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A Bustle & Sew Publication

Copyright © Bustle & Sew Limited 2016

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 2016 by:Bustle & SewThe CottageOakhillRadstockBA3 5HTUK

www.bustleandsew.com

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Welcome to the May Issue

Welcome to the May issue

This month’s issue is packed full of loveliness - it’s a celebration of everything I love about mylife - and I do hope you’ll enjoy it too. As well as the six Bustle & Sew designs, we’re delightedthat the lovely Jenny of Elefantz has contributed one of her adorable little stitcheries. Then youcan read about Raggy Robin whose sewing room is based in Durham (wish I lived closer) whileDebbie has interviewed her very own brother in law about keeping bees - watch out for thehoney-themed recipes and project too.

The other theme I was surprised to see running through the magazine was night time anddreaminess - unsurprising really I guess as we have a four month old baby in the family! If youknow parents of a young baby then you might enjoy the Parent and Baby hoop patterns -telling it how it really is!

The June issue will be published on Thursday 26 May so please do look out for it then.Meanwhile I hope you have a very happy month with lots of time for stitching!

Best wishes

Helen xx

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Having a bit of a butterfly mind I often have several stitching projects underwayat the same time. I keep them in separate tins with thread supplies, needles

and scissors in each tin. That way I can be certain which colours I’m using foreach project, and everything’s ready if I want a project to go! If you don’t havetins, then small plastic snap shut containers or even resealable plastic bags will

do the job just as well!

Tips for Stitchers

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Between the Covers …Contributors

Jenny Reynolds

Homemaker, designer andChristian on living the sweetsimple life in Australia

Sharon Robins

A passion for creating - andthe joy of sharing that passionwith others

Debbie Thomson

Keeps us very well organised,as well as researching somelovely features and creatingour new “In the Kitchen” series

Tips for Stitchers Page 4

May Almanac Page 6

Fly High Fabric Kite Page 8

Meet the Maker: Jenny Reynolds Page 11

Making Merry in May Page 16

Blast from the Past: Rosie & Bear - May Page 19

Sunny Day Cactus Cushion Page 20

Lovely Idea: Fabric Storage Cubes Page 23

Dream it - Do it! The Bee Keeper Page 24

Time for Tea Cosy Page 27

In the Kitchen with Debbie: Honey Body Butter Page 31

Elefantz Stitchery: The Honey Apple Page 32

Simple Patterns Changing Lives Page 34

Poetry Corner: The Night Page 36

Carpe Noctem Banner Page 37

On the Wild Side: Wild Garlic Page 40

Lovely Idea: Fabric Headbands Page 42

Meet the Maker: Sharon Robins Page 43

Little Giraffe Softie Page 46

May’s Favourite Blogs Page 49

In the Kitchen with Debbie: Honey Cup Cakes Page 50

All Buttoned Up! Dorset Buttons Page 52

Parent and Baby Hoops Page 56

Home Comforts Page 58

May Calendar Page 59

In the Kitchen: Conversion Tables Page 60

Templates Page 61

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May

Here in south west England our weather isusually warm enough for sitting in the garden,enjoying the feeling of fresh air and sunshine onpale winter skin - at least by the end of themonth if not the beginning. Roses arebeginning to bloom, filling the air with theirdelicate fragrance and at dusk the swoopingflight of newly-returned swallows and housemartins searching for food may be replaced bybats hunting for insects in the night air.

Many birds are now coaxing their broods outof the nest and into the world - and it’s fun towatch them trying out their wings with wobblytest flights from bush to bush, zig-zaggingacross the garden. They still can’t feedthemselves though and their poor harassedparents have to work even harder to feed theirscattered offspring until they finally becomeself-sufficient - when if the conditions are right,the parents may raise a second or even thirdbrood of chicks during the summer months.

It’s impossible to ignore the birds this month,even supposing you wanted to, as by May thedawn chorus is at its peak with our residentbirds joined by the migrants returning from theirwintering grounds. Birds sing to defend theirterritory and to attract a mate. They put most

effort into singing before the daylight fully arrivesbecause the sound of birdsong will travel furtheron the still, quiet air and also because it isn’tlight enough yet for them to begin their dailysearch for food.

The coming of May has always been a time forcelebration. If we welcome the warm weathernow, with all the comfort of our centrally heatedhomes and thermal clothing to keep us snugduring the winter months, then think how muchmore eagerly the month was welcomed whenthe only source of heating in a cottage wouldhave been an open fire, and possibly a cookingrange, around which drenched heavy woollenclothing and leather boots had to be dried out.

