Tabla de contenidos para April 2024/May 2024 en Australian Homespun

Welcome to the April issue, where we share some snuggly projects that are perfect for the autumn weather. From patchwork quilts to felt ornaments, coverlets to cushions, cross stitch to appliqué and knitting to pom-pom crafts – there are a lot of choices to keep your hands busy and your minds calm. Veronique Diligent has designed a practical and gorgeous pouch that features sweet embroideries stitched with her new range of Cottage Garden Threads stranded embroidery threads. Margaret Shingles won first prize in the Coverlet category at the 2023 Queensland Quilters’ quilt show. She shares the instructions to make her glorious coverlet using English paper piecing. You can take your love of patchwork and appliqué to another level with the Avonleigh Wallhanging designed by Linda Haigh. Monique Bubendorfer shares the…

FIRST LIGHT A new quilter's ruler launched earlier this year is perfect for those of us whose eyesight isn't quite what it used to be or for use whenever the ambient lighting in your crafting area isn't ideal. The Glow Ruler is a 6in square ruler for quiltmakers that lights up. LED lights in the base reflect on the etched lines in the acrylic to put light exactly where you need it — on the lines marked on the ruler. It's ideal for fussy cutting fabric and trimming half-square triangle units among other things. The battery can be recharged using a USB cord. To see the ruler in action, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=magtDzpAX9c DYING ARTS New research traditional heritage crafts, has identified more traditional crafts on the verge of extinction in…

Véronqiue Diligent, Véronique's Quilt Designs — Instagram: Wattlebirdvero; Website: veroniquesquiltdesigns.com.au MATERIALS • One square, 12in linen/ cotton (embroidery) • 40cm (1/2yd) fabric (front and back bag) • 40cm (1/2yd) lining fabric • One square, 30cm (12in) fusible stabiliser • Frixion fabric-marking pen (or similar) • 35cm (14in) zipper • 40cm (1/2yd) fusible lightweight batting (bag lining) • Cottage Garden Threads stranded cotton: King Parrot (VD02), Ginger Lily (VD05), Hakea Pincushion (VD07), Paper Daisy (VD09), Lovebird (VD10), Lady Slipper (VD12), Hummingbird (VD15), Canard (VD17), Silvereye (VD19), Wompoo Dove (VD20), Sizzler (VD22), Bowerbird (VD23), Gentiane (VD24), Blue Banded Bee (VD25), Flamingo (VD27), Pink Galah (VD28), Truffe (VD29) • Cottage Garden Threads stranded cotton: Bon Voyage (PB03), Snow (FJ08), Conservatory (JK12), Grapefruit (LM12), Fern (LM15), Allium (LM17), Carrot Seed (310), Buttercup (316), Tulip…

This coverlet makes the perfect summer bed cover. Margaret Shingles — Email: shingles@iinet.net.au MATERIALS • 1m (1¼yd) grey fabric (squares/background) • Assorted scraps to total approximately 3m (3⅜yd): each scrap should be big enough for four honeycomb shapes • Pre-cut papers for English paper piecing: 144, 1½in honeycombs, 289, 1½in squares — see Note (optional) • Template plastic and permanent marking pen • Frixion fabric marker pen • 4m (4¾yd) backing fabric • Size 26 chenille needle • Lion Brand Rayon Bamboo yarn: 2 balls (crocheted edging) • 3.5mm (E/4 US/9 UK) crochet hook • General sewing supplies Finished size: 162cm (64in) square Note: The honeycomb shapes are unusual and if you wish to purchase pre-cut papers, you can contact Adelaide Hills Crafts by email: kyliemos@yahoo.com.au or by phone: 0409 946 548. Read…

Anette Eriksson, Anette Eriksson Designs — Email: info@anetteeriksson.com; Website: www.anetteeriksson.com MATERIALS • Anette Eriksson Eco Cotton 100g balls: white 2 (3 3 4 4 5), greymarl 2 (3 3 4 4 5) • One pair of 8mm (11 US/ 0 UK) knitting needles • Four buttons 18mm (1⅓in) diameter • Yarn needle Sizes: S (M L XL XXL XXXL) Bust: 90 (96 106 116 130 140) cm [35½ (38 42 46 51 55)in] Note: The cardigan is worked with one strand of white and one strand of greymarl yarn together. Read all the instructions before you start. This is a beginner/intermediate skill-level knitting project. Quantities are approximate as they can vary between knitters. Check the ball bands to ensure all yarn of the same colour is from the same dye lot. ABBREVIATIONS…

