Innehållsförteckning för Issue 79 från Mollie Magazine

Team Mollie have a collective problem – we can’t walk past a haberdashery shop without picking up some ribbons or a few buttons. They aren’t usually for any specific project, but to tuck away, knowing they’ll come in handy one day! This month’s cover gift, a set of gorgeous vintage-inspired buttons, isn’t solving our issues, but we’re determined not to hoard this set and to put them to good use. We’ve put together a project book with lots of different ways you can turn your buttons into beautiful spring makes – enjoy! Plus, don’t miss your last chance to enter the Mollie Makes Handmade Awards 2017 – the closing date is 18th May. Turn to page 13 to find out how to take part, and to discover the famous new…

Your first paid commission is a special moment in every maker’s journey – the realisation that not only do people like your work, but they’re willing to part with cold, hard cash to take a piece of it home. If you want to turn your hobby into a money-maker, the obvious routes are selling at local craft fairs or setting up an Etsy shop. Pricing your work can be a headache, though. ‘What’s it worth?’ is a very different question to ‘What does it cost?’, and many newly-professional crafters struggle to realise their value. It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking raw material costs and rounding up to an amount that fits with high-street prices, without factoring in any profit. Crafters have a tendency to underestimate what their…

Turn your living room into a vintage cocktail salon for spring with Talking Tables’ new Truly Romantic collection. Featuring delicate floral bunting, pinwheels, parasols and paper plates, it’s pretty enough for a très sophis hen do or baby shower. www.talkingtables.co.uk Add a pretty spring vibe with this delicate illustrated birds print from Papio Press, or feel like a proper grown-up by displaying artwork from the Royal Horticultural Society on your walls. www.papiopress.co.uk;www.rhsprints.co.uk Shake it up with The Hambledon’s hand-painted Flamingo Salt and Pepper shakers – they’ll look cute on your dining table, and make a fun, quirky gift. www.thehambledon.com Wallpaper is the easiest way to completely transform a corner of your home. Add a pleasingly retro vibe with Pip Studio’s ditsy Cherry Blossom print. www.pipstudio.com Birds, delicate florals and metallics?…

HOW TO MAKE… A PATCHWORK QUILT MATERIALS • 80 x 80cm (31½ x 31½") Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids in Azalea (Fabric 1) • 55 x 55cm (21 5/8 x 215/8") Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids in Cotton Candy (Fabric 2) • 115cm (1¼ yd) Robert Kaufman Spot On in Medium Dot White (Fabric 3) • 95cm (1 yd) Robert Kaufman Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis Textiles in Allotment in Aqua (Fabric 4) • Fat quarter of Robert Kaufman Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis Textiles in Allotment in Wasabi (Fabric 5) • 127 x 178cm (50 x 70") backing fabric • 127 x 178cm (50 x 70") cotton wadding • 50cm (½ yd) binding fabric • Quilting ruler • Tailor’s chalk Pack away those winter duvets and throw this across…

HOW TO MAKE… A GYM BAG MATERIALS • 1m (39 3/8") patterned cotton fabric (we used Art Gallery Fabrics Bound by April Rhodes in Painting Celebration from www.hantex.co.uk/agf) • 0.5m (19¾") plain cotton fabric • 0.5m (19¾") wadding • 3.5m pink cotton webbing, 4cm (1 5/8") wide • Matching sewing thread • Large sew-on snap fastener in gold • Tailor’s chalk We’re pretty sure this swish bag will make us go to the gym more. In fact, we’re actually convinced that’s the reason we haven’t fully committed until now. Roomy enough to fit all your workout gear/swimming stuff, and a towel, it’ll also come in handy for weekends away. If nothing else, at least your sewing machine will get a good workout. We love the versatility of having both long…

