1

2

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

3

Welcome ….Hello, and welcome to the final issue of 2014!

We’re ending the year in super-style here at Bustle & Sew with this, ourbumper Christmas issue! I don’t know where this year has gone, for ushere at Bustle & Sew it’s been a wonderful super-busy exciting time withso much going on. The biggest change has of course been that mydaughter Rosie has joined the team and she’s had a huge input intocreating our new look - both for the magazine and our lovely new website.We both very much hope you approve of all the changes and will be askingyou for your opinion in the New Year.

But there’s still a little stitching time left in 2014 as we all prepare forChristmas, and this month’s magazine has lots of festive goodies for you.We have not one, but TWO, Meet the Maker features, six new projects forall levels of ability and extra features and articles too. So why not makeyourself a cup of Elves’ coffee (page 10) and sit down for a jolly good read!

As you know, we usually publish on the last Thursday of the month, but theJanuary issue will be sent out on the last FRIDAY - because the lastThursday is actually Christmas Day itself!! So please don’t think yourmagazine’s gone astray, you’ll discover it in your in-box on Boxing Day,

26th December to enjoy while you scoff the last of the mince pies or workyour way through your tin of Christmas biscuits!

And now we’d all like to wish you ….

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!Best wishes

Helen xxxxx

4

To avoid your thread twisting and tangling as you stitch, turn your needleslightly (a quarter to half turn is enough) with each stitch. If your thread

does become twisted as you work, then drop your threaded needle andlet it hang loosely while it unwinds itself.

Tips for Stitchers

5

CONTENTS

Rosie Studholme

Puts together all our lovelyideas, shopping and bakingpages as well asresearching/editing ourfeatures and interviews.

December Almanac Page 6

Jolly Robin Christmas Hoop Page 7

Elves Coffee Page 10

Meet the Maker: Laura Ann Cope Page 11

Setting the Date Page 14

Polar Bear Trophy Head Page 15

Great Supplier: Billow Fabrics Page 17

Merry Christmas Shopping Page 18

The Night Before Christmas Page 20

Baby No-owell Christmas Hoop Page 21

Mistletoe - Not Just for Kiesses Page 24

Lovely Idea: Felt Stocking Page 25

What Kate Baked: Xmas Wreath Page 26

Baking Shopping Pages Page 28

Sleepy Badger Hottie Cosy Page 29

Meet the Maker: Grace Gatley Page 32

Lovely Idea: Crochet Xmas Trees Page 35

Taking Care of your Scissors Page 36

Etsy Favourites Page 38

Figgy Pudding Tea Cosy Page 39

The Christmas Robin Page 42

Lovely Idea: Pallet Christmas Tree Page 43

Christmas Story: The Carol Singers Page 44

Hari Kuyo Page 46

Alpine Cushion Cover Page 47

Lovely Idea: Christmas Gift Tags Page 51

1914: Christmas Truce Page 52

December’s favourite blogs Page 53

And finally ….. Page 54

Conversion Tables Page 56

Templates Page 57

Contributors

Laura Ann Cope

Runs Sew Mice from a smallhome studio in the WestMidlands with her furry helpers- cats Betty & Margaret andplayful puppy called Matilda.

What Kate Baked

Kate’s blog is devoted to thesweeter things in life - includingthis month’s bake - herChristmas Wreath - yum!

Grace Gatley

Specialises in mixed mediatextiles and creates illustrative,quirky pieces of textile art,accessories and homewares.

6

Jolly RobinChristmas Hoop

‘Tis the season to be jolly ..and this little robin looks verycheerful perched on hissnowy holly branchdecorated with shiny red“berries”.

There’s a little simpleapplique, but this project isreally all about the handembroidery, using satinstitch, French knots, whippedchain stitch and stem stitch.

Shown mounted in 8” hoop.

Materials� 10” square medium weight (eg cotton

duck) fabric

� Scraps of cotton and felt for applique -you will need light and dark brown, 2 or3 shades of green, red and light grey.

� Stranded cotton floss in colours tomatch your fabric scraps, additionally inDMC shades 309 (red), 310 (black), 902(rich purple), 907 (bright green), 3051(sage green), 3830 (dark pink), 4042(very merry variegated floss), blanc andE415 (silver) .

� ¼” shell button

� 12 small shiny red beads for holly berries

� 4 small pearl beads to decorate text

� Bondaweb

� 7” hoop for mounting - I painted minewhite - this is easy to do with eitheremulsion or chalk paint.

