION #IVIL %NGINEER !GE 3OMETHING !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS 0URSES !MIGURUMI 7EBSITE HTTPMYLITTLEMOCHITYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE ) HAVE NO FORMAL TRAINING IN ART OR DESIGN BUT ) LEARNED TO SEW FROM AN EARLY AGE AND CRAFTING HAS ALWAYS FELT NATURAL AND BRINGS ME GREAT JOY AND SATISFACTION 7HEN ) GO THROUGH LONG PERIODS WHERE )M NOT ABLE TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE ) CAN GET PRETTY CRANKY 3O CRAFTING IS A WAY FOR ME TO RECHARGE ) DONT HAVE A LOGICAL REASON FOR WHY ITS SO IMPORTANT TO ME AND WHAT DRIVES ME TO DO IT OTHER THAN AN OVERWHELMING URGE AND A NEED TO CREATE -AKING THINGS JUST MAKES ME HAPPY ) LOVE HANDCRAFTED THINGS AND THE INTIMACY IN THE EVIDENCE OF A HUMAN HAND 9OU SEE LESS AND LESS HANDWORK IN OUR MODERN DAY LIVES AND WE USUALLY BUY WHAT WE NEED BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE THE TIME OR SOMETIMES EVEN THE KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE IT (ANDCRAFTING HELPS ME RECONNECT TO A SLOWER TIME WHEN PEOPLE VALUED THEIR POSSESSIONS AND DIDNT JUST THROW THEM AWAY WHEN THEY BROKE "OTH OF MY PARENTS ARE THE CHILDREN OF *APANESE
-Y GRANDMOTHER COULDNT AFFORD TO BUY MY MOTHER
IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO (AWAII TO WORK IN THE
A LOT OF CLOTHING BUT SHE ALLOWED HER TO PURCHASE
PLANTATIONS AND THERE WASNT A LOT OF MONEY WHEN
AS MUCH FABRIC AS SHE WANTED TO SEW CLOTHING FOR
THEY WERE GROWING UP 3INCE THEY HAD SO LITTLE THEY
HERSELF -Y MOTHER CARRIED THIS PHILOSOPHY OVER TO
WERE FORCED TO BE RESOURCEFUL AND EVERYTHING WAS
ME WITH CRAFTING AS WELL AS ) WAS GIVEN ALMOST FREE
SAVED REUSED OR RE INVENTED FOR DIFFERENT USES #ARE
REIN AT THE HOBBY AND FABRIC STORES BUT RARELY TAKEN
AND WORKMANSHIP WAS TAKEN WITH EVERYDAY ITEMS
TO THE TOY STORE FOR PURCHASES ) INHERITED FROM HER A
FOR THEY HAD TO BE MADE TO LAST /FTEN WHEN YOU
VALUE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE HANDMADE AND A CAN
NEEDED SOMETHING YOU HAD TO MAKE ONE OR LEARN TO
DO APPROACH TO MAKING THINGS
DO WITHOUT
-Y PARENTS FOSTERED A CREATIVE LIFE FOR ME EARLY ON
-Y MOTHER WAS ALSO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER
AND MY CHILDHOOD WAS JAMMED WITH SEWING LESSONS
AND LIKE MOST PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS SHE WAS
BAKING WEEKLY TRIPS TO THE HOBBY AND FABRIC STORES
EXTREMELY RESOURCEFUL AND FULL OF FUN PROJECTS AND
BI WEEKLY TRIPS TO THE LIBRARY IN SEARCH OF CRAFT BOOKS
IDEAS ) HAVE VIVID MEMORIES OF A PROJECT WHEN ) WAS
AND LOTS AND LOTS OF CRAFT PROJECTS ) lRST LEARNED TO
ABOUT EIGHT -Y MOM TOOK TWO OLD CREAM COLORED
SEW ON AN OLD PUSH PEDAL 3INGER SEWING MACHINE
mAT SHEETS LAID THEM OUT ON THE LIVING ROOM mOOR
LEANT TO US BY A FAMILY FRIEND AND ) SPENT MORE TIME
AND THEN HAD ME LIE DOWN mAT ON MY BACK ON TOP
PUSHING THE PEDALS OF THAT SEWING MACHINE THAN ON
OF THE SHEETS 4HEN SHE OUTLINED MY BODY AND HEAD
THE PEDALS OF ANY BIKE
WITH A PEN SEWED THE TWO SHEETS TOGETHER ALONG THE OUTLINE CUT IT STUFFED IT AND CREATED A LIFE SIZE
'ROWING UP ) SEWED CLOTHES FOR MYSELF BAGS FOR
DOLL OF ME ) GOT TO DRAW ON THE FACE SEW ON SOME
SCHOOL AND EVEN MY SHORTS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION
YARN HAIR AND DRESS MY NEW hFRIENDv IN MY CLOTHING
CLASSES 7HILE MY BROTHERS WERE OUTSIDE PLAYING
) LOVED THIS PROJECT IT WAS EXCITING AND FUN BECAUSE
)D SPEND HOURS INSIDE SURROUNDED BY PILES OF FABRIC
SHE DIDNT TELL ME WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO BUT
SCRAPS MAKING CLOTHES FOR MY "ARBIE DOLLS OR DRAWING
JUST LET THE PROJECT REVEAL ITSELF TO ME
SKETCHES OF DRESSES
) INHERITED A VALUE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE HANDMADE /PPOSITE -YRAS TINY DOLLS EMBODY CUTENESS
"ELOW ! LITTLE ELEPHANT WITH HER LITTLER ELEPHANT
)N MANY WAYS THATS HOW ) STILL CRAFT TODAY ) DONT REALLY HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT MY END PRODUCT WILL LOOK LIKE BUT ) ENJOY THE PROCESS OF SEEING AN IDEA COME TO LIFE ON MY SEWING TABLE !ND WHEN )M DONE ) GET THAT SAME FEELING OF HAVING A NEW FRIEND ALL OVER AGAIN ) TEND TO MAKE SMALL THINGS FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS ) WORK FULL TIME AND HAVE A YOUNG SON SO ) DONT HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME TO CRAFT )M ALSO IMPATIENT AND BECOME OBSESSED WITH lNISHING PROJECTS ALL IN ONE SITTING 3O RIGHT NOW FOR ME SMALL PROJECTS ARE ATTAINABLE AND MANAGEABLE "UT ) HAVE HOPES THAT IN THE FUTURE )LL HAVE MORE TIME TO TACKLE LARGER PROJECTS )M CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT PROJECTS AND MAKE IT A POINT TO NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A SKETCHBOOK
OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE AND ITS ACTUALLY MADE ME
! LOT OF IDEAS COME TO ME WHEN )M DRIVING HOME IN
MORE PRODUCTIVE "UT ITS STILL A STRUGGLE lNDING TIME
TRAFlC /FTEN )LL BE SKETCHING AT RED LIGHTS AND JOTTING
TO CREATE ) LIKE TO WORK LATE AT NIGHT AFTER EVERYONE
DOWN WHATEVER COMES TO MIND
HAS GONE TO SLEEP AND ) HAVE THE HOUSE TO MYSELF $URING THESE TIMES )M ABLE TO GET INTO AN ALMOST
)VE NEVER FULLY LEARNED THE lNE ART OF TIME
:EN MEDITATIVE STATE AND HAVE AN INEXPLICABLE URGE
MANAGEMENT "EFORE ) HAD MY SON ) REALLY DIDNT
TO FOREGO MUCH NEEDED SLEEP AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON
HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF TIME )T SEEMED NEVER
A PROJECT EVEN IF ITS A LITTLE STUFFED ANIMAL MADE TO
ENDING AND LOOKING BACK NOW ) REALIZE ) WASTED
PLEASE ONLY ME
A LOT OF IT .OW ) TRY TO MAKE THE MOST OF MY FREE MOMENTS AND ALWAYS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY CRAFTING
INSPIRATION )NSPIRATION IS EVERYTHING TO THE CREATIVE SPIRIT AND ) lND IDEAS COME TO ME FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND ESPECIALLY FROM MY SON (AVING A CHILD IN THE HOUSE HAS TO BE A CREATIVE BOOST FOR ANYONE JUST BY THE THINGS THEY SAY AND DO ) LOVE BEING SURROUNDED BY KIDS THINGS n TOYS PICTURE BOOKS CRAYONS TINY CLOTHING !ND WHEN ITS ALL STREWN ABOUT ) lND CREATIVE INSPIRATION IN THE CHAOS %VEN SOMETHING AS SMALL AND PAINFUL AS STEPPING ON A PLASTIC ELEPHANT MAY SPARK AN IDEA
!BOVE ! SWEET !MIGURUMI BUNNY ,EFT 'OLDILOCKS AND FRIENDS
-Y SON HELPS ME TO SEE WITH NEW EYES THE CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AROUND AND FULLY WITHIN REACH
!BOVE %XPLORING NEW WORLDS CAN BE FUN
(E IS FULL OF IMAGINATION AND CAN lND FUN IN THE MOST MUNDANE THINGS AND MAKE ANYTHING COME ALIVE
"ELOW "UT WATCH OUT FOR THOSE SPACE MONSTERS
FOR HIM )M CONSTANTLY STUMBLING UPON WONDERFUL VIGNETTES HES CREATED WITH HIS TOYS !N ARTFULLY ARRANGED PUPPY INTENSELY READING A BOOK ON BUGS IN THE HALL OR A SERIOUS HUDDLED MASS OF ZOO ANIMALS ENGAGED IN A SECRET MEETING ON THE BATHTUB (E SHOWS ME THAT EVEN THE MOST PRACTICAL EVERYDAY THINGS CAN HAVE PERSONALITY AND BE FUN 2EADING BOOKS WITH MY SON IS ANOTHER CREATIVE INLET ) INHERITED A LOT OF SS AND S CHILDRENS BOOKS FROM MY MOTHERS TEACHING DAYS AND THESE ARE THE BOOKS MY SON AND ) BOTH GRAVITATE TO 7E SPEND HOURS POURING THROUGH THESE BOOKS AND CHERISH THEM EVEN THOUGH MANY ARE WORN AND FALLING APART 3OMETHING ABOUT THE WORK OF ILLUSTRATORS OF THIS ERA n THE BOLD USE OF COLORS AND THE OFTEN WITTY AND HUMOROUS STYLE OF THEIR ART IS DEEPLY APPEALING AND INSPIRING TO ME
WORKSPACE 7E HAVE A TINY HOUSE AND FOR YEARS MY CRAFT SPACE
) BORROWED AN OLD KITCHEN TABLE FROM MY MOTHER IN
WAS THE LIVING ROOM mOOR ) WOULD SEW ON THE mOOR
LAW AND MY HUSBAND HELPED MAKE AND INSTALL SOME
WITH MY SEWING MACHINE SET ON A SMALL TEN INCH
BOOKCASES AND DISPLAY SHELVES FOR MY SUPPLIES AND
HIGH FOLDING TABLE AND PUSH THE PEDAL WITH MY
FABRIC
THIGH -Y SUPPLIES AND NOTIONS WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE HOUSE AND SETTING UP AND BREAKING DOWN
-Y SPACE IS STILL VERY MUCH A WORK IN PROGRESS BUT
THIS hSPACEv WHENEVER ) WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING
)M ALREADY IN LOVE WITH IT AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANY
WASTED PRECIOUS CRAFTING TIME
OPPORTUNITY ) GET TO SPEND TIME THERE )VE ALWAYS PLACED COMFORT AND FUNCTION OVER STYLE SO ITS A
3EVERAL MONTHS AGO WE DID SOME CREATIVE RE
CLUTTERED BUT COMFY ROOM ) LOVE COLLECTIONS AND
ORGANIZING AROUND THE HOUSE AND FREED UP A SPARE
GROUPINGS OF THINGS AND ALTHOUGH )M NOT VERY GOOD
ROOM FOR ME TO USE AS A CRAFT ROOM )VE ALWAYS
AT PUTTING ARTFUL DISPLAYS TOGETHER JUST SEEING THINGS
DREAMED OF HAVING A WORKSPACE WHERE ) COULD BE
) LOVE AROUND ME IS INSPIRING AND MAKES ME HAPPY
SURROUNDED BY THINGS THAT INSPIRE ME AND HAVE ALL OF MY SUPPLIES IN A CENTRAL LOCATION !FTER YEARS OF CRAFTING ON THE mOOR JUST HAVING A LARGE CLEAR WORK TABLE SEEMS LIKE A LUXURY TO ME 3O HAVING AN ENTIRE ROOM DEDICATED TO CRAFTING REALLY IS A DREAM COME TRUE
"ELOW ! SPACE OF ONES OWN IS A DREAM COME TRUE /PPOSITE "OWLS OF GOODIES
%LEPHANT 0OUCH $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DONT WEAR A LOT OF MAKEUP BUT ) NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT LIPSTICK AND SOME BLOTTING PAPERS ) USED TO JUST THROW THE DUO INTO MY PURSE BUT AFTER LOSING THEM AMONGST THE CLUTTER IN MY BAG ONE TOO MANY TIMES ) DECIDED TO MAKE A LITTLE POUCH TO HOUSE THEM ) HAD A PURCHASED A BAG OF LINEN SCRAPS FROM A LOCAL DRESS DESIGNERS REMNANT SALE AND THIS SEEMED LIKE THE PERFECT PROJECT FOR THEM ) EXPERIMENTED WITH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DART LESS VERSIONS UNTIL ) ARRIVED AT THIS POUCH 4HE DARTS GIVE IT ENOUGH ROOM TO EASILY HOLD MY LIPSTICK AND BLOTTERS AND EVEN AN ADDITIONAL LIPSTICK )T REALLY IS A SIMPLE PROJECT AND CAN EASILY BE ADAPTED FOR OTHER ANIMAL FACES OR DONE WITHOUT A FACE AT ALL !ND ) SMILE EVERY TIME ) REACH INTO MY PURSE FOR MY LIPSTICK AND PULL OUT THIS LITTLE GUY
3ARAH .EUBURGER ,OCATION )RMO 3OUTH #AROLINA /CCUPATION #RAFT %NTREPRENEUR !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 0APER 'OODS (OUSEWARES /RIGINAL !RTWORK 7EBSITE HTTPWWWTHESMALLOBJECTCOM
WHY I CREATE 4HIS IS ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT SEEMS BIGGER THAN LIFE LIKE WHY ARE WE HERE IS 0LUTO A PLANET IS #OKE REALLY REFRESHING !ND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS ) HAVE NO IDEA BUT ) DO KNOW IF ) DIDNT CREATE THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN BEING HERE 9OU KNOW ITS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS LIKE APPLES AND PEANUT BUTTER PARKS AND PICNICS MUSIC AND DRIVING 7HO KNOWS WHY n IT JUST CAME TO BE AND THEY ARE SO PERFECT TOGETHER 3O WHILE ) CANT ANSWER WHY ) DO IT ) DO KNOW HOW ITS COME TO PASS ) KNOW WITH GREAT CERTAINTY THAT IT IS EASIER TO CHOOSE A PATH WHEN ITS LINED WITH A FEW GOOD CHEERLEADERS AND )VE BEEN MOST BLESSED IN THIS REGARD ,ET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THE LIKES OF -S #ELESTE )N HIGH SCHOOL ) MADE A PAINTING OF A NUDE WOMAN SITTING WITH HER LEGS CROSSED ) NAMED HER -S #ELESTE
AT THIS CONTEST AND WHETHER OR NOT THE SCHOOL SHOULD
)T WAS A PRETTY LARGE PAINTING FOR SOMEBODY MY AGE
BE LABELED WHICH WAS CUSTOMARY AND ASSOCIATED
n ABOUT FOUR FEET TALL AND THREE FEET WIDE n MATTED
WITH SUCH A SCANDAL 4HE DETAILS RIDICULOUS AS THEY
OUT EVEN A FOOT OR TWO LARGER IN ALL DIRECTIONS !ND
ARE DONT REALLY MATTER BUT WHAT DOES MATTER IS MY
IT CAUSED A RUCKUS AT MY HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE MY
FATHERS REACTION ) WAS TO HAVE THE MEETING WITH THE
TEACHER ENTERED IT IN A NATIONAL ART CONTEST WHICH
PRINCIPAL ON MY OWN WITH A BULLETED LIST OF POINTS
WAS REALLY MUCH MORE A GOLD STAR GAME BETWEEN ART
WHICH MY FATHER AND ) HAD COMPILED AND DEBATED IN
TEACHERS THAN ABOUT US THE STUDENTS 7ORD ON THE
ADVANCE )T WAS MY JOB TO STICK UP FOR WHAT ) HAD
STREET WAS THE JUDGES FOR THAT CONTEST DIDNT KNOW
DONE AND STICK BY -S #ELESTE TO THE TEETH &OR A GOOD
WHAT TO DO WITH IT EITHER SINCE ) SHOULDNT HAVE HAD
SOLID YEAR ANYONE ABSOLUTELY ANYONE WHO CAME IN
ANY ACCESS TO A NUDE MODEL AT THAT AGE AND HER
TO THE HOUSE WAS SHOWN THIS PAINTING USUALLY AFTER
lGURE WAS BY NO MEANS COVER GIRL MATERIAL ) ALSO
THE GUEST HAD JUST lNISHED THEIR DINNER AND WAS
HAD TO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL OVER WHAT
GIVEN THE CLIFF NOTES TO ITS STORY ALL TOLD BY MY FATHER
WOULD HAPPEN IF THE PAINTING WAS ACTUALLY DISPLAYED
AS HE GAZED AT HER WITH SUCH PRIDE 3HE WOULD BE
PROPPED UP ON THE EDGE OF THE DINING ROOM TABLE
OF HER OWN TO CREATE IT ALL IN STUFFED WITH PERFECTLY
LOOMING DOWN OVER OUR FRIENDS BARELY MISSING THE
PENNED LABELED BOXES FULL OF POTENTIAL 3HE MADE ME
CHANDELIER AND SEEMING OH SO OUT OF PLACE AMONG
BLANKETS DOLLS CURTAINS WITH MATCHING WALLPAPER
THE LEFTOVER PORK CHOPS AND SMASHED GREEN BEANS
EMBROIDERED (OLLY (OBBY PICTURES TO HANG OVER MY
4HE POINT BEING MY FATHER FELL MADLY FOR -S #ELESTE
BED PAINTED WOOD IN MY INITIALS 4HE ACTIVITY WAS
AND THE PRIDE ) FELT IN HAVING CREATED HER WAS A HIGH
SO CONSTANT THAT IT SEEMS SO UNNATURAL TO NOT DO
LIKE NONE OTHER 3ADLY OR PERHAPS APPROPRIATELY -S
THESE THINGS ) MEAN DO PEOPLE REALLY EXIST WHO
#ELESTE WAS LATER THROWN AWAY IN A WEIRD TWIST OF
DONT OWN A $REMEL JIGSAW EMBROIDERY MACHINE
EVENTS BY MY MOTHER THROUGH NO FAULT OF HER OWN
GLASS ETCHER PLEATER STAPLE GUN 3TYROFOAM CUTTER ASSORTMENT OF FOAM BALLS AN ATTIC FULL OF FABRIC
.OW MY MOTHER IS ANOTHER STORY 3HE MAKES
SCRAPS OIL PAINTS OR A LINOLEUM CUTTER 4RULY THERE
EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE IT ALL READY
MUST NOT BE -Y WORLD HAD IT ALL ON HAND FOR MOST
TO GO &ROM CREATING A CARD CATALOG OF THE CONTENTS
EVERY PROJECT AND A MOTHER WHO WAS ALWAYS GAME
OF OUR FREEZER WHICH WE HAD TO hCHECK OUTv BEFORE
.O MATTER WHAT HANDMADE IS ALWAYS BETTER THERES
EATING TO SEWING UP A NEW LINE OF SUMMER TROUSERS
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT
EACH YEAR SHE DID IT ALL !ND SHE ALWAYS HAD A SPACE
)F ) DIDNT CREATE THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN BEING HERE /PPOSITE ,ITTLE 3MALL #LOTHESPIN 0EOPLE
"ELOW )NTERESTING PAPER GOODIES
3O SORRY KIDS IT JUST FEELS RIGHT AND ) DONT DECIDE TO DO IT ) JUST DO IT ) MAKE THINGS BECAUSE IT SEEMS DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY 7E ALL CREATE MAKE UP OUR OWN WORLDS HAVE OUR OWN FANTASIES AND SPEND HOURS WONDERING ABOUT THIS OR THAT 4HERE IS NO SEPARATION AND THERE IS NO REAL REASON )T IS MY EVERYDAY AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE DAWN OF MY TIME -Y GRANDMOTHER WAS A SHOE DESIGNER -Y OTHER 'RANMA COULD BAKE LIKE NOBODYS BUSINESS AND ) HAVE EATEN MYSELF SILLY SICK OFF HER DELICIOUSNESS ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION -Y FATHER WAS AN ARCHITECT STUDENT AND HOPELESS ROMANTIC -Y 'RANPA HAD A WOOD SHOP IN HIS BACKYARD SHAPED LIKE A BARN WHICH CHURNED OUT NAPKIN HOLDERS AND SNOWMEN HOLDING HOLIDAY GREETINGS -Y MOTHER IS STILL THE ONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING ON HAND 4HERE WAS NO SINGLE EVENT THAT MADE ME CREATE 0ERHAPS CREATIVITY IS JUST IN US AND MINE HAPPENED TO BE SUPPORTED FROM THE GET GO ) AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO KNOW AT MY CORE THERE COULD BE NO OTHER WAY FOR ME AND FOR THE MAP OF MY COURSE TO BE DOTTED WITH TINY JUMPING PEOPLE HOLDING POM POMS WITH NEW RECRUITS PICKED UP ALONG THE WAY !ND EACH OF THOSE GOOD SPORTS MEANS THE WORLD TO
n SHE NOTICED )T WAS SUCH A SMALL SIMPLE GESTURE
ME
THAT MOVED MY WORLD AN INCH CLOSER TO SUNNYSIDE UP !ND INSIDE WERE FREE STICKERS ) HADNT EVEN ORDERED BUT WERE SO mIPPIN BEAUTIFUL ) STILL HAVE ONE UNUSED
INSPIRATION
AND ONE THAT QUICKLY BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF MY SKETCHBOOK COVER 4HE ENVELOPE ) EVEN STILL HAVE TUCKED AWAY KNOWING IT FOREVER CHANGED ME IN SOME
) FEEL ON TOP OF MY WORLD RIGHT NOW RUNNING MY
WAY .EVER AGAIN WOULD ) BUY MY GIFTS FROM 4ARGET
OWN LITTLE COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF HANDMADE WARES AND
COOL AS THEY ARE .EVER AGAIN WOULD ) SPEND MY
ORIGINAL ARTWORK (OW THIS ALL CAME INTO BEING AND
MONEY FROM SOME PLACE THAT DIDNT CARE /F COURSE
WHAT INSPIRED IT ALL HAPPENED WITH ONE SINGLE ORDER
) HAVE BUT THAT DAY ) WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD AND )
) REMEMBER SO VERY CLEARLY WAY BACK UPON A TIME
KNEW THAT WHEN A HANDMADE OPTION WAS AVAILABLE
WHEN ) ORDERED MY VERY lRST ITEM FROM AN INCREDIBLY
THAT WAS WHAT ) WOULD CHOOSE
TALENTED PERSON SELLING HER WARES THROUGH HER VERY OWN ONLINE STORE )T WAS 3AELEE /H AND ) HAPPENED
!FTER 3AELEE /H ) DISCOVERED THERE WAS ALREADY A
ACROSS HER SITE BY ACCIDENT ) RECALL SO VIVIDLY THAT
WHOLE NETWORK OF ARTISTCRAFTERS SELLING THEIR WARES
MAGIC HAPPENED THE DAY THE ENVELOPE ARRIVED WITH
ONLINE AND THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE OF BUYING FROM
MY PURCHASE INSIDE )T SEEMED SO AVERAGE A PLAIN
THEM REMINDED ME OF THE DAYS WHEN YOUD SIT
WHITE ENVELOPE WITH MY NAME SCRAWLED ON THE FRONT
DOWN TO YOUR BROWN PAPER BAG LUNCH YOUR NAME
"UT INSIDE THERE WAS A HANDWRITTEN NOTE ABOUT THE
SCRAWLED ON THE FRONT AND YOURE SO HUNGRY YOU
WEATHER WHICH WASNT IMPORTANT BUT WHAT WAS SO
CANT WAIT TO SEE WHATS INSIDE 9OURE JUST GIDDY
IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT SHE REFERENCED WHERE ) LIVED
TO OPEN IT PARTLY BECAUSE YOU WANT WHATS INSIDE
SO BAD BUT ALSO BECAUSE CAREFULLY UNFOLDING THE TOP AND PEERING DOWN INTO ITS CONTENTS IS SO INCREDIBLE !ND YOU OPEN IT UP AND IT IS FULL OF DELICIOUSNESS EACH INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED AND BAGGED WITH SUCH CARE !ND THEN THERE WOULD BE A NAPKIN WITH A NOTE WRITTEN ON IT THAT COULD SAY ANYTHING FROM THE SIMPLE h) LOVE YOUv TO THE PUNCHLINE OF SOME FUNNY JOKE WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE )T WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE AND THAT WAS THE KIND OF ENERGY ) WANTED TO PUT BACK OUT THERE ) MAKE THINGS HOPING THAT IT MAKES THAT CONNECTION AGAIN )T IS THAT MOMENT THAT INSPIRES ME ENDLESSLY ) WANT NOTHING MORE THAN MORE MAGIC SPILLING OPEN IN YOUR MAILBOX AND MANY MORE MOMENTS lLLED WITH GOOD CHEER
WORKSPACE
DIDNT CART DOWN TO THE STUDIO WHICH WAS ENDLESSLY
&OR WHATEVER REASON ) WENT RIGHT FROM UNDERGRADUATE
HALL FOR A DRINK OR HAVING TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC IN THE
TO GRADUATE SCHOOL !ND ) WAS SO VERY EXCITED TO
NEXT ROOM OR THE MUMBLED CONVERSATIONS OF OTHERS )
lNALLY GET A STUDIO SPACE IN A BUILDING WITH HUGE
WANTED TO BE HOME
FRUSTRATING 0LUS ) HATED HAVING TO RUN DOWN THE
SOARING WINDOWS AND BE SURROUNDED BY COUNTLESS INSPIRING FOLKS 4RULY THIS WAS WHAT ) LOOKED
!T THIS POINT MY WORKSPACE IS HERE THERE AND
FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS OF SCHOOL
EVERYWHERE -Y MOTHER BESIDES BEING A JACK OF
&UNNY THING HAPPENED THOUGH ) NEVER WORKED
ALL TRADES IS ALSO AN ORGANIZATIONAL FREAK ) TOO
THERE ) COULDNT DO IT ) WANTED MY COUCH AND MY
COMPARTMENTALIZE EVERYTHING AND WHILE IT CAN GET
CATS AROUND ) ALWAYS ENDED UP NEEDING SOMETHING )
MESSY ALONG THE WAY ) CAN PACK IT ALL UP IN TWO MINUTES mAT )T MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE BUT TRUST ME ) CAN DO IT 4HE ACTUAL hWORKSPACEv OF MY HOUSE HAS A LARGE WRAP AROUND DESK WITH SHELVES FOR ALL MY BINS 4HOUGH TRUTH BE TOLD THERE ARE PAINTS PAPER SCISSORS AND GLUE IN THE KITCHEN DRAWERS A DRESSER FULL OF PENCILS ERASERS SKETCHBOOKS AND CAMERAS IN MY BEDROOM SAWS AND SILKSCREENING SUPPLIES IN THE GARAGE AND A POWER CORD FOR MY LAPTOP IN MOST ROOMS IN THE HOUSE ) LIKE TO GET AROUND 3UFlCE TO SAY MY LIVING SPACE IS MY WORKSPACE "Y NOW ) REALIZE ) CAN HAVE IT NO OTHER WAY IT SURROUNDS ME AND REMINDS ME AND )M MOST CERTAIN LOVES ME /PPOSITE /NE OF 3ARAHS 3TICK 0EOPLE 0ORTAITS !BOVE !N UNUSUAL PINCUSHION ,EFT 3ARAHS DESK SAFE AT HOME
&ABRIC "ASKET $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) PLAY AROUND WITH FELT BEADS AND SILK A LOT ) LOVE THE WAY EACH OF THESE MATERIALS CAPTURES BRILLIANT COLOURS IN VERY DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND ) LOVE TO MIX THEM TOGETHER )N THIS BRACELET ) HAVE FELTED @PEBBLE BEADS WITH SILK SCRAP INCLUSIONS ) CHOSE A NEUTRAL COLOUR FOR THE FELT SO THAT THE SILK SCRAPS WOULD REALLY POP "UT OF COURSE THE COLOURS SIZES AND TEXTURES BEG TO BE EXPERIMENTED WITH )T SORT OF LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING 0EBBLES &LINTSTONE MIGHT WEAR 'REAT FOR THE WINTER WHEN A DELICATE BRACELET WOULD GET OVERWHELMED MY SWEATERS
4ANIA (O ,OCATION ,ISBON 0ORTUGAL /CCUPATION #OMPUTER 3CIENCE %NGINEER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST "OOKCOVERS 0OUCHES .EEDLE #ASES 7EBSITE HTTPCHOCOLATEACHUVABLOGSPOTCOM
WHY I CREATE -Y LOVE FOR CRAFTING COMES FROM CHILDHOOD ) GUESS ) STILL CLEARLY REMEMBER ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS FROM WHEN ) WAS A CHILD IT WAS CALLED h-Y ,EARN TO 3EW "OOK v BY *ANET "ARBER /H IT HAD WONDERFUL PROJECTS ESPECIALLY IN THE EYES OF A YEAR OLD AND ) PARTICULARLY LIKED THE RAG DOLL PROJECT SO MUCH THAT ) TRIED TO SEW ONE SEVERAL TIMES BUT MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT IT NEVER CAME OUT AS ) EXPECTED 4HEN IN HIGH SCHOOL ) WENT THROUGH A h) WANT TO SEW MY OWN CLOTHESv PHASE WHICH
THANKS TO MY BEST FRIENDS MUM
ACTUALLY TURNED OUT QUITE ACCEPTABLY 3HE TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING ) KNOW ABOUT SEWING AND TO THIS DAY ) CAN STILL REMEMBER ALL HER ADVICE 4HEN FOR A LONG NUMBER OF YEARS ) DIDNT DO ANY CRAFTING AT ALL EITHER BECAUSE ) DIDNT HAVE THE TIME
PERFECT FOR MAKING A BOOK COVERv .OW WHY WOULD
OR JUST DIDNT HAVE ANY REAL MOTIVATION
THAT THOUGHT EVEN OCCUR TO ME 7ELL lRST BECAUSE )M AN AVID READER AND )M NEVER WITHOUT A BOOK
3O IT WAS WITH A BIT OF A SURPRISE THAT SOMETIME
INSIDE MY BAG AND THEY USUALLY END UP A BIT SCRUFFY
LAST YEAR ) WAS OVERCOME WITH THIS DESIRE TO START
ON THE EDGES !ND SECOND BECAUSE ) HAD JUST COME
SEWING AGAIN )NSPIRED BY ALL THE CRAFTY BLOGS AND
BACK FROM A VACATION TO )TALY WHERE ) HAD SEEN THE
THE BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE THINGS ) SAW EVERYDAY )
MOST WONDERFUL LEATHER BOOK COVERS FOR SALE AT THE
DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO START USING THE OLD SEWING
3AN ,ORENZO MARKET "ECAUSE THEY WERE EXPENSIVE
MACHINE AGAIN ) DIDNT HAVE ANY CLEAR PROJECT ON
) HAD ONLY PURCHASED ONE BUT NOW MY MIND WAS
MY MIND JUST AN URGE TO TRY TO CREATE SOMETHING
WONDERING WHETHER ) COULD SEW ONE MYSELF !ND
SO ) WENT FABRIC SHOPPING AND CAME HOME WITH A
THATS HOW IT ALL STARTED ACTUALLY
AND NOW ALMOST
SMALL STASH INCLUDING SOME PIECES OF SUEDE THAT
BOOK COVERS AND OTHER ITEMS LATER ) CAN SAY THAT
HAD CAUGHT MY ATTENTION 7HEN ) LOOKED AT THEM AT
CRAFTING IS DElNITELY A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE NOW AND
THE SHOP MY lRST THOUGHT WAS h) BET THAT WOULD BE
IS HERE TO STAY
-Y MAIN PROBLEM AND ) THINK EVERY CRAFTERS PROBLEM
IMMEDIATE GRATIlCATION 7HAT ) LOVE ABOUT KNITTING
IS NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO DO ALL THE PROJECTS )
IS THE OPPOSITE WATCHING THE PROJECT GROW LITTLE BY
WANT 3O MANY TIMES ) HAVE WISHED THE DAY HAD
LITTLE THE FEELING OF THE YARN IN MY HANDS AND AT THE
MORE THAN TWENTY FOUR HOURS ) HAVE ONE BOX FULL
END THE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS SO HUGE THAT ) JUST
OF FABRIC PIECES THAT ) KEEP SAVING FOR MYSELF IN THE
FEEL LIKE )VE COMPLETED THE MARATHON EVERY TIME
HOPES OF SOMEDAY HAVING TIME TO MAKE THAT BAG OR WHATEVER ITEM ) HAD IMAGINED
) GUESS THE MAIN REASON WHY ) CRAFT IS BECAUSE ) NEVER TIRE OF THAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WHEN )
!LTHOUGH SEWING WILL ALWAYS BE MY PASSION n ) JUST
lNISH AN ITEM WHETHER ITS A SMALL OR BIG PROJECT )
LOVE WORKING WITH FABRICS RECENTLY )VE ALSO TAKEN
ALWAYS TRY TO PUT MY BEST IDEAS AND EFFORT WHENEVER
ON KNITTING AS WELL ) FOUND OUT THAT IT RELAXES ME A
)M MAKING SOMETHING BUT WHEN THE IDEA ACTUALLY
LOT AND GIVES ME A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SATISFACTION THAN
TURNS OUT INTO THE REALITY ) HAD ENVISIONED )M STILL
SEWING 7HEN SEWING ) CAN BE MUCH MORE CREATIVE
SURPRISED HOW IT ALL WORKED OUT
AND NEVER KNOW QUITE WHAT THE END RESULT WILL BE BUT THEYRE USUALLY QUICK PROJECTS WITH ALMOST
#RAFTING IS A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE AND IS HERE TO STAY /PPOSITE 4ANIAS TRADEMARK BOOKCOVERS
"ELOW 3ERIOUS DISCUSSION BETWEEN PALS
INSPIRATION ) GET INSPIRED BY A LOT OF THINGS AROUND ME FROM
)T TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO ORGANIZE MY MATERIALS IN A
PLACES ) VISIT ADVERTISEMENTS OR PEOPLE ) PASS ON
SATISFACTORY WAY BUT FOR NOW )M HAPPY WITH HOW
THE STREET WHO ARE WEARING SOMETHING ) LIKE TO
THEY ARE /F COURSE WHAT STARTED AS A SMALL STASH
SOMETHING EYE CATCHING ) SEE ON A STORE SOMEWHERE
OF FABRICS HAS NOW GROWN TO A HUGE PILE AND l LLS
) HAVE A SMALL POCKET NOTEBOOK ) CARRY IN MY PURSE
ALMOST SEVEN BIG CARDBOARD BOXES OH AND THE YARN
AND ) SCRIBBLE DOWN NOTES AND DRAWINGS OF THINGS
STASH WHICH IS NEATLY HIDDEN UNDER THE SOFA 7E ARE
)VE SEEN OR IDEAS )VE HAD AND DONT WANT TO FORGET
PLANNING TO MOVE TO A BIGGER PLACE SOON SO ) HAVE PLANS FOR A CRAFTING ROOM OF MY OWN BUT APART FROM A
/F COURSE ONE OF MY MAIN INSPIRATION SOURCES ARE
LARGE DESK AND A BIG BOOKCASE TO HOLD ALL MY CRAFTING
ALL THESE AMAZING CRAFTY BLOGS AND SITES THAT KEEP
TOOLS AND MATERIALS ) DONT REALLY HAVE AN IDEA OF A
APPEARING MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY )M CONSTANTLY
DREAM WORKSPACE IN MY HEAD YET
SURPRISED TO l ND OUT ABOUT THIS OR THAT TALENTED CRAFTER AND MY LIST ON BLOGLINES KEEPS GROWING ALL THE TIME AND ) NEVER IMAGINED ) WOULD SPEND SO MUCH TIME READING BLOGS OR WHEN )M IN A HURRY JUST LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS n BUT ) NEVER GO A DAY WITHOUT "ELOW ! PERSONALIZED QUILT -AGAZINES AND BOOKS ARE ALSO A SOURCE ESPECIALLY *APANESE OR &RENCH ONES .OT THAT ) UNDERSTAND WHATS WRITTEN BUT WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT AN IMAGE BEING WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS USUALLY WORKS FOR ME IN THIS CASE ) TRY NOT TO BUY SO MANY BUT SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO RESIST )M LUCKY BECAUSE ) HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS THAT SHARE THIS PASSION FOR CRAFTING AS WELL SO WE EXCHANGE IDEAS PATTERNS AND ADVICE QUITE OFTEN !ND BECAUSE ) MAKE A LOT OF ITEMS ON DEMAND MY CLIENTS ARE ALSO A HUGE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO ME
WORKSPACE 7ELL TO BE TRULY HONEST ) DONT REALLY HAVE A l XED WORKSPACE "ECAUSE OUR HOUSE IS SO SMALL MY WORKSPACE IS ACTUALLY WHEREVER THERES FREE SPACE USUALLY THE KITCHEN TABLE OR THE SITTING ROOM m OOR !ND SINCE ) HAVE TWO CATS IN THE HOUSE AND ONE OF THEIR FAVOURITE GAMES IS TO STEAL WHATEVER SMALL OBJECTS )M WORKING WITH SOMETIMES THIS CAN BE A BIT OF A PROBLEM
/PPOSITE -ATERIALS SORTED OUT AND READY TO GO
"OOK #OVER $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DESIGNED THIS PURSE AS A PROJECT TO GENTLY EASE BEGINNERS INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SEWING )T CAN BE KEPT SIMPLE AND COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR YOU CAN INVEST MORE TIME AND EMBELLISH AWAY TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT 4HIS PURSE CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE STITCHED AND CAN BE INTERLINED WITH A COMMERCIAL STIFF INTERFACING FOR A SHARP SMART LOOK OR INTERLINED WITH OR LAYERS OF A SOFT COTTON FABRIC FOR A SOFT SQUASHY LOOK 4HE DETACHABLE CORSAGE IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF JUST LAYERS OF PETALS HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW STITCHES AND A BUTTON OR BEAD FEEL FREE TO ADD SEQUINS OR DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND WHATEVER ELSE THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY
4ANIA (OWELLS ,OCATION 4ORONTO #ANADA /CCUPATION )LLUSTRATOR ,IBRARIAN !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3ILKSCREENING &ELTING +NITTING 7EBSITE HTTPTANIABLOGSCOM
WHY I CREATE 4HERE IS AN ABSOLUTE COMFORT AND JOY IN CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR SURROUNDING YOURSELF IN YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIALS AND MAKING SOMETHING FOR THE PURE FUN OF IT !S A CHILD THE CUPBOARD BY THE TELEPHONE WAS MY CREATIVE SOURCE )T WAS WHERE ) KEPT ALL AND ANY THINGS ) NEEDED TO MAKE STUFF ) WOULD OFTEN JUST OPEN THE DOOR AND RUMMAGE THROUGH THE JUNK FOR THE FUN OF IT lNDING SUCH PLEASURE IN JUST THE MATERIALS THEMSELVES 3OMETIMES ) WOULD BE INSPIRED ENOUGH TO START A PROJECT OR BE SPURRED ON TO COLLECT OTHER THINGS FROM AROUND THE HOUSE TO KEEP INSIDE FOR LATER IDEAS -Y CREATIVITY WAS NEVER DISCOURAGED OR FROWNED UPON AND ) AM SO FORTUNATE FOR THAT ) REMEMBER A TIME AT SOME STAGE OF CHILDHOOD WHERE
GRADE TWO AND THE hMAKING A PUPPET WORM WITH
) WAS CONSUMED BY THE IDEA OF PAINTING PEBBLES
SOME STICKS AND FOAM hPHASE GRADE lVE AS WELL AS
WITH ANIMALS ON THEM -Y FATHER ALWAYS ONE TO
THE REQUISITE ,EGO VILLAGES ROCK COLLECTIONS STICKER
JOIN IN ON A GOOD PROJECT TOOK THE DOG AND ME TO
ALBUMS STAMP COLLECTIONS AND ENDLESS DRAWINGS
THE RIVER TO lND JUST THE RIGHT STONES 7E GATHERED UP A FEW AND TOOK THEM HOME TO THE KITCHEN TABLE
) WENT TO AN ART HIGH SCHOOL WHERE ) PAINTED BIG
AND WENT TO WORK ) STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE THE LADY
MESSY PAINTINGS ABOUT NOTHING AT ALL ) ALWAYS HAD
BUG STONE ) PAINTED ON THAT AFTERNOON AS WELL AS
ROMANTIC FANTASIES OF BECOMING A FAMOUS 0AINTER
ONE THAT SAYS SIMPLY hDADv ) ALSO REMEMBER A TWIG
#APITAL 0 ) THEN WENT TO AN ART COLLEGE WHERE THOSE
WHITTLING PHASE WHERE ) WOULD SPEND AFTERNOONS IN
FANTASIES GENERALLY FADED ) TOOK NO PAINTING COURSES
THE BACK YARD CARVING TWIGS FROM OUR WILLOW TREE
AT ALL -Y FAVOURITES CLASSES HAD NAMES LIKE h INTRO
-Y PARENTS WERE LESS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THAT ONE
TO WOODv vENAMELLINGv hHAND BUILDING IN CLAYv AND
AS IT INVOLVED A SHARP KNIFE BUT ) DID OK 4HERE WERE
hSILVER SMITHINGv CRAFTY CLASSES ) WAS ALWAYS
OF COURSE THE hSTAPLING PAPERS TO MAKE BOOKSv PHASE
MOST INTERESTED IN MAKING THINGS THAT REGULAR PEOPLE
COULD RELATE TO AND HAVE IN THEIR HOMES 0EOPLE
) HAVE ALWAYS FELT BOTH CRAFT AND ILLUSTRATION ARE
LIKE ME WHO HAD BILLS TO PAY DISHES TO WASH AND
SOMEWHAT LOOKED DOWN UPON BY hlNE ARTISTSv )T IS
EVERYDAY LIFE TO CONTEND WITH 4HE LOFTY IDEALS OF
A FUNNY HIERARCHY AND ) HAVE LATELY GIVEN UP CARING
THE lNE ART WORLD LEFT ME ABSOLUTELY COLD ) TOOK TO
ABOUT IT )T IS HERE IN THE LAND BETWEEN lNE ART AND
MAKING SMALL WOOD BOXES WITH SILLY SCENES IN THEM
lNE CRAFT THAT ) FEEL MOST AT HOME JUST MAKING STUFF
THAT PEOPLE WOULD BUY TO PUT IN THEIR KITCHENS OR KIDS ROOMS
-OST UNEXPECTED IS HOW MY STARTING A WEB LOG IN HAS FUELLED MY LOVE FOR CRAFT EVEN MORE )T WAS
!FTER COLLEGE ) ADOPTED ON THE NAME hFREELANCE
THERE THAT ) DISCOVERED OTHER WOMENS CRAFTY BLOGS
ILLUSTRATORv AND TOOK TO TRYING TO CONVINCE VARIOUS
AND WAS INSTANTLY INSPIRED 7HEN ) BEGAN MY OWN
MAGAZINES TO HIRE ME TO DRAW PICTURES FOR MONEY )
BLOG ) WAS AMAZED AT THE SUPPORTIVE INCLUSIVE NON
HAVE NEVER BEEN VERY GOOD AT THE CONVINCING PEOPLE
COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY ) HAD FALLEN INTO WITHOUT EVEN
PART BUT ENOUGH MAGAZINES HAVE JOINED IN ON THE
REALISING )T WAS A FEELING ) NEVER FELT THROUGHOUT ART
DEAL TO SATISFY ME
SCHOOL OR IN THE ART COMMUNITY WHICH ALWAYS FELT TO ME TO BE SO CUT THROAT HARSH AND UNFRIENDLY (AVING
-Y CREATIVITY WAS NEVER DISCOURAGED OR FROWNED UPON /PPOSITE 0AINTED STONES FROM 4ANIAS CHILDHOOD
"ELOW ! $ COLLAGE MADE FROM 4ANIAS ILLUSTRATIONS
4HIS 0AGE 4ANIAS INSPIRATION BOARD IS A COLLECTION OF BITS AND PIECES FROM OTHER ARTISTS /PPOSITE 6INTAGE TEACUPS PROVIDE INSPIRATION
THIS SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY NOW MEANS AN ALWAYS
MOOD A KISS FROM HIM LIGHTS ALL KINDS OF IMAGES IN MY
AVAILABLE SOUNDING BOARD FOR NEW IDEAS A WONDERFUL
BRAIN OF THINGS ) WANT TO MAKE 4HATS HOW ) KNOW
CHEERING COMMITTEE FOR IDEAS AND A PLACE TO SHOWCASE
HE IS RIGHT FOR ME ) ALWAYS TRY AND LOOK AT ORDINARY
WORKS IN PROGRESS
THINGS FROM NEW ANGLES AND TRY TO REMEMBER NOT TO TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED /VER THE YEARS ) HAVE KEPT
#URRENTLY CRAFTING FOR ME MEANS TIME SET ASIDE AS
SCRAP BOOKS FULL OF SNIPS FROM MAGAZINES OF ALL SORTS
A SAVOURED TREAT A BREAK FROM THE BUSYNESS OF THE
OF INSPIRING IMAGES ) LOOK THROUGH THESE BOOKS
WORLD TO JUST INDULGE AND MAKE SOMETHING FOR THE
REGULARLY TO BRING ME BACK TO A SENSE OF MYSELF AND
PURE PLEASURE OF IT 3OMETIMES IT IS ABOUT BEING
OF WHAT ) LIKE !LL THE PICTURES CHOSEN BY ME HAVE
STRUCK WITH A FUN PROJECT IDEA TO LATER SELL ON MY
COLLECTIVELY CREATED A SORT OF SAFETY ZONE A PLACE
WEB SITE OR JUST AN IDEA FOR AN ITEM ) WILL KEEP FOR
WHERE ) AM REMINDED OF THE RICHNESS AND BEAUTY
MYSELF )T IS THE JOY OF LEARNING TO KNIT SOMETHING )
IN THE WORLD AND OF WHAT SPECIl CALLY INSPIRES ME
NEVER DREAMED ) WOULD BE ABLE TO l GURE OUT AND
) SOMETIMES ALSO KEEP LISTS OF THINGS ) ENCOUNTER
THEN SEEING MY OWN PROGRESS AS ) AM ABLE TO TAKE
DURING MY DAYS
ON MORE AND MORE COMPLICATED PROJECTS )T IS THE SURPRISED SATISFACTION OF MAKING A LITTLE THING FOR
) ALSO HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE TO WORK PART TIME IN A
MYSELF ONLY TO l ND THAT THERE IS A MARKET AND OTHER
DESIGN LIBRARY WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GREAT
PEOPLE WILL BUY IT )T IS THE AMAZED FEELING WHEN
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND INTERESTING BOOKS !LSO
YOU PRODUCE SOMETHING OR OTHER POST ABOUT IT ON THE BLOG AND RECEIVE WONDERFUL POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD 4HIS LAST PART TRULY AMAZES ME IT IS THE ONE OF MOST SURPRISING AND FUN PARTS OF MY LIFE TODAY
INSPIRATION )NSPIRATION COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND FORMS AND OFTEN IN ORDINARY MOMENTS OF MY DAYS 4HE ONE THING ALL THE CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS BOOK HAVE IN COMMON IS OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE ONLINE CRAFTING WEBLOG COMMUNITY AND ) GET BOUNDLESS INSPIRATION FROM ALL THE WORK ) SEE THERE /N A MORE PERSONAL LEVEL THE LITTLEST THINGS ARE WHAT USUALLY INSPIRE ME 2IGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE INSPIRATION MIGHT BE SEEING AN ICY FROST PATTERN ON A SEWER GRATE A m OCK OF PIGEONS DOING A LOOP DE LOOP A FUNNY HAND PAINTED SIGN IN THE BUTCHER SHOP ACROSS THE STREET OR SEEING A MUM AND BABY WALK BY )N AND AROUND MY CITY A WALK TO WORK THROUGH THE PARK ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL BETTER AND MORE INSPIRED SEEING INTERESTING THINGS IN SHOP WINDOWS NOTICING WHAT CLOTHES PEOPLE ARE WEARING AND HAVING A NICE CUP OF TEA ALONG THE WAY 3OMETIMES EVEN KISSING MY l ANCÏ INSPIRES ME )F ) AM IN A PARTICULARLY GOOD
4().'3 4(!4 ).30)2% -%
BUNDLES OF STICKS
TOAST AND JAM
THERE ARE l LES AND l LES OF IMAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPILED FROM THE S ONWARD AND ARE USED AS REFERENCE MATERIAL ) ALWAYS LOVE TO LOOK THROUGH THEM AS OFTEN ) WILL l ND SOMETHING OF INTEREST IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACES
S PATTERNED SAUCERS
A LOVELY COOL SUMMER
DIM SUM
WORKSPACE
CUTE STICKERS
) WORK IN A NORTH FACING ROOM ABOVE A MAIN STREET IN
SWIMMING AT SANDBANKS BEACH
A BEDROOM APARTMENT THAT ) SHARE WITH MY l ANCÏ ) HAVE A NICE LONG FOLDING TABLE UNDER THE WINDOW AS
l REm IES
HANDSOME MEN ON BICYCLES
WINTER COMFORT FOODS
MY DESK AND BESIDE THAT MY COMPUTER TABLE WHERE ) WORK ON A NEW )-!# ' THAT ) LOVE ) SURROUND MYSELF WITH ALL SORTS OF BOOKS KNICK KNACKS AN INSPIRATION BOARD AND ART SUPPLIES -Y CATS ARE USUALLY CLOSE BY SNORING UNDER THE DESK OR ON A CHAIR ) ALWAYS HAVE
BUYING NEW SHAMPOO
LEMONS IN A NICE BOWL
SKATING ON THE RIDEAU CANAL
NICE CUP OF TEA
FAT m UFFY SNOWm AKES
MUSIC OR THE RADIO ON AND USUALLY HAVE A CUP OF TEA ON THE GO TOO ) TEND TO WORK IN HERE ON WEEKDAY MORNINGS AND GO TO MY JOB IN THE AFTERNOONS ) DO ANYTHING FROM WORKING ON ILLUSTRATION JOBS SKETCHING OUT NEW IDEAS AND THOUGHTS PACKAGING ORDERS FROM MY WEB STORE EXPOSING NEW SILKSCREENS PAYING BILLS AND OF COURSE ANSWERING E MAILS AND UPDATING MY BLOG OR WEB SITE 4HE TABLE IN THE STUDIO IS USUALLY COVERED IN PILES OF PAPER THAT ) TIDY UP PERIODICALLY
"ELOW )NSPIRING CHILDRENS BOOKS FROM 4ANIAS COLLECTION
AS WELL AS PENS #$S INKS AND BRUSHES A DAY TIMER AND TO DO LIST NOTEBOOK AND ANY NUMBER OF BITS AND BOBS ) l ND INSPIRING AT THAT MOMENT 4HE ONLY PART OF MY CRAFTY ENDEAVOURS THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN HERE IS THE FABRIC PART OF THEM ) SEW AND SILKSCREEN THINGS IN THE BACK ROOM OF THIS APARTMENT A BRICK UNHEATED ADDITION WHICH HAS WONDERFUL SOUTH FACING LIGHT ) AM LUCKY TO HAVE THIS EXTRA SPACE FOR DOING THE MESSY OR CUMBERSOME PARTS OF PROJECTS BECAUSE THERE REALLY IS NOT ROOM IN MY STUDIO -Y l ANCÏ AND ) HAVE JUST BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE AND ) KNOW ) WILL MISS THE SPACIOUS WORKING ENVIRONMENT ) HAVE BEEN ENJOYING HERE FOR THE LAST SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS
/PPOSITE 4OP )LLUSTRATION BY 4ANIA (OWELLS /PPOSITE "OTTOM 4HE CONTENTS OF 4ANIAS SEWING
BOX
.EEDLE #ASE $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT &OR THIS CASE ) USED THE DENIM FROM A TOO LONG JEAN SKIRT AND A MACHINE STITCHED VERSION OF ONE OF MY BIRDS THAT WAS A GIFT FROM A BLOG READER 4HE INSIDE FABRIC WAS ALSO A GIFT AND THE WHITE FABRIC WAS THRIFTED ) PRINTED IT WITH A SILKSCREEN OF BLACK BIRDS AND THEN STAMP DECORATED IT FURTHER 9OU CAN EMBELLISH IT ANY WAY YOU LIKE WITH IRON ON TRANSFERS STAMPS PATTERNS MADE WITH DIFFERENT COLOR THREADS SEWN ON STENCILS DYING QUILTING WHATEVER YOU MIGHT LIKE TO TRY ! LOT OF THE CASE IS PATCHED TOGETHER FROM SMALLER PIECES AND YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO USE SCRAPS OF DIFFERENT PRINTS OR COLORS TO ADD UP AND MAKE THE CORRECT SIZED PIECES $ONT BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT 2EMEMBER THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WILL BE WEARING SO IT CAN BE A BIT MORE WILD IF YOU FEEL LIKE PLAYING
0ROJECTS
:AKKA 3TYLE 0OUCH 3HIBORI &ELTED 0IECE -ATERIALS
3KEIN 3UPERBULKY 0URE 7OOL FROM WWWHANDPAINTEDYARN COM IN COLOURWAY @0ARIS .IGHT
MM .EEDLES
3ELECTION OF SMALL PEBBLES OR BEADS
3QUARES OF PLASTIC FOOD lLM CUT INTO APPROXIMATELY CM SQUARES
3MALL RUBBER BANDS 4ENSION STROWS CM SQUARE !NY PURE WOOL WILL WORK BUT IT MUST BE WOOL 3INGLE PLY WOOLS TEND TO BE SOFTER AND FELT MORE DENSELY #AST ON ST +NIT IN ST ST FOR ROWS #AST OFF LOOSELY 0LACE A BEAD TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE KNITTED PIECE AND PUSH UP TO COVER THE BUBBLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WITH A PIECE OF lLM AND SECURE IN PLACE WITH A RUBBER BAND 4HE CLING lLM ENSURES THAT THIS PART OF THE KNIT WILL NOT FELT WHEN IT IS FULLED IN THE MACHINE GIVING SOME TEXTURAL DIFFERENCE TO THE PIECE %NSURE THE RUBBER BAND HOLDING THE BEAD AND lLM IN PLACE IS SECURE #ONTINUE PLACING THE BEADS ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE KNIT IN RANDOM PATTERNS AND GROUPINGS ODD NUMBER GROUPINGS WORK BEST VISUALLY $ONT GO TOO CLOSE TO EDGES THOUGH LEAVING ABOUT CM BORDER IF POSSIBLE 0LACE BEADED PIECE IN AN OLD PILLOWCASE AND CLOSE !DD THIS TO THE WASHING MACHINE ALONG WITH ITEMS TO HELP AGITATION OLD SNEAKERS TENNIS BALLS A TOWEL ETC ./4% 3OME YARN CAN LOSE A LOT OF DYE n IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE COLOURFASTNESS OF THE WOOL YOU ARE FELTING PLEASE USE OLD PILLOWCASES TOWELS AND OBJECTS IN THE WASHING MACHINE !DD A SMALL DOLLOP OF WOOL WASH DETERGENT 0UT THE MACHINE ON THE HOTTEST WATER SETTING AND SET THE MACHINE #HECK ON PROGRESS EVERY MINUTES TILL YOU HAVE THE DESIRED AMOUNT OF FELTING 4HIS PIECE IN MY MACHINE TOOK MINUTES 2EMOVE FROM MACHINE AND RINSE THOROUGHLY AND HANG TO DRY 9OU CAN BLOCK IT IF YOU FEEL IT NEEDS SHAPING BUT THE PIECE WILL PULL INTO SHAPE WHEN SEWN /NCE DRY REMOVE lLM RUBBER BANDS AND BEADSPEBBLES
+NITTED 0OUCH "OTTOM -ATERIALS
G BALL OF 2OWAN PLY #OTTON COLOUR
MM 53 DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES 4ENSION STROWS CM /THER WOOL COMBINATIONS CAN BE USED HOWEVER COTTON GIVES A RIGIDITY AND TIGHTNESS OF WEAVE WHICH IS GOOD FOR A POUCH BOTTOM 9OU CAN ALWAYS GO DOWN A NEEDLE SIZE TO GET A TIGHTER KNIT AS WELL #AST ON ST TO EACH OF NEEDLES n ST TOTAL *OIN YARN FOR WORKING IN THE ROUND ENSURING STITCHES ARE NOT TWISTED ACROSS THE NEEDLES +NIT EVERY ROW UNTIL PIECE MEASURES CM FROM CAST ON EDGE "EGIN SHAPING 2 n .EEDLE + +TOG + TO LAST ST +TOG + 2EPEAT ACROSS REMAINING NEEDLES 2 n +NIT 2EPEAT 2 AND 2 TILL ST REMAIN ON EACH NEEDLE ST TOTAL ENDING WITH A 2 %ACH ROW n 2 DECREASE EACH ROW TILL ST REMAIN ON EACH NEEDLE TOTAL #UT YARN LEAVING A CM TAIL 4HREAD A WOOL NEEDLE AND STARTING WITH THE NEXT ST IN TURN THREAD THE NEEDLE THROUGH EACH ST DRAWING THE TAIL YARN THROUGH AS YOU SLIP THE STITCHES OFF THE NEEDLE AND IN SO DOING PULLING THE STITCHES CLOSE WITH THE YARN TO CLOSE THE BOTTOM OF THE POUCH 4IE THE YARN ON THE WRONG SIDE TO SECURE AND WEAVE IN ENDS THOROUGHLY BEFORE TRIMMING EXCESS YARN AWAY ,IGHTLY STEAM PRESS 0OUCH "ODY
CM
&IG
-ATERIALS
7HITE LINEN NAPKIN
3CRAPS OF COORDINATING FABRICS
2IBBON FOR THE TIE
%MBROIDERY THREAD AND NEEDLE $-# #OLOUR
"UTTONS
4RACING PAPER
&ABRIC PEN WHICH FADES
CM
-ATERIAL !