HOW TO MAKE… A WOVEN NECKLACE MATERIALS • Cardboard, 10 x 20cm (4 x 7 7/8") • Washi tape • Pink embroidery thread • Pale pink and coral yarn • Tapestry needle • Silver faux leather, 3mm ( 1/8") wide • Gold beads • Gold necklace chain • Gold beading wire • Small pliers Fans of weaving, statement jewellery, and all things sparkly, rejoice! This tactile treat for the eyes – and your ensemble – combines all these lovely things in one beautiful, boho-style necklace. Team it with a crisp white smock top for that floaty, ethereal feel, and you’ll be festival-ready in no time. Or, just drinks-outside-in-the-sun ready – either sounds good to us. Never tried weaving before? You’ll pick up the basics in no time with this small-scale…

YOU JUST NEED A LITTLE CLARITY AND THE CONFIDENCE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF Branding your creative business well is more important today than ever. And it’s about more than visuals. It’s about having a strong message, a clear vision and owning your style. It’s about knowing your worth and celebrating your magic. It’s about making your business the only logical choice for your clients. As a designer or maker, retaining this focus can feel overwhelming. Because as well as making, you now also have a few new hats to wear. Stylist, photographer, head of product development and social media manager all rolled in to one – and that’s just the marketing! You can totally do this. You just need a little clarity, a generous sprinkling of know-how and the confidence…

HOW TO MAKE… CLAY BOWLS MATERIALS • Air-dry clay • Small bowls • Rolling pin • Knife • Cling film • Acrylic paint • Metallic enamel paint • Paint brush • Fine sandpaper Yep, that’s right. Buttons aren’t just for sewing. You can also use your free fasteners to print on paper and fabric, and to make impressions in clay. Here, Tamsyn Morgans has used her buttons to make an ornate pattern in clay, creating artisan-inspired bowls. 01 Roll out the air-dry clay to approximately 0.5cm (¼") thick. You can adjust the thickness if you prefer, depending on how delicate you want your bowls to be. 02 Select a small bowl to use as a mould. Place onto the clay with the rim facing down and cut around the bowl…

Emma Friedlander-Collins Emma has an obsession with collecting the colours of her local landscape, loves visiting observatories, and lets off steam on the netball court. A crochet designer and author, she’s still trying to learn the Dark Art of knitting. Crochet Emma’s jar covers on page 18 . www.mrssteelschool.blogspot.co.uk Katie Housley Katie designs luxury paper goods in her studio by the sea in Hove. She has a passion for all things botanical, with nature, plants, and colour inspiring her collections, although she also confesses to a love of leopard print. Find Katie’s Good Read illustration on page 36 . www.katiehousley.co.uk Clarissa Hulse When she isn’t planning her next homeware range or painting in her studio, Clarissa likes to cuddle up with her kitten Lulu…

MAKE IT! TURN THE PAGE TO DIY THE EMBROIDERY TREND Embrace the trend by draping yourself in a meadow of wildflowers. www.needleandthread.com…

If you’re a fan of bright, bold homeware, chances are you’re already familiar with the hallmark prints that adorn Clarissa Hulse’s luxury linens, wallpapers and fabrics. Just like Victorian painter Marianne North, Clarissa has an artistic obsession with the vibrant hues and patterns found in nature. Using photos and drawings, she captures flora and fauna, then uses old-school screen printing techniques to bring them back to life in her contemporary designs. Born in Prague, Clarissa had an eclectic upbringing, travelling to far-flung places and residing in various countries around the world. Her Greek mother was a keen gardener, and would teach Clarissa about different plant species while out walking in the countryside. It’s clear these childhood adventures inspire her work today – Clarissa’s latest range includes stunning grass silhouettes from…

HOW TO MAKE… A LINEN APRON MATERIALS • 1.5m of linen (we used Polar Grey linen from www.merchant andmills.com ) • Matching sewing thread • Erasable fabric marker Made from soft, natural linen, this minimalist-style sew is our new favourite cover-up. Wear it when you’re outside gardening, while baking bread on a slow and lazy Sunday, or to protect clothes from your paints. The crossover design and deep pocket take inspiration from the aprons worn by artisan makers, while the use of linen makes it both comfortable and practical. Sew your own version, then don it to style a impressive bouquet for a friend using purse-friendly blooms from the local supermarket. We won’t tell if you don’t... 01 Prewash your fabric using your normal detergent – this is especially important when…

