Turquoise and Red Canvas Work Pincushion

When working on a new pattern for my shop, Lynlubell on Etsy, it takes a few stitched samples to get to the final colours and the design of the pincushion that will be listed in the shop. This pincushion was designed by Beryl Saunders.

I had to embroider another one for photographing - the one lying flat on the table. I like to have a photograph of the stitched top included in the pattern and I had forgotten to take a photo before I attached the back.

Turquoise and Coral Triangles pincushion

Recently I came across the pincushion top while looking for something else and I thought to was time to make it up. It's not my favourite job. A pretty patchwork fabric toned in well with the colours of the embroidery and it motivated me to finish off the pincushion.

Beryl has an attractive basket in which she keeps her collection of pincushions. Mine are kept in a shoebox. We had to dispose of all our baskets when we moved to Australia so I used a glass bowl instead when I wanted to display them.  

Hahaha! Making the pincushions stay where you want them in a slippery glass bowl is almost impossible. It requires a delicate balancing act. 

I did enjoy seeing all the pincushions again, and holding them in my hand as I tried to arrange them. Embroidery is so tactile. 

I think I'll keep a lookout for something more suitable for displaying the pincushions next time. For now, all my samples are packed back in their shoebox, and one more UFO has been finished.

Till next time, happy stitching!

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*UFO - UnFinished Object

Pouches for Rescued Animals

In response to the original request by the Animal Rescue Craft Guild (ARCG) for handmade items for animals recovering from the Bushfires, I started to make some Joey pouches. At the time of writing this, the response has been overwhelming and more items are not required. This may change at any time.

To keep in touch with any needs of the ARCG, check their Facebook page and look under the 'Announcements' tab. I have written more about this in my previous post here.

It took me quite a while to find the requirements, the patterns and the instructions. It's all on the Animal Rescue Craft Guild Facebook page, but you do have to look for it, and read through it carefully. Just where to look depends on whether you are using a PC, phone or iPad, so it may take a bit of searching to track it all down. On my PC, the tabs are down the left hand side of the Facebook page, while on my phone, they appear near the top, across the page.

If you are interested in the pouches, the Sewing Requirements are under the 'Files' tab. There you will also find PDF's of all the Patterns, and the Sewing Instructions.

The PDF patterns print out over a number of pages and must be taped together. I printed the first 7 (of 10) pages to see how it all worked and get an idea of the size of the fabric I'd need.

Pattern by Piccolo Studio

Each pouch requires 3 separate liners, a bit like removable nappy liners. The liners can be removed and changed by the volunteers to keep the animal clean and healthy. Then they are washed and dried ready for the next change. The outer pouch stays with the little animal. It provides some comfort with its own familiar smell on it while it is recovering.

I cut out the pattern pieces for XX Small, and X small sizes - outer pouches and linings.

It's a long time since I have done French seams, but the sewing instructions are good and I found it was quite straightforward to do. Two outer pouches done. Six linings to go.

French seams are preferable because small claws get hooked up in zig-zagged or overlocked edges. A lot of thought that has gone into the designing of these patterns.

That's one lining completed and slipped into the outer pouch with the cuff folded over. Now to turn the other 5 pouches for the second seam. Ten minutes of sewing here and there soon adds up.

My plan for now is to complete the two pouches and the six inner linings that I have started. Then I'll await further announcements from the ARCG group about if, when, and where to send them.

Till next time, happy stitching!

Bushfires and Social Media

Being summer, it's bushfire season and we are constantly aware of that. Thankfully here on the northern edge of Brisbane we are safe and the effects of fires have been minimal. But as you may know, the news in Australia has been dominated for weeks by the devastating bushfires further south.

The average temperatures across Australia hit new records in 2019 and the drought is widespread. The result is that this season's bushfires are burning hotter and being more destructive than usual. It was astounding to see a photo of a car with rivers of molten metal solidified into the tar around it. Fire temperatures there were estimated at over 600° C and possibly as high as 1000° C!

The scale of the destruction of the landscape is difficult to comprehend. Some have calculated that is is almost 20 times as much as was destroyed in the 2018 California fires. The loss of millions of animals and their habitat is heartbreaking. Only very good and widespread rains have any hope of quelling the fires. It's a tragic start to the new year.

Social Media
On the positive side, many injured animals have been found and rescued.  They are being treated by vets and teams of volunteers with a view to eventually returning them to the bush. But a way of lending a little material help to them appeared on Facebook, by way of the Animal Rescue Craft Guild (ARCG).

I joined the group on Facebook and downloaded some patterns to sew up pouches for injured wildlife.  However, I wasn't the only one to join. The appeal went viral and within a week 100,000 other crafters from around the world also responded to the need and joined the group.  They have been sewing, knitting and crocheting bat wraps for flying foxes, nests, joey pouches and animal beds.

Joey in pouch: Courtesy of Piccolo Studio

These items are used by volunteers who are looking after and nursing the injured animals. Australian marsupials including wombats, possums, kangaroos and koalas all need pouches in which to grow and thrive.

Baby Koala: Courtesy of Piccolo Studio

Such is the power of social media that the ARCG have been inundated with donations. In the face of the kind, caring but overwhelming response, the ARCG group administrators have now asked crafters to 'pause' in their efforts They need time to sort and allocate the avalanche of items to the various rescue centres.

They also need to take stock of what they have, and assess further needs in a planned, manageable way. Actively managing a Facebook group of now close to 200,000 is a big undertaking and needs much time and attention. Then there are the logistics of collecting the goods, storing them, and getting them distributed.

Meanwhile, we crafters can perhaps complete what we have begun and then wait to hear from the ARCG. They are doing a splendid job and will no doubt let us know when they are ready to accept more items.

If you do wish to help through the ARCG, check the 'Announcements' tab on the Animal Rescue Craft Guild Facebook page before going any further. All the information you need is published there and it's updated regularly. Patterns have been carefully designed to meet the needs of the animals.  Natural fibres like cotton and linen are best for little animals that are learning to eat and explore the world by chewing and tasting what is around them.

I'll tell you more about my pouches in my next post.

Till then, happy stitching!

The Start to the New Year

The beginning of January saw our overseas family safely back home after a busy and very happy Christmas staying with us. Our whole family were together for much of the two weeks. The four cousins, aged 6,7,8 and 9, were inseparable. They rushed across the little creek at every opportunity to get together and play. Often at 7am!

There were ten of us for dinner most evenings. And if everyone had gathered at our house, we'd leisurely sit chatting out on the patio afterwards. And try and keep the mosquitoes at bay!

It's taken a while to adjust to being just the two of us in the house again and to tidy up and put things back in their usual places. We're slowly settling back into a routine and planning for the new year.

I've started a small sewing project in response to the bushfires and will tell you more about that soon.

May 2020 be happy, peaceful, and safe for you.

Till next time, happy stitching!