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A Little History of American QuiltingAll Buttoned Up!

Saving Summer’s Seeds August AlmanacMaking Money from Making - Your Website

Harvest Home FictionThe Health Benefits of Quilting

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A Bustle & Sew Publication

Copyright © Bustle & Sew Limited 2014

The right of Helen Dickson to be identified as theauthor of this work has been asserted inaccordance with the Copyright, Designs andPatents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system ortransmitted in any form, or by any means, withoutthe prior written permission of the author, nor beotherwise circulated in any form of binding orcover other than that in which it is published andwithout a similar condition being imposed on thesubsequent purchaser.

Every effort has been made to ensure that all theinformation in this book is accurate. However,due to differing conditions, tools and individualskills, the publisher cannot be responsible for anyinjuries, losses and other damages that may resultfrom the use of the information in this book.

First published 2014 by:Bustle & SewCoombe LeighChillingtonKingsbridgeDevon TQ7 2LEUK

www.bustleandsew.com

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Welcome ……There's a wonderful feeling of freedom in theair at the beginning of August - the month forholidays, and the chance to escape youreveryday routine - if only for a short time.Around now I always succumb to the illusionthat the warm weather, long dreamy days in thesunshine and the sense of summer stretchingahead will continue forever.

I've tried to bring you a little summer sunshine in this issue’s projectstoo, with the Flanders Poppies cushion - remembering the anniversaryof World War 1 - Emily and Arthur, the two little rabbits and True BeautyPeacock. You'll also discover a delightful little embroidered loveheart- the perfect project to pop in your bag (could this be the Summer BirdieBag?) and take around and about with you for some outside stitching asyou make the most of the long warm summer days still to come.

You may notice a few changes on the magazine pages this month - andthere'll be more to come in future issues with exciting times ahead asRosie joins me here at Bustle & Sew. We have all kinds of nice thingsplanned for future issues, as well as a complete overhaul of the Bustle &Sew website. But one thing that won't change is the Bustle & Sewprojects - there'll still be loads to choose from in every issue, and nextmonth will bring the first of this year's Christmas patterns.

The September issue is published on Thursday 28 August - but that's stilla long way off - so be sure to make the most of all your stitching timethis month, wherever you may be.

Helen xx

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Summer Living ….

Taking a picnic to the beach? Why not add some fruity and herby ice cubes to your flask of drinks?They’re really easy to make and such an attractive treat. Just place a small piece of fruit - a raspberry

perhaps or a cube of watermelon and/or a sprig of mint in each section of an ice-cube tray, fill withwater and freeze. Using filtered water ensures your cubes will be deliciously clear. Consume within a

month - lovely!

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Contents

August Almanac Page 6

True Beauty Peacock Applique Page 7

Happiness in August Page 10

All Buttoned Up Page 12

A Jar for Buttons Page 15

Herbs to Help You Sleep Page 18

In Flanders Fields Page 20

Flanders Poppies Cushion Page 21

Health Benefits of Quilting Page 23

Summer Birdie Bag Page 25

A Little History of American Quilting:

Part One The Early Years Page 28

Poetry Corner: Summer Sunshine Page 31

Seeds for Next Summer Page 32

Emily & Albert Rabbits Page 33

Making Money from Making Page 36

Embroidered Love Heart Page 39

Lark Rise to Candleford Page 40

Templates Page 41

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August is the month for holidays andharvests - a busy time for those whowork on farms and also in tourism.

The hottest days of the year often fall in themonth of August and are welcomed by farmersas they try to gather in the harvest. The lastMonday in August is a public holiday in mostof the UK and as the last of summer it’smarked by various outdoor activities. Thenaval dockyards of Portsmouth and Plymouthare opened to the public in alternate years forNavy Days, whilst in London thousands ofpeople take to the streets for the Notting HillCarnival which features colourful processions,elaborate and extravagant costumes and themusic of steel bands. It originated in themid-1960s as a way of celebrating andmaintaining the cultural traditions of theCaribbean migrants who live in and around thearea.