The first of the month is of course, May Day -traditionally a time for setting out to gathergreenery and flowers, especially May blossomfrom the hawthorn tree. Known as “bringing inthe May” the custom was associated with a lotof rather saucy goings-on between all the ladsand lasses who seized the excuse to vanishinto the woods.

In modern times May 1 is also celebrated asLabour Day by trade unions, socialistmovements and others. It is marked by rallies

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Meet theMaker

Be humble; begracious; be opento new ideas andkeep learning…

talks to us about how she discovered a loveof embroidery and a talent for design that led to

her establishing her online business Elefantz

Hello Jenny, and thanks somuch for talking to us - we loveyour sweet and simple designsand want to learn more aboutyou and your business,Elefantz. So please tell us ….

When did you first discoveryou loved stitching and whatoriginally drew you to thiscraft?

Sometimes in life you just fallinto things and that's whathappened with me andstitchery.

In 2005, after donating muchof what we owned and puttingwhat remained into storage,my husband accepted a 6-month teaching placement inthe Northern Highlands ofNSW (Australia). We movedinto a tiny two room cabin atthe local caravan park in mid-winter where we discovered forthe first time -17C is really cold,that waterfalls can freeze, andthere's a gentle simplicity

which flows from sharing ahome the size of an averageliving room. With just tworooms to clean and tidy eachday housework could becompleted in just 20 minutesonce my husband left for work,and the rest of the morning Idevoted to teaching our kids.

Most afternoons were spentexploring the countryside onlong (cold) nature walks, butonce a week we caught upwith other home schoolingfamilies in the area. One ofthose lovely families lived on acattle property and it wasn'tlong before our family andtheirs began to spend moretime socialising. Two of thedaughters were proficientquilters and one also dabbledin embroidery.

After one visit we returned toour cabin with a large bundleof borrowed craft magazinesto browse, and that was thespark which lit a flame that hasnever been extinguished.

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Making Merryin May!

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Blast from thePast

Each month it’s fun to look into my pattern box and pull out one of myearlier designs that I haven’t seen for a long time - and even nicer to sharewith others too! Here’s a very early favourite from 2011 - the May design

from my Rosie and Bear Calendar Quilt series.

You can download the free pattern here.

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Dream it, do it…The Bee Keeper

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As May progresses more flowersbegin to bloom while, on a sunnyafternoon, the contented hum ofbusy bees fills the air and so Ithought this month would be theperfect moment to share mybrother-in-law's experience of beekeeping. After a successfulcareer in the law, Dave retiredover 3 years ago and, with sparetime on his hands, decided to takeup beekeeping.

Dave has always been very intouch with nature having beenborn and brought up on a dairyfarm in rural Somerset. With hischildren grown up, a large gardenand small holding, as well as extratime following retirement, it

seemed there had never been abetter time to begin.

After attending a course locally foraspiring beekeepers run by theBritish Beekeepers Association,Dave then spent time workingclosely with a very experiencedbeekeeper living near him, whostill continues to offer advice andassistance. Once he feltsufficiently confident, Dave tookthe plunge and bought theequipment and the bees. Heinvested in two colonies and onaverage checks them once aweek. If the hives feel light it willmean not much honey is beingstored in the combs. If this is thecase during the summer months

then he will give his bees asupplement of sugar fondant,whilst in the winter he will apply asugar syrup. The amount ofhoney produced from each hivedepends both on the health of thecolony and most importantly theweather.

In Dave's first year, 2014, he tookover 30lbs from each hive, but lastyear it was a lot less. In fact in badyears a beekeeper will takenothing at all as enough honeyneeds to be left for the bees tosurvive the winter months.

To extract his honey Daveremoves the frames inside thehive and removes the wax caps

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“Together we reallycan make a difference,one dress at a time!”

In Malawi, as in many Africancountries, children comprise nearlyhalf of the total population. Manyhouseholds don’t contain anyadults, but instead are led bychildren under the age of 10 whoare responsible for their youngerbrothers and sisters due to thepremature deaths of their parents.30% of all children die before theyreach the age of five, and of thoseremaining another 30% will diebefore they reach the age of justten years old.

Despite these staggering statisticsand serious health threads thesechildren go about their lives like allchildren - with little concern fortomorrow. Although most of them

live without what we consider to bethe basic necessities of life, they arealmost without exception positiveand optimistic.