7

You will need: eggnog, espresso coffee and grated nutmeg. Brew your coffee and steam the eggnogas if it were milk. Pour espresso into cup and add steamed eggnog. Spoon the froth onto the top ofyour coffee and lightly sprinkle nutmeg on top. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

8

talks to us about bunnies, craftfairs and how she started her craft business,

Meet theMaker

Laura runs Sew Mice from a smallhome studio in the West Midlands withher three furry helpers - cats Betty &Margaret and the new addition to theteam, a very playful puppy calledMatilda.

I completed a textile surfaces degree atStaffordshire University and graduatedin 2010. It really was the bestexperience of my life, I met so manyfriends and learnt so many newtechniques. I also got to meet like-minded designers that I had looked upto for years such as Maxine Sutton andAshley Thomas!

I then decided that making was all Iwanted to do and I knew I wanted todo it from the comfort of my own homeas I had the space for a studio and avery supportive partner. I decided to domy very first craft fair in February 2011and it was the most nerve-racking thingI had ever done! I was worried aboutthe reaction to my products and thethings I had made, but it couldn’t havegone better and to get my very first saleand meet my very first customer (the

5 year old little boy buying a giftfor his mum!) was all part of the thrill!

In 2012 after doing many more craftfairs and continually making and sellingproducts I decided to set up mybusiness properly through the help ofThe Princes Trust where I was given allthe help I could have asked for! Fast-forward to today and my business isgetting stronger and stronger eachmonth that passes and I couldn’t bemore grateful and proud of what I haveachieved! My products are sold in manyshops in different towns includingStafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme,Lancaster and London, I’ve beenfeatured on many blogs and in wellknown magazines and I will have a smallfeature on the discovery channel thiscoming November!

My bunnies have been by far my mostpopular product and definitely myfavourite too. I launched them inJanuary this year and they have sold likehot cakes ever since! There is nothingmore uplifting then hitting the jackpotwith one of your handmade items, thatyou have put so much time and careinto making and knowing that otherpeople share the same amount of lovefor your product. The handmade marketis a very hard market to crack, so when

Sew Mice

9

I’ve wanted to make a newtrophy head for some time - andwhat could be nicer than anadorable baby polar bear (note:no baby polar bears wereharmed in the making of thispattern!).

He is sewn from a soft lowpile fur fabric, and has a largeblack button nose, as well asa pair of rather smarteyebrows!

Shown mounted on 8” hoop.

Polar BearTrophy Head

Materials� 18” square soft low pile white fur fabric (I

used Tilda polar bear fabric - seesuggested supplier on page 17)

� 8” square white felt

� 10” square background fabric

� 8” embroidery hoop

� Two 3/8” black safety eyes

� 3/4” black button for nose

� Black and white embroidery floss

� Toy stuffing

� White thread

� 8” x 6” light weight card

� Glue gun or pva glue (optional but makessewing the head to the backgroundfabric much easier).

10

Christmas Hessian Bags,Cotswold Trading

www.cotswoldtrading.com

Merry Christmas HessianCushion, Berry Redwww.berryred.co.uk

Home for Christmas Doormat,Berry Red

www.berryred.co.uk

Christmas Treats Pocket Tin byHappy Jackson, One Brown

Cowwww.onebrowncow.co.uk

Recycled Jumbo StorageBag, Ellie Ellie

www.ellieellie.co.uk

Wool Felt Garland, Nutmeg andSage

www.nutmegandsage.co.ukMerry Christmas Teaspoon, The

Cutlery Commissionwww.thecutlerycommission.com

Merry Christmas Garland, Berry Redwww.berryred.co.uk

MerryChristmas!

Add some festivecheer with these fab

accessories!

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

20

Twas the night before Christmaswhen all through the houseI searched for the toolsto hand to my spouse.

Instructions were studiedand we were inspired,in hopes we could manage"Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in theirbeds,while Dad and I faced the evening with dread:a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's townhouse toboot!And now, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes,my heart skipped a beat—let no parts be missingor left incomplete!

Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;if we can't get it right, it goes straight to thebasement!When what to my worrying eyes should appearbut 50 sheets of directions, concise, but notclear,

With each part numbered and every slot named,so if we failed, only we could be blamed.More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,all over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand.""Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a factthat all the toy dealers had indeed made a pactto keep parents busy all Christmas Eve nightwith "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at ourwork,till our eyes, they went blurry; our fingers all hurt.The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thinbefore we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.But I said to my husband just before I passedout,"This will be the best Christmas, without anydoubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,and not run to the store for one single thing!We did it! We did it! The toys are all setfor the perfect, most magical, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet reposeI gratefully went, although I supposethere's something to say for those self-deluded—I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

If you’d like to read the original poem “The NightBefore Christmas” then please just CLICKHERE.

Baby No-owellEasy Applique

A number of people have asked if I couldinclude a pattern that would be suitablefor beginners or even nimble-fingeredchildren to try.