August 1st sees the feast of Lammas, one ofthe four great pagan festivals of Britain. The

August comes, and though the harvest fields are nearly ripe andready for the sickle, cheering the heart of man with theprospect of plenty that surrounds him, yet there are signs onevery hand that summer is on the wane and that the timeis fast approaching when she will take her departure…. But, faras summer has advanced, several of her beautiful flowers andcurious plants may still be found in perfection in the water-courses, and beside the streams - pleasanter places to ramblealong than the dusty and all but flowerless waysides in August.

Chambers Book of Days (1864)

festival of the Gule of August, asit was called, was probably aharvest festival and this traditioncontinued after the arrival ofChristianity. Lammas was thetime for country fairs, especiallysheep fairs and other festivities,whilst in Ireland and Scotland, 1August was Lughnasadh, a festivalin honour of Lugh, the pagan godof light and wisdom.

Loaves were baked from the first corn of theharvest and either presented as offerings oreaten at the celebratory feast, which alsoincluded newly dug potatoes and fresh summerfruits.

In the summer of 1940, at the height of theBattle of Britain in the Second World War,Winston Churchill made his famous speech inthe House of Commons including the phrase“Never in the field of human conflict was somuch owed by so many to so few” referring tothe pilots involved in prolonged conflictbetween the Royal Air Force and the GermanLuftwaffe, defeat in which could have resultedin Germany’s invasion of the UK.

And finally, August 14 this year marks thecentenary of the beginning of the First WorldWar - a time to remember and reflect upon whatwe today owe to past generations and thesacrifices they made for us.

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True BeautyPeacock

We all know that true beauty is not a pretty face or slender figure, but is an inner lightshining brightly from the heart and this little stitchery reminds us of this.

The peacock is composed of simple applique shapes, and is a great way to use up yourscraps. The stitches used are chain stitch, back stitch, straight stitch and feather stitch.

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All Buttoned Up!The humble button is an item we all take for grantedthese days, but did you know that the earliest datefrom the 6th century - well over a thousandyears ago - when fitted clothing was introducedin the Middle East. Buttons made

from small pieces of clothsewn into a tight knob dating tothe 14th century were among

fragments of clothing discovered when the site ofthe Royal Wardrobe in the Blackfriars Bridge areaof London was excavated in 1972, whilst writersof the time refer to gilt and silver gilt buttons beingordered for the royalty and nobility of the day.

In Tudor times, clothes for the rich became verycolourful and elaborate, and were frequentlydecorated with numerous buttons made fromprecious metals and gemstone. Many of thesebuttons were later melted down and used either tomake jewellery or to pay the debts of their owners.In contrast the clothes of the poorer people weresimple and adorned with buttons made from leatheror plain metal discs with a soldered band……

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A Jar forButtons

Combine an inexpensive dumpy glass jar (mine was from Ikea Article Number102.398.88) with a hoop, some applique and a little ingenuity and you have a

lovely container for your button collection - or any other bits and bobs you mightfancy storing within!

Great gift for a friend or to brighten up your own workspace.

I used a 5” hoop, but the design could easily be resized if required.

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HERBS that Helpyou Sleep

You’d think it would be easy to drop off to sleep after a longsummer’s day spent outdoors indulging in all your favouriteactivities (especially sewing!) but sometimes this simply isn’tthe case. Those long light evenings can stop you driftinginto slumber and you can end up tossing and turning forhours on end. Luckily there are some simple herbal remediesavailable that can help …..

Camomile has been well established as a herbal aid to sleepsince the time of the ancient Egyptians. It’s native to Europeand northern Asia, and is now naturalised in the USA.Culpeper wrote that “the bathing with a decoction ofchamomile taketh away the weariness, and easeth pain.” Herecommended the “flowers boiled in a possetdrink.”Camomile is a relaxant for the nervous system,soothing, calming and tranquilizing for restless or over-sensitive people. Its volatile oil with its delicious scent hasthe effect of relaxing muscles and aiding the digestion.Camomile tea is widely available commercially, or makeyour own by infusing 2 tablespoons of camomile flowers to600 ml (approx 1 pint) of boiling water. Stand, covered, for15 minutes, then strain and sweeten with honey.