CM
3HIBORI &ELT
CM
-ATERIAL "#
CM
+NIT "OTTOM
3TEP /NE -EASURE THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE +NITTED 0OUCH "OTTOM AND ADD CM GIVES A CM SEAM ALLOWANCE 4HIS PIECE MEASURES CM 3TEP 4WO 4HE 0OUCH IS COMPOSED OF THE BASE PIECES IN &IG ABOVE
3TEP 4HREE /NCE YOU HAVE CUT OUT YOUR FABRIC STRIPS START PIECING THEM TOGETHER 4HE FABRIC STRIPS SHOWN ARE PIECED TOGETHER IN THE FOLLOWING WAY -ATERIAL ! n 3INGLE 0IECE -ATERIAL " n 0IECES OF COORDINATING FABRICS SEWN SIDE BY SIDE WITH CM SEAM ALLOWANCE AND TRIMMED TO CM SO THE PIECES ARE UNEVEN IN WIDTH 3TEP &OUR 0IECING TOGETHER A 7ITH RIGHT SIDES FACING PIN THE 3HIBORI FELT TO TOP OF -ATERIAL "# 3EW IN PLACE TAKING IT SLOWLY WITH THE FELT IN THE MACHINE ) SUGGEST OVERPINNING THE KNITTED PIECE TO THE MATERIAL TO STOP IT MOVING 4HE FELT WILL BE SOFT TO SEW AND SHOULD MOVE THROUGH THE NEEDLE EASILY B 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PIN THE 3HIBORI TO THE BOTTOM OF -ATERIAL ! AND AGAIN SEW IN PLACE C 7ITH WRONG SIDES TOGETHER PIN THE TOP OF -ATERIAL ! TO THE LINEN NAPKIN 4HIS SEAM WILL BE A &RENCH 3EAM 3EW VERY CLOSE TO THE EDGE n ABOUT MM FROM THE EDGE IN A STRAIGHT LINE 0RESS THE SEAM mAT TO ONE SIDE .EXT TURN THE FABRIC OVER TO THE WRONG SIDE AND PRESS THE SEAM TO A FOLDED POSITION 7ITH RIGHT SIDES FACING NOW SEW THE SEAM WITH CM ALLOWANCE AND PRESS mAT 4HIS WILL GIVE YOU A NEAT HIDDEN lNISHED SEAM AND THE LINEN WONT FRAY VISIBLY
2IGHT 3IDES
7RONG 3IDES
D 0RESS THE SEAM TO ONE SIDE AND ENSURE IT SITS mAT E 0RESS OPEN OTHER SEAMS AS BEST YOU CAN WITH THE 3HIBORI THICKNESS 3TEP &IVE 4URN OVER TOP OF LINEN NAPKIN TO CREATE THE RECESS FOR THE RIBBON TIE &IRST FOLD AND IRON DOWN ABOUT MM TOWARDS THE WRONG SIDE THEN FOLD AND IRON DOWN ANOTHER CM 3EW ACROSS CLOSE TO THE EDGE
RUNNING STITCH EMBROIDER ALONG THE LINES ENSURING YOU FOLLOW A MMMM STITCHGAP LENGTH RATIO THIS IS WHAT MAKES IT 3ASHIKO 3EW ON BUTTONS TO CREATE HIGHLIGHT 3TEP %IGHT 7ITH WRONG SIDES FACING PIN THE SIDE EDGES OF THE MATERIAL TOGETHER TO FORM A TUBE &RENCH SEAM AS BEFORE PRESSING CAREFULLY AT EACH STAGE %NSURE YOU ONLY SEW TO THE START OF THE TOP HEM FOLDOVER n IT NEEDS TO REMAIN OPEN FOR THE RIBBON 4URN TUBE INSIDE OUT 3TEP .INE 0LACE KNITTED POUCH BOTTOM INSIDE MAIN MATERIAL TUBE WITH BOTTOM OF TUBE EDGE LINING UP WITH TOP CAST ON EDGE OF POUCH 0IN OVERPIN IF POSSIBLE IN PLACE AND ENSURE KNITTING SITS mAT AGAINST THE MATERIAL n IT IS FAIRLY PLIABLE SO SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE MANIPULATED EASILY TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN 3TEP 4EN 3LOWLY AND CAREFULLY SEW THROUGH BOTH LAYERS CHECKING CONSTANTLY THE MATERIAL AND KNIT POSITIONS )T IS A GOOD IDEA TO DO THIS BY HAND 3TEP %LEVEN 4URN WHOLE PIECE RIGHT WAY ROUND AND PRESS GENTLY 3TEP 4WELVE 5SING APPROXIMATELY M OF RIBBON THREAD THIS THROUGH THE HEM TO CREATE A DRAWSTRING CLOSURE TO THE POUCH 4RIM RIBBON TO DESIRED LENGTH n ) LIKE TO LEAVE ABOUT A CM TAIL AT EITHER END ) LEAVE THE HEMMED OPENING UNlNISHED n WITH THE IDEA IT WILL FRAY AND WEAR GIVING THE POUCH SOME ROUGHNESS AND LIFE 9OU COULD HEM IT BUT IT WILL BECOME BULKY 3TEP &OURTEEN &ILL POUCH WITH KNITTING AND lND A NICE CAFÏ AND ORDER A COFFEE AND SOME CAKE
7RONG 3IDE
3TEP 3IX 0RESS lNISHED MATERIAL PIECE mAT READY FOR 3ASHIKO EMBROIDERY 3TEP 3EVEN $IVIDE YOUR $-# EMBROIDERY THREAD INTO STRAND LOTS 7ITH A FABRIC PEN MARK OUT SQIGGLE CIRCLE DESIGN ONTO LINEN 7ITH
1UILTED 4HROW -ATERIALS
YARDS LIGHT YELLOW COTTON
YARDS MEDIUM YELLOW COTTON
YARDS DARK YELLOW COTTON
MULTIPLE YARDS OF PATTERNED COTTON
YARD WHITE COTTON
&OR THE QUILT BACK SEVERAL PIECES OF VARYING YARDAGE PIECED TOGETHER TO MAKE A v X v BACK
v X v PIECE OF QUILT BATTING
7ATER SOLUBLE MARKING PEN FOR FABRIC 4O REPLICATE THE DETAILS ON THIS PIECE YOU WILL ALSO NEED A SEWING MACHINE THAT HAS A DARNING FOOT FOR FREE MOTION QUILTING OR THE ABILITY TO LOWER YOUR FEED DOGS 3TEP /NE #UT THE THREE SHADES OF YELLOW COTTON INTO v LENGTHS #UT THE LENGTHS INTO DIFFERENT WIDTHS AND LAY THEM OUT IN ROWS WHICH MEASURE v WIDE DONT FORGET YOUR SEAM ALLOWANCES ) START BY CREATING ONE ROW USUALLY WITH ABOUT DIFFERENT PIECES OF YELLOW PIECED TOGETHER 7HEN ) AM HAPPY WITH THAT SIZE ) SET IT ASIDE AND THEN MAKE THE OTHER ROWS THE SAME WAY WITH DIFFERENT YELLOWS PIECED TOGETHER BUILDING THE QUILT BY ROWS AS ) GO 4HERE ARE ROWS IN THE QUILT APPROXIMATELY v WIDE WHICH INCLUDES A INCH SEAM ALLOWANCE ) ALSO TAKE A LOT OF DIGITAL PHOTOS WHILE )M PLANNING SO ) CAN REFER TO THEM WHEN ) START SEWING 3EW THE STRIPS INTO ROWS BUT DONT SEW TOGETHER THE ROWS JUST YET
&IG
3TEP 4HREE 0IN THE SHAPES TO YOUR QUILT PLAYING WITH THE PLACEMENT OVER THE ROWS 9OU CAN MATCH THE LOOK OF MINE OR CHANGE THEM AROUND 7HEN YOU HAVE PLACED ALL OF THE SHAPES TAKE A DIGITAL PHOTO FOR REFERENCE 3TEP FOUR .OW THIS PART IS PRETTY ORGANIC $EPENDING ON WHERE YOUR SHAPES ARE YOU WILL NEED TO STITCH SOME ROWS TOGETHER BEFORE YOU MACHINE APPLIQUÏ THE SHAPES ON )T IS EASIER TO WORK ON AS FEW ROWS AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE ITS HARD TO MANEUVER A LARGE TOP THROUGH YOUR MACHINE 3O TRACE AROUND THE PLACEMENT OF ALL THE SHAPES WITH YOUR WATER SOLUBLE PEN AND TAKE THEM OFF KEEP TRACK OF WHAT OVAL GOES WHERE IN A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU THEN STITCH TOGETHER THE ROWS NEEDED TO MAKE A BACKGROUND FOR THE SHAPES 3TEP &IVE 0IN THE SHAPES ON THE ROWS WHERE YOU MARKED AND USING A TINY ZIGZAG IN WHITE STITCH THE OVAL TO THE TOP 5SE A LOT OF PINS ESPECIALLY ON THE BIG SHAPES BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO PUCKER
h
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3TEP 4WO 5SING A WATER SOLUBLE PEN DRAW OVALS IN DIFFERENT SIZES ON THE WHITE COTTON #UT OUT LEAVING ABOUT v EXTRA AROUND THE MARKED LINE #UT TABS TO THE MARKED LINE 2EMOVE THE LINE WITH WATER $O THIS BEFORE YOU IRON OR IT MIGHT NOT WASH OFF AND IRON ALL THE TABS TOWARD THE CENTER PRESSING CAREFULLY SO THERE ARE NO SHARP EDGES &IG
3TEP 3IX $O THIS COMBINATION OF STITCHING ROWS TOGETHER AND THE STITCHING ON OF THE SHAPES UNTIL ALL THE SHAPES ARE USED UP !DD ANY FREE MOTION hDRAWINGv IN A CONTRASTING THREAD AT THIS POINT IF YOU WANT TO ) JUST WING IT AND START DRAWING BUT YOU CAN ALSO DRAW SOMETHING OUT lRST WITH YOUR WATER SOLUBLE PEN AND FOLLOW THE LINE 3TEP 3EVEN .OW STITCH ANY REMAINING ROWS TOGETHER TO MAKE THE COMPLETE TOP 9OU MIGHT ONLY HAVE VERY LARGE PIECES LEFT AT THIS POINT
3TEP %IGHT .OW YOUR TOP IS DONE 3QUARE UP THE EDGES SO THE QUILT IS AS TRUE TO THE GRAIN AS POSSIBLE 3TEP .INE 0IECE TOGETHER THE BACK WITH FABRICS TO MAKE A PIECE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ABOUT v LARGER THAN THE QUILT TOP ) LOVE TO USE UNEXPECTED PATTERNS ON THE BACK AND NEVER HAVE ENOUGH WHICH IS WHY MY QUILTS LOOKS THIS WAY BUT YOU CAN ALSO JUST USE ONE SOLID COLOR 3TEP 4EN 3ANDWICH THE BACK BATTING AND TOP TOGETHER AND PIN LIKE CRAZY STARTING FROM THE CENTER OUTWARD 4HE CLOSER YOU PIN THE LESS PUCKERING YOU WILL GET WHEN YOU QUILT 4HIS TAKES A WHILE 3TEP %LEVEN -ACHINE QUILT THROUGH ALL LAYERS EITHER USING THE DESIGN ) DID WHICH IS A FREE HANDED LARGE SCALLOP YOU NEED TO USE A FREE MOTION SETTING ON YOU MACHINE OR YOU CAN JUST STITCH STRAIGHT ROWS IF YOU LIKE ! GOOD RULE IS THERE SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN ABOUT v BETWEEN QUILTING LINES TO PREVENT SHIFTING 4HIS WILL TAKE A LONG TIME 2OLL UP YOUR QUILT AS YOU GO AND TRY NOT TO RUSH THIS PART )TS HARD GETTING A BIG TOP THROUGH YOUR HOME MACHINE BUT IT CAN BE DONE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN &OLD THE BINDING OVER TO THE BACK OF THE QUILT AND SLIP STITCH THE FOLD EDGE TO THE BACK 4HIS TAKES FOREVER BUT IT IS THE ONLY WAY ) PUT ON QUILT BINDINGS BECAUSE IT ALWAYS LOOKS PERFECT AND GIVES YOU COMPLETE CONTROL 0LAN ON DOING THIS WHILE WATCHING MOVIES
SLIP STITCH BACK OF QUILT
3TEP &OURTEEN 7ASH AND DRY YOUR QUILT ) NEVER PRE WASH MY FABRICS FOR QUILTS BECAUSE ) LOVE THE WAY THEY PUCKER UP AND LOOK WHEN THEY SHRINK AND IT HIDES BUMPS AND IMPERFECTIONS
3TEP 4WELVE -AKE THE BINDING BY CUTTING v WIDE STRIPS OF YELLOW AND PIECING IN CONTRASTING FABRICS IF YOU LIKE -AKE THE STRIP LONG ENOUGH TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND YOUR QUILT )RON ALL THIS IN HALF RIGHT SIDES FACING OUT 3EW THE RAW EDGES OF THE BINDING ALL THE WAY AROUND v FROM THE EDGE
BINDING WRONG SIDE UP FOLDED EDGE OF BINDING
RAW EDGES
QUILT TOP
-ARKET "AG -ATERIALS ³ YARD 0RINT /NE YARD 0RINT 4WO YARD ,INING &ABRIC YARD 0IPING YARD 2IBBON
.OTES !LL SEAMS ARE SEWN WITH A ©v SEAM ALLOWANCE n THIS IS BUILT INTO THE BELOW MEASUREMENTS
3TEP /NE &ROM 0RINT /NE CUT THE FOLLOWING ! v X v X /UTER "AG " v X v X (ANDLES # v X v X #ASING &ROM 0RINT 4WO CUT THE FOLLOWING $ v X v X /UTER "AG % v X v X 0OCKET &ROM YOUR LINING FABRIC CUT THE FOLLOWING & v X v X ,INING
ANY WRINKLES 0IN IT mAT -ARK A LINE v ACROSS WITH THE CENTRE v ON THE SEAM 3EW ALONG THIS LINE REPEAT FOR OTHER CORNER #UT OFF THE EXTRA CORNER FABRIC REMEMBERING TO LEAVE AT LEAST ©v
' 3TEP 4WO ! 3EW ONE PIECE ! TO A PIECE $ RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SANDWICHING THE PIPING ' IN BETWEEN 2EPEAT WITH THE OTHER PIECES ! AND $
$
3TEP 4HREE 4AKE THE TWO PIECES YOUVE JUST CREATED AND MATCH THEM UP RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER -AKE SURE THE PIPING ON EITHER END LINES UP ON BOTH PIECES 0IN AND SEW AROUND THE SIDES AND BOTTOM
3TEP 3IX 4O CREATE THE HANDLES USE THE TWO " STRIPS )RON BOTH SIDES IN ³v THEN FOLD THE STRIP IN HALF AND IRON 3EW DOWN THE OPEN SIDES ©v FROM THE EDGE 2EPEAT FOR THE SECOND HANDLE
3TEP 3EVEN 4O CREATE THE POCKET FOLD PIECE % IN HALF RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER AND SEW UP EITHER SIDE 4URN IT RIGHT SIDE OUT AND IRON mAT &OLD THE lNISHED EDGE UP SO THAT IT FALLS v SHORT OF THE UNlNISHED EDGES 3EW UP EITHER SIDE RAW EDGES h RAW EDGES
FOLD
FOLD
3TEP %IGHT 4URN THE LINING RIGHT SIDE OUT ,INING UP THE EDGES PIN THE POCKET TO THE CENTRE TOP OF THE LINING PIN
POCKET
LINING RIGHT SIDE
3TEP &OUR 7ITH THE BAG STILL INSIDE OUT TAKE ONE CORNER AND BRING THE TWO SEAMS TOGETHER 4HE CORNER SHOULD STILL BE A RIGHT ANGLE AND YOU SHOULD SMOOTH OUT
h
3TEP &IVE 5SING THE PANELS FOR THE LINING & REPEAT STEPS THREE AND FOUR
&ROM YOUR PIPING CUT THE FOLLOWING ' v X &ROM YOUR RIBBON CUT THE FOLLOWING ( X
h SEAM
3TEP .INE /N THE OUTSIDE FABRIC MEASURE SIX INCHES IN FROM EITHER SIDE AND USE THESE MARKS TO CENTRE THE HANDLE 0IN IT AS SHOWN MAKING SURE IT IS NOT TWISTED 2EPEAT ON OTHER SIDE FOR SECOND HANDLE 4URN THIS PIECE INSIDE OUT
&IG
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LINING RIGHT SIDE
PIN HANDLE
OUTSIDE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE
OUTSIDE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE
3TEP 4EN 0LACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUT LINING INSIDE THE OUTSIDE FABRIC ,INE UP THE SEAMS ON EITHER SIDE AND PIN TOGETHER MAKING SURE THE RAW EDGES ARE EVEN ALL THE WAY AROUND 3EW AROUND LEAVING A v HOLE TO TURN PIECE THROUGH
THE SHORT ENDS OPEN !LTERNATIVELY YOU CAN MAKE THE CASING STRIPS WIDER AND MACHINE SEW THEM TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAG AFTER STEP FOUR
PIN
LINING WRONG SIDE
h HANDLE
h CENTRE
OUTSIDE FABRIC WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN
3TEP %LEVEN 4URN THE ENTIRE PIECE RIGHT SIDE OUT AND PUT THE LINING INSIDE THE BAG -AKING SURE THE POCKET IS IN SIDE THE BAG PRESS THE SEAM mAT AND THEN STITCH AROUND THE TOP OF THE BAG CLOSING YOUR TURNING HOLE IN THE PROCESS &IG 3TEP 4WELVE
4HREAD ONE PIECE OF RIBBON THROUGH THE CASING BEGINNING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BAG AND ENDING ON THE SAME SIDE 4HREAD THE SECOND PIECE OF RIBBON THROUGH IN THE SAME FASHION BUT START ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BAG /NCE THEYRE IN PLACE EITHER TIE A KNOT IN THE ENDS OF THE RIBBONS OR TIE ON A BEAD SO THE ENDS CANNOT SLIP BACK THROUGH THE CASING 4O CINCH UP THE BAG PULL ALL RIBBONS AT ONE AND TIE EACH PAIR IN A BOW TO SECURE
5SING THE CASING PIECES # IRON IN EITHER SIDE ³v AND TUCK UNDER AND IRON THE SHORT ENDS BY ³v AS WELL 0IN THESE IN PLACE v FROM THE TOP OF THE BAG 3TART JUST OFF CENTRE OF ONE HANDLE AND END JUST SHORT OF CENTRE ON THE OTHER SIDE 2EPEAT WITH THE SECOND STRIP FOR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BAG 3LIP STITCH THE CASING TO THE BAG ON ALL SIDES LEAVING
&ABRIC 3CARF AND "ROOCH -ATERIALS
YARDS OF FABRIC IF YOU USE A DIFFERENT PRINT FOR THE FRONT AND BACK YOU WILL NEED TWO YARD LENGTHS
SEVERAL SCRAPS OF COORDINATING FABRIC FOR THE BROOCH
v X v PIECE OF HEAVY COTTON CANVAS
BUTTON
3EW ON PIN BACK
&LEXIBLE PEMANENT FABRIC GLUE SUCH AS !LEENES /+ 4O 7ASH )T
#OORDINATING EMBROIDERY mOSS 3CARF )NSTRUCTIONS 3TEP /NE /PEN AND REFOLD YOUR FABRIC SO THE TWO CUT ENDS ARE TOGETHER &ROM THE FOLD MEASURE AND CUT A PIECE WHICH IS v WIDE AND v LONG 9OU SHOULD HAVE A PIECE WHICH IS v WIDE AND v LONG WHEN UNFOLDED 2EPEAT FOR SECOND SIDE 3TEP 4WO 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PINE THE TWO PIECES TOGETHER LEAVING A v HOLE ON ONE OF THE SHORT SIDES FOR TURNING 3EW AROUND ALL FOUR SIDES LEAVING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE AND REMEMBER TO LEAVE THE TURNING HOLE OPEN 3TEP 4HREE )RON THE SEAM BACK FROM THE HOLE CLIP THE CORNERS AND TURN THE PIECE RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TEP /NE 0RESS mAT AND SLIP STITCH THE OPENING CLOSED 9OUR SCARF IS lNISHED "ROOCH )NSTRUCTIONS 3TEP /NE #HOOSE THREE COORDINATING PATTERNS FOR YOUR BROOCH &ROM ONE PRINT CUT A PIECE v X v FOR THE FRONT &ROM ANOTHER C UT A PIECE v X v FOR THE MIDDLE &ROM THE THIRD CUT A PIECE v X v FOR THE BACK 3TEP 4WO &OR THE FRONT PIECE TRIM ONE LONG EDGE WITH PINKING OR SCALLOPING SHEARS -AKE A RUNNING STITCH ALONG THE UNTRIMMED LONG SIDE LEAVING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
#ONNECT THE TWO ENDS OF THREAD AND GATHER THE FABRIC ALONG THE RUNNING STITCH TO CREATE A TIGHT CIRCLE /NCE TIGHTENED TIE THE TWO ENDS OF THE THREAD TOGETHER IN A KNOT !RRANGE THE PLEATS SO ITS FAIRLY EVEN ALL THE WAY AROUND AND SET THIS PIECE ASIDE
ENDS OF THREAD
3TEP 4HREE &OR THE MIDDLE PIECE OF THE mOWER FOLD THE FABRIC IN HALF LENGTHWISE AND lNGER PRESS ALONG THE FOLD
FOLD RAW EDGES 3KIPPING THE PINKING SHEARS FOLLOW THE SAME DIRECTIONS FROM STEP TWO TO CREATE ANOTHER CIRCLE 3TEP &OUR &OR THE BACK PIECE TRACE THE CIRCLE TEMPLATE ONTO YOUR PIECE OF FABRIC AND CUT OUT SEE PAGE FOR THE TEMPLATE 4HEN MAKE v DEEP CUTS v APART ALL AROUND THE EDGE OF THE CIRCLE !FTER CLIPPING @ROUGH UP THE EDGES A BIT WITH YOUR lNGERS TO GIVE IT TEXTURE 3TEP &IVE 3TACK THE THREE mOWER PIECES ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND TOP WITH YOUR CHOSEN BUTTON 3EW ALL THESE PIECES TOGETHER GOING THROUGH THE HOLES OF THE BUTTON 3TEP 3IX 5SING THE SECOND CIRCLE TEMPLATE ALSO ON PAGE CUT OUT THE BACK SUPPORT FROM YOUR HEAVY COTTON CANVAS 3EW THE PIN BACK TO THE CENTER OF THIS PIECE 3TEP 3EVEN 3PREAD THE FABRIC GLUE OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BACK SUPPORT AND PRESS THE BACK OF YOUR mOWER TO IT !LLOW IT TO FULLY DRY AND YOUR mOWER BROOCH IS lNISHED
0ATCHWORK 0URSE -ATERIALS &OR THE PURSE
3TRIPS OF FABRIC v WIDE
,INING FABRIC v X v
)NTERFACING OR TO PIECES OF PLAIN COTTON FABRIC FOR INTERLINING SAME SIZE AS LINING
BUTTONS
,ENGTH OF CORD APPROX v LONG
%MBROIDERY THREAD
3TEP &OUR 4URN RIGHT SIDE OUT AND STITCH GAP CLOSED 3TEP &IVE &OLD OVER ABOUT v FROM BOTTOM EDGE TO MAKE YOUR PURSE SHAPE AND THEN BLANKETSTITCH THE SIDES TOGETHER "LANKET STITCH AROUND REMAINING EDGES FOR A SMART DECORATIVE lNISH
&OR THE CORSAGE
3CRAPS OF FABRIC APPROX v SQUARE
BUTTON
BROOCH BACKPIN BACK 0URSE 3TEP /NE 'ATHER TOGETHER YOUR FABRIC STRIPS AND WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY STITCH TOGETHER UNTIL YOUR PIECE IS APPROXIMATELY v LONG
3TEP 3IX !TTACH A BUTTON TO THE FRONT OF YOUR PURSE APPROXIMATELY v FROM THE BOTTOM EDGE AND THEN THREAD YOUR CORD THROUGH YOUR OTHER BUTTON AND ATTACH TO THE mAP AS SHOWN
v
v
3TEP 4WO #UT YOUR LINING AND INTERLINING FABRIC S TO THE SAME SIZE AS YOUR PATCHWORK 3TEP 4HREE 0UT YOUR PATCHWORK AND LINING FABRICS RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PLACE YOUR INTERLING ON THE TOP AND PIN TOGETHER 3TITCH TOGETHER LEAVING A GAP FOR TURNING
#ORSAGE 3TEP /NE #UT SIX PETALS AND ONE CIRCLE FROM YOUR CHOSEN FABRICS 4HE TEMPLATES ARE ON PAGE 3TEP 4WO 3TACK ALL THE PIECES UP AND STITCH TOGETHER THROUGH THE CENTRE OF EACH PETAL lNISHING OFF WITH A BUTTON 3TEP 4HREE 3EW ON THE BROOCH BACK AND PIN TO YOUR BAG
,IBRARY 4OTE -ATERIALS !LL SIZE GUIDES ABOVE INCLUDE SEAM ALLOWANCES 0LEASE REMEMBER TO ALLOW v EXTRA FOR EACH SEWN EDGE IF YOU ARE MAKING THIS BAG TO YOUR OWN SPECIlCATIONS
PIECES FABRIC FOR OUTSIDE OF BAG &OR THIS BAG ) USED v WIDE X v TALL 4RY TO CHOOSE FABRIC WITH A REASONABLY HEAVY WEAVE FOR DURABILITY AND STRENGTH SUCH AS DENIM CORDUROY UPHOLSTERY WEIGHT COTTON OR LINEN
PIECES OF CONTRASTING FABRIC USING SAME MEASUREMENTS AS ABOVE FOR INSIDE OF BAG ! LIGHTWEIGHT QUILTING COTTON WAS USED HERE
,ENGTH OF FABRIC FOR STRAP ACCORDING TO YOUR DESIRED WIDTH AND LENGTH ) USED v X v WHICH RESULTS IN A THIN STRAP OF ABOUT v WIDE !GAIN IT IS BEST TO USE A HEAVILY WOVEN FABRIC FOR STRENGTH )F YOU WISH TO USE A LIGHTWEIGHT FABRIC IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU REINFORCE IT WITH SOME IRON ON INTERFACING BEFORE SEWING
&ABRIC FOR POCKET v X v
!BOUT v OF v BIAS BINDING !LTERNATIVELY MAKE YOUR OWN BINDING TO MATCH FABRIC USED INSIDE BAG
3TEP /NE #UT PIECES OF FABRIC AS SPECIlED IN MATERIALS LIST
3TEP &IVE 0IN BINDING INTO PLACE ON TOP OF POCKET AND SEW IN LEAVING APPROXIMATELY MM AT EACH END 2EMOVE GATHERING THREADS
FOLDED BINDING
3TEP 3IX 0IN POCKET TO PIECE OF FABRIC THAT YOU WILL USE FOR THE FRONT OF YOUR BAG TUCKING BINDING EDGES UNDER TO PRODUCE A NEAT EDGE AT TOP OF POCKET 4HIS WILL MAKE A SELF LINED POCKET 3EW INTO PLACE ALONG EDGES PUT ASIDE
FRONT OF BAG
3TEP 3EVEN 0RESS STRAP FABRIC AS SHOWN n FOLDING STRAP IN HALF LENGTHWISE AND FOLDING EDGES IN A FURTHER MM AS YOU IRON 3EW THIS LENGTH TOGETHER ALONG LONG EDGE AS CLOSE TO EDGE AS POSSIBLE ABOUT MM IS GOOD 0UT ASIDE
3TEP 4WO &OLD POCKET FABRIC IN HALF ON LONG EDGE WITH RIGHT SIDES FACING MAKING A RECTANGLE OF APPROX v WIDE X v HIGH RAW EDGES
3TEP 4HREE 3EW UP THE SHORT SIDES OF POCKET TURN INSIDE OUT AND PRESS
RAW EDGES
3TEP %IGHT 7ITH YOUR TWO PIECES OF CUT FABRIC FACING RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW BAG LINING ALONG THE TWO LONG EDGES AND ONE SHORT EDGE n LEAVING A HOLE OF ABOUT CM IN THE LATTER 4HE REMAINING OPEN EDGE WILL BE THE TOP OPENING OF YOUR BAG 4URN RIGHT SIDE OUT
FOLDED EDGE
3TEP .INE 0LACE PIECES OF FABRIC TO BE USED FOR OUTSIDE OF BAG RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER MAKING SURE POCKET IS FACING RIGHT SIDE UP AND
FOLDED EDGE
3TEP &OUR 2UN A GATHERING SEAM APPROX MM BELOW UNSEWN LONG EDGE TOP OF POCKET 0ULL THREADS TO GATHER FABRIC UNTIL YOU REACH YOUR DESIRED SIZE FOR POCKET OPENING v HERE v
LINING WRONG SIDE
SEW ALONG SAME EDGES AS IN 3TEP %IGHT 4HIS TIME DO NOT LEAVE A HOLE IN THE SHORT EDGE STRAP ENDS PIN IN PLACE
3TEP 4EN ,EAVING OUTSIDE OF BAG INSIDE OUT PLACE SEWN STRAP INSIDE BAG AND PIN ENDS INTO PLACE AT THE UNSEWN TOP OF THE BAG ON THE SIDE SEAMS 2EMEMBER TO ENSURE YOUR STRAP IS NOT TWISTED TO ALLOW FOR A NEAT COMFORTABLE DRAPE
3TEP %LEVEN 0LACE THE BAG LINING STILL TURNED RIGHT SIDE OUT INSIDE THE BAG SO THAT THE TWO RIGHT SIDES ARE FACING WITH THE STRAP SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN 0IN BOTH LAYERS TOGETHER ALONG TOP OPEN EDGE 3EW ALONG TOP PERIMETER TO SECURE BAG LINING AND STRAP
4HESE ARE THE CIRCLE TEMPLATES FOR THE &LOWER "ROOCH )NSTRUCTIONS ARE ON PAGE
OUTER BAG WRONG SIDE
LINING WRONG SIDE
CIRCLE TEMPLATE BACK FLOWER PIECE v WIDE
OUTSIDE FABRIC WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 4URN INSIDE OUT THROUGH HOLE IN BOTTOM OF LINING
3TEP &OURTEEN 0RESS BAG PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO TOP PERIMETER 2UN ANOTHER SEAM ALONG THE TOP EDGE 4HIS WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A PROFESSIONAL lNISH AND GIVE EXTRA STRENGTH AND SECURITY TO THE STRAP
CIRCLE TEMPLATE BACK SUPPORT v WIDE LINING RIGHT SIDE
3TEP &IFTEEN 3EW UP HOLE IN THE LINING OF YOUR BAG AND EMBELLISH YOUR TOTE AS DESIRED 0OP YOUR LIBRARY CARD IN THE POCKET AND LOAD HER UP WITH BOOKS
OUTSIDE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE
4ISSUE #OVER
3TEP 3IX 3EW TRIANGLE HOUSE PARTS TO THE ROOF SIDES 2EPEAT FOR INSIDE PIECES
-ATERIALS 3TEP 3EVEN 4HEN SEW THE LAST SIDES ON ALL THE HOUSE PARTS 2EPEAT FOR INSIDE PIECES
YARDS OF VARIOUS PRINTS PREFERABLY OF A MEDIUM TO HEAVY WEIGHT COTTON 9OU CAN MIX AND MATCH PATTERNS FOR EACH PIECE OF THE HOUSE
"LACK FELT AND WHITE FELT FOR THE EYES
%MBROIDERY mOSS
3TEP /NE #UT THE FOLLOWING PIECES
(OUSE 3IDES v X v X FROM OUTSIDE FABRIC X FROM INSIDE FABRIC
2OOF 3IDES v X v X FROM OUTSIDE ROOF FABRIC X FROM INSIDE FABRIC 3EE 0ATTERN FOR #HIMNEY (OLE
#HIMNEY v X v X
2OOF 4RIANGLE 3EE 0ATTERN 0IECES X OF OUTER FABRIC X OF INNER FABRIC
%YES 3EE 0ATTERN 0IECES !LL MEASUREMENTS INCLUDE v SEAM ALLOWANCE 3TEP 4WO 4AKE CHIMNEY PEICES AND SEW ALL FOUR TOGETHER ALONG THE LONG EDGES
3TEP %IGHT .OW YOU WILL HAVE TWO HOUSES ONE MADE FROM INNER FABRICS ONE FROM OUTER 3TEP .INE .OW YOU WANT TO SANDWITCH THE HOUSES SO THE RIGHT SIDES OF THE FABRIC ARE FACING EACH OTHER )T DOESNT MATTER WHICH HOUSE IS ON THE OUTSIDE JUST MAKE SURE TO LINE UP ALL THE HOUSE PARTS SO THEY lT TOGETHER NICELY 3TEP 4EN 7ITH YOUR SEWING MACHINE SEW ALONG THE BOTTOM EDGES LEAVING ONE SIDE OPEN 4HIS IS SO YOU CAN TURN THE HOUSES RIGHT SIDE OUT -AKE CAREFUL NOTE WHEN SEWING TO LINE UP ALL THE CORNERS ON THE HOUSE
WRONG SIDES
RIGHT SIDES
3TEP 4HREE .EXT TURN THE CHIMNEY RIGHT SIDE OUT AND THEN TUCK HALF OF THE CHIMNEY INSIDE ITSELF
HALF TUCKED INSIDE
RIGHT SIDES
WRONG SIDE RIGHT SIDES
RIGHT SIDE
3TEP %LEVEN .EXT TURN THE HOUSE RIGHT SIDE OUT CAREFULLY SEW ALONG THE EDGE TO KEEP THE HOUSE FROM CURLING 7HEN YOU GET THE THE SIDE THAT WAS NOT SEWN JUST TUCK THE ENDS IN AND SEW IT CLOSED
3TEP 4WELVE ,INE UP THE SQUARE OPENING FOR THE CHIMNEY IN THE ROOF
3TEP &OUR 4AKE THE TWO ROOF SIDE PIECES CUT FROM THE OUTSIDE FABRIC AND PLACE THEM RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3EW ALONG ONE OF THE v SIDES 2EPEAT WITH THE INSIDE ROOF PIECES 3TEP &IVE 3EW TRIANGLES TO TWO OF THE OUTSIDE HOUSE SIDES 2EPEAT WITH TWO OF THE INSIDE HOUSE SIDES
WRONG SIDES
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 7ORKING ONE SIDE AT A TIME HAND STITCH THE CHIMNEY TO THE OUTER SIDE OF THE HOUSE 5SE SMALL NEAT STITCHES AND A THREAD COLOR THAT WILL BLEND IN WITH YOUR FABRIC )F YOU lND YOUR HOLE TOO SMALL ITS OK 9OU CAN CAREFULLY TUCK THE FABRIC A LITTLE AS YOU GO ALONG 9OU DO NOT WANT THE HOLE TO BE TOO BIG AT ALL 3TEP &OURTEEN 4URN THE HOUSE WRONG SIDE OUT AND lNISH STITCHING THE
CHIMNEY ON THIS SIDE )F YOU CAN SEE THE STITCHES MORE ON THIS SIDE IT WONT MATTER 4HEY WILL BE INSIDE AND NOT BE SEEN ONCE THE HOUSE IS COMPLETE
WHERE THE EYES WILL GO -AKE SURE YOU ARE ONLY STITCHING THROUGH THE TOP LAYER OF FABRIC SO THE STICHES WONT SHOW ON THE UNDERSIDE
3TEP &IFTEEN ,ASTLY TURN THE HOUSE RIGHT SIDES OUT AGAIN AND CHOOSE WHICH SIDE YOUD LIKE THE FACE ON
3TEP 3EVENTEEN 5SE FABRIC GLUE TO GLUE EYES OVER THE END KNOTS 3TEP %IGHTEEN /NCE COMPLETLY DRY PULL HOUSE OVER TISSUE BOX USE ONE HAND TO PULL THE lRST TISSUE UP THROUGH THE CHIMNEY TO LOOK LIKE SMOKE "E CAREFUL NOT TO PULL THE TISSUE OUT TOO FAR
v
3TEP 3IXTEEN 5SING RED EMBROIDERY THREAD BACKSTITCH A MOUTH 9OU CAN HIDE YOUR END KNOTS
v %DGE !
v
h v
v
v
#UT A v X v CHIMNEY HOLE ON ONE OUTSIDE ROOF PIECE AND ONE INSIDE ROOF PIECE 7HEN SEWING THE ROOF SEAM 3TEP MAKE %DGE ! IS THE SEAM EDGE
0ILLOWCASE !PRON
3TEP &IVE -EASURE PIECES OF TWILL TAPE LONG ENOUGH TO EITHER TIE NICELY IN BACK OR SUPER LONG TO WRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND AND TIE IN FRONT ,AY THE APRON DOWN mAT AND FOLD OVER A PLEAT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WAISTBAND STICK THE ENDS OF YOUR TWO PIECES OF TWILL TAPE IN THERE PIN AND SEW INTO PLACE 9OU CAN MAKE THE PLEATS AS NEAR THE MIDDLE OR EDGES AS YOUD LIKE OR YOU CAN SKIP PLEATS ALTOGETHER AND SEW THE TWILL TAPE ON AT THE EDGES
-ATERIALS
THIRFTED PILLOWCASE
PACKAGE OF TWILL TAPE
FABRIC PENPENCIL
TWILL TAPE FOLD
PLEATS
3TEP /NE 7ASH THE PILLOWCASE IRON IT AND FOLD IT IN HALF WITH THE OPENING FACING THE BOTTOM EDGES
DRAW LINES WITH FABRIC PEN
3TEP 4WO ,AY OUT THE SUPPLIES YOU WANT TO CARRY WITH YOU IN YOUR APRON AND MARK THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THE POCKETS YOUD LIKE 5SE YOUR FABRIC PEN OR PENCIL TO DRAW THE POCKET ON THE APRON
3TEP 4HREE CREATE OPENING 4O MAKE THE OPENINGS @BUTTONHOLE FOR THE POCKETS UNFOLD THE PILLOWCASE AND SEW THROUGH JUST THE TWO LAYERS USING THE ZIGZAG STITCH ESSENTIALLY MAKING A GIANT BUTTON HOLE THE SIZE OF EACH POCKET OPENING THAT YOUVE MARKED OUT 5SE SCISSORS OR A ROTARY CUTTER TO VERY CAREFULLY CUT OPEN THE @BUTTONHOLE 3TEP &OUR STITCH OVER PEN LINES ,AY THE APRON BACK DOWN FOLDED OVER ON ITSELF AND PIN THROUGH ALL LAYERS TO KEEP IT IN PLACE SEW ALONG THE LINES YOUVE MARKED OUT TO BE THE POCKETS !LSO SEW RIGHT ALONG THE TOP OF THE ZIGZAGGED BUTTONHOLE TO ANCHOR DOWN THE TOP LAYER TO THE BOTTOM
3TEP 3IX 3END THE APRON THROUGH THE WASH TO GET OUT FABRIC PEN PENCIL AND YOURE ALL SET
0ILLOWCASE !PRON
3TEP &IVE -EASURE PIECES OF TWILL TAPE LONG ENOUGH TO EITHER TIE NICELY IN BACK OR SUPER LONG TO WRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND AND TIE IN FRONT ,AY THE APRON DOWN mAT AND FOLD OVER A PLEAT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WAISTBAND STICK THE ENDS OF YOUR TWO PIECES OF TWILL TAPE IN THERE PIN AND SEW INTO PLACE 9OU CAN MAKE THE PLEATS AS NEAR THE MIDDLE OR EDGES AS YOUD LIKE OR YOU CAN SKIP PLEATS ALTOGETHER AND SEW THE TWILL TAPE ON AT THE EDGES
-ATERIALS
THIRFTED PILLOWCASE
PACKAGE OF TWILL TAPE
FABRIC PENPENCIL
TWILL TAPE FOLD
PLEATS
3TEP /NE 7ASH THE PILLOWCASE IRON IT AND FOLD IT IN HALF WITH THE OPENING FACING THE BOTTOM EDGES
DRAW LINES WITH FABRIC PEN
3TEP 4WO ,AY OUT THE SUPPLIES YOU WANT TO CARRY WITH YOU IN YOUR APRON AND MARK THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THE POCKETS YOUD LIKE 5SE YOUR FABRIC PEN OR PENCIL TO DRAW THE POCKET ON THE APRON
3TEP 4HREE CREATE OPENING 4O MAKE THE OPENINGS @BUTTONHOLE FOR THE POCKETS UNFOLD THE PILLOWCASE AND SEW THROUGH JUST THE TWO LAYERS USING THE ZIGZAG STITCH ESSENTIALLY MAKING A GIANT BUTTON HOLE THE SIZE OF EACH POCKET OPENING THAT YOUVE MARKED OUT 5SE SCISSORS OR A ROTARY CUTTER TO VERY CAREFULLY CUT OPEN THE @BUTTONHOLE 3TEP &OUR STITCH OVER PEN LINES ,AY THE APRON BACK DOWN FOLDED OVER ON ITSELF AND PIN THROUGH ALL LAYERS TO KEEP IT IN PLACE SEW ALONG THE LINES YOUVE MARKED OUT TO BE THE POCKETS !LSO SEW RIGHT ALONG THE TOP OF THE ZIGZAGGED BUTTONHOLE TO ANCHOR DOWN THE TOP LAYER TO THE BOTTOM
3TEP 3IX 3END THE APRON THROUGH THE WASH TO GET OUT FABRIC PEN PENCIL AND YOURE ALL SET
)CE #REAM 0IN #USHION
3TEP .INE /NCE BOTH PUFFS ARE SECURED TOGETHER lLL THE INSIDE OF YOUR mOWER POT WITH GLUE AND GENTLY SET THE ICE CREAM INTO THE POT MAKING SURE TO TUCK THE SIDES OF PUFF " INTO POTS UPPER RIM
-ATERIALS
3TEP 4EN 4O MAKE CHERRY ON TOP 0LACE PINK PIN INTO HOLE OF RED BEAD 3TICK PIN INTO ICE CREAM
-INIATURE mOWER POT v X v
YARD OF &ABRIC !
YARD OF &ABRIC "
QUILTERS PIN WITH PINK PINHEAD
MEDIUM SIZED RED BEAD
&ABRIC GLUE
3TEP /NE 4RACE CIRCLE TEMPLATE ON FABRIC ! #UT OUT CIRCLE 3TEP 4WO 5SING NEEDLE AND THREAD MAKE A RUNNING STITCH PASS THE NEEDLE OVER AND UNDER THE FABRIC JUST INSIDE THE CIRCLES EDGE LEAVING ABOUT A CENTIMETER BETWEEN YOUR STITCHING AND THE EDGE OF THE CIRCLE #ONTINUE STITCHING AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCLE SEE IMAGES AND "
CIRCLE TEMPLATE
3TEP 4HREE /NCE YOUVE STITCHED AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCLE PULL GENTLY ON YOUR THREAD TO SLIGHTLY CINCH UP THE CIRCLE SO THAT IT FORMS THE SHAPE OF A BOWL 3TEP &OUR &ILL THE CINCHED CIRCLE WITH STUFlNG AND CINCH THE CIRCLE TIGHTER UNTIL ITS CLOSED FORMING A PUFF 3TEP &IVE (OLDING THE CIRCLE CLOSED PULL THE THREAD TAUT AND KNOT IT TO CLOSE UP THE CIRCLE MAKING SURE NOT TO LET ANY STUFlNG GET OUT 3TEP 3IX 2EPEAT STEPS FOR FABRIC " 3TEP 3EVEN 4O FORM THE TWO SCOOPS OF ICE CREAM 3TACK PUFF ! ON TOP OF PUFF " 3TEP %IGHT 5SING NEEDLE AND THREAD CONNECT PUFF ! TO PUFF " BY STITCHING THEM TOGETHER 3EW ! TO THE TOP OF " USING SMALL STITCHES FROM BOTTOM OF PUFF ! THROUGH TOP OF PUFF "
! "
0EBBLE "RACELET -ATERIALS
HANK OF MERINO TOPS FOR FELTING IN COLOUR OF YOUR CHOICE
4WO v PIECES OF MM DIAMETER BEADING ELASTIC CLEAR
BEADS FOR SPACERS MINE ARE ABOUT MM WITH HOLES BIG ENOUGH TO lT ELASTIC
3CRAPS OF SILK IN lVE COLOURS PREFERABLY 3HANTUNG WITH A DIFFERENT COLOURED WARP AND WEFT
3UPER GLUE
"ABY SHAMPOO
'OLD THREAD 4OOLS
3EWING NEEDLE TO lT GOLD THREAD
$ARNING NEEDLE TO lT ELASTIC
"RADAWL OR OTHER POINTY INSTRUMENT FOR MAKING HOLES IN BEADS
3CISSORS
0OT OF BOILING OR VERY HOT WATER
0OT OF COLD WATER
3LOTTED SPOON
4EA TOWELS
3TEP /NE 3EPARATE THESE LENGTHS INTO HALF WIDTH WISE AND THEN SPREAD OUT lVE OF THEM ON YOUR WORK SURFACE /PEN UP THE LENGTHS OF THE WOOL lBRE TO PREPARE FOR FELTING LAYER ONE 3TEP 4WO ,AY ONE GROUP SO THAT THE LENGTH OF THE lBRES RUNS VERTICALLY AND THEN LAY A SECOND GROUP OF lBRES OVER TOP WITH THE lBRES RUNNING HORIZONTALLY
LAYER TWO
3TEP 4HREE ,AY A THIRD GROUP OF lBRES VERTICALLY 4HE FOURTH HORIZONTALLY AND THE lFTH AND lNAL GROUP VERTICALLY 9OU SHOULD NOW HAVE A STACK OF lVE LENGTHS OF WOOL TOP 3PRINKLE A BIT OF THE HOT SOAPY WATER SOLUTION ON TOP OF THE WOOL lBRES 3TEP &OUR "EGIN TO GENTLY ROLL THIS GROUP OF lBRES INTO A BALL BETWEEN YOUR HANDS AS YOU MIGHT WITH PLAY DOUGH $O NOT APPLY MUCH PRESSURE 'ENTLY DOES IT AT THIS STAGE 3TEP &IVE
4HE WOOL SHOULD hSTICKv TOGETHER QUITE EASILY BECAUSE OF ALL THE SOAP +EEP ROLLING IF IT REFUSES TO COME TOGETHER ADD A LITTLE MORE SOAPY WATER BUT NOT SO MUCH IT IS SOAKING AND UNMANAGEABLE 3TEP 3IX )F YOU KEEP ROLLING GENTLY IT SHOULD COVER A FISSURE COME INTO A NICE NEAT BALL WITH NO WITH EXTRA WOOL CRACKS OR lSSURES )F A CRACK DOES SEEM TO APPEAR THEN TAKE A FEW WISPS OF MERINO AND LAY THEM OVER THE CRACKED AREA USE LOTS OF SOAP ON YOUR HANDS TO hSTICKv THEM IN PLACE +EEP ROLLING GENTLY AND THE CRACK AREA SHOULD GET HIDDEN NICELY !S LONG AS YOU DONT APPLY TOO MUCH PRESSURE YOU CAN KEEP ADDING WOOL TO THE BALL IN THIS WAY 3TEP 3EVEN !T THIS STAGE YOU COULD COMPLETE THE FELT BEAD BY JUST ROLLING MORE AND MORE VIGOROUSLY UNTIL ALL THE lBRES ARE COMPLETELY FELTED INTO A HARD BALL "UT FOR THIS PROJECT WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT &IRSTLY WE WANT THE BEADS TO BE MORE OF A BUTTON SHAPE SO THEY lT NICELY AGAINST THE WRIST 0RESS THE TOP OF YOUR BEAD DOWN WITH THE mAT OF YOUR PALM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
3TEP %IGHT .OW WE ARE GOING TO ADD THE SILK SCRAPS 4HERE ARE WAYS OF ADDING FABRIC BITS TO FELT WITH NO SEWING BUT THIS METHOD USES A NEEDLE AND THREAD AND ALSO SHAPES THE BEAD AT THE SAME TIME ) HAVE USED A GOLD THREAD SO THAT SILK SCRAP WITH STITCH WHERE IT SHOWS YOU GET A GLINT OF METALLIC !NCHOR YOUR NEEDLE AND THREAD IN THE FELT BEAD WITH A FEW STITCHES AND THEN BRING THE NEEDLE UP THROUGH THE BEAD ANCHORING STITCHES AND A SQUARE OF SILK "RING THE NEEDLE BACK DOWN THROUGH THE SILK CATCHING IN AN END AND THEN COME OUT THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BEAD #ONTINUE ADDING SCRAPS OF SILK IN THE SAME WAY
3TEP .INE 4HE IDEA IS TO PULL THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE FELT SO THAT IT CONTINUES TO FORM AN OVAL BEAD SHAPE AND ATTACH THE SILK SQUARES ) @VE SEWN THROUGH EACH OF THE SILK SCRAPS TWO OR THREE TIMES CATCHING A DIFFERENT AREA EACH TIME 4HE RESULT IS THE SILK GETS PULLED INTO THE FELT SLIGHTLY 4HE SILK WILL HAVE LOTS OF SHAGGY THREADS HANGING OFF BUT THEY SHOULDNT SHED TOO MUCH BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE STITCHES 7HILE YOU ARE WORKING ON THE BEAD THE SILK WILL GET WET AND CHANGE COLOUR 4HE BEADS WILL BE MORE VIBRANT AND CONTRASTY WHEN THEY DRY -Y BEADS ARE ABOUT CM IN DIAMETER AND INCLUDE ABOUT PIECES OF SILK 3TEP 4EN -AKE LARGE BEADS IN THIS WAY 7HEN THEY ARE DONE PUT THEM IN THE HOT WATER SWISH THEM AROUND AND PRESS THEM DOWN WITH THE SLOTTED SPOON TO GET ALL THE SOAP OUT OF THE FELT AND THEN TRANSFER THEM TO THE COLD WATER TO SHOCK THE WOOL 3QUEEZE THE BEADS OUT BETWEEN TO TOWELS TO GET ALL THE WATER OUT AND RESHAPE THEM ,ET DRY
3TEP 4HIRTEEN ) HAVE USED TWO SPACER BEADS ABOUT CM APART BETWEEN EACH FELT BEAD 3O ) POKED A SECOND CHANNEL AND THREADED THE ELASTIC THROUGH 9OU MAY THEN NEED TO TAKE THE NEEDLE OFF THE ELASTIC SO THAT YOU CAN THREAD THE SPACER BEADS 2EPEAT THIS PROCESS UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL FELT BEADS AND THE SPACERS BETWEEN EACH THREADED ONTO THE ELASTICS
4EST THE BRACELET TO SEE IF IT lTS NICELY AND THEN TIE THE ELASTIC ENDS TO THEIR BEGINNINGS WITH A DOUBLE OR TRIPLE KNOT -AKING SURE THE KNOTS ARE SECURE PUT A DROP OF SUPER GLUE ON EACH ) THEN RETHREAD THE ELASTIC ENDS ONTO MY DARNING NEEDLE AND USE MY PAIR OF PLIERS TO PULL THE KNOTS TO THE INSIDE OF A FELT BEAD 4RIM THE ELASTIC ENDS
3TEP %LEVEN 4O STRING THE BEADS HAVE YOUR BRADAWL DARNING NEEDLE AND TWO PIECES OF ELASTIC SPACER BEADS BULLDOG CLIPS AND PLIERS READY "EGIN BY MAKING A CHANNEL FOR THE ELASTIC IN THE BEADS WITH THE BRADAWL 9OU CAN ONLY MAKE ONE CHANNEL AT A TIME BECAUSE THEY WILL CLOSE UP AFTER A FEW SECONDS
3TEP 4WELVE 7ITH THE ELASTIC THREADED THROUGH THE DARNING NEEDLE PUSH THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE THREADING CHANNEL 3OMETIMES ITS HELPFUL TO HAVE A PAIR OF PLIERS TO PULL THE NEEDLE THROUGH 3NAP THE BULLDOG CLIP ON TO ONE END OF THE ELASTIC SO THAT IT DOESNT PULL THROUGH THE BEAD AS YOU THREAD THE BRACELET
,OG #ABIN 0ILLOW -ATERIALS
FABRIC YARDS OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT PRINTS
YARD OF COTTON BATTING
OF PRE QUILTED FABRIC FOR BACK
SMALL LENGTH OF RIBBON
3TEP /NE 3ELECT YOUR FABRICS 4HESE CAN EITHER BE TEN lFTEEN DIFFERENT PRINTS TO AVOID REPEATS OR A SELECTION OF lVE OR SIX PRINTS WHICH COORDINATE 4HE FEWER FABRICS YOU USE THE MORE CAREFULLY YOULL HAVE TO ARRANGE THEM TO AVOID PLACING MATCHING PRINTS NEXT TO EACH OTHER 3TEP 4WO 5SING A ROTARY CUTTER AND TRANSPARENT RULER CUT v STRIPS $EPENDING ON THE WIDTH OF YOUR STRIPS YOULL NEED AROUND 3TEP 4HREE 3TART WITH CENTER SQUARE "EGIN BUILDING OUTWARD FOLLOWING THIS PATTERN
3TEP 3IX 4RIM THE BATTING ABOUT AN INCH LARGER THAN THE QUILT SQUARE 3TEP 3EVEN "EGIN MACHINE QUILTING THE SQUARE TO THE BATTING STARTING FROM THE INSIDE AND SEW OUT FROM THE INSIDE CONTINUOUSLY TURNING AT EACH CORNER
3TEP %IGHT /NCE ITS ALL QUILTED TRIM THE BATTING mUSH WITH THE EDGE OF THE PATCHWORK PIECE 3TEP .INE 4O MAKE THE BACK CUT TWO PIECES FROM THE PRE QUILTED FABRIC %ACH PIECE SHOULD BE AS WIDE AS YOUR PATCHWORK TOP 4O DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF YOUR PIECE HALVE THE WIDTH OF YOUR PATCHWORK TOP AND ADD THREE INCHES
"EGIN BY SEWING PIECE TO PIECE )RON THE SEAM mAT TRIM THE EDGES TO BE SQUARE AND THEN SEW ON PIECE #ONTINUE IRONING THE SEAMS TRIMMING AND ADDING THE NEXT PIECE 3TEP &OUR #ONTINUE BUILDING IN THIS WAY UNTIL THE PATCHWORK IS THE SIZE YOU NEED IF YOU DONT HAVE ANOTHER CUSHION COVER TO WORK FROM MEASURE YOUR PILLOW INSET FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CURVE AND ADD AN EXTRA INCH FOR GOOD MEASURE 4O VARY THE LOOK OF YOUR PATCHWORK YOU CAN USE THE TRIMMED OFF ENDS FROM PREVIOUS STRIPS AND PATCH THEM END TO END TO MAKE NEW STRIPS 3TEP &IVE /NCE THE QUILT SQUARE IS THE SIZE YOUD LIKE LAY IT DOWN ON COTTON BATTING A PIECE LARGER THAN THE QUILT SQUARE ON A mAT SURFACE AND PIN THE QUILT SQUARE TO THE BATTING
3TEP 4EN 4AKE ONE OF THE PIECES AND FOLD DOWN THE WIDE END BY v AND ZIG ZAG THIS DOWN USING A CONTRASTING THREAD 2EPEAT WITH THE OTHER PIECE
3TEP 4EN 4URN THE TWO BACK PIECES OVER SO THE TURNED OVER EDGE IS FACING DOWN 9OURE NOW LOOKING AT THE RIGHT SIDE 3EW A v LENGTH OF RIBON TO THE MIDDLE OF EACH PIECE
h
WIDTH OF PATCHWORK
3TEP %LEVEN 4O lNISH THE PIECE TAKE YOUR PATCHWORK AND LAY IT mAT RIGHT SIDE UP 4AKE ON OF THE BACK PIECES AND LAY IT ON TOP OF THE PATCHWORK )T SHOULD BE RIGHT SIDE DOWN WITH THE FOLDED OVER EDGE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE LIKE SO
4HESE ARE THE TEMPLATES FOR THE "ROOCH )NSTRUCTIONS ARE ON PAGE
PATCHWORK RIGHT SIDE
v BACK PIECE WRONG SIDE
4HE BOTTOM CORNERS SHOULD ALL MATCH UP ,AY DOWN THE OTHER PACK PIECE IN THE SAME WAY BUT WITH THE TOP CORNERS MATCHING 4HE TWO BACK PIECES SHOULD OVERLAP IN THE MIDDLE BY AT LEAST v 0IN THIS ALL IN PLACE 3TEP 4WELVE 3EW AROUND ALL FOUR SIDE LEAVING A v SEAM
SECOND BACK PIECE WRONG SIDE
v BACK PIECE WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 2EMOVE THE PINS AND TURN THE PILLOWCOVER RIGHT SIDE OUT THROUGH THE OPENING OF THE TWO BACK PIECES 3TEP &OURTEEN 3QUEEZE YOUR PILLOW INSERT INTO THE CASE THROUGH THE BACK OPENING AND TIE THE TWO RIBBONS IN A BOW TO lNISH
$ESK /RGANIZER -ATERIALS
METER THICK FELT
FABRIC GLUE
EMBROIDERY THREAD AND SHARP NEEDLE
FUSIBLE FABRIC FOR BACKING
THIN TAPE OPTIONAL
3TEP /NE #UT A PIECE OF GRAPH PAPER TO THE SIZE YOUD LIKE THE BOX TO BE FOR EXAMPLE THE SIZE OF THE DRAWER OF YOUR SEWING TABLE
3TEP 4WO !RRANGE THE OBJECTS YOU WANT TO ORGANIZE ON THE GRAPH PAPER $RAW LINES TO MARK OFF THE SECTIONS 9OU CAN ALSO ANNOTATE THIS SHEET WITH WHAT GOES WHERE COLOR CHOICES ETC
3TEP 3EVEN %MBROIDER EACH SECTION WITH THE OBJECT THAT WILL GO IN IT ! SHARP NEEDLE WORKS BETTER ON THE THICK FELT THAN A STANDARD DULL EMBROIDERY NEEDLE 5SE OR STRANDS OF THE STRANDED mOSS KNOTTED AT THE END 9OU CAN DO THE PICTURES FREEHAND OR BY MAKING A DRAWING TO FOLLOW 9OU CAN ALSO hTRACEv AN OBJECT BY ANCHORING IT WITH A FEW STITCHES AND EMBROIDERING AROUND FOR AN OUTLINE &OR THE TEXT YOU MIGHT lND IT HELPFUL TO CHOOSE A FONT YOU LIKE AND PRINT OUT TEMPLATES ) USED BASIC EMBROIDERY STITCHES BACKSTITCHSTRAIGHT STITCH TEXT MOST OUTLINES COUCHING KNITTING NEEDLES PINS THREAD FROM BOBBINS SATIN STITCH BOBBINS DAISY STITCH SCALLOPS ON RED BUTTON AND &RENCH KNOTS PIN HEADS DOTS ON IS BUTTON HOLES 3TEP %IGHT 2EMOVE THE TAPE MARKING THE SECTIONS 3TEP .INE 4O KEEP THE THREAD ENDS SECURE FUSE A PIECE OF FABRIC TO THE BACKS OF THE EMBROIDERED PIECES 4RIM EXCESS FABRIC 3TEP 4EN 3TARTING WITH THE TWO SHORT OUTER WALLS OF THE BOX TRIM TO THE EXACT SIZE OF THE EMBROIDERED BASE 2UN A BEAD OF GLUE ALONG THE BOTTOM OF EACH STRIP !RRANGE mUSH AND HOLD UNTIL SET 7IPE OFF ANY EXCESS GLUE WITH A DAMP CLOTH
3TEP 4HREE #UT A PIECE OF FELT THE SIZE OF THE GRAPH PAPER ! ROTARY CUTTER AND A GRIDDED CUTTING MAT ARE THE BEST TOOLS FOR THIS 3TEP &OUR #UT STRIPS OF FELT FOR THE WALLS AND DIVIDERS ,OWER WALLS WORK BETTER OR ELSE THEY GET mOPPY ) USED v TALL WALLS ,EAVE EXTRA LENGTH SO YOU CAN CUT THE STRIPS TO THE EXACT SIZE WHILE ASSEMBLING 3TEP &IVE -ARK THE SECTIONS ON THE FELT ) USED QUILTERS TAPE WHICH COMES IN CONVENIENT WIDTHS AND COMES OFF EASILY 9OU COULD USE ANY THIN TAPE OR DRAW THE LINES ON 4HE TAPE IS NICE BECAUSE IT HELPS YOU ACCOUNT FOR THE THICKNESS OF THE WALLS IN FRAMING THE EMBROIDERY 3TEP 3IX #HOOSE A COLOR SCHEME OF EMBROIDERY THREADS ! NARROW SELECTION OF COLORS CAN HELP UNIFY THE PROJECT ) PICKED OUT BRIGHT COLORS PLUS GREY AND DARK BROWN
3TEP %LEVEN #UT THE TWO LONG OUTER WALLS TO THE CORRECT SIZE ACCOUNTING FOR THE SPACE TAKEN UP BY THE ALREADY GLUED WALLS 2UN A BEAD OF GLUE ALONG THE BOTTOM AND BOTH ENDS OF EACH STRIP 3ET IN PLACE PINCHING THE JOINTS TO SECURE
3TEP 4WELVE /NCE THE OUTER WALLS ARE SET USE THE SAME METHOD TO GLUE IN THE DIVIDERS
#OUCHING 3TITCH
3TEP 4HIRTEEN ,ET GLUE CURE COMPLETELY BEFORE USING
&OR -ACHINE %MBROIDERY
7ORK AS ABOVE EXCEPT USE THINNER FELT FOR THE BOTTOM 4HE THICK FELT IS TRICKIER TO USE WITH A MACHINE
!NY SEWING MACHINE WILL WORK FOR MACHINE EMBROIDERY &IRST DROP THE FEED DOGS AND REMOVE THE NORMAL FOOT 5SING A DARNINGFREE MOTION FOOT HELPS BUT IS NOT NECESSARY )F YOU GO FOOT LESS WATCH YOUR lNGERS 4HREAD IT UP WITH ANY COLOR IN THE BOBBIN THREAD AND THE DESIRED COLOR AS THE TOP THREAD 4EST THE TENSION lRST ON A SCRAP OF FELT AND ADJUST SO YOU CANT SEE THE BOBBIN THREAD ON THE TOP BUT ITS NOT ALL LOOPY ON THE BACK +EEPING THE FABRIC mAT AGAINST THE MACHINE MOVE IT IN A SMOOTH MOTION UNDER THE NEEDLE TO MAKE THE DRAWING )F YOU NEED TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PLACE IN THE DRAWING SIMPLY PULL THE NEEDLE UP AND MOVE THERE 4HE CONNECTING THREADS WILL ALL BE TRIMMED AT THE END
5SING A SMALL PAIR OF SCISSORS TRIM ALL THE CONNECTING THREADS
&INISH AS ABOVE
$AISY 3TITCH
&RENCH +NOT
"ACKSTITCH
3ATIN 3TITCH
3UMMER 4OP -ATERIALS
4 SHIRT SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
YARD OF FABRIC
0INS
4AILORS CHALK OR EQUIVALENT
3TEP /NE &IND A 4 SHIRT OR TANK TOP THAT HAS A lT YOU ADORE 9OU WILL BE USING THE SHIRT HERETOFORE REFERRED TO AS THE hPATTERN SHIRTv TO MAKE YOUR PATTERN SO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT TOO SNUG OR lTTED AS YOU WILL NEED SOME ROOM TO GET THE SUMMER TOP OVER YOUR HEAD $ONT WORRY ABOUT CUTTING THE SHIRT
THAT WONT HAPPEN IF YOU ARE CAREFUL 3TEP 4WO 0UT ON THE PATTERN SHIRT 7ITH A MARK FOR STRAPS PIN MARK WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE THE TOP OF THE SUMMER TOP TO SIT )F YOU WOULD LIKE THE LENGTH OF THE TOP TO BE DIFFERENT THAN THE PATTERN SHIRT TAKE ANOTHER MARK TOP PIN AND MARK WHERE YOUD LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP TO BE $ETERMINE THE PLACEMENT OF THE STRAPS ! GOOD SPOT IS ABOUT AN INCH IN FROM YOUR ARMPIT 4AKE A PIN AND MARK WHERE YOU WANT THE OUTER EDGE OF THE STRAP TO HIT $O THIS ON BOTH SIDES 3TEP 4HREE 0LACE YOUR FABRIC ON A CUTTING SURFACE 4HE FABRIC SHOULD BE FOLDED IN HALF WITH THE SELVEDGES ON THE SIDES #AREFULLY PLACE YOUR 4 SHIRT ON TOP OF THE FABRIC WITH THE TOP OF THE SHIRT EVEN WITH ONE OF THE CUT EDGES -AKE SURE THE SHIRT IS CENTERED ON THE FABRIC 5SING THE TAILORS CHALK MARK v BELOW WHERE YOU WANT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIRT TO BE THIS WILL GIVE YOU A v HEM ALLOWANCE #UT ALONG THE MARKED LINE
3TEP &OUR &OLD THE PATTERN SHIRT DOWN TO WHERE THE PIN IS THAT MARKS THE TOP OF THE SHIRT 7ITH YOUR TAILORS CHALK MARK v
ABOVE THE TOP OF THE PATTERN SHIRT #UT ALONG THE MARKED LINE
3TEP &IVE .EXT YOU WANT TO DETERMINE THE CENTER LINE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT #AREFULLY LIFT UP THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT AND FOLD IT IN HALF LENGTHWISE SO THE LEFT SIDE MEETS THE RIGHT 0LACE PINS ON THE FABRIC YOURE CUTTING TO MARK THIS CENTER LINE -ARK v BEYOND THE SIDE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT WITH YOUR TAILORS CHALK 4HINGS GET A LITTLE TRICKY WHEN YOU GET TO THE ARMHOLE BUT DONT PANIC "ASICALLY YOU WANT TO CUT A CURVE ALONG THE ARMHOLE ENDING AT THE OUTER EDGE OF WHERE THE STRAPS WILL BE 'OOD THING YOU HAVE ALREADY MARKED THAT SPOT 5SING THAT TRUSTY TAILORS CHALK MARK v BEYOND THE CURVE OF THE PATTERN SHIRTS ARMHOLE 9OULL NEED TO LIFT UP THE SLEEVE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT AS YOU GO TO SEE THE ARMHOLE SEAM 'ET THE PATTERN SHIRT OUT OF THE WAY AND CUT ALONG THE MARKED LINE &OLD YOUR FABRIC ALONG THE PINNED CENTER LINE AND CUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHIRT TO MATCH 3TEP 3IX 9OURE NEARLY THERE .OW YOU WANT TO CUT THE FACING 0LACE A PIECE OF FOLDED FABRIC UNDERNEATH THE TOP OF THE CUT SHIRT LINING UP THE TOP EDGES 4HE FABRIC SHOULD BE LONG ENOUGH THAT IT EXTENDS ABOUT v BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE ARMHOLE -ARK AND CUT ALONG THE ARMHOLES 4HE BOTTOM OF THE FACING SHOULD ALSO BE EVEN AND STRAIGHT SO DO A LITTLE CUTTING IF NECESSARY
FABRIC FOR FACING v
CUT SHIRT FABRIC
3TEP 3EVEN 9OU ONLY HAVE THE STRAPS LEFT TO CUT )F YOU PLAN ON USING RIBBON OR SOMETHING ELSE YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP AND GET RIGHT TO SEWING 9OU NEED TO DETERMINE HOW LONG YOU WANT THE STRAPS TO BE )TS OKAY IF YOU CUT THEM TOO LONG 4AKE A STRAIGHT EDGE AND PLACE IT ALONG THE PIN ON THE PATTERN SHIRT THAT MARKS WHERE YOU WANT THE TOP OF THE SHIRT TO BE -EASURE FROM THE STRAIGHT EDGE TO THE TOP OF THE SHOULDER ON THE PATTERN SHIRT $OUBLE THIS AMOUNT THEN ADD v FOR GOOD MEASURE ,ETS CALL THIS MEASUREMENT 3 FOR NOW 9OU ARE GOING TO CUT TWO STRIPS OF FABRIC MEASUREMENT 3 LONG BY v WIDE THIS ALLOWS FOR A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
3TEP %IGHT 4HIS IS WHAT ALL YOUR PIECES SHOULD LOOK LIKE
FACING X SHIRT X
3TEP .INE ,ETS GET SEWING ,ETS DO THE STRAPS lRST &OLD THE STRAPS IN HALF LENGTHWISE WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 0IN AND STITCH ALONG THE LONG EDGE USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE 4URN THE STRAPS INSIDE OUT AND PRESS mAT WITH THE SEAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAP THIS IS THE PART THAT WILL GO AGAINST YOUR SHOULDER SO THE SEAM WILL BE INVISIBLE 3TEP 4EN 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW THE OUTER SIDES OF THE FACING DO ./4 STITCH THE ARMHOLES 0RESS OPEN THE SEAMS 0RESS THE BOTTOM OF THE FACING UNDER v FOR THE HEM 3TITCH THE HEM USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
3TEP &OURTEEN .OW YOURE GOING TO ATTACH THE FACING !GAIN WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PIN THE FACING TO THE TOP MATCHING SIDE SEAMS AND CORNERS 3TITCH ALL THE WAY AROUND IE FRONT AND BACK AND THE ARMHOLES USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
WRONG SIDE
3TEP &IFTEEN 4AKE A PAIR OF SCISSORS AND TRIM THE SEAMS DOWN TO ABOUT v #LIP THE CURVES AND THE CORNERS 4URN THE FACING TO THE INSIDE OF THE TOP AND PRESS CAREFULLY 3TEP 3IXTEEN 9OURE ALMOST lNISHED 3LIP THE TOP OVER YOUR HEAD /OOH HOPE IT MAKES IT (AVE A FRIEND PIN THE BACK STRAPS TO THE DESIRED LENGTH #AREFULLY REMOVE THE TOP -AKE SURE THE BACK STRAPS ARE PINNED EVENLY AND AGAINST THE EDGES OF THE BACK ON THE INSIDE OF THE TOP 0IN AROUND THE TOP EDGE OF THE TOP %DGESTITCH ALL THE WAY AROUND FOR A CLEAN LOOK #UT THE EXCESS OFF THE BACK STRAPS IF NECESSARY
RIGHT SIDE
3TEP %LEVEN 0IN THE FRONT PIECE TO THE BACK PIECE WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3TITCH DOWN THE SIDE SEAMS USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE 0RESS OPEN THE SEAMS 3TEP 4WELVE (EM THE TOP FOLD UP THE BOTTOM v TO THE INSIDE AND PRESS &OLD AGAIN ANOTHER INCH AND PRESS 0IN AND STITCH DOWN THE HEM USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PIN EACH STRAP TO THE FRONT OF THE TOP 4HE EDGE OF THE STRAPS SHOULD BE IN v FROM THE UPPER EDGES OF THE TOP "ASTE DOWN THE STRAPS
RIGHT SIDE
%LEPHANT 0OUCH -ATERIALS
YARD OF OUTER FABRIC GREY
YARD OF INNER FABRIC PATTERNED
EMBROIDERY mOSS FOR FACE
SEW ON SNAPPRESS STUD 3TEP /NE 4RANSFER PATTERNS TO FABRIC AND CUT OUT SEE PAGE FOR CONTINUATION OF PATTERN PIECES ,INE THE FABRIC WITH INTERFACING TO STABALIZE IF DESIRED 3TEP 4WO %MBROIDER EYES AND MOUTH TO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE OUTER PIECE ! GUIDE IS PRINTED ON THE PATTERN PIECE 3TEP 4HREE 3EW THE TRUNK PIECE CLIP AROUND CURVES AND TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TUFF THE TRUNK WITH lBERlLL SNIP AROUND CURVES
TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT AND STUFF
3TEP &OUR 3EW THE TOP OF THE TRUNK CLOSED AND USE mOSS TO EMBROIDER LINES ALONG THE TRUNK
3TEP &IVE (AND STITCH THE TRUNK TO THE OUTER FABRIC
3TEP 3IX 3EW THE TWO EAR PIECES #LIP ALONG THE CURVES AND TURN THEM RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TEP 3EVEN 0OSITION THE EARS ON THE FACE AND BASTE INTO PLACE ABOUT v FROM THE EDGE
3TEP %IGHT 3EW DARTS ON POCKET PIECES OUTER AND LINING PIECES AS MARKED ON THE PATTERN PIECES 3TEP .INE 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW THE POCKET PIECES TOGETHER ALONG THE TOP EDGE 0RESS ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE POCKET WITH AN IRON 3TEP 4EN )F YOU WANT YOUR POUCH TO BE SLIGHTLY PADDED CUT A PIECE OF BATTING THE SAME SIZE AS THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE #LIP WHERE THE DARTS WOULD BE LOCATED AND POSITION ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE 3TEP %LEVEN ,INE UP THE POCKET PIECE WITH THE OUTER LINING PIECE AND PIN IT IN PLACE 4HE GREY OUTER SIDE OF THE POCKET PIECE WILL BE FACE DOWN ON THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE
POCKET PIECE LINING SIDE UP
3TEP 4WELVE "ASTE THE POCKET TO THE OUTER LINING PIECE 3EW ABOUT v FROM THE EDGE 3TEP 4HIRTEEN 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE TO THE INNER LINING PIECE ,EAVE AN OPENING AT THE BOTTOM THE BOTTOM PART OF THE FACE SO THAT THE PIECE CAN BE TURNED RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TEP &OURTEEN 4URN RIGHT SIDE OUT THROUGH OPENING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FACE 3TEP &IFTEEN &LIP THE SEWN POCKET SO THAT THE LINING FABRIC IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE POUCH 3TEP 3IXTEEN 3LIP STITCH THE OPENING CLOSED 3TEP 3EVENTEEN 3EW A SNAP ONTO THE BOTTOM OF THE POCKET 3EW THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SNAP TO THE TOP OF THE INNER LINING
LINING THE ELEPHANT FACE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS
POCKET PIECE
&ABRIC "ASKET -ATERIALS
YARD NATURAL UNBLEACHED COTTON CANVAS
YARD COTTON LINING FABRIC
YARD 0ELLON 4AILORS 4OUCH (EAVYWEIGHT 3EW IN 3TABILIZER
YARD 0ELLON 0ELTEX %XTRA (EAVYWEIGHT 3EW IN 3TABILIZER
YARD 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD %XTRA 7IDE "IAS 4APE /YSTER
YARD 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD "IAS 4APE /YSTER
YARD 7RIGHTS v 7IDE 4WILL 4APE /YSTER
SET OF 3EW /N 6ELCRO ABOUT A INCH SQUARE PIECE WHITE 3TEP /NE #UT OUT THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR MATERIALS
v X v RECTANGLE FRONT BACK #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS #54 FROM LINING #54 FROM HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE SIDES #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS #54 FROM HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE POCKET CUT ON FOLD 0LACE v SIDE ON FOLD FOR BOTH MATERIALS #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS #54 FROM HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE BOTTOM #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS
v X v RECTANGLE BOTTOM STABILIZER #54 FROM EXTRA HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE LINING SIDES BOTTOM #54 FROM COTTON LINING
v X v RECTANGLE HANDLES #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS
v X v RECTANGLE DRAWSTRING TOP #54 FROM COTTON LINING 3TEP 4WO 5NLESS STATED OTHERWISE ALL RIGHT SIDE SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE v 4HE lRST STEP IS TO CONSTRUCT THE POCKET "EGIN BY OPENING UP FOLD THE FOLDED POCKET PIECE /N THE VELCRO @WRONG SIDE OF THE POCKET SEW IN YOUR 6ELCRO CLOSURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POCKET AND ABOUT ³v DOWN FROM THE FOLDED EDGE 9OU WILL ONLY SEW DOWN ONE SIDE OF THE 6ELCRO RIGHT NOW
)NSERT THE STABILIZER IN BETWEEN YOUR CANVAS POCKET FRONT BIAS TAPE SO THAT BOTH FOLDS MATCH UP AT THE TOP "ASTE STITCH TOP EDGE AT FOLD 3EW ON THE 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD "IAS 4APE TO THE TOP EDGE AT FOLD RIGHT SIDE OF THE POCKET
BASKET FRONT
,AY DOWN YOUR BASKET FRONT ON TOP OF A MATCHING PIECE OF STABILIZER "ASTE ONE SIDE OF THE POCKET DOWN TO THE BASKET FRONT AND BASKET FRONT STABILIZER
POCKET
!T THIS POINT YOU CAN STITCH IN THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR 6ELCRO CLOSURE TO THE BASKET FRONT MAKING SURE THE FRONT AND BACK PIECE LINE UP 3EW THE REMAINING PIECE JUST UNDERNEATH THE POCKET FRONT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BASKET FRONT 3TEP 4HREE 3EW THE SIDES OF THE BASKET TOGETHER 3TARTING WITH THE BASKET FRONT BEGIN SEWING TOGETHER THE SIDES OF THE BASKET TOGETHER RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER $O NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE THE STABILIZER TO THE BACK OF EACH CANVAS PIECE #ONTINUE SEWING UP EACH SIDE UNTIL YOU HAVE A LONG STRIP OF BASKET SIDE BASKET BACK BASKET SIDE AND BASKET FRONT .EXT STITCH TOGETHER THE BASKET FRONT TO THE REMAINING BASKET SIDE 3TEP &OUR -AKE "ASKET (ANDLES 4O CONSTRUCT THE BASKET HANDLES FOLD IN EACH EDGE BY v AND THEN FOLD THE STRIP IN HALF 3EW AROUND THE EDGES OF THE HANDLE
3EW THE HANDLES TO THE SIDES OF THE BASKET v INCH FROM THE TOP AND SIDES 3EW A v SQUARE ON THE HANDLE AND THEN MAKE AN 8 THROUGH THE CENTER TO ENSURE ITS NOT GOING ANYWHERE 3TEP &IVE #ONSTRUCT BASKET BOTTOM 4HE lRST STEP TO MAKING THE BASKET BOTTOM IS TO SEW DOWN THE EXTRA HEAVY WEIGHT STABILIZER TO THE WRONGSIDE OF THE BASKET BOTTOM 4O DO THIS CENTER THE 0ELTEX ON THE BASKET BOTTOM AND STITCH AROUND THE EDGES
BASKET BOTTOM STABILIZER UNDERNEATH
.EXT PIN THE BASKET BOTTOM IN PLACE AROUND THE BOTTOM EDGES OF THE BASKET RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3EW TOGETHER 9OU NOW HAVE A BASKET SHAPE THAT IS WONDERFULLY STABLE AND READY TO BE LINED 3TEP 3IX 3EW BASKET LINING 4O CONSTRUCT THE BASKET LINER lRST SEW DOWN THE FRONT AND BACK PIECE RIGHTSIDES TOGETHER TO THE MIDDLE OF THE BASKET BOTTOMSIDE PIECE AS SHOWN BELOW
.EXT PIN AND SEW UP THE SIDES OF THE LINING TO CONSTRUCT THE BASKET SHAPE
0LACE LINING IN BASKET WRONG SIDES TOGETHER AND PIN IN PLACE "ASTE STITCH AROUND THE TOP OF THE BASKET AS CLOSE TO THE EDGE AS POSSIBLE TRIM SEAM 3TEP 3EVEN #ONSTRUCT DRAWSTRING TOP 4O MAKE THE DRAWSTRING TOP OF THE BASKET lRST MAKE THE CASING FOR THE TWILL TAPE -EASURE v IN FROM BOTH SIDES v DOWN ON BOTH ENDS MARK WITH A PENCIL 4HE v SPACE AT THE TOP WILL BECOME YOUR TWILL TAPE CASING !T THE MARK YOU JUST MADE MAKE A v LONG CUT v DOWN FROM THE TOP ON BOTH ENDS 2EPEAT FOR THE TOP BACK &OLD OVER THIS SMALL RECTANGULAR PIECE ON TO THE WRONGSIDE OF THE WRONG SIDE TOP AND SEW DOWN AT THE FOLDED EDGE
3EW UP SIDES OF YOUR DRAWSTRING TOP v IN FROM THE SIDES TO LINE UP THE EDGE OF THE DRAWSTRING POCKET 4RIM SEAM
WRONG SIDE
!TTACH ONE END OF YOUR TWILL TAPE TO A SAFETY PIN AND CAREFULLY THREAD IT THROUGH THE CASING TURNING AND GOING THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE SO THE ENDS MEET WHERE YOU STARTED +NOT BOTH ENDS OF YOUR TWILL TAPE TOGETHER AND TRIM EXCESS
0ULL KNOTTED END THROUGH CASING TOP UNTIL YOU HAVE LOOPS ON EITHER END 4HIS WILL HIDE THE DEVILISHLY UGLY KNOT 3TEP %IGHT 0IN THE DRAWSTRING TOP TO THE BASKET BY LINING UP THE RAW EDGE OF DRAWSTRING TOP WITH THE TOP BASTED EDGE OF THE BASKET 0IN WRONGSIDE OF DRAWSTRING TOP TO RIGHTSIDE OF BASKET LINING 0IN AND SEW IN PLACE 3TEP .INE 4HE LAST STEP IS TO PIN THE 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD %XTRA 7IDE "IAS 4APE ONTO THE TOP EDGE OF THE BASKET 3EW AROUND THE TOP EDGE FOLDING UNDER THE BIAS TAPE WHERE THE BEGINNING AND END MEETS
&OLD OVER THE CASING INTO THIRDS AND STITCH ALONG THE BOTTOM 2EPEAT FOR THE OTHER SIDE
"OOK #OVER 4HE MEASUREMENTS IN THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR A BOOK COVER IDENTICAL TO THE ONE IN THIS BOOK )F YOUR BOOKS ARE A DIFFERENT SIZE USE THEIR MEASUREMENTS PLUS v SEAM
3TEP &OUR 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER MACHINE STITCH BOTH PIECES OF THE mAP # TOGETHER LEAVING ONE OF THE SMALLER SIDE OPEN #LIP THE BOTTOM CORNERS AND TURN IT RIGHT SIDE OUT
#
ALLOWANCE ALL THE WAY AROUND -ATERIALS
YARD OF PRINTED FABRIC FOR BOOKCOVER EXTERIOR
LARGE SCRAP OF SOLID MATCHING FABRIC FOR BINDING SECTION AND VELCRO mAP
YARD OF SOLID FABRIC FOR BOOKCOVER INTERIOR
6ELCRO
3TEP /NE #UT YOUR PIECES OUT MEASUREMENTS HERE INCLUDE A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
0IECE ! v X v #UT FROM THE EXTERIOR FABRIC CUT FROM INTERIOR FABRIC
0IECE " v X v #UT FROM INTERIOR FABRIC
0IECE # v X v #UT FROM SOLID FABRIC
0IECE $ v X v #UT FROM SOLID FABRIC
3TEP &IVE 7ITH THE COVER EXTERIOR RIGHT SIDE UP PIN THE mAP TO THE CENTER OF ONE SIDE OF THE COVER EXTERIOR THE lNISHED EDGE SHOULD BE IN THE CENTER
#
EXTERIOR RIGHT SIDE
4AKE BOTH 0IECE "S AND FOLD THEM IN HALF LENGTHWISE 0IN THESE TO EACH SIDE OF THE EXTERIOR FABRIC MAKING SURE THE FOLDED PART LIES TO THE CENTER
"
FOLD
"
h
3TEP 4WO /N PIECE ! TRACE A LINE AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM SEAM ALLOWANCES TO MARK THE CENTER OF THE PIECE
$
&INALLY PIN THE INSIDE FABRIC ON TOP OF THE OTHER PIECES RIGHT SIDE DOWN !
