Dec 21
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Make 0 comments tags: Christmas, Cushions, DIY, Home Interiors, Pillows, Tutorial

Aww Sam – Holiday Light Pillows – Tutorial

  Need a last minute handmade Christmas gift idea? Or maybe your home isn’t looking quite festive enough? We have just the thing! These fantastic rainbow holiday light pillows by the awesome Aww Sam will bring the perfect finishing touch to any home!     Materials: 1 yard of felt for each color of lights 1/2 yard of grey felt for the top of the light Sewing pins Fabric scissors Sewing machine White thread or thread to match the colour of your pillows Hand sewing needle Polyester filling, we used half a bag per pillow (here) Paper patterns to make the pillow (print them out here)     Instructions: 1. On the fold of your fabric, pin down the bulb pattern piece and cut out 6 pieces in total. With right sides together, sew two of the bulb pieces along one side of the felt with a ¼″ (0.6cm) seam. 2. Sew two more pieces of the pattern together, and connect them to the first pieces of felt you sewed together. Continue repeating these steps until you get to the last seam. Remember to leave an opening so you can turn your pillow right side out once you’re done sewing. 3. […]
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Dec 18
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Learn, Make 0 comments tags: 60s, 70s, Clare Albans, Embroidery Hoop, Hand Stitch, Hello Hooray, Hoop Art, Retro, Sewing, Tutorial

Hello! Hooray! – Retro Floral Felt Hoop Tutorial

I have recently started using vegan friendly felt in my products, and when Chloë told me that you can buy vegan friendly felt made from recycled bottles, I knew I had to try it for this tutorial. I was really surprised by the choice in colours – they are so vibrant! To showcase these colours, I took inspiration from the prints and patterns of the 60’s and 70’s to create a retro floral felt hoop. It will take a bit of time to stitch, but the overall effect of the colours and layered circles is worth the effort. You can speed things up a bit by cutting the circles on a die cutter if you have one.   Materials   Eco-fi Kunin Rainbow Classic felt in gold, orange, fuchsia and purple DMC embroidery floss in 742 (matches gold), 721 (matches orange) and 917 (matches fuchsia) Templates Paper scissors Fabric scissors Lots of pins A needle 23cm (8”) embroidery hoop Water-based paint (optional – I used a tester pot of ‘Cherry Fizz’ from Wilko, as their own brand paint is vegan friendly)   Template     Method   Step 1: Using the templates provided, cut out 20 large circles, 16 medium […]
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May 27
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Learn, Make 0 comments tags: Chloe Owens, Chloe Tells You How To Sew, Craft Book, Suitcase, Upcycle

Bertie Badger Smartens up a Suitcase

Bertie Badger is going off on his travels. He hums a tune as he packs his suitcase. Camera, bucket and spade, teabags… hold on a minute! He pauses and looks at his suitcase. It’s very old. “This just won’t do,” he says, and he takes everything out again. He’ll come back to this later… there are more pressing matters at hand.     Materials you will need A suitcase Lots of fabric Mod Podge glue (matt or gloss) Paintbrush Rotary cutter (optional)   1. He collects a big bundle of fabric and starts cutting out shapes—flowers, patterns, whatever catches his eye—until he has a nice big pile to work with. 2. After giving it a wipe with a damp cloth to clean it, he brushes some glue directly onto a small area of the suitcase and starts sticking his scraps of fabric on top. He then brushes more glue on top of his fabric, smoothing out any wrinkles and bubbles as he goes.     3. He repeats the process, layering it on gradually in small areas. He takes his time when he reaches the edges, handles, and catches, trimming the fabric carefully with scissors (you could also use a […]
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May 12
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Make, Uncategorized 0 comments

