Australian Homespun October/November 2020

This old perambulator’s new ‘skin’ is a collection of old tapestries and embroideries. Swedish artist Ulla-Stina Wikander has collected theses pieces for more than 10 years and has over 100 in her collection. She says she has mixed feelings for them, “but sometimes they are very beautiful …” and she wanted to bring them back to life. In 2012 she started covering mundane household items from the ‘70s, giving them a second life. Visit her website to see the many items she has completed. Some of the small objects, such as an iron or a phone, take her a day or two to complete, but the bigger installations take weeks to finish. www.ullastinawikander.com…

It is commonly agreed that there are four basic crochet stitches: single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet. Just how many stitch patterns that can be made with a combination of these, plus slip stitch and chain, is unknown, although it is believed to be more than 100. We love the look of the linen stitch pattern and in an upcoming issue we will share a baby blanket using this very stitch. Stay tuned.…

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Don’t miss our comprehensive guide to a fabulous array of Christmas gift ideas for sewers and craft people, or maybe just yourself. Turn to page 112 to see our collection of the best stuff for sewists and crafters! BEDTIME STITCHES Salley Mavor, of Wee Folk Studio, hand stitched numerous illustrations to accompany Rebecca Bond’s children’s story for their book called My Bed, Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep Around the World. The original pieces took two years to complete and each one depicts a child in a different culture and living environment. Salley shares the process of making the three-dimensional bas-relief illustrations, which involve stitching, embroidery and other embellishment techniques, on her blog. A touring exhibition of the original bas-relief embroidered illustrations by Salley is set to begin late in 2020 and will…

Let us know about your events – email details to dsegaert@umco. com.au or send them to Homespun Diary Dates, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670. Please notify us at least four months before the event. Northern Territory November 28–December 5 Alice Springs Territory Quilts Exhibition Witchetty’s Function Room, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs Open: 10am–4pm More information: www.alicequiltingclub.org.au Australian Capital Territory November 6–8 Lyneham CraftAlive Thoroughbred Park Racecourse 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham Open: 9am–4pm More information: www.craftalive.com.au Victoria November 13–15 Wendouree CraftAlive Wendouree Sports and Events Centre Norman Street, Wendouree Open: 9am–4pm More information: www.craftalive.com.au Tasmania October 23–25 Hobart Island Quilts (Held in conjunction with CraftAlive) Goods Shed – Macs Point, Evans Street, Hobart More information: www.tasquiltguild.com.au October 30–November 2 Deloraine Tasmanian Craft Fair Deloraine Community Complex, 2 Alveston Drive, Deloraine Open: 9am–5pm More information: secretary@tascraftfair.com.au www.tascraftfair.com.au Be sure to check the dates and locations of these events as they may have been cancelled or postponed…

From her home in the United Kingdom to southern France and the lush region of Southeast Asia, embroidery artist Georgie Emery has been inspired by butterflies from across the globe. Her embroideries are the result of careful design planning, meticulous stitching and a deep appreciation for these beautiful creatures. “They represent peace and life and exude such a magical presence as they gently fly around,” says Georgie. With her camera, sketchbook and sewing supplies at the ready, Georgie takes every opportunity to admire these high flyers and depict them in her richly embroidered designs. Georgie dipped her toes into sewing when she was eight years old through Brownies (a level of Girl Guides in the UK). “We had to sew our badges onto our sashes, which was actually quite hard because…

MATERIALS • 15cm (¼yd) black print fabric (hair) • Fat eighth each of three assorted print fabrics (dresses) • Fat eighth cream fabric (faces) • Fat eighth lightweight fusible interfacing • Fat eighth fusible web • Pink coloured pencil (blusher) • Small scrap of lightweight fusible fleece such as Parlan (ponytails) • Stranded embroidery cotton in pink and black (faces) • 1m (1 1/8yd) bakers’ twine or similar string (hanging dolls) • Fibre fill • Template plastic • Permanent-marking pen • Pencil or fabric-marking pen • Doll needle • Sewing machine • General sewing supplies Stitches used: Backstitch, detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, running stitch Finished sizes: 19 x 42cm (7½ x 16½in) (swag) 19 x 14cm (7½ x 5½in) (each doll) Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. A seam allowance of 6mm (¼in) is used throughout. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well…