BRIGHT & BOLD COZY MODERN QUILTS Kim Schaefer Kim Schaefer is back with even more ways to infuse your home with fresh colour and modern flair with her new innovative and irresistible designs. Whether you're a new sewer or a dedicated quilter, you'll love how easy and fun these quilts are to make … and you'll love the dent these projects put in your stash even more! There are 20 brand-new quilts with an impressive variety of colourways and styles. Choose from lap quilts, wallhangings or runners to cheer up your space or whip up a gift. Straight-line piecing with squares and rectangles makes it quick; bright, bold fabrics make it sophisticated. Published by C&T Publishing CROCHET SWEATERS WITH A TEXTURED TWIST: 15 TIMELESS PATTERNS FOR GORGEOUS HANDCRAFTED GARMENTS Linda…

ACT Crafty Frog Shop 4, 107 Marconi Crescent, Kambah 2902 Ph: (02) 6296 6240 shop.crafty.frog@gmail.com craftyfrog.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–3.30pm The Sewing Shoppe 6/51 Tennant Street, Fyshwick 2609 Ph: (02) 6239 1214 sales@sewingshoppe.com.au www.sewingshoppe.com.au Open: Wed–Sun 10am–4pm NSW SYDNEY Banksia Yarns 3c East Market Street, Richmond 2753 Ph: (02) 4505 1615 shop@banksiayarns.com.au www.banksiayarns.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm Bumble Bee Designs Ph: 0414 264 953 bumblebeedesignsboutique@gmail.com www.bumblebeedesigns boutique.com Open: Online 24/7 Lyn's Fine Needlework 2/9 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills 2153 Ph: (02) 9686 2325 lynsneedlework@aol.com www.lynsfineneedlework.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm Stitch 485 Willoughby Road, Willoughby 2068 Ph: (02) 9958 6038 hello@stitchshop.com.au www.stitchshop.com.au Open: Mon–Sat 10am–4:00pm SOUTH WEST SYDNEY Sew Can I Shop 3, 21 Lavin Crescent, Werrington County 2747 Ph: (02) 9623 4570 sewcani@yahoo.com.au www.sewcani.com.au Open: Mon…

Thes e are just a few of them … MOLLIE JOHANSON I have loved creating and crafting cute things for as long as I can remember. Embroidery is my first love, but I also enjoy designing and stitching felt and crossstitch projects. My work features sweet smiling faces in unexpected places. I am the author of Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small and the Cross Stitch Celebrations series and I am a regular contributor to stitching and sewing magazines. I live near Chicago, USA, where I am often seen stitching and sipping coffee. PROJECT: Add Flowers Felt Ornaments — page 44 VERONIQUE DILIGENT I was born in Switzerland and have lived in France, but it wasn't until I moved to Melbourne, Australia, that I really expanded my business. I have…

While working on a traditional goldwork piece, Katherine Diuguid's eye was drawn to her piles of castoff pieces — bits of damaged and tarnished threads and wires that she puts aside. The castoff pieces reminded her of the dandelions her son would lovingly pick for her when he was little. Katherine was inspired to preserve the beauty of these delicate flowers, along with other overlooked weeds and roadside plants, in intricate embroideries with shimmering golden tones. Katherine starts by foraging, drawing and sketching the weeds and wildflowers from around North Carolina, USA, where she lives. Once she has her sketch, she then samples different textile techniques and methods. “Sometimes the samples are like a mini-piece and other times it's just small test runs on scraps,” she explains. “I sample a…

Monique Bubendorfer, Make it Sew — Facebook: makeithobbyncraft; Instagram: makeitsewbrisbane; Email: makeithobbyncraft@gmail.com MATERIALS • 2.2m (2½yd) background fabric (background and binding). Monique used Dazzle by Jason Yenter 6JYP-3 • One layer cake. Monique used Dit Dot Evolution by Jason Yenter OR 36 squares, 10in of assorted coloured fabrics — see Note • 3m (3⅜yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 1.5m (59in) square • Rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat • General sewing supplies Finished size: 137cm (54in) square Block size: 9in square Note: If you are using assorted fabrics, choose six squares of aqua/teals, five squares of greens, five squares of blues, five squares of reds, five squares of purples, five squares of oranges and five squares of yellows. Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that…

Linda Haigh Designs, The Patchwork Cow — Email: linda@thepatchworkcow.com.au; Website: www.thepatchworkcow.com.au; Facebook: The patchwork Cow; Instagram: @ lindahaighdesigns MATERIALS • 90cm (1yd) beige patterned fabric (outside background and border) • 35cm (⅜yd) cream patterned fabric (inner background diamond) • 65cm (¼yd) brown fabric (binding and appliqué) • Four green/blues scraps to total 25cm (¼yd) • 35cm (½yd) brown floral scraps: three creams, two dark pink/burgundy, one dark brown • 95cm (1yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 105 × 120cm (41 × 47in) • Semi water-soluble iron-on appliqué paper — one packet of 10 sheets, see Note • Lead pencil • Sewline glue pen • Roxanne appliqué glue or pins • Milliners needles • Bottom Line thread: Taupe #617 • Bias bars: ¼in and ½in (optional) • Invisible thread:…

