Innehållsförteckning för Issue 77 från Mollie Magazine

Mindfulness is nothing new to crafters – the moments of calm found in creativity are one of the reasons we’re so passionate about making. In honour of this, we’ve devoted this issue’s exclusive bonus magazine, Makes for Mindfulness, to the pursuit of thoughtful, nature-inspired makes – you’ll find five all-new projects, plus styling inspiration and DIY ideas inside. Share your mindful makes with us on Instagram using #molliemakers. Whatever you’re planning to make from this issue, take a pause to read our exclusive interview with Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. on page 26. It was a privilege to step behind the scenes at one of the most exciting creative companies out there, and Anna’s journey makes for a fascinating read.…

Make your dreams of a handmade wardrobe a reality with Caroline Hulse’s new book, Sew Caroline Weekend Style. From date night skirts to trendy tees, its easy-sew patterns are a spring essential. Mollie readers can order a copy for just £13.99 with free UK P&P by calling 01206 255777 and quoting IM617. Offer ends 2nd June 2017. www.sewandso.co.uk We like our embroidery big and bold – much like the floral blooms and bird on this stitched stripe shirt from ONLY.Why? Because life’s too short to be a wallflower. www.only.com If you hadn’t guessed, we’re rather fond of nature’s long-eared friends. That’s why this Easter we’ll be showcasing these kitsch rabbit napkins from Talking Tables’ new Truly Bunny range. www.talkingtables.co.uk These may well be the sweetest pom pom makers we’ve seen.…

Here’s a secret you might not already know: crafters are superheroes. As well as being able to transform our tools of the trade – yarn, paper, fabric – into mini works of art, like other superheroes, we can also use our powers for good. Donating the odd make to charity is a happy byproduct of crafting that’s taken on a life of its own in recent years. Think rows of Innocent Smoothies dressed in little hats, knitted in aid of Age UK (www.thebigknit.co.uk), or Dress a Girl Around the World (www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com), where the nimble-fingered rustle up a frock from a pillowcase for girls in Africa. These well-known campaigns offer an easy way in, but how else can you use your powers? SHARING IS CARING Mollie Makes have teamed up with…

Blogger Kate Johnson – AKA Kate La Vie – lives in a two bedroom Victorian flat on Glasgow’s Southside with her boyfriend, Jordan, and their cat, Mouse. The couple bought their home three years ago, after Kate relocated from London. “I grew up in Scotland so I wanted to come back, and I ended up falling in love with Glasgow,” she explains. “It’s got everything. There’s lots going on, yet it doesn’t feel impersonal – everyone’s really friendly.” The flat was badly decorated when they viewed it, but with its huge windows, wooden floors and high ceilings, Kate could see it had potential. After painting the walls white, the couple restored the darkly-varnished floors to a more natural shade, and refitted the bedrooms with reclaimed chevron floorboards sourced from an…

Full Experience Tickets cost just £24 for Mollie Makes readers (usually £27) – book now with code MOLLIE3 for a free Mollie Makes book! Tickets include: • 1X SUPER THEATRE SESSION Choose between Q&As with the likes of Erika Knight and Chinelo Bally, or the Mollie Makes Mash Ups. • 1X SKILLS WORKSHOP Take part in a hands-on session with creative experts to make a unique project to take home. • 1X GRAND MAKE This is crafting on a grand scale! Take part in a communal workshop with 250 other crafters. • PLUS... Enjoy access to the Shopping Village, and food and drink stands from artisan producers.OR treat yourself to VIP tickets for just £75 – saving £10 – to receive the benefits of a Full Experience ticket, as well…

HOW TO MAKE… AN ARTIST’S ROLL MATERIALS • Patterned fabric, 52 x 59cm (20½ x 23¼") • Plain fabric, 52 x 39cm (20½ x 15 3/8") • Matching sewing thread • Ribbon, 45cm (17¾") • Fusible web, 52cm (20½") If you’ve got a paint brush – or make-up brush – collection in need of a new home, sew yourself a storage solution. Hester’s artist’s roll keeps all your tools safe in one place, plus it’s small enough to throw in your bag. Stash scissors and craft knives, pens and pencils, or use it as an excuse to invest in that calligraphy set you’ve had your eye on. Pick matching or co-ordinating fabrics that reflect both your style and needs – the heavier the weight, the sturdier your roll will be.…

HOW TO MAKE… A GIRL’S DRESS MATERIALS • Patterned cotton fabric, 112 x 100cm (44 1/8 x 39 3/8") • Plain cotton fabric, 112 x 100cm (44 1/8 x 39 3/8") • Four buttons, 2cm (¾") • Tailor’s chalk • Lightweight iron-on interfacing, 30 x 30cm (11 7/8 x 117/8") • Matching sewing thread • Sewing needle Sizes • 1-2 years • 2-3 years • 3-4 years Show off your sewing machine skills this weekend and whizz up a cute dress for your mini-me. With its Peter Pan collar and swishy skirt, little girls will love flouncing around in it, be it out in the garden or at a friend’s birthday party. Let them pick their own fabrics for a make they’ll never want to take off, then cut out…