Wonderful Weavings

I have a growing collection of craft books from all eras. If you open any craft book produced in the 1970s there will always be a section on weaving, complete with brightly colored tassels and hippy models. Well, weaving is back! It’s cheap, easy to do, and is great fun. Use up all those little scraps of yarn you have been saving. Mix and match different colors and play around with textures by placing a chunky yarn next to the finest mohair. A group of these woven pieces hung on twigs makes a vibrant and eclectic display. Be warned: once you get started, it can become addictive! You will need Simple loom Yarn (chunky and fine) Scissors Large darning needle Twigs or sticks for hanging A word on looms You can buy a basic loom from a craft supplier. Look out for one that has a thin metal bar down each side that slots into the first and last notches. These bars are a great feature, as they help keep the weaving straight. Alternatively, make a simple loom yourself, using a wooden frame and some small nails. Mark across the top and bottom of the frame at 1⁄2 in. (1 […]
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Apr 04
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Guests, Make 0 comments tags: Circle Skirt, Craft Book, DIY, Sew, Tutorial, Zeena Shah

Zeena Shah – Circle Skirt Tutorial

Having always enjoyed making my own clothing, I’ve fallen in love with dressmaking even more this past year. So I want to introduce it to you with this starter project, which is just right if you’re a beginner. A circle skirt is very much how it sounds – made from a circular piece of fabric, it can be made to any length, a mini, midi or maxi. Add a waistband and a hem to your desired length, and you’ve made yourself a skirt!     YOU WILL NEED  Printed fabric, as per your body measurements (see Step 1) Extra fabric for the waistband, your waist measurement plus
a 1.5cm (58in) seam allowance at each end Zip, 15cm (6in) in length Sewing machine and matching thread Hand-sewing needle Trick marker Pencil Scissors Tape measure Pins Iron   INSTRUCTIONS 1. Start with a square of fabric measuring no less than 1x1m(40x40in) – the exact size will depend on your waist measurements and the desired length. I chose my fabric to measure 115 x 115cm (46 x 46in), as I want my skirt to be a mini length. 2. With the right sides facing, fold your fabric in half, then in quarters. 3. To […]
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Mar 25
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Learn, Make 0 comments tags: Candy Buns, Easter, Gretel Parker, Tutorial, Wool felting

CANDY BUN PATTERN

Use a felting sponge to work on, to protect yourself and to give yourself a base. I recommend reading through the pattern first, to get a good idea of how it works, then just follow the instructions. You don’t have to stab hard to get the wool sticking together, but do remember to turn your work as you needle it, or you will get a flat bunny.   Difficulty – medium – some experience of needle felting is useful. Otherwise, dive in if you’re feeling brave!     Materials and tools needed: Hummock – 80cm of green merino wool (a 25g pack of wool should be more than enough for this) Bunny – 80cm of pink (or colour of your choice) merino wool. A good pinch of white or cream merino wool for the tail   2x size 40 needles, triangular or spiral A needle holder (optional) A felting sponge or brush mat 2x small black beads for eyes (seed beads work well) A small quantity of white seed beads or colour of your choice, to sew onto the hummock Thread to match the seed beads when sewing on Strong black thread for sewing in the eyes A long needle […]
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Feb 17
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Make 0 comments tags: Cat, Donna Wilson, Knit, Knitting, Learn, Tutorial

Ginge Marmalade Cat Knit Tutorial – Donna Wilson

Ginge is a pure-bred marmalade cat. During the day he doesn’t do much apart from eat and sleep, but at night he gets up to all sorts of fun. He has held the record for his singing on a tightrope while holding a pint of milk with his tail!     Size Completed creature measures approx. 8 ½ in, 21cm tall.   Yarn suggestion Fine-weight yarn (such as Rowan Classic Cashcotton 4ply) 1 x 1 ¾ oz (50g) ball in A (bright orange – Carrot 919) and 1 ball in B (light brown – Biscuit 912)   Needles Pair of US 3 (3.25mm) knitting needles   Extras One stitch holder Tapestry needle Washable toy filling Oddments of green, black and cream tapestry wool for embroidery   Gauge Tension 20 stitches and 32 rows to 4 in (10cm) over st st using US 3 (3.25mm) needles   Pattern FRONT First leg *Using the thumb method and A, cast on 3 sts. Row 1 (RS): Knit. Row 2: P1, M1L, p1, M1R, p1. (5 sts) Join in B. Row 3: Using B, k1, M1L, k3, M1R, k1. (7 sts) Row 4: Using B, purl The last 4 rows form the st st […]
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Jan 29
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Learn, Make 1 comments tags: Cowl, Craft Book, Fiona Goble, Knit, Scarf, Tutorial, Winter