Tamsyn Morgans sees diamonds in the rough. With a personal style that runs throughout her home, her Instagram, and even her clothes and make up, Tamsyn’s blend of colour, florals and femininity is an extension of her bright, cheerful personality. But, her three-bedroom Victorian abode in Norwich wasn’t always a reflection of this. Back in January 2014, it was a dark and dirty bohemian shared house. “It hadn’t been updated for years. The kitchen only had a sink unit and a couple of shelves in it. I really had my work cut out for me!” explains Tamsyn. Rewind a few years, and Tamsyn was married with young kids, living across town in Norwich’s Golden Triangle – all Bugaboo pushchairs and school run lattes. Her home back then was “safe and…

HOW TO MAKE… CROCHET PLACEMATS AND COASTERS MATERIALS • Wool and the Gang, Jersey Be Good, 98% cotton/2% elastane, 500g/100m per roll, one roll each in Spearmint Green (Yarn A) and Pyjama Stripes (Yarn B) • 10mm (UK 000, US N/15) crochet hook • Stitch marker TENSION Tension isn’t important for this project ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) ss slip stitch dc double crochet yrh yarn round hook magic ring to make a magic ring, hold yarn in your hand and wrap working yarn around forefinger twice to create ring, slip ring off your finger and insert hook to pick up first st, ch1, then work the necessary sts for round 1 and close ring by pulling the loose end wst waistcoat stitch – insert hook into lower V of…

HOW TO MAKE… A DRESSING UP SET MATERIALS For the crown • Fusible fleece, 38 x 10cm (15 x 4") • Two pieces of fusible interfacing, 40.5 x 12.5cm (16 x 5") • Plain fabric, 40.5 x 12.5cm (16 x 5") • Patterned fabric, 40.5 x 12.5cm (16 x 5") • Silver embroidery thread • Embroidery needle • Ribbon, 1m (39 3/8") • Erasable fabric marker For the tutu • Tulle fabric, approx. 3m (118 1/8") • Elastic, approx. 1m (39 3/8"), 4cm (1 5/8") wide • Silver ribbon • Matching sewing thread For the wand • Two pieces of pink fabric, 20 x 20cm (7 7/8 x7 7/8") • Erasable fabric marker • Pink embroidery thread • Silver embroidery thread • Embroidery hoop • Embroidery needle • Soft toy…

HOW TO MAKE… A SUN DECORATION MATERIALS • Rico Creative Cotton Aran, 100% Cotton, 50g/85m per ball, one ball each in Vanilla (62) (Yarn A), Powder (61) (Yarn B), Rose (00) (Yarn C) • 3.5mm (UK 9, US E/4) crochet hook • Yarn needle • Soft toy stuffing • Pair of black safety eyes, 1cm ( 3/8") • Black embroidery thread • Tapestry needle • Stitch marker ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) ch chain ss slip stitch dc double crochet tr treble inc increase by working 2 dc into the same stitch magic ring to make a magic ring, hold yarn in your hand and wrap working yarn around forefinger twice to create ring, slip ring off your finger and insert hook to pick up first st, ch1, then work the…

HOW TO MAKE… CROCHET HEART BUNTING MATERIALS • Scheepjes Colour Crafter, 100% acrylic, 100g/300m per ball, one ball each in Weert (1001) (Yarn A), Hilversum (1257) (Yarn B), Mechelen (2013) (Yarn C) and Luik (2006) (Yarn D) • 3.5 mm (UK 9, US E/4) crochet hook • Yarn needle TENSION Approx. 16 sts and 19 rows of double crochet to measure 10cm (4") square ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) ch chain ss slip stitch dc double crochet htr half treble tr treble yrh yarn round hook tr5tog treble 5 together – (yrh, insert hook in next st, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 5 times, yrh and draw through 6 loops on hook magic ring to make a magic ring, hold yarn in your hand and…