PART 2 Welcome to the 2024 Homespun Block of the Month! The quilt is full of cupcakes and party hats, monkeys, ducks, cats and elephants enjoying time with their favourite friends at tea parties with bunches of flowers, sunshine and lollipops. In the second instalment, we share the instructions for Two-patch and Four-patch blocks, Square in a Square blocks, circle blocks, three appliqué blocks, a triangle border and two stitcheries. Designed and stitched by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched — Website: www.hatchedandpatched.com.au; Email: info@hatchedandpatched.com.au; Instagram: @hatchedandpatched Machine quilted by Melissa Clinghan of Sew Quilted – Instagram: @sew.quilted Proudly brought to you by Sponsored by Stitch along with us on our special Facebook group Homespun Block of the Month 2024 – Sunshine & Lollipops Finished size: 184cm (72½in) square Stitches…

LIBERTY + LINEN TABLECLOTH Finding a round tablecloth to suit your colour palette can be quite a challenge — so why not create your own beautiful Liberty + Gingham version? The Liberty fabric around the edge adds a touch of luxe and really pops against the timeless gingham. Grab your sewing machine and scissors and knock this one out of the park in an afternoon with the simple, quick tutorial suitable for even a beginner sewer. Visit The Strawberry Thief blog for step-by-step instructions: www.thestrawberrythief.com.au/gingham-liberty-round-tablecloth…

Please notify us at least four months before the event. New South Wales April 27–28 Queanbeyan Queanbeyan Quilters’ Exhibition of Quilts Bicentennial Hall, 253 Crawford St, Queanbeyan More information: queanbeyanquilters@gmail.com May 3 – June 23 Windsor The New Quilt 2024 Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, 300 George St, Windsor More information: thenewquilt@quiltnsw.com July 3–6 Sydney Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair and The Australian Quilt Show ICC Sydney, Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour More information: www.craftfair.com.au July 19–21 Beecroft The Eastwood Patchwork Quilters’ Quilt Exhibition Roselea Community Centre, 645–671 Pennant Hills Road, Beecroft More information: www.eastwoodpatchworkquilters.com August 23–25 Wangi Wangi Wangi Quilters’ Club Biennial Quilt Show Wangi District Workers' Club, 11–19 Market Street, Wangi Wangi More information: wangiquilters@gmail.com Queensland May 2024 Redcliffe Henzell Street Quilters’ Biennial Quilt Show Redcliffe Showground, Webb Street, Redcliffe More…

Mollie Johanson, Mollie Johanson Embroidery — Email: molliejohanson@gmail.com; Instagram: @molliejohanson; Website: www.molliejohanson.com MATERIALS • Wool or wool blend felt in two shades of green, two shades of pink and light blue • Stranded embroidery thread in matching shades of green, dark pink, yellow and black • Pencil • Freezer paper • Iron • Scissors • Pinking shears • Tracing paper • Embroidery needle • Washable glue (optional) Finished size: 8cm (3⅛in) diameter Stitches used: Backstitch, detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, French knots, running stitch, scallop stitch Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Instructions are given for using the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can also download the digital patterns and print them out. Instead of making a separate ornament with embroidery, you can add the embroidery to…

Janeene Scott, Passionately Sewn — Email: passionatelysewn@gmail.com; Website: www.passionatelysewn.com.au; Instagram: passionatelysewn MATERIALS • 55cm (⅝yd) white tone-on-tone print fabric (cushion front and back) • Fat quarter brown print fabric (heart) • 20cm (8in) square of print fabric (birds’ bodies) • 20cm (8in) square of coordinating print fabric (birds’ tail feathers) • 15cm (6in) square of coordinating print fabric (birds’ wings) • Fusible web • 40cm (16in) zipper • 45cm (18in/size 18) square cushion insert • Machine embroidery threads to match the appliqué fabrics • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with ¼in and zipper feet • General sewing supplies Finished size: 44.5cm (17½in) square Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Materials and instructions are given for one cushion. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. The…

Nesting seams Getting seams to align when sewing units and rows together can be tricky. Especially when sewing points. Having your seams pressed in opposite directions is the key to nesting seams! When you are sewing blocks, such as a two, four or nine patch, that are made of rows within the block, you need to press the seams in each ‘row’ in opposite directions. When you sew the rows together to make the block, you place two of the rows right sides together – with the seams facing in different directions. Slide the meeting seams left to right with your forefinger and thumb, until you feel them butt together snuggly. Carefully place a pin at this meeting point, ¼in from the raw edges. Fit and pin each set of…