Chunky Ribbed Cowl by Fiona Goble

Pull it up a bit… pull it down a bit… fold it over… this has got to be one of the most adaptable pieces of neckwear ever. What’s more, it involves no fancy shaping and no fancy stitches. In fact, once you’ve got started, you could practically knit it in your sleep. And did I mention that it’s suitable for teens, men, and women. What’s not to like?     YARN Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky (100% merino wool) bulky (chunky) yarn: 3 x 1.oz (50g) balls (66yd/60m) in shade 19 Aqua   NEEDLES AND EQUIPMENT US size 10½ (6.5mm) knitting needles Yarn sewing needle   GAUGE (TENSION) 15 sts and 21 rows in stockinette (stocking) stitch to a 4-in (10-cm) square on US size 10½ (6.5mm) needles.   MEASUREMENTS The cowl is 9in (23cm) wide (unstretched) and 12in (30cm) deep.   ABBREVIATIONS k = knit p = purl rep = repeat st(s) = stitch(es) [ ] = denotes a sequence of stitches to be repeated the number of times given after the brackets   For the cowl Cast on 102 sts. Row 1: [K3, p3] to end. Row 2: [P3, k3] to end. These 2 rows form the rib pattern. […]
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Jul 10
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Make 0 comments

First Sewing Project: Vintage Fabric Cushion in Minutes!

Take one piece of fabric, a pair of scissors and some thread…..   One of the simplest, quickest and cheapest ways to freshen up or transform a room is cushions. Now, we know that cushions can sometimes feel like overkill on the craft scene, but stay with us! Try swapping the chintz florals for some cool, retro fabric, with a super swift envelope opening and we promise, you will be amazed at how much bang you get for your creative buck. The ideal first project for a beginner, and also a great way to use those coveted scraps which are too small for anything else. Add 1 hot iron, your trusty sewing machine and we can show you how to whip one up in minutes! If you are just settling in to your first project take a look at the article on how to get started with your new sewing machine first. This’ll be the perfect first project, once you’ve gotten acquainted with your machine with a little help from that post.   Ready? OK, lets get started.     Check List Sewing machine Iron Scissors Thread Pins Tailors chalk or pencil Piece of scrap paper or card 1 x cushion inner […]
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Jun 26
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Learn, Make, Pets 0 comments

How to Make an Appliqué Pet Portrait

Our pets are our family, and this fabric portrait is the purr-fect way to prove it. A fun alternative to photographs, and a creative way to use fabric and stitch to create a unique piece of art.     You will need: A photo of your pet A scanner and printer or photocopier Tracing paper Sticky tape (optional) Pencil Fading fabric marker (optional) Pins and needles Scissors Fabrics for background and appliqué design Interfacing (optional) Iron Fabric glue (optional) A sewing machine with embroidery foot Sewing threads in colours of your choice Ribbons (optional) A frame to fit your design   Method: 1. When you’ve chosen the photo of your pet, either scan and print it or photocopy it, enlarging it to fit your frame. If you’ve chosen a very large frame, you’ll need to print out tiled sections of the image and piece them together like a jigsaw and tape in place, to create your template. Then lay the tracing paper over the image and draw over the areas of the face and/or body you’d like to include in your final piece. Pick out specific features you’d like to include – it’s best to keep it as simple as […]
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Jun 17
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