Anna Bond Anna is the co-founder of Rifle Paper Co., and runs the business alongside husband Nathan. Their first collaboration involved Anna designing posters for Nathan’s band, and the pair have been happily working together since. Read about Rifle Paper Co.’s journey on page 26 . www.riflepaperco.com Kata and Peter Kata loves pastel colours, red lipstick and hot summer days, while Peter loves cats, mending gadgets and Kata’s smile. They both enjoying learning new things and exploring, and their Etsy shop is filled with animal-inspired makes. Make their dachshund cushion on page 62 . www.rokusmuvek.com Yan Schenkel Yan kept all her soft toys, action figures and books from her childhood – she’s a huge sci-fi and adventure movies fan, especially the ones from the…

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‘I had no idea what Rifle Paper Co. would become, or how fast we’d grow.’ In just six years, Anna Bond’s company, Rifle Paper Co., has grown from a small greeting card business to an iconic global brand, creating all kinds of stationery, accessories and homewares. It all began when graphic designer Anna was asked to create wedding invites for a friend, which sparked her love of stationery and stirred ideas of starting her own business. She invested the money from producing the wedding invites into creating her first run of cards and a website, and began branching out into other products not long after. Anna, 32, and her husband Nathan, who run the business together full-time, have collaborated with names such as Puffin Books and LeSportsac, and their products…

HOW TO MAKE… A COLLAR BIB MATERIALS Cotton fabric, 50cm (19¾") Five small buttons Two plastic sliders Matching sewing thread Sewing machine Button up without layering up using this clever collar bib. Adding a shirt to your ensemble instantly makes even the tiredest sweater look smart, but we hate that bunched up feeling you get from the shirt/jumper combo – sleeves all askew, the ‘tucked in or untucked?’ dilemma… Lana’s faux undershirt is an easy-sew solution, with the scalloped collar and on-point monochrome fabric making it a win for both fashion and comfort. We used Atelier Brunette Bloom in Shine Blue-Black from www.sewnbristol.co.uk , but a crisp white cotton would work just as well. 01 Photocopy and cut out the templates on page 96, then fold your fabric in half…

Stitch guide USE OUR HANDY STITCH GUIDE TO EMBROIDERY YOUR PILLOWCASES COLONIAL KNOT Similar to the French knot, this stitch is used for creating dotted details. Come up at point 1, form a backwards C with the thread and place your needle over the C. Wrap the thread over and then under the point of the needle. While holding the working thread taut, bring the needle down at point 2 (next to point 1, but not the same hole) and pull slowly until the knot is formed. SATIN STITCH When you want to fill an area with a smooth finish, this stitch is the ideal choice. It’s best worked in small areas, because if the stitches are too long, they may snag. Come up at point 1, then go down…

HOW TO MAKE… JEWELLED EGG SOAPS MATERIALS • Two tubs of Stephenson Transparent Melt and Pour soap base, 1kg • One tub of Stephenson Opaque Melt & Pour soap base, 1kg • Mica pigment in several shades • Old saucepan • Silicone muffin cases • Disposable plastic cups • Wooden skewers • Craft knife Indulge your inner magpie with these Fabergé-worthy egg-shaped soaps. With their rich jewel colours and diamond-like facets, we don’t just want to put them in the bathroom any old how, we want to build an extravagant gilt cabinet and display them on the wall for all to see. If you’ve never made soap before, this project is guaranteed to convert you. Melt and pour soap bases are readily available online and in most craft stores –…

HOW TO MAKE… A CROCHET BAG MATERIALS • Patons 100% DK Cotton, 100g/ 210m per ball, two balls in White (02691) • 3mm (UK 10, US D/3) crochet hook • Pair of bag straps • Tapestry needle ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) sp(s) spaces ch chain ch-sp chain space ss slip stitch dc double crochet tr treble RS right side WS wrong side Shout about your feminist credentials with this quirky statement tote. Making sure your accessories work just as hard as you do, we guarantee all your gal pals will be enlisting your crochet skills once they see your version. When crocheting, be sure to check you have the right spacing for your letters after each row, and that both sides have the correct number of squares before joining them.…

Weave your way to happiness... “For me, weaving is a fantastic way to work with a range of different yarns, fibres and textiles to create tactile works of art.To say I’m obsessed is no exaggeration! Working on a small frame is a great way to master warping a loom and maintaining tension, which is the key to a striking finished piece. And, this beginner-friendly design features a number of techniques you can try, which makes for a fun and vibrant finish.” Laura lives with her husband and their border terrier, Waffle. From designing to writing, she loves anything creative, and shares craft tutorials, ideas and inspiration on her website. Her book, Modern Weaving, is on sale now, filled with 25 creative loom projects. www.madepeachy.com Turn to page 96 for instructions,…

