Tree Wallhanging

One of our creative projects has included a fabric Wall-hanging of a tree.

This is made from a brown patterned piece of fabric (approximately 4 foot wide by 6 foot high) The fabric was hemmed around all four edges with a large channel sewn into the top which houses a long branch of willow wood. The purpose of which is to hold the image flat and square.

Onto this was sewn a hand-cut appliqué  of the outline of a tree. This was cut from cream fabric and after using fuseable interfacing to hold the image in place it was carefully sewn down by hand using small blanket stitches also in cream

Once this was complete detail and texture was added using beads, sequins and other small trinkets. In the high branches a cobweb was made using small crystalline beads.

Strings of beads were sewn slung between the branches and larger pendants hung in the branches.

Around the edge of the tree and its decorations small silver and holographic star sequins were sewn in place to add detail.

The completed hangin is displayed in a wall by resting each end of the wooden pole on a carefully positioned nail in the wall. It looks wonderful and sparkly in the winter sunshine!

Crochet pattern #2 Covers for Glass Jars

Crochet covers for glass jars to make them decorative. Usable as t-light holders, pencil pots etc.. (I even have one as a container for my crochet hooks!!)

These can be adapted for any size jar with a bit of figuring out!

Yarn: Any…. vary the size of hook and the number of “rounds” depending on the jar size

Hook: depends on the yarn…. again make the pattern work relating to the yarn and jar size.

Jar: I have been using “Supermarket own brand Mayo” jars which are all similar size and shape but the pattern needs to be adjusted for the size of jar.

This pattern uses US stitches but ca be adapted for UK by reading SC as DC and DC as TRC

1. MC6                            (6)
2. SC2 in each st            (12)
3. SC1, SCincrease         (18)
4. SC2, SCincrease         (24)
5. SC3, SCincrease         (30)
6. SC4, SCincrease         (36)
7. SC5, SCincrease          (42)
8. SC6, SCincrease         (48)            (VARY the increase rings here to fit the jar as necessary…… the next round would have 54 st in total and then increasing in multiples of 6…. You can also stop before frow 8 if the disc fits the base of your jar.)
9. SC a row without increase in blo to turn up the sides of the jar
10. 1st row of “holes” CH4, *DC, CH2* repeat *to* around the ring and slst to 2nd ch from beginning “loop”.
11. Repeat row 10
12. Repeat row 10

Continue rows of “holes” to the desired height (for the jars I used this was 12 rows of “holes” up to row 22

For the top I made scallops by DC x5 in the first DC from the join, then slst into the top of the next DC and so on around the top of the cover.

Slst to beginning and fasten off

Weave in all ends

 

Crochet Pattern for Basic Mini-Me Body

How to make a basic body shape for a Mini-me

This pattern is written using US stitch names. To convert to UK stitch terms read SC (Single Crochet) as DC (Double Crochet) All other parts of the pattern will be the same.

You will need

Yarn: Arran weight (I use any brand. Colour-wise I use cream for Caucasian skin but obviously the colour can be varied depending on the skin colour of the person to be made.)

Hook size: 4mm

Stuffing: Any type of stuffing will work. I have used all sorts from hollow fibre toy-stuffing to rags and cut up fabric. The mini-mes I make tend to be fairly rigid and I am currently using woolen blankets cut up for stuffing but fleece fabric and old jumpers work just as well. You will need some fabric to cover the wiring to prevent it poking through the hands and feet.

Wire: Any type of craft-style wire will work. I use stripped down copper electrical wire as I find this more cost-effective than purpose sold crafting wire. Your wire needs to be fairly thick (2.5mm² CSA is ideal).

