To infinity & beyond! Silk infinity scarf.

A few months ago my mother-in-law Aileen gave me some beautiful silk fabric in 2 different designs…there was metres of the stuff and I was more than delighted to take ownership of it!

Aileen thought that the lighter-weight of the 2 fabrics would make beautiful scarves and she was after an infinity type scarf that she could wear a bit like a necklace with a jumper and with no ends to get in the way. So I thought I would try and make her one for Christmas.

I found a few tutorials for making infinity scarves via Pinterest and roughly followed this one from the I Heart Nap Time blog. Mine took somewhat longer than 20mins though!

This was the first time I’d sewn with silk. I knew silk can be a little tricky, but I thought “hey, how hard can it be?” Well, I learnt that it can indeed be pretty tricky! I needed to cut a long narrow rectangle to make the infinity scarf, but it was sooooooo hard to cut the fabric straight as it kept moving all over the place! I tried to do some research into how I could prevent this. One suggestion was to use a fabric stabiliser, but that would have meant ordering some and waiting for it to arrive and I didn’t have time for that (though I’ve since read that you can use gelatine!). So the other suggestion was to cut the fabric between layers of tissue paper. This did help and I eventually managed to cut out a roughly rectangular shape measuring approximately 30inches by 15inches for making a single loop infinity scarf.

Cutting out was by far the hardest part. So I decided to make the scarves from a single piece of fabric to minimise the amount of cutting out and to reduce the number of seams due to the delicate fabric. The silk did fray quite badly as well and as the fabric has a slight transparency to it I decided to use a French seam for the long seam. To do this:

1. Fold the fabric rectangle in half length-ways with wrong sides together. 
2. Stitch along the long seam approximately 0.5cm in (or half of your seam allowance) using a fine needle. This creates a tube of fabric.
3. Turn the tube of fabric inside out so that right sides are now together. Press along the long seam before stitching along the long seam again approximately 0.5cm in (or half of your seam allowance) ensuring that the rough edges of the first seam will be encased by the next seam thereby hiding the rough edges. 
4. Turn the fabric tube inside out again so that right sides are facing out and press.

To close the loop I matched up the 2 ends of the long seam and pinned together. It was not possible to use a French seam to close the loop so instead I used my overlocker to sew the 2 ends together as far round as I could, leaving a small opening which I then hand stitched closed.

My machine handled the silk well and I didn’t find it moved about at all really. Overall I was pretty happy with the result and once I made one I was able to churn out a couple more for presents much quicker.

© 2016 Jennifer Richardson

“I make things with my bear hands” Emmeline Tee

When I drew my friend Jen in our work secret Santa draw my immediate reaction was “YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS”. Jen is a fellow crafter and my initial thought was that she would be easy to buy a gift for. But then when I thought about it I realised I wanted to make sure I did something really good. I knew she would be more than happy if I just bought her some fabric, but at the end of the day that wouldn’t require much effort and she can buy herself fabric anytime. So I started thinking of what else I could do. Jen is known as ‘The Bear’. I remembered a t-shirt I had seen in Asda ages ago that had a bear on it holding tools and it read ‘I fix things with my bear hands’. And it got me thinking whether I could make her a similar t-shirt, but craft themed to read ‘I make things with my bear hands’ instead. Of course I decided that I couldn’t just buy a plain t-shirt to print on, but instead needed to make one from scratch.

I love The Little Tailoress blog and had been looking for an excuse to purchase the Emmeline Tee pattern for some time, but had been trying to resist as I have so many sewing patterns that I have yet to do anything with. But I felt making a t-shirt for Jen gave me the perfect excuse to add this pattern to my collection.

I purchased the PDF version of the pattern. PDF patterns can be a faff to stick together, but then so is tracing a paper pattern, which I try to make myself do so I always have the original to go back to. I do quite like PDF patterns for the reason that you always have a permanent copy that you can print as many times as you like. So if you need a different size, ruin a copy, or want to make any modifications you can just print another copy. Plus, in printing on paper your pattern is more robust than tracing paper.

The Emmeline Tee pattern includes 3 versions all of which can be made in woven or knit fabrics, detailed instructions for which are included. I decided to make version 3 using a grey marl t-shirt jersey I picked up from Lili Fabrics stand at the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts show at the NEC, Birmingham in November.

Version 3 of the pattern only has 3 pattern pieces (front, back, and neckband). So it was super quick to cut out the fabric. I cut out a size S for Jen, but to the largest size on the hem to give a tiny bit of extra length in the body. When I come to make myself an Emmeline Tee I think I would want a bit more length in the body so will have to lengthen the pattern.

Following the instructions I started by overlocking all the raw edges of my pattern pieces. Then it was just a case of sewing up the side seams, attaching the neckband and finishing the hems and edges using a twin needle. The pattern is so clear and straightforward that it makes up in next to no time.

I enlisted the help of my husband Steve for the design to go on the front as he is very good at graphical stuff and design. So I told him what I wanted and he put it together for me.