3TEP 3IX 3EW AROUND ALL FOUR SIDES LEAVING A v HOLE AT THE BOTTOM CENTER TO TURN YOUR COVER #LIP THE CORNERS AND TURN RIGHT
/N PIECE $ MARK THE CENTER LINE AND DRAW THE SEAM ALLOWANCE LINE ON THE LONG SIDES ON THE WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HREE &OLD OVER THE SIDES OF PIECE $ ON THE SEAM ALLOWANCE LINE AND BASTE THEM IN PLACE 0IN IT TO THE COVER EXTERIOR USING THE CENTER MARKINGS AS A GUIDELINE -ACHINE STITCH UP BOTH SIDES 2EMOVE THE BASTING STITCHES FROM $
$
!
SIDE OUT 3LIP STITCH THE TURNING HOLE CLOSED 3TEP 3EVEN #UT TWO SMALL PIECES OF VELCRO AND BACKSTITCH ONE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE mAP AND THE OTHER TO THE BOOK COVER -AKE SURE TO ONLY CATCH ONE LAYER OF FABRIC WHEN YOU SEW THEM ONE SO YOU WONT SEE THE STITCHES ON THE OTHER SIDE 9OUR BOOKCOVER IS NOW lNISHED
VELCRO
3EE PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND OTHER PATTERN PIECE
.EEDLE #ASE
3TEP &OUR 0LACE 0IECE RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER WITH DIAGONAL EDGES LINED UP AND SEW ALL AROUND FOUR SIDES LEAVING A SMALL OPENING TO TURN INSIDE OUT
-ATERIALS
0IECE v X v OUTSIDE PIECE
0IECE v X v INSIDE PIECE
0IECE v X v POCKET FOR NEEDLES
0IECE v X v INNER mAP TO PROTECT NEEDLE
v OF RIBBON OR TWILL TAPE 3TEP /NE 0IECE 3TART WITH THE mAP THAT KEEPS THE NEEDLES FROM FALLING OUT &OLD IT IN HALF RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SO IT MEASURES v X v )RON mAT AND SEW A SEAM ALL THE WAY AROUND LEAVING A SMALL OPENING TO TURN PIECE INSIDE OUT !FTER SEWING SEAM TURN INSIDE OUT AND IRON mAT
WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4WO 4UCK IN OPENING AND CLOSE THEN SEW ANOTHER SEAM ALL AROUND ON RIGHT SIDE TO CLOSE HOLE AND mATTEN ALL EDGES
RIGHT SIDE
3TEP 4HREE 0IECE &OLD THIS PIECE IN HALF RIGHT SIDES OUT TO MEASURE v X v 7ITH THE FOLD AT THE TOP TAKE A RULER AND MEASURE v DOWN ONE OF THE INCH SIDES AND MARK 0LACE ONE END OF YOUR RULER AT v MARK AND THE OTHER END AT TOP CORNER OF OTHER v SIDE #UT A DIAGONAL LINE FROM TOP CORNER TO v MARK 3AVE CUT OFF PIECE
3TEP &IVE )RON mAT ONCE TURNED INSIDE OUT 4UCK IN OPEN HOLE AND SEW AGAIN AROUND FOUR EDGES TO CLOSE AND mATTEN ALL EDGES AS YOU DID IN 3TEP 4WO 3TEP 3IX 4AKE A RULER AND DETERMINE WHERE YOU PIECE RIGHT SIDE WANT ALL THE LITTLE POCKETS TO BE FOR YOUR NEEDLES -ARK THESE LINES WITH TAILORS CHALK -AKE SOME BIG AND SOME SMALL 9OU CAN MAKE ONE BIG ENOUGH TO KEEP SCISSORS OR PENCILS AS WELL ,AY THIS PIECE PIECE RIGHT SIDE 0IECE RIGHT SIDE UP ONTO 0IECE ALSO RIGHT SIDE UP AND SEW DOWN THE LINES YOU DREW THUS ATTACHING THE TWO TOGETHER 3TEP 3EVEN 4AKE THE CUT OFF TRIANGLE FROM 3TEP AND TURN IT RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3EW EDGES CLOSED LEAVING HOLE TO TURN INSIDE OUT 4URN AND PUSH THE POINT OUT CAREFULLY )RON mAT STITCH AROUND THE EDGES AND LINE UP mAT EDGE WITH mAT EDGE OF PIECE THE mAP 3EW IN ALONG JOINING EDGE
FOLD PIECE
v CUT
v
RAW EDGES
3TEP %IGHT "ODY OF CASE 0LACE 0IECE OUTSIDE PIECE AND 0IECE INSIDE PIECE RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER AND SEW ALL AROUND LEAVING A SMALL OPENING TO TUN INSIDE OUT $O SO AND IRON mAT 4UCK IN OPENING AND SEW A SEAM AGAIN ALL AROUND EDGES TO CLOSE HOLE AND mATTEN PIECE
3TEP %LEVEN &IND THE MIDDLE OF YOUR RIBBON OR TWILL TAPE AND HAND SEW THIS IN PLACE OVER THE MARK .OW WHEN YOU ROLL UP YOUR CASE YOU CAN BRING THE RIBBON AROUND TO THE FRONT AND TIE IT IN A BOW TO SECURE THE ROLL
3TEP .INE 3EW TOP EDGE OF THE NEEDLE PROTECTOR mAP TO TOP EDGE OF BODY
NEEDLE PROTECTOR
MIDDLE OF RIBBON SEWN TO BACK OF CASE
POCKETS
3TEP 4EN &ILL YOUR CASE WITH NEEDLE AND ROLL IT UP -AKE A MARK ON THE ROLL WHERE YOURE GOING TO SEW YOUR RIBBON )T SHOULD BE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROLL AS THE OPENING
MAKE MARK HERE HALFWAY DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE CASE
3TARTING 9OUR /WN "LOG *OIN )N
,INK 9OUR 7AY TO &AME
3O YOU WANT TO JOIN US ON THE WEB EH !S YOU CAN TELL EVERYBODY IN THIS BOOK LOVES KEEPING A BLOG BOTH AS AN OUTLET FOR THEIR THOUGHTS AS WELL AS A SORT OF SHOWCASE FOR THEIR WORK !ND MOST OF ALL WE LOVE lNDING NEW BLOGS TO ADD TO OUR DAILY READS
9OU MIGHT THINK THAT HAVING A LIST OF LINKS ON YOUR BLOG WOULD SEND PEOPLE AWAY AND WE DONT WANT THAT "UT ACTUALLY LINKS CAN SAY A LOT ABOUT A PERSON )F YOUR LINKS ARE LIKE MINE IT TURNS OUT WE LIKE THE SAME PEOPLE AND PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME TASTES )F THEYRE NOT HOORAY n .EW BLOGS TO CHECK OUT %VEN MORE IMPORTANTLY LINKS CAN GET YOU NOTICED BY THE PEOPLE YOURE LINKING TO )F THEY SEE YOUVE LINKED TO THEM THEYRE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO CHECK OUT YOUR BLOG AND LINK BACK TO YOU THOUGH THIS ISNT GUARANTEED ,INKS ALSO PLACE YOUR BLOG WITHIN THE NETWORK WITHOUT THEM YOURE mOATING OUT THERE ON YOUR OWN
)F YOUVE NEVER SET UP A WEBSITE BEFORE YOUR BEST BET IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MANY ON LINE JOURNAL WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN SIMPLY JOIN UP AND START BLOGGING ! FEW OF THE MOST POPULAR OF THESE SITES ARE "LOGGER HTTPWWWBLOGGERCOM ,IVEJOURNAL HTTPWWW LIVEJOURNALCOM AND 4YPEPAD HTTPWWWTYPEPAD COM "LOGGER AND ,IVEJOURNAL ARE BOTH FREE TO JOIN AND 4YPEPAD HAS A MONTHLY FEE DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF SERVICE AND FUNCTIONALITY YOU WANT -ANY PEOPLE ARE NOW SWITCHING TO 4YPEPAD THE NEWEST OF THE THREE DESPITE THE FEE AS SOME OF THEIR FEATURES ARE UNIQUE TO THEIR SERVICE /NCE YOUVE CHOSEN AND JOIN UP THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO THINK ABOUT REGARDING YOUR CONTENT AND DESIGN #HANCES ARE YOULL BE USING A READY MADE TEMPLATE FOR YOUR BLOG BUT THAT DOESNT REALLY HAVE TO DETERMINE THE LOOK OR POPULARITY OF YOUR SITE NOT THAT THIS IS A POPULARITY CONTEST 4HESE ARE MY TIPS
5SE 0HOTOS ,OTS OF PHOTOS !S CRAFTERS WERE ALL QUITE VISUAL PEOPLE AND WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOUVE BEEN UP TO )T MIGHT NOT BE FAIR BUT YOULL PROBABLY lND IT MUCH MORE DIFlCULT TO HOOK NEW READERS IF THEYRE PRESENTED WITH BLOCK AFTER BLOCK OF TEXT AND NO IMAGES 3ITES LIKE &LICKR HTTPWWWmICKRCOM ARE MAKING IT VERY EASY TO UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD SO DONT BE HESITANT 9OU DONT HAVE TO POST PICTURES OF YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY BUT IF YOURE DESCRIBING THE NEW TEA COSY YOUVE MADE BY ALL MEANS SHOW IT TO US FROM EVERY ANGLE
#OMMENT !N EVEN MORE IMMEDIATE WAY TO GET NOTICED IS TO COMMENT ON OTHER BLOGS 7ERE ALL A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS TO SHARE OURSELVES WITH THE WORLD SO WHEN SOMEBODY LEAVES A GLOWING COMMENT WERE DELIGHTED AND INTERESTED TO KNOW WHO LEFT IT -AKE SURE YOU lLL IN YOUR NAME AND WEB ADDRESS WHEN LEAVING A COMMENT AND YOU CAN BE ALMOST POSITIVE THAT THE BLOGGER WILL VISIT YOUR SITE EVEN IF THEY DONT MAKE THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN /PENING COMMENTS ON YOUR OWN BLOG CAN BE NERVE WRACKING 4HERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT n 7ILL PEOPLE LEAVE HURTFUL COMMENTS 7ILL THEY LEAVE NO COMMENTS $OES THAT MEAN THEY DONT LIKE ME $ONT THEY EVEN KNOW )M OUT HERE )T PROBABLY IS TRUE THAT YOULL HAVE ONLY A FEW COMMENTS WHEN YOU lRST GET GOING BUT STICK WITH IT 9OURE THE ONLY PERSON WHOS GOING TO PROMOTE YOUR BLOG SO GET OUT THERE AND DO IT n NOT OVERTLY BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR PEOPLE SAYING @,OOK AT MY NEW WEBSITE ,OOK n BUT BY LEAVING COMMENTS FOR OTHERS AND LINKING TO THEM )F YOURE SUPPORTIVE OF OTHERS THEYLL WANT TO SUPPORT YOU TOO YOU CAN ALMOST COUNT ON IT 4HE COMMUNITY OF CRAFTY BLOGGERS IS BUILT UPON OUR DESIRE TO SHARE AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND THERES ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE
2ESOURCES 9ARN 5+
(ANDMADE 3HOPS
(IP +NITS WWWHIPKNITSCOUK ,OOP WWWLOOPGBCOM
0LAIN -ABEL WWWPLAINMABELCOM
'ET +NITTED WWWGETKNITTEDCOM
#UT 0ASTE WWWCUTXPASTECOM
4EXERE 9ARNS WWWTEXERECOUK
&RED &LARE WWWFREDmARECOM
53 (ANDPAINTEDYARN WWWHANDPAINTEDYARNCOM !USTRALIA -ARTAS 9ARNS WWWMARTASYARNSCOMAU
&ABRIC AND .OTIONS 5+ ,IBERTY 2EGENT 3TREET ,ONDON !NTIQUE !NGEL WWWANTIQUEANGELCOUK +LEINS WWWKLEINSCOUK %ARTHENWOOD 3TUDIOS WWWEARTHENWOODSTUDIO COM 3TITCH IN 4IME WWWSTITCHINTIMEUKCOM 53 7EIR $OLLS WWWWEIRDOLLSCOM 2EPRODEPOT &ABRICS WWWREPRODEPOTFABRICSCOM +ITTY #RAFT WWWKITTY CRAFTCOM
!USTRALIA 0RINTS #HARMING WWWPRINTSCHARMINGCOMAU
!CKNOWLEDGEMENTS )D LIKE TO OFFER HUGE THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS BOOK AND EVERYBODY WHO SUPPORTED US ALONG THE WAY .ONE OF US WOULD BE CREATING AND CRAFTING THE WAY WE DO IF IT WERENT FOR THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES -Y PERSONAL THANKS GO TO #ARA 2ODWAY WHO WAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC MODEL FOR MANY OF THE PHOTOS IN THIS BOOK !ND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY INCLUDING MY MOTHER WHO LOOKED OVER THE PATTERNS AND MADE SURE WE GOT EVERYTHING RIGHT
/THER .OTES 4HE PHOTOS IN THE CONTRIBUTOR SECTIONS ARE COPYRIGHT THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS !LL OTHER PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT 3NOWBOOKS ,TD 9OU MAY NOT REPRODUCE ANY OF THE PATTERNS IN THIS BOOK FOR COMMERCIAL USE 7E HOPE YOU ENJOY MAKING THE PROJECTS WEVE INCLUDED BUT YOU MAY NOT SELL ANY ITEMS YOU MAKE FOLLOWING THESE PATTERNS
0ROUDLY 0UBLISHED BY 3NOWBOOKS IN #OPYRIGHT ¹ 3NOWBOOKS ,TD 4HE CONTRIBUTORS ASSERT THE MORAL RIGHT TO BE IDENTIlED AS THE AUTHORS OF THIS WORK 3NOWBOOKS ,TD 0ENTONVILLE 2OAD ,ONDON . *. 4EL &AX EMAIL INFO SNOWBOOKSCOM WWWSNOWBOOKSCOM "RITISH ,IBRARY #ATALOGUING IN 0UBLICATION $ATA ! CATALOGUE RECORD FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE FROM THE "RITISH ,IBRARY )3". )3".
#ONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE CRAFTERS
!LISON "ROOKBANKS
)CE #REAM 0IN #USHION
!MY +AROL
0EBBLE "RACELET
!NNA 4ORBORG
,OG #ABIN 0ILLOW
#ASSI 'RIFlN
$ESK /RGANIZER
&IONA $ALTON
3UMMER 4OP
(EIDI +ENNEY
%LEPHANT 0OUCH
(ILLARY ,ANG
&ABRIC "ASKET
*UJU 6AIL
"OOK #OVER
+ATEY .ICOSIA
+NITTING .EEDLE #ASE
,ISA #ONGDON
,YN 2OBERTS
-AITREYA $UNHAM
-ARIKO &UJINAKA
-YRA -ASUDA
3ARAH .EUBURGER
4ANIA (O
4ANIA (OWELLS
THE PROJECTS
:AKKA 3TYLE 0OUCH
1UILTED 4HROW
-ARKET "AG
&ABRIC 3CARVES
0ATCHWORK 0URSE
,IBRARY 4OTE
(OUSE 4ISSUE #OVER
0ILLOWCASE !PRON
APPENDICES
3TARTING 9OUR /WN "LOG
2ESOURCES
!CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
)NTRODUCTION
7HEN ) SET OUT TO PUT TOGETHER A CRAFT BOOK ) DIDNT WANT TO CREATE @JUST ANOTHER COLLECTION OF PATTERNS )F THATS ALL THIS EDITION HAD AMOUNTED TO ) WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN PLEASED OF COURSE JUST TO WORK WITH THE CONTRIBUTORS BUT ) HAD SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND AS WELL 4HE QUESTION THAT CRAFTERS SEEM TO FACE MOST OFTEN IS @WHY BOTHER 4HE QUERY USUALLY COMES FROM OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHO HAPPEN NOT TO CRAFT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER PONDERED THE COMBINATION OF CORDUROY AND COTTON OR FELT AND SILK "UT ) THINK EVERY CRAFTER REACHES A POINT WHERE SHE ASK HERSELF THIS QUESTION USUALLY WHEN SHES HALF WAY THROUGH A KING SIZE PATCHWORK MADE OF v SQUARES OR AS THE EMBROIDERY mOSS KNOTS UP FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME !S THE BACK OF THIS BOOK WONDERS WHY DO WE BOTHER
UP WITH HALF A DOZEN @) WAS JUST CRAFTY AS A CHILD
TO MAKE THINGS BY HAND WHEN WE LIVE IN A WORLD
RESPONSES PERHAPS WITH A COUPLE OF @) DONT KNOWS
WHERE OUR EVERY MATERIAL DESIRE CAN BE FULlLLED
THROWN IN FOR GOOD MEASURE !ND IN A SENSE THAT DID
BY READY MADE SHOP BOUGHT ITEMS /N THE LARGE
HAPPEN ! LOT OF US WERE RAISED IN CREATIVE FAMILIES
SCALE ) LIKE TO THINK THAT THE @CRAFT WAVE IS A REACTION
AND OUR INSTINCTS WERE ENCOURAGED EVERY STEP OF THE
TO THIS WORLD WE CREATE BECAUSE THE MASS PRODUCED
WAY "UT WHAT WEVE DONE WITH THOSE INSTINCTS AND
JUST ISNT SPECIAL ENOUGH "UT IF CRAFTING IS THE DESIRE
WHAT OUR CREATIVITY MEANS TO US NOW AS ADULTS n )
FOR UNIQUENESS THEN THE SOURCE OF THAT MUST LIE IN
THINK THOSE ASPECTS ARE SPECIAL TO EACH OF US
EVERY CRAFTER n WE MUST EACH HAVE OUR OWN REASONS FOR DOING THESE THINGS
4HE PROJECTS IN THIS BOOK REmECT THAT INDIVIDUALITY 7HILE OUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION OFTEN OVERLAP
7ELL YES AND NO !S ) WAITED FOR THE CONTRIBUTORS
AND CERTAIN INmUENCES LIKE MODERN *APANESE CRAFT
WRITTEN DRAFTS TO COME IN ) SORT OF EXPECTED TO WIND
DElNITELY TEND TO DOMINATE OUR INTERPRETATIONS CAN
7HY DO WE BOTHER MAKING THINGS BY HAND
VARY WILDLY ! SKILLED CRAFTSPERSON MAY BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE EACH OF THESE PROJECTS EXACTLY BUT A CREATIVE ONE WONT BE ABLE TO RESIST ADDING HER OWN TWIST )T HAS BEEN A TRUE JOY TO WORK WITH THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THIS BOOK ) @KNOW THEM ALL IN SOME CAPACITY THROUGH THE ON LINE JOURNALS WE KEEP n A TREND WHICH HAS ONCE AGAIN ALLOWED CRAFTING TO BE A COMMUNITY SPORT 7OMEN USED TO GATHER TOGETHER TO KNIT AND SEW WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBOURHOOD FRIENDS &OR QUITE SOME TIME NOW THESE HAVE BEEN SOLITARY ACTIVITIES PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THEIR @BACKWARDS NATURE .OW WERE RETURNING TO THE NETWORKS WE USED TO ENJOY AND THIS TIME ITS ON A GLOBAL LEVEL THAT CONTRIBUTORS FROM !USTRALIA "RITAIN 0ORTUGAL AND !MERICA CAN CONSIDER EACH OTHER FRIENDS REALLY IS AMAZING 3O ) HOPE YOU HAVE AS MUCH FUN READING THIS BOOK AS ) DID CREATING IT )TS BEEN A LABOUR OF LOVE BUT IF YOURE READING THIS THEN ITS lNALLY lNISHED AND ) AM ONE PROUD EDITOR 7HEN 'EORGE (ARRISON WAS ASKED WHY HE FUNDED -ONTY 0YTHONS 4HE ,IFE OF "RIAN HE REPORTEDLY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE HE @WANTED TO SEE IT 3IMILARLY )VE MANAGED THE PRODUCTION OF THIS BOOK SIMPLY BECAUSE ) WANTED TO READ IT ) THINK YOULL AGREE IT WAS WORTH THE EFFORT
#RAFTERS
!LISON "ROOKBANKS ,OCATION 3YDNEY !USTRALIA /CCUPATION !RCHITECT !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST +NITTING 1UILTING 4EXTURAL -ANIPULATION 7EBSITE HTTPSIXANDAHALFSTITCHESTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE $ESIGN IS MY LIFE ) LIVE IT BREATHE IT WORK IT AND
MATERNAL RELATIONSHIP )T WOULD RECONNECT ME TO MY
MY LIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN lLLED WITH THE CHANCE
OWN CHILDHOOD AND PERHAPS MY CHILD WOULD GROW
TO CREATE !ND CRAFTING WITH DIFFERENT lBRES IS THE
UP LEARNING THE VALUES OF HANDMADE CREATIVE PLAY
PERFECT ANTIDOTE AT THE END OF A LONG DAY lLLED WITH
BASED ON INTERACTION AND EXPERIMENTATION USING
STEEL AND CONCRETE 4HROUGH MY CRAFTING WORK ) CAN
HIS IMAGINATION TO FUEL GAMES AND LEARNING RATHER
EXPRESS THE DESIGN PROCESS WHICH IS OFTEN STImED
THAN BEING DRAINED BY MODERN TELEVISION AND TOYS
BY BUDGET AND PROGRAMME CONSTRAINTS IN MY REAL
WHICH OVERSTIMULATE WITHOUT ALLOWING THE CHILD
LIFE AS AN ARCHITECT
EXPRESSION
) GREW UP IN A FAMILY THAT NATURALLY VEERED TOWARDS
"ABY CLOTHES AND CHILDRENS ITEMS ARE SOOTHING lLLED
THE HANDMADE n PARTLY BECAUSE OF A LIFESTYLE CHOICE
WITH LOVE AND TOLERANT OF lCKLE FASHIONS 4HEY ARE
AND PARTLY BECAUSE THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT ITEMS
PERFECT IN THEMSELVES n THEIR SMALLNESS AND EXACTNESS
COULD BE MADE BETTER DIFFERENTLY CHEAPER AND
AND THE FACT THEY REPRESENT NEW LIFE NEW HOPE
WITH MORE MEANING THAN A STORE BOUGHT PRODUCT
AND NEW DREAMS )T IS THE SMALL BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED
-Y MOTHER CONSTANTLY HAD A SEWING MACHINE OUT ON THE DINING TABLE -ATERIAL AND PATTERNS MINGLED WITH BALLS OF WOOL AND FAIRAISLE OR ARAN SWEATERS HALF lNISHED -Y DOLLS SLEPT IN CUSTOM MADE CLOTHES AND SHEETS AND ) COPIED MY MOTHER WITH MY OWN FULLY WORKING TOY SEWING MACHINE -Y FATHER MADE US TOYS AND DOLLHOUSES AND PAINTED LARGE ABSTRACTS LAYERED IN DETAIL AND TEXTURE 4HESE MEMORIES INGRAIN THEMSELVES BECOME A PART OF YOU AND LIE DORMANT UNTIL ONE DAY YOU CAN REJOIN THE THREADS IN THE HERE AND NOW 4HE BIRTH OF MY lRST CHILD REAWAKENED THE NEED TO CREATE AND PRODUCE HANDMADE ITEMS FOR OUR HOUSE AND OUR LIFE 3OMEHOW THE PIECES ) MADE WOULD JUSTIFY MY LOVE FOR MY CHILD AND CEMENT THE
/PPOSITE ST n 4HE LABEL UNDER WHICH !LISON
!BOVE $ETAILS LIKE THIS HANDSTITCHING MAKE A
SELLS HER CREATIONS
PROJECT REALLY SPECIAL
) REVEL IN THE ABILITY TO lND THE PERFECT PIECES TO CREATE A WHOLE ITEMS WHICH STILL APPEAL TO ME 4HEY REPRESENT SMALL
4HE ART WORLD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PARTICULARLY
VIGNETTES n AN IDEA WHICH HAS CONSTANTLY DRAWN ME
STRONG INmUENCE ON ME AND )VE ACHIEVED A LOT BY
IN ALL FORMS OF DESIGN AND PARTICULARLY IN ARCHITECTURE
EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT PROCESSES OVER THE
) REVEL IN THE ABILITY TO lND THE PERFECT PIECES TO
YEARS &ROM TIME IN A LIFE DRAWING STUDIO TO SEMESTERS
CREATE A WHOLE WHETHER THAT BE BUTTONS RIBBON
SPENT ETCHING AND PRINT MAKING TO WEEKENDS SPENT
SCRAPS OF HIGHLY DETAILED FABRIC OR THE PERFECT KNIT
PAINTING ALTERNATE FORMS OF EXPRESSION ARE IMPORTANT
TEXTURE %ACH ITEM WORKS ALONE AS A PIECE BUT ALSO
TO ME AND MY EVERYDAY LIFE ) DREAM OF A TIME IN THE
GAINS NEW LIFE WHEN PLACED AMONGST OTHERS %ACH
FUTURE WHEN ) HAVE SPACE ALONE FOR MULTIPLE FORMS
STITCH KNITTED OR SEWN EACH CUT EACH PIECE OF FABRIC
OF CRAFTING n PRINTING WEAVING SPINNING PAINTING
WOULD HAVE MEANING AND SIGNIlCANCE AS PART OF A
SEWING )D LOVE TO AMALGAMATE ALL THOSE INTO ONE
WHOLE AND AS AN INDIVIDUAL 3MALL THINGS ARE QUICK
FORM OF CRAFT SOMEHOW
DONT REQUIRE AS MUCH PATIENCE TIME OR COMMITMENT AS LARGER PROJECTS AND ) lND ) OFTEN NEED THE QUICK PROJECTS TO SATISFY MY CRAFTING NEEDS RATHER THAN THE LONG TERM PROJECTS
INSPIRATION ) AM MOST INSPIRED WHEN APPARENT SIMPLICITY CAN
BAMBOO SLATS WHICH ARE TEXTURAL PLAYFUL AND WHEN
BECOME SOMETHING MORE COMPLEX BY THE DETAIL
LIT STRANGELY ETHEREAL $IFFERENT lBRE TEXTURES CAN
THE PROPORTION OR THE MATERIALS ) CHOOSE TO USE )N
HAVE THE SAME IMPACT n THE PLACEMENT OF AN OPEN
THE SAME WAY THAT *APANESE ORIGAMI IS INTRINSICALLY
WEAVE LIKE LINEN AGAINST A HIGHLY FELTED PIECE OF
SIMPLE AND COMPLEX BOTH AT ONCE IT IS THESE
KNIT CAN CREATE DRAPES AND FOLDS AMONGST THE FABRICS
PARADOXES ) TRY TO lND IN MY OWN WORK 7HAT LOOKS
WHICH ARE FAR MORE APPEALING SOMETIMES THAN THE
SIMPLE CAN OFTEN BE COMPLEX AND VICE VERSA ) HAVE
OBJECT THEY BECOME ) LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING MY WORK
LEARNT A LOT FROM THE *APANESE WAY OF DOING THINGS
TO SHOW THESE ASPECTS OF AN OBJECT n THAT THEY ARE
n THE RITUAL OF TEA CEREMONIES MIRRORING THE RITUAL OF
MORE THAN JUST A POUCH OR AN ITEM OF CLOTHING BUT
LAYING OUT AND PIECING TOGETHER SEWN PATTERNS 4HE
CAN HOLD MYRIAD SHAPES AND FORMS WHICH CHANGE
ZEN STRUCTURING OF *APANESE GARDENS ECHOING THE
WITH EACH POSE
PROPORTIONS OF MATERIAL AGAINST MATERIAL 4HE PROCESS OF CREATING IS AN INTERESTING ONE )DEAS 3TRONGEST INmUENCES COME FROM *APANESE ARCHITECTURE
GERMINATE AND BECOME INSPIRED TO TAKE SHAPE 4HE
PAST AND PRESENT WHICH ALWAYS SEEKS TO lND BALANCE
MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ONES WHICH
AND CALM AGAINST ITS SURROUNDINGS EVEN WITH THE
DEMAND MY THINKING TIME AND WHICH CALL INCESSANTLY
USE OF APPARENTLY BRUTAL MATERIALS SUCH AS CONCRETE
TO BE DONE IN EUREKA MOMENTS OF INSIGHT 4HE IDEA
4HERE IS A SERIES OF *APANESE TEA HOUSES WHICH )
GETS THROWN AROUND IN MY HEAD DEVELOPED MAPPED
AM PARTICULARLY DRAWN TO n HAPHAZARD WEAVINGS OF
OUT CONSTRUCTED STUDIED AND PIECED TOGETHER
4HIS 0AGE -ORE STITCHING DETAIL /PPOSITE 4OP !LISONS BASKET BAGS ARE PRACTICAL AND ATTRACTIVE /PPOSITE "OTTOM 0ART OF !LISONS COLLECTION OF INSPIRING CERAMIC PIECES
IN MY STUDIO IS ORDERED CHAOS 0ERHAPS IT IS MORE CHAOS THAN ORDER BUT EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE NO MATTER HOW HAPHAZARD THAT APPEARS "OXES OF WOOL OVERmOW ALONGSIDE PILES OF MATERIAL n EACH APPARENTLY UNRELATED AND JUMBLED "UT EVERY SINGLE ITEM HAS A PURPOSE AND A POSSIBILITY 4HERE IS AN IDEA IN EVERYTHING 0OTENTIAL COLLABORATIONS OF WOOL AND FABRIC FORM IN GROUPS AROUND THE ROOM PATTERN AND CRAFT BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FALL OPEN TO INSPIRED IMAGES 4HEY REMIND ME WHAT ) AM CRITICALLY DRAWN TO AND ARE PART OF THE STEPPING STONE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT 0ROJECTS IN VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION LIE IN A PRODUCTION LINE ACROSS MY DESK THE IRONING BOARD THE COUCH AND THE mOOR !ND IN AMONGST THAT ARE LITTLE MOMENTS OF PURE DESIGN ETHOS
MY GROWING COLLECTION OF WHITE AND BLACK CERAMICS STITCH BY STITCH UNTIL IT IS AN ACTUAL ITEM mOATING IN
CLEAR GLASS SMALL TRINKETS FROM FELLOW CRAFTERS AND
BRAIN MATTER 4HEN ) CAN SIT AND START MAKING WITH
MY OWN ORIGINAL ARTWORKS 4HIS SPACE REPRESENTS
ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY ) HAVE LITTLE TIME TO PROTOTYPE
CONTROL OVER MY TIME GIVING MEANING TO A SENSE OF
TINKER OR THINK THINGS THROUGH IN REAL TIME SO WHEN )
SELF WHICH HAS CHANGED THROUGH THE AMALGAMATION
START ) CAN USUALLY WORK THROUGH EVERYTHING QUICKLY
OF MOTHERHOOD AND CAREER WOMAN )TS A SPACE FOR
4HE QUICKNESS OF A PROJECT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF
ME WHERE MY VALUE IS ABSOLUTE )TS A REFUGE FROM
THE PROCESS n ) LIKE QUICK lXES INSTANT RESULTS AND
TOYS AND CLEANING AND WORK WHERE MY IDEAS CAN FALL
INSTANT GRATIlCATION 9ET ) AM A PERFECTIONIST AND )
FREE AND ) CAN BE SELlSH IN WHAT ) DO
LIKE WELL CRAFTED DETAILS AND EXACTNESS OF PROPORTION COMBINED WITH GOOD QUALITY MATERIALS 4HAT LAST ITEM
) DONT CONSIDER MYSELF A PATTERNMAKER n TECHNICALLY
IS IMPORTANT n ALWAYS BUY THE BEST YOU CAN BECAUSE
) AM NOT TRAINED IN THE ART OF CUTTING AND SEWING )
IT WILL ALWAYS SHOW IN YOUR WORK AND THE WAY THE
FALL INTO DESIGNS AND LET THE MATERIAL SPEAK OF HOW
PIECES COME TOGETHER ) AM LEARNING THROUGH THIS
IT WANTS TO BE USED -Y PIECES ARE OFTEN VERY SIMPLE
CRAFTING PROCESS THAT LETTING OBJECTS BE THEMSELVES AND WORKING WITH THE MATERIAL CAN PROVIDE A BETTER RESULT THAN INSISTING ON PERFECTION IN DETAILS ) BRING TO EACH ITEM A WELL BALANCED SENSE OF PROPORTION COLOUR TEXTURE AND VISUAL DISPLAY THAT ALWAYS PROVIDES A WHOLEn AND INTIMATE DETAILS WITHIN THE WHOLE 4HE PIECES ARE THREE DIMENSIONAL IN FORM AND VISUAL EFlCACY
WORKSPACE 4HE DINING TABLE MY MOTHER USED NOW ACTS AS MY STUDIO TABLE EMBEDDING MY OWN LIFE AND PATTERNS INTO THE GRAIN OF THE WOOD ,ITTERED AROUND ME
IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION AND ) LIKE THAT 4HERE IS OFTEN
) HAVE .EW WORLDS OF TEXTURE TECHNIQUE IDEAS FORM
NO NEED TO BE COMPLEX 4HEIR COMPLEXITY COMES
AND SHAPE POSSIBILITY AND DESIRE HAVE BEEN SHOWN
FROM THEIR CUT OR THE FABRIC OR THE COMBINATION OF
TO ME 4O RECEIVE THE FEEDBACK WE DO FROM OTHERS IS
PIECES ) LIKE TO TAKE THE SAME PATTERN AND WORK
A WONDERFUL WAY TO lNISH EACH PROJECT
IT OVER MANY TIMES LETTING NEW LIFE BE BORN INTO IT THROUGH CHANGES OF COLOUR PALETTE 4HE KNITTED POUCH SERIES THAT ) HAVE BEEN WORKING ON RECENTLY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF lNDING A SIMPLE FORM AND WITH SUBTLE TWISTS EACH TIME ACHIEVING SOMETHING FRESH 4HE PATTERN INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK TAKES THE PROCESS ONE STEP FURTHER BY ADDING IN EXTRA HANDMADE ITEMS LIKE SHIBORI FELTING TO MAKE IT TRULY UNIQUE .UMEROUS TECHNIQUES CAN BE INCORPORATED WITHIN THE STRUCTURE AND THIS REALLY APPEALS TO MY SENSE OF WANTING TO ACHIEVE QUICKLY BUT EASILY 4HIS BOOK IS ABOUT A WONDERFUL ONLINE CRAFTING COMMUNITY WHO HAVE OPENED THEIR DOORS AND CREATIVITY TO LET PEOPLE BE INSPIRED AND LET IDEAS mOW AND DEVELOP 7ITHOUT THE IMMENSE TALENT OF THESE WOMEN ) WOULD NEVER HAVE MADE SOME OF THE LEAPS
"ELOW !LISONS DESK
:AKKA 3TYLE 0OUCH $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DESIGNED THIS PURSE AS A PROJECT TO GENTLY EASE BEGINNERS INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SEWING )T CAN BE KEPT SIMPLE AND COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR YOU CAN INVEST MORE TIME AND EMBELLISH AWAY TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT 4HIS PURSE CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE STITCHED AND CAN BE INTERLINED WITH A COMMERCIAL STIFF INTERFACING FOR A SHARP SMART LOOK OR INTERLINED WITH OR LAYERS OF A SOFT COTTON FABRIC FOR A SOFT SQUASHY LOOK 4HE DETACHABLE CORSAGE IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF JUST LAYERS OF PETALS HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW STITCHES AND A BUTTON OR BEAD FEEL FREE TO ADD SEQUINS OR DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND WHATEVER ELSE THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY
!MY +AROL ,OCATION 0ORTLAND /REGON /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -OM $ESIGNER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3MALL !RT 1UILTS !BSTRACT 7ALL 1UILTS $ESIGN 7EBSITE HTTPANGRYCHICKENTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE !S MELODRAMATIC AS IT SOUNDS ) HAVE TO MAKE THINGS ) DONT SEPARATE hARTv AND hCRAFTv IN MY HEAD AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE 4HERE WAS A TIME RIGHT AFTER COLLEGE WHEN ) WAS REALLY HUNG UP ON DOING hSERIOUS ARTv WHICH REALLY WASNT SERIOUS AT ALL BUT WAS hARTv IN THE SENSE THAT IT WASNT CRAFTY AND WAS REPRESENTED BY GALLERIES AND PARTICIPATED IN JURIED SHOWS ) GUESS IF ) WERE TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ART AND CRAFT NOW IT WOULD ONLY BE THAT CRAFT OFTEN HAS A UTILITARIAN PURPOSE OR HISTORY BUT THATS ABOUT IT FOR ME "ACK THEN ) WOULD FEEL GUILTY FOR CRAFTING BUT WHEN MY NATURAL INTEREST BEGAN TO SHIFT TOWARDS CRAFTING EVEN MORE ) REALLY JUST LET ALL OF MY HANG UPS GO ) CRAFT AS A RESULT OF MY CIRCUMSTANCES ) HAVE AN INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE IN PAINTING DIGITAL VIDEO AND lLM ALONG WITH MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE ART BUT THESE MEDIUMS ARENT VERY PRACTICAL WHEN )M AT HOME WITH MY DAUGHTERS FULL TIME SO ) DO WHAT ) CAN AND WHAT lTS IN MY LIFE 2IGHT NOW ITS PRIMARILY SEWING DRAWING AND WORKING ON MY CRAFT BLOG 4HE ARTCRAFT DEBATE ENDED FOR ME WHEN ) REALIZED
GOING 4HE WORST TIMES IN MY LIFE LOOKING BACK ON
THAT ) FELT THE SAME DOING BOTH SO IT DIDNT REALLY
IT NOW HAVE COME FROM WHEN ) WASNT ABLE TO n
MATTER WHAT ) WAS DOING AS LONG AS ) ACHIEVED THAT
PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY n BE CREATIVE 4HATS WHY
FEELING ) WAS HAPPY 7HEN ) WORK ) HAVE NO CONCEPT
) DONT KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION hWHERE DO
OF TIME ) CAN JUST BE ABSORBED IN WHAT ) AM
YOU lND THE TIME TO DO SO MUCH v WHICH ) HEAR A LOT
DOING AND ) THINK ITS THE ONLY TIME OF THE DAY )
)TS LIKE ASKING ME HOW ) HAVE TIME TO SLEEP OR EAT
AM NOT MULTI TASKING 4HIS BRAINHAND CONNECTION
FOOD ) JUST DO
IS MEDITATIVE FOR ME AND IS REALLY WHAT KEEPS ME
-Y MOM SAYS ) HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY 3HE STARTED
MARRIAGES AND VERY FULL LIVES THERE ISNT A LOT OF FREE
CALLING ME hCRAFT QUEENv WHEN ) WAS ABOUT THREE
TIME 7HEN ) DO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE ITS USUALLY
AND THE NICKNAME STILL COMES UP EMBARRASSINGLY
ABOUT THE KIDS 4HIS IS GREAT BUT ITS HARD BECAUSE )
7HEN ) WAS YOUNG CREATING WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL
AM WITH THE GIRLS ALL DAY 4HE CRAFT BLOG HAS KEPT ME
EXPERIENCE FOR ME BECAUSE ) COULD DO IT ALONE IT
CONNECTED TO WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING AND GIVES ME
DIDNT REQUIRE OTHER FRIENDS 4HERE WERE ONLY BOYS IN
A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE BIG SHOW AND TELL 4HIS
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN ) WAS GROWING UP AND ) HAD
HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT FOR ME AS AN ARTIST .OT JUST
A BROTHER SO ) LEARNED WAYS TO KEEP MYSELF BUSY BY
TO GET FEEDBACK BUT TO FEED ME VISUALLY AS WELL 4HE
MYSELF AND CRAFTING WAS THE MAIN ONE
ONLY THING ) NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF IS BEING ONLINE TOO MUCH AND KNOWING WHEN TO TURN OFF THE COMPUTER
) THINK CREATING IS ALSO A WAY ) CONNECT TO OTHER
AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN AND WORK ) HAVE BEEN ABLE
PEOPLE ESPECIALLY OTHER ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS !T THIS
TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH FRIENDS ONLINE WHO WOULD
TIME IN MY LIFE ITS SO HARD TO HAVE A REAL CONNECTION
NEVER THINK ITS ODD FOR ME TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME
WITH PEOPLE OTHER THAN MY FAMILY ) AM IN MY EARLY
WRITING AND THINKING ABOUT IRON ON VINYL OR WHICH
S AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE JOBS FAMILIES
THREAD ) SEW WITH 4HIS CONNECTION HAS REALLY
7HEN ) WORK ) HAVE NO CONCEPT OF TIME /PPOSITE h,OCATION $EVICEv -ONOPRINT AND
"ELOW $ETAIL OF SMALL QUILT h3POTSYv
COLLAGE ON PAPER
AFFECTED MY CREATIVE OUTPUT ) KNOW WITHOUT THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE COMMUNITY ONLINE ) WOULD NEVER BE DOING SO MUCH )T FEEDS ITSELF AND ) THINK THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL THING ) FEEL LIKE ) AM REALLY PARTICIPATING IN LIFE WHEN ) CREATE NOT WATCHING IT GO BY
INSPIRATION ) AM INSPIRED BY SO MANY THINGS -Y TASTES CHANGE LIKE EVERYTHING BUT RIGHT NOW THEYRE QUITE ECLECTIC )VE ALWAYS LIKED MID CENTURY GRAPHICS TEXTILES AND FURNITURE BUT LATELY ) HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE EXCITED BY TH CENTURY GRAPHICS LIKE OLD 3EARS CATALOGS FROM THE MID S OLD COOKBOOKS AND PERIODICALS
MADE QUILTS TO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES WARM 4HAT WAS
) LOVE MUSIC AND THE RADIO ESPECIALLY TALK RADIO LIKE
THE REAL PURPOSE OF SOME OF THE QUILTS BUT THE WOMEN
4HIS !MERICAN ,IFE AND OTHER PUBLIC RADIO SHOWS
ALSO MADE CHOICES ABOUT FABRICS PLACEMENT COLOR
LISTENING WHEN ) WORK IS VERY INSPIRING
AND DESIGN AND ) LOVE MAKING THE SAME DECISIONS EVEN THOUGH MY QUILTS LOOK NOTHING LIKE THE HISTORICAL
!LSO ANYTHING DOMESTIC n AS IN FOR THE HOME n IS
ONES THAT ) AM SO IN AWE OF !PRONS ALSO GET ME
REALLY FASCINATING TO ME ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS ROOTS
ESPECIALLY EXCITED BECAUSE ) LOVE THINKING THAT SO
ARE UTILITARIAN BUT THE EXECUTION MAKES IT ART ,IKE
MUCH TIME WAS TAKEN TO MAKE A GARMENT THAT WAS
QUILTING ) FEEL SUCH A CONNECTION WITH WOMEN WHO
GOING TO GET SO DIRTY 7E WOULD NEVER DO THAT TODAY 7ELL WE DONT DO THAT DO WE 7E DONT SEW APRONS TODAY 7E ALL USE PAPER TOWELS AND THROW THEM OUT ) HAVE ALSO BEEN RESEARCHING NEEDLEWORK MORE ESPECIALLY SAMPLERS ) THINK THIS INTEREST IS DUE TO MY TWO GIRLS AND WANTING TO GET THEM STARTED ON HAND SEWING PRETTY SOON ) ALSO LOVE THE FAMILY TREE AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTING THAT HAPPENS IN NEEDLEWORK LIKE BIRTHS DEATHS WILLOW TREES AND ALL THE LIFE AND DEATH IMAGERY ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE THINGS 4HE MORBID BEAUTY IS REALLY AMAZING TO ME
!BOVE $ETAIL FROM ONE OF !MYS ABSTRACT QUILTS ,EFT @&RESH ACRYLIC ON CANVAS /PPOSITE 7E ALL LIKE TO PRETEND OUR STUDIOS ARE ALWAYS SPOTLESS BUT !MY DOESNT HAVE ANY QUALMS ABOUT SHOWING HER SPACE AS IS
WORKSPACE &OR ABOUT l VE YEARS ) HAD A STUDIO OUTSIDE OF MY HOME AND ) WOULD SPEND ALL DAY THERE ) CAN BARELY REMEMBER THAT NOW 3INCE WE BOUGHT A HOUSE AND HAD THE GIRLS ) HAVE MOVED AROUND IN VARIOUS CORNERS OF OUR m ORESCENT LIT BASEMENT )T IS l NISHED WITH CARPET AND ALL BUT ITS FAR FROM IDEAL (ALF OF IT IS A PLAY AREA AND HALF OF IT IS MY SPACE 4HERE IS NO NATURAL LIGHT AND A RIDICULOUSLY LARGE PORTION OF MY STORAGE IS ON THE m OOR /NE THING ) LOVE ABOUT MY SPACE IS MY ABILITY TO WORK IN IT WITH MY CHILDREN !LTHOUGH HAVING ALONE TIME IS IMPORTANT TO ME ) AM REMINDED DAILY OF MY EARLIEST CRAFT MEMORIES WHEN ) SEE MY GIRLS PLAYING WITH THREAD PINS SCISSORS AND OTHER NOTIONS WHICH ARE NO DOUBT TOTALLY DANGEROUS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO BE PLAYING WITH -Y MOMS OWN CRAFT ROOM WAS NEVER OFF LIMITS TO ME AND APART FROM NOT USING THE FABRIC SCISSORS FOR PAPER ) COULD USE ANYTHING IN THERE ) KNOW THIS IS WHAT MADE MY l RST EXPERIENCES IN CRAFTING SO AMAZING ) WAS NEVER TOLD NO AND ) KNOW ) DEVELOPED MY EARLY SKILLS BECAUSE OF IT 3O WHEN ) WATCH MY TWO YEAR OLD TAKE ALL THE STUFl NG OUT OF A BAG FOR THE TENTH TIME IN AN HOUR ) JUST SMILE AND LEAVE IT ON THE m OOR UNTIL NAPTIME
1UILTED 4HROW $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HE ORGANIC UNPLANNED PROCESS OF MAKING THIS QUILT h9ELLOW AND 7HITEv IS WHERE ) FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE WITH TEXTILE WORK RIGHT NOW 7HEN ) PAINT ON CANVAS ) WORK WITH PAINT DRAWN LINES AND COLLAGED PAPER !LL THESE ELEMENTS ) NOW USE IN MY QUILTS BUT WITH FABRIC AND THREAD INSTEAD OF PAINT PAPER AND PEN AND INK 7HEN ) WORK ON THESE LARGE QUILTS ) REALLY DO VERY LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN ) DO WHEN ) PAINT ) WORK ON THE WALL WITH A PIECE OF m ANNEL TACKED OVER THE WALL SURFACE THAT THE FABRICS STICK TO AND ) COMPOSE AS ) GO AND NEVER KNOW WHAT THE QUILT WILL LOOK LIKE UNTIL ITS DONE "ECAUSE ) WORK THIS WAY DIRECTIONS ARE HARD TO GIVE ) CAN GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A QUILT THAT LOOKS REALLY SIMILAR TO THIS ONE BUT THE EXACT NUMBER OF SHAPES OR THE EXACT SIZES OF ALL THE BACKGROUND PIECES ARE NOT GIVEN SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SO TEDIOUS TO HAVE TO MEASURE THIS MUCH AND FOR YOU TO RECREATE IT IN THIS WAY )TS MORE OF A hSTYLEv OF WORKING WITH FABRIC THAT ) AM SHOWING HERE RATHER THAN AN EXACT PATTERN 3O HAVE FUN AND DONT WORRY ABOUT MAKING IT PERFECT
!NNA 4ORBORG ,OCATION ,ONDON %NGLAND /CCUPATION 0UBLISHER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST "AGS 1UILTS 0RINTING #ROCHET 7EBSITE HTTPWWWTWELVEORG
WHY I CREATE 7HEN ) THINK ABOUT MY CRAFTINESS IT SEEMS LIKE THERES AN UNBROKEN LINK FROM NOW BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD )N TRUTH THERE WAS A PERIOD IN WHICH ) WASNT THAT INTERESTED IN CRAFTY PURSUITS ) WAS ABSORBED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES %VEN THOUGH MY CHILDHOOD DAYS WERE SPENT PAINTING CERAMIC lGURINES AND CUTTING OUT PAPER PONIES THE CRAFTING ) NOW INDULGE IN WASNT NECESSARILY BORN FROM THOSE ACTIVITIES 3O HOW DID ) GET TO THIS POINT /NE DAY ) MADE A HAMSTER 4HATS NOT POSSIBLE YOU SAY ONLY 'OD CAN MAKE A HAMSTER OR MAYBE A MOMMY AND A DADDY HAMSTER IF THEY LOVE EACH OTHER VERY MUCH "UT ONE DAY ) WENT INTO MY LOCAL CRAFT SUPERSTORE AND DECIDED ) WAS GOING TO MAKE MY OWN RODENT FRIEND 4ECHNICALLY ) ALREADY HAD A ONE n THIS WAS WHEN ) WAS AT UNIVERSITY AND -ONTY WAS MY PERSONAL MASCOT A PARTICULARLY TAME AND FRIENDLY GOLDEN HAMSTER BUDDY 4HE CARTOONS )D DRAWN OF HIM HAD INSPIRED ME TO GO $ AND THIS WAS WHEN IT ALL STARTED 4HAT WAS THE TURNING POINT 7HAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A HAMSTER 7ELL YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR FELT SOME THREAD STRING FOR THE ARMS AND LEGS AND SOME STUFlNG !ND THEN YOU JUST START CREATING %VEN THOUGH )D PLAYED AROUND ON MY MOTHERS SEWING MACHINE WHEN ) WAS YOUNGER HANDSEWING THIS FELLOW WAS TRICKY ) COULD VISUALIZE THE BASIC SHAPES ) WOULD NEED TO GET THE lNISHED PRODUCT BUT PERFECTING THEM WAS ENTIRELY DOWN TO TRIAL AND ERROR )N THE END MY HAMSTER HAD THE HEAD
FROM ONE PROTOTYPE AND THE BODY FROM ANOTHER BUT
) BEGAN KEEPING AN ON LINE JOURNAL NEARLY SIX YEARS
HE WAS STILL PERFECT
AGO WHICH ISNT EONS EVEN FOR THE INTERNET BUT IT WAS WELL BEFORE YOUR AVERAGE PERSON WOULD HAVE
)T WAS AROUND THIS TIME WHEN ) WAS BECOMING THE
KNOWN WHAT A BLOG WAS ,OOKING BACK )M NOT SURE
&RANKENSTEIN OF THE TOY WORLD THAT ) DISCOVERED
WHAT ) WROTE ABOUT BEFORE ) STARTED CRAFTING "UT A
#RAFTSTER WWWCRAFTSTERORG (ERE WAS A GROUP
SLOW TRICKLE OF COMMENTS GREW STEADILY AS MORE AND
OF PEOPLE WHO WERE PROUD OF THEIR CREATIONS
MORE CRAFT BLOGS POPPED UP AND SOON ) WAS PART OF
n THEY SHARED THEIR IDEAS AND SHOWED OFF THEIR
AN AMAZING COMMUNITY
lNISHED PRODUCTS AND THERE WAS HARDLY A HINT OF EMBARRASSMENT 7OW ) CERTAINLY WASNT RUNNING
4HE SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION )M GIVEN FROM THIS
TO SHOW MY FRIENDS THE SILLY ANIMALS )D MADE BUT
NETWORK HAS ALLOWED MY CRAFTING TO GROW BY LEAPS
MAYBE THESE #RAFTSTER PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND
AND BOUNDS &ROM THE lRST TOTE ) MADE A FEW
0OSTING TO THOSE MESSAGE BOARDS GAVE ME MY lRST
YEARS AGO TO THE MORE IMPRESSIVE ) HOPE BAGS )
TASTE OF APPROVAL AND PRAISE FOR THIS NEW CREATIVITY
MAKE TODAY )M ALWAYS AMAZED TO lND THAT THIS IS
SO ) TOOK IT TO MY BLOG
SOMETHING )M REALLY LEARNING )TS NOT SOMETHING
)M ALWAYS AMAZED TO lND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING )M LEARNING /PPOSITE 4HE HAMSTER THAT STARTED IT ALL
"ELOW $ETAIL OF !NNAS LUNCH BAG
) STUDY IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE BUT PRACTICE REALLY DOES MAKE PERFECT )M ALWAYS PLEASED WHEN ) THINK OF THE SKILLS ) HAVE TODAY THAT DIDNT EXIST IN ME A MERE FOUR YEARS AGO ) LOVE CRAFTING BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A BROAD TERM ) BEGAN WITH A FELT HAMSTER BUT ) NOW SEW DRAW QUILT CROCHET AND KNIT AND ) PRINT WITH BOTH MY LETTERPRESS AND FROM HAND CARVED STAMPS ) DO THESE EACH WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SKILL BUT ) ENJOY THEM ALL #RAFTING FOR ME IS ABOUT TURNING AN IDEA INTO REALITY ) REALLY ADMIRE MY FRIENDS WHO CAN SAY THEY APPRECIATE EACH STEP OF THE PROCESS BUT THATS NOT TRUE OF ME ) LIKE TO DEVELOP AN IDEA BUT ) lND CUTTING FABRIC A BORE IRONING IS HOT AND TEDIOUS AND SEWING CAN BE FRUSTRATING AND NEVER ENDING %ACH STEP CLOSER TO BEING lNISHED IS EXCITING THOUGH n ) LOVE WATCHING MY PROGRESS ESPECIALLY IN LARGE PROJECTS 3EEING THE END PRODUCT AND KNOWING ) MADE IT n THAT IS CREATIVE HEAVEN
INSPIRATION !BOVE ! PATCHWORK STRIP BAG
-Y TASTES REALLY VARY AND EVOLVE FROM MOMENT TO MOMENT AND IT HAS TO BE DOWN TO THE VARIETY OF
"ELOW 6ERY PINK BIRD PRINTS
SOURCES FROM WHICH ) TAKE INSPIRATION 0ERHAPS THE MOST OBVIOUS OF THESE SOURCES IS THE VAST QUANTITY OF MAGAZINES ) BUY EACH MONTH )M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH UPWARDS OF TWENTY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS BUT ) HAVENT GOT A SINGLE ONE ) ENJOY MY TRIPS TO THE BOOK SHOP TOO MUCH TO SUBSCRIBE ) DONT CARE IF ) HAVE TO WAIT AN EXTRA DAY OR SPEND AN EXTRA POUND n WAITING FOR A NEW ISSUE TO APPEAR ON THE SHELF IS PART OF THE EXCITEMENT ) HAVE A NUMBER OF MAGAZINES WHICH ) BUY REGULARLY AND RATHER THAN BEING CRAFT MAGAZINES THEYRE ALL OF THE @HOME AND GARDEN VARIETY ) LOVE TO SEE PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAREFULLY AND SOMETIMES NOT DECORATED ROOMS AND SEE HOW EVERYTHING lTS TOGETHER ) lND THAT THE AESTHETIC OF A ROOM CAN INSPIRE A PROJECT BY ITSELF )NSTEAD OF SAVING ALL THE
MAGAZINES ) BUY ) CLIP MY FAVOURITE PICTURES AND
/NE OF MY FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF THE INTERNET CRAFT
PASTE THEM INTO AN INSPIRATION BOOK 4HE BOOKS
COMMUNITY IS THAT WERE SO HAPPY TO BE EACH OTHERS
PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO GIVE ME DECORATING IDEAS
INSPIRATION )TS NOT SO MUCH THE lNISHED PROJECTS
FOR MY OWN HOME BUT THE COLOURS AND STYLES OFTEN
WHICH INSPIRE ME THOUGH THEY CAN CERTAINLY BE
INFORM MY CRAFTING CHOICES
FABULOUS ) TEND TO SEE THE COMBINATIONS OF FABRICS AND COLOUR 4HE BEST EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE NUMBER
3PEAKING OF THAT ) lND THAT )M DRAWN TO A SURPRISING
OF PROJECTS )D BEEN SEEING IN REDS AND YELLOWS AND
ARRAY OF DIFFERENT STYLES ) FEEL LIKE MY BRAIN IS A
BLACKS 4HIS ISNT A COMBINATION ) WOULD HAVE BEEN
6ENN DIAGRAM WHERE EACH CIRCLE IS A UNIQUE STYLE n
DRAWN TO MYSELF n NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE ) WOULDNT
MAKING THE CIRCLES OVERLAP IS DElNITELY A CHALLENGE
HAVE THOUGHT OF IT WHICH IS SOMETIMES TRUE BUT
) LOVE THE MODERN *APANESE STYLE WHICH HAS TAKEN
BECAUSE ) SIMPLY THOUGHT ) WOULDNT LIKE IT "UT THE
OVER THE CRAFT WORLD BUT ) EQUALLY ADORE THE CLEAN
COLOUR MIX GREW ON ME AND WHEN ) STARTED CHOOSING
BOLD 3CANDINAVIAN LOOK ) USE A LOT OF +AFFE &ASSETT
PATTERNS FOR A NEW QUILT WHAT WAS ) DRAWN TO
FABRICS AND AM VERY PRONE TO GOING OVERBOARD IN THE
%XACTLY ) LOVE THE lNISHED PRODUCT AND IN A SENSE
PRINT DEPARTMENT )M FOND OF THE PINKS AND AQUAS OF
) COULDNT HAVE DONE IT ALONE
SHABBY CHIC !ND ) LOVE RETRO PRINTS ANYTHING FROM THE S TO THE S (OWS A GIRL SUPPOSED TO DECIDE BETWEEN ALL THOSE
"ELOW ! FAVOURITE QUILT IN SURPRISING COLOURS
WORKSPACE 7HEN ) lNISHED THAT lRST HAMSTER ) PUT THE LEFT OVER MATERIALS IN A SHOEBOX AND THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF MY @STUDIO "UT CRAFTING IS AN EXCELLENT HOBBY FOR HOARDERS AND IT WASNT LONG BEFORE THE SHOEBOX EXPANDED TO A SET OF DRAWERS ) LIVED IN A STUDIO APARTMENT FOR A WHILE AND ITS TINY DINING ROOM BECAME THE CRAFT ROOM AS MY OBSESSION GREW )T WAS GREAT TO SPREAD OUT MY MESS ON THE TABLE AND WALK AWAY MID PROJECT WITHOUT WORRYING THAT IT WOULD BE IN THE WAY 7HEN ) MOVED TO ,ONDON ) PACKED THREE BAGS AND TWO OF THEM WERE lLLED WITH FABRIC AND NOTIONS n THERE WAS ONE FOR CLOTHES AND EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD JUST HAVE TO WAIT )T WAS SYMBOLIC OF CRAFTINGS HOLD ON ME THE THOUGHT OF HAVING TO GO A DAY WITHOUT A PROJECT WAS FRIGHTENING )VE MOVED HOUSE ONCE AGAIN SINCE ARRIVING IN ,ONDON AND FOR THE lRST TIME ) HAVE A PROPER ROOM ALL TO MYSELF FOR MY STUDIO n WITH A DOOR AND EVERYTHING ) HAVE A LARGE DESK WHICH HOLDS
