Innehållsförteckning för Issue 75 från Mollie Magazine

I’m a sucker for a bit of Valentine’s Day romance and nothing says “I love you” like a handmade gift. Anna Machul’s ridiculously cute cover project (page 18) is a sweet make for someone special – give with a DIY card made from Jade Fisher’s illustrated papers on page 67. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance either – we’re big fans of showing our gal pals how much we care about them. Make Mandy O’Sullivan’s colourful granny square heart coasters for a mate who deserves some happy mail this month. If you’re anything like us, your pets score pretty highly on your list of favourite people too – treat them to our pet basket on page 85! Share your makes with us using #molliemakers, and have a great month.…

Strong, enigmatic, creative... It’s difficult to sum up painter and feminist icon Frida Khalo in just a few words, so we’re turning to designer Gudrun Sjödén, who has captured her spirit in a bold new clothing collection. A fiesta of pattern and colour, it’s bound to help you discover your inner artist. www.gudrunsjoden.com Tilly & the Buttons’ new Cleo dungaree dress is just the sort of dress we like – slouchy but in a fashion way. It’s a cinch to make too; buy it either as a pattern or as a complete kit with everything you need to sew your own. www.tillyandthebuttons.com This month sees the launch of TV shopping channel Sewing Quarter, bought to you by the publishers of Mollie Makes and Simply Sewing. Dedicated to all things sewing…

HOW TO MAKE… HEART COASTERS MATERIALS Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, 100% Cotton, 50g/125m per ball, one ball each in Bubblegum Pink (451) (Yarn A), Daffodil Yellow (422) (Yarn B), Stormy Grey (405) (Yarn C) 4mm (UK 8, US G/6) crochet hook Yarn needle Cardboard, 3.5 x 15cm (1 3/8 x 6") Washi tape TENSION Tension isn’t too important – just keep your stitches firm FINISHED SIZE Approx. 11cm (4 3/8") square ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) sp(s) space(s) ch chain ch-sp chain space ss slip stitch dc double crochet tr treble rep repeat beg beginning prev previous magic ring to make a magic ring, hold the 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…

West Elm’s Reclaimed Wood and Lacquer Sideboard combines rustic wooden drawers made from shipping pallets with a contemporary high-gloss frame. Pair it with modern pieces or mid-century finds for an inspired blend of old and new. www.westelm.co.uk If plants wither faster than you can pot them, The Lovely Drawer’s Cacti Killer print needs a space on your wall. Alternatively, keep it minimal with Meeko and the Wolf ’s geo triangles. www.thelovelydrawer.com, www.meekoandthewolf.etsy.com Crank up the volume on your favourite choons with the Crosley Cruiser Pink Record Player – it’s bringing out our inner Molly Ringwald. www.urbanoutfitters.com This playful glazed porcelain cactus vase by Marie Michielssen is an easy way to add some prickly personality to your favourite flowers. www.howkapow.com We love bluebellgray’s bold floral prints, but are drawn to these…

HOW TO MAKE… HAND CROCHETED POUFFES MATERIALS • Scrap yarn for stitch markers • 12mm (US P/16) crochet hook For the pear • Red Heart Grande, 78% Acrylic/22% Wool, 150g/42m per ball, 15 balls in Oatmeal (0307) • Wadding, 2.4 x 5m (2½ x 5yrds) • Beading wire, 20 gauge, 1m (39 1/8") • Yarn remnant from the apple, 10m (10 yrds) For the apple • Red Heart Grande, 78% Acrylic/22% Wool, 150g/42m per ball, 12 balls in Currant (0901 • Wadding, 2.4 x 3m (2½ x 3yrds) wide • Two round cushion pads, 40cm (15¾") diameter • Beading wire, 20 gauge, 1m (39 1/8") • Yarn remnant from the pear, 10m (10 yrds) TENSION Tension isn’t too important, just aim for a firm finish ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) ch…

