Indholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2025 i Australian Homespun

What a special treat we have this issue, with leading international designer Kaffe Fassett joining us to share a quilt project from his yet-to-be-released book, Quilts in London. Read all about his long and illustrious career too! Also coming to us from overseas is String Snowball Quilt by Carolyn Forster. She's all about sustainability, so hang on to your scraps and put them to use. The off-cuts from this project can be easily repurposed. Check out her Snowball Pincushion idea. A project has been created just for Homespun and our friends at Clover, by bag designer Lisa Ratford of Andrie Designs. It's a carryall for keeping your yarn notions in order, with pockets designed to keep circular needles under control. Lisa has designed the bag specially for Clover yarn notion…

A BAG OF TRICKS Even those who don't follow fashion are probably aware of The Met Gala, the annual haute couture fundraising event held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in Manhattan. Renowned as the world's most prestigious and glamorous fashion event, it never fails to dazzle. This year, French fashion designer and creative director of fashion house Balmain, Olivier Rousteing, stole the spotlight with his brass-plated handbag shaped like a vintage sewing machine, complete with the Balmain logo. Designed by Balmain leather goods artisan Sajith Amaratunga, the bag was a clever nod to tailoring tools and craftsmanship, blending whimsy with high fashion. KNOT YOUR AVERAGE KIMONO And while we're talking fashion, we were rather taken with the boho elegance of the handmade fringed crochet…

MATERIALS ◌ Strings and scraps from your stash, approximately 3.5m (3¾yd) in total ◌ 3.5m (3¾yd) sew-in lightweight interfacing foundation (at least 1m [40in] wide) ◌ 90cm (1yd) light cream print fabric (Fabric A) ◌ 90cm (1yd) mid cream print fabric (Fabric B) ◌ 1.4m (1½yd) multi-coloured floral fabric (border) ◌ Batting at least 220cm (85in) square ◌ 4.5m (5yd) large floral print fabric (backing) ◌ 50cm (⅝yd) floral print fabric (binding) ◌ 6¾in square ruler ◌ Permanent marking pen ◌ Template plastic ◌ Sharp pencil ◌ Rotary cutter, ruler and mat ◌ Sewing machine with ¼in foot ◌ General sewing supplies Finished size: 189cm (74½in) square Finished block size: 15cm (6in) Note: Read all the instructions carefully before commencing. Instructions are given for working from the printed Pattern Sheet in the…

MATERIALS ◌ 73 assorted 12.5cm (5in) print fabric squares or two packs of pre-cut charm squares — see Note (blocks) ◌ 1.8m (2yd) solid grey fabric (blocks and binding) ◌ Batting at least 148 x 137cm (58 x 54in) ◌ 2.3m (2½yd) backing fabric ◌ Pencil ◌ Square quilter's ruler, 5in or 6in (optional) ◌ Rotary cutter, ruler and mat ◌ Sewing machine with ¼in foot ◌ General sewing supplies Finished size: 132 x 122cm (52 x 48in) Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed (excluding the charm squares) and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide. Clare used charm packs in complementary red, yellow and green prints for her quilt. Seam allowances of ¼in are used throughout unless…

These are just a few of them … JO NORTHCOTT I made my first quilt 25 years ago and caught the quilting bug, which then led me to become a machine quilter. I have been a professional machine quilter for just over 22 years and I've won more than 30 awards — some for my quilts and lots for machine quilting I did for customers. I have always dabbled in craft: my Nana Elsie taught me to crochet when I was nine years old. I did a bit of sewing at school — think I was the only one who liked it! I used to stroll through Boans (a Perth department store chain that operated from the late 1800s until the 1980s) when they had a fabric section. I'd stroke…

With the lush and rugged landscape of Scotland surrounding her home, textile artist Jo Avery is blessed with an abundance of trees, birds and flowers close by — the perfect fodder for her quilt and appliqué designs. With fun patterns and colour combinations, and cheery motifs, Jo's playfulness and love of stitching is as clear as day. Between hosting sewing retreats (alongside her two quilting besties), developing patterns and writing craft books, Jo is in the ‘snug’ (a comfortable and cosy room) of her house, escaping the cold highland winds and stitching to her heart's content. Jo was introduced to sewing when she was six years old, and from there she spent her childhood designing and making soft toys. She began her own business in her early 20s, designing and…