This little owl needn’t just be a Christmasmake either - substitute the holly andberries with leaves and flowers for year-round appeal. Only the stocking needsmachine stitching, but if you used feltinstead of fabric then this too could behand stitched.

Shown mounted on an 8” hoop.

Materials● 10” medium weight background fabric

● 6” x 4” biscuit coloured felt for owl body

● 9” x 2” dark brown felt for branch

● 8” x 3” white felt

● 4” x 3” patterned cotton for owl chest

● 3” x 2” cotton for spectacles

● Tiny scrap of golden yellow felt for beak

● Scraps of green felt for holly leaves

● 1 ½” x 3” fake fur for stocking top

● 3” x 6” red cotton fabric for stocking

● Small amount of toy stuffing for stocking

● 2 x 3/8” black buttons

● 2 x ½” red buttons

● Stranded cotton floss in biscuit, gold, redand colour to match your owl chestfabric.

● Bondaweb

● PVA glue or hot glue gun

● 8” hoop

13

Look!a lovely idea

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --

FeltStocking

Add some colour to your Christmas décorwith this fabulous felt stocking by LauraHoward. Decorate with pompoms, ric rac,ribbons and buttons - Father Christmaswill

Image: Laura Howard courtesy of Tuts+, find the FREE tutorial herehttp://crafts.tutsplus.com/tutorials/make-

> 200g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet> 150g mincemeat> 1 tbsp brandy> 1 medium egg, beaten> 25g flaked toasted almonds> 25g dried cranberries> Grated zest of 1 orange> 3 tbsp icing sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Unroll thepastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Stir the brandy intothe mincemeat

2. Spread the mincemeat over the pastry sheet, leaving a2cm border.

3. Starting from the longer edge of the pastry sheet,

Fancy something a little different this Christmas? Lookno further than this fabulous Mince Pie Wreath by thelovely Kate from What Kate Baked. It’s a sure fire wayto impress this Christmas!

Mince PieWreath

There’s nothing quite like a hotwater bottle to snuggle up to whenit’s cold outside … and now yourhottie can be even nicer with ourcute sleepy badger cosy.

Badger is sized to fit a standardhot water bottle and there’s asimple envelope closure at theback so you can refill your bottleeasily. Perfect for toasty toes allwinter long!

Cosy measures 16” x 10”approximately to fit 13” x 7 ½”bottle.

Sleepy BadgerHottie Cosy

Materials● 18” x 24” grey felt or felted wool (I used

an old cardigan)

● 18” x 24” ready quilted polycotton fabric

● 8” square cream felt

● 8” x 6” black or very dark grey felt

● 8” x 6” tweedy woollen fabric for tummy

● 2” square pink fabric for heart

● Stranded cotton floss in pink, cream andgrey

● Black tapestry wool or 4-ply knitting yarn

● Crewel needle

● Bondaweb

● Embroidery foot for your sewing machine

● Black and grey machine thread

● Temporary fabric marker pen

29

37

Christmas Decorations

Glitter Reindeer, Cupful ofTrinkets

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CupfulofTrinkets

Cinnamon Stick Christmas Trees, Beledien Handmadewww.etsy.com/shop/beledienhandmade

Linen Tree Decorations, The Lemon Ponywww.etsy.com/uk/shop/thelemonpony

Fabric Tree Decorations, Poppy Treffrywww.etsy.com/uk/shop/PoppyTreffry

Snowman Plush Ornament,Poosac

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/poosac

Ceramic Hearts, 99 Heads Art Studiowww.etsy.com/uk/shop/99heads

18

Figgy PuddingTea Cosy

Materials● Two 12” squares of medium weight

cotton fabric for exterior

● One 4” x 2” rectangle for loop

● Two 12” squares of felted wool, pre-quilted material or similar for the lining

● Fabric scraps to make your figgypudding - including white, red and greenfelt, brown felt or a nice textured fabrc forthe pudding itself and a patterned cottonfor the plate.

● Stranded cotton floss in dark green, red,purple and white

● Sewing thread for your machine - creamor another light colour for the bobbin,then black and gold for the needle.

● Bondaweb

● Embroidery foot for your sewingmachine.

This is a really easy, but veryeffective Christmas make - Iknow my teapot will be ready forthose Christmas teatime visitors.All I need to do now is make themince pies!

My teacosy measures 10” acrossthe bottom edge and I’ve givenmeasurements, materials andthe template to suit this size, butplease see how to measure yourpot to make sure your cosy is theperfect fit this Christmastime!

19

20

Look!a lovely idea

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PalletTree

Fancy a change from the traditionalChristmas tree this year? Pop overto Affirmaison for the tutorial forthis fab pallet tree!

