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May must be one of the loveliest months of the year as we finally say a confident "Farewell" to the colder weather and look forward to the summer ahead. It's time to get out and about again and perhaps it'll even be warm enough for stitching in the garden with lots of hand sewing in my "Sunshine Sweetheart" and "Always be Sunshine" patterns. This month's softie is the wonderful Fox in a Frock, and to complete the spring feeling you'll discover "A Hoopful of Butterflies" as well as "Washing Day" - just in time to hold your pegs when you're hanging out the washing. I love washing that's been line dried, it has that wonderful fresh fragrance that you simply can't replicate during the darker, wetter winter months. Happy sunshine stitching everyone!
Helen xx Contents May Almanac
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An Afternoon Visitor
Page 23
Hoopful of Butterflies
Page 5
Rosie & Bear Washday Peg Bag
Page 29
Back Stitch
Page 8
Making Money from Making
Page 33
Finishing your Abandoned Project Page 9
Garden Party Tea Towels
Page 37
May Dancers Paper Dolls
Page 12
English Paper Piecing
Page 40
Always be Sunshine Stitchery
Page 13
Sunshine Sweetheart Pouch
Page 43
Spring in the Herb garden
Page 16
Templates
Page 49
Fox in a Frock Softie
Page 19
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in the Cornish town of that name on 8 May each year. The programme for the day features a number of dances through the narrow streets of the town, men in top hats and morning coats with a lily-of-the-valley buttonhole and the women in long dresses in bright summer colours and large fancy hats.
May, the fifth month, probably takes its name from Maia, a Roman goddess of growth and fertility - entirely appropriate for this wonderful time of year. The Irish-Gaelic name for the month is Bealtaine, which also denote the festival of Beltane that takes place on 1 May.
A little later in the month the sleepy Dorset village of Abbotsbury celebrates Garland Day. This custom was originally associated with the fishing fleet - garlands of flowers made by the fishermens’ children were blessed at the village church, then hung on the fishing boats and taken out to sea. Today the garlands are One of the oldest surviving customs in placed on the War Memorial to remember England, the Helston Furry Dance takes place those lost in conflict over the years. Folklore tells us that May dew has particularly beneficial properties for the complexion. The most potent May dew was that collected on the morning of 1 May and women who washed their faces in this dew would be restored to beauty.
May brings with her the beauty and fragrance of hawthorne blossoms and the song of the nightingale. Old poets delighted in describing her as a beautiful maiden, clothed in sunshine and scattering flowers on the earth, while she danced to the music of birds and brooks. She has given a rich greenness to the young corn, and the grass is now tall enough for the flowers to play at hide-and-seek among, as they are chased by the wind. The grass also gives a softness to the dazzling white of the daisies and the glittering gold of the buttercups. Chambers Book of Days 1864
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A Hoopful of Butterflies Spring is here - all year round with this hoopful of butterflies all labelled with their (spoof!) Latin names. Or why not make one as a brooch, add to a fascinator, or simply to perch on a lampshade, cushion or elsewhere in your home for a little touch of colour and whimsy? Butterflies are shown mounted in a 10� hoop.
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Back stitch is an outline stitch and is the best stitch to choose for making long straight lines, but can also be used for curves, though it’s not as smooth as stem stitch when curving.
Back stitch is worked from right to left. Bring your needle out a short distance from the beginning of the line you want to stitch (see the arrow in the diagram above). Then insert it back through the fabric at the beginning of your line - effectively taking a step “back” - and bring it forward again an equal distance forward from where you first started. You are actually taking along stitch forward beneath your fabric, then a short backward stitch on the right side - joining with the previous stitch.
Threaded back stitch is a very pretty variation - you could use three different floss colours to achieve the effect above. First work a line of ordinary back stitch, then thread it up and down alternately as shown by needle A. Needle B shows the second threading process, worked in exactly the same way as before, except that this time you’re filling in the gaps you left before. This is a very useful stitch to outline floral or leaf shapes, or to use as a border. 6
Finishing your abandoned projects At Bustle & Sew we’re not afraid to tackle sensitive subjects - such as the projects that you don’t want to think about - the ones you started with such enthusiasm only to give up on later and stuff away at the back of a cupboard or even under the bed! So what went wrong? And can you ever you learn to love your project again? (or at least complete it!!) Here’s a quick look at some of the techniques you might use to get those projects finished.
