Indholdsfortegnelse for February/March 2025 i Australian Homespun

The last five years have been such fun and joy as I prepared and presented 26 issues of Homespun magazine. My first issue was in late 2019 and this, my last, in early 2025. Time has been marching on and the dream of semi-retirement has been looming, so this is goodbye. From the next issue you will have the talented and experienced Jo Cooper as editor and I am sure she will have as much fun as I did and that you will enjoy her content. In this last issue I have pulled together some interesting projects – from a quilt specially designed to showcase all the prints from the recent Untamed range by Tula Pink, through to a functional and gorgeously made summer pouch. There is also a tote…

IT TAKES BALLS TO KNIT Do you recall British diver Tom Daley, who captured global attention for knitting in the stands while waiting for his event at the Tokyo Olympics (where he claimed a gold medal)? He was in Paris at last year's Olympics (a silver medal this time) – and yes, knitting again. Building on his celebrity, Daley staged an immersive knitting exhibition in Tokyo last November. It showcased 20 pieces created for the theme ‘Made with Love’, which is also the name of his range of yarns. Visitors were invited to knit their own simple pieces, guided by Daley in on-screen tutorials, and either take them home or stick them on a community board at the venue. Daley hoped those who attended the exhibition would be inspired to…

MATERIALS • 20cm (8in) square of white linen fabric • 20cm (8in) square of thin batting • 20cm (8in) square of acid-free cardboard • Ballpoint pen • Paper • Size 24 chenille needle • 20cm (8in) embroidery hoop • 15cm (6in) plastic embroidery hoop (display) • Acid-free craft glue • DMC stranded embroidery threads: Alizarin Powder (22), Medium Pink (223), Medium Blue Green (503), Dark Beige Brown (839), Dark Antique Blue (930), Medium Golden Brown (976), Dark Forest Green (987), Dark Straw (3820) • General sewing supplies Finished size: 15cm (6in) Stitches used: Chain stitch, detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, fly stitch, French knot, herringbone stitch, leaf stitch, satin stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch Notes: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Use six strands of embroidery floss for the stitching.…

MATERIALS • 1.4m (1½yd) Peacock solid fabric • 2.5m (2¾yd) Scuba solid fabric • 1.5m (1⅔yd) Misty solid fabric • 4m (5yd) backing fabric • Template plastic and permanent marker • Batting at least 160 × 205cm (62 × 80in) • General sewing supplies Finished size: 137 × 183cm (54 × 72in) Note: Fabrics are from the Riley Blake Confetti Cotton range. Read all the instructions before starting the project. A seam allowance of ¼in is used throughout. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabrics 107cm (42in) wide. Instructions are given for using the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can also download the digital patterns from www.homespun.net.au and print them out. CUTTING AND PREPARATION 1 Trace Template 1 and 2 from the…

Part 2 Welcome to the final part of our Better Together quilt. Last issue, in Part One, we featured blocks from rows one and three and in this issue we share rows two and four, as well as the instructions for assembly and finishing. Better Together was conceived as a special project to recognise the valuable role crafting can play in supporting our mental health and raise funds for Beyond Blue and the important work they do in this area. Our design team worked to the theme of ‘slow stitching’ and we hope you can enjoy some slow stitching of your own with this project. How you can get involved The finished quilt will be raffled at the very popular Craft Alive Sydney event on February 15, 2025 at Rosehill…

ONLINE Molly Bear Designs Ph: 0488 136 961 mollybeardesigns@hotmail.com mollybeardesigns.etsy.com Open: 24/7 Online The Maker's Stash Ph: 0414 543 858 www.themakersstash.com Open: 24/7 Online ACT Crafty Frog Shop 4, 107 Marconi Crescent, Kambah 2902 Ph: (02) 6296 6240 shop.crafty.frog@gmail.com www.craftyfrog.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–3.30pm 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.bumblebeedesignsboutique.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 BLUE MTNS & BEYOND Hobbysew Orange 221 Peisley Street, Orange 2800 Ph: (02) 6361 7420 patriciajcole@gmail.com FB: Hobbysew Orange Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm Post Office Patchwork 33 Ross Street, Glenbrook…