HOW TO MAKE… AN EMBROIDERED BOARD MATERIALS Wooden chopping board (we found ours in Tiger) Wood offcut Embroidery thread (we used Anchor Stranded Cotton, one skein each in 9 (coral), 54 (pink), 289 (yellow) and 1090 (blue)) Safety goggles Drill 1mm drill bit Four embroidery needles Invisible sticky tape Fine and coarse sandpaper Combining rustic wood with delicate floral embroidery, this decorative board gives the trend for all things artisan a feminine twist. Don’t panic if the memory of school woodwork classes brings you out in a cold sweat either – Ella’s templated design is easy to recreate with a bit of patience. All you need is a drill, a chopping board and a steady hand, plus a selection of embroidery threads. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could even…

I was raised by antiques collectors, so I spent my childhood being dragged to flea markets all over the world.To make it more enjoyable, my mom would find collecting projects for me. On one of our trips to England we started a teacup collection, which is still one of my favourite memories and possessions. Each trip was something different, until I was an avid collector myself! My vintage jewellery collection began in high school when I used to borrow my mother’s brooches. Soon we started to hunt for them together – some of my most treasured jewels are the first brooches we collected together.This passion shaped my whole career – I went on to study Fashion Design and began designing jewellery for companies like Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade. Working…

01 LOVE FRANKIE With a strong design-led aesthetic, those with an eye for colour and a passion for all things kitsch will love browsing through Love Frankie’s extensive range. From copper and gold foil silk lampshades to neon lamp bases and cute kawaii lights, they have all your interior needs nailed. www.lovefrankie.com 02 THE CREATIVE SANCTUARY Create your own unique lampshade at one of The Creative Sanctuary’s fun and friendly workshops. Make a ceiling pendant or table lamp from an extensive range of fabrics – including a selection of beautiful Liberty patterns – while learning expert tips and tricks. www.thecreativesanctuary.co.uk 03 LOLLY & BOO Using the most beautiful British linens they can find, Lolly & Boo handmake charming lampshades to order.They specialise in shades using Peony and Sage’s vintage and…

YOUR FREE GIFT BY WOOL AND THE GANG PAGE 7 01 Cut eight 1m (39 3/8") lengths of jersey yarn, a 1.5m (59 1/8") length and a 50cm (193/4") length. 02 Fold one of the 1m (39 3/8") lengths in half. Place the looped end behind the piece of dowel, then thread the two ends through the loop and pull tight to secure it. Repeat with the other seven 1m (39 3/8") lengths. 03 Fold the 1.5m (59 1/8") length so one side measures 50cm (193/4") and the other side 1m (39 3/8"). Attach to your dowel on the left of the other strands as in Step 2, giving you 20 strands in total to work with. 04 Lay the left longer strand across your other 19 strands from left…

Karolina Merska Karolina loves colourful pajaki chandeliers, and has a passion for nature that inspires her work and lifestyle. You’ll usually find her hunting for vintage treasures or cooking pizzas for her friends in her spare time. Make Karolina’s pajaki planter on page 59 . www.bobbinandbow.com Alice Hedley Even as a nipper, Alice wanted to be a fashion designer, and spent her summer holidays making clothes for her toys. Nowadays she hangs out with her two young daughters, encouraging them to live creatively, too. Sew Alice’s baby moccasins on page 76 . www.amyandivor.com Alejandra Pinango After travelling around Latin America working as a software trainer, Alejandra eventually moved to London. Inspired to paint by the city’s creative atmosphere, she now works as a freelance…

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‘I began teaching workshops, first in hired spaces and then in my own studio.’ If you’re guilty of non-stop Instagram scrolling (us too), you’re likely to recognise the flower-filled fine art shots that have gained Emily Quinton over 80,000 followers on the platform. One half of a husband and wife entrepreneurial team and with four young children, Emily started out by selling her botanical photographs at art fairs before ‘accidentally’ becoming a wedding photographer when friends approached her to shoot their wedding. After appearing on Channel Five’s How To Take Stunning Pictures, she realised her passion lay in teaching others and her online community, Makelight, was born. Emily now spends three days a week in her West Dulwich studio filming videos for her website and running online workshops to help…

