Mollie Magazine August 2019

Which one’s your thing – starting a new project or finishing? It’s an age old debate among crafters, but this month Team Mollie are focusing on the pleasure in making. There’s so much enjoyment to be had, be it from the spark of a idea or the thrill in picking out fabrics. You might love the soothing rhythm of repetitive stitches, or mastering a tricky pattern. And who can forget the joy in finishing a make, or seeing someone’s face when you gift it to them? With that in mind, every project in this issue brings happiness in a different way. Whip up an easy raffia clutch in an evening, take your time over a patchwork picnic blanket the whole family can enjoy, or make a little ‘un smile with a fluffy…

Kayleigh Excell Before becoming a mother and a sewing enthusiast, Kayleigh worked in the television industry for 10 years and spent time road tripping. Her favourite moment was spotting a mother bear and her cubs in Yellowstone National Park. Make Kayleigh’s picnic quilt on page 40. www.kindredquiltingco.com Jessica Haynes As a child, Jessica insisted on wearing stripes and polka dots every day. Her life as an adult has followed that offbeat path: she’s conducted research on chocolate in Costa Rica, lived in India at the tomb of a saint, and otherwise managed to lead a gloriously unique life thus far. Create Jessica’s beaded earrings on page 21. www.alicerise.com Twinkie Chan Twinkie Chan loves: pancakes, pizza, matcha lattes, peppermint ice cream, Brussels sprouts, fried zucchini, and dreaming up delicious new crochet projects. She does not love: weaving in…

“When Mollie came to me with the idea of a mini wall hanging, I smiled, as it wasn’t something I’d thought of before and I love working on new ideas. I like to make stylised flowers with clean, graphic shapes. Natural flowers inspire me, and I’m also influenced by textile design, graphics, fashion and interiors. There’s quite a lot of cutting out to do to make your paper flower hanging, but it’s deceptively easy once you’ve done that! I’ll be hanging my paper flowers up in my daughter’s bedroom. Conveniently, the colours already coordinate with the décor in there!” Find Laura at www.laurareed design.co.uk and on Instagram @laurareeddesign sharing more about her bespoke décor. Turn to page 91 to make yours, and share using #molliemakers.…

WHEN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING MEETS JEWELLERY DESIGN, magical things happen. Glasgow-based designer, maker and researcher Lynne MacLachlan’s work is a celebration of movement and colour. It’s also a careful study of geometry, the structure of the helix, and a masterclass in how to use 3D printing as a tool to create wearable works of art. Visit Lynne’s website to shop the new Helix collection and read more about her research. www.lynnemaclachlan.co.uk HOME ELEVATE THE HUMBLE GARDEN BENCH from forgotten workhorse to design feature by investing in this cobalt blue beauty from Habitat. With its sleek curves and powder-coated steel slats, the Indu bench is a contemporary update on a classic design. It has the making of both a bold piece on an urban patio, or a fun graphic addition to a rambling…

HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET FREAKSHAKE MATERIALS Paintbox Yarns SimplyAran, 100% acrylic, 184m/201yd per 100g, one ball each in Candyfloss Pink (249) (Yarn A), Paper White (200) (Yarn B), Coffee Bean (210) (Yarn C), Light Caramel (208) (Yarn D), Bubblegum Pink (250) (Yarn E), Rose Red (213) (Yarn F) and Neon Green (259) (Yarn G) 5mm (UK 6, US H/8) crochet hook Yarn needle Two stitch markers Two 10 x 10cm (4 x 4") pieces of cardboard Fibrefill toy stuffing Multi-coloured seed beads Sewing needle Thread to match Yarn C and Yarn E Paper straw Wooden skewer Hot glue gun TENSION Tension is not important for this project, but the stitches should be dense enough so the stuffing doesn’t show through ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) ch(s) chain(s) ss slip stitch dc double crochet htr half treble tr treble crochet yrh yarn…

HOW TO MAKE BEADED EARRINGS MATERIALS Size 11 seed beads in green, dark blue, white and pale yellow Beading thread in size 0 or 00 Size 10 beading needle Beading mat or fuzzy cloth (optional) Two earring ear wires Bead weaving without a loom? You’re ready. Take the leap and discover a whole new way to create miniature masterpieces you can hang from your lobes. This pair of earrings is finished with the all-important swishy fringe, a must for carefree, artisanal summer style. Use the colour chart on page 91, as a guide to bead placement, or create your own design. The triangle shape is worked from the bottom up, and then the beaded fringing is added afterwards. 01 Thread the beading needle with about 1m (39 3/8") of thread and slide four green…