New items in my shop and little updates

It's been a very busy couple of weeks for me, and most it isn't stuff that those of you who follow my blog will actually want to read! It is however the usual case for October, it does tend to be a paperwork month.
But, some of that paperwork has been developing new kits for the shop, including kits to accompany the Making More Buttons dvd, and thread packs.

('Candy' thread selection pack)

I've written an article, and am currently writing the scripts for the next two titles in the Making Passementerie series, as well as working on samples. And as an aside - I've been working on a puppet. Another very interesting project.... ! So all in all very busy.

However, I am hoping some of you may be able to help. Fibrecrafts used to so a range of worsted wool, 28/2 in a variety of colours. They are no longer supplying this super fine weight, does anyone know of who does? It does really need to be wortsed, as it needs to be the long staple as my intention is to use it for weaving. I don't mind going up to the next size, but a couple of my clients want the finest, as even that isn't quite as fine as some historic examples!

In case you didn't know, I will be back at Create & Craft tv tomorrow (Saturday) at noon. And a November date has been pencilled in as well. It is proving alot of fun - I am surprised how much I am enjoying it, though really it isn't very different from doing a demo in costume at an historic site. So, if you are in the mood to watch, you can see it on Sky 671 | Freeview 36 | Freesat 813 or watch online at http://www.createandcraft.tv/ShowGridView.aspx (this link takes you to the current live programme, so should work)

How to.... Unwind a thread skein without help

Good morning! Though by the time I publish this it'll be the afternoon now - it's been quite a busy morning!

Thank you for all your positive comments about the Create & Craft show on Sunday - I'm glad that you enjoyed the show. As requested, and for those of you who may have missed it when I demo'ed this - here's an easy way to unwind a skein of thread without the need for another person to hold the skein.

Use a piece of cardboard or an embroidery bobbin to wrap the thread around. You may find that you need to adjust the final loop so that the thread flows, but all-in-all this works well, and is pretty important for those of us who use skeins of thread for other purposes than embroidery and need longer lengths (I know that many serious embroiderers will simply cut the skein, as they tend to work with smaller lengths of thread anyway).

This is not my invention or idea at all - this comes from Weldons Encyclopedia of Needlework, no publication date, but judging from the insertion regarding paper supplies, this was published at the start of the war. (The styles also indicate the 30s).

Sunny September and Buttonholes

For those of you here in the UK, you know what I mean  - the weather was quite wonderful last week and although it is colder now, really, for a change, we mustn't complain! 've been enjoying the fact that we can walk with the dog through the fields, as all of the crops have now been brought in, yet my feet aren't covered in mud at the end of the walk (which is what usually happens!)

This week has been a flurry of getting ready - I'll be back on Create and Craft this Sunday at 2pm, I'm really looking forward to it, not least because it is an afternoon show! I won't have to get up at 4am this time. ;-)
I do hope that you'll tune in if you are able.

On the same theme as buttons, I have decided that I really need more practice with buttonholes. Let's face it, they do tend to be the more boring part of buttons, and yet a recent article over at Your Wardrobe Unlock'd by Jo Tyrell (Perfect Hand Sewn Buttonholes) did really remind me that I should put in more practice here. A good buttonhole really can bring focus to the button.  I'm afraid that, despite the fact that I love hand sewing, my buttonholes often leave a bit to be desired!

So, I decided to start with something completely different, and that I have never tried before - a triangular buttonhole. This is something which really does require concentration, but, I am really pleased with my very first attempt - by no means perfect, but pretty cool just the same, and what a nice way to show off a passementerie button.

I've decided that I will keep on this track, practicing different types of buttonholes, I think that I may put together a fabric book, with samples of passementerie, etc. It's something I've wanted to to for some time, and I think that concentrating on one 'page' at a time will be a good way to relax in between working on all of the projects I am in the middle of doing!

And these other projects? I've just finished another article for Your Wardrobe Unlock'd (pencilled for publication in Nov) - giving away more trade secrets! I'm also working on the next two DVDs, more of that another time I think!