Best cross stitch Designer: Amanda Halliday, Wanderling Stitches Contact: www.wanderlingstitches.com, @wanderlingstitches (Instagram) Best embroidered pendant Designer: Jennifer Walker, Poppy Stitch Studio Contact: PoppyStitchStudio.etsy.com, @poppystitch (Instagram) Best needle felting kit Designer: Katie Bergin, Bergin & Bath Contact: berginandbath.etsy.com, www.berginandbath.co.uk, @weareberginandbath (Instagram)…

With her quirky animal designs mixed with traditional patterns and punchy colour palettes, Tula Pink's ideas may seem a little obscure on paper. But with her unique vision and creative talents, these elements are cohesive and completely charming when they come together in her finished fabric collections. Tula is an illustrator, a fabric designer, a quilter, an author and a maker. Along with developing multiple fabric collections each year, she also has a line of craft products including scissors, ribbons, threads and sewing machines. Whether it be for work or her own personal enjoyment, Tula also loves to sew, and sew and then sew some more! As Tula explains, it was sewing and patchwork that first captured her heart. “I love everything about quilting. I love choosing and prepping fabrics.…

MATERIALS • 32-count Buttercream hand-dyed linen — see tip for substitutions • Embroidery threads — see table for Cottage Garden Threads and DMC conversions • Tapestry needle • Embroidery scissors • Embroidery hoop or frame (optional) • 15 × 20cm (6 × 8in) frame • Sharp embroidery needle (lacing) • Perle thread or other strong thread (lacing) • Glass head pins (lacing) Finished size: 8 × 12cm (3 × 4¾in) Note: The model was stitched on 32-count Buttercream hand-dyed linen by Whoopsie Daisy Designs. Most of the threads used are from the Bookshelf range, Joanna's collaboration with Cottage Garden Threads. Two strands of embroidery thread have been used over two threads of linen for the cross stitches and one strand for the backstitches. Kits and thread packs are available from Joanna's…

MATERIALS • 1.3m (1½yd) white spot print fabric (background) • 20cm (¼yd) red stripe print fabric (Border 1) • 10cm (⅛yd) red multi-spot print fabric (Border 3 top and bottom) • 25cm (⅜yd) red spot print fabric (Border 5) • 30cm (⅜yd) navy and white print fabric (Border 6) • 30cm (⅜yd) red and white stripe print fabric (binding) • 20cm (¼yd) blue pin dot print fabric • 10cm (⅛yd) red floral print fabric • 20cm (¼yd) each of three yellow print fabrics • 10cm (⅛yd) each of two green print fabrics • 10cm (⅛yd) each of three orange print fabrics • 10cm (⅛yd) each of three turquoise print fabrics • 1.3m (1½yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 101 × 127cm (40 × 50in) • Permanent marking pen • Erasable…

MATERIALS • 30cm (⅜yd) assorted print fabrics • 50cm (⅝yd) assorted white tone-on-tone print fabrics • 55cm (⅝yd) backing fabric • 20 × 4cm (8in × 1½in) 200gsm cardboard (folded triangle template) • Coordinating 50wt thread for sewing machine • 50cm (20in) square cushion insert • Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat • Sewing machine with ¼in foot • General sewing supplies, Finished size: 50cm (20in) square Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. A seam allowance of ¼in is used throughout unless stated otherwise. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabrics 107cm (42in) wide. Many years ago, Rachaeldaisy taught Carol how to make folded triangles and she is grateful for this skill that has resulted in her Criss Cross Cushion creation. CAROL'S…

MODERN IMPROV QUILTING: Be the Boss of Your Design Laura Veenema Embrace the joy of improvisation as you create quilts and quilted projects, including duffel and crossbody bags, that are truly one-of-a-kind! This book is an introduction, guide and step-by-step manual for giving you the skills to create modern improvisational quilts and projects that range in difficulty from easy-peasy to fiddly-and-still-fun. You'll learn three improvisational techniques that take you from start to finish as you complete your first modern improv project. Choose which technique is right for you based on scale, colour and shape. Then put those techniques to work and create a quilt, a bag or a set of holiday stockings! Also included is guidance on building perfect and unique colour palettes that complement the modern improv process. Published…