Once the t-shirt was made up, next thing I had to try and figure out was how to get it printed. I did quite a lot of research into the various methods of printing. The cheapest is to buy an iron-on transfer. There are many websites that allow you to upload your own design and they will post you the transfer for you to iron onto your t-shirt yourself at home. However, I read that iron-on transfers aren’t really made to last and can perhaps only withstand 4-5 washes. I wanted Jen’s t-shirt to be more durable than this so I looked into other options. I decided that what I wanted was direct to garment printing so set about trying to find somewhere that would be willing to print on my own t-shirt rather than one of theirs. Fortunately I found ExampleUK who happen to be based just a couple of miles away from where I live. They were more than happy to do a one-off print using my design and t-shirt and I was so pleased with the result. I think it looks so professional.

I was soooooo excited about giving my secret Santa gift. I knew Jen would probably guess I was her secret Santa straight away, but I didn’t care as I was just dying to know what she thought of it and she loved it!

Here is the finished article:

© 2016 Jennifer Richardson

I am looking forward to making myself a few versions of the Emmeline Tee and already have fabric lines up to make about 3-4 different versions!

Super Snuggly Baby Blanket

I was browsing Pinterest looking for ideas for something I could make for the arrival of my friends’ first baby and came across Mrs Brits’ Sweet and Chunky Baby Afghan crochet pattern here. This looked like just the thing I was after. Being in chunky yarn I knew it would crochet up quickly and the pattern is easy peasy so it was something I could mindlessly follow whilst sat watching something on the TV in the evenings. I loved the colours of the yarn Mrs Brits used for her blanket, which is what caught my eye in the first place, but I knew my friend was expecting a baby boy so wanted something more boy appropriate. The pattern uses Bernat Baby Blanket yarn, but this does not appear to be terribly easy to get in the UK. However there are sellers on Amazon and also eBay where I got mine. I wanted something a little bolder than typical baby colours so after much deliberation I ended up buying 2 balls of the Bernat Blanket Big Ball yarn in Sailors Delight. This is a multi-coloured yarn of blue, orange, brown and beige and is sooooo soft. The end result is a super snuggly blanket! I followed the pattern exactly using a 9mm crochet hook and my finished blanket roughly measured 30” wide and 36” tall. I think this may become a go to pattern for new arrival gifts!

© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

Alternative Christmas cards:

I’ve always wondered when I make handmade cards whether people hold on to them or whether they just end up in the recycling with the rest. Of course I don’t expect people to hang on to everything, but when you put effort into making things its sometimes hard to think that they may just find themselves in a bin. So, a few years ago I decided to make what I call ‘alternative’ Christmas cards in the hope that people would be more likely to hold on to them. My alternative cards are generally some form of tree decoration. Of course, not being flat means postage is more expensive as they generally have to be sent with large letter stamps, but I like thinking that all the people on my Christmas card list are essentially getting a small gift.

Over the past few years I have made felt Christmas puddings, felt Christmas trees, fabric presents, crochet stars, and knitted mini stockings. Here are a few examples of ones I’ve kept hold of for my own Christmas tree:

© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

For this year’s cards I have been making fabric yoyo Christmas wreaths. I bought all the supplies from eBay. I’ve used red beads and the cutest mini red buttons to look like berries and red satin ribbon for the bows and hanging loop. I’m pretty pleased with how they have turned out so I hope their recipients will like them also.

© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

Gift tutorial: Japanese paper pendant

This is a quick and easy tutorial to make a Japanese paper pendant that can make use of any scraps of paper left over from making my tea bag folding cards, the tutorial for which can be found here.  I have attached my pendants to keyrings, which I think will make great stocking fillers for Christmas!

© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

You will need:

• Pencil
• Scissors
• Silicone craft glue
• 1 X Cabochon setting (I am using a 25mm square antique bronze setting)
• 1 X Glass cabochon (I’m using a 25mm X 25mm X 7mm transparent square)
• A scrap piece of Japanese paper (at least big enough to fit your setting)
• Cord/key ring fob to hang pendant from (I’m using an antique bronze key ring fob)

1. Take your scrap piece of Japanese paper and place your glass cabochon on top of it and move it around to find a section of the paper you particularly like. I am using a 25mm X 25mm X 7mm transparent square glass cabochon to fit a 25mm square setting.
2. Holding the glass cabochon in place with one finger, take your pencil and draw around the cabochon.
3. Using your scissors, cut out following your pencil outline giving you a piece of paper that should fit your cabochon setting.





© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

4. Spread a thin layer of silicone craft glue to the inside of your cabochon setting.
5. Place your piece of paper into the setting right side up. Press down lightly to make sure the paper has stuck and there are no creases or air bubbles. Here I am using a 25mm square antique bronze setting, but you can use any shape, size or colour. It doesn’t have to be a pendant setting. You may wish to make earrings or cuff links instead.
6. Give the back (flat side) of your glass cabochon a polish to remove any finger prints and apply a thin layer of silicone craft glue. Place the glass cabochon into the setting on top of the paper and press down to remove any air bubbles. Polish the top side of your cabochon.
7. I have attached my Japanese paper pendant to an antique bronze key ring fob matching my cabochon setting. To do this I used a pair of pliers to open the jump ring at the end of the key ring chain and fed this through the loop of the pendant then used the pliers to close the jump ring again. If you want to wear the pendant as a necklace, however, you may wish to thread a piece of cord through the pendant loop instead.