APPRECIATE THIS LUXURY WHILE IT LASTS n MY STUDIO IS
BOTH MY COMPUTER AND MY SEWING MACHINE )VE
JUST ABOUT PERFECT AT THE MOMENT
GOT SEVERAL CABINETS WHICH HOLD BOXES OF RIBBONS AND TRAYS OF MY LETTERPRESS TYPE AND ALL MY FABRIC
)N A SENSE DECORATING OR DESIGNING A STUDIO CAN
IS KEPT ON SHELVES IN THE BUILT IN WARDROBE -Y
BE DIFlCULT BECAUSE ITS A SPACE THATS JUST ABOUT
VIEW IS SPECTACULAR AND ) HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF TO
YOU )T SOUNDS GREAT BUT WHEN YOURE DRAWN TO SO MANY DIFFERENT STYLES IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE TO KEEP IT TONED DOWN ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL SPACE )M ALWAYS AMAZED THAT MY STUDIO DOES SEEM TO @HANG TOGETHER GIVEN THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PIECES CAN BE QUITE DISPARATE )VE GOT STARK 3CANDINAVIAN PRINTS AND FRILLY TEA TOWELS AND MODERN STORAGE BUT ) THINK IT SOMEHOW ALL WORKS (AVING STARTED WITH A SHOEBOX ) KNOW ) DONT REALLY NEED THE DEDICATED SPACE TO CREATE BUT ITS LOVELY TO ESCAPE INTO MY OWN ROOM AND SIT AMONGST THE FABRIC AND RIBBONS AND DREAM
4HIS 0AGE !NNAS SUNNY STUDIO /PPOSITE ! VERY GIRLY LITTLE PURSE
-ARKET "AG $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT !FTER REALIZING HOW MUCH OF MY FOOD WENT OFF BEFORE ) GOT AROUND TO EATING IT ) DECIDED TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THE WAY ) SHOPPED )NSTEAD OF BUYING THE WEEKS GROCERIES IN ONE GO ) WOULD VISIT THE SUPERMARKET A FEW TIMES A WEEK AND BUY ONLY WHAT ) NEEDED FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS )TS A GREAT IDEA AND DEl NTELY REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT GOES TO WASTE BUT ) DONT LIKE THE PILES OF PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS THAT CAN BUILD WITH THIS SCHEME 3O ) DECIDED TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM TOO 4HIS MARKET BAG IS GREAT AND VERSATILE )TS ROOMY AND STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY YOUR CARTONS OF MILK AND IT CINCHES UP AT THE TOP TO MAKE SURE THE BISCUITS DONT GO ROLLING AWAY "EST OF ALL IT HAS A HANDY POCKET INSIDE WHICH THE ENTIRE BAG CAN TUCK INTO ) CAN CARRY THIS AROUND IN MY REGULAR PURSE AND )VE ALWAYS GOT AN EXTRA BAG READY TO GO -Y BAG IS MADE FROM LIGHT WEIGHT COTTON FOR MAXIMUM FOLDABILITY BUT THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS TO TRY OUT #ONSTRUCT YOURS OUT OF CANVAS FOR A ROUGH AND READY VERSION OR LINE IT WITH A WATERPROOF FABRIC FOR CARRYING COLD ITEMS 9OU CAN EVEN SIMPLIFY THIS ALREADY EASY PATTERN BY LEAVING OUT THE POCKET AND CINCH AND YOULL HAVE A BAG YOU CAN WHIP UP IN NO TIME m AT
TURN POCKET OUT OF BAG AND FREE FROM HANDLES TURN POCKET INSIDE OUT
FOLD HANDLES DOWN FOLD BOTH SIDES IN TOWARDS THE MIDDLE
FOLD TOP AND BOTTOM TOWARDS MIDDLE
TUCK BAG INTO POCKET
#ASSI 'RIFlN ,OCATION (AILEY )DAHO /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME (OMESCHOOLING -OM !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 0INCUSHIONS 4OTES 3OFT 4OYS $ECORATIONS 7EBSITE HTTPBELLADIATYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE )VE BEEN CRAFTY ALL MY LIFE -Y MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHERS WERE ALL TALENTED AT A VARIETY OF CRAFTS AND NEEDLEWORK SO MAKING THINGS JUST SEEMED TO COME NATURALLY FOR ME ) CAN STILL HEAR MY GRANDMOTHER SAY h7ELL ) CAN MAKE THAT v WHENEVER WE WOULD GO OUT SHOPPING AND )D SHOW A SPECIAL INTEREST IN SOMETHING !S KIDS MY TWIN SISTER AND ) INDULGED IN EVERY SORT OF CRAFTING POSSIBLE FROM BATH SALTS TO BOOK MAKING FROM WEAVING TO WOOD BURNING 7E WERE ALSO ENTREPRENEURALLY MINDED WHEN IT CAME TO OUR CRAFTING AMONG OTHER THINGS WE MADE PUPPET KITS AND SOLD THEM DOOR TO DOOR TO OUR VERY GENEROUS NEIGHBORS ,ITTLE DID ) KNOW THAT THAT WOULD BE A CAREER PATH LATER IN MY LIFE ) WANTED TO BE LIKE THE PIONEERS AND MAKE CANDLES AND RAG RUGS AND CORN HUSK DOLLS ) LOVED BOOKS LIKE THE ,ITTLE (OUSE SERIES AND 4HE "OXCAR #HILDREN AND
PEOPLE AND DONT REALLY ENJOY HOUSEWORK BUT ) THINK
MOVIES LIKE 4HE 3WISS &AMILY 2OBINSON AND EVEN
WHAT ) LEAST LIKE ABOUT IT IS THAT YOU NEVER HAVE MUCH
THE 46 SERIES 'ILLIGANS )SLAND -Y IMAGINATION
TO SHOW FOR YOUR LABOR 4HE LAUNDRY THE MEALS THE
WOULD BE ALL mUTTERY THINKING OF MAKING CUPS FROM
GROCERY SHOPPING ETC ARE JUST A NEVER ENDING CYCLE
COCONUTS AND DIGGING THROUGH THE LOCAL DUMP TO
AND ITS HARD TO FEEL ANY SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
lND CRACKED CHINA FOR DINNER PLATES 4HAT TYPE OF
WHEN IT NEVER SEEMS TO BE DONE 7HEN ) CRAFT ) END
THINKING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF MY
UP WITH SOMETHING TANGIBLE ) HAVE SOMETHING THAT
PERSONAL STYLE FOR EXAMPLE IF ) NEED NEW CURTAINS
SAYS h,OOK WHAT ) DIDv
THEN MY lRST THOUGHT IS TO CHECK MY VINTAGE LINEN COLLECTION TO SEE WHAT ) CAN MAKE RATHER THAN LOOK
) LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF SEEING WHAT ) CAN CREATE ON
THROUGH A CATALOG OR GO TO THE MALL
MY OWN AND WHEN )M PLEASED WITH THE RESULT ITS EXTREMELY SATISFYING )F OTHER PEOPLE LIKE WHAT )
)M RAISING THREE KIDS ON MY OWN AND SINCE WE
MAKE TOO THEN THAT IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE ) AM
HOME SCHOOL MY DAYS ARE VERY BUSY )M LIKE MOST
MOSTLY SELF TAUGHT AND MY WORK IMPROVES THROUGH
TRIAL AND ERROR n AND PATIENCE 7HEN ) WAS YOUNGER ) CRAFTED MOSTLY FOR THE END RESULT SEWING WAS ONE OF MY LEAST LIKED CRAFTS BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH PREP WORK ) HATED CUTTING OUT THE PATTERN ALL THE PINNING AND THE THREADING OF THE SEWING MACHINE n) JUST WANTED TO GET IT DONE AND ENJOY MY CREATION .OW ) ENJOY THE PROCESS AS MUCH AS ) DO THE END RESULT 4HESE DAYS SEWING HAS BECOME ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES ) LOVE THE SMELL OF THE FABRIC THE lRST TIME ITS IRONED MATCHING THE THREAD ALIGNING THE PATTERN PIECES AND PRESSING OPEN THE SEAMS !S FAR AS HAND SEWING ) lND IT ALMOST MEDITATIVE ) ENJOY SITTING IN THE EVENING WITH MY WORK IN MY LAP AND MY HOT TEA NEARBY AND LETTING MY THOUGHTS DRIFT ) DONT LIKE TO MAKE MISTAKES BUT WHEN ) DO ) DONT GET NEARLY AS FRUSTRATED AS ) DID WHEN ) WAS
YOUNGER )F ) MAKE A MISTAKE ) PULL OUT THE STITCHES AND REDO THEM BECAUSE ) KNOW ) WONT BE HAPPY WITH IT IF ) DONT )TS ALL JUST PART OF THE PROCESS #ROCHETING IS ALSO VERY RELAXING FOR ME AND ) lND THE STITCH REPETITIONS ARE LIKE THE CHANTING OF A "UDDHIST MONK ALLOWING THE DUST OF A STRESSFUL DAY TO SETTLE 4HE THINGS THAT ) HAVE THAT ARE MOST SPECIAL TO ME ARE THINGS THAT WERE HANDMADE BY MY FAMILY ! QUILT FROM MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER HANDMADE BABY CLOTHES FROM MY GRANDMOTHER A SCULPTURE FROM MY MOTHER DRAWINGS BY MY SISTER AND OF COURSE lRST DRAWINGS AND PINCH POTS FROM MY CHILDREN 4HESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ) HOLD MOST DEAR n ALL HANDMADE ALL FROM THE HEART
) LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF SEEING WHAT ) CAN CREATE ON MY OWN /PPOSITE "USINESS CARDS FOR "ELLA $IA #ASSIS
"ELOW #RAFTS NOTIONS AND INSPIRATION ON #ASSIS
DESIGN LABEL
CRAFT CABINET
INSPIRATION )F MY INSPIRATION HAD A THEME SONG IT WOULD BE 7HAT A 7ONDERFUL 7ORLD BY ,OUIS !RMSTRONG ) TRULY l ND INSPIRATION ALL AROUND ME BUT ESPECIALLY IN NATURE )M LUCKY TO LIVE IN A BEAUTIFUL RURAL AREA WHERE )M SURROUNDED BY FORESTS AND RIVERS SNOWY MOUNTAINTOPS AND BRIGHT BLUE SKIES ) GET TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE LOVELY SHADES AND SHAPES OF NATURE RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR ) AM CAPTIVATED BY THE SUBTLE COLOR CHANGES AT DUSK AND THE WAY THE LIGHT AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR PLAYS UP THE VARIETY OF TONES IN FAMILIAR OBJECTS !LTHOUGH WE ARE COVERED UP IN SNOW FOR SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR SPRING AND SUMMER ARE VIVID WITH BRIGHTLY BLOOMING WILDm OWERS -Y GARDENS ARE MAINLY PERENNIALS AND ITS JUST ONE MORE PLACE WHERE ) CAN SEE THE SHIFT OF COLOR AND LIGHT AS THE SEASONS COME AND GO -Y MOTHER AND SISTER AND ) USED TO OWN A m OWER SHOP WHERE ) LEARNED ABOUT MANY DIFFERENT TYPES
OF m OWERS AND GREENERY -Y EXPERIENCE AS A m ORAL DESIGNER HAS BEEN A HUGE INm UENCE ON MY DESIGNS ESPECIALLY THE PINCUSHIONS ) USUALLY HAVE A m OWER IN MIND WHEN )M CREATING ONE FROM FELT OR )M EMBROIDERING )M TRYING TO GET THE FEEL OF THE m OWER AND AM NOT INTERESTED IN REPRODUCING IT &LOWERS ALONE SUPPLY AN ENDLESS SOURCE OF IDEAS FOR SHAPE AND COLOR #HILDRENS LITERATURE IS ANOTHER VAST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR ME ) HAVE A RATHER LARGE COLLECTION OF CHILDRENS PICTURE BOOKS AND ) LOVE PERUSING THROUGH THEM WHEN ) NEED TO SPARK MY CREATIVITY 3OME OF MY FAVORITE ILLUSTRATORS ARE &EODOR 2OJANKOVSKY $EMI %LSA "ESKOW 0ETER 3IS 7ANDA 'AG ,OIS ,ENSKI %STHER 7ILKINS AND 'ARTH 7ILLIAMS TO NAME A FEW ! FAVORITE PASTIME IS LOOKING AT BOOKS IN THE CHILDRENS SECTION OF USED BOOKSTORES AND l NDING NEW TREASURES TO BRING HOME ) DEVELOPED AN EARLY LOVE OF ALL THINGS VINTAGE FROM GOING TO m EA MARKETS WITH MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER -Y GRANDMOTHER WAS A HUGE ANTIQUE COLLECTOR AND HER HOUSE WAS LIKE A MUSEUM IN ITSELF SO IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN RAMPANT AND SEE DESIGN FROM OTHER DECADES )N THE SAME WAY PERIOD l LMS ARE ANOTHER GREAT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION ) ESPECIALLY LOVE LOOKING IN THE BACKGROUND OF SCENES TO SEE HOW THE ROOM IS DECORATED WHAT TOILETRY ITEMS ARE OUT ON THE VANITY COLOR COMBINATIONS ARCHITECTURE CLOTHING AND SO ON )NSPIRATION FOR ME IS JUST A WAY OF LOOKING AT THE WORLD AND REINTERPRETING WHAT ) SEE INTO SOMETHING TANGIBLE )MAGES RAIN DOWN LIKE CONFETTI AND ) GO AROUND PICKING UP THE LITTLE COLORED PIECES AND TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING PRETTY )M AWARE OF TRENDS BUT ) DONT PUT MUCH CONSIDERATION TOWARDS THEM WHEN )M DESIGNING NEW ITEMS "EING IN MY FORTIES )M ONLY TOO WELL AWARE THAT TRENDS COME AND GO BUT GOOD DESIGN STAYS CONSTANT ,EFT #ASSIS SEWING MACHINE WAITING PATIENTLY /PPOSITE &ABRIC VALUABLE FABRIC
WORKSPACE )T WOULD BE LOVELY TO HAVE A DEDICATED ROOM FOR MY CRAFTING BUT THATS NOT POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW 3INCE WE HOME SCHOOL THE EXTRA ROOM WE HAVE IS USED AS OUR SCHOOLROOM SO MY WORK HAS TAKEN OVER THE KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM AND MOST OTHER m AT SURFACES NEARBY )VE TRIED TO CONVINCE THE KIDS THAT WE CAN DO WITHOUT THE KITCHEN BUT ) HAVENT GOTTEN VERY FAR WITH THAT IDEA ) HAVE SEVERAL OLD CUPBOARDS THAT ARE STUFFED WITH FABRIC AND RIBBON AND ASSORTED OTHER DO DAHS AND )M ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR VINTAGE CANISTERS AND OLD WOODEN BOXES BECAUSE ) USE THEM FOR MORE STORAGE SPACE )F YOU LOOK IN ALMOST ANY LIDDED CONTAINER NEAR MY WORKSPACE YOU WILL l ND IT STUFFED WITH SOMETHING THAT ) USE IN MY CRAFTING ) HAVE SEVERAL WIRE MESH CARTS THAT )VE ORGANIZED WITH MY SEWING NECESSITIES AND ) PULL THOSE AROUND WITH ME DEPENDING WHERE )M DOING MY WORK 4HE SEWING MACHINE IS ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER AND THE IRON IS ALWAYS UP HAVING THINGS OUT AND ACCESSIBLE MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO GET CRAFTING DONE BUT ITS NOT THE WAY TO HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE
&ABRIC 3CARF AND "ROOCH $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS IS THE PERFECT PROJECT FOR A SEWING NOVICE BUT THE l NISHED PRODUCT IS AMAZINGLY VERSATILE AND FUN "ECAUSE THESE SCARVES ARE SO QUICK AND EASY TO WHIP UP YOU CAN MAKE AN ENTIRE RANGE TO MATCH YOUR WARDROBE IN WEIGHTS TO TAKE YOU FROM COOL AUTUMN EVENINGS TO THE COLDEST WINTER DAYS 4HE PRETTY m OWER BROOCH CAN BE USED TO FASTEN THE SCARF IN PLACE AND ITS A LOVELY ACCESSORY ALL ON ITS OWN "ECAUSE THIS PROJECT USES A RELATIVELY LARGE PIECE OF FABRIC ITS IDEAL FOR SHOWCASING A PRINT YOU CANT BEAR TO CUT INTO PIECES
&IONA $ALTON ,OCATION !DELAIDE !USTRALIA /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -UM 'RAPHIC $ESIGNER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS "AGS #HILDRENS #LOTHES 7EBSITE HTTPHOPSKIPJUMPTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE 4HE IMPULSE TO MAKE THINGS HAS ALWAYS BEEN
!S LONG AS ) CAN REMEMBER CRAFT OF SOME SORT HAS
WITH ME -Y MOTHER IS A PAINTER AND CRAFTER AND
BEEN A PART OF MY LIFE FROM PAPER CRAFTS SUCH AS
SO ALWAYS ENCOURAGED MY BROTHER AND ) TO MAKE
MAKING #HRISTMAS CARDS AND INVITATIONS TO SEWING
THINGS AND ENGAGE OURSELVES CREATIVELY ) THINK )
BAGS AND CUSHIONS BAKING CAKES AND RESTORING
MUST HAVE BEEN A BIT OBSESSIVE AND SINGLE MINDED
FURNITURE WITH MIXED RESULTS FOR THE LATTER ) MIGHT
ABOUT CRAFT AS A KID BECAUSE ONE OF MY EARLIEST
ADD 7HY DO ) DO THIS WHEN ) COULD JUST HEAD TO A
CRAFTING MEMORIES IS BADGERING MY PARENTS TO BUY
DEPARTMENT STORE FOR A SIMILAR ITEM 4HESE ARE MY
POTTERS CLAY AND ONCE IT WAS PURCHASED ASKING
TWO CENTS
THEM TO BRING IT OUT TO PLAY WITH OVER AND OVER AND /6%2 AGAIN ) LITTERED MY POOR PARENTS HOUSE WITH THOSE UGLY CLAY CREATIONS )M STILL OBSESSIVE ABOUT THE THINGS ) MAKE BUT )M GLAD TO REPORT THAT ) CAN UNPACK MY OWN EQUIPMENT NOW !ND ) EVEN CLEAN UP AFTER MYSELF SOMETIMES TOO
4HERE IS A SIGNIlCANT SENSE OF PERSONAL SATISFACTION A SORT OF SELF ADMINISTERED PAT ON THE BACK ONE GETS FROM COMPLETING A PROJECT AND STANDING BACK TO ADMIRE THE RESULTS OF ONES HANDIWORK (OME MADE HAS MORE PERSONALITY MORE MEANING AND IS MORE FROM THE HEART THAN STORE BOUGHT THINGS #RAFTING CONNECTS US TO SOME OF THE CHARMING BITS OF TIMES PAST 4HE PROCESS OF MAKING THINGS OFTEN SEEMS TO HAVE A MEDITATIVE CALMING AND EVEN HEALING EFFECT ,IKE MOST PEOPLE WHO MAKE THINGS ) lND CRAFTING IMMENSELY SATISFYING -Y HUSBAND ALWAYS TEASES ME FOR @GOING ABOUT THE LONG WAY TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING 4HE PRODUCTION OF OUR WEDDING INVITATIONS FOR EXAMPLE INVOLVED TWO SEPARATELY PRINTED SHEETS RIBBONS GLUE STAMPS A WAX SEAL AND LOTS OF FOLDING CUTTING AND GLUING )N OTHER WORDS LOTS OF TIME
/PPOSITE $ETAIL FROM A BABYS QUILT
!BOVE &IONAS SOFT TOYS ARE A HIT WITH BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS
) LOVE THE CHALLENGE AND THRILL OF PERFECTING A NEW SKILL !LL BEFORE WE WROTE ON THEM AND ADDRESSED THE
TASTE FASHION AND AESTHETIC 2EMEMBER ALL THOSE
ENVELOPES 4O ME THIS IS PART OF THE FUN OF CELEBRATING
UNATTRACTIVE WOVEN HARD BAKED BREAD WALL HANGINGS
AN OCCASION (ANDMADE DETAILS CAN MAKE AN EVENT
AND GUMNUT PEOPLE CRAFTED IN THE S ) KNOW
UNIQUE MORE PERSONAL AND YES JUST THE WAY )
THAT SOME OF THE THINGS WE MAKE NOW WILL SUFFER A
LIKE IT 0ERHAPS THERE IS AN INNER CONTROL FREAK INSIDE
SIMILAR FATE CRAFT IS AS MUCH DRIVEN BY FASHION AS
EVERY CRAFTER )N ANY CASE FOR ME IT IS EVERY BIT WORTH
ANYTHING ELSE (OWEVER AT THEIR BEST HAND CRAFTED
THE EXTRA @TROUBLE TO SEE AN IDEA COME TO FRUITION
ITEMS SEEM TO HAVE SPECIAL POWERS ! FRIEND OF MINE HAS A BABY BLANKET THAT WAS KNITTED BY HER GREAT
3IMILARLY ) LOVE THE CHALLENGE AND THRILL OF PERFECTING
GRANDMOTHER )T WAS USED TO RECEIVE ALL HER GREAT
A NEW SKILL 4HEY ARE USUALLY SMALL THINGS BUT THE
GRANDMOTHERS BABIES AND THOSE OF HER GRANDMOTHER
CONQUERING OF A CRAFTING GOAL CAN HAVE ENORMOUS
AND AUNTS %VEN MY FRIEND WAS BOUGHT HOME FROM
FEEL GOOD MILEAGE
HOSPITAL WRAPPED IN IT 7HEN ) VISITED HER A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE BIRTH OF HER lRST CHILD LAST YEAR
4HE SECOND POINT n THAT HAND MADE IS MUCH NICER
SHE HAD THE BLANKET LAID OUT WAITING 7E STARED
n IS A SLIPPERY ONE SO MUCH DEPENDENT ON PERSONAL
AT IT WITH REVERENCE 3URE ANY BLANKET THAT PLAYS
THAT KIND OF STARRING ROLE IN A FAMILY IS SPECIAL BUT
WELL AS THE QUALITY OF SOME OF THE MATERIAL ESPECIALLY
THE FACT THAT THIS ONE WAS HAND KNIT BY MY FRIENDS
WOOLS AND TWEEDS 4HRIFTING IS ALSO NEEDED BECAUSE
GREAT GRANDMOTHER ADDED TO ITS IMPORTANCE
WE ARE BUDGET CONSCIOUS AND ITS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO NOT LET MY SEWING SUPPLY PURCHASES GET IN THE WAY
&OR MOST OF US TIME IS A VERY PRECIOUS COMMODITY
OF NECESSARY THINGS LIKE GROCERIES OR HEALTH CARE )
IT IS SO NICE TO RECEIVE SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE
LOVE BEING ABLE TO CREATE SOMETHING FROM AN ITEM
HAS POURED SOME OF HERS INTO +NOWING THAT SHES
SOMEONE NO LONGER WANTED "UT MOST IMPORTANTLY IT
PROBABLY SPENT THAT TIME THINKING OF YOU AND WHAT
MAKES ME FEEL CONNECTED IN SOME SMALL WAY TO THE
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO RECEIVE MAKES IT EXTRA SPECIAL
WOMEN OF MY GRANDMOTHERS GENERATION WHO LIVED
7HEN AN E MAIL IS THE NORM THERE IS SUCH CHARM IN
THROUGH THE $EPRESSION WHO HAD TO THINK CREATIVELY
RECEIVING A HAND MADE GIFT OR CARD
ABOUT HOW TO USE THEIR RESOURCES n TURNING OLD SHIRTS INTO QUILTS AND SO FORTH ) THINK WE CONSUME FAR TOO
4HIRDLY ) ALSO LOVE HOW CRAFTING CAN CONNECT US TO
MUCH @NEW THESE DAYS AND )D LIKE TO THINK )M
THE PAST -Y MUM TAUGHT ME HOW TO SEW AND MY
KEEPING CERTAIN SKILLS OF THRIFTINESS ALIVE USEFUL SKILLS
GRANDMOTHER TAUGHT ME HOW TO KNIT AND BAKE ) SEW
THAT ) MIGHT BE ABLE TO PASS ONTO MY DAUGHTER
WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF RECYCLED FABRIC FABRIC FROM CHARITY SHOPS OR CUT UP OLD CLOTHES ) DO THIS
)TS THE FOURTH POINT HOWEVER n CRAFT AS A KIND OF
BECAUSE ) LIKE THE PATTERNS ) lND IN OLDER FABRIC AS
THERAPY THAT IS MOST INTERESTING TO ME AND DElNITELY
"ELOW ! STUFFED MENAGERIE
/PPOSITE "OTTOM &IONAS DAUGHTER MODELS A CUSTOM MADE SKIRT
/PPOSITE 4OP 0ATCHWORK IS A LONG LASTING TREND
3OMETHING YOU CAN TRANSFORM AND HOPEFULLY BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO GIVE A NEW USE 7ITHOUT SOUNDING TOO SENTIMENTAL HOWEVER THESE DAYS MY DAUGHTER IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS TO ME 4HERE ARE SO MANY FUN THINGS YOU CAN MAKE FOR BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN BIBS SHOES CLOTHING AND TOYS !LSO ) LOVE SEEING WHAT PATTERNS COLOURS AND TEXTURES SHE IS DRAWN TO 4HE TOYS ) NOW SELL STARTED AS GIFTS FOR MY DAUGHTER ) WANTED TO lND SOME FUN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SOFT TOYS FOR HER AND WHEN ) COULDNT lND ANYTHING TO MY LIKING IN SHOPS ) STARTED EXPERIMENTING WITH SEWING MY OWN (AVING A CHILD HAS OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF CRAFTING POSSIBILITIES FOR ME FOR WHICH ) AM IMMENSELY GRATEFUL 4HE COLOURFUL FRIENDLY NATURE OF CHILDRENS THE MOST POIGNANT $URING DIFlCULT TIMES IN MY LIFE
CLOTHING TOYS AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS INSPIRES ME
) HAVE OFTEN TURNED TO CRAFT #RAFT HAS ENORMOUS
EVERY DAY
DISTRACTING QUALITIES !S GOOD AS A GRIPPING NOVEL A GOOD PROJECT CAN TRANSPORT ME SOMEWHERE ELSE TURN MY FOCUS ELSEWHERE 0LUS AT THE END YOU HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOUR EFFORTS SOMETHING TANGIBLE AND CONCRETE !FTER THE BIRTH OF MY DAUGHTER ) BATTLED FOR A YEAR WITH POST NATAL DEPRESSION ) FOUND THAT BURYING MY HEAD IN A CRAFT PROJECT WAS JUST THE KIND OF ESCAPISM ) NEEDED FROM THE CHALLENGES OF DAY TO DAY BABY CARE $URING THIS TIME ) LEARNED TO KNIT AGAIN AND WHILE MY KNITTED CREATIONS FROM THAT TIME WILL NEVER WIN AWARDS THE PROCESS OF MAKING SOMETHING REDISCOVERING A NEW SKILL JUST FOR MYSELF MADE ME FEEL GOOD )N NO SMALL PART IT HELPED ME THROUGH THAT DIFlCULT TIME
INSPIRATION !SIDE FROM THE USUAL SUSPECTS LIKE COLOUR PATTERN FABRIC MAGAZINES AND THE INTERNET ) lND LOTS OF INSPIRATION IN VINTAGE CLOTHES TEXTILES AND CROCKERY )VE HAD A LIFE LONG @THING FOR THE STRUCTURED HEAVY WOOL JACKETS AND SUITS OF THE S KNIT VESTS AND BEAUTIFULLY PATTERNED WOMENS DRESSES FROM THE S AND S ) LOVE THINGS WITH A STORY SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SOMEWHERE ELSE BEFORE IT CAME TO YOU
WORKSPACE 0RESENTLY MY WORKSPACE CONSISTS A LARGE OLD WOODEN TABLE )T SITS IN THE CORNER OF AN OPEN THOROUGHFARE IN OUR HOME ADJACENT TO THE MAIN LIVING AREA &OR THIS REASON ) TRY TO KEEP IT UNCLUTTERED BUT IT RARELY IS /N THE TABLE ARE MY COMPUTER SEWING MACHINE AND ALL MANNER OF CLEAR PLASTIC AND PAPER COVERED BOXES CRAMMED FULL OF THREAD BUTTONS EMBELLISHMENTS PAPER AND OFl CE SUPPLIES AND LOTS OF MY FAVOURITE FAT QUARTERS ) LIKE TO KEEP THEM CLOSE TO ME /N THE WALL IN FRONT OF ME IS MY @INSPIRATION BOARD n A PIN BOARD OVERm OWING WITH PICTURES THAT INSPIRE POSTCARDS TEAR SHEETS FROM MAGAZINES PHOTOS AND FABRIC SWATCHES (ERE THERE ARE ALSO SHELVES HOUSING MY CRAFT BOOKS %LSEWHERE IN THE ROOM IS AN ARTS CRAFTS ERA HUTCH 4HIS USED TO HOUSE OUR BEST CHINA BUT ) HAVE CO OPTED IT FOR FABRIC STORAGE 5NDER MY TABLE ARE LARGE PLASTIC TUBS CONTAINING MORE FABRIC &ABRIC STORAGE IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM
!BOVE &IONAS WORK DESK "ELOW &ABRIC OFTEN ENDS UP SQUEEZED INTO EVERY LITTLE SPACE /PPOSITE ! BUTTON FOR EVERY PROJECT
,IBRARY 4OTE $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS LIBRARY TOTE IS A FAVOURITE PATTERN 7ITH A SMALL CHILD ) FOUND WE WERE VISITING OUR LOCAL LIBRARY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE AND USING THE SAME CANVAS BAGS WE USE TO HAUL OUR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FROM THE MARKET WAS JUST NOT CUTTING IT 4HIS TOTE BAG IS QUICK AND EASY TO MAKE AND CAN BE EMBELLISHED AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOU DESIRE )T HAS A SIMPLE BUT PRETTY POCKET WHICH IS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A LIBRARY CARD AND A FEW OTHER NECESSITIES 4HIS TOTE CAN ALSO BE MADE TO ANY SHAPE OR SIZE THAT YOU LIKE n TO HOLD OVERSIZED PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OR NOVELS AND MAGAZINES FOR YOU
(EIDI +ENNEY ,OCATION 0ENNSYLVANIA 53! /CCUPATION !RTIST !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWMYPAPERCRANECOM
WHY I CREATE 7HEN ) WAS A CHILD MY PARENTS WERE ALWAYS WORKING ON ONE PROJECT OR ANOTHER &ROM AS FAR BACK AS ) CAN REMEMBER MY MOTHER SEWED 3HE HAD JOBS CREATING ELABORATE WINDOW TREATMENTS AND THEN ANOTHER CREATING TINY STUFFED FELT CREATURES AT !NNALEES DOLL FACTORY -Y FATHER USED TO CREATE LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS THAT AMAZED ME AND HE SCULPTED LITTLE MEN OUT OF CLAY ) HAVE MANY EARLY MEMORIES OF MY DAD RECORDING "OB 2OSS SHOWS AND THEN USING THEM TO TEACH HIMSELF TO PAINT ) WAS ALWAYS FASCINATED WITH HIS PROCESS THE BIG JAR OF BRUSHES AND TUBES OF OIL PAINTS -Y PARENTS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME TO EXPLORE MY INTEREST IN CREATING 4HEY ALWAYS BOUGHT ART SUPPLIES FOR HOLIDAYS AND WE HAD FREE USE OVER MY MOMS SEWING MACHINE SINCE SHE lRST TAUGHT US TO SEW !T ONE POINT WHILE ) WAS GROWING UP MY PARENTS
THEM JUST SO 7E WOULD ALSO DRESS UP OUR DOLLS IN A
FORMED THEIR OWN CRAFT BUSINESS *AN *ER #RAFTS AND
SIMILAR FASHION "ESIDES THIS INTEREST IN TEXTILES MY
) ATTENDED SOME CRAFT SHOWS WITH THEM )T SEEMED
SISTERS AND ) WOULD EXPERIMENT IN THE KITCHEN &OR A
SO SURREAL TO ME THEY HAD BUSINESS CARDS AND COULD
BIG PART OF OUR CHILDHOOD WE WERE LATCH KEY KIDS
ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY SELLING THINGS THEY LOVED TO
3O WHENEVER WE GOT HOME WE WOULD TAKE OUT THE
MAKE
COOKBOOKS AND LOOK FOR NEW THINGS TO MAKE -OST OF THE TIME IT WAS COOKIES OR CAKES BUT WE LIKED TO
-Y TWO SISTERS AND ) WOULD SPEND HOURS GOING
MAKE DINNER DISHES AS WELL
THROUGH MY MOTHERS FABRIC SCRAPS 7E SPENT A WHOLE SUMMER ONCE ENTERTAINING OURSELVES BY
-Y OLDER SISTER AND ) WERE VERY CLOSE IN AGE AND ONCE
MAKING OUTlTS OUT OF THE SCRAPS NO SEWING INVOLVED
SHE CAME HOME WITH A PRESENT OF HANDMADE PAPER
THOUGH JUST DRAPING 7E WOULD EACH TAKE TURNS
DOLLS SHE HAD MADE ME ) LOVED THEM SO MUCH BUT
PICKING OUT JUST THE RIGHT FABRICS AND THEN ARRANGING
WE WERE MORE INTERESTED IN MAKING THEM INSTEAD OF
PLAYING WITH THEM 7E WOULD SPEND HOURS CREATING
FOCUSED ON COUNTRY STYLE CRAFTS 4HINGS LIKE SEWING
NEW CHARACTERS THE BOYS USUALLY HAD BLACK EYES TO
QUILTS AND HOUSEHOLD DECORATIONS
SHOW HOW TOUGH THEY WERE AND THE GIRLS WOULD HAVE DRESSES WITH ELOBORATE PETTICOATS 7E MADE UP
!S ) GREW OLDER MY FOCUS TURNED MORE TO PAINTING
NAMES FOR EACH OF THEM 4AFFY WAS ONE NAME WE
AND DRAWING ) THINK A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH MY
USED TOO MANY TIMES 7E KEPT THEM ALL IN A BROWN
THOUGHTS ON SEWING PLUS ONCE ) MOVED OUT ) DIDNT
PAPER BAG UNTIL THE COLLECTION GOT TOO BIG THEN IT
HAVE A MACHINE OF MY OWN ) DRIFTED BACK TO FABRICS
WAS TRANSFERRED TO A SHOE BOX FOR SAFE KEEPING
AGAIN ANYWAY TAKING UP HANDSEWING FOR QUITE SOME TIME ) WORKED ON QUILTS FOR AWHILE BUT COULD NEVER
-Y MOM TAUGHT ALL THREE OF US TO SEW AT A PRETTY
REALLY GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THOSE PROJECTS 4HEN
YOUNG AGE /UR lRST PROJECTS WERE THINGS LIKE SMALL
) STARTED CREATING SOME LITTLE PLUSH TOYS IN MY MIND
DOLL ITEMS BLANKETS PILLOWS ETC !ND AS WE GOT
THEY WERE FOR KIDS ) ALSO WORKED ON PLAY FOOD ALL
OLDER THINGS LIKE HAIR SCRUNCHIES 4HOUGH ) REALLY
OUT OF FELT AND EVERY PEICE SEWN BY HAND 4HIS WAS
ENJOYED SEWING THEN ) DID LOOK AT IT AS SORT OF A
ACTUALLY THE lRST THING ) SOLD ONLINE BUT IT WOULD BE A
COUNTRY HABIT 3OMETHING THAT WASNT VERY COOL AND
FEW MORE YEARS BEFORE ) MADE A BUSINESS OUT OF IT
-Y PARENTS ENCOURAGED ME TO EXPLORE MY INTEREST IN CREATING /PPOSITE 0APER AND FABRIC COLLAGE PIECES
"ELOW "OXES OF (EIDIS INSPIRED CREATIONS
) DIDNT GET BACK INTO SEWING WITH A VENGEANCE UNTIL A FEW YEARS LATER ) STARTED AGAIN FOR FUN WITH MY OWN MACHINE 3OMETIME WHILE STRUGGLING AGAIN WITH WHAT ) THOUGHT YOU HAD TO SEW ) FOUND A STYLE OF MY OWN ) REALIZED THAT SURE SEWING MACHINES CAN BE USED TO MAKE TRADITIONAL ITEMS BUT ) COULD ALSO CREATE THINGS OF MY OWN DESIGN WITH IT AS WELL )T SORT OF HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT ) WAS CREATING ODD PURSES BACK THEN 0URSES SHAPED LIKE HEDGEHOGS AND ONES THAT WERE SEWN OUT OF DECONSTRUCTED STUFFED ANIMALS ) HAD SOME SCRAPS ) WAS TRYING TO USE UP BECAUSE ) COULD NEVER RESIST BUYING STRANGE FABRICS AND ) FOUND A LONG THIN PIECE OF BROWN VINYL LIKE FABRIC ) USED THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FABRIC AS THE CRUST FOR A SLICE OF TOASTAND THEN THINGS WENT ON FROM THERE 7HILE ) LIKED MAKING HANDBAGS MY ACTUAL LOVE WASNT IN THE ACTUAL PURSE CONSTRUCTION BUT TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING ODD INTO A PURSE 4HIS
7HILE MOST OF MY WORK TIME IS USED FOR SEWING
IS ALSO HOW ) STARTED MAKING PURSES SHAPED LIKE
THESE DAYS ) DO LIKE TO EXPERIMENT WITH ALL SORTS
TOASTERS
OF CRAFTING ) SPIN YARN ) CREATE WITH PAPER AND ) STILL PAINT -AKING THINGS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST FEELS ESSENTIAL TO EVERYDAY LIVING TO ME ) lND JOY IN CREATING ANYTHING WITH MY HANDSWHETHER IT BE BAKING A CAKE OR SEWING AN ELABORATE STUFFED BEAST OUT OF FELT ) CANNOT IMAGINE A TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE ) WONT BE EXPERIMENTING AND MAKING NEW THINGS ) REALLY FEEL IT IS JUST PART OF WHO ) AM
INSPIRATION %VERYTHING ) COME IN CONTACT WITH MOTIVATES ME TO CREATE FROM LARGE THINGS LIKE VISITING ART MUSEUMS AND SEEING OTHER PEOPLES ARTWORK TO SMALL THINGS LIKE PEELING PAINT ON A WINDOW LEDGE ) AM INSPIRED BY THE COLORS AND TEXTURES OF FABRIC 3OMETIMES JUST THE RIGHT WEAVE OR PRINT CAN INSPIRE A WHOLE NEW PLUSH CREATION -Y KIDS ARE ALSO A HUGE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR ME 4HEY LIKE TO GIVE ME IDEAS AND CHALLENGES -Y OLDEST SON ONCE TOLD ME HE DIDNT THINK ) COULD SEW A GLASS OF MILK THAT CHALLENGE WAS ALL ) NEEDED FOR INSPIRATION AND SEW ONE ) DID
-Y HUSBAND IS A TATTOO ARTIST AND ALWAYS INSPIRES ME WITH THE THINGS HE IS ABLE TO DO ON SKIN 4HOUGH HE AND ) HAVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT STYLES AND MEDIUMS HIS COLORS AND ARTWORK ALWAYS INSPIRE ME (E IS A GREAT REMINDER THAT WHILE MAKING ART MIGHT BE A JOB IT IS ALSO SOMETHING WE DO BECAUSE WE LOVE IT ) TRY TO KEEP PAPER SNIPS IN A BOX THINGS THAT ) LIKE THE COLOR OF OR MAYBE A PATTERN OR TYPESET ) LIKE GOING BACK THROUGH ALL THE SCRAPS !ND WHILE THEY MAY NOT CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO A PROJECT ) THINK LOOKING AT THE OBJECTS IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE CAN BE INSPIRING )NSTEAD OF LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND SEEING THE JUST THE BACKYARD LOOK CLOSER EXAMINE THE WAY THE LEAVES CURL AND THE COLORS IN THE GRASS
WORKSPACE -Y STUDIO IS A ROOM IN MY HOME ) HAVE A LONG BLUE TABLE THAT MY HUSBAND BUILT FOR ME OUT OF COUNTERTOP ) USE THIS AREA FOR SEWING AND SOMETIMES EVEN FOR PAPER PROJECTS ) HAVE SHELVES FOR MY FABRIC STASH BUT ALSO KEEP SHELVES UP IN THE ATTIC TO HOUSE IT ALL ) HAVE ONE TABLE ) SET ASIDE AS A hPACKINGv TABLE /NE REASON ) REALLY LIKE HAVING MY STUDIO SPACE IN MY HOME IS THAT ) FEEL ) CAN WORK WHENEVER THE MOOD STRIKES -ANY TIMES ) HAVE GOTTEN UP OUT OF BED AT AM BECAUSE A BRILLIANT IDEA HAS FORMED AND ) WANT TO WORK ON IT RIGHT AWAY
) lND JOY IN CREATING ANYTHING WITH MY HANDS /PPOSITE 4OP ! CROWD OF CUPCAKES
"ELOW ! BEAUTIFUL OLD SEWING MACHINE READY TO WORK
/PPOSITE "OTTOM (EIDIS STUDIO STORAGE
4ISSUE #OVER $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) LOVE HOUSES 4HERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE IDEA OF HOME THAT REALLY STIRS UP GOOD FEELINGS INSIDE ME 4HIS IS WHY ) DECIDED TO CREATE A HOUSE FOR MY PROJECT ) LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT A HOUSE 7HETHER IT BE THE ACTUAL HOUSE ITSELF WALL PAPERS SHINGLES AND SO ON OR THE IDEA OF HOME BEING THE PLACE WE RETREAT TO 4HERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME
(ILLARY ,ANG ,OCATION /AK 0ARK )LLINOIS /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -OM !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS 1UILTING !PRONS "AGS 0INCUSHIONS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWWEEWONDERFULSCOM
WHY I CREATE 7HILE )M A SUCKER FOR THE UNIQUE APPEAL OF A HANDCRAFTED ITEM IT TRULY IS THE PROCESS OF CRAFTING THAT KEEPS ME HOOKED "RAINSTORMING NEW IDEAS IS WHAT ) LOVE AND THE THRILL OF AN IDEA COMING TOGETHER DRIVES ME TO THE SEWING MACHINE AGAIN AND AGAIN ) SWEAR THERE IS AN AUDIBLE CLICK WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN MY HEAD 4HAT MOMENT IS THE HIGH ) CRAFT FOR /F COURSE )M NOT ONLY AN vIDEA GALv ) DElNITELY WANT TO SEE PROJECTS THROUGH TO CONCLUSION BUT )M NOT ONE TO RELAX AND REVEL IN MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS -Y HEAD IS ALWAYS TWO OR THREE PROJECTS AHEAD OF MY lNGERS )F ) HAVE ONE PROJECT IN THE SEWING MACHINE ) HAVE AT LEAST TWO OTHERS CUT OUT FABRIC PILED UP FOR A COUPLE MORE AND EVEN MORE SKETCHED OUT AND READY TO GO ) DONT TRY TO lLL UP MY WORKSPACE LIKE THIS BUT ITS UNAVOIDABLE 7HEN A NEW IDEA POPS INTO MY HEAD IT IS ALL ) CAN DO TO NOT IMMEDIATELY
AT MY DISPOSALCHALLENGES SUCH AS MAKING THE
ABANDON MY CURRENT PROJECT )LL LEAVE A PROJECT IN
CUTEST STUFFED KITTY DOLL OR THE PERFECT NOT TOO BIG
THE MACHINE AND GO YANK FABRIC FOR THE NEW PROJECT
NOT TOO SMALL HANDBAG OR COMING UP WITH THE MOST
BUT THATS AS FAR AS )LL LET MYSELF GO ! LITTLE SELF
BEAUTIFUL WAY TO REUSE A THRIFTED mORAL SHEET 4O ME
DISCIPLINE THE INSTINCTUAL STOPPING POINT THAT KEEPS
A WONDERFULLY CRAFTED ITEM IS LIKE A PUZZLE AND ) LOVE
MY MIND FROM GETTING TOO FAR AHEAD OF ITSELF AND
SOLVING PUZZLES )TS SIMILAR TO OTHER ROLES )VE HAD IN
THE WONDERFUL FEELING OF HAVING A lNISHED OBJECT ALL
LIFE LIKE DEBUGGING CODE OR HUNTING DOWN A FACT FOR
WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP ME IN CHECK
A PATRON AT THE LIBRARY ) OFTEN TRIP OVER THE SOLUTION 4HERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE ONE KEY IDEA THAT CLICKS
) OFTEN FEEL LIKE )M THE SOLE CONTESTANT ON A CRAFTING
IN PLACE AND MAKES THE WHOLE IDEA GEL 3OMETIMES
REALITY SHOW IN MY HEAD ) SET UP CHALLENGES THAT )
ITS THE VERY lRST IDEA THE SPARK 3OMETIMES ITS THE
THEN MUST SOLVE USING THE MATERIALS AND KNOWLEDGE
SMALLEST DETAIL THAT WILL lNALLY MAKE AN IDEA COME
TOGETHER LIKE THE BABY QUILT ) RECENTLY MADE FOR A
AND MAGAZINES CAN BE LIMITING )VE STUMBLED
FRIEND -Y BIG IDEA WAS TO BASE THE QUILT ON 'RANT
UPON SOME OF MY FAVORITE DESIGNS WHEN ) WASNT
7OODS BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES AND ) WAS TRYING TO lND
EVEN LOOKING 4HE PROPORTION IN A GREAT PHOTOGRAPH
THE RIGHT MIX OF MODERN AND QUAINT ) HAD STYLIZED
TRIGGERS AN APRON DESIGN 4HE SHAPE OF AN ANTIQUE
TREES A ROLLING HILL LINE AND A NEAT IDEA FOR REALLY
TOY STARTS ME ON A TOYS ON WHEELS KICK 4HE JUMPER
TEXTURAL QUILTING BUT IT lNALLY ALL CAME TOGETHER
A FRIEND MADE FOR HER TODDLER GETS REWORKED AS A
WHEN ) PICKED OUT A GREAT VINTAGE TABLECLOTH FOR
UNIFORM FOR AN ARMY OF BIG FOOTED BUNNIES /N THE
THE BINDING 4HE WHOLE SCENE IS SURROUNDED BY A
OTHER SIDE THERE WAS THE QUILT lASCO WHERE ) TRIED TO
BLUE SKY BINDING AND )M lNALLY SATISlED WITH IT /F
MAKE A CLEVER PATCHWORK FROM THRIFTED RED SHIRTS AND
COURSE AS SOON AS ) CUT THE BINDING OUT ) STARTED
ENDED UP WITH A COMPLETE MESS )VE HAD AS MANY
YANKING FABRICS FOR A NEW STUFFED TOY IDEA
FAILURES AS SUCCESSES WHEN BRAINSTORMING hOUTSIDE THE BOXv 7HEN )M WORKING A PROJECT ) OFTEN THINK
4HE SENSE OF SATISFACTION THAT COMES FROM SOLVING
OF THAT SCENE IN 0RETTY IN 0INK WHEN -OLLY 2INGWALD
THE RIDDLE OF A NEW PROJECT IS EVEN GREATER WHEN
IS DESIGNING HER PROM DRESS FROM THE TWO CAST OFF
THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION IS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
DRESSES AND SHE HOLDS UP A PIECE OF RUFmED SLEEVE
0OURING THROUGH MY STACK OF CRAFT AND DESIGN BOOKS
TO HER FOREHEAD AND THEN SHAKES HER HEAD AT HOW
4HE SMALLEST DETAIL WILL MAKE AN IDEA COME TOGETHER /PPOSITE 6INTAGE STYLE ANIMALS ON WHEELS
"ELOW ! TRIO OF STUFFED BUNNY TOYS
SILLY AN IDEA IT WAS 7HILE THE RECONSTRUCTED DRESS SHE COMES UP WITH IS NOTORIOUSLY BAD BRAVO FOR THE PROCESS /FTEN THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO A TRULY COOL IDEA IS THROUGH A LOT OF THOSE HEAD SHAKING MOMENTS 4HE FURTHER AWAY FROM MY COMFORT ZONE ) TRAVEL THE MORE SATISFYING IT IS TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE A PROJECT ) LOVE TRYING NEW THINGS LEARNING NEW METHODS INVESTIGATING NEW MEDIUMS ) TEND TO JUMP INTO WHATEVER NEW IDEA ) HAVE WITHOUT MUCH STUDY OR THOUGHT ) FEEL THE MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW SOMETHING IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE THE LESS FUN IT IS 4HE INTERNET IS GREAT FOR ME BECAUSE IT IS SO EASY TO lND QUICK HOW TOS FOR EVERY POSSIBLE CRAFT ) GRAB THE SHORTEST ANSWER TO A QUESTION ) CAN lND AND RUN WITH IT ) OFTEN MAKE MISTAKES THIS WAY BUT TO ME THEYRE NOWHERE NEAR AS DISCOURAGING AS BEING
THE TRENDS AND SIMILARITIES 4HEYRE ROOTED IN THE
OVERWHELMED BY THE ENTIRETY OF A DISCIPLINE !LSO ITS
IMAGERY OF MY CHILDHOOD THE CERTAIN INDELIBLE
A LOT MORE FUN IF YOU NEVER KNOW THE RULES
IMPRESSIONS MY CHILDHOOD SURROUNDINGS IMPRINTED ON MY SUBCONSCIOUS ) AM OBSESSED WITH A SPECIlC
YELLOW n A BRIGHT SATURATED MUSTARD YELLOW %VERY
INSPIRATION
TIME ) SEE IT SOMEWHERE ) THINK )M DISCOVERING IT FOR THE lRST TIME n IN A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE #ARL ,ARSSON HOUSE IN 3WEDEN A PAINTED WALL IN MY
) USED TO THINK MY INSPIRATION CHANGED WITH THE
%LLE $ECORATION MAGAZINE )T JUST DAWNED ON ME
WIND ) HAVE VOLUMES AND VOLUMES OF CLIPPING
RECENTLY THAT IS THE YELLOW OF THE PAINTED WOODEN
BOOKS FROM THE PAST TEN OR SO YEARS JAMMED FULL
FURNITURE IN MY CHILDHOOD ROOM .OW ) SEE THESE
OF THINGS )VE CUT FROM MAGAZINES .OW OLDER AND
CHILDHOOD INmUENCES ON MY AESTHETICS SO CLEARLY
WISER ) CAN SEE WHEN ) LOOK BACK THROUGH THEM
n THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE BOOKS ) READ THE PROGRAMS ) WATCHED ON TV THE WHOLE COLOR PALETTE OF THE S 3OME THINGS ARE MORE OBVIOUS THAN OTHERS SUCH AS THE LOVE OF MODERN $ANISH FURNITURE THAT ) INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS /THERS ARE MORE DEEPLY EMBEDDED AND POP UP WHEN )M LEAST EXPECTING THEM (OLLY (OBBIE THE FOLK ART WALLPAPER PATTERN FROM MY GRANDPARENTS HOME THE SIMPLE WOODEN SHAKER BOXES THAT ALL THE WOMEN IN MY FAMILY TREASURE THE STYLISH GLAMOUR OF MY -AGIC -ARY PAPER DOLLS THE DUSTY PEACHY PINK THAT MY GRANDMOTHER LOVED ,OIS ,ENSKI AND ALL THE S AND S ILLUSTRATION FROM MY MOTHERS CHILDHOOD BOOKS ) PICK OUT ALL THE FODDER OF /SCARS CHILDHOOD WITH THIS IN MIND 7HILE ) HAVE RELAXED SOME ABOUT PICKING TOYS HELL ACTUALLY PLAY WITH OVER BEAUTIFULLY
DESIGNED WOODEN TOYS WITH THEIR TIMELESS BEAUTY
WORKSPACE
) STILL STOP AND CONSIDER EVERY ITEM ) BRING INTO OUR HOME ) LOOK AROUND OUR PLACE AND THINK ABOUT WHICH
! WORKSPACE DEDICATED TO CRAFTING IS THE KEY TO ME
THINGS ARE CREATING THOSE DEEP GROVES IN /SCARS
GETTING ANYTHING DONE ) SHARE A SMALL HOME WITH
PSYCHE ) CANT EVEN PICK OUT A COLORING BOOK FOR HIM
A HUSBAND AND A TODDLER AND CARVING OUT A LITTLE
WITHOUT THINKING OF HOW HELL REMEMBER IT TWENTY
SPACE FOR MYSELF WHERE ) CAN LAY EVERYTHING OUT AND
YEARS FROM NOW
HAVE IT STILL BE IN THE SAME STATE WHEN ) RETURN IS A COMPLETE NECESSITY ) WANT MY ENTIRE HOME TO BE
! HUGE INmUENCE ON MY CURRENT CRAFTING BESIDES MY
ORGANIZED BUT TIME AND ENERGY ALWAYS SEEM TO RUN
OWN CHILDHOOD IS EVERYONES COLLECTIVE CHILDHOOD
OUT 4HE ONE PLACE THAT ) HAVE TO BE ORGANIZED IS MY
)M OBSESSED WITH ALL THINGS VINTAGE AND KID TOYS
CRAFT ROOM )TS A TINY ROOM SO EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE
TEXTILES GAMES BOOKS ETC ) GET SO MUCH INSPIRATION
IN ITS PLACE 4UCKING THINGS AWAY AND TIDYING UP MY
FROM CHILDRENS BOOK ILLUSTRATION 4HE COLORS ARE
WORKSPACE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE RELAXING ACTIVITIES
AMAZING THE LINES THE TECHNIQUES THEY USED THE
)VE RECENTLY REDONE MY ROOM ORGANIZATION AND NOW
FASHIONS THE STORYTELLING )M ALWAYS PICKING UP
)M HAPPY AS A CLAM IN THERE
VINTAGE KIDS CLOTHES AT THE THRIFT STOREnWHETHER THEYLL lT /SCAR OR NOTnTHE PRINTS ARE SO MUCH FUN
-Y NEW BUTTON STORAGE SYSTEM ) USED TO HAVE ALL MY
) ESPECIALLY LOVE S MESSAGE KNITS BY (EALTH 4EX
BUTTONS IN A PRINTERS DRAWER WHICH WAS GREAT FOR
-Y FAVORITE NEWBORN OUTlT OF /SCARS WAS A VINTAGE
SEEING THEM ALL AT ONCE BUT TOOK UP SO MUCH SPACE
ONESIE THAT HAD h) (EART -OMMY ) (EART $ADDYv
4HIS NEW SYSTEM OF HAVING THEM IN SMALL CLEAR JELLY
PRINTED ALL OVER IT ) HAVE AN ABSURDLY LARGE COLLECTION
JARS NAILED TO THE BOTTOM OF A SHELF IS SUCH A SPACE
OF VINTAGE KIDS BOOKS THAT ) GO BACK TO TIME AND TIME
SAVER LOOKS VERY COOL AND IT IS SO SATISFYING TO DUMP
AGAIN FOR INSPIRATION
/PPOSITE !BOVE 3HELVES OF CRAFT AND INSPIRATION
"ELOW 4HE INGENIOUS BUTTON STORAGE SYSTEM
/PPOSITE "OTTOM 4HE UBIQUITOUS INSPIRATION BOARD COVERED WITH PROJECT IDEAS
OUT A TINY COLLECTION OF BUTTONS IN MY HAND AND RUN THROUGH THEM LOOKING FOR JUST THE RIGHT ONE -Y FABRIC ) STACK MY FABRIC ON BOOKSHELVES AND THE STACKS MUST BE NICE AND NEAT SO ) CAN SPY EVERYTHING THATS IN THEM )F THEY START TO GET LUMPY AND LOPSIDED ) HAVE TO REFOLD ) SPEND A LOT OF TIME REFOLDING -Y DISPLAY SHELVES ) REALLY LOVE MY DISPLAY SHELVES ) LOVE TO REORGANIZE THEM AND STAGE LITTLE SCENES !LL THE TOYS AND KNICK KNACKS IN THERE KEEP ME COMPANY WHILE ) WORK )TS WHERE ) DISPLAY ALL THE AMAZING WORK THAT )VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO TRADE OR BUY FROM FELLOW TOYMAKERSBLOGGERS -Y INSPIRATION BOARDS ) LIKE TO KEEP MY INSPIRATION BOARDS SPARE ENOUGH THAT ) CAN SEE WHAT ) HAVE
!BOVE ! BASKET OF CUTIES
GOING ON THERE )VE lNALLY SEPARATED OUT MY TWO WORLDS IF YOU WILL /NE IS FOR THRIFTCRAFT AND IS ALL FASHION AND ACCESSORIES AND THE OTHER IS FOR WEE WONDERFULS AND IS ILLUSTRATION DOLL AND TOY DESIGN
"ELOW ! QUILT SHOP .O ITS ONLY (ILLARYS FABRIC SHELVES /PPOSITE (ENNY THE DOLL TAKES A BREAK
0ILLOWCASE !PRON $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS LIBRARY TOTE IS A FAVOURITE PATTERN 7ITH A SMALL CHILD ) FOUND WE WERE VISITING OUR LOCAL LIBRARY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE AND USING THE SAME CANVAS BAGS WE USE TO HAUL OUR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FROM THE MARKET WAS JUST NOT CUTTING IT 4HIS TOTE BAG IS QUICK AND EASY TO MAKE AND CAN BE EMBELLISHED AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOU DESIRE )T HAS A SIMPLE BUT PRETTY POCKET WHICH IS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A LIBRARY CARD AND A FEW OTHER NECESSITIES 4HIS TOTE CAN ALSO BE MADE TO ANY SHAPE OR SIZE THAT YOU LIKE n TO HOLD OVERSIZED PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OR NOVELS AND MAGAZINES FOR YOU
*UJU 6AIL ,OCATION ,ONDON %NGLAND /CCUPATION -OTHER 7RITER 4EACHER !GE .EARLY !REAS OF )NTEREST #LOTHING "EADING +NITTING 0AINTING 7EBSITE HTTPJUJULOVESPOLKADOTSTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE !S LONG AS ) CAN REMEMBER ) HAVE HAD A CRAFTING COMPULSION -Y MIND IS OBSESSIVELY PREOCCUPIED WITH DESIGNING AND MAKING THINGS ALL KINDS OF THINGS ,IKE MANY PEOPLE WITH OBSESSIONS ) TRY TO MASK MY EXTREME INTEREST ) DONT USUALLY TALK ABOUT IT BUT )M THINKING ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME 4HAT LOOK OF POLITE INTEREST ON MY FACE AS ) TALK TO YOU IS REALLY ME WORKING OUT HOW THE COLLAR OF YOUR SHIRT IS CONSTRUCTED AND ENJOYING THE COLOUR COMBINATIONS IN THE POSTER ON THE BUS BEHIND YOU 7HEN ) WAS EIGHT ) WAS FASCINATED BY A SILVER CAT SUIT THAT ONE OF #HARLIES !NGELS WORE WHEN SHE WAS DISGUISED AS AN ALIEN DONT YOU JUST LOVE THOSE S PLOTLINES ) WANTED TO MAKE IT SO BADLY BUT ) DIDNT KNOW ANYONE WHO COULD TEACH ME TO SEW &AMILY LORE RECOUNTED MY MOTHER DARNING MY FATHERS SOCKS WITH ELECTRIC TAPE 4HERE COULD BE NO HELP FROM THAT QUARTER 3O ) TAUGHT MYSELF &ROM SCRAPS OF ADVICE LIBRARY BOOKS AND EARLY
