Summer Days in Cornwall
This summer has been one of endless sunshine and heat. Living in one of the sunniest corners of the UK, I’m used to bright days here in Cornwall , but usually there’s a sea breeze to keep things just a … Continued
Crafting, Filming and Fighting Off Moths: A Week in the Studio
Over the last few weeks I’ve been deep in making mode, building up stock and getting a fresh batch of felt toadstools underway. At the same time, I’ve been trying to post a short video story every day on Instagram. … Continued
Detached Chain Stitch
Detached Chain Stitch is all about creating neat, delicate loops that sit beautifully on the surface of your fabric. It’s one of my favourite embroidery stitches because it gives you the freedom to create flower petals, tiny leaves (which become … Continued
Fundamental starter stitches
Having covered several embroidery techniques in previous posts, I realized I’d overlooked the most fundamental starter stitches. The straight stitch and the running stitch are two of the ten essential hand-sewing stitches you need to master. They serve as the … Continued
Working with felt?
If you’re new to hand sewing, felt is wonderfully material to use. It doesn’t fray, it cuts cleanly, and it’s perfect for simple embroidery such as like the whip stitch, running stitch, and overstitch. I work exclusively with pure wool … Continued
Sewing on a button
Sewing on a button is a simple, useful skill, and with a few easy steps you can secure them neatly. Buttons can add detail and character to your handmade projects, and sewing them on securely is simpler than you might … Continued
Planning Ahead: Handmade Christmas in June
Over the past month, I’ve been building up stock and thinking ahead to the Christmas Markets. It might feel strange planning for Christmas in spring, but when everything is hand‑sewn and embroidered, it takes time to create enough pieces, so … Continued
Whipped Stitch or Overcast Stitch
The Whip stitch is one of those simple, dependable hand‑sewing stitches that every maker should have in their toolkit. This neat, slanted stitch wraps around the edge of your fabric to create a secure seam with a soft, handmade finish. … Continued