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A Bustle & Sew Publication Copyright Š Bustle & Sew Limited 2018 The right of Helen Dickson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Every effort has been made to ensure that all the information in this book is accurate. However, due to differing conditions, tools and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses and other damages that may result from the use of the information in this book.
First published 2018 by: Bustle & Sew The Cottage Oakhill Radstock BA3 5HT UK www.bustleandsew.com
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Welcome to the May Magazine May is such a cheerful sort of month I always think. The winter is now safely behind us and the countryside around my home is full of feel-good delights, from the delicate creamy pink hawthorn blossoms along the hedgerows to the prettiest garden tulips. This seasonal blooming has been eagerly anticipated by us all after what seems like the longest, most grey and cold winter we’ve endured for a very long time. The projects in this month’s issue are inspired by the new season, including my personal favourite, the little cat with blossoms. Rosie serves up spring on a plate in her recipe corner, and our Meet the Maker features Becca Hall, an extremely talented illustrator. You can also enjoy some classic fiction and poetry, discover how to choose your embroidery hoop, and I’ve shared my top tips for working from home too. I do hope you’ll enjoy this month’s magazine and just a quick reminder that the June issue will be published, as always, on the last Thursday of the month - in this case Thursday 31 May. So if you’re a subscriber watch out for it arriving in your inbox then! Until then, I hope you have a wonderful month!
Helen xx
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Tip for Stitchers When using a looped skein of floss leave the paper bands on and pull out the end of the thread from the centre of the skein. The “right” end will pull out easily and smoothly, whilst pulling on the “wrong” end will lead to knots and tangles. If in doubt give both ends a little tug to decide which is the right one. When you’re using a twisted skein (this is often the case with cotton pearl) remove the bands, untwist the skein and cut all the threads once at one end. Tie loosely with a slip knot. To remove a thread, pull out a strand from the loose knot.
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Between this month’s covers … Tips for Stitchers
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Tastes of the Season: Asparagus
Page 41
May Almanac
Page 6
Rosie’s Recipes: Spring on a Plate
Page 42
Helston Floral Dance
Page 8
Tastes of the Season: Elderflower
Page 50
Cat and Blossom Hoop
Page 9
Drawstring Work Bag
Page 51
How to Embroider Fur
Page 14
Working from Home
Page 54
The Cutting Garden
Page 19
Instagram Round up
Page 56
Lovely Idea: Fabric Covered Flower Pots
Page 21
Hoop Up! Choosing your Hoop
Page 57
Cactus Tea Cosy
Page 22
Simple Stitchery: Hello Bear!
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A (very) Little Guide to Caring for Quilts
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Home Comforts
Page 61
Meet the Maker: Becca Hall
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In the Kitchen: Conversion Tables
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Poetry Corner: Sewing Seeds
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Templates
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Choose Happy Hoop
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Spring on the River
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A (very) Little History of Embroidery
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The Merry Month of May
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Lovely Idea: Easy Wood Artwork Hangers Page 38 Little Pig Softie
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The Helston Furry Dance As I walked home on a summer night When stars in heav’n were shining bright Far away from the footlight’s glare Into the sweet and scented air Of a quaint old Cornish town Borne from afar on the gentle breeze Joining the murmur of the summer seas Distant tones of an old world dance Played by the village band perchance On the calm air came floating down I thought I could hear the curious tone Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone Fiddle, cello, big bass drum Bassoon, flute and euphonium Far away as in a trance I heard the sound of the Floral Dance And soon I heard such a bustling and prancing And then I saw the whole village was dancing In and out of the houses they came Old folk, young folk, all the same In that quaint old Cornish town. Song written by musician and composer Katie Moss in 1911. Perhaps the most famous version is that released by the late Sir Terry Wogan in 1978.
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Cat with Blossom Hoop One of my very-mostfavourite things to do is to stitch fur - I find it so rewarding and satisfying, and not nearly as hard to do as you may have thought. I have included lots of photos to show you how I built up the effect of fur, and also included my “How to Embroider Fur” tutorial which has lots of additional hints and tips. I gave the little cat a crown of very simple felt flowers which I thought made a lovely 3D effect and contrasted nicely with her fur. She is shown mounted in a 6” hoop (I used one from Auburn Hoops).
Method
Materials
● Use two strands of floss throughout.