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s a lot of my stitching these days is destined for this magazine, I find that I'm having to be a lot more disciplined with my time - and have far fewer unfinished projects stuffed away in odd places niggling at my conscience and demanding that I finish them - one day perhaps! But, having had a major reorganisation of my workroom this month, I discovered one or two long forgotten pieces which made me start to wonder about exactly why I'd given up and put them to one side in the first place - so that perhaps I could identify what the problem had been and if there was any way to overcome it. Of course as all projects are different then the reasons why we give up on some of them are also going to vary too. Here's a look at some of the most common and some thoughts on how to get that project finally complete.
Boredom Perhaps your project became boring? This often happens for example if you have large areas of work to stitch all the same - whether that's a cross-stitch background or hand stitching bias binding. Working the same stitch or technique over and over again for long periods of time becomes very dull and uninspiring when your inner stitchy self is craving variety and change. Why not think about completing your boring unfinished project in slow gentle stages by working on it for say just 20 minutes at a time before moving on to more exciting projects. If your boring project doesn't demand too much attention to detail then why not work a few stitches at a time while you're watching TV? You're mostly concentrating on your favourite 7
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Always be Sunshine Stitchery After the horrible wet winter we’ve endured here in England this year, I thought this little stitchery would be a good reminder that the sun always shines again - just as true if you’re suffering through bad times - remember that the good times will return. Shown mounted in a 7” hoop.
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Spring in the Herb Garden May sees plenty of new growth on the perennial herb plants such as thyme and sage, whilst bushes of rosemary should have been flowering for some time. The first shoots of mint and fresh tangy chive leaves seem to appear almost overnight just when it seems as though spring will never arrive, and it becomes a real treat to enjoy leafy salads and vegetable dishes sprinkled with the bright green aromatic flecks of parsley, chive or marjoram. We may have to wait a while longer for annual herbs from our own gardens though today herbs are of course available both fresh and dried from supermarkets all year round, so it hardly seems worth while to dry your own herbs any more. There are lots more interesting ways to preserve them though ….
Try making some herb pastes which will keep in your fridge or a cool place if they’re well protected under a film of oil. Mixing mustards with fresh herbs is another good idea, or try making
herb-based sauces such as pesto which use other ingredients alongside your fresh herbs.
It’s also fun, and really easy, to infuse oils and vinegars with fresh herbs and this is a great way to prolong their scent and flavour throughout the year. Even rather plain and tasteless oils can be greatly improved by infusion with a handful of basil, thyme or rosemary. If you’re planning to use your herb oil for salad dressings, try to use olive oil to give the best flavour, but it needn’t be the most expensive. Vinegars can also be successfully infused, but you’re not likely to use as many of these - at least I don’t. But if you would like to try herb vinegar then use light wine or cider vinegar for the base. Probably one of the most successful herbs to use in this way is tarragon, but rosemary works well too. The
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Fox in a Frock Here’s a most elegant little fox softie, beautifully dressed in her lovely summer dress with smart lace up boots and a little cream collar, complete with tiny button. Miss Fox isn’t a beginner’s make, but isn’t complicated, just a bit fiddly in places, requiring a little patience. She measures approx 15” tall from the tips of her ears to the toes of her boots.
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An Unexpected Visitor Extract from “What Katy Did� by Susan Coolidge.
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t was a pleasant morning in early June. A warm wind was rustling the trees, which were covered thickly with half-opened leaves, and looked like fountains of green spray thrown high into the air. Dr. Carr's front door stood wide open. Through the parlor window came the sound of piano practice, and on the steps, under the budding roses, sat a small figure, busily sewing. This was Clover, little Clover still, though more than two years had passed since we saw her last, and she was now over fourteen. Clover was never intended to be tall. Her eyes were as blue and sweet as ever, and her apple-blossom cheeks as pink. But the brown pig-tails were pinned up into a round knot, and the childish face had gained almost a womanly look. Old
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Mary declared that Miss Clover was getting quite young-ladyfied, and "Miss Clover" was quite aware of the fact, and mightily pleased with it. It delighted her to turn up her hair; and she was very particular about having her dresses made to come below the tops of her boots. She had also left off ruffles, and wore narrow collars instead, and little cuffs with sleeve-buttons to fasten them. These sleevebuttons Clover liked best of all her things. Papa said that he was sure she took them to bed with her, but of course that was only a joke, though she certainly was never seen without them in the daytime. She glanced frequently at these beloved buttons as she sat sewing, and every now and then laid down her work to twist them into a better position, or give them an affectionate pat with her forefinger. Pretty soon the side-gate swung open, and Philly came round the corner of the house. He had grown into a big boy. All his pretty baby curls were cut off, and his frocks had given place to jacket and trousers. In his hand he held something. What, Clover could not see. "What's that?" she said, as he reached the steps. "I'm going up stairs to ask Katy if these are ripe," replied Phil, exhibiting some currants faintly streaked with red. "Why, of course they're not ripe!" said
The Merry Month of May 14
Rosie & Bear: Washing Day That naughty Bear has finally met his match in the form of - MUM!! Mum has insisted that he needs a wash, in spite of Rosie’s loud wails of protest, but somehow I don’t think he’ll be hanging from the washing line for very long! Finished bag is 5” diameter and 12” deep.
