Search Results

CHSI Stitches is Europe’s largest and most influential dedicated trade show for the art, craft, needlecraft and hobby sector. There are around 8000 buyers from 43 countries that visit us. This year was our 15th time exhibiting!! Exhibiting at trade shows are always very full on but a lot of fun. It was great to put faces to names and to meet so many lovely customers and friends! This year was extra exciting because we were nominated for 'Best New Product' for our Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit range and we won 'Best Stitching and Haberdashery' at the Craft Business Awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for us! The most popular items at our stand were the new Peter Rabbit range (which is nearly sold out!), Bloomsbury, Indian Garden, Tropicana, Into the Woods and Winnie the Pooh. Here are some photos from the weekend, It was lovely seeing Jenniffer Taylor, who you may recognise from The Great British Sewing Bee, using our fabrics to teach visitors how to sew fabric flowers at the Korbond Group stand.

CHSI Stitches is Europe’s largest and most influential dedicated trade show for the art, craft, needlecraft and hobby sector. There are around 8000 buyers from 43 countries that visit us. This year was our 15th time exhibiting!! Exhibiting at trade shows are always very full on but a lot of fun. It was great to put faces to names and to meet so many lovely customers and friends! This year was extra exciting because we were nominated for 'Best New Product' for our Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit range and we won 'Best Stitching and Haberdashery' at the Craft Business Awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for us! The most popular items at our stand were the new Peter Rabbit range (which is nearly sold out!), Bloomsbury, Indian Garden, Tropicana, Into the Woods and Winnie the Pooh. Here are some photos from the weekend, It was lovely seeing Jenniffer Taylor, who you may recognise from The Great British Sewing Bee, using our fabrics to teach visitors how to sew fabric flowers at the Korbond Group stand.

This cushion created using the lovely Paisley bird fabric will brighten up any day, and no matter how dark and cold it is outside it will make you think of warm summer days with the birds out singing. What you will need Paisley bird fabric by The Craft Cotton Company for the cushion front and back Cushion backing: 2 pieces 40 x 37 cm Cushion front – 37 x 37 cm Paisley bird fabric by The Craft Cotton Company for the birds and flowers Cushion pad Thread Pins Pencil Paper Scissors Needle Buttons First, you will need to make the paper templates: On a piece of paper draw the outline of a bird and a flower, based on those in the fabric. I cut out a bird and flower from the fabric (the fabric used to make the birds and flowers, not the cushion front and back) and drew around them leaving a large gap to get the size of templates I used. Cut them out. Cutting out the flowers and birds: Using the paper templates, cut out 2 birds and 6 flowers. Using a pencil, draw 2 light lines on the fabric where you want the branches to be. Sew along the lines using brown thread. I used a machine and a zigzag stitch for this, with the length of the stitch reduced so there wasn't much of a gap between the zigzag stitches. Sewing on the birds and flowers: Lay out the birds and flowers where you want them to be positioned, pin into place and sew to attach. Using a straight stitch, sew around the edge of the birds and use a straight stitch to sew across the flowers. Adding on the button detail Sew buttons onto the middle of each of the flowers, and sew some buttons onto different places on the cushion. Sewing the cushion together Fold the two backing pieces in half and lay out the two backing cushion pieces with them overlapping by 3 cm, pin to secure this overlap. Now place the front cushion piece right side facing down and pin to secure and sew around the four edges. Turn the cushion the right way out and sew a line of straight stitching 1 cm from the edge of the cushion. © by Lesley Foster at Hook, Stitch Sew for The Craft Cotton Company 2016. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #home