Hops grow vigorously in northern temperate zones and arecultivated in Europe, the USA and Chile. …..

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In Flanders Fieldsby

John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place, and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie,In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from falling hands we throwThe torch,; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields

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FlandersPoppies Cushion

As August 2014 sees the anniversary of the First World War - a conflict that affected all mygrandparents, I wanted to create a design to commemorate the sacrifices their generation made.This poppies design is simple and feels very light and fresh - reflecting their hopes for a better

future rather than looking backwards to the horrors of war.

Cushion measures 16” and has a simple envelope closure at the back

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The Surprising Health Benefits of QuiltingJillyn Stevens PhD

You know that quilting makes you feel good,but now there's scientific evidence to back upwhat you've always suspected-not only doesquilting make you happy, it's actually good foryour health. Researchers at the University ofGlasgow published their findings in the peer-reviewed Journal of Public Health afterconducting qualitative research using a localquilting group as their source. The end result?"Quilting seemed to possess some distinctproperties for enhancing well-being that wouldnot be replicable through outdoor/physicalactivity." In other words, that's dry research speakfor saying quilting gives you a workout you're notgoing to find in your local step class.

The biggest perk? When you're happy and …..

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jillynn_Stevens,_Ph.D.,_MSW

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My teacup candelabras were a favourite make for Rosie & Dan’s wedding - and so easy too! Justlook out for an inexpensive wooden or metal candelabra, remove the candle holders and paint withseveral layers of chalk paint. Rub down for that shabby chic look and preserve with some clearacrylic satin varnish. With Superglue Gel adhere vintage teacups where the candle holders were andfill with flowers of your choice - perfect!

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SummerBirdie Bag

This pattern first appeared in Issue 7 of this magazine, back in 2011. It’s a cute little bag that’sreally easy to make - and super fun to take around and about with you during the summer holidays,

I thought it merited another outing.

I’ve dusted it off and carefully reviewed the instructions to bring it right up to date again.

Hope you like it!

Finished bag measures  14” wide x 13 ½ “ deep

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A Little History of American QuiltingPart One: The Early Years

Traditional American quilts are comprised of threelayers - the patchwork or pieced top, the battingor wadding - the layer that give the quilt warmthand substance and finally the backing fabric.These are held together by the process of quilting- the technique of joining layers of fabric withstitches.

I’m sure that as long as man has worn clothes, thenwomen have been busy patching them - but didyou know that the processes of piecing andquilting actually appear in recorded history asearly as the ancient Egyptians? There aredescriptions of various items, such as bedding andsails pieced together from different textiles andskins as early as 1,000 BC!

During the Crusades the European soldiers learnedfrom North Africans that quilted clothing couldoffer some protection against wounds, as well asproviding a comfortable underlayer for chain mailor armour if they were lucky enough to have any.The concept of quilting quickly caught on and sowinter garments and bedclothes began to bequilted, with the fashion for quilted garmentspeaking in Spain during the late 16th century whenit was the fashion (if you were rich enough of

course) to smother your clothing so heavily withjewels (and buttons too) that a single layer offabric simply wasn’t able to support the weight.

Back in England, almost everyone knows thatWilliam Shakespeare left his wife their secondbest bed and furnishings - which would havecomprised a whole set of matching quilts,hangings and so on - which she’d probablystitched herself anyway! ……..

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Great is the sun, and wide he goesThrough empty heaven with repose;And in the blue and glowing daysMore thick than rain he showers his rays.

Though closer still the blinds we pullTo keep the shady parlour cool,Yet he will find a chink or twoTo slip his golden fingers through.

The dusty attic spider-cladHe, through the keyhole, maketh glad;And through the broken edge of tilesInto the laddered hay-loft smiles.

Meantime his golden face aroundHe bares to all the garden ground,And sheds a warm and glittering lookAmong the ivy's inmost nook.