© 2015 Jennifer Richardson





I bought all my supplies for making my Japanese paper pendant key rings from eBay.

Bundles of Beetroot

A few weeks ago my Dad gave me a load of his home grown beetroot.  I love beetroot, but being the only beetroot fan in the house I would never have gotten through it all if I’d pickled it and kept it for myself and there was far too much to try and use it in chocolate cakes, which is my other favourite thing to do with beetroot.  So I scoured the web for a beetroot chutney recipe I liked the look of.  In the end I decided to roughly follow this one on the BBC Good Food website.

I had more than 1.5kg of beetroot though so decided to use approximately 1.5 times the ingredients.  I thought processing that quantity of beetroot would leave the kitchen looking like a murder scene!  However, by peeling the beetroot into a colander in a basin of water in the sink wearing disposable gloves and using Maggie the Magimix to chop everything I actually kept things reasonably tidy.  What I didn’t factor in though was what the volume of the ingredients would be in increasing the ingredient quantities!  I started of using the large stainless steel pan I usually use for making jams and chutneys, but it soon became apparent that the pan was going to end up a little too full!  The only thing I had that was bigger was my enamel-lined cast iron Le Creuset casserole dish.  I had to use Google to find out if it was OK to use that, which thankfully it looked like it was so I tipped everything into that instead.  This also gave me an opportunity to use the giant wooden spoon and spatula for jam and chutney making that my Mum had given me for my birthday.

Whilst the chutney was bubbling away I sterilised the jars.  To do this I washed the jars and lids in hot soapy water and then put them in the oven pre-heated to 140⁰C.  They need to stay in there for at least 15mins, but I tend to leave them in longer until I’m ready to use them.

Once the chutney was ready, I took the jars out of the oven and spooned the chutney in.  I managed to fill 14 jars, which was nearly my entire supply of spare jars!  As I can’t eat that much chutney I will be coming some away as Christmas presents.  I bought some dissolvable labels on EBay to label up the jars and used some squares of Christmas fabric to cover the lids.

© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

And after all that I still had 2 giant beetroots left, one of which found its way into a chocolate and beetroot loaf and the other I cooked in the microwave and ate!

Card making tutorial: Tea bag folding with Japanese paper

You will need:

• Cutting mat
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scalpel/scissors
• Glue stick
• 15cm X 15cm blank card
• 15cm X 15cm piece of patterned paper
• 5cm X 15cm piece of complimenting patterned paper
• 6cm X 15cm piece and 9cm X 9cm piece of coordinating coloured card

1. Take the 15cm X 15cm patterned piece of paper.  Here I am using Japanese paper, which works really well for this, but you can use any patterned paper.
2.  Using a pencil and a ruler draw a grid 5cm X 5cm squares on the back.
3.  Carefully cut along the grid lines using a scalpel or pair of scissors.  You will have 9 squares.





© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

I am using one of the most basic tea bag folding techniques following the instructions provided by Card Inspirations here.  But if you type tea bag folding into Google or Pinterest you will find many more examples.  For this tutorial you will only need 8 of the 9 squares, but don’t throw away the final square as I will have another tutorial to show you what you can do with any paper scraps!


4.  For each 5cm X 5cm square: With wrong-side facing up, fold the paper in half, open out and fold in half the other way.  Turn the paper over so the right-side is facing up and fold in half diagonally once and open out.  Turn the paper over again so wrong-side is facing up and push the diagonal folds in and up to create a folded 2.5cm X 2.5cm square.
5.  Once you have folded all 8 squares, using a glue stick start to slot one square inside another to create an eight-pointed star as shown below.
6.  Using the glue stick, stick your eight-pointed star to the 9cm X 9cm piece of coloured card (I’ve used a golden yellow) and carefully cut around the points of the star using a scalpel or scissors to create a border approximately 0.5cm wide.





© 2015 Jennifer Richardson

7.  Next cut a 5cm X 15cm piece of coordinating patterned paper and a 6cm X 15cm piece of the same coloured card you used to back the eight-point star.
8.  Stick the piece of patterned paper to the coloured card using a glue stick so that you have a 0.5cm border down the long sides.
9.  Apply glue to the back of the coloured card and position it on your blank card where you want it to be (I positioned mine approximately 2cm in from the folded edge.)





© 2015 Jennifer Richardson



10. 1.      Finally, stick the eight-pointed star to the front of the blank card positioning it half way between the top and the bottom and so the top and bottom points are lined up with the edge of the coloured card.
    I finished my card off in keeping with a Japanese theme using some Japanese Mizuhiki paper cord to tie a clamshell knot (or Daki Musubi in Japanese) which I glued to the centre of my star.  This image posted on Paper Wishes illustrates how to do this.

© 2015 Jennifer Richardson