This 40” x 40” quilt is perfect for a new born, the colours are neutral, yet soft and warming. What you will need: ⦁ Sewing machine ⦁ Fusible web ⦁ Needle, pins and thread ⦁ Rotary cutter or scissors and cutting mat ⦁ ‘Step into spring’ fabric available Hobbycraft cut from 110cm roll. ⦁ Bias binding ⦁ Wadding Amount of fabric needed: ⦁ Pale orange/white fabric: half metre - from this cut: ⦁ Four rectangles of 5.5”x 10.5”. ⦁ One rectangle that is 10.5”x 20.5” ⦁ Grey tree fabric: half metre - from this cut: ⦁ Two rectangles of 5.5”x 20” ⦁ Two rectangles of 5.5”x 30.5” ⦁ Turquoise tree fabric: half metre- from this cut: ⦁ One rectangle that is 5.5” x 30.5” ⦁ Deep orange fabric: half metre – from this cut: ⦁ Two rectangles of 5.5” x 30.5” ⦁ Two rectangles of 5.5” x 20.5” ⦁ Save what is left over for making the flowers. ⦁ Wadding 41” x 41” ⦁ Pale blue/white fabric: half a metre ⦁ Plain white fabric: one metre ⦁ Bias binding: I used 170” of satin readymade bias Step 1: Start by washing, drying and ironing all the fabric needed, then cut out the pieces. I used a pale orange cotton thread, begin by taking the large pale orange rectangle, and sewing the four deep orange rectangles along each edge making sure the design on the fabric is running in the same direction on each vertical and each horizontal. A ¼” seam allowance has already been added to the fabric cuts, remember to sew right sides together. When sewing the longer vertical pieces, make sure you leave a 5” piece of fabric off each end. Iron the seam towards the darker fabric. Step 2: For the corners, fold top edge a 45-degree angle from the point of the seam and the outer corner, press with iron and then sew along creased edge, repeat this for the other three corners. Pin excess fabric in corner until next out layer of fabric has been added. It’s important to square up the edges at this point before adding the next outer layer of fabric. Press quilt. Step 3: Next take your grey tree fabric and sew along the shorter edge with the pale orange/white fabric, making one long strip for the top and the bottom of the quilt, press seams towards the grey fabric. Put these strips to one side while you sew the turquoise tree fabric with the grey tree fabric – making sure the fabric design is going in the same direction on each side (so fix the grey to different sides of the turquoise). Press seam towards the turquoise fabric. Straighten up all edges of the pieces you have sewn together. With the right side together, sew the turquoise fabric to the long sides of the main quilt, iron seams towards the turquoise fabric and straighten up any edges. Next take the long grey tree fabric with pale orange/white fabric (previously sewn together) and sew to the top and bottom of the quilt, making sure the fabric direction is correct and the seam match with the vertical seams. Press seams towards the outer edge. Step 4: Now we can begin the back of the quilt. Sew the two white pieces of white fabric to either side of the longest edge of the pale blue/white fabric. Press seams towards the blue/white fabric. Let’s make our quilt sandwich, (top quilt, wadding and backing fabric) using 505 temporary adhesive spray, baste and pin this in place. Step 5: Take the heart template and cut this out of card, then randomly place this in different places over the quilt and mark with a frixon pen (this enables you to iron off any marks when the quilting is complete) Begin in the corner of your quilt and work your way around the quilt with a waving continuous line whilst sewing along all the heart markings. I used a pale cream cotton thread. Step 6: To make the spring flowers, Using the template, cut out 9 of these flowers by first drawing the template onto the paper side of the fusible web, cut these out and iron them onto the wrong side of the deep orange fabric, then cut the fabric flowers out. (the fusible web will stop the fabric fraying) Use a blanket stitch either by machine or sew by hand to applique the flowers in place on the quilt (see final diagram to see where to place them). Step 7: Trim off any excess wadding from around the edges. Attach the binding to the front of the quilt, sewing neat corners, then slip stitch the reverse by hand. Your quilt is now complete! Made by Michelle Roberts for The Craft Cotton Co Visit her new blog creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com #freesewingtutorials #quilt #kids

