A Liz Truss Embroidery Pattern + A Pack of Tory "Grow The Pie" Seeds

Commemorate the resignation of Britain's shortest-serving Prime Minister with this pair of Liz Truss embroidery patterns (or colouring pages, if you'd rather get your pens out than a needle and thread!) - now available in my shop and over on my Patreon. 

A few weeks ago I spent the evening sketching just for the sake of it, and because Liz Truss had been in the news so much I set myself the challenge of drawing her. I've not attempted many portraits before, so I thought this would be quite fun and I was rather pleased with the result.

Obviously my crafter's brain immediately yelled "YOU SHOULD TURN THIS INTO AN EMBROIDERY PATTERN!!!" and once I'd thought that thought I simply couldn't resist.

Then when I was working on the Liz Truss pattern I was thinking about possible wording for the banner. Maybe "Pork Markets!!", or "Grow the Pie!"...? And naturally this ended up with me sketching a pack of Tory Pie Seeds, which also simply had to get turned into a pattern.

I can't really explain why any of this happened (my boyfriend thinks this whole project is absolutely bananas, and he's probably right) but I'm trying to nurture sparks of inspiration and go with the flow at the moment, making more time to make things things "Just Because". 

I enjoyed stitching these, and I'm delighted with how they turned out. They make me laugh and I hope you'll enjoy them, too. 

Click here to find the Liz Truss embroidery patterns on my Patreon! 

Becoming a Patron gets you access to a growing archive of crafty patterns, and email updates whenever I add something new. I'm so grateful for everyone who signs up to support my creative projects

P.S. I think Liz has been a disaster but you disagree we can still be friends and I have no plans to pivot to angry political content xxx

Felt Cat Brooch Craft Kits for Hawthorn Handmade

As I mentioned the other week, I've designed some more felt craft kits for Hawthorn Handmade! 

So far the collection includes flower, wildlife, insect, and dog brooches. Then in August they launched a trio of craft-themed brooches aaaaand... CAT BROOCHES.

As a life-long cat lady I adored designing these, and I hope you'll love them too.

There's a black cat playing with a ball of yarn...

... a ginger cat snoozing on a comfy cushion...

 

... and a tabby cat chasing a butterfly.

 

If you stitch one do let me know - it's been so nice seeing people's finished brooches!

 

Click here to shop the whole range of felt craft kits.

Magical Stars Embroidery Patterns

After sharing a super-detailed free Halloween embroidery pattern last week, here's another simpler pattern for you!

Like last week's design, this was inspired by my favourite line from the classic Halloween film Hocus Pocus. 

This starry pattern was the first idea I sketched when I first started thinking about a Hocus Pocus -themed pattern. I ended up going in a different direction but couldn't let go of this idea... so I thought why not share this one too? The more patterns the merrier, right??

This starry design will fit neatly in 6 inch embroidery hoop, and would be great to stitch with backstitch and French knots. 

You could stitch the stars in white on a dark background to create a night sky effect, or use bright colours for a magic spell vibe.

You'll find a free version of this pattern at the bottom of this post, but I've also shared a hi-res PDF version over on my Patreon... and I've shared another starry embroidery pattern with my Patreon subscribers, too!  

This customisable pattern is exclusive to my Patreon subscribers. 

It has a border of stars and dots, with a blank space in the centre for you to add a quotation you love or any other text you fancy. So many possibilities!

Subscribe for a small monthly fee and you'll get access to a growing library of PDF patterns and tutorials, with an email whenever I add a new project. You can cancel any time. 

Click here to check out my Patreon page and sign up!

 

Click here to open Amok! Magical Stars pattern in a new window, then print it at 100%.

A hi-res PDF version of this pattern is also available in my Patreon pattern library, along with the starry border pattern. 

This pattern is for non commercial use only: you can use it to stitch as many  as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don't make any for sale. Thanks xx

Enjoyed this free pattern? Buy me a "coffee" and help support my blog!

P.S. Subscribe to my newsletter for monthly(ish) free patterns and visit my crafty tutorial archive for lots more creative projects.

Visit my shop to buy my printable PDF sewing patterns and lots more:

Amok! Amok! Amok! A Hocus Pocus Embroidery Pattern for Halloween

I've got a free, spooky embroidery pattern to share with you guys today - a celebration of one of my favourite films, and all things witchy! 

With the nights drawing in, my thoughts have turned to the books and films I want to revisit on chilly autumn evenings. 

Top of my Must Watch Halloween Movies list is the kids classic "Hocus Pocus" - starring Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker as witches brought back to life by some hapless teens. 

My absolute favourite moment from the film is when SJP's dim, giddy character gleefully shouts "Amok! Amok! Amok!" ... so obviously I had to stitch an homage to that moment. 

I started out wanting to design something simple, focusing on the text itself, then got a bit carried away drawing cute and spooky witchcraft-themed things! More is more, right???