Adelaide Hills Crafts Email: kylie@adelaidehillscrafts.com.au, website: www.adelaidehillscrafts.com Australian Yarn Company Ph: (03) 5442 4673, website: www.ausyarnco.com.au Banksia Yarns Ph: (02) 4506 1615, website: www.banksiayarns.com.au Bernina Australia Ph: 1800 237 646, website: www.bernina.com.au Bumble Bee Designs Ph: 0414 264 953, website: www.bumblebeedesignsboutique.com Craft Alive Ph: 1300 192 633, website: www.craftalive.com.au Crafty Frog Ph: (02) 6296 6240, website: www.craftyfrog.com.au Creature Crafts Ph: (03) 5752 1494, website: www.creaturecrafts.net.au Dragonfly Fabrics Ph: (08) 3889 6024, website: www.dragonfabric.com.au Faeries in my Garden Ph: (07) 3869 0808, website: www.faeriesinmygarden.com.au Hen Tea Craft Store Ph: 0414 581 620, website: braidcraft.etsy.com House of Patchwork Ph: +64 9 420 6355, Facebook: House of Patchwork Janome Website: www.janome.com.au Jemima's Creative Quilting Ph: (03) 9308 2699, website: www.jemimascreativequilting.com Kookaburra Quilts Ph: 0439 247 700, website: www.kookaburraquilts.com.au Knot Knitting Ph: 0411 452 591, website:…

Please notify us at least four months before the event. New South Wales February 13–15 Rosehill Craft Alive Exhibition Hall, Rosehill Enter via Grand Avenue, Gate 1, Rosehill More information: www.craftalive.com.au Queensland August 7–9 Bundaberg Bundaberg Quilters' Biennial Quilt Exhibition Bundaberg Multiplex Sport & Convention Centre 1 Civic Avenue, Bundaberg Victoria March 1 Terang Terang Quilt Show Presbyterian Church Hall High Street, Terang More information: Margaret (03) 5592 1354 or marmac51@hotmail.com April 10–13 Melbourne Australian Quilt Show Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens, Melbourne More information: www.aqc.com.au “A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.” –ELIZABETH GILBERT…

MATERIALS • One fat quarter each of fabrics A–H (flower bulbs) – one fat quarter will yield two blocks requiring fussy cutting • One fat eighth each of fabrics I–Q (flower petals) – one fat eighth will yield two blocks • 45cm (⅝yd) fabric R (flowerpots) • 35cm (⅜yd) fabric S (stems and leaves) • 70cm (¾yd) fabric T (sashings and cornerstones) • 50cm (⅝yd) fabric U (setting triangles and corners) • 25cm (⅜yd) fabric V (setting triangles and corners) • 40cm (½yd) fabric W (setting triangles and corners) • 40cm (½yd) fabric X (setting triangles and corners) • 3.2m (3½yd) white fabric (background) • 55cm (⅝yd) fabric Q (binding) • 2m (2¼yd) extra wide (275cm/108in) backing fabric • Batting at least 190cm (75in) square • Three ziplock bags • Marking pen…

MATERIALS • 30cm (12in) square of white and pink print fabric (bag back and front) • 50cm (1/2yd) pink print fabric (wrist strap, strap connector, zipper tab, lining fabric, zipper pockets, outer gusset) • 70cm (3/4yd) light-medium weight fusible interfacing such as Pellon Shapeflex SF101 or Legacy Shapeflex L-SF101 (100cm (40in) width) • Label (optional) • 40 × 50cm (15 × 20in) ByAnnie Soft and Stable Foam stabiliser (or equivalent foam) OR fusible fleece such as Pellon Thermolam 971F or Vilene H640 • Paper • 25mm (1in) swivel hook • 25mm (1in) D-ring • 38cm (15in) coordinating long pull zipper (Lisa used #4.5 YKK) • Two 18cm (7in) coordinating dress zippers • General sewing supplies • Sewing machine with ¼in in foot Finished size: 24cm (9½in) W,…

MATERIALS • Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton Yarn: two colours (C1, C2) 400g balls: one of each all sizes (Sizes use different weight yarn – see Size Chart) • Stitch markers • Scissors • Darning needle • Tape measure • Masking tape and pen Note: This project is in UK crochet terms, see conversions on the next page. This project is intermediate skill level. Squares are made in number sequence and joined ‘as you go’ as per the instructions, referring to the Pattern Layout Diagram on the Pattern Sheet. Square brackets indicate work instructions in the st/sp following ie “[dc, ch3, dc] in ch1-sp”. The ch3 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc. In the ‘join-as-you-go’, the chain that makes the side join is not included in the stitch count,…