MATERIALS Cotton rope, 5m (5 yrds), 1cm ( 3/8") thick Hot glue gun Clear glue sticks Large bowl Acrylic paint Paint brush Heatproof mat Cutting mat 01 Heat up the glue gun, then coil the end of your rope. Squeeze a few blobs of glue onto one side to secure the first coil, being careful not to touch the glue. Hold in place for 30 seconds to allow the glue to set. 02 Continue to coil the rope around, gluing 10cm (4") sections at a time, and holding them in place while the glue sets. Carry on until you have a flat base, the same diameter as the bowl. 03 To form the basket, place the base coil onto your heatproof mat. Continue winding and gluing the rope, shaping the…

HOW TO MAKE… THREE FLORAL DISPLAYS MATERIALS • Selection of flowers and foliage (we used thlaspi, ranunculus, chrysanthemums and gypsophila) • Florist’s wire, 24-gauge For the himmeli • Gold straws • Embroidery thread For the flower crown • Yarn in two different colours • Pom pom makers in various sizes • Garden wire For the wreath • Coloured string • Metal hoop Put that vase back in the cupboard and give Teri Muncey’s seriously Insta-worthy floral displays a go instead. Combining craft and flower arranging, these makes mean you don’t have to spend a fortune on flowers for an impressive finish. Teri’s used just a few blooms in each, showing off the season’s finest to their full potential while keeping them purse-friendly. Himmeli hanging 01 Cut twelve straws to the…

If your happy place is cosied up in bed with a stack of your favourite magazines and a cuppa, indulge in this Jens Woven Windsor Platform Bed from Urban Outfitters. The shaped headboard is ideal for creating a snuggly Sunday morning duvet nest. www.urbanoutfitters.com If your plant lady credentials don’t stretch to actual living things, cheat with Rose & Grey’s Urban Botanicals Musa wall art. Prefer a simple slogan? Go grey with The Lovely Drawer’s print. www.roseandgrey.co.uk, www.thelovelydrawer.com A chair’s not a chair unless you can curl your legs up and properly lounge. This pretty-in-pink Divine armchair from Bloomingville fits the bill. www.bloomingville.com Rugs are tricky to get right. Luckily, this Yasmine Overdyed Rug in Blush from Dassie Artisan ticks all the boxes – not a granny vibe in sight. www.dassieartisan.com…

CELEB SPOTTING Join The Handmade Fair hosts Kirstie Allsopp on Friday, skincare guru Liz Earle on Saturday, and The Great British Sewing Bee star, Patrick Grant, on Sunday – they’ll all be hosting exclusive sessions in the Super Theatre. Plus, see craft favourites including Mr X Stitch, Christine Leech and H & Sammy take to the stage for The Mollie Makes Mash Ups. Our Ready Steady Cook- style craft-offs are taking place every day, so watch our stars battle against one another – and the clock – in a creative craftathon. HANDS-ON CRAFTING Whether you want to try a new craft, or pick up tips and tricks from the experts, enjoy hands-on workshops throughout the weekend. From willow weaving to watercolour painting, calligraphy to block printing, you’re guaranteed to leave…

HOW TO MAKE… A DACHSHUND CUSHION MATERIALS • Fleece fabric in light brown and pale blue • Cotton fabric in light brown, black and pale blue • Gold beads • Black embroidery thread • Tapestry needle • Soft toy stuffing • Fusible web • Matching sewing thread • Fork • Pale blue yarn There aren’t enough heart-eyed emojis out there to fully express our love for this dachshund cushion. From his pom pom beret, placed at the jauntiest of angles, to his happy, wagging tail, this j’adorable pillow fills us with glee. Sew your own version to bring quirky Parisian chic to a corner of your home, and to show your love for the short-legged, long-bodied sausage dog. Use a 0.5cm (¼") seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise stated. 01 Photocopy…

HOW TO MAKE… BEADED EARRINGS MATERIALS • Seed beads in gold, black, pink and white • Beading wire, 32-gauge • Two earring hooks • Round nose pliers • Chain nose pliers • Wire cutters They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and after checking out Charlotte’s earrings, we can see why. Granted, they might be more diamond-shaped than princess cut, but if you want an accessory that’s really going to catch someone’s eye, these beaded beauties are the ones to do it. Once you get the hang of this simple threading technique, you can easily adapt the pattern to make the finished design as big or as small as you like. Use it to make a necklace, or just switch up the colour combo instead – be inspired by…

YOUR BONUS GIFT BY LAURA STRUTT PAGE 7 01 Tie one end of the length of cotton to the lower left-hand side of the loom. Keeping the cotton taut, warp your loom by drawing the cotton up and down, looping it around the notches at the top and bottom. Knot the cotton on the lower right-hand side to secure it, then trim off any excess. 02 To make the rya knots, trim 12 15cm (6") lengths from the cream yarn and four 15cm (6") lengths from the grey yarn. Separate the lengths out into pairs, then fold two lengths of cream yarn in half. Pass the left side of the bundle under and back around the first warp thread (on the far left), and the right side under and around…