Image: http://www.affirmaison.com/2012/11/our-pallet-christmas-tree.html

21

The Wind in the Willows Chapter 5(abridged) by Kenneth Grahame

Christmas Story

The CarolSingers

Sounds were heard from the fore-courtwithout—sounds like the scuffling ofsmall feet in the gravel and a confused

murmur of tiny voices, while brokensentences reached them—'Now, all in aline—hold the lantern up a bit, Tommy—clearyour throats first—no coughing after I sayone, two, three.—Where's young Bill?—Here,come on, do, we're all a-waiting——'

'I think it must be the field-mice,' said heMole, with a touch of pride in his manner.'They go round carol-singing regularly at thistime of the year. They're quite an institutionin these parts. And they never pass meover—they come to Mole End last of all; andI used to give them hot drinks, and suppertoo sometimes, when I could afford it. It willbe like old times to hear them again.'

It was a pretty sight, and a seasonable one,that met their eyes when they flung the dooropen. In the fore-court, lit by the dim rays ofa horn lantern, some eight or ten littlefieldmice stood in a semicircle, red worstedcomforters round their throats, their fore-paws thrust deep into their pockets, their feetjigging for warmth. With bright beady eyesthey glanced shyly at each other, sniggeringa little, sniffing and applying coat-sleeves agood deal.As the door opened, one of theelder ones that carried the lantern was justsaying, 'Now then, one, two, three!' andforthwith their shrill little voices uprose on the

air, singing one of the old-time carols thattheir forefathers composed in fields that werefallow and held by frost, or when snow-boundin chimney corners, and handed down to besung in the miry street to lamp-lit windows atYule-time.

CAROL

Villagers all, this frosty tide, Let your doors swing open wide,

Though wind may follow, and snow beside, Yet draw us in by your fire to bide;Joy shall be yours in the morning!

Here we stand in the cold and the sleet,Blowing fingers and stamping feet,Come from far away you to greet—

You by the fire and we in the street—Bidding you joy in the morning!

For ere one half of the night was gone,Sudden a star has led us on, Raining bliss and benison—

Bliss to-morrow and more anonJoy for every morning!

Alpine CushionCover

The last pattern in this month’smagazine takes us off to themountain slopes. The skiingfigure was taken from a vintageembroidery transfer - which iswhy, if you’re a skiing enthusiast,you may consider some of herequipment looks a little out ofdate!

This project s a mixture of handand machine applique and handembroidery.

Cover to fit pad measuring 14” x24”

Materials● 14” x 24” rectangle blue felt for front

panel

● Two rectangles of white felt, onemeasuring 6” x 24” and one 10” x 24”(one of these rectangles is for themountain background and one for the skislope. I used slightly different shades toshow up the difference).

● Two 14” x 16” rectangles blue felt forcushion back (simple envelope closure)

● 12” x 24” red gingham fabric for borders

● Scraps of felt and fabric for skier andshadows on mountains (see picture forguidance on colours etc)

● Two shades of green felt for trees.Check the template for size of piecesneeded (template supplied at actual size)

● Stranded cotton floss in grey, white, verypale blue, dark grown and colours thatwork well with the fabrics you’ve chosenfor the skier.

● Bondaweb and Temporary fabricadhesive spray

● Embroidery foot for your sewingmachine.

Seeds & Stitches: living creatively within theseasons, adventures, family life and craft.

Anna Scott: embroidery & design “if I am notstitching, I am most likely thinking about it.”

Mary Jane’s Tearoom: just the most adorablewooliness for yarn-lovers everywhere!

Coco Rose Textiles: colour, more colour andcrochet - perfect for a grey winter’s day!

24

And finally … it’s time to take a breakfrom the Christmas preparations and putyour feet up for a while!

December’s bite-sized tips and trivia

In Britain, eating mince pies at Christmas dates backto the 16th century. It is still believed that to eat amince pie on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas

will bring 12 happy months in the year to follow.

Radio … radio ….

The first Britishmonarch tobroadcast a

Christmas messageto his people was

King George V.

Q: What’s Santa’s favourite pizza?

A: Why, deep pan, crisp and evenof course!

In Victorian England, turkeys were popular forChristmas dinners. Some of the birds were raised inNorfolk, and taken to market in London. To get them toLondon, the turkeys were supplied with boots made ofsacking or leather. The turkeys were walked to market.The boots protected their feet from the frozen mud ofthe road.

Present Days ….

Try searching car boot sales or charity shops and for smaller gifts and stocking fillers,or vintage clothing and antique jewellery shops for something really special - you'll begiving a unique present as well as recycling.

Wrap and label Christmas presents as you buy them and that way you save yourselfa whole evening nearer Christmas day to relax and put your feet up

25

26

27