Additional notes: Unless otherwise stated repeat each set of instructions around the ring until you have the required number of stitches. When decreasing (SC2tog) it looks neater if you SC in flo each time. (invisible decrease)

Head (Stuff as you go)

Row:

1. MC6 (Magic Circle/Magic Ring)          (6)
2. 2SC in each st.                                   (12)
3. SC1, 2SC in same st (Increase)           (18)
4. SC2, 2SC increase                              (24)
5. SC3, 2SC increase                              (30)
6. SC4, 2SC increase                               (36)
7. SC in each st around                            (36)
8. SC in each st around                            (36)
9. SC in each st around                            (36)
10. SC4, SC2tog (flo)                               (30)
11. SC3, SC2tog (flo)                                (24)
12. SC2, SC2tog (flo)                                (18)
13. SC1, SC2tog (flo)                                (12)
14. SC2tog (flo)                                          (6)

Fasten off

Body Stuff as you go

1. MC10                                                   (10)
2. 2SC in each st.                                     (20)
3. SC1, 2SC increase                               (30)
4. SC in each st.                                       (30)
5. SC in each st.                                       (30)
6. SC in each st.                                       (30)
7. SC3 SC2tog                                          (24)
8. SC in each st.                                       (24)
9. SC in each st.                                       (24)
10. SC in each st.                                       (24)
11. SC3, SC2tog                                       (20)
12. SC in each st.                                       (20)
13. SC in each st.                                       (20)
14. SC in each st.                                       (20)
15. SC2 SC2tog                                         (15)
16. SC in each st.                                       (15)
17. SC in each st.                                       (15)
18. SC in each st.                                       (15)
19. SC1, SC2tog                                         (10)
20. SC3tog, SC2, SC3tog, SC2                   (6)

Fasten off.

Arms Make 2

1. MC6                                                    (6)
2. SC2, SC2 increase                              (9)
3. SC in each st.                                       (9)
4. SC in each st.                                       (9)  Stuff hand
5. SC1, SC2tog                                        (6)
6. SC in each st.                                       (6)
7. SC in each st.                                       (6)
8. SC in each st.                                       (6)
9. SC in each st.                                       (6)
10. SC in each st.                                       (6)
11. SC in each st.                                       (6)
12. SC in each st.                                       (6)
13. SC in each st.                                       (6)
14. SC in each st.                                       (6)
15. SC in each st.                                       (6)
16. SC in each st.                                       (6)

Fasten off

Legs Make 2

1. • Ch4
   • SC2 in 2nd ch from hook, slst in next ch, slst4 in last ch.
   • Other side of CH row: slst in next ch, SC2 in next ch, slst into first st to complete first round
2. SC around increasing at toe (wide end) and heel (narrow end) to make 15 stitches                      (15)
3. SC around blo                                                                                                                                  (15)
4. SC2tog x5 at the front of the foot, SC6 in each st around the heel (this forms the top of the foot)  (11)
5. SC2tog x3 at fron t of foot, SC5 in each st around the heel                         (8)
6. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
7. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
8.  SC in each st.                                                                                             (8)
9. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
10. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
11. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
12. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
13. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
14. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
15. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
16. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
17. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
18. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
19. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
20. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
21. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)
22. SC in each st.                                                                                              (8)

Fasten off.

Stuff arms and legs by making a wire skeleton/armature. Cut lengths of wire just longer than twice the completed length of the crochet limbs. fold the two cut ends to the centre and twist together.

Wrap these wires in fabric (slightly softer/thicker fabric such as blanket material or micro-fibre fleece works best) bind them up with yarn and then stuff them down into the arms and legs.

Position all the body-parts together and sew securely into a body.

Additional option for a woman…..

Female boobies! x2

1. MC6                                  (6)
2. SC2 SC2inc                       (9)
3. SC in each st around         (9)

This is the basic body shape I use when making mini-mes, however I adapt the sizing to suit the person (eg. fatter/thinner body shape, longer torso/legs/arms for a taller person etc.)

Once the basic body-shape has been made I am then able to add all the distinguishing features and clothing to replicate the person to be made.

For more information/assistance please get in touch via rachel@pixiecreations.co.uk

Remembrance Day 2014. The Poppy Appeal.

Earlier on this year we launched our contribution to the Poppy Appeal, looking for contributions to a growing collection of hand-made poppies to sell. (Read our previous post here)

With less than a month to go until Remembrance Day (11th November 2014) we are now beginning to market the poppies we have collected. All proceeds will be donated to the Poppy Appeal. The money is used by the British Legion. (Find out here who they help.)

