Constellations Embroidery

Yay!A DIY! This is quite easy to do- it only took me an evening, and I just think it is so cute, especially as I used a small (13cm) embroidery hoop. All you need is...

-A small embroidery hoop (like I said, I went for 13cm, but it doesn't need to be exact.)

-Reasonably thick black embroidery thread

-A needle

-Fabric (preferably light coloured, although you could swap it so you are using white embroidery thread on a dark background.)

-A star map. I used this one- bit.ly/19gh0sV 

I put my fabric in my embroidery hoop, cut it down to size and quickly ran a line of stitching round to keep it tight. I then sketched out the star map backwards, so I knew where to stitch. 

I started to sew the piece, using backstitch for the outlines of the stars and then for filling them in. I used a simple running stitch to sew the joining lines. Continue all the way round, and you're done!

Caroline xxx

A Peek into my Sewing kit...

Another slightly different post today- I thought it would be nice to show you not necessarily what is in my 'sewing' kit, but more the things I use on a day-to-day basis for general crafty and arty stuff (mmm... good description Caroline...)

So, to start off, I'll show you the things I keep in this little handmade bag (you'll notice, quite a few of the things I have in my sewing box are handmade- if you haven't already seen my illustrated DIY for the pin cushion (below), it's here)

- I have some really pretty fat quarters my sister got for me that are from here, 

- a pencil case with my craft knife, a pencil, spare blades for my craft knife, a thin paintbrush, a glue stick and a pair of dress-making scissors, 

- a wooden board to paint/glue/rest my cutting mat on, 

- my cutting mat (looking a bit worse for wear now!), 

- papercuts that I haven't finished or don't know what to do with...

- paper to scribble down ideas.

I also have a jar full of beads, buttons, thimbles and an assortment of slightly random things... this jar fills up alarmingly fast!

In my biscuit tin (from Borough market), I keep an assortment of useful bits and bobs:

- Firstly, I have a big jar of lace, ribbon, leftover scraps of sari fabric (sooo pretttyyyy!) 

- old cotton thread, which is the strongest I have come across, and is perfect for both hand and machine sewing. 

- an old tape measure

- tiny bottles of beads, and embroidery thread, to prevent tangling/mixing of colours, and of course because they are cute!

- various types of washi tape (most of mine are by a company called 'mt'- they supply a lot of stationery shops, or you can buy them on etsy)

- an old pack of watercolour paints that is surprisingly good- it's lasted me for absolutely ages! 

-A tiny hand-sewn envelope that holds a miniature needle book

-a jar and pin cushion, all in one! DIY here

- and finally, a tiny jar full of jewellery making supplies- earring,, brooch and ring backs, beading wire, standard wire, green wire (?), beads in tiny packets, collected from various bead shops and metal spacer beads.  

I hope you enjoyed that- I realised it is quite a long post (sorry!) so well done if you are still reading :) 

Caroline xxx

A Mini Illustrated DIY- Pin Cushion

You will need: a jam jar (small), sharpie, stuffing, needle & thread, circle of fabric (a bit bigger than the top of your jar)

1. sew around the circle of fabric, leaving the thread loose.

2. stuff the circle, and place on top of the jam jar lid. Pull on the loose threads, tying them underneath the jam jar lid, as tightly as possible. 

3. ensure all of the sides of the fabric are securely fastened under the lid.

4. using the sharpie, label the jar (I labelled mine 'pins and needles' although anything will do)

5. put some pins in the jar, screw on the lid carefully, without breaking the fabric, and  use the top to hold pins when embarking on a sewing project!!!

I hope you like this post- it is kind of a mini- prequel to another post.... keep an eye out!

Enjoy,

Caroline xxx