The finished pattern fits nicely in a 7 inch embroidery hoop, or you can trace individual motifs for some quick Halloween stitching. 

I think this would also make a great Halloween colouring page, maybe even to colour in during a Hocus Pocus rewatch?

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY PATREON AND DOWNLOAD THE FREE PDF PATTERN.

Want more crafty projects? Subscribe to my Patreon for a small monthly fee and you'll get access to a growing library of PDF patterns and tutorials, with an email whenever I add a new project. You can cancel any time. 

Click here to check out my Patreon page and sign up!

This pattern is for personal use only: you can use it to stitch as many spooky things as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don't make any for sale. Thanks xx

Enjoyed this free pattern? Buy me a "coffee" and help support my work!

P.S. Subscribe to my newsletter for more free patterns and visit my crafty tutorial archive for lots more creative projects.

Visit my shop to buy my printable PDF sewing patterns and lots more:

Felt Craft Brooch Kits for Hawthorn Handmade

Some nice freelance news - I've designed some more felt brooch kits for Hawthorn Handmade! 

I've been working with Hawthorn Handmade for a while, creating lots of fun DIY sewing kits with different themes: flowers, wildlife, dogs, and insects. 

Last month they launched two new themes, which I'm excited to be able to show you guys!

First up: a trio of crafting-themed brooches.

There's a sewing machine brooch...

 ... an embroidery brooch...

 

... and a knitting brooch, with a lovely basket of yarn!

 

Which one's your favourite?

Click here to shop the whole range of felt craft kits.

A Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Felt Ornament Tutorial

Sew a felt portrait of the Queen, to commemorate her long life and reign!

 

This step by step project includes templates, instructions, and several text options for the embroidery - including "Thank you, Ma'am, for everything" for the Paddington fans among you. 

Don't want to make an ornament? Sew the finished portrait onto a larger piece of felt or fabric and frame it instead. 

CLICK HERE to find the printable PDF pattern over on my Patreon.

In case you missed it - here's the embroidery pattern I shared earlier. 

I'm sharing these patterns for free, but if you'd like to support my work you can sign up to become a Patron, buy me a coffee, or visit my shop. 

If you'd prefer to make a donation to a charity in memory of the Queen that would also be lovely!

Snail Mail Love: Vintage Stamp Postcards

As well as getting back into the rhythm of stitching and designing stuff, I've also been adding lots of lovely vintage bits and bobs to my shop!

I've been selling vintage things for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it. It's such a joy finding gorgeous and interesting items and then sending them off to their new homes - particularly when customers tell me their purchases are going to be a special gift, or are something they've been looking for for years. 

As the months go by, I'm working out what sells and what doesn't and also what I'm most enjoying selling. I blogged a while back about my new-found obsession with vintage tea towels (I love them so much I've set up an Instagram account devoted to them!), and obviously I'm drawn to all kinds of vintage crafty goodness... but one of the other things I'm really into is vintage stamp postcards.

These cards are known by collectors as "PHQ Cards" - PHQ standing for "Postal Headquarters" because they were originally issued by the Post Office here in the UK (more recently they've been issued by the Royal Mail). 

The Post Office (and later Royal Mail) have been publishing them since the early 1970s: a new set of postcards for each new set of stamps. 

 

I've loved postage stamps since I was a kid and I absolutely adore these postcards. 

They're great for anyone interested in stamps, of course, but they also make fab gifts for people born in the year they were issued, or anyone interested in the theme of the featured set. Pretty much whatever you're interested in Royal Mail have produced stamps connected to that theme!

 

I'm selling sets of totally unused postcards, so you can send a lovely bit of snail mail to your friends. The Christmas and winter-themed sets would make great Christmas cards. 

The cards would also look great framed, either individually if there's a particular stamp design you adore, or as a set. Super affordable vintage art!

Visit my shop to see the postcard sets I currently have available, and do give me a shout if there are any designs in particular that you're interested in as I have plenty more to photograph and list!

Hello Autumn! Autumnal Fungi Embroidery Pattern

It has been an embarrassingly long time since I've had the energy and creative mojo to send out a new free pattern to my newsletter subscribers... but it has finally happened!

My "Autumn Fungi" embroidery pattern features toadstools and a mushroom and lots of swirly lines to stitch in your favourite autumnal shades.

 

If you've already subscribed to the pattern segment of my newsletter, this new free pattern will be pinging into your inbox sometime soon. Hurrah!

Once it's been sent out to current subscribers, it will then be the freebie for new subscribers until I have another new project ready to share :)

Click here to read more about my newsletter and subscribe!

Click here to visit my tutorial archive for lots more free autumnal patterns and project ideas.

Queen Elizabeth II, Free Embroidery Pattern

 

Like so many people I've been deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

I wanted to sew a little something to commemorate her long life and reign... and this has turned into three creative projects in progress!

I'm sharing this embroidery pattern today, then sometime soon I'll post step by step tutorials for a couple of felt projects. Watch this space xxx

CLICK HERE to find the printable PDF pattern over on my Patreon.

