The Craft Sessions

Although it's over a month ago now, I have to post some photos of the wonderful weekend I spent at The Craft Sessions. It was SO good. 

It's the first time I've been surrounded by so many awesome people who are just as interested in discussing knitting patterns, fabrics, yarn, pattern designers, blogging, quilting techniques, Ravelry...

There were so many different workshops on offer from so many cool people that it was really hard to decide which ones to do. In the end I decided to try 3 crafts that were new to me: freeform patchwork and block printing, both run by Lesley Keating from Maze & Vale, and whole fabric quilting with Anna O'Brien.

I have to say that patchwork and quilting have never really appealed to me (too precise, too slow-going, too bitsy). But this was different! Freeform patchwork was a revelation. Just grab a bunch of coordinating fabric scraps and start sewing them together. No measuring, precise cutting or matching corners. I love this! (Ohh and the gorgeous Maze & Vale fabric scraps that Lesley brought along for us to use!) I can't wait to do some more. And whole fabric quilting - just beautiful fabric and simple stitching (no patchwork required). From Anna I've discovered how much I love hand-stitching. Such a relaxing, mindful process.

I met so many lovely and inspiring women but a special mention to Jo my room-mate (who is making the most amazing English patchwork quilt - something I will never ever attempt) and Kylie who has revolutionised my knitting by teaching me her continental style method.

A big thank-you to Felicia and her crew who organised this event. Can't wait for next year!

The Roly-Poly Rain Tunic

Photo by The Crafty Kitty

Oh my! How sweet is this little girl's tunic that Stephanie from The Crafty Kitty has made? I'm pretty excited about it because that's the fat quarter of my hand-printed Rain fabric that I sent her during the recent Handmade Fabric Swap!

Pop over to The Crafty Kitty for more photos and a chance to win a copy of the pattern (the Roly-Poly Pinafore Tunic).

...All this reminds me that I've been rather remiss in not yet posting photos of the 4 beautiful fabrics that I received from my swap partners. As soon as the sun comes out again I'll snap some pics, I promise!

Easy DIY printed tees

My kids love to design their own cool t-shirts and printing them is super easy! A great school holiday activity.

When I say 'design', what I really mean is jump on Google Images and have a browse for something that appeals. Just use the search term 'stencil' plus whatever subject matter the kids have in mind. Dragons and ghosts were the objects of desire in our household today.

Materials required:

Plain t-shirt (old or new)

Stencil design (printed or hand-drawn)

Clear adhesive plastic sheet (eg. Contact)

Small foam roller

Fabric paint

Start by printing out your image then stick it to the window with a piece of clear adhesive plastic sheet over the top (paper side facing outwards). Be sure to cut the adhesive plastic large enough so there's at least 10cm of space around the outside of the image. Trace over your design, then use a small pair of scissors to carefully cut it out. Be sure to only cut out the inside of your stencil area! (You could also use a stanley knife to cut out your stencil, especially if it's detailed, but with the kids keen to do it themselves we tend to stick to simple designs and scissors!)

Then carefully peel off the paper backing and stick the adhesive plastic to your t-shirt. Press around the edges of your design to ensure the plastic is well stuck down. Also slide a piece of cardboard or a few sheets of paper inside the t-shirt so that the paint can't soak through to the back - don't forget to do this! 

Also pop on some old clothes and a smock!

Use a spoon to spread your fabric paint on a plate or the lid of an ice-cream tub. This makes it easier to evenly coat the roller.

Then the fun part! Use the roller to apply the paint so that the area of fabric within the stencil is evenly coated. Just be careful not to get paint on the t-shirt outside of the plastic-covered area - though of course with kids at work this is nearly impossible. :)

Carefully peel off the adhesive plastic and check out your awesome handywork!
Leave your t-shirt to dry fully then iron it to set the fabric paint (as per the instructions on your container of paint). All done!

Your might also like to pop over HERE for more inspiration and ideas for printing kids' tees by Cheri from I Am Momma, Hear Me Roar.

Paper, pencil, ink and fabric...

Finally, a bit of creative action around here! I'm sooo glad I signed up for the handprinted fabric swap over at Maze and Vale or I might still be just gazing at my unused screen and fabric inks purchased over 2 years ago.

I did a weekend screenprinting workshop back in the summer of 2011 with the lovely ladies from Harvest Textiles in Melbourne. I LOVED it! (I highly recommend enrolling in one of their workshops if you can.) Full of inspiration, I rushed out and bought all the bits and bobs I'd need to do my own printing at home.

But back at home it all felt a bit daunting. The whole process has quite a lot of steps... I got bogged down trying to come up with the perfect design, then there's the process of creating a repeat pattern, cutting out stencils from the yupo paper, setting up a suitable printing area on the kitchen bench, mixing inks, remembering how to set up to print a repeat design on fabric meterage and of course the actual printing.

Let's face it. I'm a procrastinator. I put a LOT of thought into things but often find it hard to just get stuck into it. I seem to work best when there's a deadline looming. So committing to a fabric swap that involved a deadline and 4 people expecting a package in the mail from me, seemed like a rather good idea.

As usual, I thought about my design for weeks and did lots of browsing on Pinterest for inspiration. I came up with an idea for a simple design that wouldn't be too tricky to print.

Then with two days to go it was time for action! Little miss four and a half helped with the cutting (to create the repeat design) and colouring. Stencils were cut for each of the 3 colours and I mixed my inks.

My friend Cate came to give me hand with the printing... and the magic began!
Screenprinting is wonderful in the way that a scrappy, smudged drawing transfers to perfect little crisp (well not always) patches of colour on the fabric. So thrilling! (Yes, seriously!)

I'm so happy with how my print turned out. It's called 'Rain'. No it isn't perfect but overall I love it. I do hope my swap partners will too!

PS. I've already received 3 exciting packages in the mail from my swap partners. I'll share them as soon as the last one arrives. I love swaps - so much fun!

Hope you're up to something crafty too!

Handprinted Fabric Swap

I've signed up to join the handprinted fabric swap organised by Leslie over at Maze & Vale. Just the motivation I need to get my fabric inks out of storage and get creative!

There's already 65 people signed up and still a few more days for you to join in the fun too. So many possibilities, I can't wait to get started!

Handprinted fabric by Seedpod Craft Studio

Handstamped fabric by Chez Chouke

Block stamping by Flora Douville