Fresh Flower Chandelier Tutorial by Clare Youngs

The little bottles that feature in this project are easy to find if you look at online stores for flower arranging and wedding favours. Hung from a wire base and filled with a pretty mix of fresh flowers they make a truly stunning decoration. Be sure to use thick wire—the bottles have water and can get heavy.   Materials Thick wire Tape measure Wire cutters Bullnose pliers Thin wire 5 small glass bottles Fresh flowers       1 Cut a length of thick wire measuring 33 in. (84 cm). Bend the wire to form a ring and use pliers to bend a small loop at one end and a small hook at the other end. Place the hook into the loop, and squeeze together to secure.     2 Cut two lengths of thick wire measuring 1 1⁄4 in. (3 cm) more than the diameter of the ring you made in Step 1. Use pliers to wrap one end of the first wire around the wire ring—I started at the join.   3 Stretch the wire across the ring and wrap the opposite end around the ring. Trim off any extra wire. 4 Rotate the wire ring by 90 […]
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Jun 01
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

How to: Make a Felt Ball Garland

Hilda decides to spruce things up a bit…   Materials you will need A towel Wool tops for felting A bottle of warm soapy water A bowl of clean water Embroidery floss (thread)   1 Hilda lays down a towel to soak up any water that might spill and grabs a handful of wool. She separates the fibres out evenly so there are no heavy clumps, and lays it over the palm of her paw.     2 She takes her bottle of soapy water and pours a couple of glugs over the wool. 3 Hilda then squishes the soap into the fibres and scrunches the wool from the centre until it begins to gather into a ball.     4 Very gently Hilda rolls the wool in the palms of her paws until it starts to take shape. She keeps rolling, round and round…       5 After a few minutes of rolling, the felt ball starts to form into a firm shape. Then she dips it into the clean water to rinse it, and gently squeezes out the excess water. She carries on rolling and rinsing until the ball feels dense.     6 Once she has […]
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May 27
by bibelotm_wp in Beauty, Ethical, Make, Treat Yourself 0 comments

Coconut and Sugar Scrub Recipe

If you’ve ever bought exfoliating beauty products from shops that promise to give you glowing blemish-free skin for the Summer, the likelihood is they contain microbeads. These beads are made of plastic, and hundreds of thousands of them can be found in one bottle of face or body scrub alone. They are then washed down bathroom drains, and back into the ecosystem, through our oceans, and are eaten by fish and other marine life. Tens of millions of microbeads are now working their way back up the food chain, causing a very serious environmental disaster. Thankfully, people are now becoming aware of the damage certain brands are causing by including microbeads in their products to make their products cost effective, and new laws are being put in place to stop further plastic pollution.   We believe homemade is always best, and this simple, natural, and luxurious recipe will cost a fraction of the price, and is environmentally sound. Coconut oil is an excellent source of goodness for skin because it’s full of Vitamin E, keeps skin hydrated and has anti ageing and antibacterial properties. Sugar is gentler on skin than salt, and works as a fantastic exfoliator.   Ingredients: 2 cups […]
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May 20
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

Flower and Herb Wreath Tutorial by Catherine Woram

This lovely and fragrant wreath is made from rustic, dark brown twigs and decorated with a selection of colorful summer flowers that are interspersed with sprigs of rosemary and mint.   Materials Dark wood twigs (for making the wreath framework) Florist’s wire Large flowers such as peonies and hydrangeas Scissors Artificial ready-wired pink berry picks Pliers (optional) Stems of fresh rosemary and mint Small delicate flowers such as Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle) for the wreath surround 20in (50cm) ribbon, ¾ in (2cm) wide, for the hanging loop     1 Bend the twigs to form a circular wreath shape with a diameter of approximately 14in (35cm) or whatever size is required. You will find it easier to bend the twigs if you soak them in water for a few hours first, as this will make them softer and more pliable. Use lengths of florist’s wire to hold the twigs in place to form the wreath. 2 Cut down the large flower stems to a length of about 4in (10cm) using the scissors. Wrap a length of florist’s wire around the peony stem and then attach this to the twig wreath, wrapping the wire around several times to keep the flower […]
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Apr 24
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