READ AND EASILY UNDERSTAND INSTRUCTIONS ) HAVE SINCE
EXPERIMENTS ) LEARNED HOW TO CROCHET KNIT AND
LEARNED THAT NOT EVERYONE HAS THIS SUPERPOWER -Y
SEW BEFORE ) WAS SIXTEEN ) PROBABLY DIDNT DO ANY
KRYPTONITE WOULD BE SPELLING AND MENTAL MATHS 9OU
OF THESE WITH GREAT SKILL BUT ) MADE UP FOR IT WITH
CANT HAVE EVERYTHING
ENTHUSIASM ) SEEM TO BE BLESSED WITH THE ABILITY TO
) GOT A JOB IN A FABRIC STORE AND MADE CLOTHES FOR
OF A BOYFRIEND ANOTHER WAS *ONE "AKER A KNITWEAR
MYSELF AND FRIENDS THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL 4HIS
DESIGNER ) WORKED FOR 4HEIR EXAMPLES AS WOMEN WHO
WAS THE EARLY S WHEN PUNK AND NEW WAVE STYLES
LIVED AND WORKED AS ARTISTDESIGNERS AND MOTHERS
ALLOWED A LOT OF DRESS FREEDOM
WERE IMPORTANT TO ME 4HEY GAVE ME A TEMPLATE OF HOW MY LIFE COULD BE 4HEY WERE ALSO VERY GENEROUS
) TOOK KNITTING WITH ME EVERYWHERE ) EVEN MANAGED
AND TAUGHT ME A LOT
TO DO IT SECRETLY UNDER MY DESK IN SCHOOL ) THOUGHT FASHION COLLEGE WOULD BE AN OASIS FOR 7HEN ) THINK BACK TO THESE DAYS ) REMEMBER LOOKING
ME A PLACE WHERE ) COULD lNALLY MEET LIKE MINDED
AT TEXTILES AND CLOTHES ALL THE TIME ) WENT TO QUILT
PEOPLE AND LEARN THE SKILLS ) WAS DYING TO KNOW )N
EXHIBITIONS ANTIQUE SHOPS FABRIC STORES ALWAYS
SOME WAYS IT WAS INTERESTING ) LOVED AND EXCELLED
BY MYSELF BECAUSE ) DIDNT KNOW ANYONE MY AGE
IN COSTUME HISTORY BUT ) DIDNT lND LIKE MINDED
WHO SHARED MY INTENSE INTEREST ,UCKILY ) DID HAVE
STUDENTS 4HE OTHERS WERE MORE INTERESTED IN FASHION
A COUPLE OF MENTORS IN MY LATE TEENS AND EARLY
THAN CLOTHES 4HEY LIKED THE CONSTANT CHANGES AND
TWENTIES /NE WAS !NNE 2OBERTS THE ARTIST MOTHER
FOLLOWED THE STYLES IN MAGAZINES
-Y MIND IS PREOCCUPIED WITH DESIGNING AND MAKING THINGS /PPOSITE ! HANDMADE SHIRT MODELLED BY A
"ELOW *UJUS WORK IN PROGRESS
MANNEQUIN DESIGNED BY ILLUSTRATOR -ARIA +ALMAN n A JUNK YARD lND
) LEFT COLLEGE EARLY AND SET UP A BUSINESS DESIGNING HAND AND MACHINE KNITWEAR WHICH ) HAD MADE BY HOME WORKERS 4HIS DID WELL BUT AFTER A FEW YEARS MY NOW HUSBAND AND ) DECIDED TO TRAVEL ,ATER ) CAME TO ,ONDON AND DID AN -! IN TEXTILE DESIGN ) CONTINUED TO PURSUE AN INTEREST IN HAND MADE ITEMS BY SPECIALIZING IN HOOKED RUGS ) STUDIED WITH FASCINATION THE HISTORY OF THIS CRAFT AND HOW ANTIQUE RUGS SPOKE OF THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THEY CAME FROM ) MADE RUGS ENTIRELY FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS INCLUDING OLD CLOTHES AND PLASTIC BAGS USING PERSONAL IMAGERY FROM MY SKETCHBOOKS ) WAS INTERESTED IN THE HAND MADE AND IN TEXTILES
3INCE THEN ) HAVE COMBINED MAKING THINGS FOR
) HATED THE WAY FASHION GLORIlED AN IDEALIZED BODY
EXHIBITION AND SALE WITH WRITING ABOUT THEM IN CRAFT
AND HAD NOTHING TO SAY TO ANYONE OF A DIFFERENT
BOOKS AND TEACHING
SHAPE EXCEPT MAYBE hHIDE IN BLACKv ) HATED THE lCKLENESS AND THE WASTE OF IT
,IKE A LOT OF BLOG AUTHORS ) HAVE A FAMILY AND A HOME TO CARE FOR AS WELL AS MY CRAFTING WORK )M SHORT ON
) LIKED LABOUR INTENSIVE EMBELLISHMENTS THAT HAD NO
TIME AND GET EASILY BORED AND FRUSTRATED WHEN )M
PLACE IN THE #ANADIAN GARMENT INDUSTRY ) WAS TRAINING
TRYING TO PRODUCE VOLUME FOR SALE
FOR ) HAD NO INTEREST IN JEANS @CASUAL SPORTSWEAR EVENINGWEAR OR ANY OF THE USUAL INDUSTRY CATEGORIES )F THERE WAS A NAME FOR WHAT ) LIKED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN hCOSTUME FOR EVERYDAY WEARv "UT WHO WOULD WEAR THIS EVERYDAY COSTUME ) WOULD ) DRESS IN A CREATIVE FUN SOME MIGHT SAY RIDICULOUS WAY %VERYDAY ) ENJOY PUTTING MY CLOTHES TOGETHER ) NEVER WEAR JEANS AND ) DONT OWN A PIECE OF BLACK CLOTHING OKAY EXCEPT FOR UNDERWEAR ) BRIEmY TRIED A MORE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY lRST CHILD BUT IT DIDNT LAST LONG AND CAN BE BLAMED ON MATERNAL MADNESS .OW ) GET MORE OUTLANDISH WITH MY CLOTHING CHOICES EACH YEAR ) WANT TO LOOK LIKE EVERYDAY IS A CELEBRATION EVEN IF )M JUST CLEANING OUT MY KITCHEN )N MY lNAL YEARS AT FASHION COLLEGE ) SPECIALIZED IN KNITWEAR AND MILLINERY WHICH PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO DESIGN BOTH THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT SHAPES 4HIS SUITED ME BETTER
INSPIRATION "OOKS ARE MY GREATEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION ) LOVE THE )NTERNET FOR MAKING THE WORLD MY MARKET PLACE AND CONNECTING ME TO OTHERS WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS BUT ) STILL APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE OF LOOKING AT BOOKS !NTIQUE ETHNOGRAPHIC TEXTILES AND ORNAMENTATION REALLY EXCITE ME 4HE IDEA THAT AN !FGHANI GIRL WILL WEAR THE EMBROIDERED BIB OF HER CHILDHOOD DRESS REAPPLIED TO DIFFERENT GARMENTS THROUGHOUT HER ENTIRE LIFE FASCINATES ME )T INTERESTS ME BECAUSE OF THE VALUE PLACED IN THE HAND MADE AND THE -Y HUSBAND SAYS ) HAVE A WHIM OF IRON ) CONSTANTLY
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CLOTHING AND THE WEARER
HAVE NEW OBSESSIONS !S WELL AS THE CRAFTS ) HAVE
4HE EMBROIDERY IS IMBUED WITH SYMBOLISM AND
MENTIONED ) HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH JEWELRY
MEANING THAT ENDURES !ND THE LIFE OF THE TEXTILE
BEADING POLYMER CLAY GLASS BEAD MAKING FELTING
IN THE FORM OF DIFFERENT GARMENTS ENDURES AND
DOLL MAKING PAINTING PRINTING BOOK MAKING AND
ACQUIRES NEW VALUE FROM ITS LONG ASSOCIATION WITH
OTHER CRAFTS
THE INDIVIDUAL
%ACH NEW INTEREST MEANS COLLECTING MORE TOOLS
) ALSO lND THESE ANTIQUE TEXTILES IMMENSELY BEAUTIFUL
AND MATERIALS AND LEARNING NEW SKILLS ! PROCESS )
) SPEND TIME DRAWING FROM BOOKS AND IN MUSEUMS
ENJOY BUT ONE THAT ENCUMBERS MASTERING A CRAFT AND
AS ) lND IT HELPS ME TO OBSERVE MORE CLOSELY
REQUIRES LOTS OF SPACE AND TIME )M NOT TRYING TO MAKE WORK THAT LOOKS LIKE THE ) HAVE LONG ADMIRED TEXTILE ARTISTS LIKE *ANET "OLTON
ETHNOGRAPHIC ITEMS ) ADMIRE ) JUST TRY TO LET THEM
AND *ULIE !RKELL WHO HAVE A SINGLE STEADY VISION AND
MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON ME AND SEE HOW THAT lLTERS
PURPOSE IN THEIR WORK BUT )M AFRAID THAT THUS FAR
THROUGH IN MY WORK
)M NOT ONE OF THEM ) HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN UP BELLY DANCING AND AM REALLY (OWEVER AT NEARLY FORTY )M BEGINNING TO SEE
ENJOYING MAKING MY COSTUME WHICH DERIVES SPECIlC
COMMON THREADS IN MY INTERESTS AND lND WAYS
INmUENCE FROM THE TEXTILES AND GARMENT SHAPES OF THE
TO TIE THEM TOGETHER %MBELLISHED TEXTILES DRESS
-IDDLE %AST AND !SIA 4HERE IS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY
COLOUR AND PATTERN ARE COMMON THEMES WHETHER )M
OF !MERICAN 4RIBAL 3TYLE ALSO KNOWN AS !43 BELLY
PAINTING MAKING SWEATERS OR BEADING /NE OF THE REASONS ) BEGAN TO BLOG ABOUT MY CRAFTS
/PPOSITE 4OP ! BEADED CUFF
WAS TO HELP ME TO FOCUS AND COMPLETE WORKS ) DIDNT WANT MY BLOG TO BE A SELF INDULGENT DIARY BUT )
/PPOSITE "OTTOM $ETAIL FROM ONE OF *UJUS UNIQUE
DID WANT TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF WHY ) WAS DOING
SKIRTS
WHAT ) WAS DOING AND HOW ONE INTEREST LED TO AND INmUENCED ANOTHER
!BOVE ! WHIMSICAL COLLAGE
DANCERS WHO MAKE THEIR OWN COSTUMES INm UENCED BY THE NOMADIC TRIBAL PEOPLE OF THESE AREAS 4HEIR )NTERNET COMMUNITY SHARES ADVICE AND STYLE IDEAS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY THE CRAFT BLOGGING COMMUNITY DOES #OLOUR IS A VERY IMPORTANT FEATURE OF ALL MY WORK AND )M NEVER FAR FROM MY PAINTS )N THE LAST FEW YEARS )VE BEEN TAKING MY PAINTING MORE SERIOUSLY 7HERE PREVIOUSLY IT WAS A MEANS TO RECORD AND DEVELOP IDEAS ) NOW SPEND MORE TIME PAINTING FOR ITS OWN SAKE ) LIKE TO PAINT IDEAS OF THE THINGS THAT INSPIRE ME BUT MAKE THEM WORK AS PICTURES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT -ANY PAINTERS HAVE INm UENCED ME INCLUDING COLOURISTS LIKE "ONNARD AND -ATISSE AS WELL AS MORE CONTEMPORARY PAINTERS ) LOVE THE WATERCOLOUR
WORK SPACE
STILL LIFES OF *ENNY 7HEATLEY AND THE LANDSCAPES OF 3COTTISH PAINTER "ARBARA 2AE
) WORK FROM A .ORTH FACING STUDIO IN MY ,ONDON HOME WHERE ) SOMETIMES TEACH SMALL CLASSES
) LOVE THE WAY THAT WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS DISPLAY THE
3EVERAL YEARS AGO ) SPENT a ON GREAT HALOGEN
ENTIRE PROCESS OF PAINTING .OTHING IS CONCEALED !LL
LIGHTING )T REALLY MAKES WORKING IN THE DARK %NGLISH
MISTAKES AND EXPERIMENTS ARE ON DISPLAY
WINTERS AND EVENINGS MUCH EASIER (OWEVER ) STILL l ND WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY A PROBLEM AND AM NOW
) THINK EMBRACING ACCIDENTS IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND
SAVING FOR SOME PHOTOGRAPHIC LIGHTING
EXCITING PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESSES ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE HARNESSED IN ART AND CRAFTWORK IN ORDER
)T IS THE LARGEST ROOM IN OUR HOUSE BUT STILL DOESNT
TO PREVENT IT FROM LOOKING TOO DULL AND MASTERLY
FEEL NEARLY BIG ENOUGH AS IT HOLDS A PLAN CHEST SMALL SOFA COMPUTER PRINTER DESK FOLDING EASELS PAINTING TROLLEY CHAIRS IRONING BOARD l LING CABINET SEWING MACHINE JEWELRY WORK BENCH CUTTING AND SEWING TABLES AND STORAGE FURNITURE )N STACKED TINS AND LABELED BOXES ) HOUSE MY COLLECTION OF PAINTS FABRICS BEADS BUTTONS RIBBONS YARN m EECE ART MATERIALS TOOLS PAPERS EPHEMERA #$S BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS 4HAT SOUNDS TERRIBLY CLUTTERED BUT ) DO PUT AWAY AND TAKE OUT THINGS DEPENDING ON WHAT )M WORKING ON -Y BEADING TABLE AND COMPUTER DESK ARE ALWAYS SET UP AND READY TO GO 4HERE IS LITTLE WALL SPACE BUT A PIN BOARD AND WASHING LINE HOLD INSPIRING IMAGES AND ITEMS ) LOVE BEING IN HERE
/PPOSITE 4OP #ATS LOVE CRAFTS /PPOSITE "OTTOM 0IECES OF A COLLECTION !BOVE 3TYLISH VINTAGE TINS
0EBBLE "RACELET $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) PLAY AROUND WITH FELT BEADS AND SILK A LOT ) LOVE THE WAY EACH OF THESE MATERIALS CAPTURES BRILLIANT COLOURS IN VERY DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND ) LOVE TO MIX THEM TOGETHER )N THIS BRACELET ) HAVE FELTED @PEBBLE BEADS WITH SILK SCRAP INCLUSIONS ) CHOSE A NEUTRAL COLOUR FOR THE FELT SO THAT THE SILK SCRAPS WOULD REALLY POP "UT OF COURSE THE COLOURS SIZES AND TEXTURES BEG TO BE EXPERIMENTED WITH )T SORT OF LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING 0EBBLES &LINTSTONE MIGHT WEAR 'REAT FOR THE WINTER WHEN A DELICATE BRACELET WOULD GET OVERWHELMED MY SWEATERS
+ATEY .ICOSIA ,OCATION $ALLAS 4EXAS /CCUPATION $ESIGNER #RAFT %NTREPRENUER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 4OTES 0URSES 0IN #USHIONS 3OFT 4OYS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWONEGOODBUMBLEBEECOM
WHY I CREATE ) REMEMBER BEING FOUR YEARS OLD WAKING UP ONE MORNING TO A TOASTED BAGEL AND MY FATHER SETTING UP A BLANK T SHIRT AND SEVERAL BOTTLES OF FABRIC PAINT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE FOR MY SISTER AND ) (E TOLD ME TO DO WHATEVER ) WANTED TO THE SHIRT TO WRITE MY NAME ON IT PERHAPS 4O DECORATE IT ) DONT KNOW WHY HE CHOSE THIS PARTICULAR ACTIVITY ON THAT PARTICULAR MORNING BUT ) REMEMBER THINKING THAT IT WAS A WONDERFUL WAY TO START THE DAY !ND IT DIDNT MATTER THAT ) ENDED UP DECORATING THE BACK OF THE T SHIRT INSTEAD OF THE FRONT BECAUSE ) WAS FOUR AND AT FOUR YEARS OLD RULES LIKE hTHE TAG GOES IN THE BACKv DONT REALLY MEAN ANYTHING !LL ) KNEW WAS THAT ) CREATED SOMETHING AND IN MY LITTLE WORLD OF PAINT AND BLANK T SHIRT NO RULES EXISTED )VE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT )M LUCKY TO HAVE CREATIVE
SWITCHED GEARS AWAY FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSION
PARENTS PARENTS THAT KEPT BUCKETS OF MARKERS AND
AND BEGAN TO PURSUE WHAT )D ACTUALLY WANTED ALL
CRAYONS IN THE KITCHEN CABINETS WHO PUT ME IN ART
ALONG TO BE AN ARTIST
CLASSES TAUGHT ME HOW TO DRAW A THREE DIMENSIONAL BOX AND ULTIMATELY ENCOURAGED ME TO BE SOMEONE
) DIDNT HAVE A PLAN OR REAL IDEA OF WHAT ) WANTED TO
WHO MAKES THINGS 3URPRISINGLY THOUGH ) GREW
CREATE BUT ) KNEW THAT ) WANTED TO OWN MY OWN SHOP
UP DREAMING OF BECOMING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AND SELL MY CREATIONS 7ITHOUT HESITATION ) CALLED
TEACHER BUT IT WASNT UNTIL COLLEGE WHERE ) MAJORED
MY FATHER AND TOLD HIM ABOUT MY NEW PURSUIT )
IN %DUCATION AND EXPERIENCED TEACHING lRST HAND
REMEMBER SAYING BLUNTLY h) WANT TO START A BUSINESS v
THAT ) REALIZED THAT BEING A TEACHER WAS NEVER WHAT
AND THEN GIGGLING TO MYSELF BECAUSE AT THE TIME IT
) REALLY WANTED )NSTEAD WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO
SOUNDED CRAZY AND OVER AMBITIOUS BUT ) DIDNT CARE
TEACHING WERE THE MATERIALS INVOLVED 4HE PAPERS
) WENT FULL FORCE AT THE BEGINNING AND STARTED /NE
PENS STICKERS A DECORATED ROOM CONSTRUCTION
'OOD "UMBLEBEE WITHOUT ANY CLUE AS TO HOW TO
PAPER AND GLUE !ND MUCH TO EVERYONES SURPRISE )
OWN AND MANAGE A BUSINESS !ND HONESTLY AT THAT
TIME THE hBUSINESSv SIDE WASNT IMPORTANT ) WASNT
STRUGGLE WITH TODAY )T ALWAYS HELPS THOUGH TO TELL
FORMAL ABOUT TAXES INCOME OR RECEIPTS BECAUSE ALL )
MYSELF TO PLAY TO REMIND MYSELF THAT FOR ME BEING
WANTED WAS TO MAKE THINGS THAT PEOPLE COULD BUY
AN ARTIST COMES BEFORE BEING A BUSINESS OWNER TO
AND USE 3O ) DESIGNED THE /NE 'OOD "UMBLEBEE
RELAX AND TO ALWAYS HAVE FUN
WEBSITE WHIPPED UP A FEW PURSES AND POUCHES AND ADDED THEM TO THE SITE !ND BEFORE ) KNEW IT PEOPLE
4ODAY ) STILL RUN /NE 'OOD "UMBLEBEE BY MYSELF
BOUGHT THEM AND ) STARTED TO GET REQUESTS AND
AND ALL MY PRODUCTS ARE STILL DESIGNED AND CREATED
DEMANDS FOR MORE )T WASNT UNTIL ABOUT A YEAR OR SO
BY ME !T TIMES RUNNING A ONE WOMAN CRAFT
LATER THAT ) STARTED TO THINK NOT ONLY LIKE AN ARTIST BUT
BUSINESS CAN BE VERY OVERWHELMING AND DEMANDING
LIKE A BUSINESS OWNER ) HAVE TO PUT INTO ACCOUNT MY
BUT ITS ALWAYS REWARDING AND EXCITING ) KNOW WITH
CUSTOMERS AND THEIR NEEDS AND WANTS THE PRICE OF
/NE 'OOD "UMBLEBEE THAT )VE FOUND MY NICHE THE
MATERIALS PACKAGING HOW ) MIGHT PHOTOGRAPH THE
PERFECT JOB FOR ME
ITEM FOR THE WEBSITE AND SO MUCH MORE )T CAN BE DIFlCULT TO SEPARATE THE hTHINKINGv FROM THE WHIM OF CREATING AN ART PIECE AND ITS SOMETHING ) STILL
"EING AN ARTIST COMES BEFORE BEING A BUSINESS OWNER /PPOSITE &OUR YEAR OLD +ATEY DECORATES HER
"ELOW )NSPIRING TRINKETS ON A LINE
T SHIRT
INSPIRATION .OTHING MOTIVATES OR INSPIRES ME MORE THAN A NEW STASH OF FRESH FABRIC A PERFECTLY SHARPENED PENCIL OR A NEW SET OF WATERCOLORS 4HERE ARE SO MANY POSSIBILITIES INSTILLED IN SOMETHING UNUSED THAT ) OFTEN CANT HELP DISCOVERING WHAT ONE OF THOSE POSSIBILITIES MIGHT BE )TS AN URGE A PULL AN INSTINCT THAT NEVER FAILS )F ) EVER lND THAT )VE LOST MOTIVATION OR THAT ) CANT THINK OF ANYTHING TO MAKE A TRIP TO AN ART SUPPLY STORE IS USUALLY THE BEST CURE ) GET A LOT OF MY IDEAS FROM MY CHILDHOOD OR FROM WHAT USED TO BE )M INSPIRED BY THE PAST OR ANYTHING OLD ANYTHING WITH A STORY BEHIND IT LIKE ANTIQUE BINOCULARS OR THE PATTERN ON A PAIR OF VINTAGE PILLOW CASES /NE OF MY FAVORITE SOURCES OF hOLDv IS %BAY )
!NOTHER MAJOR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR ME IS OTHER
COULD SPEND HOURS UPON HOURS LOOKING AT THE ITEMS
ARTISTS 3OMETIMES IT HELPS TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER
UP FOR AUCTION DRINKING IN THEIR SHAPES COLORS AND
ARTISTS ARE MAKING TO GET MY OWN GEARS IN MOTION
USES ) ALMOST ALWAYS COME AWAY WITH A NEW IDEA A
4HERES SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT LOOKING AT A FELLOW
NEW SPARK TO START MY NEXT PROJECT
ARTISTS CREATION AND WALKING AWAY WITH AN IDEA OF MY OWN ) FEEL THERES A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTISTS IN THAT WAY AND ) LOVE TO LOOK AT SOMETHING BRILLIANT MADE BY A FAVORITE ARTIST THAT INTRIGUES ME AND IN TURN ENCOURAGES ME TO BE JUST AS BRILLIANT
WORKSPACE -Y WORKSPACE IS SMALL INTIMATE AND OFTEN CHAOTIC )N ONE PART OF THE ROOM YOU COULD lND A PILE OF PAPER SCRAPS AND IN ANOTHER A BOX OF VINTAGE BUTTONS OR A TANGLE OF COLORFUL RIBBONS ) HAVE A SECTION FOR PACKAGING MY PRODUCTS ONE FOR CUTTING PAPERS ANOTHER FOR SEWING PROJECTS AND OTHERS FOR EVERY CRAFT PROJECT IMAGINABLE -Y IDEAL WORKSPACE WOULD BE GIGANTIC AN OPEN ROOM WITH A LONG TABLE IN THE MIDDLE FOR CUTTING FABRICS AND PAPER 4HE WALLS WOULD BE LINED WITH SHELVES STACKED WITH PERFECTLY LABELED BOXES AND PRETTY JARS OF BUTTONS AND KNICK KNACKS /H WHAT A DREAM "UT OF COURSE A ROOM LIKE THAT IS FAR FROM POSSIBLE FOR ME
RIGHT NOW AND SO ) MAKE THE MOST OF MY TINY ROOM
) MUST ADMIT THAT MY CRAFT ROOM IS RARELY NEAT AND
AND ) MEAN THAT ALMOST LITERALLY
TIDY AND IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN DISARRAY !T TIMES THE CHAOS CAN BE DAUNTING AND HECTIC AND ITS NEVER
3OMETIMES ) LIKE TO GET OUT OF MY LITTLE ROOM AND WORK
EASY TO lND MY BEST SCISSORS OR THAT PERFECT BLACK
IN OTHER PARTS OF MY HOUSE )T HELPS ME hGET OUTv AND
PEN "UT THE DISORDER ISNT NECESSARILY A BAD THING
WORK IN A NEW ATMOSPHERE EVEN IF )M JUST ONE ROOM
BUT REmECTS THE FACT THAT )VE BEEN WORKING THAT )M
AWAY ! LOT OF TIMES ) PACK UP MY MATERIALS AND PLOP
IN THE MIDDLE OF A PROJECT OR THAT )VE RECENTLY HAD A
IN FRONT OF THE 46 IN THE DEN AND WORK THERE /THER
BRILLIANT IDEA AND )M TRYING TO BRING IT TO LIFE ) LIKE
TIMES ) SPREAD OUT ON THE mOOR IN THE LIVING ROOM
TO THINK OF MY CLUTTERED STUDIO AS A GOOD THING AS A
AND WORK ON MY HANDS AND KNEES LIKE ) DID AS A KID
REMINDER THAT )M AN ARTIST AND THERES NOTHING ELSE
)TS ALWAYS FUN AND SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO MAKE A
)D RATHER BE
MESS TO SPREAD OUT AND SEE WHATS BEFORE ME TO SEE WHAT ) HAVE TO WORK WITH
/PPOSITE 4OP !N APPLIQUE DESIGN FOR A PURSE /PPOSITE "OTTOM ! UNIQUE BUTTON CUFF
"ELOW &UN TOYS MIXED WITH PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS ON +ATEYS DESK
)CE #REAM 0IN #USHION $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROJECTS BECAUSE ITS SUPER EASY QUICK USEFUL AND LENDS ITSELF TO ENDLESS CREATIVE DESIGNS 0IN CUSHIONS IN GENERAL ARE SO MUCH FUN TO MAKE BECAUSE YOU CAN USE ALMOST ANY OBJECT AS ITS BASE ADD A LITTLE PADDING AND FABRIC AND VOILA "UT THERES SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT A TINY PIN CUSHION MEANT TO HOLD ONLY A FEW SPECIAL PINS BECAUSE ITS NOT ONLY FUNCTIONAL BUT ALSO CHARMING AND CAN REALLY ADD A LITTLE FUN TO SEWING 4HIS PATTERN HAS ENDLESS VARIATIONS USE RED AND WHITE POLKA DOT FABRIC AND MAKE A MUSHROOM OR USE SKIN COLORED FABRIC AND EMBROIDER A FACE TO MAKE PEOPLE PIN CUSHIONS 4HE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS SO YOU SHOULD DEl NITELY BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN WITH THIS PROJECT 4HE PATTERN IS SO SIMPLE AND QUICK YOU MIGHT l ND YOURSELF ADDICTED TO MAKING THEM BUT DONT FRET THEY MAKE GREAT GIFTS FOR ALL YOUR CRAFTY FRIENDS
,ISA #ONGDON ,OCATION 3AN &RANCISCO #ALIFORNIA /CCUPATION %DUCATION #ONSULTANT !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST %MPHEMERA 3EWING 0AINTING #OLLAGES 7EBSITE HTTPBIRDINTHEHANDTYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE &OR ME ALL OF MY CREATIVE ENDEAVORS ARE INTENSELY INTIMATE AND SPIRITUAL ) SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN MY LATE TWENTIES AND EARLY THIRTIES )T WAS AT AGE THIRTY THREE THAT ) DECIDED ) WAS TIRED OF FEELING SO HORRIBLE ALL OF THE TIME AND THAT ) OUGHT TO GET TO KNOW MYSELF BETTER TO FACE WHATEVER ) WAS AFRAID OF AND TO lND WHAT MADE ME HAPPY ) WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO lND AN AMAZING THERAPIST WHO HAPPENED ALSO TO BE AN AMAZING TEACHER AND WHO HELPED ME TO SEE THAT ) WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN MY PHYSICAL BODY THAT ) WAS INDEED A SPIRITUAL BEING WITH INCREDIBLE CREATIVE POTENTIAL 4HIS WAS THE GREAT TURNING POINT IN MY LIFE ) WENT OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT MEDICATION AND DELVED INTO LOOKING AT EVERYTHING ABOUT MYSELFWHAT ) FEARED WHAT HAD
!T lRST EVERYTHING ) MADE OR DREW OR PAINTED WAS FOR
SHAPED WHO ) WAS AND WHAT ) WAS PASSIONATE
ME ) DIDNT EVEN TELL PEOPLE THAT ) WAS SPENDING MY
ABOUT 7HEN ) GOT STUCK ) WORKED IT OUT BY WRITING
ALONE TIME WORKING AT MY KITCHEN TABLE !T THE TIME
OR PAINTING OR DRAWING
) LIVED IN A VERY SMALL STUDIO APARTMENT !ND THEN BIT BY BIT ) STARTED TO REVEAL MY CREATIONS TO OTHERS
)T WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT MY CREATIVE LIFE TOOK OFF
) PAINTED AND SEWED AND ) KEPT JOURNALS lLLED WITH
) HAD ALWAYS MADE STUFF AND ) ALWAYS LOVED ART AND
WRITING AND PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHS ) SHARED THEM
DESIGN ) GREW UP IN A FAMILY OF CRAFTERS AND ARTISTS
WITH TRUSTED SOULS FAMILY MEMBERS AND CLOSE FRIENDS
AND WAS ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY ARTISTIC MEDIUMS
AND LOVERS !ND FOR A TIME THIS IS WHAT FED ME
AND OPPORTUNITIES TO INVENT SOMETHING NEW "UT THIS TIME IT WAS DIFFERENT ) REALIZED THEN THAT ) HAD
!ND THEN THERE IS SOMETHING TRULY AMAZING THAT
TO MAKE THINGS IT WAS NO LONGER JUST A HOBBY )T
HAPPENS WHEN YOU DISCOVER YOU NOT ONLY LOVE TO DO
BECAME MY NEW ANTI DEPRESSANT
SOMETHING BUT THAT YOU ARE QUITE GOOD AT IT !ND IT HAPPENS WHEN A WIDE ARRAY OF OUTSIDERS NOT JUST
YOUR LOVER OR MOTHER LETS YOU KNOW THAT YOUR WORK
) SHARED MY CREATIONS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT EVERYDAY
IS PLEASING TO THEIR SENSES
LIFE !ND WHAT STARTED SLOWLY AND TENTATIVELY HAS BECOME ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF MY LIFE 4HROUGH
4HIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME !ND IT WAS A MOST
MY BLOG ) HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH
LIFE AFlRMING DISCOVERY ) THINK WE ALL LIVE TO EXPRESS
OTHER CREATIVE SOULS AROUND THE PLANET !ND IN THIS
OUR TRUE SELVES TO LIVE UP TO SOMETHING OR TO BE
COMMUNITY OF CRAFTERS AND ARTISTS WE SHARE OUR WORK
SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY 7E WANT TO BE UNDERSTOOD
CRITIQUE AFlRM ADORE AND BEFRIEND .O LONGER IS MY
TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS AND TO BE LOVED EVEN WHEN
IMMEDIATE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND LOVERS AND FAMILY MY
WE REVEAL THE DARKEST OR MOST VULNERABLE SIDES OF
INSPIRATION AND AUDIENCE .OW ) HAVE THE WORLD
OURSELVES !ND THROUGH MY ARTWORK AND CRAFTS ) FELT A DEEP CONNECTION WITH MYSELF AND OTHERS THAT ) HAD
!ND SO ) AM MOTIVATED EVERYDAY TO MAKE SOMETHING
NEVER FELT BEFORE
NEW TAKE A NEW PHOTOGRAPH TRY A NEW PILLOW DESIGN SHARE A NEW COLLAGE CREATE A NEW DRAWING
!ND SO IT WAS THEN THAT ) VENTURED OUT INTO THE
AND THEN TO SHARE IT WITH A THOUSAND OTHER PEOPLE
CYBERSPACE AND BEGAN MY OWN BLOG THROUGH WHICH
4HIS HAS KEPT ME MORE ALIVE THAN ) HAVE EVER BEEN
) AM MOTIVATED EVERY DAY TO MAKE SOMETHING NEW /PPOSITE 3TENCILS ON ,ISAS INSPIRATION BOARD
"ELOW /NE OF ,ISAS TRADEMARK LOG CABIN CUSHIONS
!ND NOW WHEN ) DO FEEL DEPRESSED OR ANXIOUS BECAUSE ) AM HUMAN AND SOMETIMES ) STILL FEEL THOSE THINGS) CAN CREATE SOMETHING NEW AND IT GROUNDS ME ENTIRELY /R ) CAN GO READ ANOTHER CRAFTERS BLOG AND FEEL INSPIRED BY WHAT THEY HAVE MADE )TS A REALLY WONDERFUL DAILY EXPERIENCE
INSPIRATION -Y MIND IS ALWAYS l LLED WITH IDEAS )N FACT ) HAVE A NUMBER OF SMALL NOTEBOOKS IN MY BAG AND LYING AROUND MY OFl CE AND APARTMENT ON WHICH ) HAVE SCRIBBLED SKETCHES OR NOTES OR LISTS OF IDEAS ) AM FAMOUS AT WORK FOR LOSING CONCENTRATION IN LONG MEETINGS BECAUSE ) AM DRAWING SOMETHING OR MAKING LONG SCHEMATIC MAPS OF INTERWEAVING IDEAS -Y COWORKERS TOLERATE IT BECAUSE GENERALLY ) AM WELL ORGANIZED AND A GOOD THINKER AND CONTRIBUTOR TO THE WORK AND ) DO THINK THEY VALUE THE CREATIVE ENERGY ) BRING TO OUR SOMEWHAT CEREBRAL DAILY TASKS 3O ) AM NEVER AT A LOSS FOR WHAT TO MAKE ) JUST DONT HAVE THE TIME OR MONEY FOR SUPPLIES OR THE TECHNICAL SKILL TO EXECUTE ALL OF MY IDEAS ) MAKE DO WITH THE TIME AND SUPPLIES AND TECHNICAL SKILL THAT ) DO HAVE !ND ) GENERALLY DIVE RIGHT INTO PROJECTS -Y MOTHER USED TO TEASE ME WHEN ) WAS A KID BECAUSE WHENEVER
) DECIDED THAT MY BEDROOM SHOULD LOOK DIFFERENT OR THAT ) NEEDED A NEW LOOK ) WOULD SIMPLY GO FOR IT WITHOUT THINKING IT THROUGH) COULD NOT WAIT FOR HELP OR SUGGESTIONS IN FACT ) COULD HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT HELP OR SUGGESTIONS !ND SO IT IS GENERALLY THE SAME TODAY ) GET INSPIRED BY A LOT OF THINGS ALL THE TIME !ND SO ) WRITE THE IDEAS DOWN SO ) DONT LOSE THEM AND THEN ) BEGIN MAKING WHATEVER ) AM FEELING LIKE 4HERE IS NO CHARTING OR GRAPHING 2ARELY ARE THERE PATTERNS -Y SISTER AND MOTHER AND ) ARE ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS AND WE ARE ALL LIKE THIS 7E WORK FROM OUR GUT 7E TRY AND EXPERIMENT 7E USE OUR INTUITION AND l GURE IT OUT ,ATER IN THIS BOOK ) WILL DESCRIBE HOW TO MAKE A UNIQUE LOG CABIN PILLOW ) HAVE NEVER USED A PATTERN FOR THIS OR READ DIRECTIONS 3O WRITING THEM FOR OTHERS HAS BEEN QUITE AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE 0EOPLE OFTEN ASK ME WHERE MY IDEAS COME FROM AND WHAT INSPIRES ME 4HAT IS A HARD QUESTION FOR ME
!BOVE +EEPING INSPIRATION AND TOOLS HANDY ,EFT 5NIQUE TRIMS AND RIBBONS MAKE A PROJECT SPECIAL /PPOSITE -ARGARET THE #AT KEEPS AN EYE ON
TO ANSWER BECAUSE ) AM A VERY VISUAL PERSON WHO NOTICES EVERY MINUTE DETAIL IN VERY ORDINARY THINGS 3O IT MIGHT BE A CRACK IN THE WALL OR THE WAY COLORS ARE PAINTED ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING )TS NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO TAKE MY CAMERA AROUND WITH ME AS ) RUN ERRANDS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO CAPTURE COLORS AND SHAPES AND CONTRASTS THAT INSPIRE ME "UT THE USUAL THINGS ALSO INSPIRE ME NATURE ) LOVE BIRD AND TREE AND WOOD IMAGERY POETRY AND CERTAINLY OTHER PEOPLES ART ) ALSO LOVE FASHION AND BOLD GRAPHIC DESIGN ,IVING IN AN URBAN AREA RICH WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES AND AN ABUNDANCE OF ARTBOTH IN THE STREET AND IN GALLERIESMAKES FOR NEVER ENDING INSPIRATION 4HE ART SCENE IN 3AN &RANCISCO IS AMAZING AND ) GO TO ART SHOWS HERE IN 3AN &RANCISCO REGULARLY ) THINK ) AM MOST KNOWN FOR MY LOVE AND USE OF COLOR IN ALL OF MY WORK ) AM SURROUNDED BY IT WHERE ) LIVE IN THE -ISSION $ISTRICT ) LOVE WORKING WITH COLORFUL VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY FABRICS AND USING MUTED BRIGHT COLOR IN MY ARTWORK ) WEAR COLORFUL CLOTHES THOUGH )M ALSO KNOWN TO WEAR ALL BLACK FROM TIME TO TIME ) HAVE COLORFUL WALLS IN MY APARTMENT ) TAKE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A l LM THAT TAKES SUPER SATURATED PHOTOGRAPHS )N THE END IN ORDER TO FEEL INSPIRED ITS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF OPENNESS TO THE BEAUTY AND ENERGY THAT IS AROUND YOU !ND ) THINK THATS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING )TS NOT SO MUCH WHAT INSPIRES YOU BUT THAT YOU ARE INSPIRED TO CREATE )N MY EXPERIENCE TRUE INSPIRATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY A FEELING OF JOY 7HEN ) AM INSPIRED ) AM NEVER SO JOYFUL !ND SOME DAYS ) AM SO INSPIRED THAT ) CAN TAKE BITS AND PIECES OF IT AND SAVE THEM FOR DAYS WHEN ) AM FEELING DEPRESSED OR FRIGHTENED
WORKSPACE /NE OF THE PLACES IN WHICH ) TRY TO CONTAIN ALL OF MY INSPIRATION IS MY STUDIO -Y FRIEND .ATHALIE CALLS MY APARTMENT hORGANIZED CHAOS v BECAUSE ) HAVE SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS AROUND BUT THEY ARE ALL PLACED
PURPOSEFULLY AS IF TO MAKE A STATEMENT !ND ) THINK
OTHERWISE ITS REALLY HARD TO lND WHAT ) WANT WHEN
MY SMALL STUDIO EPITOMIZES THIS CHARACTERIZATION )TS
) START A PROJECT
SO SMALL IN FACT THAT ) OFTEN HAVE TO SPREAD PROJECTS TO MY BEDROOM WHICH IS CONVENIENTLY ATTACHED BY
-Y CATS LIKE MY STUDIO TOO 4HEY ARE KNOWN TO
A LARGE OPENING OR TO THE KITCHEN OR LIVING ROOM
BAT ALL OF MY SMALL SUPPLIES OUT OF THE MANY
7HEN ) BOUGHT THIS APARTMENT IT WAS IMPORTANT
COMPARTMENTALIZED TRAYS ) COLLECT AND PLAY WITH
TO ME THAT ) HAVE A ROOM TO MAKE A STUDIO AFTER )
THEM ALL NIGHT LONG AS ) SLEEP !ND THEY SOMEHOW
MOVED FROM MY SMALL ONE ROOM APARTMENT !ND
LIKE MY SEWING CHAIR BETTER THAN THE BED OR SOFA
SO WHILE IT DOESNT HAVE MANY OF THE AMENITIES )
)TS COVERED IN THEIR FUR AND ) RARELY VACUUM IT OFF
HOPE TO SOMEDAY HAVEA UTILITY SINK WITH RUNNING
-Y STUDIO IS ALL ABOUT ME !ND WHEN PEOPLE COME
WATER REALLY GOOD LIGHTING AMPLE SHELF STORAGE AND
TO VISIT ITS THE ROOM THEY LIKE TO VISIT MOST TOO EVEN
A HUGE CUTTING TABLEIT IS STILL MY STUDIO AND IT IS MY
THOUGH IT DOESNT HAVE PLATES OF FOOD IN IT OR A SOFA
FAVORITE ROOM
OR A TELEVISION 4HEY LOVE TO LOOK AROUND !ND THAT GIVES ME A WONDERFUL FEELINGxAND MAKES ME FEEL
4WO YEARS AGO ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS BUILT ME A
WELL MORE INSPIRED
WORKTABLE AND COVERED AN ENTIRE WALL WITH CORKBOARD SO ) COULD PIN EVERY INSPIRATION TO IT 4HIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FEATURES -Y STUDIOS NOT VERY BIG SO THINGS ARE STUFFED IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY AND ITS GENERALLY VERY MESSY ) TRY TO KEEP MY FABRIC
"ELOW AND /PPOSITE +EEPING EVERYTHING ON HAND
COLLECTION NEAT AND ORGANIZED AND SORTED BY COLOR
FOR CONSTANT CRAFTING
,OG #ABIN 0ILLOW $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) l RST BEGAN MAKING MACHINE MADE LOG CABIN PILLOWS WHEN ) ACQUIRED A WONDERFUL *APANESE CRAFT BOOK THAT FEATURED THEM ) WAS DRAWN TO THEM IMMEDIATELY AND BEGAN CREATING MY OWN USING A MIX OF COLORFUL VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY FABRICS 4HAT WAS NEARLY A YEAR AGO AND ) HAVENT STOPPED MAKING THEM SINCE 6ERY TRADITIONAL LOG CABIN SQUARES USE ONLY THREE DIFFERENT FABRICS AND CONTRAST LIGHT TO DARK FABRICS IN OPPOSING CORNERS ) PIECE MY LOG CABIN PILLOWS TOGETHER USING THE TRADITIONAL PATTERN BUT THEY ARE A FAR CRY FROM THE TRADITIONAL DESIGN ) PLAY WITH A MIXTURE OF SOLID AND PATTERNED FABRICSSOMETIMES UP TO DIFFERENT FABRICS IN LARGE PILLOWSBOLD COLORS TEXT AND PATCHES -Y FAVORITE PART OF MAKING EACH OF MY PILLOWS IS SELECTING THE FABRICS ) WILL USE 0IECING THE FABRICS TOGETHER IS STRIP BY STRIP TO CREATE A BALANCED INTERESTING AND BEAUTIFUL PIECE IS AN INCREDIBLY SATISFYING AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE
,YN 2OBERTS ,OCATION $EVON %NGLAND /CCUPATION 3TAY AT (OME -UM !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT TOYS 3CARVES "AGS "ABY 1UILTS 7EBSITE HTTPMOLLYCHICKENBLOGSCOM
WHY I CREATE ) HAVE ALWAYS CRAFTED ONE OF MY EARLIEST MEMORIES IS SITTING WITH MY MOTHER WATCHING HER SEW 7E WERE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TO TRY THINGS OURSELVES ) STILL HAVE A LITTLE TEDDY BEAR THAT WE MADE TOGETHER WHEN ) WAS ABOUT lVE YEARS OLD ) GREW UP SURROUNDED BY WOMEN WHO HAD LARGE FAMILIES AND LITTLE MONEY SO THERE WERE CHILDRENS CLOTHES TO BE MADE AND MENDED HUSBANDS SOCKS TO DARN AND SCRATCHY WOOLLEN JUMPERS TO KNIT -Y FATHER KNEW HOW TO KNIT AND SEW TOO SOMETHING HE LEARNED WHILST SERVING IN THE "RITISH .AVY DURING 7ORLD 7AR 4WO 3AILORS WERE EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THEIR UNIFORMS WHILE AT SEA AND EMBROIDERED MANY PIECES FOR THEIR SWEETHEARTS AT HOME TO WHILE AWAY THE TIME %VEN THOUGH MY FATHER HAD HUGE HANDS WITH lNGERS LIKE BIG FAT SAUSAGES HE COULD
MADE FROM OLD WOOLLEN BLANKETS THAT ARE FELTED IN A
SEW THE TINIEST NEATEST STITCHES
HOT MACHINE WASH AND THEN DYED TO PRODUCE A HUGE PALETTE OF COLOURS
-Y MOTHER REFUSED TO BUY ANYTHING SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD MAKE HERSELF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT CAUSED
/LD CURTAINS VELVET CUSHION COVERS AND CHILDRENS
ME GREAT EMBARRASSMENT AS A TEENAGER n ) WANTED
CLOTHING ARE OTHER FAVOURITES OF MINE ALL SUPPLYING A
A SCHOOL SCARF LIKE EVERYBODY ELSES NOT A HAND
FABULOUS ARRAY OF COLOURS PRINTS AND TEXTURES
KNITTED EFFORT #RAFTING IS SOMETHING THAT SAVES MY SANITY IT PROVIDES .OW THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE )M BECOMING MORE LIKE
A VERY WELCOME ESCAPE FROM MY BUSY HECTIC LIFE
MY MOTHER EVERY DAY ) TOO NOW PREFER TO MAKE
3MALL CHILDREN ARE INVARIABLY NOISY BLESS THEM SO
RATHER THAN BUY ) PARTICULARLY ENJOY RECYCLING OLD
TO BE ABLE TO SIT IN MY CRAFT ROOM SEWING LISTENING
FABRICS ) LOVE TO TRAWL AROUND MY LOCAL CHARITYTHRIFT
TO THE SOUND OF NOTHING IS HEAVENLY ) PARTICULARLY
SHOPS LOOKING FOR TEXTILES -Y SOFT TOYS ARE USUALLY
ENJOY EMBROIDERY BECAUSE IT CAN BE DONE IN SILENCE
ALTHOUGH ) DO LOVE MY SEWING MACHINE WITH A
MESS UP SO MY ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD BE DONT
TREMENDOUS PASSION
BE AFRAID OF THAT FABRIC GIVE IT A GO
#REATING SOMETHING UNIQUE FROM AN ASSORTMENT OF ODDS AND ENDS IS VERY SATISFYING GIVING A SOFT TOY ITS OWN CHARACTER BY PLACING ITS FEATURES IN A CERTAIN WAY
INSPIRATION
IS GREAT FUN )VE LEARNT THAT ITS BEST NOT TO GET TOO hPRECIOUSv WHEN IT COMES TO CRAFTING ) lND EXACTNESS
)NSPIRATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE HELPING OUT AT
STImING AND NO LONGER WORRY ABOUT FEATURES BEING
ARTS AND CRAFTS SESSIONS AT MY CHILDRENS SCHOOL IS
SYMMETRICAL OR WHETHER ONE ARM IS HIGHER THAN THE
ALWAYS A GOOD SOURCE 4HE CHILDREN ) WORK WITH ARE AT
OTHER IN FACT IT ALL ADDS TO THE CHARM OF A THING
AN AGE WHERE THEIR hINNER CRITICv HASNT KICKED IN YET SO THEY CREATE WITH GAY ABANDONMENT 4HE COLOURS
) AM VERY GRATEFUL TO MY PARENTS FOR BRINGING US UP
THEY PUT TOGETHER AND THEIR PLEASURE IN DRAWING
WITH A h9OU CAN DO THATv ATTITUDE THEY BELIEVED THAT
SOMETHING WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT PERSPECTIVE OR
SOMETHING SHOULD ALWAYS BE ATTEMPTED EVEN IF YOU
ACCURACY IS A JOY TO WATCH 0ICASSO ONCE SAID THAT
$ONT BE AFRAID OF THAT FABRIC GIVE IT A GO /PPOSITE "UNDLES OF ,YNS HAND DYED WOOL
"ELOW ! GORGEOUS PILE OF CRAFTS
AND !LAN !HLBERG 2ICHARD 3CARRY /LWYN 7HELAN %MMA #ARLOW "RIAN 7ILDSMITH AND MANY OTHERS &INALLY THE )NTERNET AH THE WONDERFUL )NTERNET WHAT CAN ) SAY THAT HASNT ALREADY BEEN SAID &AR FAR TOO MUCH TIME IS SPENT STARING IN AWE AT MY COMPUTER SCREEN
WORKSPACE ) WORK FROM HOME IN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY THE DINING ROOM OF OUR %DWARDIAN HOUSE 4HE ROOM IS NORTH FACING WHICH MAKES IT PERFECT FOR STORING MY FABRICS n NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT TO FADE THEM ) HAVE &RENCH DOORS THAT ALLOW A LOT OF LIGHT IN AND WHICH LEAD TO HE SPENT A LIFETIME TRYING TO UNLEARN EVERYTHING THAT
A LITTLE COURTYARD WHERE ) LIKE TO SIT AND SEW IN THE
HAD BEEN TAUGHT TO HIM AT ART SCHOOL SO THAT ONCE
SUMMER
AGAIN HE COULD PAINT FROM THE HEART LIKE A CHILD 3O ) USUALLY COME AWAY FROM THESE SESSIONS INSPIRED BY A LITTLE PERSON !BOVE ALL THEY REMIND ME THAT CREATING SOMETHING IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN SOMETHING THATS EASY TO FORGET WHEN YOURE STRESSING OVER YOUR &RENCH SEAMS 6INTAGE FABRICS ARE ANOTHER INSPIRATION FOR ME ) LOVE CHILDRENS PRINTS FROM THE LAST CENTURY PARTICULARLY THE S S AND S ) ALSO HAVE A COLLECTION OF VINTAGE DRESSES MADE BY THE $UTCH CHILDRENS LABEL /ILILY 4HEY EXCEL AT PRODUCING BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL ITEMS OF CLOTHING WITH COLOURS AND PATTERNS THAT CLASH IN THE MOST WONDERFUL WAY !GAIN ) SUPPOSE ITS ALL ABOUT NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO ANY RIGID RULES WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN 3TICKING WITH THE CHILDHOOD THEME CHILDRENS ILLUSTRATION IS SOMETHING THAT ) ALSO lND VERY INSPIRING (AVING HAD FOUR CHILDREN WE HAVE A VAST SUPPLY OF BOOKS AT HOME ) PARTICULARLY LOVE THE WORK OF *ANET
!BOVE ! SIMPLE PURSE IN ,YNS UNIQUE STYLE 2IGHT "EAUTIFUL HAND PAINTED SILK
4HERES A BEAUTIFUL lREPLACE WHOSE MANTELPIECE HOLDS SOFT TOYS MADE BY FELLOW CRAFTERS BASKETS OF BEADS AND SEQUINS MY CHILDRENS ARTWORK AND SOME OF MY CHERISHED BOOKS 4HERE IS ALSO AN OLD #HEMISTS CUPBOARDS BOUGHT AT AN AUCTION WHICH HOUSES SOME OF MY RATHER LARGE FABRIC STASH ) HAVE A BIG OLD DESK WHICH IS MY MAIN WORK AREA AND THREE LARGE UNITS WHICH MY VERY CLEVER HUSBAND MADE TO STORE MY BOOKS BITS BOBS BOXES AND YET MORE FABRIC
2IGHT ,YNS FABRIC COLLECTION INCLUDING VINTAGE /ILILY PATTERNS GIVE A SPECIAL LOOK TO HER PROJECTS "ELOW !NIMALS ON PARADE
#HILDREN REMIND ME THAT CREATING IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN
0ATCHWORK 0URSE $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DESIGNED THIS PURSE AS A PROJECT TO GENTLY EASE BEGINNERS INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SEWING )T CAN BE KEPT SIMPLE AND COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR YOU CAN INVEST MORE TIME AND EMBELLISH AWAY TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT 4HIS PURSE CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE STITCHED AND CAN BE INTERLINED WITH A COMMERCIAL STIFF INTERFACING FOR A SHARP SMART LOOK OR INTERLINED WITH OR LAYERS OF A SOFT COTTON FABRIC FOR A SOFT SQUASHY LOOK 4HE DETACHABLE CORSAGE IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF JUST LAYERS OF PETALS HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW STITCHES AND A BUTTON OR BEAD FEEL FREE TO ADD SEQUINS OR DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND WHATEVER ELSE THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY
-AITREYA $UNHAM ,OCATION .EW *ERSEY 53! /CCUPATION 3CIENTIST 4EACHER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST %MBROIDERY 3EWING 3CREEN 0RINTING 7EBSITE HTTPWWWCRAFTLOGORG
WHY I CREATE )T ALL STARTED ONE DAY WHEN ) WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN MY MOTHER TOOK ME AND MY SISTERS TO A STORE THAT SOLD CROSS STITCH KITS AND LET US EACH PICK ONE OUT ) STILL HAVE THE PROJECT A LITTLE BAG WITH A GOOSE ON IT )T WAS A SLIPPERY SLOPE FROM THERE ) STARTED SEARCHING FOR PATTERN BOOKS AND COLLECTING COLORS OF THREAD AND MY MOM COMMISSIONED A SET OF PLACEMATS ONE OF WHICH IS STILL NOT DONE ) DID MAINLY CROSS STITCH UNTIL ) STARTED PICKING UP OTHER THINGS IN COLLEGE ) WENT TO -)4 WHICH HAS TWO NORMAL SEMESTERS SEPARATED BY A MONTH LONG hINDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES PERIOD v DURING WHICH ANYBODY CAN TEACH SHORT CLASSES ) TOOK A QUILTING CLASS TAUGHT BY ONE OF MY CLASSMATES ONE YEAR WHICH WAS AN ENTREE INTO SEWING AND FABRIC CRAFTS !FTER THAT ) MADE A QUILTED PILLOW OF THE -)4 GREAT
4HATS WHAT INTRODUCED ME TO THE WHOLE ONLINE CRAFT
DOME IN mORALS WHICH AT THE TIME ) THOUGHT WAS A
COMMUNITY ) STARTED #RAFTLOG A FEW MONTHS LATER
GREAT IRONIC OBJECT )T FELL APART ONE DAY WHEN ) TRIED
MAINLY AS A WAY OF PROCRASTINATING WRITING MY 0H$
TO WASH IT )M STILL SAD ITS GONE
THESIS BUT ALSO AS A WAY TO SHARE MY WORK WITH THE GROWING CRAFT BLOG UNIVERSE
/NE OF MY MAIN INSPIRATIONS FOR CRAFTING SOON BECAME -ARTHA 3TEWARTS MAGAZINES AND BOOKS ) STARTED A
(OW THAT COMMUNITY HAS GROWN OVER THE THREE YEARS
LITTLE JOURNAL TO KEEP TRACK OF WHICH ISSUES HAD THE
)VE BEEN BLOGGING HAS JUST BEEN MIND BLOWING )TS
PROJECTS ) WANTED TO TRY 4HAT JOURNAL WAS THE lRST
A LARGE PART OF MY CONTINUED EXPERIMENTATION WITH
INCARNATION OF MY CRAFTING WEBSITE #RAFTLOG "OTH OF
DIFFERENT CRAFTS AND A HUGE SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
MY SISTERS HAD BEEN KEEPING BLOGS FOR QUITE A WHILE
AND IDEAS
AND WERE MORE PLUGGED IN TO THE ONLINE COMMUNITY THAN ) WAS /NE OF MY SISTERS MADE EVERYBODY
-Y FAMILY HAS ALSO ENCOURAGED MY CRAFTNESS ) FONDLY
MARBLE MAGNETS FOR #HRISTMAS ONE YEAR AND TOLD ME
REMEMBER GOING WITH MY GRANDMA TO GARAGE SALES
SHE FOUND THE DIRECTIONS ON A CRAFT BLOG .OT -ARTHA
ONE SUMMER PICKING UP BAGS OF TRIMS POMPOMS
FELT AND WHATEVER ELSE ) COULD GLUE TOGETHER TO MAKE
.ONE OF THIS REALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTION OF WHY )
SOMETHING 3HE WAS A CROCHETER A CRAFT ) DIDNT PICK
CRAFT THOUGH 0RIMARILY ) JUST ENJOY MAKING THINGS
UP UNTIL YEARS AFTER SHE DIED AND JUST ONE OF MY
) ENJOY DOING A BIT OF EMBROIDERY WHILE )M WATCHING
CRAFTY RELATIVES 7E ALWAYS HAD QUILTS MADE BY MY
46 OR PICKING OUT THE PERFECT FABRIC FOR A NEW BAG )
GREAT GRANDMA OR VARIOUS GREAT AUNTS ANOTHER CRAFT )
LIKE TO MAKE CRAFTS THAT ENHANCE MY APARTMENT THAT
DIDNT PICK UP UNTIL MUCH LATER )N FACT MY lRST LARGE
) ENJOY WEARING THAT )M PROUD TO GIVE AS GIFTS
QUILT WAS MADE OF BLOCKS PIECED BY SOME UNKNOWN RELATIVE AND FOUND HIDDEN IN A CLOSET -Y SISTERS AND ) ALSO ALWAYS MADE STUFF FROM KNOTTED EMBROIDERY THREAD BRACELETS TO PLAYHOUSES IN THE WOODS /NE OF
INSPIRATION
MY SISTERS IS STILL AN AVID CROSS STITCHER AND MY OTHER SISTER IS ALSO VERY CREATIVE -Y MOM DOES STAINED
7HATS FUNNY TO ME IS HOW MANY OF THE BRANCH
GLASS AND BEADING AND MY SISTER IN LAW TAUGHT ME
POINTS IN MY CRAFTING DEVELOPMENT ARE SO CLICHED IN
TO KNIT -Y NIECE JUST TOLD ME THAT CRAFTING IS ONE OF
MANY WAYS &RIENDSHIP BRACELETS #ROSS STITCHED
HER FAVORITE THINGS SO MAYBE ITLL GO EVEN ANOTHER
GEESE -ARTHA 3TEWART AND MARBLE MAGNETS %VEN
GENERATION
THE SELF CONSCIOUSLY IRONIC CRAFT HAS BECOME A CLICHE
4HE GROWTH OF THE ON LINE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MIND BLOWING /PPOSITE 4HE FATEFUL GOOSE THAT STARTED IT ALL
"ELOW ! DRAWER OF GOODIES