Whether you want to learn a new craft, develop existing skills or start a making business this year, typing up a to-do list isn’t the only way to think about your goals. Creative people often need to find a slightly unusual method of goal-planning, one which makes you feel fired up and inspired. For example, you might be like screen-printer Rosha Nutt (www.rosha.co.uk) and tend to think of everything visually. Instead of writing lists, Rosha makes a picture wall as a visual reminder of what she needs to accomplish, or imagines herself on the Yellow Brick Road in TheWizard of Oz. “I picture myself stuck in the forest, with a party at the castle in the distance. Back in the forest, I need to start by choosing a subject, making…

Kayti Peschke’sYorkshire bungalow had been on the market for two years when she finally caught sight of it, but she wasn’t put off by the unloved feel and tired 80s-style decoration. “I’d been looking at houses for ages but when I saw this one, it felt like it had been waiting for me,” she explains. “I could really see the potential and loved the idea of one level living. I just knew it was the place for me!” Her offer was accepted and she moved in shortly after. The bungalow’s practical open plan layout suited the look Kayti had in mind for her home, so the main task when she moved in was decorating – starting with the main living room. “Painting the brick fireplace made a massive difference and…

HOW TO MAKE… A PAJAKI PLANTER MATERIALS • Metal hoop, 30cm (11 7/8") diameter • Crepe paper • Tissue paper • Coloured card • Clear straws • Cotton twine • Embroidery needle • Ribbon • Circle punch • Compass • Craft glue • Aluminium foil • Four small plant pots or tealight holders, 6cm (2 3/8") diameter Still feeling the loss of cheery festive decorations in your home? Then inject some colour with Karolina’s pajaki-inspired planter. A traditional Polish decoration, pajaki chandeliers are intended to be bold and bright, so fish out your most eye-catching shades of paper and card to make a statement hanging to hold four mini plants. If you really want to go all out, make pom poms – known as kalinka – in rainbow hues by…

HOW TO MAKE… A NECKLACE MATERIALS Cotton rope, 65cm (25 5/8"), 8mm ( 3/8") thick Flat faux suede cord, 3mm ( 1/8") thick, 25cm (9 7/8") each of coral, burnt orange, pink, fuchsia and neon orange, and 30cm (11 7/8") of gold Brown faux leather, 5 x 3cm (2 x 1¼") Pom pom, 2cm (¾") diameter Pliers Hotgluegun Strong glue Two silver cord ends, 8mm ( 3/8") Two silver jump rings, 6mm ( 3/8") Silver lobster clasp Fancy making your own jewellery but not too sure where to begin? Then give this bold statement neon necklace a try for instant crafting gratification. Combining simple techniques and colour blocking, you’ll create an eye-catching piece from rope, faux leather and a pom pom, so nothing too fiddly. Plus, you can easily…

HOW TO MAKE… A VELVET BAG MATERIALS Velvet fabric, 65 x 65cm (25 5/8 x 25 5/8") Matching lining fabric, 65 x 65cm (25 5/8 x 25 5/8") Wadding, 65 x 65cm (25 5/8 x 25 5/8") Eight eyelets Hammer Purse chain Tailor’s chalk Matching sewing thread Metallic embroidery thread Embroidery hoop Embroidery needle Matching tassel Made from soft velvet and embellished with metallic embroidery and a matching tassel, this bag has just become our new Valentine’s crush. Pretty in pink, it takes the trend for all things velvet through to spring, and even inexperienced sewists can whip this up with just a few basic skills. Make your embroidered pattern as simple or as detailed as you like, and if pink’s not your thing, switch up the colour combinations. Try…