A perfect decoration to go with our Indian Garden sprocket cushions we posted a few weeks ago! Summer is only a few months away and we cannot wait to start decorating our gardens with brightly coloured fabrics and crafts! Materials Paper Pencil Ruler Pins Batting Stuffing Indian Garden fabric by The Craft Cotton Company Scissors Needle Thread Draw the templates for the elephants On a piece of paper draw an elephant outline to the size you require excluding the tail and ears. Draw the ears separately. 2. Cutting out the fabric Using the paper templates, cut out your fabric for the elephants. When cutting out the fabrics, place two pieces of fabric wrong sides together and cut out the front and back pieces at the same time this will ensure your front and back pieces are facing the right way once they are cut out. You will need two pieces of the body in the same fabric. For the ears, you will need two pieces for each ear and I opted for a different colour for the front and back, and again cut the front and back pieces out at the same time placing the fabrics wrong sides together to ensure after cutting they are both the right way. Cut out two pieces of batting using the ear template. For the tail, cut out 2 pieces of fabric 3 x 10 cm. 3. Sewing the tail together Place the two strips of fabric right sides together and sew down one side, along the bottom and up the other side leaving the top edge un-sewn. Turn the right way out. 4. Sewing the elephant together Place the back elephant piece right side facing up, then take the tail and lay so that the raw edge overhangs the back elephant piece and pin in place. Place the front elephant piece on top, pin and sew around the edge leaving a 4 cm gap for turning. Use a 0.5 cm seam allowance when sewing the elephant pieces together. 5. Making the ears Place the two pieces of ear fabric right sides together and place a piece of batting on top. Sew around leaving the side edge un-sewn. Turn right way out and slip stitch to close. 6. Stuffing and adding the ears Turn the elephant right way out and stuff. Slip stitch to close the gap. Slip stitch the ears onto each side of the elephant. Knot the tail. #freesewingtutorials #elephant #kids #home

A perfect decoration to go with our Indian Garden sprocket cushions we posted a few weeks ago! Summer is only a few months away and we cannot wait to start decorating our gardens with brightly coloured fabrics and crafts! Materials Paper Pencil Ruler Pins Batting Stuffing Indian Garden fabric by The Craft Cotton Company Scissors Needle Thread Draw the templates for the elephants On a piece of paper draw an elephant outline to the size you require excluding the tail and ears. Draw the ears separately. 2. Cutting out the fabric Using the paper templates, cut out your fabric for the elephants. When cutting out the fabrics, place two pieces of fabric wrong sides together and cut out the front and back pieces at the same time this will ensure your front and back pieces are facing the right way once they are cut out. You will need two pieces of the body in the same fabric. For the ears, you will need two pieces for each ear and I opted for a different colour for the front and back, and again cut the front and back pieces out at the same time placing the fabrics wrong sides together to ensure after cutting they are both the right way. Cut out two pieces of batting using the ear template. For the tail, cut out 2 pieces of fabric 3 x 10 cm. 3. Sewing the tail together Place the two strips of fabric right sides together and sew down one side, along the bottom and up the other side leaving the top edge un-sewn. Turn the right way out. 4. Sewing the elephant together Place the back elephant piece right side facing up, then take the tail and lay so that the raw edge overhangs the back elephant piece and pin in place. Place the front elephant piece on top, pin and sew around the edge leaving a 4 cm gap for turning. Use a 0.5 cm seam allowance when sewing the elephant pieces together. 5. Making the ears Place the two pieces of ear fabric right sides together and place a piece of batting on top. Sew around leaving the side edge un-sewn. Turn right way out and slip stitch to close. 6. Stuffing and adding the ears Turn the elephant right way out and stuff. Slip stitch to close the gap. Slip stitch the ears onto each side of the elephant. Knot the tail. #freesewingtutorials #elephant #kids #home

Quilt Now magazine issue 33 has just hit the stands. Get yours here We were so excited to see our Indian Gardens fabric used by Sarah Payne, don't they look brilliant?! You can purchase Indian Garden fat quarters here and here Don't forget to tag #CraftCottonCo when you use our products, we love to see your creations! #quiltnow #sarahpayne #indiangarden