WITH ALL THE hNOT YOUR GRANDMOTHERS CRAFTINGv TYPE BOOKS AND WEBSITES 4HE INTERNET HAS REALLY OPENED UP A MUCH BROADER ARRAY OF INmUENCES SO ) CAN MOVE BEYOND THESE CLICHES INTO MORE CREATIVE TERRITORY #RAFT BLOGGERS ARE GREAT ABOUT LINKING INSPIRING ARTISTS DESIGNERS AND SHOPS WHICH ) MIGHT NEVER HAVE COME ACROSS ON MY OWN .OT TO MENTION ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT EVERYONE MAKES ) READ ABOUT ONE HUNDRED CRAFT BLOGS SO ) AM NEVER AT A LOSS FOR BEAUTIFUL IMAGES AND GREAT IDEAS "UT )M ALSO STILL INSPIRED BY -ARTHA 3TEWART 4HE LEVEL OF QUALITY AND SKILL HER MAGAZINES ENCOURAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLUS TO ME RATHER THAN THE MUCH REVILED hPERFECTIONISMv SOME PEOPLE DEMEAN IT AS &OR A LONG TIME SHE WAS THE ONLY EVEN VAGUELY MODERN MAINSTREAM CRAFTING PORTAL .OW THERES MORE AVAILABLE IN BOOKS MAGAZINES AND ON 46 SO ) DONT RELY ON HER AS MUCH OR TWO APPEALING PROJECTS )TS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO ) AM ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CREATIVE AND MODERN
INVESTIGATE NEW CRAFTS
CRAFT BOOKS -Y LOCAL LIBRARY HAS A GREAT CRAFT BOOKS SECTION FROM WHICH ) ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE AN
*APANESE CRAFT BOOKS IN PARTICULAR ARE MY NEW
ARMFUL CHECKED OUT 4HE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS GREAT THIS
FAVORITE INSPIRATION THOUGH 4HE VERY CLEAN VERY
WAY BECAUSE ) CAN GET BOOKS THAT ) WOULDNT USE
MODERN AESTHETIC IS APPEALING TO ME IN A WAY ) NO
ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY BUYING BUT THAT HAVE MAYBE ONE
LONGER FEEL FOR CROSS STITCHED GEESE
WORKSPACE ) AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A DEVOTED CRAFT ROOM -Y CRAFT TABLE IS A COMPUTER DESK WHICH ) REALLY LIKE BECAUSE THE SPACE UNDER THE DESK WHERE THE COMPUTER IS SUPPOSED TO SIT IS JUST PERFECT FOR MY SEWING MACHINE /NE END OF THE TABLE HAS A CUTTING MAT RIGHT NEXT TO A PEGBOARD WALL FOR MY SCISSORS ROTARY CUTTER JEWELERS SAW AND OTHER TOOLS 4HE CABINETS AND SHELVES AROUND THE ROOM ARE PRETTY MUCH A MESS WITH SUPPLIES STUFFED EVERYWHERE ) LIKE TO GO OVERBOARD WITH THE SUPPLIES ) LIKE CRAFT SUPPLIES IN AND OF THEMSELVES &ABRIC AND YARN AND COLORED THREAD ARE JUST PRETTY (AVING EVERY COLOR OF
'OCCO PRINTING INK OR EMBROIDERY THREAD IS ALSO NICE
IN BLOGLAND AND WHATEVER ELSE SEEMS VISUALLY
BECAUSE WHEN ) FEEL LIKE CRAFTING SOMETHING ) MORE
APPEALING 7HENEVER )M AT A LOSS FOR A PROJECT )
THAN LIKELY ALREADY HAVE THE MATERIALS
CHECK THE LIST AND SEE IF ) FEEL LIKE STARTING ANYTHING NEW ) HAVE FOLDERS OF INSPIRING MAGAZINE AND
) KEEP ALL MY FABRICS IN TWO CABINETS OF LITTLE CUBBIES
CATALOG PAGES FOR BROWSING AS WELL
THAT ) THINK MUST BE MEANT FOR STORING SHOES ) LIKE HAVING THE FABRIC EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND ALL IN SIGHT
-Y COMPUTER IS AS MUCH A CRAFTING TOOL AS MY SEWING
SO ) CAN BROWSE FOR WHAT ) NEED OR EVEN START WITH
MACHINE ) RUN CRAFTLOG WITH -OVABLE 4YPE AND ) TRY
AN APPEALING PIECE OF FABRIC AS INSPIRATION FOR A
TO UPDATE THE SITE DESIGN EVERY FEW MONTHS +EEPING
PROJECT ) OFTEN START PROJECTS IN THIS WAY BEGINNING
ALL MY LINKS ORGANIZED IS ALSO QUITE A CHALLENGE BUT
WITH THE MATERIALS AND IMAGINING WHAT THEY COULD
) HAVE A SYSTEM FOR SORTING EVERYTHING INTO FOLDERS
BE ) AM STARTING TO GET GOOD ENOUGH AT SEWING AND
FOR SAFE KEEPING /NCE A MONTH OR SO ) GO BACK
CROCHET THAT ) CAN DRAFT MY OWN PATTERNS FOR SIMPLE
THROUGH MY BOOKMARKS AND DECIDE WHAT LINKS SHOULD
THINGS BUT MOSTLY ) USE PATTERNS FROM BOOKS OR THE
BE POSTED ON MY WEBSITE ) HAVE LEARNED THE HARD
INTERNET
WAY TO JUST DOWNLOAD PICTURES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECTS ) MIGHT WANT TO TRY 9OU NEVER KNOW WHEN
) TYPICALLY HAVE SEVERAL PROJECTS GOING AT ONCE A
A FAVORITE SITE MIGHT DISAPPEAR
COUPLE OF LONG TERM ONES INTERSPERSED WITH INSTANT GRATIlCATION CRAFTS ) ALSO KEEP AN IDEA LIST TACKED TO MY CORK BOARD ALONG WITH PRETTY CARDS EMBROIDERY SWATCHES NICE LETTERS FROM MY hIMAGINARY FRIENDSv
/PPOSITE 4OP ! PRETTY PLEATED BAG /PPOSITE "OTTOM ! MACHINE EMBROIDERED GARDEN "ELOW 6ERSATILE FABRIC STORAGE
$ESK /RGANIZER $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT 4HESE EMBROIDERED FELT ORGANIZERS REALLY REm ECT ON ME AS A CRAFTER MY INm UENCES AND WHAT ) VALUE IN A PROJECT /NCE ) GOT THIS THICK FELT ON A TRIP TO *APAN A STEAL AT YEN ) KNEW IT WAS DESTINED TO BE A BOX OF SOME VARIETY !DD IN A MESSY SEWING DESK DRAWER AND THE PROJECT CAME TOGETHER )T IS BOTH USEFUL AND PRETTY ) ALWAYS ENJOY MAKING MORE CRAFT TOOLS PIN CUSHIONS SEWING MACHINE COVER NEEDLE BOOKS ETC THAT ) CAN ENJOY EVERY TIME ) CREATE SOMETHING ELSE 4HE ILLUSTRATION STYLE OF THE SEWING BOX EMBROIDERY SEEMS LIKE IT BELONGS IN A *APANESE CRAFT BOOK A l TTING MATCH FOR THE FELT 4HE HAND EMBROIDERY ON THE SEWING BOX PARTNERED WITH THE CANDY COLOR SCHEME SCRIPT LABELS AND VINTAGE PILLOWCASE FABRIC BACKING IS PRETTY AND NOSTALGIC 4HE FELT BOX ITSELF UNADORNED SEEMS SO GEOMETRIC AND SIMPLE THOUGH THAT IT HAS A MODERN APPEAL AS WELL )VE TRIED TO EMPHASIZE THOSE QUALITIES IN THE DESK TRAY VARIATION !LTHOUGH THE FELT BOX BASE IS THE SAME MATCHING IT WITH MACHINE EMBROIDERED SKETCHES IN GRAPHIC BLACK AND WHITE GIVES IT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FEEL 4HE BOX DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO CART IT AROUND WHICH IS WHY ) HAVE DESIGNED IT AS A DESK ORGANIZER )T IS SURPRISINGLY STURDY THOUGH A PROTOTYPE HAS SURVIVED MONTHS OF USE WITHOUT INCIDENT )F YOU PLAN TO STORE SAY PENCILS IN IT A DARKER COLOR FOR THE WALLS IS RECOMMENDED TO HIDE ANY MARKS 4HE USE OF HIGH QUALITY FELT IS IMPORTANT SINCE CRAFT FELT WILL PILL QUICKLY AND IS LESS DENSE )F YOURE LUCKY YOU CAN l ND THICK FELT AT A CRAFT OR FABRIC STORE )F NOT hINDUSTRIAL FELT v hPRESS CUSHION v AND hPRESS BLANKETv ARE GOOD KEYWORDS TO TRY ON THE INTERNET 9OU CAN ALSO FUSE TOGETHER OR LAYERS OF NORMAL THICKNESS FELT OR USE FELTED KNITS 4HRIFT
-ARIKO &UJINAKA ,OCATION 0ORTLAND /REGON /CCUPATION 7RITER AND %DITOR !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST +NITTING AND 3EWING #LOTHES "AGS 7EBSITE HTTPWWWSUPEREGGPLANTCOM
WHY I CREATE )S IT NATURE OR NURTURE THAT BROUGHT ME TO CRAFTING ) AM OF *APANESE DESCENT AND ) HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THE *APANESE TO BE PRONE TO ARTISTIC AND CRAFTY ENDEAVORS REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND OR PROFESSION ! SPIRIT OF AESTHETIC PERMEATES THE CULTURE IT IS INESCAPABLE ) COME FROM A LONG LINE OF CRAFTERS BUT NONE OF THEM WERE CONSUMED BY CRAFT n IT WAS SECOND NATURE -Y GRANDMOTHER IN *APAN WAS ALWAYS KNITTING OR CROCHETING AND EVEN WHEN SHE BEGAN LOSING HER SIGHT TO MACULAR DEGENERATION SHE KNIT ) STILL HAVE THE RUBY RED CABLED CARDIGAN SWEATER SHE KNIT FOR ME EVEN THOUGH IT HASNT lT FOR OVER A DECADE 7HEN ) THINK ABOUT MY AUNT IN *APAN ) ENVISION HER CONSTANTLY CREATING 4HE lRST TIME ) VISITED *APAN ) WAS FOUR $URING THAT VISIT MY AUNT MADE DOLLS FOR
-Y MOTHER HAS ALWAYS CLAIMED SHE IS NOT PARTICULARLY
MY BROTHER AND ME -Y BROTHERS DOLL WAS SUPPOSED
CRAFTY 3HE FEIGNS DISINTEREST IN SEWING AND KNITTING
TO LOOK LIKE OUR FATHER (E WORE A STRIPED SWEATER
AND CRAFTING BUT DURING MY CHILDHOOD SHE WAS
AND SPORTED A JAUNTY BERET -Y DOLL WAS ) THINK
CONSTANTLY CREATING AMAZING ITEMS -Y MOTHER
SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT MY MOTHER BUT MY AUNT MADE
SEWED NEARLY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY OUTlTS UNTIL )
THE MISTAKE OF LETTING ME SELECT THE HAIR COLOR AND
HIT FOURTH GRADE AND DECIDED TO BECOME A TOMBOY
THE BUTTONS FOR THE EYES 7ELL MINE HAD ORANGE HAIR
) REMEMBER MANY OF THE DRESSES SHE MADE FOR ME
AND CLEAR BUTTON EYES ) STILL HAVE THAT DOLL THOUGH
FOR MY SECOND GRADE SCHOOL PICTURE ) WORE A LONG
SHE DOESNT HAVE MUCH HAIR LEFT 4HROUGH THE YEARS
SLEEVED ORANGE DRESS WITH A WHITE LEAF PATTERN IT
MY AUNT HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE VARIOUS THINGS
WAS A LITTLE SCRATCHY 0OLYESTER WAS DISMAYINGLY
SHE KNIT ME NUMEROUS SWEATERS BOTH BY HAND AND
POPULAR DURING MY YOUTH FOR THE THIRD GRADE PHOTO
WITH A KNITTING MACHINE CROCHETED DISHRAGS CRAFTED
) WORE A DOTTED 3WISS DRESS WITH POOFY SLEEVES IN
CLASSIC *APANESE DOLLS
YOU NAME IT SHE MADE IT
FOURTH GRADE THE LAST DRESS ) ALLOWED HER TO MAKE
FOR ME WAS A MULTICOLORED POLYESTER KNIT OUTlT WHICH
WERE THREE GIRLS IN THE FAMILY AND THEY ALL WORE
) RECALL AS BEING A TAD CLINGY !T ONE POINT SHE GOT
BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CLOTHING .OT ONLY DID -RS (
REALLY INTO &ROSTLINE +ITS SHE SEWED DOWN BOOTIES FOR
SEW BUT SHE ALSO KNIT 3HE EVEN OPENED TWO FABRIC
THE WHOLE FAMILY RAIN PARKAS BACKPACKS AND DOWN
STORES ONE SPECIALIZING IN ALL NATURAL lBERS WITH
VESTS -Y MOTHER ALSO KNIT LIKE A lEND EMBROIDERED
LUXURIOUS SILKS AND WOOLS AND LINENS 4HE DAUGHTERS
TATTED HOOKED RUGS AND EVEN MADE JEWELRY 3HE
ARE ADULTS NOW TWO WITH CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN YET
WAS TRULY A RENAISSANCE WOMAN AND ONE OF MY
-RS ( CONTINUES TO FEVERISHLY SEW AND KNIT MAKING
GREATEST INmUENCES
OUTlTS FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE GRANDCHILDREN AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
!NOTHER PERSON WHO SIGNIlCANTLY INmUENCED ME AND GAVE ME CAUSE TO CRAFT IS -RS ( THE MOTHER OF !LICE
3URROUNDED BY THIS CONSTANT CRAFTING MAYBE IT
A CHILDHOOD FRIEND !LICE AND ) BECAME FRIENDS IN lRST
WAS INEVITABLE THAT ) WOULD PICK UP THE NEEDLES
GRADE AND EVERY TIME ) WENT TO HER FAMILYS HOUSE )
AND BREAK OUT THE SCISSORS !LICE AND ) ENROLLED IN
WOULD DISCOVER HER MOTHER ENSCONCED IN HER SEWING
A SUMMER SEWING CLASS WHEN ) WAS ABOUT NINE 7E
ROOM SURROUNDED BY PILES AND PILES OF FABRIC 4HERE
HAD A TOUGH TIME BUT ) STILL REMEMBER WHAT ) MADE
) COME FROM A LONG LINE OF CRAFTERS n IT WAS SECOND NATURE /PPOSITE ! 3UPER%GGPLANT ORIGINAL
"ELOW -ARIKO HARD AT WORK n IN A VEST SHE KNIT HERSELF
A SHORT SLEEVED ORANGE TERRY CLOTH TOP COMPLETE WITH HOOD )T DIDNT lT VERY WELL BUT ) STILL LOVED IT ) ALSO REMEMBER THE lRST SWEATER ) KNIT ) THINK ) WAS ABOUT TEN OR ELEVEN WHEN ) ASKED MY MOTHER TO TEACH ME HOW TO KNIT ) MADE A CREWNECK SWEATER VEST THAT BUTTONED UP THE BACK )T WAS MADE OF VERY VERY THICK GREY WOOL 3O ) SUPPOSE THIS CRAFTING THING IS A COMPULSION )T GOT INTO MY BLOOD AND ONCE ) STARTED ) COULD NOT STOP )T DIDNT EVEN MATTER THAT ) WAS NOT PARTICULARLY GIFTED ) WONT CONFESS HOW MANY TIMES )VE SEWN POCKETS TO THE BOTTOMS OF TROUSER LEGS ) SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS AT !LICES HOUSE SEWING THIS OR THAT WITH -RS (S PATIENT GUIDANCE -Y MOTHER AND ) KNIT TOGETHER AND WENT TO CRAFT STORES TO DABBLE IN THE LATEST CRAFT CRAZES #RAFTING COMES IN WAVES
FOR A COUPLE YEARS ) WILL BECOME SO OBSESSED WITH KNITTING THAT ) CANT THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE AND OTHER PERIODS ) CANT GO A DAY WITHOUT SEWING A COUPLE SEAMS ) CRAFT BECAUSE ) MUST
COLORS IN A BUSINESS LOGO ) AM EASILY DRAWN IN BY COLOR THE BRIGHTER THE BETTER AND PATTERN AND INSPIRATION ALSO COMES IN THE FORM OF DREAMS OR VISIONS 4HESE VISIONS INCUBATE IN MY HEAD AND IF ) DONT TRY TO CREATE THEM IN TANGIBLE FORMS ) GO A LITTLE CRAZY ! COUPLE MONTHS AGO FOR EXAMPLE ) SAW
INSPIRATION ) AM INmUENCED NOT ONLY BY MY FRIENDS THE MEDIA AND POPULAR CULTURE BUT ALSO BY THE OBSCURE OFFBEAT AND UNEXPECTED SUCH AS A DELICATE PASTRY OR THE
A SMALL MESSENGER TOTE BAG ) LIKED BUT THE AVAILABLE COLORS WERENT TO MY TASTE ) CONTEMPLATED TRYING TO MAKE A SIMILAR BAG BUT DISCARDED THE IDEA lGURING IT WOULD BE TOO COMPLICATED ! FEW DAYS LATER ) AWOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH A PICTURE OF THE BAG IN MY BRAIN ) COULDNT GET BACK TO SLEEP BECAUSE MY BRAIN STARTED DISSECTING THE PIECES OF THE BAG TRYING TO lGURE OUT HOW TO BUILD IT 4HIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND ONCE ) ACTUALLY GOT UP AND STARTED DRAWING OUT THE PATTERN 4HESE VISIONS AS STRONG AS THEY ARE ARE ALSO mEETING AND CAN DISSIPATE IF ) DONT QUICKLY GET TO THEM
!BOVE AND ,EFT -ORE OF -ARIKOS UNIQUE BAGS /PPOSITE )T MAY BE IN THE BASEMENT BUT SHES GOT TWO SEWING MACHINES
WORKSPACE )N THE PAST ) HAVE SET UP MY SEWING MACHINE
ABOUT TRANSITION RIGHT -Y CURRENT WORK AREA SHARES
WHEREVER IT lT ) LIVED IN *APAN FOR A YEAR AND
SPACE WITH A TREADMILL AND A GUEST BED ) HAVE TWO
BORROWED A SEWING MACHINE WHICH ) PROMPTLY SET
REGULAR SEWING MACHINES ONE A NEW *ANOME
UP ON AN IRONING BOARD )T WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE
AND THE OTHER AN %LNA 3UPER MANUFACTURED CIRCA
TRYING TO SEW A FULLY LINED TRENCH COAT WHILE HOLDING
) ALSO HAVE A "ERNINA SERGER -ETAL SHELVING
THE IRONING BOARD STEADY
UNITS AND LARGE STORAGE CONTAINERS HOLD MY FABRIC AND YARN STASH AND MY BOOKS PATTERNS AND NOTIONS
7E RECENTLY MOVED SO ) AM STILL WORKING ON MAKING MY WORKSPACE MY OWN /UR HOUSE IN NEED OF MUCH RENOVATION IS IN A STATE OF TRANSITION SO IN THIS SPIRIT ) HAVE ESTABLISHED MY WORKSPACE )T WENT FROM THE SECOND STORY TO THE BASEMENT A SPACE ) INITIALLY REFUSED TO CONSIDER FOR MY CRAFTING SPACE )TS ALL
4HIS CRAFTING THING IS A COMPULSION ) CRAFT BECAUSE ) MUST
3UMMER 4OP $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT !LTHOUGH )VE TRIED TO BROADEN MY HORIZONS ) l ND MYSELF COMPELLED TO SEW GARMENTS AND BAGS ) HAVE DECIDED TO SHARE THIS UNCONTROLLABLE PASSION WITH A PATTERN OFFERING FOR YOU )TS A LITTLE SUMMER TOP THAT IS QUITE VERSATILE YOU CAN USE A VARIETY OF FABRICS FROM COTTON KNIT TO SILK TO QUILTING COTTON YOU CAN EMBELLISH IT WITH RIBBONS OR BUTTONS OR SEQUINS AND YOU CAN USE CONTRASTING FABRIC OR EVEN RIBBON FOR THE STRAPS 4HIS PATTERN IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE INSTEAD OF TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT PIECES TO CUT )M GIVING YOU INSTRUCTIONS TO CREATE A SHIRT BASED OFF ONE YOU ALREADY OWN )TS ALWAYS DIFl CULT TO TELL IF A GIVEN PATTERN WILL l T YOU WELL BUT THIS METHOD ENSURES YOU GET YOUR FAVORITE l T ) HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AND THAT IT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE A WHOLE WARDROBE
-YRA -ASUDA ,OCATION (ONOLULU (AWAII /CCUPATION #IVIL %NGINEER !GE 3OMETHING !REAS OF )NTEREST 3OFT 4OYS 0URSES !MIGURUMI 7EBSITE HTTPMYLITTLEMOCHITYPEPADCOM
WHY I CREATE ) HAVE NO FORMAL TRAINING IN ART OR DESIGN BUT ) LEARNED TO SEW FROM AN EARLY AGE AND CRAFTING HAS ALWAYS FELT NATURAL AND BRINGS ME GREAT JOY AND SATISFACTION 7HEN ) GO THROUGH LONG PERIODS WHERE )M NOT ABLE TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE ) CAN GET PRETTY CRANKY 3O CRAFTING IS A WAY FOR ME TO RECHARGE ) DONT HAVE A LOGICAL REASON FOR WHY ITS SO IMPORTANT TO ME AND WHAT DRIVES ME TO DO IT OTHER THAN AN OVERWHELMING URGE AND A NEED TO CREATE -AKING THINGS JUST MAKES ME HAPPY ) LOVE HANDCRAFTED THINGS AND THE INTIMACY IN THE EVIDENCE OF A HUMAN HAND 9OU SEE LESS AND LESS HANDWORK IN OUR MODERN DAY LIVES AND WE USUALLY BUY WHAT WE NEED BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE THE TIME OR SOMETIMES EVEN THE KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE IT (ANDCRAFTING HELPS ME RECONNECT TO A SLOWER TIME WHEN PEOPLE VALUED THEIR POSSESSIONS AND DIDNT JUST THROW THEM AWAY WHEN THEY BROKE "OTH OF MY PARENTS ARE THE CHILDREN OF *APANESE
-Y GRANDMOTHER COULDNT AFFORD TO BUY MY MOTHER
IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO (AWAII TO WORK IN THE
A LOT OF CLOTHING BUT SHE ALLOWED HER TO PURCHASE
PLANTATIONS AND THERE WASNT A LOT OF MONEY WHEN
AS MUCH FABRIC AS SHE WANTED TO SEW CLOTHING FOR
THEY WERE GROWING UP 3INCE THEY HAD SO LITTLE THEY
HERSELF -Y MOTHER CARRIED THIS PHILOSOPHY OVER TO
WERE FORCED TO BE RESOURCEFUL AND EVERYTHING WAS
ME WITH CRAFTING AS WELL AS ) WAS GIVEN ALMOST FREE
SAVED REUSED OR RE INVENTED FOR DIFFERENT USES #ARE
REIN AT THE HOBBY AND FABRIC STORES BUT RARELY TAKEN
AND WORKMANSHIP WAS TAKEN WITH EVERYDAY ITEMS
TO THE TOY STORE FOR PURCHASES ) INHERITED FROM HER A
FOR THEY HAD TO BE MADE TO LAST /FTEN WHEN YOU
VALUE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE HANDMADE AND A CAN
NEEDED SOMETHING YOU HAD TO MAKE ONE OR LEARN TO
DO APPROACH TO MAKING THINGS
DO WITHOUT
-Y PARENTS FOSTERED A CREATIVE LIFE FOR ME EARLY ON
-Y MOTHER WAS ALSO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER
AND MY CHILDHOOD WAS JAMMED WITH SEWING LESSONS
AND LIKE MOST PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS SHE WAS
BAKING WEEKLY TRIPS TO THE HOBBY AND FABRIC STORES
EXTREMELY RESOURCEFUL AND FULL OF FUN PROJECTS AND
BI WEEKLY TRIPS TO THE LIBRARY IN SEARCH OF CRAFT BOOKS
IDEAS ) HAVE VIVID MEMORIES OF A PROJECT WHEN ) WAS
AND LOTS AND LOTS OF CRAFT PROJECTS ) lRST LEARNED TO
ABOUT EIGHT -Y MOM TOOK TWO OLD CREAM COLORED
SEW ON AN OLD PUSH PEDAL 3INGER SEWING MACHINE
mAT SHEETS LAID THEM OUT ON THE LIVING ROOM mOOR
LEANT TO US BY A FAMILY FRIEND AND ) SPENT MORE TIME
AND THEN HAD ME LIE DOWN mAT ON MY BACK ON TOP
PUSHING THE PEDALS OF THAT SEWING MACHINE THAN ON
OF THE SHEETS 4HEN SHE OUTLINED MY BODY AND HEAD
THE PEDALS OF ANY BIKE
WITH A PEN SEWED THE TWO SHEETS TOGETHER ALONG THE OUTLINE CUT IT STUFFED IT AND CREATED A LIFE SIZE
'ROWING UP ) SEWED CLOTHES FOR MYSELF BAGS FOR
DOLL OF ME ) GOT TO DRAW ON THE FACE SEW ON SOME
SCHOOL AND EVEN MY SHORTS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION
YARN HAIR AND DRESS MY NEW hFRIENDv IN MY CLOTHING
CLASSES 7HILE MY BROTHERS WERE OUTSIDE PLAYING
) LOVED THIS PROJECT IT WAS EXCITING AND FUN BECAUSE
)D SPEND HOURS INSIDE SURROUNDED BY PILES OF FABRIC
SHE DIDNT TELL ME WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO BUT
SCRAPS MAKING CLOTHES FOR MY "ARBIE DOLLS OR DRAWING
JUST LET THE PROJECT REVEAL ITSELF TO ME
SKETCHES OF DRESSES
) INHERITED A VALUE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE HANDMADE /PPOSITE -YRAS TINY DOLLS EMBODY CUTENESS
"ELOW ! LITTLE ELEPHANT WITH HER LITTLER ELEPHANT
)N MANY WAYS THATS HOW ) STILL CRAFT TODAY ) DONT REALLY HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT MY END PRODUCT WILL LOOK LIKE BUT ) ENJOY THE PROCESS OF SEEING AN IDEA COME TO LIFE ON MY SEWING TABLE !ND WHEN )M DONE ) GET THAT SAME FEELING OF HAVING A NEW FRIEND ALL OVER AGAIN ) TEND TO MAKE SMALL THINGS FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS ) WORK FULL TIME AND HAVE A YOUNG SON SO ) DONT HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME TO CRAFT )M ALSO IMPATIENT AND BECOME OBSESSED WITH lNISHING PROJECTS ALL IN ONE SITTING 3O RIGHT NOW FOR ME SMALL PROJECTS ARE ATTAINABLE AND MANAGEABLE "UT ) HAVE HOPES THAT IN THE FUTURE )LL HAVE MORE TIME TO TACKLE LARGER PROJECTS )M CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT PROJECTS AND MAKE IT A POINT TO NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A SKETCHBOOK
OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE AND ITS ACTUALLY MADE ME
! LOT OF IDEAS COME TO ME WHEN )M DRIVING HOME IN
MORE PRODUCTIVE "UT ITS STILL A STRUGGLE lNDING TIME
TRAFlC /FTEN )LL BE SKETCHING AT RED LIGHTS AND JOTTING
TO CREATE ) LIKE TO WORK LATE AT NIGHT AFTER EVERYONE
DOWN WHATEVER COMES TO MIND
HAS GONE TO SLEEP AND ) HAVE THE HOUSE TO MYSELF $URING THESE TIMES )M ABLE TO GET INTO AN ALMOST
)VE NEVER FULLY LEARNED THE lNE ART OF TIME
:EN MEDITATIVE STATE AND HAVE AN INEXPLICABLE URGE
MANAGEMENT "EFORE ) HAD MY SON ) REALLY DIDNT
TO FOREGO MUCH NEEDED SLEEP AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON
HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF TIME )T SEEMED NEVER
A PROJECT EVEN IF ITS A LITTLE STUFFED ANIMAL MADE TO
ENDING AND LOOKING BACK NOW ) REALIZE ) WASTED
PLEASE ONLY ME
A LOT OF IT .OW ) TRY TO MAKE THE MOST OF MY FREE MOMENTS AND ALWAYS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY CRAFTING
INSPIRATION )NSPIRATION IS EVERYTHING TO THE CREATIVE SPIRIT AND ) lND IDEAS COME TO ME FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND ESPECIALLY FROM MY SON (AVING A CHILD IN THE HOUSE HAS TO BE A CREATIVE BOOST FOR ANYONE JUST BY THE THINGS THEY SAY AND DO ) LOVE BEING SURROUNDED BY KIDS THINGS n TOYS PICTURE BOOKS CRAYONS TINY CLOTHING !ND WHEN ITS ALL STREWN ABOUT ) lND CREATIVE INSPIRATION IN THE CHAOS %VEN SOMETHING AS SMALL AND PAINFUL AS STEPPING ON A PLASTIC ELEPHANT MAY SPARK AN IDEA
!BOVE ! SWEET !MIGURUMI BUNNY ,EFT 'OLDILOCKS AND FRIENDS
-Y SON HELPS ME TO SEE WITH NEW EYES THE CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AROUND AND FULLY WITHIN REACH
!BOVE %XPLORING NEW WORLDS CAN BE FUN
(E IS FULL OF IMAGINATION AND CAN lND FUN IN THE MOST MUNDANE THINGS AND MAKE ANYTHING COME ALIVE
"ELOW "UT WATCH OUT FOR THOSE SPACE MONSTERS
FOR HIM )M CONSTANTLY STUMBLING UPON WONDERFUL VIGNETTES HES CREATED WITH HIS TOYS !N ARTFULLY ARRANGED PUPPY INTENSELY READING A BOOK ON BUGS IN THE HALL OR A SERIOUS HUDDLED MASS OF ZOO ANIMALS ENGAGED IN A SECRET MEETING ON THE BATHTUB (E SHOWS ME THAT EVEN THE MOST PRACTICAL EVERYDAY THINGS CAN HAVE PERSONALITY AND BE FUN 2EADING BOOKS WITH MY SON IS ANOTHER CREATIVE INLET ) INHERITED A LOT OF SS AND S CHILDRENS BOOKS FROM MY MOTHERS TEACHING DAYS AND THESE ARE THE BOOKS MY SON AND ) BOTH GRAVITATE TO 7E SPEND HOURS POURING THROUGH THESE BOOKS AND CHERISH THEM EVEN THOUGH MANY ARE WORN AND FALLING APART 3OMETHING ABOUT THE WORK OF ILLUSTRATORS OF THIS ERA n THE BOLD USE OF COLORS AND THE OFTEN WITTY AND HUMOROUS STYLE OF THEIR ART IS DEEPLY APPEALING AND INSPIRING TO ME
WORKSPACE 7E HAVE A TINY HOUSE AND FOR YEARS MY CRAFT SPACE
) BORROWED AN OLD KITCHEN TABLE FROM MY MOTHER IN
WAS THE LIVING ROOM mOOR ) WOULD SEW ON THE mOOR
LAW AND MY HUSBAND HELPED MAKE AND INSTALL SOME
WITH MY SEWING MACHINE SET ON A SMALL TEN INCH
BOOKCASES AND DISPLAY SHELVES FOR MY SUPPLIES AND
HIGH FOLDING TABLE AND PUSH THE PEDAL WITH MY
FABRIC
THIGH -Y SUPPLIES AND NOTIONS WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE HOUSE AND SETTING UP AND BREAKING DOWN
-Y SPACE IS STILL VERY MUCH A WORK IN PROGRESS BUT
THIS hSPACEv WHENEVER ) WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING
)M ALREADY IN LOVE WITH IT AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANY
WASTED PRECIOUS CRAFTING TIME
OPPORTUNITY ) GET TO SPEND TIME THERE )VE ALWAYS PLACED COMFORT AND FUNCTION OVER STYLE SO ITS A
3EVERAL MONTHS AGO WE DID SOME CREATIVE RE
CLUTTERED BUT COMFY ROOM ) LOVE COLLECTIONS AND
ORGANIZING AROUND THE HOUSE AND FREED UP A SPARE
GROUPINGS OF THINGS AND ALTHOUGH )M NOT VERY GOOD
ROOM FOR ME TO USE AS A CRAFT ROOM )VE ALWAYS
AT PUTTING ARTFUL DISPLAYS TOGETHER JUST SEEING THINGS
DREAMED OF HAVING A WORKSPACE WHERE ) COULD BE
) LOVE AROUND ME IS INSPIRING AND MAKES ME HAPPY
SURROUNDED BY THINGS THAT INSPIRE ME AND HAVE ALL OF MY SUPPLIES IN A CENTRAL LOCATION !FTER YEARS OF CRAFTING ON THE mOOR JUST HAVING A LARGE CLEAR WORK TABLE SEEMS LIKE A LUXURY TO ME 3O HAVING AN ENTIRE ROOM DEDICATED TO CRAFTING REALLY IS A DREAM COME TRUE
"ELOW ! SPACE OF ONES OWN IS A DREAM COME TRUE /PPOSITE "OWLS OF GOODIES
%LEPHANT 0OUCH $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DONT WEAR A LOT OF MAKEUP BUT ) NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT LIPSTICK AND SOME BLOTTING PAPERS ) USED TO JUST THROW THE DUO INTO MY PURSE BUT AFTER LOSING THEM AMONGST THE CLUTTER IN MY BAG ONE TOO MANY TIMES ) DECIDED TO MAKE A LITTLE POUCH TO HOUSE THEM ) HAD A PURCHASED A BAG OF LINEN SCRAPS FROM A LOCAL DRESS DESIGNERS REMNANT SALE AND THIS SEEMED LIKE THE PERFECT PROJECT FOR THEM ) EXPERIMENTED WITH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DART LESS VERSIONS UNTIL ) ARRIVED AT THIS POUCH 4HE DARTS GIVE IT ENOUGH ROOM TO EASILY HOLD MY LIPSTICK AND BLOTTERS AND EVEN AN ADDITIONAL LIPSTICK )T REALLY IS A SIMPLE PROJECT AND CAN EASILY BE ADAPTED FOR OTHER ANIMAL FACES OR DONE WITHOUT A FACE AT ALL !ND ) SMILE EVERY TIME ) REACH INTO MY PURSE FOR MY LIPSTICK AND PULL OUT THIS LITTLE GUY
3ARAH .EUBURGER ,OCATION )RMO 3OUTH #AROLINA /CCUPATION #RAFT %NTREPRENEUR !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 0APER 'OODS (OUSEWARES /RIGINAL !RTWORK 7EBSITE HTTPWWWTHESMALLOBJECTCOM
WHY I CREATE 4HIS IS ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT SEEMS BIGGER THAN LIFE LIKE WHY ARE WE HERE IS 0LUTO A PLANET IS #OKE REALLY REFRESHING !ND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS ) HAVE NO IDEA BUT ) DO KNOW IF ) DIDNT CREATE THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN BEING HERE 9OU KNOW ITS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS LIKE APPLES AND PEANUT BUTTER PARKS AND PICNICS MUSIC AND DRIVING 7HO KNOWS WHY n IT JUST CAME TO BE AND THEY ARE SO PERFECT TOGETHER 3O WHILE ) CANT ANSWER WHY ) DO IT ) DO KNOW HOW ITS COME TO PASS ) KNOW WITH GREAT CERTAINTY THAT IT IS EASIER TO CHOOSE A PATH WHEN ITS LINED WITH A FEW GOOD CHEERLEADERS AND )VE BEEN MOST BLESSED IN THIS REGARD ,ET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THE LIKES OF -S #ELESTE )N HIGH SCHOOL ) MADE A PAINTING OF A NUDE WOMAN SITTING WITH HER LEGS CROSSED ) NAMED HER -S #ELESTE
AT THIS CONTEST AND WHETHER OR NOT THE SCHOOL SHOULD
)T WAS A PRETTY LARGE PAINTING FOR SOMEBODY MY AGE
BE LABELED WHICH WAS CUSTOMARY AND ASSOCIATED
n ABOUT FOUR FEET TALL AND THREE FEET WIDE n MATTED
WITH SUCH A SCANDAL 4HE DETAILS RIDICULOUS AS THEY
OUT EVEN A FOOT OR TWO LARGER IN ALL DIRECTIONS !ND
ARE DONT REALLY MATTER BUT WHAT DOES MATTER IS MY
IT CAUSED A RUCKUS AT MY HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE MY
FATHERS REACTION ) WAS TO HAVE THE MEETING WITH THE
TEACHER ENTERED IT IN A NATIONAL ART CONTEST WHICH
PRINCIPAL ON MY OWN WITH A BULLETED LIST OF POINTS
WAS REALLY MUCH MORE A GOLD STAR GAME BETWEEN ART
WHICH MY FATHER AND ) HAD COMPILED AND DEBATED IN
TEACHERS THAN ABOUT US THE STUDENTS 7ORD ON THE
ADVANCE )T WAS MY JOB TO STICK UP FOR WHAT ) HAD
STREET WAS THE JUDGES FOR THAT CONTEST DIDNT KNOW
DONE AND STICK BY -S #ELESTE TO THE TEETH &OR A GOOD
WHAT TO DO WITH IT EITHER SINCE ) SHOULDNT HAVE HAD
SOLID YEAR ANYONE ABSOLUTELY ANYONE WHO CAME IN
ANY ACCESS TO A NUDE MODEL AT THAT AGE AND HER
TO THE HOUSE WAS SHOWN THIS PAINTING USUALLY AFTER
lGURE WAS BY NO MEANS COVER GIRL MATERIAL ) ALSO
THE GUEST HAD JUST lNISHED THEIR DINNER AND WAS
HAD TO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL OVER WHAT
GIVEN THE CLIFF NOTES TO ITS STORY ALL TOLD BY MY FATHER
WOULD HAPPEN IF THE PAINTING WAS ACTUALLY DISPLAYED
AS HE GAZED AT HER WITH SUCH PRIDE 3HE WOULD BE
PROPPED UP ON THE EDGE OF THE DINING ROOM TABLE
OF HER OWN TO CREATE IT ALL IN STUFFED WITH PERFECTLY
LOOMING DOWN OVER OUR FRIENDS BARELY MISSING THE
PENNED LABELED BOXES FULL OF POTENTIAL 3HE MADE ME
CHANDELIER AND SEEMING OH SO OUT OF PLACE AMONG
BLANKETS DOLLS CURTAINS WITH MATCHING WALLPAPER
THE LEFTOVER PORK CHOPS AND SMASHED GREEN BEANS
EMBROIDERED (OLLY (OBBY PICTURES TO HANG OVER MY
4HE POINT BEING MY FATHER FELL MADLY FOR -S #ELESTE
BED PAINTED WOOD IN MY INITIALS 4HE ACTIVITY WAS
AND THE PRIDE ) FELT IN HAVING CREATED HER WAS A HIGH
SO CONSTANT THAT IT SEEMS SO UNNATURAL TO NOT DO
LIKE NONE OTHER 3ADLY OR PERHAPS APPROPRIATELY -S
THESE THINGS ) MEAN DO PEOPLE REALLY EXIST WHO
#ELESTE WAS LATER THROWN AWAY IN A WEIRD TWIST OF
DONT OWN A $REMEL JIGSAW EMBROIDERY MACHINE
EVENTS BY MY MOTHER THROUGH NO FAULT OF HER OWN
GLASS ETCHER PLEATER STAPLE GUN 3TYROFOAM CUTTER ASSORTMENT OF FOAM BALLS AN ATTIC FULL OF FABRIC
.OW MY MOTHER IS ANOTHER STORY 3HE MAKES
SCRAPS OIL PAINTS OR A LINOLEUM CUTTER 4RULY THERE
EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE IT ALL READY
MUST NOT BE -Y WORLD HAD IT ALL ON HAND FOR MOST
TO GO &ROM CREATING A CARD CATALOG OF THE CONTENTS
EVERY PROJECT AND A MOTHER WHO WAS ALWAYS GAME
OF OUR FREEZER WHICH WE HAD TO hCHECK OUTv BEFORE
.O MATTER WHAT HANDMADE IS ALWAYS BETTER THERES
EATING TO SEWING UP A NEW LINE OF SUMMER TROUSERS
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT
EACH YEAR SHE DID IT ALL !ND SHE ALWAYS HAD A SPACE
)F ) DIDNT CREATE THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN BEING HERE /PPOSITE ,ITTLE 3MALL #LOTHESPIN 0EOPLE
"ELOW )NTERESTING PAPER GOODIES
3O SORRY KIDS IT JUST FEELS RIGHT AND ) DONT DECIDE TO DO IT ) JUST DO IT ) MAKE THINGS BECAUSE IT SEEMS DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY 7E ALL CREATE MAKE UP OUR OWN WORLDS HAVE OUR OWN FANTASIES AND SPEND HOURS WONDERING ABOUT THIS OR THAT 4HERE IS NO SEPARATION AND THERE IS NO REAL REASON )T IS MY EVERYDAY AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE DAWN OF MY TIME -Y GRANDMOTHER WAS A SHOE DESIGNER -Y OTHER 'RANMA COULD BAKE LIKE NOBODYS BUSINESS AND ) HAVE EATEN MYSELF SILLY SICK OFF HER DELICIOUSNESS ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION -Y FATHER WAS AN ARCHITECT STUDENT AND HOPELESS ROMANTIC -Y 'RANPA HAD A WOOD SHOP IN HIS BACKYARD SHAPED LIKE A BARN WHICH CHURNED OUT NAPKIN HOLDERS AND SNOWMEN HOLDING HOLIDAY GREETINGS -Y MOTHER IS STILL THE ONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING ON HAND 4HERE WAS NO SINGLE EVENT THAT MADE ME CREATE 0ERHAPS CREATIVITY IS JUST IN US AND MINE HAPPENED TO BE SUPPORTED FROM THE GET GO ) AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO KNOW AT MY CORE THERE COULD BE NO OTHER WAY FOR ME AND FOR THE MAP OF MY COURSE TO BE DOTTED WITH TINY JUMPING PEOPLE HOLDING POM POMS WITH NEW RECRUITS PICKED UP ALONG THE WAY !ND EACH OF THOSE GOOD SPORTS MEANS THE WORLD TO
n SHE NOTICED )T WAS SUCH A SMALL SIMPLE GESTURE
ME
THAT MOVED MY WORLD AN INCH CLOSER TO SUNNYSIDE UP !ND INSIDE WERE FREE STICKERS ) HADNT EVEN ORDERED BUT WERE SO mIPPIN BEAUTIFUL ) STILL HAVE ONE UNUSED
INSPIRATION
AND ONE THAT QUICKLY BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF MY SKETCHBOOK COVER 4HE ENVELOPE ) EVEN STILL HAVE TUCKED AWAY KNOWING IT FOREVER CHANGED ME IN SOME
) FEEL ON TOP OF MY WORLD RIGHT NOW RUNNING MY
WAY .EVER AGAIN WOULD ) BUY MY GIFTS FROM 4ARGET
OWN LITTLE COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF HANDMADE WARES AND
COOL AS THEY ARE .EVER AGAIN WOULD ) SPEND MY
ORIGINAL ARTWORK (OW THIS ALL CAME INTO BEING AND
MONEY FROM SOME PLACE THAT DIDNT CARE /F COURSE
WHAT INSPIRED IT ALL HAPPENED WITH ONE SINGLE ORDER
) HAVE BUT THAT DAY ) WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD AND )
) REMEMBER SO VERY CLEARLY WAY BACK UPON A TIME
KNEW THAT WHEN A HANDMADE OPTION WAS AVAILABLE
WHEN ) ORDERED MY VERY lRST ITEM FROM AN INCREDIBLY
THAT WAS WHAT ) WOULD CHOOSE
TALENTED PERSON SELLING HER WARES THROUGH HER VERY OWN ONLINE STORE )T WAS 3AELEE /H AND ) HAPPENED
!FTER 3AELEE /H ) DISCOVERED THERE WAS ALREADY A
ACROSS HER SITE BY ACCIDENT ) RECALL SO VIVIDLY THAT
WHOLE NETWORK OF ARTISTCRAFTERS SELLING THEIR WARES
MAGIC HAPPENED THE DAY THE ENVELOPE ARRIVED WITH
ONLINE AND THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE OF BUYING FROM
MY PURCHASE INSIDE )T SEEMED SO AVERAGE A PLAIN
THEM REMINDED ME OF THE DAYS WHEN YOUD SIT
WHITE ENVELOPE WITH MY NAME SCRAWLED ON THE FRONT
DOWN TO YOUR BROWN PAPER BAG LUNCH YOUR NAME
"UT INSIDE THERE WAS A HANDWRITTEN NOTE ABOUT THE
SCRAWLED ON THE FRONT AND YOURE SO HUNGRY YOU
WEATHER WHICH WASNT IMPORTANT BUT WHAT WAS SO
CANT WAIT TO SEE WHATS INSIDE 9OURE JUST GIDDY
IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT SHE REFERENCED WHERE ) LIVED
TO OPEN IT PARTLY BECAUSE YOU WANT WHATS INSIDE
SO BAD BUT ALSO BECAUSE CAREFULLY UNFOLDING THE TOP AND PEERING DOWN INTO ITS CONTENTS IS SO INCREDIBLE !ND YOU OPEN IT UP AND IT IS FULL OF DELICIOUSNESS EACH INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED AND BAGGED WITH SUCH CARE !ND THEN THERE WOULD BE A NAPKIN WITH A NOTE WRITTEN ON IT THAT COULD SAY ANYTHING FROM THE SIMPLE h) LOVE YOUv TO THE PUNCHLINE OF SOME FUNNY JOKE WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE )T WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE AND THAT WAS THE KIND OF ENERGY ) WANTED TO PUT BACK OUT THERE ) MAKE THINGS HOPING THAT IT MAKES THAT CONNECTION AGAIN )T IS THAT MOMENT THAT INSPIRES ME ENDLESSLY ) WANT NOTHING MORE THAN MORE MAGIC SPILLING OPEN IN YOUR MAILBOX AND MANY MORE MOMENTS lLLED WITH GOOD CHEER
WORKSPACE
DIDNT CART DOWN TO THE STUDIO WHICH WAS ENDLESSLY
&OR WHATEVER REASON ) WENT RIGHT FROM UNDERGRADUATE
HALL FOR A DRINK OR HAVING TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC IN THE
TO GRADUATE SCHOOL !ND ) WAS SO VERY EXCITED TO
NEXT ROOM OR THE MUMBLED CONVERSATIONS OF OTHERS )
lNALLY GET A STUDIO SPACE IN A BUILDING WITH HUGE
WANTED TO BE HOME
FRUSTRATING 0LUS ) HATED HAVING TO RUN DOWN THE
SOARING WINDOWS AND BE SURROUNDED BY COUNTLESS INSPIRING FOLKS 4RULY THIS WAS WHAT ) LOOKED
!T THIS POINT MY WORKSPACE IS HERE THERE AND
FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS OF SCHOOL
EVERYWHERE -Y MOTHER BESIDES BEING A JACK OF
&UNNY THING HAPPENED THOUGH ) NEVER WORKED
ALL TRADES IS ALSO AN ORGANIZATIONAL FREAK ) TOO
THERE ) COULDNT DO IT ) WANTED MY COUCH AND MY
COMPARTMENTALIZE EVERYTHING AND WHILE IT CAN GET
CATS AROUND ) ALWAYS ENDED UP NEEDING SOMETHING )
MESSY ALONG THE WAY ) CAN PACK IT ALL UP IN TWO MINUTES mAT )T MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE BUT TRUST ME ) CAN DO IT 4HE ACTUAL hWORKSPACEv OF MY HOUSE HAS A LARGE WRAP AROUND DESK WITH SHELVES FOR ALL MY BINS 4HOUGH TRUTH BE TOLD THERE ARE PAINTS PAPER SCISSORS AND GLUE IN THE KITCHEN DRAWERS A DRESSER FULL OF PENCILS ERASERS SKETCHBOOKS AND CAMERAS IN MY BEDROOM SAWS AND SILKSCREENING SUPPLIES IN THE GARAGE AND A POWER CORD FOR MY LAPTOP IN MOST ROOMS IN THE HOUSE ) LIKE TO GET AROUND 3UFlCE TO SAY MY LIVING SPACE IS MY WORKSPACE "Y NOW ) REALIZE ) CAN HAVE IT NO OTHER WAY IT SURROUNDS ME AND REMINDS ME AND )M MOST CERTAIN LOVES ME /PPOSITE /NE OF 3ARAHS 3TICK 0EOPLE 0ORTAITS !BOVE !N UNUSUAL PINCUSHION ,EFT 3ARAHS DESK SAFE AT HOME
&ABRIC "ASKET $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) PLAY AROUND WITH FELT BEADS AND SILK A LOT ) LOVE THE WAY EACH OF THESE MATERIALS CAPTURES BRILLIANT COLOURS IN VERY DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND ) LOVE TO MIX THEM TOGETHER )N THIS BRACELET ) HAVE FELTED @PEBBLE BEADS WITH SILK SCRAP INCLUSIONS ) CHOSE A NEUTRAL COLOUR FOR THE FELT SO THAT THE SILK SCRAPS WOULD REALLY POP "UT OF COURSE THE COLOURS SIZES AND TEXTURES BEG TO BE EXPERIMENTED WITH )T SORT OF LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING 0EBBLES &LINTSTONE MIGHT WEAR 'REAT FOR THE WINTER WHEN A DELICATE BRACELET WOULD GET OVERWHELMED MY SWEATERS
4ANIA (O ,OCATION ,ISBON 0ORTUGAL /CCUPATION #OMPUTER 3CIENCE %NGINEER !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST "OOKCOVERS 0OUCHES .EEDLE #ASES 7EBSITE HTTPCHOCOLATEACHUVABLOGSPOTCOM
WHY I CREATE -Y LOVE FOR CRAFTING COMES FROM CHILDHOOD ) GUESS ) STILL CLEARLY REMEMBER ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS FROM WHEN ) WAS A CHILD IT WAS CALLED h-Y ,EARN TO 3EW "OOK v BY *ANET "ARBER /H IT HAD WONDERFUL PROJECTS ESPECIALLY IN THE EYES OF A YEAR OLD AND ) PARTICULARLY LIKED THE RAG DOLL PROJECT SO MUCH THAT ) TRIED TO SEW ONE SEVERAL TIMES BUT MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT IT NEVER CAME OUT AS ) EXPECTED 4HEN IN HIGH SCHOOL ) WENT THROUGH A h) WANT TO SEW MY OWN CLOTHESv PHASE WHICH
THANKS TO MY BEST FRIENDS MUM
ACTUALLY TURNED OUT QUITE ACCEPTABLY 3HE TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING ) KNOW ABOUT SEWING AND TO THIS DAY ) CAN STILL REMEMBER ALL HER ADVICE 4HEN FOR A LONG NUMBER OF YEARS ) DIDNT DO ANY CRAFTING AT ALL EITHER BECAUSE ) DIDNT HAVE THE TIME
PERFECT FOR MAKING A BOOK COVERv .OW WHY WOULD
OR JUST DIDNT HAVE ANY REAL MOTIVATION
THAT THOUGHT EVEN OCCUR TO ME 7ELL lRST BECAUSE )M AN AVID READER AND )M NEVER WITHOUT A BOOK
3O IT WAS WITH A BIT OF A SURPRISE THAT SOMETIME
INSIDE MY BAG AND THEY USUALLY END UP A BIT SCRUFFY
LAST YEAR ) WAS OVERCOME WITH THIS DESIRE TO START
ON THE EDGES !ND SECOND BECAUSE ) HAD JUST COME
SEWING AGAIN )NSPIRED BY ALL THE CRAFTY BLOGS AND
BACK FROM A VACATION TO )TALY WHERE ) HAD SEEN THE
THE BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE THINGS ) SAW EVERYDAY )
MOST WONDERFUL LEATHER BOOK COVERS FOR SALE AT THE
DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO START USING THE OLD SEWING
3AN ,ORENZO MARKET "ECAUSE THEY WERE EXPENSIVE
MACHINE AGAIN ) DIDNT HAVE ANY CLEAR PROJECT ON
) HAD ONLY PURCHASED ONE BUT NOW MY MIND WAS
MY MIND JUST AN URGE TO TRY TO CREATE SOMETHING
WONDERING WHETHER ) COULD SEW ONE MYSELF !ND
SO ) WENT FABRIC SHOPPING AND CAME HOME WITH A
THATS HOW IT ALL STARTED ACTUALLY
AND NOW ALMOST
SMALL STASH INCLUDING SOME PIECES OF SUEDE THAT
BOOK COVERS AND OTHER ITEMS LATER ) CAN SAY THAT
HAD CAUGHT MY ATTENTION 7HEN ) LOOKED AT THEM AT
CRAFTING IS DElNITELY A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE NOW AND
THE SHOP MY lRST THOUGHT WAS h) BET THAT WOULD BE
IS HERE TO STAY
-Y MAIN PROBLEM AND ) THINK EVERY CRAFTERS PROBLEM
IMMEDIATE GRATIlCATION 7HAT ) LOVE ABOUT KNITTING
IS NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO DO ALL THE PROJECTS )
IS THE OPPOSITE WATCHING THE PROJECT GROW LITTLE BY
WANT 3O MANY TIMES ) HAVE WISHED THE DAY HAD
LITTLE THE FEELING OF THE YARN IN MY HANDS AND AT THE
MORE THAN TWENTY FOUR HOURS ) HAVE ONE BOX FULL
END THE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS SO HUGE THAT ) JUST
OF FABRIC PIECES THAT ) KEEP SAVING FOR MYSELF IN THE
FEEL LIKE )VE COMPLETED THE MARATHON EVERY TIME
HOPES OF SOMEDAY HAVING TIME TO MAKE THAT BAG OR WHATEVER ITEM ) HAD IMAGINED
) GUESS THE MAIN REASON WHY ) CRAFT IS BECAUSE ) NEVER TIRE OF THAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WHEN )
!LTHOUGH SEWING WILL ALWAYS BE MY PASSION n ) JUST
lNISH AN ITEM WHETHER ITS A SMALL OR BIG PROJECT )
LOVE WORKING WITH FABRICS RECENTLY )VE ALSO TAKEN
ALWAYS TRY TO PUT MY BEST IDEAS AND EFFORT WHENEVER
ON KNITTING AS WELL ) FOUND OUT THAT IT RELAXES ME A
)M MAKING SOMETHING BUT WHEN THE IDEA ACTUALLY
LOT AND GIVES ME A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SATISFACTION THAN
TURNS OUT INTO THE REALITY ) HAD ENVISIONED )M STILL
SEWING 7HEN SEWING ) CAN BE MUCH MORE CREATIVE
SURPRISED HOW IT ALL WORKED OUT
AND NEVER KNOW QUITE WHAT THE END RESULT WILL BE BUT THEYRE USUALLY QUICK PROJECTS WITH ALMOST
#RAFTING IS A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE AND IS HERE TO STAY /PPOSITE 4ANIAS TRADEMARK BOOKCOVERS
"ELOW 3ERIOUS DISCUSSION BETWEEN PALS
INSPIRATION ) GET INSPIRED BY A LOT OF THINGS AROUND ME FROM
)T TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO ORGANIZE MY MATERIALS IN A
PLACES ) VISIT ADVERTISEMENTS OR PEOPLE ) PASS ON
SATISFACTORY WAY BUT FOR NOW )M HAPPY WITH HOW
THE STREET WHO ARE WEARING SOMETHING ) LIKE TO
THEY ARE /F COURSE WHAT STARTED AS A SMALL STASH
SOMETHING EYE CATCHING ) SEE ON A STORE SOMEWHERE
OF FABRICS HAS NOW GROWN TO A HUGE PILE AND l LLS
) HAVE A SMALL POCKET NOTEBOOK ) CARRY IN MY PURSE
ALMOST SEVEN BIG CARDBOARD BOXES OH AND THE YARN
AND ) SCRIBBLE DOWN NOTES AND DRAWINGS OF THINGS
STASH WHICH IS NEATLY HIDDEN UNDER THE SOFA 7E ARE
)VE SEEN OR IDEAS )VE HAD AND DONT WANT TO FORGET
PLANNING TO MOVE TO A BIGGER PLACE SOON SO ) HAVE PLANS FOR A CRAFTING ROOM OF MY OWN BUT APART FROM A
/F COURSE ONE OF MY MAIN INSPIRATION SOURCES ARE
LARGE DESK AND A BIG BOOKCASE TO HOLD ALL MY CRAFTING
ALL THESE AMAZING CRAFTY BLOGS AND SITES THAT KEEP
TOOLS AND MATERIALS ) DONT REALLY HAVE AN IDEA OF A
APPEARING MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY )M CONSTANTLY
DREAM WORKSPACE IN MY HEAD YET
SURPRISED TO l ND OUT ABOUT THIS OR THAT TALENTED CRAFTER AND MY LIST ON BLOGLINES KEEPS GROWING ALL THE TIME AND ) NEVER IMAGINED ) WOULD SPEND SO MUCH TIME READING BLOGS OR WHEN )M IN A HURRY JUST LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS n BUT ) NEVER GO A DAY WITHOUT "ELOW ! PERSONALIZED QUILT -AGAZINES AND BOOKS ARE ALSO A SOURCE ESPECIALLY *APANESE OR &RENCH ONES .OT THAT ) UNDERSTAND WHATS WRITTEN BUT WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT AN IMAGE BEING WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS USUALLY WORKS FOR ME IN THIS CASE ) TRY NOT TO BUY SO MANY BUT SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO RESIST )M LUCKY BECAUSE ) HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS THAT SHARE THIS PASSION FOR CRAFTING AS WELL SO WE EXCHANGE IDEAS PATTERNS AND ADVICE QUITE OFTEN !ND BECAUSE ) MAKE A LOT OF ITEMS ON DEMAND MY CLIENTS ARE ALSO A HUGE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO ME
WORKSPACE 7ELL TO BE TRULY HONEST ) DONT REALLY HAVE A l XED WORKSPACE "ECAUSE OUR HOUSE IS SO SMALL MY WORKSPACE IS ACTUALLY WHEREVER THERES FREE SPACE USUALLY THE KITCHEN TABLE OR THE SITTING ROOM m OOR !ND SINCE ) HAVE TWO CATS IN THE HOUSE AND ONE OF THEIR FAVOURITE GAMES IS TO STEAL WHATEVER SMALL OBJECTS )M WORKING WITH SOMETIMES THIS CAN BE A BIT OF A PROBLEM
/PPOSITE -ATERIALS SORTED OUT AND READY TO GO
"OOK #OVER $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT ) DESIGNED THIS PURSE AS A PROJECT TO GENTLY EASE BEGINNERS INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SEWING )T CAN BE KEPT SIMPLE AND COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR YOU CAN INVEST MORE TIME AND EMBELLISH AWAY TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT 4HIS PURSE CAN BE HAND OR MACHINE STITCHED AND CAN BE INTERLINED WITH A COMMERCIAL STIFF INTERFACING FOR A SHARP SMART LOOK OR INTERLINED WITH OR LAYERS OF A SOFT COTTON FABRIC FOR A SOFT SQUASHY LOOK 4HE DETACHABLE CORSAGE IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF JUST LAYERS OF PETALS HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW STITCHES AND A BUTTON OR BEAD FEEL FREE TO ADD SEQUINS OR DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY STITCHES AND WHATEVER ELSE THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY
4ANIA (OWELLS ,OCATION 4ORONTO #ANADA /CCUPATION )LLUSTRATOR ,IBRARIAN !GE !REAS OF )NTEREST 3ILKSCREENING &ELTING +NITTING 7EBSITE HTTPTANIABLOGSCOM
WHY I CREATE 4HERE IS AN ABSOLUTE COMFORT AND JOY IN CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR SURROUNDING YOURSELF IN YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIALS AND MAKING SOMETHING FOR THE PURE FUN OF IT !S A CHILD THE CUPBOARD BY THE TELEPHONE WAS MY CREATIVE SOURCE )T WAS WHERE ) KEPT ALL AND ANY THINGS ) NEEDED TO MAKE STUFF ) WOULD OFTEN JUST OPEN THE DOOR AND RUMMAGE THROUGH THE JUNK FOR THE FUN OF IT lNDING SUCH PLEASURE IN JUST THE MATERIALS THEMSELVES 3OMETIMES ) WOULD BE INSPIRED ENOUGH TO START A PROJECT OR BE SPURRED ON TO COLLECT OTHER THINGS FROM AROUND THE HOUSE TO KEEP INSIDE FOR LATER IDEAS -Y CREATIVITY WAS NEVER DISCOURAGED OR FROWNED UPON AND ) AM SO FORTUNATE FOR THAT ) REMEMBER A TIME AT SOME STAGE OF CHILDHOOD WHERE
GRADE TWO AND THE hMAKING A PUPPET WORM WITH
) WAS CONSUMED BY THE IDEA OF PAINTING PEBBLES
SOME STICKS AND FOAM hPHASE GRADE lVE AS WELL AS
WITH ANIMALS ON THEM -Y FATHER ALWAYS ONE TO
THE REQUISITE ,EGO VILLAGES ROCK COLLECTIONS STICKER
JOIN IN ON A GOOD PROJECT TOOK THE DOG AND ME TO
ALBUMS STAMP COLLECTIONS AND ENDLESS DRAWINGS
THE RIVER TO lND JUST THE RIGHT STONES 7E GATHERED UP A FEW AND TOOK THEM HOME TO THE KITCHEN TABLE
) WENT TO AN ART HIGH SCHOOL WHERE ) PAINTED BIG
AND WENT TO WORK ) STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE THE LADY
MESSY PAINTINGS ABOUT NOTHING AT ALL ) ALWAYS HAD
BUG STONE ) PAINTED ON THAT AFTERNOON AS WELL AS
ROMANTIC FANTASIES OF BECOMING A FAMOUS 0AINTER
ONE THAT SAYS SIMPLY hDADv ) ALSO REMEMBER A TWIG
#APITAL 0 ) THEN WENT TO AN ART COLLEGE WHERE THOSE
WHITTLING PHASE WHERE ) WOULD SPEND AFTERNOONS IN
FANTASIES GENERALLY FADED ) TOOK NO PAINTING COURSES
THE BACK YARD CARVING TWIGS FROM OUR WILLOW TREE
AT ALL -Y FAVOURITES CLASSES HAD NAMES LIKE h INTRO
-Y PARENTS WERE LESS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THAT ONE
TO WOODv vENAMELLINGv hHAND BUILDING IN CLAYv AND
AS IT INVOLVED A SHARP KNIFE BUT ) DID OK 4HERE WERE
hSILVER SMITHINGv CRAFTY CLASSES ) WAS ALWAYS
OF COURSE THE hSTAPLING PAPERS TO MAKE BOOKSv PHASE
MOST INTERESTED IN MAKING THINGS THAT REGULAR PEOPLE
COULD RELATE TO AND HAVE IN THEIR HOMES 0EOPLE
) HAVE ALWAYS FELT BOTH CRAFT AND ILLUSTRATION ARE
LIKE ME WHO HAD BILLS TO PAY DISHES TO WASH AND
SOMEWHAT LOOKED DOWN UPON BY hlNE ARTISTSv )T IS
EVERYDAY LIFE TO CONTEND WITH 4HE LOFTY IDEALS OF
A FUNNY HIERARCHY AND ) HAVE LATELY GIVEN UP CARING
THE lNE ART WORLD LEFT ME ABSOLUTELY COLD ) TOOK TO
ABOUT IT )T IS HERE IN THE LAND BETWEEN lNE ART AND
MAKING SMALL WOOD BOXES WITH SILLY SCENES IN THEM
lNE CRAFT THAT ) FEEL MOST AT HOME JUST MAKING STUFF
THAT PEOPLE WOULD BUY TO PUT IN THEIR KITCHENS OR KIDS ROOMS
-OST UNEXPECTED IS HOW MY STARTING A WEB LOG IN HAS FUELLED MY LOVE FOR CRAFT EVEN MORE )T WAS
!FTER COLLEGE ) ADOPTED ON THE NAME hFREELANCE
THERE THAT ) DISCOVERED OTHER WOMENS CRAFTY BLOGS
ILLUSTRATORv AND TOOK TO TRYING TO CONVINCE VARIOUS
AND WAS INSTANTLY INSPIRED 7HEN ) BEGAN MY OWN
MAGAZINES TO HIRE ME TO DRAW PICTURES FOR MONEY )
BLOG ) WAS AMAZED AT THE SUPPORTIVE INCLUSIVE NON
HAVE NEVER BEEN VERY GOOD AT THE CONVINCING PEOPLE
COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY ) HAD FALLEN INTO WITHOUT EVEN
PART BUT ENOUGH MAGAZINES HAVE JOINED IN ON THE
REALISING )T WAS A FEELING ) NEVER FELT THROUGHOUT ART
DEAL TO SATISFY ME
SCHOOL OR IN THE ART COMMUNITY WHICH ALWAYS FELT TO ME TO BE SO CUT THROAT HARSH AND UNFRIENDLY (AVING
-Y CREATIVITY WAS NEVER DISCOURAGED OR FROWNED UPON /PPOSITE 0AINTED STONES FROM 4ANIAS CHILDHOOD
"ELOW ! $ COLLAGE MADE FROM 4ANIAS ILLUSTRATIONS
4HIS 0AGE 4ANIAS INSPIRATION BOARD IS A COLLECTION OF BITS AND PIECES FROM OTHER ARTISTS /PPOSITE 6INTAGE TEACUPS PROVIDE INSPIRATION
THIS SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY NOW MEANS AN ALWAYS
MOOD A KISS FROM HIM LIGHTS ALL KINDS OF IMAGES IN MY
AVAILABLE SOUNDING BOARD FOR NEW IDEAS A WONDERFUL
BRAIN OF THINGS ) WANT TO MAKE 4HATS HOW ) KNOW
CHEERING COMMITTEE FOR IDEAS AND A PLACE TO SHOWCASE
HE IS RIGHT FOR ME ) ALWAYS TRY AND LOOK AT ORDINARY
WORKS IN PROGRESS
THINGS FROM NEW ANGLES AND TRY TO REMEMBER NOT TO TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED /VER THE YEARS ) HAVE KEPT
#URRENTLY CRAFTING FOR ME MEANS TIME SET ASIDE AS
SCRAP BOOKS FULL OF SNIPS FROM MAGAZINES OF ALL SORTS
A SAVOURED TREAT A BREAK FROM THE BUSYNESS OF THE
OF INSPIRING IMAGES ) LOOK THROUGH THESE BOOKS
WORLD TO JUST INDULGE AND MAKE SOMETHING FOR THE
REGULARLY TO BRING ME BACK TO A SENSE OF MYSELF AND
PURE PLEASURE OF IT 3OMETIMES IT IS ABOUT BEING
OF WHAT ) LIKE !LL THE PICTURES CHOSEN BY ME HAVE
STRUCK WITH A FUN PROJECT IDEA TO LATER SELL ON MY
COLLECTIVELY CREATED A SORT OF SAFETY ZONE A PLACE
WEB SITE OR JUST AN IDEA FOR AN ITEM ) WILL KEEP FOR
WHERE ) AM REMINDED OF THE RICHNESS AND BEAUTY
MYSELF )T IS THE JOY OF LEARNING TO KNIT SOMETHING )
IN THE WORLD AND OF WHAT SPECIl CALLY INSPIRES ME
NEVER DREAMED ) WOULD BE ABLE TO l GURE OUT AND
) SOMETIMES ALSO KEEP LISTS OF THINGS ) ENCOUNTER
THEN SEEING MY OWN PROGRESS AS ) AM ABLE TO TAKE
DURING MY DAYS
ON MORE AND MORE COMPLICATED PROJECTS )T IS THE SURPRISED SATISFACTION OF MAKING A LITTLE THING FOR
) ALSO HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE TO WORK PART TIME IN A
MYSELF ONLY TO l ND THAT THERE IS A MARKET AND OTHER
DESIGN LIBRARY WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GREAT
PEOPLE WILL BUY IT )T IS THE AMAZED FEELING WHEN
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND INTERESTING BOOKS !LSO
YOU PRODUCE SOMETHING OR OTHER POST ABOUT IT ON THE BLOG AND RECEIVE WONDERFUL POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD 4HIS LAST PART TRULY AMAZES ME IT IS THE ONE OF MOST SURPRISING AND FUN PARTS OF MY LIFE TODAY
INSPIRATION )NSPIRATION COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND FORMS AND OFTEN IN ORDINARY MOMENTS OF MY DAYS 4HE ONE THING ALL THE CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS BOOK HAVE IN COMMON IS OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE ONLINE CRAFTING WEBLOG COMMUNITY AND ) GET BOUNDLESS INSPIRATION FROM ALL THE WORK ) SEE THERE /N A MORE PERSONAL LEVEL THE LITTLEST THINGS ARE WHAT USUALLY INSPIRE ME 2IGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE INSPIRATION MIGHT BE SEEING AN ICY FROST PATTERN ON A SEWER GRATE A m OCK OF PIGEONS DOING A LOOP DE LOOP A FUNNY HAND PAINTED SIGN IN THE BUTCHER SHOP ACROSS THE STREET OR SEEING A MUM AND BABY WALK BY )N AND AROUND MY CITY A WALK TO WORK THROUGH THE PARK ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL BETTER AND MORE INSPIRED SEEING INTERESTING THINGS IN SHOP WINDOWS NOTICING WHAT CLOTHES PEOPLE ARE WEARING AND HAVING A NICE CUP OF TEA ALONG THE WAY 3OMETIMES EVEN KISSING MY l ANCÏ INSPIRES ME )F ) AM IN A PARTICULARLY GOOD
4().'3 4(!4 ).30)2% -%
BUNDLES OF STICKS
TOAST AND JAM
THERE ARE l LES AND l LES OF IMAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPILED FROM THE S ONWARD AND ARE USED AS REFERENCE MATERIAL ) ALWAYS LOVE TO LOOK THROUGH THEM AS OFTEN ) WILL l ND SOMETHING OF INTEREST IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACES
S PATTERNED SAUCERS
A LOVELY COOL SUMMER
DIM SUM
WORKSPACE
CUTE STICKERS
) WORK IN A NORTH FACING ROOM ABOVE A MAIN STREET IN
SWIMMING AT SANDBANKS BEACH
A BEDROOM APARTMENT THAT ) SHARE WITH MY l ANCÏ ) HAVE A NICE LONG FOLDING TABLE UNDER THE WINDOW AS
l REm IES
HANDSOME MEN ON BICYCLES
WINTER COMFORT FOODS
MY DESK AND BESIDE THAT MY COMPUTER TABLE WHERE ) WORK ON A NEW )-!# ' THAT ) LOVE ) SURROUND MYSELF WITH ALL SORTS OF BOOKS KNICK KNACKS AN INSPIRATION BOARD AND ART SUPPLIES -Y CATS ARE USUALLY CLOSE BY SNORING UNDER THE DESK OR ON A CHAIR ) ALWAYS HAVE
BUYING NEW SHAMPOO
LEMONS IN A NICE BOWL
SKATING ON THE RIDEAU CANAL
NICE CUP OF TEA
FAT m UFFY SNOWm AKES
MUSIC OR THE RADIO ON AND USUALLY HAVE A CUP OF TEA ON THE GO TOO ) TEND TO WORK IN HERE ON WEEKDAY MORNINGS AND GO TO MY JOB IN THE AFTERNOONS ) DO ANYTHING FROM WORKING ON ILLUSTRATION JOBS SKETCHING OUT NEW IDEAS AND THOUGHTS PACKAGING ORDERS FROM MY WEB STORE EXPOSING NEW SILKSCREENS PAYING BILLS AND OF COURSE ANSWERING E MAILS AND UPDATING MY BLOG OR WEB SITE 4HE TABLE IN THE STUDIO IS USUALLY COVERED IN PILES OF PAPER THAT ) TIDY UP PERIODICALLY
"ELOW )NSPIRING CHILDRENS BOOKS FROM 4ANIAS COLLECTION
AS WELL AS PENS #$S INKS AND BRUSHES A DAY TIMER AND TO DO LIST NOTEBOOK AND ANY NUMBER OF BITS AND BOBS ) l ND INSPIRING AT THAT MOMENT 4HE ONLY PART OF MY CRAFTY ENDEAVOURS THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN HERE IS THE FABRIC PART OF THEM ) SEW AND SILKSCREEN THINGS IN THE BACK ROOM OF THIS APARTMENT A BRICK UNHEATED ADDITION WHICH HAS WONDERFUL SOUTH FACING LIGHT ) AM LUCKY TO HAVE THIS EXTRA SPACE FOR DOING THE MESSY OR CUMBERSOME PARTS OF PROJECTS BECAUSE THERE REALLY IS NOT ROOM IN MY STUDIO -Y l ANCÏ AND ) HAVE JUST BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE AND ) KNOW ) WILL MISS THE SPACIOUS WORKING ENVIRONMENT ) HAVE BEEN ENJOYING HERE FOR THE LAST SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS
/PPOSITE 4OP )LLUSTRATION BY 4ANIA (OWELLS /PPOSITE "OTTOM 4HE CONTENTS OF 4ANIAS SEWING
BOX
.EEDLE #ASE $IRECTIONS ON 0AGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT &OR THIS CASE ) USED THE DENIM FROM A TOO LONG JEAN SKIRT AND A MACHINE STITCHED VERSION OF ONE OF MY BIRDS THAT WAS A GIFT FROM A BLOG READER 4HE INSIDE FABRIC WAS ALSO A GIFT AND THE WHITE FABRIC WAS THRIFTED ) PRINTED IT WITH A SILKSCREEN OF BLACK BIRDS AND THEN STAMP DECORATED IT FURTHER 9OU CAN EMBELLISH IT ANY WAY YOU LIKE WITH IRON ON TRANSFERS STAMPS PATTERNS MADE WITH DIFFERENT COLOR THREADS SEWN ON STENCILS DYING QUILTING WHATEVER YOU MIGHT LIKE TO TRY ! LOT OF THE CASE IS PATCHED TOGETHER FROM SMALLER PIECES AND YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO USE SCRAPS OF DIFFERENT PRINTS OR COLORS TO ADD UP AND MAKE THE CORRECT SIZED PIECES $ONT BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT 2EMEMBER THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WILL BE WEARING SO IT CAN BE A BIT MORE WILD IF YOU FEEL LIKE PLAYING
0ROJECTS
:AKKA 3TYLE 0OUCH 3HIBORI &ELTED 0IECE -ATERIALS
3KEIN 3UPERBULKY 0URE 7OOL FROM WWWHANDPAINTEDYARN COM IN COLOURWAY @0ARIS .IGHT
MM .EEDLES
3ELECTION OF SMALL PEBBLES OR BEADS
3QUARES OF PLASTIC FOOD lLM CUT INTO APPROXIMATELY CM SQUARES
3MALL RUBBER BANDS 4ENSION STROWS CM SQUARE !NY PURE WOOL WILL WORK BUT IT MUST BE WOOL 3INGLE PLY WOOLS TEND TO BE SOFTER AND FELT MORE DENSELY #AST ON ST +NIT IN ST ST FOR ROWS #AST OFF LOOSELY 0LACE A BEAD TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE KNITTED PIECE AND PUSH UP TO COVER THE BUBBLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WITH A PIECE OF lLM AND SECURE IN PLACE WITH A RUBBER BAND 4HE CLING lLM ENSURES THAT THIS PART OF THE KNIT WILL NOT FELT WHEN IT IS FULLED IN THE MACHINE GIVING SOME TEXTURAL DIFFERENCE TO THE PIECE %NSURE THE RUBBER BAND HOLDING THE BEAD AND lLM IN PLACE IS SECURE #ONTINUE PLACING THE BEADS ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE KNIT IN RANDOM PATTERNS AND GROUPINGS ODD NUMBER GROUPINGS WORK BEST VISUALLY $ONT GO TOO CLOSE TO EDGES THOUGH LEAVING ABOUT CM BORDER IF POSSIBLE 0LACE BEADED PIECE IN AN OLD PILLOWCASE AND CLOSE !DD THIS TO THE WASHING MACHINE ALONG WITH ITEMS TO HELP AGITATION OLD SNEAKERS TENNIS BALLS A TOWEL ETC ./4% 3OME YARN CAN LOSE A LOT OF DYE n IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE COLOURFASTNESS OF THE WOOL YOU ARE FELTING PLEASE USE OLD PILLOWCASES TOWELS AND OBJECTS IN THE WASHING MACHINE !DD A SMALL DOLLOP OF WOOL WASH DETERGENT 0UT THE MACHINE ON THE HOTTEST WATER SETTING AND SET THE MACHINE #HECK ON PROGRESS EVERY MINUTES TILL YOU HAVE THE DESIRED AMOUNT OF FELTING 4HIS PIECE IN MY MACHINE TOOK MINUTES 2EMOVE FROM MACHINE AND RINSE THOROUGHLY AND HANG TO DRY 9OU CAN BLOCK IT IF YOU FEEL IT NEEDS SHAPING BUT THE PIECE WILL PULL INTO SHAPE WHEN SEWN /NCE DRY REMOVE lLM RUBBER BANDS AND BEADSPEBBLES
+NITTED 0OUCH "OTTOM -ATERIALS
G BALL OF 2OWAN PLY #OTTON COLOUR
MM 53 DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES 4ENSION STROWS CM /THER WOOL COMBINATIONS CAN BE USED HOWEVER COTTON GIVES A RIGIDITY AND TIGHTNESS OF WEAVE WHICH IS GOOD FOR A POUCH BOTTOM 9OU CAN ALWAYS GO DOWN A NEEDLE SIZE TO GET A TIGHTER KNIT AS WELL #AST ON ST TO EACH OF NEEDLES n ST TOTAL *OIN YARN FOR WORKING IN THE ROUND ENSURING STITCHES ARE NOT TWISTED ACROSS THE NEEDLES +NIT EVERY ROW UNTIL PIECE MEASURES CM FROM CAST ON EDGE "EGIN SHAPING 2 n .EEDLE + +TOG + TO LAST ST +TOG + 2EPEAT ACROSS REMAINING NEEDLES 2 n +NIT 2EPEAT 2 AND 2 TILL ST REMAIN ON EACH NEEDLE ST TOTAL ENDING WITH A 2 %ACH ROW n 2 DECREASE EACH ROW TILL ST REMAIN ON EACH NEEDLE TOTAL #UT YARN LEAVING A CM TAIL 4HREAD A WOOL NEEDLE AND STARTING WITH THE NEXT ST IN TURN THREAD THE NEEDLE THROUGH EACH ST DRAWING THE TAIL YARN THROUGH AS YOU SLIP THE STITCHES OFF THE NEEDLE AND IN SO DOING PULLING THE STITCHES CLOSE WITH THE YARN TO CLOSE THE BOTTOM OF THE POUCH 4IE THE YARN ON THE WRONG SIDE TO SECURE AND WEAVE IN ENDS THOROUGHLY BEFORE TRIMMING EXCESS YARN AWAY ,IGHTLY STEAM PRESS 0OUCH "ODY
CM
&IG
-ATERIALS
7HITE LINEN NAPKIN
3CRAPS OF COORDINATING FABRICS
2IBBON FOR THE TIE
%MBROIDERY THREAD AND NEEDLE $-# #OLOUR
"UTTONS
4RACING PAPER
&ABRIC PEN WHICH FADES
CM
-ATERIAL !
CM
3HIBORI &ELT
CM
-ATERIAL "#
CM
+NIT "OTTOM
3TEP /NE -EASURE THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE +NITTED 0OUCH "OTTOM AND ADD CM GIVES A CM SEAM ALLOWANCE 4HIS PIECE MEASURES CM 3TEP 4WO 4HE 0OUCH IS COMPOSED OF THE BASE PIECES IN &IG ABOVE
3TEP 4HREE /NCE YOU HAVE CUT OUT YOUR FABRIC STRIPS START PIECING THEM TOGETHER 4HE FABRIC STRIPS SHOWN ARE PIECED TOGETHER IN THE FOLLOWING WAY -ATERIAL ! n 3INGLE 0IECE -ATERIAL " n 0IECES OF COORDINATING FABRICS SEWN SIDE BY SIDE WITH CM SEAM ALLOWANCE AND TRIMMED TO CM SO THE PIECES ARE UNEVEN IN WIDTH 3TEP &OUR 0IECING TOGETHER A 7ITH RIGHT SIDES FACING PIN THE 3HIBORI FELT TO TOP OF -ATERIAL "# 3EW IN PLACE TAKING IT SLOWLY WITH THE FELT IN THE MACHINE ) SUGGEST OVERPINNING THE KNITTED PIECE TO THE MATERIAL TO STOP IT MOVING 4HE FELT WILL BE SOFT TO SEW AND SHOULD MOVE THROUGH THE NEEDLE EASILY B 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PIN THE 3HIBORI TO THE BOTTOM OF -ATERIAL ! AND AGAIN SEW IN PLACE C 7ITH WRONG SIDES TOGETHER PIN THE TOP OF -ATERIAL ! TO THE LINEN NAPKIN 4HIS SEAM WILL BE A &RENCH 3EAM 3EW VERY CLOSE TO THE EDGE n ABOUT MM FROM THE EDGE IN A STRAIGHT LINE 0RESS THE SEAM mAT TO ONE SIDE .EXT TURN THE FABRIC OVER TO THE WRONG SIDE AND PRESS THE SEAM TO A FOLDED POSITION 7ITH RIGHT SIDES FACING NOW SEW THE SEAM WITH CM ALLOWANCE AND PRESS mAT 4HIS WILL GIVE YOU A NEAT HIDDEN lNISHED SEAM AND THE LINEN WONT FRAY VISIBLY
2IGHT 3IDES
7RONG 3IDES
D 0RESS THE SEAM TO ONE SIDE AND ENSURE IT SITS mAT E 0RESS OPEN OTHER SEAMS AS BEST YOU CAN WITH THE 3HIBORI THICKNESS 3TEP &IVE 4URN OVER TOP OF LINEN NAPKIN TO CREATE THE RECESS FOR THE RIBBON TIE &IRST FOLD AND IRON DOWN ABOUT MM TOWARDS THE WRONG SIDE THEN FOLD AND IRON DOWN ANOTHER CM 3EW ACROSS CLOSE TO THE EDGE
RUNNING STITCH EMBROIDER ALONG THE LINES ENSURING YOU FOLLOW A MMMM STITCHGAP LENGTH RATIO THIS IS WHAT MAKES IT 3ASHIKO 3EW ON BUTTONS TO CREATE HIGHLIGHT 3TEP %IGHT 7ITH WRONG SIDES FACING PIN THE SIDE EDGES OF THE MATERIAL TOGETHER TO FORM A TUBE &RENCH SEAM AS BEFORE PRESSING CAREFULLY AT EACH STAGE %NSURE YOU ONLY SEW TO THE START OF THE TOP HEM FOLDOVER n IT NEEDS TO REMAIN OPEN FOR THE RIBBON 4URN TUBE INSIDE OUT 3TEP .INE 0LACE KNITTED POUCH BOTTOM INSIDE MAIN MATERIAL TUBE WITH BOTTOM OF TUBE EDGE LINING UP WITH TOP CAST ON EDGE OF POUCH 0IN OVERPIN IF POSSIBLE IN PLACE AND ENSURE KNITTING SITS mAT AGAINST THE MATERIAL n IT IS FAIRLY PLIABLE SO SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE MANIPULATED EASILY TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN 3TEP 4EN 3LOWLY AND CAREFULLY SEW THROUGH BOTH LAYERS CHECKING CONSTANTLY THE MATERIAL AND KNIT POSITIONS )T IS A GOOD IDEA TO DO THIS BY HAND 3TEP %LEVEN 4URN WHOLE PIECE RIGHT WAY ROUND AND PRESS GENTLY 3TEP 4WELVE 5SING APPROXIMATELY M OF RIBBON THREAD THIS THROUGH THE HEM TO CREATE A DRAWSTRING CLOSURE TO THE POUCH 4RIM RIBBON TO DESIRED LENGTH n ) LIKE TO LEAVE ABOUT A CM TAIL AT EITHER END ) LEAVE THE HEMMED OPENING UNlNISHED n WITH THE IDEA IT WILL FRAY AND WEAR GIVING THE POUCH SOME ROUGHNESS AND LIFE 9OU COULD HEM IT BUT IT WILL BECOME BULKY 3TEP &OURTEEN &ILL POUCH WITH KNITTING AND lND A NICE CAFÏ AND ORDER A COFFEE AND SOME CAKE
7RONG 3IDE
3TEP 3IX 0RESS lNISHED MATERIAL PIECE mAT READY FOR 3ASHIKO EMBROIDERY 3TEP 3EVEN $IVIDE YOUR $-# EMBROIDERY THREAD INTO STRAND LOTS 7ITH A FABRIC PEN MARK OUT SQIGGLE CIRCLE DESIGN ONTO LINEN 7ITH
1UILTED 4HROW -ATERIALS
YARDS LIGHT YELLOW COTTON
YARDS MEDIUM YELLOW COTTON
YARDS DARK YELLOW COTTON
MULTIPLE YARDS OF PATTERNED COTTON
YARD WHITE COTTON
&OR THE QUILT BACK SEVERAL PIECES OF VARYING YARDAGE PIECED TOGETHER TO MAKE A v X v BACK
v X v PIECE OF QUILT BATTING
7ATER SOLUBLE MARKING PEN FOR FABRIC 4O REPLICATE THE DETAILS ON THIS PIECE YOU WILL ALSO NEED A SEWING MACHINE THAT HAS A DARNING FOOT FOR FREE MOTION QUILTING OR THE ABILITY TO LOWER YOUR FEED DOGS 3TEP /NE #UT THE THREE SHADES OF YELLOW COTTON INTO v LENGTHS #UT THE LENGTHS INTO DIFFERENT WIDTHS AND LAY THEM OUT IN ROWS WHICH MEASURE v WIDE DONT FORGET YOUR SEAM ALLOWANCES ) START BY CREATING ONE ROW USUALLY WITH ABOUT DIFFERENT PIECES OF YELLOW PIECED TOGETHER 7HEN ) AM HAPPY WITH THAT SIZE ) SET IT ASIDE AND THEN MAKE THE OTHER ROWS THE SAME WAY WITH DIFFERENT YELLOWS PIECED TOGETHER BUILDING THE QUILT BY ROWS AS ) GO 4HERE ARE ROWS IN THE QUILT APPROXIMATELY v WIDE WHICH INCLUDES A INCH SEAM ALLOWANCE ) ALSO TAKE A LOT OF DIGITAL PHOTOS WHILE )M PLANNING SO ) CAN REFER TO THEM WHEN ) START SEWING 3EW THE STRIPS INTO ROWS BUT DONT SEW TOGETHER THE ROWS JUST YET
&IG
3TEP 4HREE 0IN THE SHAPES TO YOUR QUILT PLAYING WITH THE PLACEMENT OVER THE ROWS 9OU CAN MATCH THE LOOK OF MINE OR CHANGE THEM AROUND 7HEN YOU HAVE PLACED ALL OF THE SHAPES TAKE A DIGITAL PHOTO FOR REFERENCE 3TEP FOUR .OW THIS PART IS PRETTY ORGANIC $EPENDING ON WHERE YOUR SHAPES ARE YOU WILL NEED TO STITCH SOME ROWS TOGETHER BEFORE YOU MACHINE APPLIQUÏ THE SHAPES ON )T IS EASIER TO WORK ON AS FEW ROWS AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE ITS HARD TO MANEUVER A LARGE TOP THROUGH YOUR MACHINE 3O TRACE AROUND THE PLACEMENT OF ALL THE SHAPES WITH YOUR WATER SOLUBLE PEN AND TAKE THEM OFF KEEP TRACK OF WHAT OVAL GOES WHERE IN A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU THEN STITCH TOGETHER THE ROWS NEEDED TO MAKE A BACKGROUND FOR THE SHAPES 3TEP &IVE 0IN THE SHAPES ON THE ROWS WHERE YOU MARKED AND USING A TINY ZIGZAG IN WHITE STITCH THE OVAL TO THE TOP 5SE A LOT OF PINS ESPECIALLY ON THE BIG SHAPES BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO PUCKER
h
h
3TEP 4WO 5SING A WATER SOLUBLE PEN DRAW OVALS IN DIFFERENT SIZES ON THE WHITE COTTON #UT OUT LEAVING ABOUT v EXTRA AROUND THE MARKED LINE #UT TABS TO THE MARKED LINE 2EMOVE THE LINE WITH WATER $O THIS BEFORE YOU IRON OR IT MIGHT NOT WASH OFF AND IRON ALL THE TABS TOWARD THE CENTER PRESSING CAREFULLY SO THERE ARE NO SHARP EDGES &IG
3TEP 3IX $O THIS COMBINATION OF STITCHING ROWS TOGETHER AND THE STITCHING ON OF THE SHAPES UNTIL ALL THE SHAPES ARE USED UP !DD ANY FREE MOTION hDRAWINGv IN A CONTRASTING THREAD AT THIS POINT IF YOU WANT TO ) JUST WING IT AND START DRAWING BUT YOU CAN ALSO DRAW SOMETHING OUT lRST WITH YOUR WATER SOLUBLE PEN AND FOLLOW THE LINE 3TEP 3EVEN .OW STITCH ANY REMAINING ROWS TOGETHER TO MAKE THE COMPLETE TOP 9OU MIGHT ONLY HAVE VERY LARGE PIECES LEFT AT THIS POINT
3TEP %IGHT .OW YOUR TOP IS DONE 3QUARE UP THE EDGES SO THE QUILT IS AS TRUE TO THE GRAIN AS POSSIBLE 3TEP .INE 0IECE TOGETHER THE BACK WITH FABRICS TO MAKE A PIECE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ABOUT v LARGER THAN THE QUILT TOP ) LOVE TO USE UNEXPECTED PATTERNS ON THE BACK AND NEVER HAVE ENOUGH WHICH IS WHY MY QUILTS LOOKS THIS WAY BUT YOU CAN ALSO JUST USE ONE SOLID COLOR 3TEP 4EN 3ANDWICH THE BACK BATTING AND TOP TOGETHER AND PIN LIKE CRAZY STARTING FROM THE CENTER OUTWARD 4HE CLOSER YOU PIN THE LESS PUCKERING YOU WILL GET WHEN YOU QUILT 4HIS TAKES A WHILE 3TEP %LEVEN -ACHINE QUILT THROUGH ALL LAYERS EITHER USING THE DESIGN ) DID WHICH IS A FREE HANDED LARGE SCALLOP YOU NEED TO USE A FREE MOTION SETTING ON YOU MACHINE OR YOU CAN JUST STITCH STRAIGHT ROWS IF YOU LIKE ! GOOD RULE IS THERE SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN ABOUT v BETWEEN QUILTING LINES TO PREVENT SHIFTING 4HIS WILL TAKE A LONG TIME 2OLL UP YOUR QUILT AS YOU GO AND TRY NOT TO RUSH THIS PART )TS HARD GETTING A BIG TOP THROUGH YOUR HOME MACHINE BUT IT CAN BE DONE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN &OLD THE BINDING OVER TO THE BACK OF THE QUILT AND SLIP STITCH THE FOLD EDGE TO THE BACK 4HIS TAKES FOREVER BUT IT IS THE ONLY WAY ) PUT ON QUILT BINDINGS BECAUSE IT ALWAYS LOOKS PERFECT AND GIVES YOU COMPLETE CONTROL 0LAN ON DOING THIS WHILE WATCHING MOVIES
SLIP STITCH BACK OF QUILT
3TEP &OURTEEN 7ASH AND DRY YOUR QUILT ) NEVER PRE WASH MY FABRICS FOR QUILTS BECAUSE ) LOVE THE WAY THEY PUCKER UP AND LOOK WHEN THEY SHRINK AND IT HIDES BUMPS AND IMPERFECTIONS
3TEP 4WELVE -AKE THE BINDING BY CUTTING v WIDE STRIPS OF YELLOW AND PIECING IN CONTRASTING FABRICS IF YOU LIKE -AKE THE STRIP LONG ENOUGH TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND YOUR QUILT )RON ALL THIS IN HALF RIGHT SIDES FACING OUT 3EW THE RAW EDGES OF THE BINDING ALL THE WAY AROUND v FROM THE EDGE
BINDING WRONG SIDE UP FOLDED EDGE OF BINDING
RAW EDGES
QUILT TOP
-ARKET "AG -ATERIALS ³ YARD 0RINT /NE YARD 0RINT 4WO YARD ,INING &ABRIC YARD 0IPING YARD 2IBBON
.OTES !LL SEAMS ARE SEWN WITH A ©v SEAM ALLOWANCE n THIS IS BUILT INTO THE BELOW MEASUREMENTS
3TEP /NE &ROM 0RINT /NE CUT THE FOLLOWING ! v X v X /UTER "AG " v X v X (ANDLES # v X v X #ASING &ROM 0RINT 4WO CUT THE FOLLOWING $ v X v X /UTER "AG % v X v X 0OCKET &ROM YOUR LINING FABRIC CUT THE FOLLOWING & v X v X ,INING
ANY WRINKLES 0IN IT mAT -ARK A LINE v ACROSS WITH THE CENTRE v ON THE SEAM 3EW ALONG THIS LINE REPEAT FOR OTHER CORNER #UT OFF THE EXTRA CORNER FABRIC REMEMBERING TO LEAVE AT LEAST ©v
' 3TEP 4WO ! 3EW ONE PIECE ! TO A PIECE $ RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SANDWICHING THE PIPING ' IN BETWEEN 2EPEAT WITH THE OTHER PIECES ! AND $
$
3TEP 4HREE 4AKE THE TWO PIECES YOUVE JUST CREATED AND MATCH THEM UP RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER -AKE SURE THE PIPING ON EITHER END LINES UP ON BOTH PIECES 0IN AND SEW AROUND THE SIDES AND BOTTOM
3TEP 3IX 4O CREATE THE HANDLES USE THE TWO " STRIPS )RON BOTH SIDES IN ³v THEN FOLD THE STRIP IN HALF AND IRON 3EW DOWN THE OPEN SIDES ©v FROM THE EDGE 2EPEAT FOR THE SECOND HANDLE
3TEP 3EVEN 4O CREATE THE POCKET FOLD PIECE % IN HALF RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER AND SEW UP EITHER SIDE 4URN IT RIGHT SIDE OUT AND IRON mAT &OLD THE lNISHED EDGE UP SO THAT IT FALLS v SHORT OF THE UNlNISHED EDGES 3EW UP EITHER SIDE RAW EDGES h RAW EDGES
FOLD
FOLD
3TEP %IGHT 4URN THE LINING RIGHT SIDE OUT ,INING UP THE EDGES PIN THE POCKET TO THE CENTRE TOP OF THE LINING PIN
LINING RIGHT SIDE
3TEP &OUR 7ITH THE BAG STILL INSIDE OUT TAKE ONE CORNER AND BRING THE TWO SEAMS TOGETHER 4HE CORNER SHOULD STILL BE A RIGHT ANGLE AND YOU SHOULD SMOOTH OUT
h
3TEP &IVE 5SING THE PANELS FOR THE LINING & REPEAT STEPS THREE AND FOUR
&ROM YOUR PIPING CUT THE FOLLOWING ' v X &ROM YOUR RIBBON CUT THE FOLLOWING ( X
h SEAM
3TEP .INE /N THE OUTSIDE FABRIC MEASURE SIX INCHES IN FROM EITHER SIDE AND USE THESE MARKS TO CENTRE THE HANDLE 0IN IT AS SHOWN MAKING SURE IT IS NOT TWISTED 2EPEAT ON OTHER SIDE FOR SECOND HANDLE 4URN THIS PIECE INSIDE OUT
&IG
h
h
LINING RIGHT SIDE
PIN HANDLE
OUTSIDE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE
OUTSIDE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE
3TEP 4EN 0LACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUT LINING INSIDE THE OUTSIDE FABRIC ,INE UP THE SEAMS ON EITHER SIDE AND PIN TOGETHER MAKING SURE THE RAW EDGES ARE EVEN ALL THE WAY AROUND 3EW AROUND LEAVING A v HOLE TO TURN PIECE THROUGH
THE SHORT ENDS OPEN !LTERNATIVELY YOU CAN MAKE THE CASING STRIPS WIDER AND MACHINE SEW THEM TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAG AFTER STEP FOUR
PIN
LINING WRONG SIDE
h HANDLE
h CENTRE
OUTSIDE FABRIC WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN
3TEP %LEVEN 4URN THE ENTIRE PIECE RIGHT SIDE OUT AND PUT THE LINING INSIDE THE BAG -AKING SURE THE POCKET IS IN SIDE THE BAG PRESS THE SEAM mAT AND THEN STITCH AROUND THE TOP OF THE BAG CLOSING YOUR TURNING HOLE IN THE PROCESS &IG 3TEP 4WELVE
4HREAD ONE PIECE OF RIBBON THROUGH THE CASING BEGINNING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BAG AND ENDING ON THE SAME SIDE 4HREAD THE SECOND PIECE OF RIBBON THROUGH IN THE SAME FASHION BUT START ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BAG /NCE THEYRE IN PLACE EITHER TIE A KNOT IN THE ENDS OF THE RIBBONS OR TIE ON A BEAD SO THE ENDS CANNOT SLIP BACK THROUGH THE CASING 4O CINCH UP THE BAG PULL ALL RIBBONS AT ONE AND TIE EACH PAIR IN A BOW TO SECURE
5SING THE CASING PIECES # IRON IN EITHER SIDE ³v AND TUCK UNDER AND IRON THE SHORT ENDS BY ³v AS WELL 0IN THESE IN PLACE v FROM THE TOP OF THE BAG 3TART JUST OFF CENTRE OF ONE HANDLE AND END JUST SHORT OF CENTRE ON THE OTHER SIDE 2EPEAT WITH THE SECOND STRIP FOR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BAG 3LIP STITCH THE CASING TO THE BAG ON ALL SIDES LEAVING
&ABRIC 3CARF AND "ROOCH -ATERIALS
YARDS OF FABRIC IF YOU USE A DIFFERENT PRINT FOR THE FRONT AND BACK YOU WILL NEED TWO YARD LENGTHS
SEVERAL SCRAPS OF COORDINATING FABRIC FOR THE BROOCH
v X v PIECE OF HEAVY COTTON CANVAS
BUTTON
3EW ON PIN BACK
&LEXIBLE PEMANENT FABRIC GLUE SUCH AS !LEENES /+ 4O 7ASH )T
#OORDINATING EMBROIDERY mOSS 3CARF )NSTRUCTIONS 3TEP /NE /PEN AND REFOLD YOUR FABRIC SO THE TWO CUT ENDS ARE TOGETHER &ROM THE FOLD MEASURE AND CUT A PIECE WHICH IS v WIDE AND v LONG 9OU SHOULD HAVE A PIECE WHICH IS v WIDE AND v LONG WHEN UNFOLDED 2EPEAT FOR SECOND SIDE 3TEP 4WO 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PINE THE TWO PIECES TOGETHER LEAVING A v HOLE ON ONE OF THE SHORT SIDES FOR TURNING 3EW AROUND ALL FOUR SIDES LEAVING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE AND REMEMBER TO LEAVE THE TURNING HOLE OPEN 3TEP 4HREE )RON THE SEAM BACK FROM THE HOLE CLIP THE CORNERS AND TURN THE PIECE RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TEP /NE 0RESS mAT AND SLIP STITCH THE OPENING CLOSED 9OUR SCARF IS lNISHED "ROOCH )NSTRUCTIONS 3TEP /NE #HOOSE THREE COORDINATING PATTERNS FOR YOUR BROOCH &ROM ONE PRINT CUT A PIECE v X v FOR THE FRONT &ROM ANOTHER C UT A PIECE v X v FOR THE MIDDLE &ROM THE THIRD CUT A PIECE v X v FOR THE BACK 3TEP 4WO &OR THE FRONT PIECE TRIM ONE LONG EDGE WITH PINKING OR SCALLOPING SHEARS -AKE A RUNNING STITCH ALONG THE UNTRIMMED LONG SIDE LEAVING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
#ONNECT THE TWO ENDS OF THREAD AND GATHER THE FABRIC ALONG THE RUNNING STITCH TO CREATE A TIGHT CIRCLE /NCE TIGHTENED TIE THE TWO ENDS OF THE THREAD TOGETHER IN A KNOT !RRANGE THE PLEATS SO ITS FAIRLY EVEN ALL THE WAY AROUND AND SET THIS PIECE ASIDE
ENDS OF THREAD
3TEP 4HREE &OR THE MIDDLE PIECE OF THE mOWER FOLD THE FABRIC IN HALF LENGTHWISE AND lNGER PRESS ALONG THE FOLD
FOLD RAW EDGES 3KIPPING THE PINKING SHEARS FOLLOW THE SAME DIRECTIONS FROM STEP TWO TO CREATE ANOTHER CIRCLE 3TEP &OUR &OR THE BACK PIECE TRACE THE CIRCLE TEMPLATE ONTO YOUR PIECE OF FABRIC AND CUT OUT SEE PAGE FOR THE TEMPLATE 4HEN MAKE v DEEP CUTS v APART ALL AROUND THE EDGE OF THE CIRCLE !FTER CLIPPING @ROUGH UP THE EDGES A BIT WITH YOUR lNGERS TO GIVE IT TEXTURE 3TEP &IVE 3TACK THE THREE mOWER PIECES ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND TOP WITH YOUR CHOSEN BUTTON 3EW ALL THESE PIECES TOGETHER GOING THROUGH THE HOLES OF THE BUTTON 3TEP 3IX 5SING THE SECOND CIRCLE TEMPLATE ALSO ON PAGE CUT OUT THE BACK SUPPORT FROM YOUR HEAVY COTTON CANVAS 3EW THE PIN BACK TO THE CENTER OF THIS PIECE 3TEP 3EVEN 3PREAD THE FABRIC GLUE OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BACK SUPPORT AND PRESS THE BACK OF YOUR mOWER TO IT !LLOW IT TO FULLY DRY AND YOUR mOWER BROOCH IS lNISHED
0ATCHWORK 0URSE -ATERIALS &OR THE PURSE
3TRIPS OF FABRIC v WIDE
,INING FABRIC v X v
)NTERFACING OR TO PIECES OF PLAIN COTTON FABRIC FOR INTERLINING SAME SIZE AS LINING
BUTTONS
,ENGTH OF CORD APPROX v LONG
%MBROIDERY THREAD
3TEP &OUR 4URN RIGHT SIDE OUT AND STITCH GAP CLOSED 3TEP &IVE &OLD OVER ABOUT v FROM BOTTOM EDGE TO MAKE YOUR PURSE SHAPE AND THEN BLANKETSTITCH THE SIDES TOGETHER "LANKET STITCH AROUND REMAINING EDGES FOR A SMART DECORATIVE lNISH
&OR THE CORSAGE
3CRAPS OF FABRIC APPROX v SQUARE
BUTTON
BROOCH BACKPIN BACK 0URSE 3TEP /NE 'ATHER TOGETHER YOUR FABRIC STRIPS AND WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY STITCH TOGETHER UNTIL YOUR PIECE IS APPROXIMATELY v LONG
3TEP 3IX !TTACH A BUTTON TO THE FRONT OF YOUR PURSE APPROXIMATELY v FROM THE BOTTOM EDGE AND THEN THREAD YOUR CORD THROUGH YOUR OTHER BUTTON AND ATTACH TO THE mAP AS SHOWN
v
v
3TEP 4WO #UT YOUR LINING AND INTERLINING FABRIC S TO THE SAME SIZE AS YOUR PATCHWORK 3TEP 4HREE 0UT YOUR PATCHWORK AND LINING FABRICS RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PLACE YOUR INTERLING ON THE TOP AND PIN TOGETHER 3TITCH TOGETHER LEAVING A GAP FOR TURNING
#ORSAGE 3TEP /NE #UT SIX PETALS AND ONE CIRCLE FROM YOUR CHOSEN FABRICS 4HE TEMPLATES ARE ON PAGE 3TEP 4WO 3TACK ALL THE PIECES UP AND STITCH TOGETHER THROUGH THE CENTRE OF EACH PETAL lNISHING OFF WITH A BUTTON 3TEP 4HREE 3EW ON THE BROOCH BACK AND PIN TO YOUR BAG
,IBRARY 4OTE -ATERIALS !LL SIZE GUIDES ABOVE INCLUDE SEAM ALLOWANCES 0LEASE REMEMBER TO ALLOW v EXTRA FOR EACH SEWN EDGE IF YOU ARE MAKING THIS BAG TO YOUR OWN SPECIlCATIONS
PIECES FABRIC FOR OUTSIDE OF BAG &OR THIS BAG ) USED v WIDE X v TALL 4RY TO CHOOSE FABRIC WITH A REASONABLY HEAVY WEAVE FOR DURABILITY AND STRENGTH SUCH AS DENIM CORDUROY UPHOLSTERY WEIGHT COTTON OR LINEN
PIECES OF CONTRASTING FABRIC USING SAME MEASUREMENTS AS ABOVE FOR INSIDE OF BAG ! LIGHTWEIGHT QUILTING COTTON WAS USED HERE
,ENGTH OF FABRIC FOR STRAP ACCORDING TO YOUR DESIRED WIDTH AND LENGTH ) USED v X v WHICH RESULTS IN A THIN STRAP OF ABOUT v WIDE !GAIN IT IS BEST TO USE A HEAVILY WOVEN FABRIC FOR STRENGTH )F YOU WISH TO USE A LIGHTWEIGHT FABRIC IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU REINFORCE IT WITH SOME IRON ON INTERFACING BEFORE SEWING
&ABRIC FOR POCKET v X v
!BOUT v OF v BIAS BINDING !LTERNATIVELY MAKE YOUR OWN BINDING TO MATCH FABRIC USED INSIDE BAG
3TEP /NE #UT PIECES OF FABRIC AS SPECIlED IN MATERIALS LIST
3TEP &IVE 0IN BINDING INTO PLACE ON TOP OF POCKET AND SEW IN LEAVING APPROXIMATELY MM AT EACH END 2EMOVE GATHERING THREADS
FOLDED BINDING
3TEP 3IX 0IN POCKET TO PIECE OF FABRIC THAT YOU WILL USE FOR THE FRONT OF YOUR BAG TUCKING BINDING EDGES UNDER TO PRODUCE A NEAT EDGE AT TOP OF POCKET 4HIS WILL MAKE A SELF LINED POCKET 3EW INTO PLACE ALONG EDGES PUT ASIDE
FRONT OF BAG
3TEP 3EVEN 0RESS STRAP FABRIC AS SHOWN n FOLDING STRAP IN HALF LENGTHWISE AND FOLDING EDGES IN A FURTHER MM AS YOU IRON 3EW THIS LENGTH TOGETHER ALONG LONG EDGE AS CLOSE TO EDGE AS POSSIBLE ABOUT MM IS GOOD 0UT ASIDE
3TEP 4WO &OLD POCKET FABRIC IN HALF ON LONG EDGE WITH RIGHT SIDES FACING MAKING A RECTANGLE OF APPROX v WIDE X v HIGH RAW EDGES
3TEP 4HREE 3EW UP THE SHORT SIDES OF POCKET TURN INSIDE OUT AND PRESS
RAW EDGES
3TEP %IGHT 7ITH YOUR TWO PIECES OF CUT FABRIC FACING RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW BAG LINING ALONG THE TWO LONG EDGES AND ONE SHORT EDGE n LEAVING A HOLE OF ABOUT CM IN THE LATTER 4HE REMAINING OPEN EDGE WILL BE THE TOP OPENING OF YOUR BAG 4URN RIGHT SIDE OUT
FOLDED EDGE
3TEP .INE 0LACE PIECES OF FABRIC TO BE USED FOR OUTSIDE OF BAG RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER MAKING SURE POCKET IS FACING RIGHT SIDE UP AND
FOLDED EDGE
3TEP &OUR 2UN A GATHERING SEAM APPROX MM BELOW UNSEWN LONG EDGE TOP OF POCKET 0ULL THREADS TO GATHER FABRIC UNTIL YOU REACH YOUR DESIRED SIZE FOR POCKET OPENING v HERE v
LINING WRONG SIDE
SEW ALONG SAME EDGES AS IN 3TEP %IGHT 4HIS TIME DO NOT LEAVE A HOLE IN THE SHORT EDGE STRAP ENDS PIN IN PLACE
3TEP 4EN ,EAVING OUTSIDE OF BAG INSIDE OUT PLACE SEWN STRAP INSIDE BAG AND PIN ENDS INTO PLACE AT THE UNSEWN TOP OF THE BAG ON THE SIDE SEAMS 2EMEMBER TO ENSURE YOUR STRAP IS NOT TWISTED TO ALLOW FOR A NEAT COMFORTABLE DRAPE
3TEP %LEVEN 0LACE THE BAG LINING STILL TURNED RIGHT SIDE OUT INSIDE THE BAG SO THAT THE TWO RIGHT SIDES ARE FACING WITH THE STRAP SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN 0IN BOTH LAYERS TOGETHER ALONG TOP OPEN EDGE 3EW ALONG TOP PERIMETER TO SECURE BAG LINING AND STRAP
4HESE ARE THE CIRCLE TEMPLATES FOR THE &LOWER "ROOCH )NSTRUCTIONS ARE ON PAGE
OUTER BAG WRONG SIDE
LINING WRONG SIDE
CIRCLE TEMPLATE BACK FLOWER PIECE v WIDE
OUTSIDE FABRIC WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 4URN INSIDE OUT THROUGH HOLE IN BOTTOM OF LINING
3TEP &OURTEEN 0RESS BAG PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO TOP PERIMETER 2UN ANOTHER SEAM ALONG THE TOP EDGE 4HIS WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A PROFESSIONAL lNISH AND GIVE EXTRA STRENGTH AND SECURITY TO THE STRAP
CIRCLE TEMPLATE BACK SUPPORT v WIDE LINING RIGHT SIDE
3TEP &IFTEEN 3EW UP HOLE IN THE LINING OF YOUR BAG AND EMBELLISH YOUR TOTE AS DESIRED 0OP YOUR LIBRARY CARD IN THE POCKET AND LOAD HER UP WITH BOOKS
OUTSIDE FABRIC RIGHT SIDE
4ISSUE #OVER
3TEP 3IX 3EW TRIANGLE HOUSE PARTS TO THE ROOF SIDES 2EPEAT FOR INSIDE PIECES
-ATERIALS 3TEP 3EVEN 4HEN SEW THE LAST SIDES ON ALL THE HOUSE PARTS 2EPEAT FOR INSIDE PIECES
YARDS OF VARIOUS PRINTS PREFERABLY OF A MEDIUM TO HEAVY WEIGHT COTTON 9OU CAN MIX AND MATCH PATTERNS FOR EACH PIECE OF THE HOUSE
"LACK FELT AND WHITE FELT FOR THE EYES
%MBROIDERY mOSS
3TEP /NE #UT THE FOLLOWING PIECES
(OUSE 3IDES v X v X FROM OUTSIDE FABRIC X FROM INSIDE FABRIC
2OOF 3IDES v X v X FROM OUTSIDE ROOF FABRIC X FROM INSIDE FABRIC 3EE 0ATTERN FOR #HIMNEY (OLE
#HIMNEY v X v X
2OOF 4RIANGLE 3EE 0ATTERN 0IECES X OF OUTER FABRIC X OF INNER FABRIC
%YES 3EE 0ATTERN 0IECES !LL MEASUREMENTS INCLUDE v SEAM ALLOWANCE 3TEP 4WO 4AKE CHIMNEY PEICES AND SEW ALL FOUR TOGETHER ALONG THE LONG EDGES
3TEP %IGHT .OW YOU WILL HAVE TWO HOUSES ONE MADE FROM INNER FABRICS ONE FROM OUTER 3TEP .INE .OW YOU WANT TO SANDWITCH THE HOUSES SO THE RIGHT SIDES OF THE FABRIC ARE FACING EACH OTHER )T DOESNT MATTER WHICH HOUSE IS ON THE OUTSIDE JUST MAKE SURE TO LINE UP ALL THE HOUSE PARTS SO THEY lT TOGETHER NICELY 3TEP 4EN 7ITH YOUR SEWING MACHINE SEW ALONG THE BOTTOM EDGES LEAVING ONE SIDE OPEN 4HIS IS SO YOU CAN TURN THE HOUSES RIGHT SIDE OUT -AKE CAREFUL NOTE WHEN SEWING TO LINE UP ALL THE CORNERS ON THE HOUSE
WRONG SIDES
RIGHT SIDES
3TEP 4HREE .EXT TURN THE CHIMNEY RIGHT SIDE OUT AND THEN TUCK HALF OF THE CHIMNEY INSIDE ITSELF
HALF TUCKED INSIDE
RIGHT SIDES
WRONG SIDE RIGHT SIDES
RIGHT SIDE
3TEP %LEVEN .EXT TURN THE HOUSE RIGHT SIDE OUT CAREFULLY SEW ALONG THE EDGE TO KEEP THE HOUSE FROM CURLING 7HEN YOU GET THE THE SIDE THAT WAS NOT SEWN JUST TUCK THE ENDS IN AND SEW IT CLOSED
3TEP 4WELVE ,INE UP THE SQUARE OPENING FOR THE CHIMNEY IN THE ROOF
3TEP &OUR 4AKE THE TWO ROOF SIDE PIECES CUT FROM THE OUTSIDE FABRIC AND PLACE THEM RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3EW ALONG ONE OF THE v SIDES 2EPEAT WITH THE INSIDE ROOF PIECES 3TEP &IVE 3EW TRIANGLES TO TWO OF THE OUTSIDE HOUSE SIDES 2EPEAT WITH TWO OF THE INSIDE HOUSE SIDES
WRONG SIDES
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 7ORKING ONE SIDE AT A TIME HAND STITCH THE CHIMNEY TO THE OUTER SIDE OF THE HOUSE 5SE SMALL NEAT STITCHES AND A THREAD COLOR THAT WILL BLEND IN WITH YOUR FABRIC )F YOU lND YOUR HOLE TOO SMALL ITS OK 9OU CAN CAREFULLY TUCK THE FABRIC A LITTLE AS YOU GO ALONG 9OU DO NOT WANT THE HOLE TO BE TOO BIG AT ALL 3TEP &OURTEEN 4URN THE HOUSE WRONG SIDE OUT AND lNISH STITCHING THE
CHIMNEY ON THIS SIDE )F YOU CAN SEE THE STITCHES MORE ON THIS SIDE IT WONT MATTER 4HEY WILL BE INSIDE AND NOT BE SEEN ONCE THE HOUSE IS COMPLETE
WHERE THE EYES WILL GO -AKE SURE YOU ARE ONLY STITCHING THROUGH THE TOP LAYER OF FABRIC SO THE STICHES WONT SHOW ON THE UNDERSIDE
3TEP &IFTEEN ,ASTLY TURN THE HOUSE RIGHT SIDES OUT AGAIN AND CHOOSE WHICH SIDE YOUD LIKE THE FACE ON
3TEP 3EVENTEEN 5SE FABRIC GLUE TO GLUE EYES OVER THE END KNOTS 3TEP %IGHTEEN /NCE COMPLETLY DRY PULL HOUSE OVER TISSUE BOX USE ONE HAND TO PULL THE lRST TISSUE UP THROUGH THE CHIMNEY TO LOOK LIKE SMOKE "E CAREFUL NOT TO PULL THE TISSUE OUT TOO FAR
v
3TEP 3IXTEEN 5SING RED EMBROIDERY THREAD BACKSTITCH A MOUTH 9OU CAN HIDE YOUR END KNOTS
v %DGE !
v
h v
v
v
#UT A v X v CHIMNEY HOLE ON ONE OUTSIDE ROOF PIECE AND ONE INSIDE ROOF PIECE 7HEN SEWING THE ROOF SEAM 3TEP MAKE %DGE ! IS THE SEAM EDGE
0ILLOWCASE !PRON
3TEP &IVE -EASURE PIECES OF TWILL TAPE LONG ENOUGH TO EITHER TIE NICELY IN BACK OR SUPER LONG TO WRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND AND TIE IN FRONT ,AY THE APRON DOWN mAT AND FOLD OVER A PLEAT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WAISTBAND STICK THE ENDS OF YOUR TWO PIECES OF TWILL TAPE IN THERE PIN AND SEW INTO PLACE 9OU CAN MAKE THE PLEATS AS NEAR THE MIDDLE OR EDGES AS YOUD LIKE OR YOU CAN SKIP PLEATS ALTOGETHER AND SEW THE TWILL TAPE ON AT THE EDGES
-ATERIALS
THIRFTED PILLOWCASE
PACKAGE OF TWILL TAPE
FABRIC PENPENCIL
TWILL TAPE FOLD
PLEATS
3TEP /NE 7ASH THE PILLOWCASE IRON IT AND FOLD IT IN HALF WITH THE OPENING FACING THE BOTTOM EDGES
DRAW LINES WITH FABRIC PEN
3TEP 4WO ,AY OUT THE SUPPLIES YOU WANT TO CARRY WITH YOU IN YOUR APRON AND MARK THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THE POCKETS YOUD LIKE 5SE YOUR FABRIC PEN OR PENCIL TO DRAW THE POCKET ON THE APRON
3TEP 4HREE CREATE OPENING 4O MAKE THE OPENINGS @BUTTONHOLE FOR THE POCKETS UNFOLD THE PILLOWCASE AND SEW THROUGH JUST THE TWO LAYERS USING THE ZIGZAG STITCH ESSENTIALLY MAKING A GIANT BUTTON HOLE THE SIZE OF EACH POCKET OPENING THAT YOUVE MARKED OUT 5SE SCISSORS OR A ROTARY CUTTER TO VERY CAREFULLY CUT OPEN THE @BUTTONHOLE 3TEP &OUR STITCH OVER PEN LINES ,AY THE APRON BACK DOWN FOLDED OVER ON ITSELF AND PIN THROUGH ALL LAYERS TO KEEP IT IN PLACE SEW ALONG THE LINES YOUVE MARKED OUT TO BE THE POCKETS !LSO SEW RIGHT ALONG THE TOP OF THE ZIGZAGGED BUTTONHOLE TO ANCHOR DOWN THE TOP LAYER TO THE BOTTOM
3TEP 3IX 3END THE APRON THROUGH THE WASH TO GET OUT FABRIC PEN PENCIL AND YOURE ALL SET
0ILLOWCASE !PRON
3TEP &IVE -EASURE PIECES OF TWILL TAPE LONG ENOUGH TO EITHER TIE NICELY IN BACK OR SUPER LONG TO WRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND AND TIE IN FRONT ,AY THE APRON DOWN mAT AND FOLD OVER A PLEAT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WAISTBAND STICK THE ENDS OF YOUR TWO PIECES OF TWILL TAPE IN THERE PIN AND SEW INTO PLACE 9OU CAN MAKE THE PLEATS AS NEAR THE MIDDLE OR EDGES AS YOUD LIKE OR YOU CAN SKIP PLEATS ALTOGETHER AND SEW THE TWILL TAPE ON AT THE EDGES
-ATERIALS
THIRFTED PILLOWCASE
PACKAGE OF TWILL TAPE
FABRIC PENPENCIL
TWILL TAPE FOLD
PLEATS
3TEP /NE 7ASH THE PILLOWCASE IRON IT AND FOLD IT IN HALF WITH THE OPENING FACING THE BOTTOM EDGES
DRAW LINES WITH FABRIC PEN
3TEP 4WO ,AY OUT THE SUPPLIES YOU WANT TO CARRY WITH YOU IN YOUR APRON AND MARK THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THE POCKETS YOUD LIKE 5SE YOUR FABRIC PEN OR PENCIL TO DRAW THE POCKET ON THE APRON
3TEP 4HREE CREATE OPENING 4O MAKE THE OPENINGS @BUTTONHOLE FOR THE POCKETS UNFOLD THE PILLOWCASE AND SEW THROUGH JUST THE TWO LAYERS USING THE ZIGZAG STITCH ESSENTIALLY MAKING A GIANT BUTTON HOLE THE SIZE OF EACH POCKET OPENING THAT YOUVE MARKED OUT 5SE SCISSORS OR A ROTARY CUTTER TO VERY CAREFULLY CUT OPEN THE @BUTTONHOLE 3TEP &OUR STITCH OVER PEN LINES ,AY THE APRON BACK DOWN FOLDED OVER ON ITSELF AND PIN THROUGH ALL LAYERS TO KEEP IT IN PLACE SEW ALONG THE LINES YOUVE MARKED OUT TO BE THE POCKETS !LSO SEW RIGHT ALONG THE TOP OF THE ZIGZAGGED BUTTONHOLE TO ANCHOR DOWN THE TOP LAYER TO THE BOTTOM
3TEP 3IX 3END THE APRON THROUGH THE WASH TO GET OUT FABRIC PEN PENCIL AND YOURE ALL SET
)CE #REAM 0IN #USHION
3TEP .INE /NCE BOTH PUFFS ARE SECURED TOGETHER lLL THE INSIDE OF YOUR mOWER POT WITH GLUE AND GENTLY SET THE ICE CREAM INTO THE POT MAKING SURE TO TUCK THE SIDES OF PUFF " INTO POTS UPPER RIM
-ATERIALS
3TEP 4EN 4O MAKE CHERRY ON TOP 0LACE PINK PIN INTO HOLE OF RED BEAD 3TICK PIN INTO ICE CREAM
-INIATURE mOWER POT v X v
YARD OF &ABRIC !