MATERIALS ◌ 24 assorted fabrics, 16.5 x 8cm (6½ x 3in) (melons) ◌ Seven solid fabrics, 8cm (3in) square (pentagons) ◌ 70 x 48cm (27½ x 19in) cream cotton or linen fabric (cushion front) ◌ 70 x 48cm (27½ x 19in) batting ◌ 70 x 58.5cm (27½ x 23in) print fabric (back of cushion) ◌ 70 x 48cm (27½ x 19in) print fabric (cushion lining) ◌ 25cm (⅜yd) binding fabric (if not adding crocheted edge) ◌ Bottom Line thread (appliqué) ◌ Perle 8 thread (hand quilting) ◌ Erasable marking pen ◌ Appliqué glue ◌ Fabric glue pen (optional) ◌ Darning needle ◌ Appliqué needle ◌ Fiddlesticks Wren cotton yarn: two balls Ivory ◌ 3mm (UK11/USE-4) or 3.5mm (UK9/USE-4) crochet hook ◌ Template plastic ◌ Permanent marking pen ◌ Sharp pencil…

MATERIALS ◌ 1m (1⅛yd) grey check fabric ◌ 50cm (⅝yd) magenta toneon-tone print fabric ◌ 50cm (⅝yd) grey lines fabric ◌ 50cm (⅝yd) multi-colour fabric (zigzag borders) ◌ 60 assorted fabrics, 3½ x 5½in (large honeycombs A) ◌ 32 assorted fabrics, 3 x 4½in (small honeycombs B) ◌ 24 assorted fabrics, 3 x 4in (six-point stars C) ◌ Four assorted fabrics, 4½in square (Orange Peel F) ◌ Backing fabric 127cm (50in) ◌ English paper piecing papers (quantities in Step 1) or make your own ◌ Template plastic ◌ Fine permanent-marking pen ◌ Stiff paper ◌ Pencil ◌ Glue stick ◌ Milliners needle: size 11 (EPP and appliqué) ◌ Fine (60wt) thread (EPP and appliqué) ◌ Perle 8 thread ◌ Rotary cutter, ruler and mat ◌ Sewing machine with ¼in foot ◌…

MATERIALS ◌ Two squares, 15cm (6in) of blue fabric ◌ Two squares, 15cm (6in) of calico fabric ◌ 15cm (6in) square of cream fabric ◌ 30cm (12in) of 8mm (5/16 in) wide lace ◌ 15cm (6in) square of fusible stabiliser ◌ Sewline pencil ◌ A heaped ⅓ cup of crushed walnut shells ◌ Polyester stuffing ◌ Lightbox ◌ Six-strand embroidery thread: blue, pink, yellow ◌ Embroidery needle ◌ Kitchen funnel (optional) Finished size: 10cm (4in) diameter Stitches used: Backstitch, detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, French knots, running 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 pattern from www.homespun.net.au and print it out. Nikki used variegated thread to add colour interest to…

STYLE TIPS These leather knitting needle tip holders by Danish craft accessories maker, muud, will keep your pairs together and looking very stylish too. The Chris Needle Pockets come in tan and black options made from free-range buffalo leather, and are sold in packs of 13, scaling up from a width from 1.5cm (⅝in) to 3cm (1¼in) to accommodate different-sized needles. The mudd brand is ‘deeply rooted in the Scandinavian mindset’, delivering high-level functionality alongside style. They make a wide range of storage bags for crafting needs, all in leather. And there are other nifty accessories too, such as leather wrist-wrapping ‘bracelet’ tape measures. For more information, visit the muud website at www.muudstore.com EXTRA SNUGGLY BEANIE Knitting with rovings has been described as making a fabric out of a cloud.…

What one pattern can do! Marg Low shows how her Slow Stitching Zipper Purse design keeps inspiring new stitchery styles. “If you've enjoyed the stitching and feel a little sad you've come to the end, don't be!” she says. Invent a new version … choose different linens to stitch on, match in your own thread choices and change up the shape. Take it another step and embroider the back panel too. Or switch around the row placement to your heart's content. Even swap stitches to include your favourites. When Marg made her first Slow Stitching Zipper Purse, it was a close call between her original inkling for blue linen and a grey cloth that had caught her eye. So she went with the grey, then saw a blue French General…

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 2773 Ph: (02) 4739 9555 pop@postofficepatchwork.net.au www.postofficepatchwork.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm…

Let us know about your events – email details to jcooper@umco.com.au or send them to Homespun Diary Dates, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670. Please notify us at least four months before the event. New South Wales September 18–20 Rosehill QuiltNSW: CraftAlive (Includes the Sydney Quilt Show) Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Grand Avenue Gate 1, Rosehill More information: www.quiltnsw.com, www.craftalive.com.au September 26–28 Singleton QuiltFest 2025 Mechanics Institute 74 George Street, Singleton More information: singletonquiltersinc@gmail.com November 22–23 Bungendore Bungendore 2025 Quilt Exhibition Bungendore Memorial Hall Molonglo Street, Bungendore More information: www.bungendorequilters.com.au Victoria September 13–14 Mt Waverley Patchwork and Quilters' Guild of Victoria's Biennial Exhibition: Spring Quiltfest 2025 The Waverley Masonic Centre, 318-322 Stephenson's Road, Mount Waverley More information: 0428 855 441 Queensland August 7–9 Bundaberg Bundaberg Quilters’ Biennial Quilt Exhibition: A…