HOW TO MAKE… GIFT TAGS AND WRAP ACCESSORIES MATERIALS • Wrapping paper • Kraft card • Gold card • Yarn • Pom pom maker • Craft glue • Embroidery thread • Buttons • Twine • Small hole punch Birthday or not, everyone loves a beautifully-wrapped present. Give your gifts crafty appeal with your free buttons and a few stash essentials. Here’s how... 01 To make a tag, cut a 2.5 x 4.5cm (1 x 1 7/8") piece of kraft card. Trim the top corners at an angle as shown. Glue to a 3 x 5cm (1¼ x 2") piece of gold card and trim the top corners as before. Make a small hole at the top of the tag using the hole punch, then thread with twine. Knot the twine…

HOW TO MAKE… COLLAR CLIPS MATERIALS • Gold chain • Jump rings • Pair of clip-on earring backs • Jewellery glue • Cutting pliers This collar bling is so simple, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t thought of it before. If gold isn’t your thing, switch it out for silver, gunmetal or rose gold chains. 01 Using a pair of cutting pliers, cut a 13cm (51/4") and a 15cm (6") piece of gold chain. 02 Slip one end of each chain onto a single jump ring and attach the same ring to the bottom of a clip-on earring back. Repeat this step for the other end of the chain, ensuring the chains aren’t twisted and that the smaller chain is positioned along the top. 03 Attach a button to each of…

Suzie Attaway Crafter and home stylist Suzie is obsessed with colour and pattern. She’s also a keen treasure hunter, and loves scouring junk shops and auction houses for vintage homewares and interesting props for photo shoots. www.suzieattawayhomestylist.com Tamsyn Morgans Tamsyn is a blogger and interior stylist, and lives in Norfolk with her two children. A self-confessed car boot addict, she’s always got an eye out for goodies for her Victorian terrace – take a look inside on page 48 of the main mag. www.tamsynmorgans.com Rebecca Reid When she isn’t working on our sister title, Simply Sewing, Rebecca is a presenter on new shopping channel, Sewing Quarter. She has a passion for upcycling and refashioning, and can’t resist adding a few extra flourishes. www.sewingquarter.com Lana Red Lana gave herself the alter…

Summer 2017 is all about the boho, and this beauty, aka the Amal dress from celebrity fave Dodo Bar Or, is a real knock-out. Made from 100% cotton, the tiered fringe maxi design will keep you looking and feeling cool from sunrise to sunset, whether you’re heading to far-flung shores or partying closer to home. www.dodobaror.com Now this a slogan T-shirt we can really get behind. Megan Nielsen’s Maker Tee looks hot, hot, hot, champions our favourite word, and the sale of each helps support victims of human trafficking. Find out how by visiting the website. www.megannielsen.com For greenery that we can’t kill off, we’re looking to Made in Design’s chic ceramic leaf plates. Load them up with summery snacks, or dot around the home for tropical accents. www.madeindesign.co.uk Forget…

MATERIALS • Pair of jeans • Embroidery thread (we used DMC Stranded Cotton in B5200 (white), 353 (peach), 726 (yellow), 892 (coral), 993 (mint), 3812 (dark green) and 3844 (blue)) • Embroidery needle • Embroidery hoop, 15cm (6") • Water-soluble stabiliser • Erasable fabric marker 01 Trace the template on page 99 onto a piece of stabiliser using a fabric marker – avoid using water-based pens as these will dissolve the stabiliser. 02 Position the stabiliser by the jean pocket and pin. Tighten the hoop in place around both the jeans and the stabiliser – don’t worry if the whole design doesn’t fit into the hoop, as you can reposition it as you go. 03 Cut a 30cm (11 7/8") length of thread, then thread the needle using all six…