YARD OF &ABRIC "
QUILTERS PIN WITH PINK PINHEAD
MEDIUM SIZED RED BEAD
&ABRIC GLUE
3TEP /NE 4RACE CIRCLE TEMPLATE ON FABRIC ! #UT OUT CIRCLE 3TEP 4WO 5SING NEEDLE AND THREAD MAKE A RUNNING STITCH PASS THE NEEDLE OVER AND UNDER THE FABRIC JUST INSIDE THE CIRCLES EDGE LEAVING ABOUT A CENTIMETER BETWEEN YOUR STITCHING AND THE EDGE OF THE CIRCLE #ONTINUE STITCHING AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCLE SEE IMAGES AND "
CIRCLE TEMPLATE
3TEP 4HREE /NCE YOUVE STITCHED AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCLE PULL GENTLY ON YOUR THREAD TO SLIGHTLY CINCH UP THE CIRCLE SO THAT IT FORMS THE SHAPE OF A BOWL 3TEP &OUR &ILL THE CINCHED CIRCLE WITH STUFlNG AND CINCH THE CIRCLE TIGHTER UNTIL ITS CLOSED FORMING A PUFF 3TEP &IVE (OLDING THE CIRCLE CLOSED PULL THE THREAD TAUT AND KNOT IT TO CLOSE UP THE CIRCLE MAKING SURE NOT TO LET ANY STUFlNG GET OUT 3TEP 3IX 2EPEAT STEPS FOR FABRIC " 3TEP 3EVEN 4O FORM THE TWO SCOOPS OF ICE CREAM 3TACK PUFF ! ON TOP OF PUFF " 3TEP %IGHT 5SING NEEDLE AND THREAD CONNECT PUFF ! TO PUFF " BY STITCHING THEM TOGETHER 3EW ! TO THE TOP OF " USING SMALL STITCHES FROM BOTTOM OF PUFF ! THROUGH TOP OF PUFF "
! "
0EBBLE "RACELET -ATERIALS
HANK OF MERINO TOPS FOR FELTING IN COLOUR OF YOUR CHOICE
4WO v PIECES OF MM DIAMETER BEADING ELASTIC CLEAR
BEADS FOR SPACERS MINE ARE ABOUT MM WITH HOLES BIG ENOUGH TO lT ELASTIC
3CRAPS OF SILK IN lVE COLOURS PREFERABLY 3HANTUNG WITH A DIFFERENT COLOURED WARP AND WEFT
3UPER GLUE
"ABY SHAMPOO
'OLD THREAD 4OOLS
3EWING NEEDLE TO lT GOLD THREAD
$ARNING NEEDLE TO lT ELASTIC
"RADAWL OR OTHER POINTY INSTRUMENT FOR MAKING HOLES IN BEADS
3CISSORS
0OT OF BOILING OR VERY HOT WATER
0OT OF COLD WATER
3LOTTED SPOON
4EA TOWELS
3TEP /NE 3EPARATE THESE LENGTHS INTO HALF WIDTH WISE AND THEN SPREAD OUT lVE OF THEM ON YOUR WORK SURFACE /PEN UP THE LENGTHS OF THE WOOL lBRE TO PREPARE FOR FELTING LAYER ONE 3TEP 4WO ,AY ONE GROUP SO THAT THE LENGTH OF THE lBRES RUNS VERTICALLY AND THEN LAY A SECOND GROUP OF lBRES OVER TOP WITH THE lBRES RUNNING HORIZONTALLY
LAYER TWO
3TEP 4HREE ,AY A THIRD GROUP OF lBRES VERTICALLY 4HE FOURTH HORIZONTALLY AND THE lFTH AND lNAL GROUP VERTICALLY 9OU SHOULD NOW HAVE A STACK OF lVE LENGTHS OF WOOL TOP 3PRINKLE A BIT OF THE HOT SOAPY WATER SOLUTION ON TOP OF THE WOOL lBRES 3TEP &OUR "EGIN TO GENTLY ROLL THIS GROUP OF lBRES INTO A BALL BETWEEN YOUR HANDS AS YOU MIGHT WITH PLAY DOUGH $O NOT APPLY MUCH PRESSURE 'ENTLY DOES IT AT THIS STAGE 3TEP &IVE
4HE WOOL SHOULD hSTICKv TOGETHER QUITE EASILY BECAUSE OF ALL THE SOAP +EEP ROLLING IF IT REFUSES TO COME TOGETHER ADD A LITTLE MORE SOAPY WATER BUT NOT SO MUCH IT IS SOAKING AND UNMANAGEABLE 3TEP 3IX )F YOU KEEP ROLLING GENTLY IT SHOULD COVER A FISSURE COME INTO A NICE NEAT BALL WITH NO WITH EXTRA WOOL CRACKS OR lSSURES )F A CRACK DOES SEEM TO APPEAR THEN TAKE A FEW WISPS OF MERINO AND LAY THEM OVER THE CRACKED AREA USE LOTS OF SOAP ON YOUR HANDS TO hSTICKv THEM IN PLACE +EEP ROLLING GENTLY AND THE CRACK AREA SHOULD GET HIDDEN NICELY !S LONG AS YOU DONT APPLY TOO MUCH PRESSURE YOU CAN KEEP ADDING WOOL TO THE BALL IN THIS WAY 3TEP 3EVEN !T THIS STAGE YOU COULD COMPLETE THE FELT BEAD BY JUST ROLLING MORE AND MORE VIGOROUSLY UNTIL ALL THE lBRES ARE COMPLETELY FELTED INTO A HARD BALL "UT FOR THIS PROJECT WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT &IRSTLY WE WANT THE BEADS TO BE MORE OF A BUTTON SHAPE SO THEY lT NICELY AGAINST THE WRIST 0RESS THE TOP OF YOUR BEAD DOWN WITH THE mAT OF YOUR PALM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
3TEP %IGHT .OW WE ARE GOING TO ADD THE SILK SCRAPS 4HERE ARE WAYS OF ADDING FABRIC BITS TO FELT WITH NO SEWING BUT THIS METHOD USES A NEEDLE AND THREAD AND ALSO SHAPES THE BEAD AT THE SAME TIME ) HAVE USED A GOLD THREAD SO THAT SILK SCRAP WITH STITCH WHERE IT SHOWS YOU GET A GLINT OF METALLIC !NCHOR YOUR NEEDLE AND THREAD IN THE FELT BEAD WITH A FEW STITCHES AND THEN BRING THE NEEDLE UP THROUGH THE BEAD ANCHORING STITCHES AND A SQUARE OF SILK "RING THE NEEDLE BACK DOWN THROUGH THE SILK CATCHING IN AN END AND THEN COME OUT THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BEAD #ONTINUE ADDING SCRAPS OF SILK IN THE SAME WAY
3TEP .INE 4HE IDEA IS TO PULL THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE FELT SO THAT IT CONTINUES TO FORM AN OVAL BEAD SHAPE AND ATTACH THE SILK SQUARES ) @VE SEWN THROUGH EACH OF THE SILK SCRAPS TWO OR THREE TIMES CATCHING A DIFFERENT AREA EACH TIME 4HE RESULT IS THE SILK GETS PULLED INTO THE FELT SLIGHTLY 4HE SILK WILL HAVE LOTS OF SHAGGY THREADS HANGING OFF BUT THEY SHOULDNT SHED TOO MUCH BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE STITCHES 7HILE YOU ARE WORKING ON THE BEAD THE SILK WILL GET WET AND CHANGE COLOUR 4HE BEADS WILL BE MORE VIBRANT AND CONTRASTY WHEN THEY DRY -Y BEADS ARE ABOUT CM IN DIAMETER AND INCLUDE ABOUT PIECES OF SILK 3TEP 4EN -AKE LARGE BEADS IN THIS WAY 7HEN THEY ARE DONE PUT THEM IN THE HOT WATER SWISH THEM AROUND AND PRESS THEM DOWN WITH THE SLOTTED SPOON TO GET ALL THE SOAP OUT OF THE FELT AND THEN TRANSFER THEM TO THE COLD WATER TO SHOCK THE WOOL 3QUEEZE THE BEADS OUT BETWEEN TO TOWELS TO GET ALL THE WATER OUT AND RESHAPE THEM ,ET DRY
3TEP 4HIRTEEN ) HAVE USED TWO SPACER BEADS ABOUT CM APART BETWEEN EACH FELT BEAD 3O ) POKED A SECOND CHANNEL AND THREADED THE ELASTIC THROUGH 9OU MAY THEN NEED TO TAKE THE NEEDLE OFF THE ELASTIC SO THAT YOU CAN THREAD THE SPACER BEADS 2EPEAT THIS PROCESS UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL FELT BEADS AND THE SPACERS BETWEEN EACH THREADED ONTO THE ELASTICS
4EST THE BRACELET TO SEE IF IT lTS NICELY AND THEN TIE THE ELASTIC ENDS TO THEIR BEGINNINGS WITH A DOUBLE OR TRIPLE KNOT -AKING SURE THE KNOTS ARE SECURE PUT A DROP OF SUPER GLUE ON EACH ) THEN RETHREAD THE ELASTIC ENDS ONTO MY DARNING NEEDLE AND USE MY PAIR OF PLIERS TO PULL THE KNOTS TO THE INSIDE OF A FELT BEAD 4RIM THE ELASTIC ENDS
3TEP %LEVEN 4O STRING THE BEADS HAVE YOUR BRADAWL DARNING NEEDLE AND TWO PIECES OF ELASTIC SPACER BEADS BULLDOG CLIPS AND PLIERS READY "EGIN BY MAKING A CHANNEL FOR THE ELASTIC IN THE BEADS WITH THE BRADAWL 9OU CAN ONLY MAKE ONE CHANNEL AT A TIME BECAUSE THEY WILL CLOSE UP AFTER A FEW SECONDS
3TEP 4WELVE 7ITH THE ELASTIC THREADED THROUGH THE DARNING NEEDLE PUSH THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE THREADING CHANNEL 3OMETIMES ITS HELPFUL TO HAVE A PAIR OF PLIERS TO PULL THE NEEDLE THROUGH 3NAP THE BULLDOG CLIP ON TO ONE END OF THE ELASTIC SO THAT IT DOESNT PULL THROUGH THE BEAD AS YOU THREAD THE BRACELET
,OG #ABIN 0ILLOW -ATERIALS
FABRIC YARDS OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT PRINTS
YARD OF COTTON BATTING
OF PRE QUILTED FABRIC FOR BACK
SMALL LENGTH OF RIBBON
3TEP /NE 3ELECT YOUR FABRICS 4HESE CAN EITHER BE TEN lFTEEN DIFFERENT PRINTS TO AVOID REPEATS OR A SELECTION OF lVE OR SIX PRINTS WHICH COORDINATE 4HE FEWER FABRICS YOU USE THE MORE CAREFULLY YOULL HAVE TO ARRANGE THEM TO AVOID PLACING MATCHING PRINTS NEXT TO EACH OTHER 3TEP 4WO 5SING A ROTARY CUTTER AND TRANSPARENT RULER CUT v STRIPS $EPENDING ON THE WIDTH OF YOUR STRIPS YOULL NEED AROUND 3TEP 4HREE 3TART WITH CENTER SQUARE "EGIN BUILDING OUTWARD FOLLOWING THIS PATTERN
3TEP 3IX 4RIM THE BATTING ABOUT AN INCH LARGER THAN THE QUILT SQUARE 3TEP 3EVEN "EGIN MACHINE QUILTING THE SQUARE TO THE BATTING STARTING FROM THE INSIDE AND SEW OUT FROM THE INSIDE CONTINUOUSLY TURNING AT EACH CORNER
3TEP %IGHT /NCE ITS ALL QUILTED TRIM THE BATTING mUSH WITH THE EDGE OF THE PATCHWORK PIECE 3TEP .INE 4O MAKE THE BACK CUT TWO PIECES FROM THE PRE QUILTED FABRIC %ACH PIECE SHOULD BE AS WIDE AS YOUR PATCHWORK TOP 4O DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF YOUR PIECE HALVE THE WIDTH OF YOUR PATCHWORK TOP AND ADD THREE INCHES
"EGIN BY SEWING PIECE TO PIECE )RON THE SEAM mAT TRIM THE EDGES TO BE SQUARE AND THEN SEW ON PIECE #ONTINUE IRONING THE SEAMS TRIMMING AND ADDING THE NEXT PIECE 3TEP &OUR #ONTINUE BUILDING IN THIS WAY UNTIL THE PATCHWORK IS THE SIZE YOU NEED IF YOU DONT HAVE ANOTHER CUSHION COVER TO WORK FROM MEASURE YOUR PILLOW INSET FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CURVE AND ADD AN EXTRA INCH FOR GOOD MEASURE 4O VARY THE LOOK OF YOUR PATCHWORK YOU CAN USE THE TRIMMED OFF ENDS FROM PREVIOUS STRIPS AND PATCH THEM END TO END TO MAKE NEW STRIPS 3TEP &IVE /NCE THE QUILT SQUARE IS THE SIZE YOUD LIKE LAY IT DOWN ON COTTON BATTING A PIECE LARGER THAN THE QUILT SQUARE ON A mAT SURFACE AND PIN THE QUILT SQUARE TO THE BATTING
3TEP 4EN 4AKE ONE OF THE PIECES AND FOLD DOWN THE WIDE END BY v AND ZIG ZAG THIS DOWN USING A CONTRASTING THREAD 2EPEAT WITH THE OTHER PIECE
3TEP 4EN 4URN THE TWO BACK PIECES OVER SO THE TURNED OVER EDGE IS FACING DOWN 9OURE NOW LOOKING AT THE RIGHT SIDE 3EW A v LENGTH OF RIBON TO THE MIDDLE OF EACH PIECE
h
WIDTH OF PATCHWORK
3TEP %LEVEN 4O lNISH THE PIECE TAKE YOUR PATCHWORK AND LAY IT mAT RIGHT SIDE UP 4AKE ON OF THE BACK PIECES AND LAY IT ON TOP OF THE PATCHWORK )T SHOULD BE RIGHT SIDE DOWN WITH THE FOLDED OVER EDGE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE LIKE SO
4HESE ARE THE TEMPLATES FOR THE "ROOCH )NSTRUCTIONS ARE ON PAGE
PATCHWORK RIGHT SIDE
v BACK PIECE WRONG SIDE
4HE BOTTOM CORNERS SHOULD ALL MATCH UP ,AY DOWN THE OTHER PACK PIECE IN THE SAME WAY BUT WITH THE TOP CORNERS MATCHING 4HE TWO BACK PIECES SHOULD OVERLAP IN THE MIDDLE BY AT LEAST v 0IN THIS ALL IN PLACE 3TEP 4WELVE 3EW AROUND ALL FOUR SIDE LEAVING A v SEAM
SECOND BACK PIECE WRONG SIDE
v BACK PIECE WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 2EMOVE THE PINS AND TURN THE PILLOWCOVER RIGHT SIDE OUT THROUGH THE OPENING OF THE TWO BACK PIECES 3TEP &OURTEEN 3QUEEZE YOUR PILLOW INSERT INTO THE CASE THROUGH THE BACK OPENING AND TIE THE TWO RIBBONS IN A BOW TO lNISH
$ESK /RGANIZER -ATERIALS
METER THICK FELT
FABRIC GLUE
EMBROIDERY THREAD AND SHARP NEEDLE
FUSIBLE FABRIC FOR BACKING
THIN TAPE OPTIONAL
3TEP /NE #UT A PIECE OF GRAPH PAPER TO THE SIZE YOUD LIKE THE BOX TO BE FOR EXAMPLE THE SIZE OF THE DRAWER OF YOUR SEWING TABLE
3TEP 4WO !RRANGE THE OBJECTS YOU WANT TO ORGANIZE ON THE GRAPH PAPER $RAW LINES TO MARK OFF THE SECTIONS 9OU CAN ALSO ANNOTATE THIS SHEET WITH WHAT GOES WHERE COLOR CHOICES ETC
3TEP 3EVEN %MBROIDER EACH SECTION WITH THE OBJECT THAT WILL GO IN IT ! SHARP NEEDLE WORKS BETTER ON THE THICK FELT THAN A STANDARD DULL EMBROIDERY NEEDLE 5SE OR STRANDS OF THE STRANDED mOSS KNOTTED AT THE END 9OU CAN DO THE PICTURES FREEHAND OR BY MAKING A DRAWING TO FOLLOW 9OU CAN ALSO hTRACEv AN OBJECT BY ANCHORING IT WITH A FEW STITCHES AND EMBROIDERING AROUND FOR AN OUTLINE &OR THE TEXT YOU MIGHT lND IT HELPFUL TO CHOOSE A FONT YOU LIKE AND PRINT OUT TEMPLATES ) USED BASIC EMBROIDERY STITCHES BACKSTITCHSTRAIGHT STITCH TEXT MOST OUTLINES COUCHING KNITTING NEEDLES PINS THREAD FROM BOBBINS SATIN STITCH BOBBINS DAISY STITCH SCALLOPS ON RED BUTTON AND &RENCH KNOTS PIN HEADS DOTS ON IS BUTTON HOLES 3TEP %IGHT 2EMOVE THE TAPE MARKING THE SECTIONS 3TEP .INE 4O KEEP THE THREAD ENDS SECURE FUSE A PIECE OF FABRIC TO THE BACKS OF THE EMBROIDERED PIECES 4RIM EXCESS FABRIC 3TEP 4EN 3TARTING WITH THE TWO SHORT OUTER WALLS OF THE BOX TRIM TO THE EXACT SIZE OF THE EMBROIDERED BASE 2UN A BEAD OF GLUE ALONG THE BOTTOM OF EACH STRIP !RRANGE mUSH AND HOLD UNTIL SET 7IPE OFF ANY EXCESS GLUE WITH A DAMP CLOTH
3TEP 4HREE #UT A PIECE OF FELT THE SIZE OF THE GRAPH PAPER ! ROTARY CUTTER AND A GRIDDED CUTTING MAT ARE THE BEST TOOLS FOR THIS 3TEP &OUR #UT STRIPS OF FELT FOR THE WALLS AND DIVIDERS ,OWER WALLS WORK BETTER OR ELSE THEY GET mOPPY ) USED v TALL WALLS ,EAVE EXTRA LENGTH SO YOU CAN CUT THE STRIPS TO THE EXACT SIZE WHILE ASSEMBLING 3TEP &IVE -ARK THE SECTIONS ON THE FELT ) USED QUILTERS TAPE WHICH COMES IN CONVENIENT WIDTHS AND COMES OFF EASILY 9OU COULD USE ANY THIN TAPE OR DRAW THE LINES ON 4HE TAPE IS NICE BECAUSE IT HELPS YOU ACCOUNT FOR THE THICKNESS OF THE WALLS IN FRAMING THE EMBROIDERY 3TEP 3IX #HOOSE A COLOR SCHEME OF EMBROIDERY THREADS ! NARROW SELECTION OF COLORS CAN HELP UNIFY THE PROJECT ) PICKED OUT BRIGHT COLORS PLUS GREY AND DARK BROWN
3TEP %LEVEN #UT THE TWO LONG OUTER WALLS TO THE CORRECT SIZE ACCOUNTING FOR THE SPACE TAKEN UP BY THE ALREADY GLUED WALLS 2UN A BEAD OF GLUE ALONG THE BOTTOM AND BOTH ENDS OF EACH STRIP 3ET IN PLACE PINCHING THE JOINTS TO SECURE
3TEP 4WELVE /NCE THE OUTER WALLS ARE SET USE THE SAME METHOD TO GLUE IN THE DIVIDERS
#OUCHING 3TITCH
3TEP 4HIRTEEN ,ET GLUE CURE COMPLETELY BEFORE USING
&OR -ACHINE %MBROIDERY
7ORK AS ABOVE EXCEPT USE THINNER FELT FOR THE BOTTOM 4HE THICK FELT IS TRICKIER TO USE WITH A MACHINE
!NY SEWING MACHINE WILL WORK FOR MACHINE EMBROIDERY &IRST DROP THE FEED DOGS AND REMOVE THE NORMAL FOOT 5SING A DARNINGFREE MOTION FOOT HELPS BUT IS NOT NECESSARY )F YOU GO FOOT LESS WATCH YOUR lNGERS 4HREAD IT UP WITH ANY COLOR IN THE BOBBIN THREAD AND THE DESIRED COLOR AS THE TOP THREAD 4EST THE TENSION lRST ON A SCRAP OF FELT AND ADJUST SO YOU CANT SEE THE BOBBIN THREAD ON THE TOP BUT ITS NOT ALL LOOPY ON THE BACK +EEPING THE FABRIC mAT AGAINST THE MACHINE MOVE IT IN A SMOOTH MOTION UNDER THE NEEDLE TO MAKE THE DRAWING )F YOU NEED TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PLACE IN THE DRAWING SIMPLY PULL THE NEEDLE UP AND MOVE THERE 4HE CONNECTING THREADS WILL ALL BE TRIMMED AT THE END
5SING A SMALL PAIR OF SCISSORS TRIM ALL THE CONNECTING THREADS
&INISH AS ABOVE
$AISY 3TITCH
&RENCH +NOT
"ACKSTITCH
3ATIN 3TITCH
3UMMER 4OP -ATERIALS
4 SHIRT SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
YARD OF FABRIC
0INS
4AILORS CHALK OR EQUIVALENT
3TEP /NE &IND A 4 SHIRT OR TANK TOP THAT HAS A lT YOU ADORE 9OU WILL BE USING THE SHIRT HERETOFORE REFERRED TO AS THE hPATTERN SHIRTv TO MAKE YOUR PATTERN SO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT TOO SNUG OR lTTED AS YOU WILL NEED SOME ROOM TO GET THE SUMMER TOP OVER YOUR HEAD $ONT WORRY ABOUT CUTTING THE SHIRT
THAT WONT HAPPEN IF YOU ARE CAREFUL 3TEP 4WO 0UT ON THE PATTERN SHIRT 7ITH A MARK FOR STRAPS PIN MARK WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE THE TOP OF THE SUMMER TOP TO SIT )F YOU WOULD LIKE THE LENGTH OF THE TOP TO BE DIFFERENT THAN THE PATTERN SHIRT TAKE ANOTHER MARK TOP PIN AND MARK WHERE YOUD LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP TO BE $ETERMINE THE PLACEMENT OF THE STRAPS ! GOOD SPOT IS ABOUT AN INCH IN FROM YOUR ARMPIT 4AKE A PIN AND MARK WHERE YOU WANT THE OUTER EDGE OF THE STRAP TO HIT $O THIS ON BOTH SIDES 3TEP 4HREE 0LACE YOUR FABRIC ON A CUTTING SURFACE 4HE FABRIC SHOULD BE FOLDED IN HALF WITH THE SELVEDGES ON THE SIDES #AREFULLY PLACE YOUR 4 SHIRT ON TOP OF THE FABRIC WITH THE TOP OF THE SHIRT EVEN WITH ONE OF THE CUT EDGES -AKE SURE THE SHIRT IS CENTERED ON THE FABRIC 5SING THE TAILORS CHALK MARK v BELOW WHERE YOU WANT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIRT TO BE THIS WILL GIVE YOU A v HEM ALLOWANCE #UT ALONG THE MARKED LINE
3TEP &OUR &OLD THE PATTERN SHIRT DOWN TO WHERE THE PIN IS THAT MARKS THE TOP OF THE SHIRT 7ITH YOUR TAILORS CHALK MARK v
ABOVE THE TOP OF THE PATTERN SHIRT #UT ALONG THE MARKED LINE
3TEP &IVE .EXT YOU WANT TO DETERMINE THE CENTER LINE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT #AREFULLY LIFT UP THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT AND FOLD IT IN HALF LENGTHWISE SO THE LEFT SIDE MEETS THE RIGHT 0LACE PINS ON THE FABRIC YOURE CUTTING TO MARK THIS CENTER LINE -ARK v BEYOND THE SIDE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT WITH YOUR TAILORS CHALK 4HINGS GET A LITTLE TRICKY WHEN YOU GET TO THE ARMHOLE BUT DONT PANIC "ASICALLY YOU WANT TO CUT A CURVE ALONG THE ARMHOLE ENDING AT THE OUTER EDGE OF WHERE THE STRAPS WILL BE 'OOD THING YOU HAVE ALREADY MARKED THAT SPOT 5SING THAT TRUSTY TAILORS CHALK MARK v BEYOND THE CURVE OF THE PATTERN SHIRTS ARMHOLE 9OULL NEED TO LIFT UP THE SLEEVE OF THE PATTERN SHIRT AS YOU GO TO SEE THE ARMHOLE SEAM 'ET THE PATTERN SHIRT OUT OF THE WAY AND CUT ALONG THE MARKED LINE &OLD YOUR FABRIC ALONG THE PINNED CENTER LINE AND CUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHIRT TO MATCH 3TEP 3IX 9OURE NEARLY THERE .OW YOU WANT TO CUT THE FACING 0LACE A PIECE OF FOLDED FABRIC UNDERNEATH THE TOP OF THE CUT SHIRT LINING UP THE TOP EDGES 4HE FABRIC SHOULD BE LONG ENOUGH THAT IT EXTENDS ABOUT v BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE ARMHOLE -ARK AND CUT ALONG THE ARMHOLES 4HE BOTTOM OF THE FACING SHOULD ALSO BE EVEN AND STRAIGHT SO DO A LITTLE CUTTING IF NECESSARY
FABRIC FOR FACING v
CUT SHIRT FABRIC
3TEP 3EVEN 9OU ONLY HAVE THE STRAPS LEFT TO CUT )F YOU PLAN ON USING RIBBON OR SOMETHING ELSE YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP AND GET RIGHT TO SEWING 9OU NEED TO DETERMINE HOW LONG YOU WANT THE STRAPS TO BE )TS OKAY IF YOU CUT THEM TOO LONG 4AKE A STRAIGHT EDGE AND PLACE IT ALONG THE PIN ON THE PATTERN SHIRT THAT MARKS WHERE YOU WANT THE TOP OF THE SHIRT TO BE -EASURE FROM THE STRAIGHT EDGE TO THE TOP OF THE SHOULDER ON THE PATTERN SHIRT $OUBLE THIS AMOUNT THEN ADD v FOR GOOD MEASURE ,ETS CALL THIS MEASUREMENT 3 FOR NOW 9OU ARE GOING TO CUT TWO STRIPS OF FABRIC MEASUREMENT 3 LONG BY v WIDE THIS ALLOWS FOR A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
3TEP %IGHT 4HIS IS WHAT ALL YOUR PIECES SHOULD LOOK LIKE
FACING X SHIRT X
3TEP .INE ,ETS GET SEWING ,ETS DO THE STRAPS lRST &OLD THE STRAPS IN HALF LENGTHWISE WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 0IN AND STITCH ALONG THE LONG EDGE USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE 4URN THE STRAPS INSIDE OUT AND PRESS mAT WITH THE SEAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAP THIS IS THE PART THAT WILL GO AGAINST YOUR SHOULDER SO THE SEAM WILL BE INVISIBLE 3TEP 4EN 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW THE OUTER SIDES OF THE FACING DO ./4 STITCH THE ARMHOLES 0RESS OPEN THE SEAMS 0RESS THE BOTTOM OF THE FACING UNDER v FOR THE HEM 3TITCH THE HEM USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
3TEP &OURTEEN .OW YOURE GOING TO ATTACH THE FACING !GAIN WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PIN THE FACING TO THE TOP MATCHING SIDE SEAMS AND CORNERS 3TITCH ALL THE WAY AROUND IE FRONT AND BACK AND THE ARMHOLES USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
WRONG SIDE
3TEP &IFTEEN 4AKE A PAIR OF SCISSORS AND TRIM THE SEAMS DOWN TO ABOUT v #LIP THE CURVES AND THE CORNERS 4URN THE FACING TO THE INSIDE OF THE TOP AND PRESS CAREFULLY 3TEP 3IXTEEN 9OURE ALMOST lNISHED 3LIP THE TOP OVER YOUR HEAD /OOH HOPE IT MAKES IT (AVE A FRIEND PIN THE BACK STRAPS TO THE DESIRED LENGTH #AREFULLY REMOVE THE TOP -AKE SURE THE BACK STRAPS ARE PINNED EVENLY AND AGAINST THE EDGES OF THE BACK ON THE INSIDE OF THE TOP 0IN AROUND THE TOP EDGE OF THE TOP %DGESTITCH ALL THE WAY AROUND FOR A CLEAN LOOK #UT THE EXCESS OFF THE BACK STRAPS IF NECESSARY
RIGHT SIDE
3TEP %LEVEN 0IN THE FRONT PIECE TO THE BACK PIECE WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3TITCH DOWN THE SIDE SEAMS USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE 0RESS OPEN THE SEAMS 3TEP 4WELVE (EM THE TOP FOLD UP THE BOTTOM v TO THE INSIDE AND PRESS &OLD AGAIN ANOTHER INCH AND PRESS 0IN AND STITCH DOWN THE HEM USING A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
3TEP 4HIRTEEN 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER PIN EACH STRAP TO THE FRONT OF THE TOP 4HE EDGE OF THE STRAPS SHOULD BE IN v FROM THE UPPER EDGES OF THE TOP "ASTE DOWN THE STRAPS
RIGHT SIDE
%LEPHANT 0OUCH -ATERIALS
YARD OF OUTER FABRIC GREY
YARD OF INNER FABRIC PATTERNED
EMBROIDERY mOSS FOR FACE
SEW ON SNAPPRESS STUD 3TEP /NE 4RANSFER PATTERNS TO FABRIC AND CUT OUT SEE PAGE FOR CONTINUATION OF PATTERN PIECES ,INE THE FABRIC WITH INTERFACING TO STABALIZE IF DESIRED 3TEP 4WO %MBROIDER EYES AND MOUTH TO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE OUTER PIECE ! GUIDE IS PRINTED ON THE PATTERN PIECE 3TEP 4HREE 3EW THE TRUNK PIECE CLIP AROUND CURVES AND TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TUFF THE TRUNK WITH lBERlLL SNIP AROUND CURVES
TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT AND STUFF
3TEP &OUR 3EW THE TOP OF THE TRUNK CLOSED AND USE mOSS TO EMBROIDER LINES ALONG THE TRUNK
3TEP &IVE (AND STITCH THE TRUNK TO THE OUTER FABRIC
3TEP 3IX 3EW THE TWO EAR PIECES #LIP ALONG THE CURVES AND TURN THEM RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TEP 3EVEN 0OSITION THE EARS ON THE FACE AND BASTE INTO PLACE ABOUT v FROM THE EDGE
3TEP %IGHT 3EW DARTS ON POCKET PIECES OUTER AND LINING PIECES AS MARKED ON THE PATTERN PIECES 3TEP .INE 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW THE POCKET PIECES TOGETHER ALONG THE TOP EDGE 0RESS ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE POCKET WITH AN IRON 3TEP 4EN )F YOU WANT YOUR POUCH TO BE SLIGHTLY PADDED CUT A PIECE OF BATTING THE SAME SIZE AS THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE #LIP WHERE THE DARTS WOULD BE LOCATED AND POSITION ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE 3TEP %LEVEN ,INE UP THE POCKET PIECE WITH THE OUTER LINING PIECE AND PIN IT IN PLACE 4HE GREY OUTER SIDE OF THE POCKET PIECE WILL BE FACE DOWN ON THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE
POCKET PIECE LINING SIDE UP
3TEP 4WELVE "ASTE THE POCKET TO THE OUTER LINING PIECE 3EW ABOUT v FROM THE EDGE 3TEP 4HIRTEEN 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SEW THE OUTER FABRIC PIECE TO THE INNER LINING PIECE ,EAVE AN OPENING AT THE BOTTOM THE BOTTOM PART OF THE FACE SO THAT THE PIECE CAN BE TURNED RIGHT SIDE OUT 3TEP &OURTEEN 4URN RIGHT SIDE OUT THROUGH OPENING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FACE 3TEP &IFTEEN &LIP THE SEWN POCKET SO THAT THE LINING FABRIC IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE POUCH 3TEP 3IXTEEN 3LIP STITCH THE OPENING CLOSED 3TEP 3EVENTEEN 3EW A SNAP ONTO THE BOTTOM OF THE POCKET 3EW THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SNAP TO THE TOP OF THE INNER LINING
LINING THE ELEPHANT FACE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS
POCKET PIECE
&ABRIC "ASKET -ATERIALS
YARD NATURAL UNBLEACHED COTTON CANVAS
YARD COTTON LINING FABRIC
YARD 0ELLON 4AILORS 4OUCH (EAVYWEIGHT 3EW IN 3TABILIZER
YARD 0ELLON 0ELTEX %XTRA (EAVYWEIGHT 3EW IN 3TABILIZER
YARD 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD %XTRA 7IDE "IAS 4APE /YSTER
YARD 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD "IAS 4APE /YSTER
YARD 7RIGHTS v 7IDE 4WILL 4APE /YSTER
SET OF 3EW /N 6ELCRO ABOUT A INCH SQUARE PIECE WHITE 3TEP /NE #UT OUT THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR MATERIALS
v X v RECTANGLE FRONT BACK #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS #54 FROM LINING #54 FROM HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE SIDES #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS #54 FROM HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE POCKET CUT ON FOLD 0LACE v SIDE ON FOLD FOR BOTH MATERIALS #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS #54 FROM HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE BOTTOM #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS
v X v RECTANGLE BOTTOM STABILIZER #54 FROM EXTRA HEAVYWEIGHT STABILIZER
v X v RECTANGLE LINING SIDES BOTTOM #54 FROM COTTON LINING
v X v RECTANGLE HANDLES #54 FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED CANVAS
v X v RECTANGLE DRAWSTRING TOP #54 FROM COTTON LINING 3TEP 4WO 5NLESS STATED OTHERWISE ALL RIGHT SIDE SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE v 4HE lRST STEP IS TO CONSTRUCT THE POCKET "EGIN BY OPENING UP FOLD THE FOLDED POCKET PIECE /N THE VELCRO @WRONG SIDE OF THE POCKET SEW IN YOUR 6ELCRO CLOSURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POCKET AND ABOUT ³v DOWN FROM THE FOLDED EDGE 9OU WILL ONLY SEW DOWN ONE SIDE OF THE 6ELCRO RIGHT NOW
)NSERT THE STABILIZER IN BETWEEN YOUR CANVAS POCKET FRONT BIAS TAPE SO THAT BOTH FOLDS MATCH UP AT THE TOP "ASTE STITCH TOP EDGE AT FOLD 3EW ON THE 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD "IAS 4APE TO THE TOP EDGE AT FOLD RIGHT SIDE OF THE POCKET
BASKET FRONT
,AY DOWN YOUR BASKET FRONT ON TOP OF A MATCHING PIECE OF STABILIZER "ASTE ONE SIDE OF THE POCKET DOWN TO THE BASKET FRONT AND BASKET FRONT STABILIZER
!T THIS POINT YOU CAN STITCH IN THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR 6ELCRO CLOSURE TO THE BASKET FRONT MAKING SURE THE FRONT AND BACK PIECE LINE UP 3EW THE REMAINING PIECE JUST UNDERNEATH THE POCKET FRONT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BASKET FRONT 3TEP 4HREE 3EW THE SIDES OF THE BASKET TOGETHER 3TARTING WITH THE BASKET FRONT BEGIN SEWING TOGETHER THE SIDES OF THE BASKET TOGETHER RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER $O NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE THE STABILIZER TO THE BACK OF EACH CANVAS PIECE #ONTINUE SEWING UP EACH SIDE UNTIL YOU HAVE A LONG STRIP OF BASKET SIDE BASKET BACK BASKET SIDE AND BASKET FRONT .EXT STITCH TOGETHER THE BASKET FRONT TO THE REMAINING BASKET SIDE 3TEP &OUR -AKE "ASKET (ANDLES 4O CONSTRUCT THE BASKET HANDLES FOLD IN EACH EDGE BY v AND THEN FOLD THE STRIP IN HALF 3EW AROUND THE EDGES OF THE HANDLE
3EW THE HANDLES TO THE SIDES OF THE BASKET v INCH FROM THE TOP AND SIDES 3EW A v SQUARE ON THE HANDLE AND THEN MAKE AN 8 THROUGH THE CENTER TO ENSURE ITS NOT GOING ANYWHERE 3TEP &IVE #ONSTRUCT BASKET BOTTOM 4HE lRST STEP TO MAKING THE BASKET BOTTOM IS TO SEW DOWN THE EXTRA HEAVY WEIGHT STABILIZER TO THE WRONGSIDE OF THE BASKET BOTTOM 4O DO THIS CENTER THE 0ELTEX ON THE BASKET BOTTOM AND STITCH AROUND THE EDGES
BASKET BOTTOM STABILIZER UNDERNEATH
.EXT PIN THE BASKET BOTTOM IN PLACE AROUND THE BOTTOM EDGES OF THE BASKET RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3EW TOGETHER 9OU NOW HAVE A BASKET SHAPE THAT IS WONDERFULLY STABLE AND READY TO BE LINED 3TEP 3IX 3EW BASKET LINING 4O CONSTRUCT THE BASKET LINER lRST SEW DOWN THE FRONT AND BACK PIECE RIGHTSIDES TOGETHER TO THE MIDDLE OF THE BASKET BOTTOMSIDE PIECE AS SHOWN BELOW
.EXT PIN AND SEW UP THE SIDES OF THE LINING TO CONSTRUCT THE BASKET SHAPE
0LACE LINING IN BASKET WRONG SIDES TOGETHER AND PIN IN PLACE "ASTE STITCH AROUND THE TOP OF THE BASKET AS CLOSE TO THE EDGE AS POSSIBLE TRIM SEAM 3TEP 3EVEN #ONSTRUCT DRAWSTRING TOP 4O MAKE THE DRAWSTRING TOP OF THE BASKET lRST MAKE THE CASING FOR THE TWILL TAPE -EASURE v IN FROM BOTH SIDES v DOWN ON BOTH ENDS MARK WITH A PENCIL 4HE v SPACE AT THE TOP WILL BECOME YOUR TWILL TAPE CASING !T THE MARK YOU JUST MADE MAKE A v LONG CUT v DOWN FROM THE TOP ON BOTH ENDS 2EPEAT FOR THE TOP BACK &OLD OVER THIS SMALL RECTANGULAR PIECE ON TO THE WRONGSIDE OF THE WRONG SIDE TOP AND SEW DOWN AT THE FOLDED EDGE
3EW UP SIDES OF YOUR DRAWSTRING TOP v IN FROM THE SIDES TO LINE UP THE EDGE OF THE DRAWSTRING POCKET 4RIM SEAM
WRONG SIDE
!TTACH ONE END OF YOUR TWILL TAPE TO A SAFETY PIN AND CAREFULLY THREAD IT THROUGH THE CASING TURNING AND GOING THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE SO THE ENDS MEET WHERE YOU STARTED +NOT BOTH ENDS OF YOUR TWILL TAPE TOGETHER AND TRIM EXCESS
0ULL KNOTTED END THROUGH CASING TOP UNTIL YOU HAVE LOOPS ON EITHER END 4HIS WILL HIDE THE DEVILISHLY UGLY KNOT 3TEP %IGHT 0IN THE DRAWSTRING TOP TO THE BASKET BY LINING UP THE RAW EDGE OF DRAWSTRING TOP WITH THE TOP BASTED EDGE OF THE BASKET 0IN WRONGSIDE OF DRAWSTRING TOP TO RIGHTSIDE OF BASKET LINING 0IN AND SEW IN PLACE 3TEP .INE 4HE LAST STEP IS TO PIN THE 7RIGHTS $OUBLE &OLD %XTRA 7IDE "IAS 4APE ONTO THE TOP EDGE OF THE BASKET 3EW AROUND THE TOP EDGE FOLDING UNDER THE BIAS TAPE WHERE THE BEGINNING AND END MEETS
&OLD OVER THE CASING INTO THIRDS AND STITCH ALONG THE BOTTOM 2EPEAT FOR THE OTHER SIDE
"OOK #OVER 4HE MEASUREMENTS IN THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR A BOOK COVER IDENTICAL TO THE ONE IN THIS BOOK )F YOUR BOOKS ARE A DIFFERENT SIZE USE THEIR MEASUREMENTS PLUS v SEAM
3TEP &OUR 7ITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER MACHINE STITCH BOTH PIECES OF THE mAP # TOGETHER LEAVING ONE OF THE SMALLER SIDE OPEN #LIP THE BOTTOM CORNERS AND TURN IT RIGHT SIDE OUT
#
ALLOWANCE ALL THE WAY AROUND -ATERIALS
YARD OF PRINTED FABRIC FOR BOOKCOVER EXTERIOR
LARGE SCRAP OF SOLID MATCHING FABRIC FOR BINDING SECTION AND VELCRO mAP
YARD OF SOLID FABRIC FOR BOOKCOVER INTERIOR
6ELCRO
3TEP /NE #UT YOUR PIECES OUT MEASUREMENTS HERE INCLUDE A v SEAM ALLOWANCE
0IECE ! v X v #UT FROM THE EXTERIOR FABRIC CUT FROM INTERIOR FABRIC
0IECE " v X v #UT FROM INTERIOR FABRIC
0IECE # v X v #UT FROM SOLID FABRIC
0IECE $ v X v #UT FROM SOLID FABRIC
3TEP &IVE 7ITH THE COVER EXTERIOR RIGHT SIDE UP PIN THE mAP TO THE CENTER OF ONE SIDE OF THE COVER EXTERIOR THE lNISHED EDGE SHOULD BE IN THE CENTER
#
EXTERIOR RIGHT SIDE
4AKE BOTH 0IECE "S AND FOLD THEM IN HALF LENGTHWISE 0IN THESE TO EACH SIDE OF THE EXTERIOR FABRIC MAKING SURE THE FOLDED PART LIES TO THE CENTER
"
FOLD
"
h
3TEP 4WO /N PIECE ! TRACE A LINE AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM SEAM ALLOWANCES TO MARK THE CENTER OF THE PIECE
$
&INALLY PIN THE INSIDE FABRIC ON TOP OF THE OTHER PIECES RIGHT SIDE DOWN !
3TEP 3IX 3EW AROUND ALL FOUR SIDES LEAVING A v HOLE AT THE BOTTOM CENTER TO TURN YOUR COVER #LIP THE CORNERS AND TURN RIGHT
/N PIECE $ MARK THE CENTER LINE AND DRAW THE SEAM ALLOWANCE LINE ON THE LONG SIDES ON THE WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4HREE &OLD OVER THE SIDES OF PIECE $ ON THE SEAM ALLOWANCE LINE AND BASTE THEM IN PLACE 0IN IT TO THE COVER EXTERIOR USING THE CENTER MARKINGS AS A GUIDELINE -ACHINE STITCH UP BOTH SIDES 2EMOVE THE BASTING STITCHES FROM $
$
!
SIDE OUT 3LIP STITCH THE TURNING HOLE CLOSED 3TEP 3EVEN #UT TWO SMALL PIECES OF VELCRO AND BACKSTITCH ONE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE mAP AND THE OTHER TO THE BOOK COVER -AKE SURE TO ONLY CATCH ONE LAYER OF FABRIC WHEN YOU SEW THEM ONE SO YOU WONT SEE THE STITCHES ON THE OTHER SIDE 9OUR BOOKCOVER IS NOW lNISHED
VELCRO
3EE PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND OTHER PATTERN PIECE
.EEDLE #ASE
3TEP &OUR 0LACE 0IECE RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER WITH DIAGONAL EDGES LINED UP AND SEW ALL AROUND FOUR SIDES LEAVING A SMALL OPENING TO TURN INSIDE OUT
-ATERIALS
0IECE v X v OUTSIDE PIECE
0IECE v X v INSIDE PIECE
0IECE v X v POCKET FOR NEEDLES
0IECE v X v INNER mAP TO PROTECT NEEDLE
v OF RIBBON OR TWILL TAPE 3TEP /NE 0IECE 3TART WITH THE mAP THAT KEEPS THE NEEDLES FROM FALLING OUT &OLD IT IN HALF RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER SO IT MEASURES v X v )RON mAT AND SEW A SEAM ALL THE WAY AROUND LEAVING A SMALL OPENING TO TURN PIECE INSIDE OUT !FTER SEWING SEAM TURN INSIDE OUT AND IRON mAT
WRONG SIDE
3TEP 4WO 4UCK IN OPENING AND CLOSE THEN SEW ANOTHER SEAM ALL AROUND ON RIGHT SIDE TO CLOSE HOLE AND mATTEN ALL EDGES
RIGHT SIDE
3TEP 4HREE 0IECE &OLD THIS PIECE IN HALF RIGHT SIDES OUT TO MEASURE v X v 7ITH THE FOLD AT THE TOP TAKE A RULER AND MEASURE v DOWN ONE OF THE INCH SIDES AND MARK 0LACE ONE END OF YOUR RULER AT v MARK AND THE OTHER END AT TOP CORNER OF OTHER v SIDE #UT A DIAGONAL LINE FROM TOP CORNER TO v MARK 3AVE CUT OFF PIECE
3TEP &IVE )RON mAT ONCE TURNED INSIDE OUT 4UCK IN OPEN HOLE AND SEW AGAIN AROUND FOUR EDGES TO CLOSE AND mATTEN ALL EDGES AS YOU DID IN 3TEP 4WO 3TEP 3IX 4AKE A RULER AND DETERMINE WHERE YOU PIECE RIGHT SIDE WANT ALL THE LITTLE POCKETS TO BE FOR YOUR NEEDLES -ARK THESE LINES WITH TAILORS CHALK -AKE SOME BIG AND SOME SMALL 9OU CAN MAKE ONE BIG ENOUGH TO KEEP SCISSORS OR PENCILS AS WELL ,AY THIS PIECE PIECE RIGHT SIDE 0IECE RIGHT SIDE UP ONTO 0IECE ALSO RIGHT SIDE UP AND SEW DOWN THE LINES YOU DREW THUS ATTACHING THE TWO TOGETHER 3TEP 3EVEN 4AKE THE CUT OFF TRIANGLE FROM 3TEP AND TURN IT RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER 3EW EDGES CLOSED LEAVING HOLE TO TURN INSIDE OUT 4URN AND PUSH THE POINT OUT CAREFULLY )RON mAT STITCH AROUND THE EDGES AND LINE UP mAT EDGE WITH mAT EDGE OF PIECE THE mAP 3EW IN ALONG JOINING EDGE
FOLD PIECE
v CUT
v
RAW EDGES
3TEP %IGHT "ODY OF CASE 0LACE 0IECE OUTSIDE PIECE AND 0IECE INSIDE PIECE RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER AND SEW ALL AROUND LEAVING A SMALL OPENING TO TUN INSIDE OUT $O SO AND IRON mAT 4UCK IN OPENING AND SEW A SEAM AGAIN ALL AROUND EDGES TO CLOSE HOLE AND mATTEN PIECE
3TEP %LEVEN &IND THE MIDDLE OF YOUR RIBBON OR TWILL TAPE AND HAND SEW THIS IN PLACE OVER THE MARK .OW WHEN YOU ROLL UP YOUR CASE YOU CAN BRING THE RIBBON AROUND TO THE FRONT AND TIE IT IN A BOW TO SECURE THE ROLL
3TEP .INE 3EW TOP EDGE OF THE NEEDLE PROTECTOR mAP TO TOP EDGE OF BODY
NEEDLE PROTECTOR
MIDDLE OF RIBBON SEWN TO BACK OF CASE
POCKETS
3TEP 4EN &ILL YOUR CASE WITH NEEDLE AND ROLL IT UP -AKE A MARK ON THE ROLL WHERE YOURE GOING TO SEW YOUR RIBBON )T SHOULD BE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROLL AS THE OPENING
MAKE MARK HERE HALFWAY DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE CASE
3TARTING 9OUR /WN "LOG *OIN )N
,INK 9OUR 7AY TO &AME
3O YOU WANT TO JOIN US ON THE WEB EH !S YOU CAN TELL EVERYBODY IN THIS BOOK LOVES KEEPING A BLOG BOTH AS AN OUTLET FOR THEIR THOUGHTS AS WELL AS A SORT OF SHOWCASE FOR THEIR WORK !ND MOST OF ALL WE LOVE lNDING NEW BLOGS TO ADD TO OUR DAILY READS
9OU MIGHT THINK THAT HAVING A LIST OF LINKS ON YOUR BLOG WOULD SEND PEOPLE AWAY AND WE DONT WANT THAT "UT ACTUALLY LINKS CAN SAY A LOT ABOUT A PERSON )F YOUR LINKS ARE LIKE MINE IT TURNS OUT WE LIKE THE SAME PEOPLE AND PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME TASTES )F THEYRE NOT HOORAY n .EW BLOGS TO CHECK OUT %VEN MORE IMPORTANTLY LINKS CAN GET YOU NOTICED BY THE PEOPLE YOURE LINKING TO )F THEY SEE YOUVE LINKED TO THEM THEYRE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO CHECK OUT YOUR BLOG AND LINK BACK TO YOU THOUGH THIS ISNT GUARANTEED ,INKS ALSO PLACE YOUR BLOG WITHIN THE NETWORK WITHOUT THEM YOURE mOATING OUT THERE ON YOUR OWN
)F YOUVE NEVER SET UP A WEBSITE BEFORE YOUR BEST BET IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MANY ON LINE JOURNAL WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN SIMPLY JOIN UP AND START BLOGGING ! FEW OF THE MOST POPULAR OF THESE SITES ARE "LOGGER HTTPWWWBLOGGERCOM ,IVEJOURNAL HTTPWWW LIVEJOURNALCOM AND 4YPEPAD HTTPWWWTYPEPAD COM "LOGGER AND ,IVEJOURNAL ARE BOTH FREE TO JOIN AND 4YPEPAD HAS A MONTHLY FEE DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF SERVICE AND FUNCTIONALITY YOU WANT -ANY PEOPLE ARE NOW SWITCHING TO 4YPEPAD THE NEWEST OF THE THREE DESPITE THE FEE AS SOME OF THEIR FEATURES ARE UNIQUE TO THEIR SERVICE /NCE YOUVE CHOSEN AND JOIN UP THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO THINK ABOUT REGARDING YOUR CONTENT AND DESIGN #HANCES ARE YOULL BE USING A READY MADE TEMPLATE FOR YOUR BLOG BUT THAT DOESNT REALLY HAVE TO DETERMINE THE LOOK OR POPULARITY OF YOUR SITE NOT THAT THIS IS A POPULARITY CONTEST 4HESE ARE MY TIPS
5SE 0HOTOS ,OTS OF PHOTOS !S CRAFTERS WERE ALL QUITE VISUAL PEOPLE AND WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOUVE BEEN UP TO )T MIGHT NOT BE FAIR BUT YOULL PROBABLY lND IT MUCH MORE DIFlCULT TO HOOK NEW READERS IF THEYRE PRESENTED WITH BLOCK AFTER BLOCK OF TEXT AND NO IMAGES 3ITES LIKE &LICKR HTTPWWWmICKRCOM ARE MAKING IT VERY EASY TO UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD SO DONT BE HESITANT 9OU DONT HAVE TO POST PICTURES OF YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY BUT IF YOURE DESCRIBING THE NEW TEA COSY YOUVE MADE BY ALL MEANS SHOW IT TO US FROM EVERY ANGLE
#OMMENT !N EVEN MORE IMMEDIATE WAY TO GET NOTICED IS TO COMMENT ON OTHER BLOGS 7ERE ALL A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS TO SHARE OURSELVES WITH THE WORLD SO WHEN SOMEBODY LEAVES A GLOWING COMMENT WERE DELIGHTED AND INTERESTED TO KNOW WHO LEFT IT -AKE SURE YOU lLL IN YOUR NAME AND WEB ADDRESS WHEN LEAVING A COMMENT AND YOU CAN BE ALMOST POSITIVE THAT THE BLOGGER WILL VISIT YOUR SITE EVEN IF THEY DONT MAKE THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN /PENING COMMENTS ON YOUR OWN BLOG CAN BE NERVE WRACKING 4HERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT n 7ILL PEOPLE LEAVE HURTFUL COMMENTS 7ILL THEY LEAVE NO COMMENTS $OES THAT MEAN THEY DONT LIKE ME $ONT THEY EVEN KNOW )M OUT HERE )T PROBABLY IS TRUE THAT YOULL HAVE ONLY A FEW COMMENTS WHEN YOU lRST GET GOING BUT STICK WITH IT 9OURE THE ONLY PERSON WHOS GOING TO PROMOTE YOUR BLOG SO GET OUT THERE AND DO IT n NOT OVERTLY BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR PEOPLE SAYING @,OOK AT MY NEW WEBSITE ,OOK n BUT BY LEAVING COMMENTS FOR OTHERS AND LINKING TO THEM )F YOURE SUPPORTIVE OF OTHERS THEYLL WANT TO SUPPORT YOU TOO YOU CAN ALMOST COUNT ON IT 4HE COMMUNITY OF CRAFTY BLOGGERS IS BUILT UPON OUR DESIRE TO SHARE AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND THERES ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE
2ESOURCES 9ARN 5+
(ANDMADE 3HOPS
(IP +NITS WWWHIPKNITSCOUK ,OOP WWWLOOPGBCOM
0LAIN -ABEL WWWPLAINMABELCOM
'ET +NITTED WWWGETKNITTEDCOM
#UT 0ASTE WWWCUTXPASTECOM
4EXERE 9ARNS WWWTEXERECOUK
&RED &LARE WWWFREDmARECOM
53 (ANDPAINTEDYARN WWWHANDPAINTEDYARNCOM !USTRALIA -ARTAS 9ARNS WWWMARTASYARNSCOMAU
&ABRIC AND .OTIONS 5+ ,IBERTY 2EGENT 3TREET ,ONDON !NTIQUE !NGEL WWWANTIQUEANGELCOUK +LEINS WWWKLEINSCOUK %ARTHENWOOD 3TUDIOS WWWEARTHENWOODSTUDIO COM 3TITCH IN 4IME WWWSTITCHINTIMEUKCOM 53 7EIR $OLLS WWWWEIRDOLLSCOM 2EPRODEPOT &ABRICS WWWREPRODEPOTFABRICSCOM +ITTY #RAFT WWWKITTY CRAFTCOM
!USTRALIA 0RINTS #HARMING WWWPRINTSCHARMINGCOMAU
!CKNOWLEDGEMENTS )D LIKE TO OFFER HUGE THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS BOOK AND EVERYBODY WHO SUPPORTED US ALONG THE WAY .ONE OF US WOULD BE CREATING AND CRAFTING THE WAY WE DO IF IT WERENT FOR THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES -Y PERSONAL THANKS GO TO #ARA 2ODWAY WHO WAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC MODEL FOR MANY OF THE PHOTOS IN THIS BOOK !ND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY INCLUDING MY MOTHER WHO LOOKED OVER THE PATTERNS AND MADE SURE WE GOT EVERYTHING RIGHT
/THER .OTES 4HE PHOTOS IN THE CONTRIBUTOR SECTIONS ARE COPYRIGHT THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS !LL OTHER PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT 3NOWBOOKS ,TD 9OU MAY NOT REPRODUCE ANY OF THE PATTERNS IN THIS BOOK FOR COMMERCIAL USE 7E HOPE YOU ENJOY MAKING THE PROJECTS WEVE INCLUDED BUT YOU MAY NOT SELL ANY ITEMS YOU MAKE FOLLOWING THESE PATTERNS
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