We got in touch with Sarah at Lottie Button after seeing our fabrics used for her lovely handmade creations for little ones. She has kindly answered some questions we had about her business. Where did the idea for Lottie Button come from? After having my eldest daughter, Lottie, almost 3 years ago, I wanted her to have unique clothes that others didn't. Once I'd started making for her I couldn't stop, I had family members and friends telling me I should make a business from it, so that's when Lottie Button was born, never did I imagine that it would of been as successful as it has been. I always remember my first sale to a non family member or friend, the sale was made through Facebook, and the exchange took place in a pub car park (not as dodgy as it sounds, I promise!) What impact has social media had on running your business? Facebook has definitely been my most successful selling platform, I'd say 85% of my sales come from there, along with Etsy, Instagram and word of mouth. Social media is great at getting your work out there, getting inspiration and getting support from other crafters. You can judge how successful a new line will be just by the interaction that particular image receives, it's like an instant review, sometimes I'm surprised at what is and isn't successful. Have you always been interested in sewing and making clothes? I've always been creative, making something or other. I've been known to go to craft stores to just look at pens, much to my partners amusement! This now has changed to fabric and thread! I only actually got my first sewing machine 3 years ago, which I taught myself to use. After many late nights of practising, watching YouTube and wasting meters of fabric I got there and I'm now known as Seamstress Sarah at home! What are your most important factors when making clothes? I love to pick bright, vibrant fabrics that stand out, not something that you'd see every day in high street stores. I only use quality material that I know will stand the test of time, especially making children's clothing this is definitely needed. What are your daughters favourite fabrics? Lottie loves anything to do with princesses, as she does actually believe she is a princess, Princess Lottie Alice Rhubarb non the less! Have you got any tips for beginners interested in sewing and dressmaking? Practise, practise, practise and definitely do not give up! There have been new lines I've worked on that I've almost given up on making, give it a day or 2 go back to it and it'll all make sense and fit together seamlessly! YouTube is great for help, I've spent many hours watching how to videos on there. And most of all make sure you enjoy what you do. Every item that I make is made with the same care and attention, knowing there are people out there wanting to part with their hard earned money for an item of mine gives me a sense of achievement. I've had many international orders, and knowing my items are in America, Australia, India, Dubai is quite a surreal feeling. Visit Lottie Button on Facebook, Etsy and Instagram

We got in touch with Sarah at Lottie Button after seeing our fabrics used for her lovely handmade creations for little ones. She has kindly answered some questions we had about her business. Where did the idea for Lottie Button come from? After having my eldest daughter, Lottie, almost 3 years ago, I wanted her to have unique clothes that others didn't. Once I'd started making for her I couldn't stop, I had family members and friends telling me I should make a business from it, so that's when Lottie Button was born, never did I imagine that it would of been as successful as it has been. I always remember my first sale to a non family member or friend, the sale was made through Facebook, and the exchange took place in a pub car park (not as dodgy as it sounds, I promise!) What impact has social media had on running your business? Facebook has definitely been my most successful selling platform, I'd say 85% of my sales come from there, along with Etsy, Instagram and word of mouth. Social media is great at getting your work out there, getting inspiration and getting support from other crafters. You can judge how successful a new line will be just by the interaction that particular image receives, it's like an instant review, sometimes I'm surprised at what is and isn't successful. Have you always been interested in sewing and making clothes? I've always been creative, making something or other. I've been known to go to craft stores to just look at pens, much to my partners amusement! This now has changed to fabric and thread! I only actually got my first sewing machine 3 years ago, which I taught myself to use. After many late nights of practising, watching YouTube and wasting meters of fabric I got there and I'm now known as Seamstress Sarah at home! What are your most important factors when making clothes? I love to pick bright, vibrant fabrics that stand out, not something that you'd see every day in high street stores. I only use quality material that I know will stand the test of time, especially making children's clothing this is definitely needed. What are your daughters favourite fabrics? Lottie loves anything to do with princesses, as she does actually believe she is a princess, Princess Lottie Alice Rhubarb non the less! Have you got any tips for beginners interested in sewing and dressmaking? Practise, practise, practise and definitely do not give up! There have been new lines I've worked on that I've almost given up on making, give it a day or 2 go back to it and it'll all make sense and fit together seamlessly! YouTube is great for help, I've spent many hours watching how to videos on there. And most of all make sure you enjoy what you do. Every item that I make is made with the same care and attention, knowing there are people out there wanting to part with their hard earned money for an item of mine gives me a sense of achievement. I've had many international orders, and knowing my items are in America, Australia, India, Dubai is quite a surreal feeling. Visit Lottie Button on Facebook, Etsy and Instagram

To go along with your lovely palcemat set are these napkins.Made out of soft cotton, they will go perfectly with your palcemat set and also look great for Easter! 'You can whip up a pretty fabric napkin in no time, and refresh your dinner table or impress your guests. All you need are some fat quarters, bias binding and a button to make something wonderful!' Have a go at this tutorial to make a full Easter dinner set. Click here to see the tutorial. By Andy Isaacs for Hobbycraft. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #easter #kitchen #hobbycraft #home