Our hand-made poppies will be available in a number of different ways:

• We shall have a selection available at any up coming craft fairs.
• We are hoping to join the British Legion stands at various Supermarkets in Cleator Moor and Whitehaven (dates and times t.b.c).
• We can also be contacted directly.

We have collected and made a wide selection of poppies in all sorts of media. Upcycling and using up supplies we already had as much as possible.

Sample poppies:

Crochet poppies in various styles

 

Poppy made from upcycled knitwear

 

Poppy made from upcycled plastic bottle and acrylic paint

Paper poppies in various styles

Fabric Poppies

Poppies made from craft foam in various styles

Felt poppies in various styles

Chiffon poppies with crinkled edges

 

Poppy made from felt and beads

Contributions from other crafters include knitted poppies with button centres and needle-felted poppies.

If you would like your own unique hand-crafted poppy and help support the poppy appeal at the same time do not hesitate to get in touch….

We are still collecting poppies, if you would like to contribute that would be wonderful.

Knit for Britain from Above

“Britain from above is an online collection of images from the Aerofilms collection. Dating from 1919 to 2006, the total collection presents an unparalleled picture of the changing face of Britain in the 20th century. It includes the largest and most significant number of air photographs of Britain taken before 1939. Britain from Above is a four year project aimed at conserving 95,000 of the oldest and most valuable photographs in the Aerofilms collection, those dating from 1919 to 1953.”

Take from the Britain from Above website

At Pixie Creations we have been participating in an online collaborative creative project as part of this: “Knit for Britain from Above“

Knitted aeroplanes (the pattern of which can be found here) are photographed in the same locations as the aerial photographs on the website to show comparisons between then and now.

Here are some of the locations we have been to along with the original aerial photographs.

Egremont Castle:

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Florence Mine, Egremont:  

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Egremont Town Centre:

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Whitehaven Harbour:

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Whitehaven Town Centre:

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St Nicholas’ Church, Whitehaven: 

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Wigton:

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Wasdale and Wastwater:

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Scafell Pike:

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It has been interesting looking at the aerial photographs and finding the different locations. As we had made the planes from wool and other biodegradable materials we were able to leave some of them at the locations along with details about the project.

More pictures can be found on the Knit for Britain from Above website here.

Commemorating WW1 with the Poppy Appeal and Hilary’s Blinds Country Crafts Competition

I have been working on a special creation using fabric from Hilary’s Blinds to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of world war one.

Hilary’s Blinds Country Crafts Competition offered a square metre of one of a choice of four fabrics to be turned into an amazing creation.

I chose to select Wild Poppies Vermillion as I wanted to combine this creation with Pixie Creations involvement in the Poppy Appeal.

 

I wanted to create a picture/wall hanging. I decided that I would stretch the fabric on a wooden frame to emulate an artists canvas. To do this I first had to make the wooden frame. I cut the wood to length and securely screwed it together to make a rectangular frame.

 

I used drawing pins to stretch the “Wild Poppy Vermillion” fabric over the frame and pin it taught in place.

 

I then started to work on the additional decoration to add to the front of the piece. I wanted to put the poem “In Flanders Fields” onto the front as a focus. To do this I first typed and edited the poem into the computer and formatted it using an appropriate font choice and size. I printed this in reverse onto iron-on t-shirt printing paper.

Next I carefully ironed the poem onto a piece of plain white cotton which reverted the image to the correct orientation. This took some time as I wanted to ensure that the text was securely attached to the fabric.

 

Then I cut the white fabric with applied poem into a rectangle around the text. I wanted to highlight the word “poppies” where it appears twice in the writing so I embroidered over the writing in red and then added a red border to the fabric in blanket stitch. After that I needed to attach the poem onto the stretched fabric. To do this I carefully hand stitched around the edge using a coordinating white cotton to camouflage the sewing.

 

I also added a red lace border to the text as well as some ribbon trim. To finish the picture/wall hanging I sewed on a selection of the poppies I had made as samples for the Pixie Creations Poppy Appeal (to raise money for the Royal British Legion) Examples of the various poppies I have made so far can be seen here.

I still had some of the Wild Poppies Vermillion fabric left which I cut up and glued onto one of the boxes I have for displaying and storing the poppies.

 

I completed the creation by arranging the poppies in the decorated box.