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Making Money from Making It’s wonderful when you discover that it’s actually possible to earn some money by doing something you love - like sewing! Over the next few issues I’m offering you some hints and tips on successfully selling the items you love to make … this month we’re looking at marketing and PR.
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ffective marketing and PR are absolutely essential - without them you won't be able to reach your potential customers and tell them about your products. Unless people know you exist and how they can purchase from you then you'll never be able to sell anything.
But back to marketing and PR - before you even begin to try to spread the word about yourself you need to have all your tools and information ready. Business Cards These are a great way of making sure people remember you and your products. Imagine you're at a craft fair when a retailer gets chatting to you. She loves your products and is interested in stocking them. She can't make a decision on the spot but would like to get back to you in the next few days and asks - do you have a business card? I'm sure you'll agree that handing her a nicely produced, clear, well-branded business card with all your contact details is far preferable to scribbling your contact details on the proverbial back of an envelope!
Sometimes people become confused between the terms marketing and PR Marketing is using advertising, leaflets, business cards and other methods to communicate information about yourself and your business to target your customers, whilst PR (public relations) is using the media to make your customers aware of your business. Featuring in magazines or newspapers - or maybe even appearing on TV or being interviewed by local radio, are all great ways to gain exposure for yourself and your business. Then of course there's It's easy to design your own business card, going online with your own website and or use an online service with easy templates using social media - coming next month and - but be sure they tie in with your overall in July. branding. Don't forget cards have a reverse
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Garden Party Tea Towels Applique is a great way to brighten up inexpensive plain tea towels - which make great gifts or very popular items on your craft stall if you’re planning to make to sell this summer. In spite of the popularity of dishwashers everyone still needs tea towels in the kitchen, they’re handy for all sort of things. Here are three easy ideas to choose from….
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as they offer us tantalising glimpses into pioneer life. You don't need any special tools and equipment for this easy hand piecing technique. It's a bonus though if, like me, you're the kind of person who has never been able to throw away even the smallest fabric scraps believing that "they're sure to come in useful one day" as you'll have lots of interesting materials to start with and will be able to create a beautiful item from almost nothing, always very satisfying!
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nglish Paper Piecing is a quilting technique that use fabric wrapped around paper templates to create a quilt block or entire quilt with great accuracy and precision. The paper acts as a fabric stabiliser when hand sewing all the pieces together, such as the seven hexagon shapes found in a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt block. English Paper Piecing quilts date back as far as the 1770's, with the oldest quilt of its kind made in the United States dating back to about 1807 - 1813 During America's Pioneer days, "paper" quilting became very popular. Paper was scarce in early America and women often saved letters, newspaper clippings and catalogue pages to create patterns. In many cases, paper templates were not removed from the quilt, the paper serving a dual purpose of both pattern and insulator. Today these paper templates have become important pieces of history
You can purchase pre-cut paper pieces or you can make them yourself. The diagram on the next page shows how to draw individual hexagons. This diagram was taken from a vintage book and drawing hexagons in this way would have been the only method available before technology arrived. Today there are plenty of templates available online to download - but remember - cutting paper will blunt your fabric shears so be sure to use a different pair of scissors! When cutting out your own shapes be sure to do so accurately to ensure a good fit when piecing the shapes together. If you use freezer paper for your pattern you can iron the shiny side directly onto the wrong side of your fabric and it will lightly adhere, so providing stability when you're folding and tacking. I know some people also punch a hole in the centre of their shapes to make removing them easier, but I personally don't do this - it's a matter of finding what works for you. Creating your own papers does involve making sure you prepare your shapes accurately. You'll also need to spend some
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Sunshine Sweetheart Zipper Pouch Combine vintage bluebirds with some lovely hexagonal piecing to create a really pretty little pouch - perfect for toiletries, cosmetics, or anything you choose - at any time of day whether you’re a morning sunshine or goodnight sweetheart! Finished pouch measures 6” x 9” x 3” approx
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Free to download from the Bustle & Sew website http://bustleandsew.com/free-patterns/
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