Little Dresses for Africa was formedto help these children by creatingsimple little dresses (and nowtrousers for boys too) made frompillowcases. They are distributedto the children throughorphanages, villages and schools.During distributions the children aregiven simple lessons aboutnutrition, clean water andsanitation.

It all began when Founder RachelO’Neill and her husband Michaelwent to Uganda and Kenya tocelebrate her 50th birthday.Avoiding black balloons and over-the-hill signs turned into a deeplove for the Continent of Africa and

the birth of a life-changing mission.Nothing has been the same for theO’Neills since! The vast beauty ofthe Continent and the wide smilesof the children captivated theirhearts and Rachel was determinedto return. Along with this majesty,something else caught her eye andit was clear that she had met thesepeople for a reason.

After observing the plight ofespecially women and children andthe long road ahead for them, shewas determined to help them insome tangible way. It was on hersecond trip, in “the warm heart ofAfrica” Malawi, that Little Dressesfor Africa was born. Althoughclothing is definitely needed, thesedresses are so much more than justsomething to wear.

This month we’re taking a look at anothersewing not-for-profit organisation - LittleDresses for Africa

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The NightIn a scented woodAn owl is calling;

O’er the resting landThe night is falling;

The air is sweetWith the scent of may;

The birds are asleep,They are waiting for day.

In the purple nightNo light is showing;

O’er the silent landA breeze is blowing.It rustles the leaves

With a soft little sigh;The owl is so still,

Then gives, softly, a cry

By Helen Leuty

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Carpe NoctemPennant

If you’re a regular reader of thismagazine you may rememberthat back in the autumn Idesigned a pattern for a CarpeDiem banner.

Now here’s its pair - the CarpeNoctem design featuring a softfeather - perhaps from an owl?Or from your plumply filled quiltor pillows maybe combinedwith the words Carpe Noctemin the same flowing script Iused for the Carpe Diembanner. Why not stitch the pair- one for each end of the day -or either side of your bed?

Finished banner measures 12”x 8”

Materials● 16” x 14” grey cotton, linen or blended

quilting or medium weight fabric for front

● 14” square cotton fabric for backing

● 10” x 1/4” wooden dowling

● 24” cream cord for hanging

● DMC stranded cotton floss in colours ecru,310, 543, 676, 829, 942, 3031, 3042,3740

● Temporary fabric marker pen

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If you like this pattern then why not stitch the pair?Carpe Diem banner is available in the Bustle & Sew store.

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Cuddly SockSheep

On the Wild Side ..

Go foraging for wildgarlic this spring

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Sharon Robins talks to us about her love of sewing - especially inthe woods(!) and the joy of passing her skills onto others through

her business Raggy Robin.

Meet theMaker

Sharon is based in the cathedralcity of Durham, England. HerRaggy Robin Sewing Room is theplace where she shares with othersher love for sewing. We talked toSharon about her life and business:

First of all Sharon, could youshare with us how your love ofsewing first began?

My Nana Mary was the lady whobrought me up. She taught me thebasics of how to knit and sew, butotherwise I'm mostly self taught. Iwas given my first sewing machinefor my 18th birthday and startedmaking soft toys, which I sold tofamily and friends.

The biggest mistake I made at thetime was to tell the careers advisorthat I enjoyed sewing. I was sentstraight into one of those 'creativitykilling' factories where I lost the lovefor a long time. It was years laterwhen my girls needed Halloweenoutfits and I couldn't find anythingdecent to buy that I got out my oldmachine and hey ho, the capes Imade were used every year afterthat.

How did your business, RaggyRobin, come about?

In January 2013 I joined a local quiltclub to meet other like mindedpeople, (I knew I couldn't be theonly one who liked to sew). Thisopened up a new world for me andI've never been so busy, I've beenso inspired and encouraged by theothers. We go on regular trips toshows and exhibitions, but twice ayear we go sewing in the woods.It's the perfect break, home cookedfood, great company, walking andsewing. (Heaven).

I never followed sewing patterns, ifI bought one it was to see how theywere written, then I would make upmy own project and so it followedthat I started writing patterns of myown. I opened my Etsy shop in May2014, but you can feel a little lost onthere the site is so huge, so I startedteaching with my patterns in somelocal shops. It's not ideal teachingin a busy shop, so I looked aroundfor lockable premises of my ownand came across 'Vane TempestHall' in Durham. It's a beautiful oldbuilding that looks like a little castleand hence the 'Sewing Room'opened in May 2015.