How to: Up-Cycle a Lampshade

Materials you will need Lampshade frame Damp cloth Fabric strips 1½ in. (4cm) wide and 5 in. (13cm) longer than the length of each bar Glue gun Lots of beads/old necklaces Pliers Ribbons Beading wire Masking tape Embroidery floss (thread) Gathered lace trim Buttons Felt flower embellishments     1. Thrifty Thelma and Woolly the Lamb are stripping the ugly fabric from their lampshade. They want to give it a fresh new look. Once all the fabric has been taken off, they clean it with a damp cloth.     2. They tear strips of fabric to wrap around each bar. Then they add glue to the top of the bar with a glue gun, wrap the strip of fabric round tightly all the way down to the bottom, and secure it with another dab of glue. They do this to every vertical bar. And because they tore the fabric, the strips are frayed, which Thelma and Woolly like.     3. Next, Thelma measures around the inner circular section where the light bulb goes. She finds an old necklace that she never wears, cuts it to size using pliers, and then attaches it to the frame using a glue […]
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Apr 03
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Guests, Learn, Make 1 comments

How to make Easter Egg Pom Poms – Frilly Pops

If like us, you’re a pom pom making fanatic, then you’re going to love these rainbow coloured egg-shaped pom pom’s by Stephanie Dulieu of Frilly Pops! They’re perfect for keeping little ones entertained during the Easter break and for people who find pom pom’s particularly pleasing…   Materials Pen & Pencil Sharp scissors A piece of thick cardboard, corrugated or a cereal box. 2 large bulldog clips 1 small bulldog clip or paper clip An assortment of coloured yarns     To make the pom pom maker: Step 1 First you will need to make your DIY pom pom maker, you can do this easily by cutting out 4 horseshoe shapes out of thick cardboard. You can make these as big as you like, the bigger they are, the bigger your pom will be but for this tutorial I have gone for 1.5” across and 2’’ tall. Step 2 Take a pen and draw a guideline where the curved part looks like a half circle. If you are making pom poms with children, then this helps to show them where the yarn needs to be filled and where to stop. Step 3 Take two horseshoes and hold them back to back, so […]
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Mar 16
by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Interview, Make 0 comments

Manmade – Mr Wingate

        We spoke to the man behind stylish print brand Mr Wingate about his exciting new venture, joining forces with Etsy and the Crafty Fox Market to celebrate “men who make”.     Manmade sounds exciting – give us the essential details of what, why, when, where, how and who… Yes!  Manmade is an event that is set to celebrate men who make.  I had the idea a while ago when considering a line up of speakers for Crafty Fox Talks, that didn’t go ahead and we kept the idea in the back of our minds. Later on, Sinead from the Crafty Fox mentioned the idea to Etsy and they loved it.  Only 10% of Etsy sellers are men, and they saw the opportunity to promote this small group of sellers, and ultimately try and encourage more men to make and sell. Manmade will host a wide selection of male makers and artists, including a bar and DJ’s, and a program of talks and workshops.     Who’s your favourite male crafter? Tricky question!  I really like Mark Hearld’s lino cuts.   What’s the best bit of advice you’d give to young male graduates looking to carve their way in the […]
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Feb 27
by bibelotm_wp in Guests, Make 0 comments

Easy sew cushion cover tutorial – Zoë Power

If you’re new to sewing, cushion covers are one of the easiest things you can make and are such a great way to display favourite fabrics. I like to make the envelope style (no zips required) and to use lovely vintage fabrics on both sides of the cushion, so you get double enjoyment and two for the price of one!   Here’s how I make my cushion covers:   1. Cut one piece of fabric for the front 43cm x 43cm (cushion cover will be 40cm, with a 1.5cm seam allowance either side). A fat quarter would be plenty. 2. Cut two pieces of fabric for the back 33cm wide x 43 cm high. These will overlap to form the back of your cushion in an envelope style.     3. Hem the long sides of your two pieces of back fabric (turn over the long edge by 1cm and press with an iron, then turn again by 1cm and press; stitch the hem about 3mm or so from the edge).     4. Place your front fabric right side up in front of you. Lay the first back piece of fabric on top of it, right sides facing the […]
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Feb 19
by bibelotm_wp in Learn, Make 0 comments