Double half hitch knots 01 Lay strand A horizontally. Lay strand B vertically underneath A to form a cross. 02 Pass B over A and then back under A, to the left of where the pieces intersect. 03 Take B and wrap back over A, to the right of the wrap made in Step 2. 04 Pass B under A and through the new loop made. Pull A and B to tighten. Square knot 01 Bring strand A from right to left, over the middle strands and under strand B. 02 Bring B under the two middle strands and through the loop formed by A. Pull on A and B to tighten. 03 Bring A from left to right, taking it over the middle strands and under B. 04 Bring…

Fancy tying the knot? “Our Wool & The Gang mini macramé wall hanging is a great project to jazz up your living space. Deceptively easy, it’s ideal for macramé beginners, taking only half an hour to whizz up using square knots and double half hitch knots. A contemporary take on boho chic, use it to brighten up a corner of your home. The hanging is designed to be made with our Jersey Be Good yarn, a unique upcycled T-shirt yarn made from fabric roll off-cuts. The result is a sustainable, colourful and modern décor design!” The team at Wool and the Gang are passionate about producing sustainable fashion. Find patterns for men, women, kids and homewares on their website, plus a huge range of yarns, from wool and alpaca to…

MATERIALS Air-dry clay Make-up sponge Fine sandpaper Porcelain paint Fine-tipped paint brush Gloss varnish 01 Wet your hands, then take a small piece of clay and roll it into a ball. If you want your finished pots to be stackable, repeat the process, making each ball of clay larger than the last. 02 Press your thumbs into the centre of a ball, then slowly work the clay outwards to make a small bowl shape. Smooth the clay as you go, until the clay is an even thickness all around. 03 Cut off any excess clay around the rim, then using a damp make-up sponge or similar, smooth out the surface of the pot, taking care to cover any cracks or rough areas. 04 Repeat Steps 2-3 with the remaining balls…

HOW TO MAKE… A SWAN PAPERCUT MATERIALS Craft knife Cutting mat A3 paper, 135gsm, one piece each in grey, green, white, pink, lilac and black (we used G.F. Smith Colorplan) Gold metallic paper, 150gsm, 23 x 23cm (9 1/8 x9 1/8") Double-sided tape Metal ruler Layering cleverly-cut papers in different shades, Sarah’s fresh take on papercutting means even beginners can create her intricate swan design. It’s a great gift for Valentine’s Day, or make one as a unique present for newlywed pals. You can make this design to sell (see page 6 for more information), but please credit Sarah if you do. 01 Print or photocopy the respective templates from page 98 directly onto the grey, green, white, pink and lilac sheets of paper. Alternatively, you can print or photocopy…

HOW TO MAKE… EMBELLISHED SLEEVES MATERIALS • Plain wool coat • Selection of trims • Matching sewing thread • Sewing needle Ribbons and fringing and pom poms and trims, these are a few of our favourite things... If, like us, you’ve got serious magpie tendencies for all things haberdashery related, put your hoard to good use and give an old coat a new lease of life. Be as bold or as subtle as you like, and experiment with different colours, textures and sizes. If you haven’t got a collection of trims but still fancy customising your wardrobe, there are so many places to source them. Ours came from VV Rouleaux and Etsy, but you could try your local craft shop or fabric store for inspiration, too. 01 Lay out your…

Forget Love Hearts – this year we’re planning to win over our Valentine with a supersized treat. Fill vintage glassware or ceramic bowls with your other half’s favourite sweets (preferably red and heart-shaped for bonus Insta points), then wrap in cellophane to make a candy so giant, even Willy Wonka would be impressed. We’ll be making mini versions for our friends too, and hoping someone’s kind enough to share. Find the full tutorial for these bon bon bowls at www.minted.com/julep.…

