the long thread has a super tutorial on how to make these very stylish crooked coasters.
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February 2009
the storque has a quick tutorial on how make some easy wedding favor draw string bags.
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The Mother Bear Project is dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear.
Find out how you can help – knit bears, donate money or supplies or time, purchase patterns. Read this heartwarming story of a 93 year old woman who has just completed knitting her 100th bear for the project. [via]
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thanks wardrobe refashion for directing me to this cool t-shirt hack for Swarovski Sweatshirt at Teen Vogue.
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some visual stimulation for the weekend: some designs from spoonflower - if you have not yet tried getting your own fabrics printed – I urge you to give it a go – so addictive.
1. Porterness seahorse fabric – love the retro color
2. WilsonLaura – jade windows – love that intense green
3. lorijoy – little girls – love the paleness of this fabric
4. Miko design – lovely winter drawing – soft and groovy.
5. Lauriewis – chairs multiplied – very stylish
6. Surya25 – colourful animal print
heaps of ideas of what people are making from their fabric – apart from just sewing with it – you can use it to make motifs or patches for soft books or soft toys.
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Happy end of the week everyone – for most of us this means some weekend crafting, family time, a weekend getaway if you are lucky and maybe some diy around the house. As for me I am nearing the end of a very stressful house renovation – and am dearly hoping that the floors will be finished this week so I can use my kitchen again. – what will you be doing this weekend?
This week on whipup we have had some fabulous contributor stories: Heather reviewed Stitched in time by Alicia Paulson and (a different) Heather contributed her tutorial for a quick rag rug bag. To submit a design, tutorial, pattern or essay please email whipup[at]gmail.com.
So many tutorials this week – here is just a few: craft therapy (crochet his shirts) : cute patchwork wrist cuffs : how to embroider on dark fabric : very cute stuffed cup cakes : no-sew ribbon cuff : stylish fabric badge : simple baby quilt and a stacked coins baby quilt : how to do hot pour yarn dyeing and a pattern for a very sweet pyramid coin purse.
Did you happen to catch the video on Micro knitting – so incredible – and if you entered the fabric giveaway - winners will be announced next week -thank you to everyone who entered. If you have a small business and would like us to host a giveaway for you please email me at whipup[at]gmail.com
Did you miss our getting your craft room organised series – you can find it here: pt1. de-clutter : pt2. rearrange : pt3. redecorate : pt4. storage devices : pt5. work bench : pt6. small spaces.
Once again thanks to Nicole and happy crafting everyone!
did you miss last weeks roundup? get them all here or subscribe to this weekly newsletter via email here.
Ps. feel free to send in letters, ideas and links to whipup[at]gmail.com
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Amy Butler’s Little Stitches
Like all Amy Butler’s patterns, this book is full of gorgeous designs, with detailed instructions. Not for the absolute beginner sewer, although some projects might fall under that category. There are some challenging projects to stretch your sewing skills.
Amy has included hand drawn illustrations this time around – which is lovely, I do find the designy patterns underneath the photos and illustrations and text a little busy and distracting though. The photos and styling as usual is outstanding, however the projects are very text heavy with project instructions often running on from each other without clear definition between one and the next.
The projects themselves are for the most part pretty cool. Some gorgeous practical stuff, I think this is Amy’s strength – household practical designs. A crib set with pockets, a wrap blanket with hood, a baby kimono and slippers. I love the everything bag – a tool kit for mums – really all women need one of these. And I wish I had had the change tabletop with pockets when my babies were babies.
Some of the more whimsical projects are more successful than others, I really love the cuddle kitty toy and the imagination book and the cheeky monkey laundry bag – very very cute. I thought the sleepy snail with the spiral ruffle, and the baby butterfly hat just a bit too fussy though.
Overall though a terrific book with a range of patterns to suit most new mothers who like to sew.
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Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy
I rarely open a book up at the very beginning, especially a craft book, so I thought it amusing when the first image I flicked to was that of a dog – not crafty but a good memory and nice surprise. This book contains 30 memory-keeping projects, which are varied in style and complexity, they are diverse – ranging from a bag for wedding shoes to a kids drawing softie.
The book is divided into 3 sections – For the little ones – For everyday – For special occasions. It is a refreshing classification with embroidery, appliqué, bags etc sitting side by side; this book is great for those that like to dabble in a number of different styles and techniques. Each project combines several basic sewing techniques which are all clearly explained and illustrated in the back of the book. Each project has a detailed materials list and great photos which clearly illustrate a complex instruction when necessary.
There is a lot of content in the 160 pages, but it is never too overwhelming and with large photographs throughout a beautiful book to flip through or read cover to cover. Paulson shares her secrets and love for creating hand-made mementos. Her detailed execution and lovely ideas inspires one to get out all the collected memorabilia and make something practical. Her book reflects this with short personal introductions on each project. There are useful tips on adapting and developing the project on every page.
Each project uses a similar set of basic sewing techniques. Pinking sheers and photo fabric, vintage scraps and embroidery floss, these projects use it all. Paulson comments that these projects are about incorporating memory into every stitch. This is not a book to be followed from A-Z; it is more of a template to creating lasting memories.
I am inspired by the memory squares – a personalised touch to an old school children’s game. Although I don’t have the photo fabric paper, I will use photos that I already have printed and make it with them. After all, as Paulson says – it is the process that is important, and I am inspired to make them now!
About the reviewer: Heather is a freelance designer, film maker and generally crafty gal. She loves to have a craft jam / craft-a-noon with friends and recently completed a crochet bouquet to take down the isle.
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Win one of two 50 fat quarter bundles. Head on over to Art Gallery Fabrics to enter via the LINK. Please don’t comment here :) Link.
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