Make a Paper Aeroplane

The origin of paper planes is a bit of a mystery, although they’re generally believed to have originated in China around 2000 years ago. Folding paper aeroplanes played a big role in the development and evolution of the first aircrafts to ever take flight in our skies, with pioneers such as Sir George Cayley, Charles Langley and the Wright brothers testing their ideas out with paper.   2000 years later, paper planes are still a popular form of origami, and something we believe everyone should know how to do!         Chloë Owens & Chiaki L’Argent
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Feb 11
by bibelotm_wp in Learn, Make 1 comments tags: Learn

Learn to Sew – Getting Started

There are loads of fantastic guides out there instructing the budding seamstress on how to take on a new sewing project from start to finish. But 15 years of sewing experience have taught me that there is more to learning how to sew than following a recipe. Much of what I learnt was through trial and error (and there were a lot of errors let me tell you!). Here are some of my tips to help you get started… So, you’ve got your first sewing machine, and that gorgeous cushion cover project you’ve got your eye on. But hold your horses! Lets take a look at your sewing station and see if you’ve got everything covered. Here we go:     Tip 1: Your iron is your friend Get a good iron; it doesn’t have to be expensive. If your sewing machine is on, so should your iron be. You want to be pressing between seams as you go to create a crisp, professional finish to your work, so waiting around for the iron to get to the right temperature every five minutes just wont do!   Tip 2: Measure twice, cut once Sewing newbies may not hear this oft-heard […]
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Feb 11
by bibelotm_wp in Birds, Learn, Make 1 comments

Make an Origami Bird

The paper crane has become an international symbol of good fortune and longevity, because of its fabled life span of a thousand years. It also represents fidelity, as Japanese cranes are known to mate for life. It’s said that a thousand folded cranes, one for each year of its life, makes a wish come true. In recent years it has also become a symbol for hope and peace as a result of it’s connection to the story of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki born in 1943. Diagnosed with leukemia after being exposed to radiation after the bombing of Hiroshima, Sadako became determined to reach a goal of folding 1,000 cranes in hopes of being rewarded with health, happiness, and peace. Although she died before reaching her goal, the tradition of sending origami cranes to the Hiroshima memorial has endured as a symbol of Japan’s ongoing wish for nuclear disarmament and world peace.       Chloë Owens & Chiaki L’Argent
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Feb 09
by bibelotm_wp in Guests, Make 0 comments

Reviving the lost art of letter writing – Little Teawagon

I love sending letters, little packages and postcards…texting and emails are ok for business but its nice to receive a lovely handwritten letter every now and then. Here is a super easy tutorial for re using and making your own stationery, this is great for using up that stash of old birthday cards, unused postcards and papers or magazine pages.     Things you will need for this project: Old birthday cards Postcards Mgazines or wrapping paper Scissors Pencil Ruler Pretty masking tapes String Stickers Stamps and ink Hole punch Sewing machine Thread   Cut your cards down so they are all the same size. (mine are 10cm x 13cm) The cards are going to be taped together to form a concertina style book so you will need around 4 or 5 for each book. Place them right side up onto a flat surface and leaving a small gap stick the longer edges of each card together with the masking tape.     Cut approx 50cm of string, fold in half and stick with tape to the top card.     When you have taped the cards together they should look something like this…write your message on the blank sides […]
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Bibelot is about more than craft projects; it represents an imaginative and sustainable way of life. Readers will feel stimulated, uplifted and motivated. Bibelot will begin its life as a blog, an online hub bringing artistic, original and innovative people together. It’s a space for sharing ideas, learning and sparking inspiration!
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