All the projects in this series will be free and remain so, but if you'd like to support my work you can sign up to become a Patron, buy me a coffee, or visit my shop. If you'd prefer to make a donation to a charity in memory of the Queen that would also be lovely!

Summer Sale!

The very first job on my July to do list?

Setting up my summer sale! 

This week only you can get 50% off anything and everything in my Etsy shop, including my PDF patterns. 

The sale ends on 7th July.

Click here to visit my shop and grab yourself a bargain.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Free Embroidery Pattern

Celebrate Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II - 70 years since her coronation in 1952- with this free embroidery pattern!

Click here to open the pattern in a new window, then print it at 100%. 

Please note that I've made a mistake in this pattern - it should read "HM" (for Her Majesty) instead of "HRH" (for Her Royal Highness), so you may want to change that if you stitch this! 

A hi-res PDF version of this pattern is also available in my Patreon pattern library. The PDF version also includes the design in reverse (in case that's useful for your chosen transfer method) and a standalone Union Jack heart pattern (great for making special bunting!).

This embroidery pattern is designed to fit inside a 7 inch embroidery hoop. You could frame it in the hoop or use the design as a panel in a larger project - maybe a patchwork Platinum Jubilee cushion cover? 

When I stitched the Royal Wedding and Royal Baby versions of this pattern (also available in my Patreon pattern library), I stitched most of it using backstitch and three strands of embroidery thread (floss). I used two strands for the lettering and the string of the bunting, and a single strand for the lion’s whiskers and the unicorn’s smile then used French knots for the eyes. 

Metallic embroidery thread is perfect for the crown but you could also add sparkle to the unicorn’s horn and/or mane, and any other details you fancy.

 

Click here to browse my Patreon and sign up!

This pattern is for non commercial use only: you can use it to stitch as many items as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don't make any for sale or sell my pattern in any form. Thanks xx

Enjoyed this free pattern? Buy me a "coffee" and help support my blog!

P.S. Subscribe to my newsletter (currently taking a break but hopefully back soon) for free patterns and visit my crafty tutorial archive for lots more creative projects.

Visit my shop to buy my printable PDF sewing patterns and lots more:

Felt Insect Brooch Craft Kits for Hawthorn Handmade

Some lovely news - I've designed some more felt craft kits for Hawthorn Handmade!

Last year they launched wildlife brooch sewing kits and flower brooch sewing kits, then this year they've added dog brooch kits to the range... and now insect brooches, too!

There's a Bumblebee...

... a Dragonfly...

... and a Butterfly, all perched on pretty felt flowers!

 

I really enjoyed designing these and I am delighted with how they turned out. I've been a bit slow blogging about them so I'm thrilled to say I've already seen photos of people's finished brooches popping up online and it is an absolute JOY to see them. 

If you make some, do let me know :)

Click here to shop the whole range of felt craft kits.

New on Patreon: 12 Crafty Wreath Tutorials!

The latest addition to my Patreon pattern library? PDF tutorials of my seasonal "A Year of Wreaths" series.

 

I've just shared the file for October's cosy cat wreath, and the November holly and December snowflakes tutorials will be pinging into my supporters' inboxes over the next couple of days. 

Monthly membership is just £3 + your local sales taxes, you can cancel any time and you get access to my growing PDF pattern library while also helping to support my creative endeavours.

Check out the growing collection of patterns available in my Patreon pattern library!

Click here to visit my Patreon page and sign up.

PDF Pattern Price Rise

A quick heads up: due to inflation and the recent rise in Etsy fees, I'll be increasing my printable PDF pattern prices slightly on Monday (18th April).

Patterns which are currently £3 + tax will be going up to £3.50 + tax. Patterns which are £1.50 + tax will be going up to £1.75 + tax, and so on.

I wanted to give you guys some advance notice in case there are any patterns you've had your eye on which you'd like to buy at the lower prices!

Click here to see all my PDF patterns. 

Subscribe to My Patreon for Lots of Crafty Goodness!

I've been gradually adding lots of old newsletter projects and other crafty goodness to my Patreon pattern library.

If you subscribe you'll get access to all the PDF patterns I've added to the library so far, then you'll be notified via email whenever I add new ones. 

Here are some of the projects you can make when you subscribe...

Fun felt fondant fancy pincushions:

A felt duck brooch (there's a matching embroidery pattern, too!).

Nautical textile art:

A felt tree stump brooch:

 Floral hoop art celebrating staying inside and making stuff, and going outside to get inspired:

 A felt raincloud brooch:

 Felt fox and badger brooches:

Daffodil and narcissi embroidery patterns:

Christmas house embroidery patterns (a detailed and a simple version, both with a blank space so you can update the year or add your own custom text).

 And a decorative retro rag doll!

Click here for a preview of more of the many projects available in my Patreon pattern library!

Click here to visit my Patreon page and sign up.