Australian Homespun – August 2019

45

Measurethelengthof thefront

panel;thenmeasureitswidth

fromthe 91 ⁄ 4 inmarkmadeforthespine

totherightedge.Cuttwopiecesof

posterboard^1 ⁄ 1616 insmallerhorizontally

andverticallythanthesemeasurements.

Inserta pieceofposterboardin the

openingandthenslideit across so

thatit liesbehindthefrontcover.

46

Attacha zipperfoottoyour sewing

machine.Sewa verticalline down

thefolderjoiningthe 91 ⁄ 4 inspinemarks

onthetopandbottomedges.

47

Slidethesecondpieceofposter

boardintheopeningsothatit

liesbehindthebackcover;thisshould

nowleaveyouwithabout1inofspine

areawithoutanyposterboardbehind

it.Sewa verticallinedownthefolder

joiningthe 81 ⁄ 4 inspinemarks.Turnthe

rawedgesofthefolderinby^1 ⁄ 4 in and

whip stitch them closed.

48

Roll up your tape measure and

loop the strap through it. Press

the hook and loop tapes together. Put

pens and pencils in the elastic loops.

Put your embroidery scissors in their

pocket and tie the handles in place

with the ribbon. Insert needles and/or

pins in the felt needle holder. Store

other bits and pieces in the pockets.

PINCUSHION

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Turnunder^1 ⁄ 4 in on each edge

of the embroidered hexagon

for the pincushion. Centre it on the

light blue C hexagon and hand

appliqué it in place.

50

Stitch pearl beading around

the edge of the embroidered

hexagon.

51

Match the two D half hexagon

shapes for the back of the

pincushion, right sides together.

Sew the long straight edge, leaving

a 2in opening in the middle of the

seam. Press the seam open.

52

Match the pincushion front

and back, right sides together,

andsewaroundallsixedgesusinga

(^1) ⁄ 4 in seam. Trim the corners and turn
the pincushion right side out through
the opening in the centre back seam.
53
Fill the pincushion with fi bre
fi ll until it is as fi rm as you
wish.Turnundertherawedgesof
theopeningby^1 ⁄ 4 inandwhip stitch
Pincushion the opening closed.^
VAL LAIRD
What’syourideaoftheperfectstitching
day?Myperfectstitchingdaywould begin
withanearlyrise(it’s nogoodwasting time in
bed!),a walk with my husband down to the
beach,followed by a leisurely breakfast. Then
it isintothe studio to spend all morning on
thesewing machine constructing a bag, a
wallhanging, a stitching accessory, or working
ona quilt.The afternoon would be spent on
preparation for my eagerly anticipated
eveningof embroidery. After my favourite
baked chicken dinner, you will find me curled
up in the family room watching a good movie
with needle and thread in my hand and
contentment in my soul.
Where do you like to do your work – in
a studio, in the garden, in an armchair?
I am blessed with a dedicated studio for my
sewing, with everything at my fingertips, but
after the evening meal, my favourite place
is my recliner that is so relaxing for my hand
stitching. I used to enjoy an afternoon sitting
under a shady tree on the waterfront with
needle and thread, until I inadvertently sat
under a white-faced heron’s flimsy nest and
was the recipient of the nestlings’ droppings

• all over me and my needlework!
  How would you describe your stitching
  style? I’ve been an incurable romantic all
  my life and this is reflected in so many of
  my designs. I love making beautiful things,
  but I am a very practical person too, so I like
  to make projects that are useful. Pretty and
  practical probably sums it up.
  Do you have a very large stitching
  repertoire? I’m a bit of a butterfly and like to
  flit from one thing to another, so I love variety.
  You will find plenty of wallhangings, bags,
  cushions, table runners, stitching accessories,
  quilts and children’s projects in my collection.
  Other than crafting, how do you like to
  spend your time? My husband and I are avid
  birdwatchers, so when I’m not crafting, you
  will probably find me out in the wonderful
  Australian bush, camera in hand, searching
  for the beautiful birds and wildflowers we
  have in abundance.

Gett ing to know ...

52 Homespun