Bunny from a Facecloth

I'm working on a tutorial for an Easter project today. It will be 'How to make a Bunny from a Facecloth' not earth shattering, I know, but makes a change from a knitted chick!

Flowers made from Suffolk Puffs (yo-yo's)

After making a brooch with a nautical flavour yesterday, today I thought I would play around with Suffolk puffs (yo-yo's) again. This time they look more like flowers, and the gold one compliment the bib necklace, I made a while ago.

Nautical but Nice!

Get those stripy tops out, the nautical look is back (again!). My homage to this maritime fashion is to award my self a decoration. I made my brooch from a Suffolk puff (yo-yo's) sewed on a button, with a nautical flavour, and finally attached a red, white and blue ribbon. I completed my knitted necklace too.

High Visibility Flag

Today, out of interest, I was trying different colour ways for the Union Jack flag. I tried one in pastel print fabrics, nice, but my favourite one was made from a deconstructed Hi-Vis, fluorescent, reflective safety vest, from Poundland. I liked this, I can see it could be used for safety, maybe on a child's bag or jacket. It would be interesting to try out other designs too, not just a flag. Children might find it funky forgetting it's helping to keep them safe.

Passport Cover

I made a passport cover today. I chose small floral print fabrics instead of the normal plain red, white and blue for the flag. I didn't neaten off the edges, of the applique, I wanted to leave them frayed to give a softer effect.

Redwork Babushka

Today I thought I would have a go at drawing and stylising a Russian doll, then translate the drawing into Redwork embroidery

More Organza Flowers

My theme this week has been flowers, I think I'm looking forward to spring, wishing away these cold winter days. These flowers, made from organza, are so easy to make, a tutorial is on my website http://pompomemporium.com

Zip It!

I bought a selection of long colourful zips, with metal teeth, from a variety of charity shops/thrift stores. I've seen jewellery made from zips and wanted to have a play! I'm pleased with how the flowers turned out, I think they make interesting blooms!

Ribbon Roses

I bought some ribbon before Christmas, from the local market, wired edged ombre ribbon. Because the colours are graduated I thought they would make interesting flowers. I cut a length of ribbon 70cm long, removed the wire, by pulling it, from one edge, the base edge. At either end of the ribbon I folded over the ends, as shown in the photograph. With a needle and thread I sewed a running stitch along the length of the ribbon. I pulled the thread, to gather the ribbon, not too gathered or the flower would look like a rosette! I needed to form the rose naturalistically, so this stage was a bit of trial and error. Once the desired rose form was achieved, I stitch it securely together at the base. The wired edge allowed me to shape and form the ribbon, to give the appearance of petals. I think these roses have lots of possibilities, they could be used to decorate a hat, hair band, corsage, an evening bag and lots more

Electric Kettle Executed in Redwork Embroidery

Today I did a sketch of my electric kettle, turned it into a line drawing then embroidered it. Redwork is addictive, no household object is safe from the Redwork treatment, the more mundane the better! Find out more about Redwork, history and method here

Espresso Coffeepot Executed in Redwork

Yesterday I drew an espresso coffeepot, today I have turned it into an embroidery. I wanted to try Redwork. You can find out more about Redwork, the history and method here I traced my line drawing, of the coffeepot, onto my fabric, I don't have a light box so used my window to do this. I traced the image using a red propelling pencil, this gave ma a fine line, the same colour as my thread. The stitch I used was backstitch, couldn't be easier. The basic principal of Redwork is you only use a single colour in your design, it doesn't have to be red it could be black, then it would be called black Redwork. I really like the clean graphic effect this form of embroidery gives me.