01 LAURA ROBERTSON From hand-printed hedgehogs and dreamy versions of The Owl And The Pussycat, to striking images of Frida Kahlo and David Bowie, Laura Robertson has something for everyone. She also takes on bespoke commissions. www.laurarobertsonartist.co.uk 02 EDEN AND AFTER Hand-crafted from ethically sourced raw crystals, Eden and After’s one-of-a-kind jewellery is made by Leah Jarosy in her home studio. She adds texture and interest to each of her unique pieces with a distressed copper setting. www.edenandafter.etsy.com 03 CHARLOTTE FARMER Shop beautiful screen prints and cards featuring classic biscuits, grumpy animals and feathered friends with neon, sparkly gold and silver accents. Plus, use code mollie10 for a 10% discount in January and February. www.charlotte-farmer.co.uk 04 HANNAH TURNER Bristol-based designer Hannah Turner creates and sells beautiful handmade ceramics and textiles…

HOW TO MAKE… BABY SHOES MATERIALS Mint leather, 30 x 15cm (11 7/8 x 6"), 1.5cm ( 5/8") thick Beige leather, 15 x 10cm (6 x 4"), 1.5cm ( 5/8") thick Two pieces of gold leather, 55 x 0.5cm (21 5/8 x ¼"), 1.5cm ( 5/8") thick Craft knife Cutting mat Matching embroidery thread Leather punch, 2mm ( 1/8") and 4mm (¼") Awl Bodkin needle We can’t think of a sweeter gift for a little one than these teeny tiny moccasins – the ultimate way to start a lifetime’s obsession with shoes. These keepsake makes are sturdy enough to withstand a serious amount of toddling, and their soft, slipper-like feel will keep toes cosy while they’re at it. Easy to personalise, they’re also a thoughtful gift for friends expecting a…

HOW TO MAKE… A DOG BED MATERIALS Cotton fabric, 1.5 x 1.5m (1½ x 1½ yrds) (we used Cloud 9 Fabrics Window Dressing in Ocean/Fuchsia, find at Tailor’s chalk Wadding, 1.5m (1½ yrds), 200g (6oz) Hollowfibre filling, 500g (17½ oz) Upholstery base cloth, 70 x 45cm (27 5/8 x 18") (we used Corovin) Matching bias binding, 2.5m (2½ yrds), 3cm (1¼") wide Upgrade your pet’s current sleeping arrangements to a comfy bed that they’ll love snuggling up in. It’s a win-win situation as not only do they get to lounge around in luxury, but you can choose a fabric that’ll tie in with the colours of your living room. You might even be able to claim back your spot on the sofa, although we can’t promise anything. Debbie’s designed…

HOW TO MAKE… CABLED WRIST WARMERS MATERIALS • West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester Aran, 100% wool, 83m/50g per ball, two balls in Coral (542) • 4mm (UK 8, US 6) double pointed needles • 4.5mm (UK 7, US 7) double pointed needles • Cable needle • Stitch markers • Scrap yarn TENSION 20 sts and 30 rounds over stocking stitch to 10cm (4") square using 4.5mm needles SIZES • Small/Medium (18cm (7 1/8") around the top) • Medium/Large (20cm (7 7/8") around the top) ABBREVIATIONS st(s) stitch(es) k knit p purl k2tog knit two sts together pm place marker slm slip marker ssk slip one stitch knitwise, then next stitch purlwise onto right needle. Slip back onto left needle and k2tog through back loops C6B slip next 3 sts…

IT’S A JOY TO SEE PEOPLE’S FACES WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR WEAVE OFF THE LOOM A few years ago I discovered a strange-looking loom on eBay and decided to order it. It took me a while to figure out it was for weaving, but when I realised its possibilities, I instantly fell in love. I’ve always had a passion for yarn crafts, but there was something about the meditative process of creating beautiful wall hangings that kept me interested. Weaving has recently seen a new-found popularity and is a fast-growing trend. It’s so great to see new weavers popping up all the time, and how each individual puts their own take on it. I run weaving workshops demonstrating the basic skills and it’s a real joy to see people’s faces…