● 10” square background fabric - I used a light grey linen blend
● I have included my “How to Stitch” fur guide with this pattern and the principles apply to this design. So, rather than repeat them, I have included lots and lots of step by step photos showing exactly how I stitched my cat as well as diagrams for fur direction and floss colours, and just a few written suggestions.
● Small scraps of felt for flowers ● Glue gun or PVA glue to adhere flowers ● DMC stranded cotton floss in colours 310, 433, 435, 677, 738, 819, 822, 938, 3023, 3328, 3362, 3771, 3852
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How to Embroider Fur: Bear in a Hat Tutorial
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You will need: ● 10” square white linen, cotton or other non-stretch fabric suitable for hand embroidery. Don’t use anything lighter than a quilting weight cotton as it will need to support quite a lot of stitching. ● DMC stranded cotton floss in colours 310, 352, 436, 437, 640, 945, 3023, 4124
I have always loved stitching fur, though I know some people are a bit put off by a technique they consider might be difficult and/or time consuming. I won’t deny it does take a little while, but though the results are impressive, it isn’t really difficult to do. You need very few colours to make your fur look convincing - the fur on my little Bear in a Hat uses only 3 shades of brown and - a bonus for me(!) - Your stitching doesn’t need to be too neat either ! You do need to give your project some thought before you begin though, but once you’ve done that then there are only a few basic principles you need to follow. This little bear also uses a variety of embroidery stitches for his coat and hat - back stitch, blanket stitch, cross stitch, chain stitch, French knots, ghiordes (or turkey) stitch and satin stitch. If you don’t want to try your hand at stitching fur, then he’d look nearly as nice with his face and legs simply outlined in back stitch, as are his coat and hat.
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“a little obsessed with the theme of nature�
Meet the Maker
Becca Hall talks to us about her artwork and business, her love of the natural world and her plans for the future too. Can you tell us a little about your work when they saw it. So rather than trying to do everything, ie, home and where you live? I live in The Lake District - I was born and bread here and never want to leave! I love the calmness and slow pace of the countryside and it helps inspire me. (My other favourite place is Cornwall, for the same reasons, and I go every year.) I lived in Manchester for 4 years whilst at Uni but never felt like I could call it home.
Can you tell us a little about your creative background? How did you get started? I have ALWAYS been into drawing. Cliche I know but its true. As soon as I found out about the illustration courses at Uni, I knew that's what I would do. I studied illustration with animation at Manchester School of Art, where I worked really hard to enable me to get a good start on what I wanted as a career.
Your artwork is so detailed - and has such humour - please could you tell us a little about your creative process. All I knew is, that I WANTED a style. I wanted people to recognise my
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realistic, landscapes, watercolour, children's book style etc, I decided to focus on what I love to draw, and the style found me! I absolutely love to draw animals. There's something about them that gives them so much character, and I love to try and portray that. (I grew up with over 100 beanie baby animals that I would play with CONSTANTLY and they ALL had their own character - good and bad - so I think it's also come with that.) The fact that people find them humorous is a bonus as I love illustrations that make me smile - I never thought I would be the one creating them for others to enjoy!
I was commissioned to do a 'breeds of sheep' picture back in 2015 which sparked something in me. It was such an interesting commission to do and I loved the endless list of collections I could create - hence why I now have a lot of 'breeds of' and 'types of' prints. I've also always loved collecting and creating collections, so this was a theme close to my heart.
If you love Becca’s cheerful, quirky illustrations and would like to learn more, you can find her online at:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/people/Beccaillustrates https://www.instagram.com/beccahallillustration/
Spring on the River It all seemed to good to be true. Hither and thither through the meadows he rambled busily, along the hedgerows, across the copses, finding everywhere birds building, flowers budding, leaves thrusting - everything happy, and progressive, and occupied ‌. He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before - this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver - glints and gleams and sparkles rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the back, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea. Kenneth Grahame, from The Wind in the Willows 32
A (very) Little Look at the History of Embroidery The art of decorating textiles is a truly ancient one whose origins are lost in the mists of time. Embroidery has been used in so very many different ways and for such different purposes over the centuries - to embellish elaborate trousseau and shrouds, to honour the glory of God in clerical vestments and the majesty of kings and queens in coronation and other such robes. But as well as being used to display great wealth, it has always been a wonderful way to add a little colour to the lives of peasants and - today - ordinary folk like us! Many non-stitchers regard hand embroidery as an activity from the post that’s no longer relevant in our age of mass
production and machine embellishment. They may imagine hand embroidery as a refined pastime, enjoyed by aristocratic ladies, as depicted in formal paintings from the past. And it’s true that there is a great deal of truth in this perception. There are paintings of Queen Elizabeth I in her amazing blackwork ruffs, Madam Pompadour at her elaborate embroidery frame in the mid-eighteenth century or a lady stitching white springs onto a muslin background in Joshua Reynolds’ painting of the Ladies Waldegrave from 1780. For the people shown in these artworks, embroidery was a pleasure and a highly valued accomplishment.