HOW TO MAKE… CLAY SALT SPOONS MATERIALS • FIMO Soft in White • Clay knife • Paint brush • Porcelain paint (we used Marabu Porcelain) • Baking tray We’ve been seeing handmade ceramics everywhere lately, from our Insta feeds to our TV screens, and we like it. If you fancy the idea of trying your hand at pottery, give these mini clay spoons a go. Teri’s designed these to be used with salt and pepper dishes, but you can easily create a set of measuring spoons if you’re feeling adventurous. Shape the spoon heads around those from an existing set of measuring spoons, then paint the measurement on the handle to label each one. 01 Cut a slice of Fimo. We used a 350g block to make 12 spoons, but…

There’s no mistaking Gudrun Sjödén’s designs. Her deep love for the artistic possibilities of textiles, combined with her joyous use of colour, result in striking creations that are guaranteed to cheer up even the cloudiest of summer days. Gudrun has been designing textiles for over 40 years and everything she does is infused with the atmosphere of Sweden, her native country, with its stunning landscapes and relaxed yet vibrant culture. Her love of folklore and nature also shines through, along with influences from her travels. INSPIRED BY NATURE Mother Nature has certainly had a profound influence on Gudrun’s work. “A never-ending source of inspiration is my place as a human in nature. Landscapes, fruit and flowers are my basic materials; fruit for its various shapes, flowers for their beauty, and…

If Tamsyn Morgans’ whimsical style and delicate botanicals have inspired you, recreate the look with Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring’s wildflower chandelier. Made by wrapping miniature glass bottles with wire and suspending them from a metal hoop, it’s a gorgeous way to bring that swept-up-from-a-meadow feel into your home this season. Find more simple styling ideas in Holly and Leslie’s book, Decorate With Flowers. www.quartoknows.com/Jacqui-Small…

HOW TO MAKE… AN ORIGAMI WALL HANGING MATERIALS • A4 paper, 135gsm, six pieces each in yellow and peach, five pieces each in mint and gold, four pieces in orange and three pieces in rose gold (we used G.F. Smith Colorplan) • Embossing tool • Cutting mat • Ruler • Craft glue • Fishing wire • Marker pen • Crimp beads • Flat-nosed pliers • Tapestry needle • Five two pence coins • Double sided tape • Wooden pole, 40cm (15¾"), 2cm (¾") Update your home with a crafty make that ticks all the right boxes – easy to whip up, visually pleasing and inexpensive. Clean lines and crisply-folded shapes tap into the homeware trend for all things origami, while the zesty colour palette brings all the summer feels to…

HOW TO MAKE… AN EMBELLISHED CARDIGAN MATERIALS • Cardigan • Embroidery thread • Seam ripper • Tapestry needle • Sewing needle We love Lana Red’s idea of using floral buttons and hand stitching to turn a plain cover-up into a thing of beauty. The same technique can be applied to skirts, pockets, summer jackets, dresses – anything you fancy really. 01 Remove the existing buttons from your chosen cardigan using a seam ripper and scissors. 02 Sew the floral buttons in the place of the old ones using coordinating embroidery thread, alternating the colours of the buttons as you go. If the buttons are larger than those you have just removed, carefully use your seam ripper to slightly enlarge each of the button holes before sewing on the new buttons.…

HOW TO MAKE… A MARBLE NOTEBOOK MATERIALS • Thin white card • Thick scrap card • Marble effect sticky-back plastic • Awl • Bookbinding needles • Waxed linen thread, 3m Bookbinding is such a tactile and meditative craft. If you haven’t tried it before, this on- trend jotter is the perfect place to begin; covering the basic skills and culminating in a noteworthy book for your desk. Enjoy. 01 Cut fifteen pages measuring 10 x 15cm (4 x 6") from the white card. Cut two 11 x 16cm (4 3/8 x 6 3/8") rectangles for the covers of the notebook from the thick card. 02 Cover the thick card with the sticky-back plastic, folding over the edges to the wrong side (WS) and smoothing out any air bubbles. 03 Draw…