To go along with your lovely palcemat set are these napkins.Made out of soft cotton, they will go perfectly with your palcemat set and also look great for Easter! 'You can whip up a pretty fabric napkin in no time, and refresh your dinner table or impress your guests. All you need are some fat quarters, bias binding and a button to make something wonderful!' Have a go at this tutorial to make a full Easter dinner set. Click here to see the tutorial. By Andy Isaacs for Hobbycraft. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #easter #kitchen #hobbycraft #home

This waterproof lined wet bag is ideal for storing in your change bag to stash wet bibs, clothes or reusable nappies in when out and about without making your change bag wet. I have made mine approximately 28cm square but you can adjust the measurements to your requirements. I have chosen this lovely gender neutral fat quarter bundle from Craft Cotton Co for mine – why not stitch one up and fill with a few baby essentials for a thoughtful baby shower gift? What you will need: ⦁ Sewing machine ⦁ Scissors or rotary cutter ⦁ Ruler ⦁ Pencil ⦁ Pins ⦁ 30cm zip (you can trim a longer zip down) ⦁ 0.5m outer fabric ⦁ 0.5m waterproof lining (I am using interfaced shower curtain fabric; you could use any other light waterproof fabric) First, cut out your fabrics. Press all fabric before cutting. You will need: ⦁ Outer fabric: 2 pieces measuring 30cm x 30cm ⦁ Waterproof lining: 2 pieces measuring 30cm x 30cm ⦁ Zip ends: 2 pieces measuring 3cm x 8cm ⦁ Strap: 2 pieces measuring 5cm x 30cm. I have used a coordinating fabric for my zip ends and strap, you can do this or use the same as your outer fabric Prepare your zip Turn under and press 0.5cm on each short end of your 3cm x 8cm pieces then fold in half and press. These are your zip ends. Insert the zip into a zip end and fix in place with craft glue on the folded edges (I find this more effective than pins) then stitch back and forth to secure. Secure the other zip end onto the zip in the same way, trimming the zip first if necessary to ensure the final length is 30cm. Attach your zip Position one piece of your outer fabric right side up (taking note of any directional prints). Place zip face down (so the teeth are touching the fabric) aligned with the top edge of the fabric. Place lining right side down, aligning the top edges. Your outer and lining fabrics should be right sides together with the zip sandwiched in the middle. Pin well and sew along the top edge, securing the zip to both pieces remembering to move the zip pull out of the way as necessary. Zig zag stitch along the edge you just stitched to reinforce and prevent fraying. Press the outer and lining fabric away from the zip so these are now wrong sides together and repeat the above process to attach the other edge of the zip to the remaining outer and lining pieces. Top stitch alongside the zip, making sure you stitch through the lining as well as the outer fabric. Make the strap Turn under and press 0.5cm along each long edge of your strap pieces. Place wrong sides together and top stitch along each long edge, close to the edge, to secure. Fold in half lengthways so that the unfinished ends meet. Note: You could sew a tube and turn if you prefer. Position your strap where you would like it at the opposite side to the zip pull when done up. Stitch in place close to the edge of only the outer piece to secure. Stitch your bag together Unzip your zip at least half way – this is important! Pin the outer pieces together and the lining pieces together. Fold the zip ends so that they go towards the lining side. Leave a turning hole in the outer fabric. Mine is marked by the double red pins. Note: I would usually leave a turning hole in the lining of a project, it has been left in the outer here to maximise the water resistance of the lining. Stitch all the way around your wet bag (except your turning hole) using a 1cm seam allowance. Remember to back stitch at the beginning and end to reinforce the stitches by your turning hole. Finish your seams Finish your seams in your preferred way; I like to trim the seam allowance with pinking shears. Press open the seams on the outer fabric (there is no need to do this on the lining). Make sure you press the turning hole accurately to make stitching it up easier. Turn your wet bag right side out carefully through your turning hole and poke out the corners and zip ends. Give the outer fabric a good press. Hand stitch your turning hole closed and push the lining inside the bag. You are finished! © by Rachel Pinney at The Craft Half for The Craft Cotton Company 2017 Facebook Etsy #freesewingtutorials #dressmaking #kids