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Lemon Drizzle Cake This recipe gives, in my opinion at least, the perfect lemon drizzle cake - one that’s light andfluffy, with a slightly tart, zesty flavour cut through by the sweetness of the drizzle. Will keep for about five days in an airtight tin (if not eaten before then!)
Ingredients ● 225 g softened butter ● 225 g caster sugar ● 3 large eggs ● 2 tablespoons milk ● 275 g self-raising flour, sifted ● 2 teaspoons baking powder ● Zest of 2 lemons, plus extra for decoration ● Juice of 1 lemon
Method ● Preheat your oven to 180C
● Grease a 22 cm round cake tin and line the base with baking parchment. ● Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time. When the eggs are fully incorporated, add the milk and fold in the flour, baking powder and lemon zest. ● Pour the cake mixture into the tin and tap the sides to release any air bubbles. Bake for 35-40 minute until the sponge is light golden brown. Check if it’s cooked by inserting a skewer into the centre - if it comes out clean the cake is cooked. ● While the cake is still hot and in the tin, prick it with a skewer and pour over the lemon juice. Leave in the tin to cool. ● To make the drizzle, mix the lemon juice, a little at a time, into the icing sugar to make a smooth paste. ● Remove the cake from the tin and smooth the icing over the top. ● Sprinkle over the remaining lemon zest for decoration.
inspiration A closer look at some of the accounts we love‌ C:\Users\Debbie\Downl...\penandpaperpatterns.png
@10x2studio
@polkaros
Based in Troy, NY, Viktoriya makes gorgeous fabric dolls. She is a craftswoman in the morning and when her kids wake up she turns into a full time mom.
Ros Lee is a Tokyo-based, Singapore-born design consultant and artist with a passion for creating everyday objects with a colorful, humorous twist.
C:\Users\Debbie\Downloads\Ins...\fuzzyandflora.png
@thewhimsylillady
@feritasofties
The Whimsy Lil Lady celebrates and showcases all things quirky, colorful, and cute! You can find all of Miranda’s gorgeous creations in her Etsy shop.
Based in Santa Fe, Argentina, Gilda makes the most gorgeous little softies. We especially love her spec wearing cats and Bowie inspired bunnies!
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Hoop Up! Choosing your Hoop We're all familiar with the basic embroidery hoop or, to give it its full name, the tambour hoop. But did you know the word "tambour" the French derivation of the Arabic word "tunbur" meaning lute or drum. Perhaps it was given this name as when fabric is stretched tightly within it, it does rather resemble a drum? I wonder if the musical instrument "tambourine" got its name from the same source? But I digress ‌.. To hoop, or not to hoop, that is the question‌. I know there are many stitchers who don't
use a hoop, perhaps because they find it awkward to hold, too much trouble to move around their work, or simply have tried using one but just didn't get on with it. And lots of those stitchers produce lovely work without one - but the majority of us find our work is much neater and goes much more smoothly when we hoop up before beginning to stitch. Using an embroidery hoop is the easiest and handiest way to keep your stitch tension correct (frames are possibly even better, but not always as portable and certainly more
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expensive). Your hoop has to hold your fabric tight and taut while you work to achieve this - but beware - not all hoops are the same, and some are (much) better than others. An embroidery hoop can be made from wood, plastic or metal - but whatever the material, it is comprised of two rings. One ring, the inner, is placed beneath your fabric, then the second, or outer, ring is placed on top, then pushed down over the inner ring and the screw tightened to hold your fabric in place and nice and taut.
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CLICK HERE for an easy to use pdf file containing full size templates for all this month’s projects 63