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Fun with Fat Quarters
We chat to Wendy, give you a chance to win the book and learn how-to sew some Al Fresco Placemats.
Wendy has successfully worked as a freelance writer, teacher and author in the sewing industry all her working life, during which time she has held the role of editor of several leading sewing magazines as well as having written 16 books and presented 11 DVDs. She also runs regular residential Creative Sewing Weekends and writes projects and technique articles for various magazines and her own resource website www.isew.co.uk which is packed with tips, techniques and projects. Wendy is also a regular guest presenter on shopping channels Ideal World and Create & Craft TV plus she works with the leading pattern and haberdashery companies in the UK and organisers of the Knitting and Stitching shows to deliver extensive workshop programmes. All this has led to Wendy having a strong reputation and indeed fan base because of her enthusiastic and friendly approach to sharing her passion for all things to do with sewing. She is well known by keen sewists as well as the leading companies in the industry for her extensive skill base and knowledge of the sewing market. “I passionately believe in passing on sewing skills and knowledge so that more people can make their own fashion and furnishings and realise it’s a pastime that can be fast, fun, fashionable and affordable. With today’s modern equipment and sewing machines it really can be easy to sew and I love to share that fact.”
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Ruthie T.
Ruthie from Refashionably Late recreates the modern & stylish bedroom of Ellen & Portia.
I love the modern style of this bedroom which I think in turn expresses Ellen's taste! If you were a fan of "Ellen's Design Challenge" on HGTV you would have noticed her love for modern decor. She has amazing style and this room is a great way to follow in Ellen's footsteps!
I am a freelance Illustrator originally from London and now relocated to the sometimes sunny seaside city of Brighton. Over the last 10 years, I have worked on a diverse range of projects from CD covers to painting murals onto giant models of baby elephants, owls and eggs for wildlife charites.
My style is graphic, colourful, nostalgic and quirky. I find inspiration almost anywhere; from the natural world and my urban surroundings to stylish Art Deco architecture, psychedelic posters of the 60's and the wallpapers of William Morris. My illustrations are created by stating out with a pencil sketch, which I then trace onto pieces of paper, fabric and other surfaces. I then assemble all the bits and scan into Photoshop. I like my designs to have an uplifting feel and tell the viewer a story.
We're getting creative with Caorunn Gin for today's Cocktail Hour and feeling inspired by it's floral flavours, mixing up a cardamon rose gin & tonic, lavender & honey creme brûlée and lemon meringue martini.
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DIY MODE
Outfit Details
- Shirt, leggins & shoes - from H&M
- Necklace - from a little shop in Morocco
- Fabric - for the DIY dress is from a fabric market in Berlin
DIY Maxi Dress
Recreate the look with Eliza's new sew maxi dress tutorial:
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Markee R.
Markee recreates the enchanted ball from the movie Labyrinth.
I've been enchanted by the movie Labyrinth since I first saw it as an adolescent, especially the ball scene. I'd love to go to this party because it is so magical, beautiful, but also a bit dark. You could come as your favourite goblin, or throw on a prom dress, adorn a mask and hope to steal a dance with a King. Make sure to eat a peach on the way in, to leave all your worries at the door.
It is hard to pick what is the best thing about living in Cambridge! The landscape is what makes me happy as we have so many green spaces, meadows, the river and some beautiful architecture. I often pass cows on my cycles around so it hardly feels like a city in some places! The bicycle culture makes it a fantastic place to get around too!
Come behind the scenes at Squirrel Picnic and tour Jennifer's craft headquarters in Colorado and her travel studio while on the move.
It's compact.
Leeyong from Style Wilderness recreates the colourful traditional style of Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo.
I love Frida Kahlo's use of colour, flowers and traditional clothing at a time when other people were turning to standard western fashion like jeans and T-shirts. She really recognised how traditional Mexican outfits suited her and they became her signature look.
Bake Croquembouche Chocolate Glazed Cream Puffs with Dufflet Pastries in Toronto, Canada.