“Inspiring peopleto pick up a

needle..”

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Sewing in the Woods withSharon Robins of RaggyRobin Sewing Room

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Little GiraffeSoftie

This is such a cute little giraffe- at least I think so anyway -measuring 12” tall from thebottoms of his hooves to thetips of his ears.

Rather than use a giraffe printfabric I made him from an oldshrunken woollen jumper (anice wool blend felt would workjust as well) and cut squares -and rectangles too - of toffeecoloured brown felt torepresent his markings. Hismane is made from someleftover yarn and he isn’t wiredat all which makes him verycuddly and user-friendly!

Materials● 14” x 18” golden brown felt for body

● 12” square brown felt

● Two small spherical black beads for eyes

● One tiny button for nose

● Oddment of brown woollen yarn

● Toy stuffing

● Golden brown, pink and brown strandedcotton floss or cotton pearl thread

● Large needle for sewing with yarn

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Method● Cut out all pieces as directed on templates

(you will need to join the upper gusset at thedotted lines before cutting).

● Join body gussets to body sides from A toB around the legs leaving the bottoms of thelegs open.

● Fold the ears in half vertically. Join uppergusset to one body side along the neckbeginning at c and inserting one ear into theseam where indicated on the template.

● Join body sides together from A to C, thencontinue stitching to join the other body sideto the upper gusset. (Don’t forget to insertthe other ear!). You may find it easiest to stuffthe neck as you go. Insert small pieces ofstuffing to avoid lumpiness - you may find astuffing stick useful for this (simply a bambooskewer with the tip broken off and frayed to“grab” the stuffing as you insert it.)

● Continue the body seam down to B.

● Join the body gussets from A to Y and B toX leaving a gap for stuffing.

● Stuff body firmly. You may find it easiest tostuff the bottoms of the legs by pushingstuffing up through the open ends.

● Make the hooves by joining two hoof piecestogether and then stitching on the bottom.Push onto the ends of the legs and stitchinto place with brown floss/pearle thread.

● Join the three nose pieces together, pushonto the nose at C and again stitch intoplace with brown floss/thread.

● Cut 2 x ¾” square pieces of brown felt androll into cylinders then stitch into place forthe horms.

● Make large loopy stitches with your brownwoollen yarn all down the centre of the topgusset. This will be the mane. Make a smallback stitch in between each loop to makesure the yarn can’t easily be pulled out. Trimyarn loops to around ¼” and fluff ends (Ifound the Newfies’ slicker brush workedreally well for this!)

● Draw 3 strands of yarn through the body (orsix if your yarn is thin) B, then plait into a tail.

● Cut assorted rectangles and squares - thelargest should be no bigger than 1” x 1 ½”- from your brown felt and stitch into placeall over body for markings.

● Determine the position for the eyes usingblack glass-headed pins (or any other colourwill do if you don’t have black, I just find iteasier). Take your time over this step astheir position will affect the final expressionof your giraffe. When you’re happy with theirpositioning secure firmly, taking the threadright the way through the head and pullinggently to create hollows for the eyes to sit in(you don’t want a bug-eyed giraffe!)

● Indicate cheeks with a few stitches in pinkfloss/pearle thread.

● Add button for nose.

● Your giraffe is now finished.

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Visit Michelle at Mooshie Stitch for a taste ofstitching, photography and general craftygoodness!http://mooshiestitch.blogspot.co.uk/

Over on at Cherry Heart meet Sandra wholikes to crochet, knit, sew, quilt, weave andoccasionally bake. She loves staying athome, playing house, having craftyadventures and sharing them with herreadershttp://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/

Jessica blogs, shops and generally adoreseverything vintage - share her passion overat Chronically Vintage.http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/asdf

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In the Kitchen withDebbie : Honey Cupcakes

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At this time of year all the home magazines recommend spring cleaning,throwing open doors and windows and brushing away cobwebs and dust.Well this is all very well, and has to be done of course - but why not treat

yourself to a little (much more fun) spring cleaning? Enjoy a relaxing houror two folding and sorting your stash - you’ll be able to find everythingmuch more easily - and if you’re anything like me, simply gazing uponthose beautiful, well-ordered stacks of fabric will fill you with delight!

Home Comforts

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