Above the hills, along the blue,Round the bright air with footing true,To please the child, to paint the rose,The gardener of the World, he goes.

Robert Louis Stephenson

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Seeds for Next Summer ….The cutting garden I established for Rosie'swedding in June has been thriving,providing me with blooms for the house thewhole summer long. But as the days beginto shorten and autumn is around the corner,it's time to start thinking about letting theflowers set seed and collecting some of thisharvest for use next year. Seed gatheringis a lovely late summer pursuit that marksthis passage into autumn and the turning ofthe seasons of the year.

Gathering seeds from your own flowers isalso a thrifty practice, saving quite a bit ofmoney - commercially grown seeds areexpensive - and keep alive memories ofparticular people, events (such as Rosie'swedding) and places. I have a clump offoxgloves established from seed collectedon a long-ago family holiday in Cornwalland each year when the tall purple spikesof flowers appear I'm reminded of thosecarefree summer days. …….

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Emily and her brother Albert are two of the cutest little rabbits you’ll find anywhere alldressed up in their best summer clothes. They have moveable joints and shiny button noses

and are surprisingly easy to make with only 4 pattern pieces for each rabbit (plus theirclothes of course).

They are around 16” tall from the ends of their paws to the tips of their ears.

Not suitable for very young children due to the buttons and beads used in their construction.

Emily &Albert

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Making Money from Making

I can hardly believe we’ve reached theend of our journey together, from theearly beginnings of pricing your

products, packaging and craft fairs, throughbranding, marketing, selling online andsocial media to this final chapter - settingup your own website.

Once you’ve started making sales throughother platforms, such as Etsy, Folksy andNot on the High Street and have establishedyour online presence through Facebook andother social media then it’s time to startthinking about your own website. You cando this by having a custom-built websitebuilt to your own specific requirements (orbuilding it yourself of course) or by usingan off the peg template. Let’s consider boththese options ….

If you decide to have a custom-built siteyou’ll need to purchase your domain nameif you haven’t already. This doesn’t giveyou a website, but just an address or url - a“space” on the internet where your site willbe.

Next you’ll need to find a hosting companyto give you space to host your website so

you can upload all your pictures and productinformation so the rest of the world can seethem. I’d recommend you go for at least 1or 2 GB (gigabytes) as this will allow forfuture growth as your site becomes morepopular.

If you’re hiring a designer, then you needto think about how your website willintegrate with the rest of your business -what do you want it to do for you? It’s agood idea to draw a plan setting out thestructure - your home page - what the otherpages will be, what categories you’d like inyour store, do you want to include yourblog, how will people navigate around yousite? This is absolutely crucial stuff - if yourwebsite isn’t well thought out and properlyput together then your visitors just won’tstay around long enough to make apurchase………

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EmbroideredFloral Heart

Lovely floral heart in summershades is a great little

embroidery that fits perfectlywithin a 6” hoop so it’s easy tostitch on the go if you choose.

I’ve used my finishedembroidery to create a

lavender heart, but you couldadd this design to all sorts of

projects - the only limit is yourimagination!

You will need:

� 7” square white or creamcotton, linen or cotton/linenblend fabric

� DMC stranded cotton flossin colours

If you are planning to make astuffed heart like mine you willalso need:

� Two x 7” squares mediumweight fabric in a neutralcolour(s)

� 6” x ½” wide ribbon or tape

� Stuffing - this can belavender, toy stuffing, amixture of both orwhatever you would like touse.

� Pinking shears

Stitching Guide:

The heart is worked with twostrands of floss throughout.

The only stitches used are backstitch, straight stitch and satinstitch.

To work the dual-colouredflowers begin at the centre andwork straight stitches ofdifferent lengths radiating

outwards from the centre, butstopping before the edges of thepetals. Vary the lengths ofthese stitches, then fill in thespace between their ends andthe edges of the petals withstraight stitches in the flowercolour.

Finish by working a few tinystitches at the centre to coverthe place where your stitchesmeet.

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