MATERIALS ◌ Patons Dreamtime Merino 4 ply 50g balls: 11 balls of Gold Amber (3912) ◌ 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles ◌ 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) circular knitting needle (60–80cm (26–31½in) long) ◌ Wool needle Finished size: 110cm x 115cm (43⅜in x 45¼in) Notes: Read all the instructions before you start. This is an intermediate skill-level knitting project. Quantities are approximate as the tension can vary between knitters. Check the ball bands to ensure that all the yarn is from the same dye lot. Use only the yarn specified; other yarns are likely to produce different results. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. This throw is worked on larger needles than are usually recommended for this yarn. TENSION 24 sts and 32 rows to10cm (4in)…

MATERIALS ◌ 3.75mm (UK 8/US F/5) crochet hook ◌ Wool needle ◌ Scissors ◌ Stitch markers ◌ 8 ply/DK yarn in various colours. Andrea used Fiddlesticks Marble yarn: Colour One — Turquoise (1824), Colour Two — Ivory (1801), Colour Three — Cerise (1814), Colour Four — Mulberry (1820), Colour Five — Marigold (1809), Colour Six — Leaf (1827), Colour Seven — Silver (1805), Colour Eight — Tangerine (1812) ◌ 30cm (12in) or 35cm (13¾in) diameter hoop (35cm [13¾in] hoop allows for more stretch of your mandala) Finished Size: 29cm (11½in) diameter Note: The instructions for this project use Australian/UK crochet terms and assume an intermediate skill level. It uses combinations of stitches. Andrea used standing starting stitches throughout rather than chain stitches at the start of the round. ABBREVIATIONS Blo =…

Hanging from the ceiling in the centre of the gallery space at the National Art School, the Menindee Memorial Loop by Blue Mountains textile artist and printmaker Julie Paterson demonstrated the power small stitches can contain. The textile work is a length of 14m (46ft) linen joined into a loop, approximately 75cm (30in) wide. Onto the swathe of fabric are stitched swatches of various shapes, all small and all subdued in colour. Across them are stitched small embroidered ‘x’ marks. Those marks represent fish. They are stitched in formations, suggesting the patterned effect of fish swimming in schools. But, sadly, these ‘x’ marks are memorials. Julie created the piece as a response to a mass fish death event on the Baaka-Darling River at Menindee, NSW, in 2023. Millions of fish died,…

Find the idea of spinning your own yarn a little daunting? Textile artist Vicki Cornish has a solution in hand; she's designed her own version of an ancient spinning tool, making it even easier to use. Her Bonsai Woman Mayan Spinners have a groove and notch in the paddle that helps hold yarn in place when starting off the spinning process, and when winding up your handspun yarn. She has the paddles made in three different timbers, providing more than just aesthetic choice. As well as being different-coloured woods, from a golden hue to darker browns, the merbau, kauri and hardwood options are also different weights, designed to best suit different weights of yarn production. The paddle's weight affects the speed it spins, with the slower spin rate of hardwood…

In May, Roxanne won the People's Choice Award at the Agnes Waters Quilt Show with her version of Homespun's 2024 Block of the Month project, Sunshine & Lollipops. Made in a delightful blend of fabrics inspired by her stash, Roxanne's work caught our attention too … when she posted her finished quilt on Homespun's Sunshine & Lollipops BOM Facebook Community page. At the exhibition, Roxanne's quilt was accompanied by its background story. She usually adapts quilts to be fully machine-made. However, she says, the Sunshine & Lollipops design by Anni Downs inspired her to take on the challenge of doing the appliqué by hand. Good friends she's known for year were amazed, especially when Roxanne finished the quilt … “and it is not still in a box at the bottom…

THE NATURAL DYE HANDBOOK: A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Plant-Based Dyeing Heidi Iverson Master the basics of natural dyeing with folk method mindful foraging techniques and the wildcrafting colours method. This back-to-basics look at the fundamental principles of natural dyeing explores different approaches to natural dyeing, learning traditional ways and an intuitive approach. There's a library of more than 60 natural dye sources, from fungi and tree bark to nuts and flowers. A great resource of information on creating a colour library through mixing colours is also included, giving you limitless opportunites to create a palette of your own making. All parts of the dyeing journey are explained and how to care for your naturally dyed fibres is also covered. Published by David & Charles ABSTRACT TEXTILES: Colour, Shape and…