Table of contents for December 2025/January 2026 in Australian Homespun

Welcome to this very pink issue of Homespun. We chose to make this issue our ‘Pink Issue’ to raise awareness of breast cancer. This journey has led to some extra-special heartfelt crafting. It’s been so joyous and I’ve shed a few tears along the way. Thank you to all the designers who embraced the pink theme for this issue: your work is incredible. Remember old-time ways with two of our quilts — the Pink Carousel Quilt featuring a stunning appliqué that captures fairground charms and the Remember When Quilt using a vintage papercut technique. There are beautiful stitched sayings in three of our projects — the Hexies Heart of Hope Wallhanging showcasing an English paper-pieced heart, a collage-style project from UK vintage-look designer Tilly Rose and an embroidered carryall from…

MATERIALS Variety of scraps: at least 2¼in square (you will need 60) 50cm (5/8yd) cream fabric (background) 25cm (3/8yd) solid pink fabric (border and corner stones) 75cm (7/8yd) pink print fabric (backing and hanging sleeve) 25cm (3/8in) dark pink solid fabric (binding) Batting at least 75cm (30in) square Fusible web  Thread (hand piecing and appliqué – Leela used Bottom Line Thread colour 652 Statue) Milliners needle: size 11 (hand piecing and appliqué) 100% cotton thread (machine sewing) Quilting thread (Leela used Wonderfil Spagetti 12wt thread colours SP101 and SP64) Stranded cotton thread: pink Embroidery needle Water or heat erasable marker  Sewline Glue Pen for basting paper shapes 210gsm weight paper (making paper templates – 60 hexagons, ¾in are required) Template plastic Fine permanent marker pen Two 10cm (4in) lengths of…

MATERIALS Noro Yukata yarn (200g, 720m): Kasaoka: multi-colour (15) – one ball Ella Rae Alpaca Mohair Degrade (50g, 500m): Plum Souse (05) – one ball. (This yarn is used held double – two strands at the same time) Araucania Huasco (100g, 278m): Nao Victoria (3004) – one ball, Flamenco Andino (3009) – one ball Patons Dreamtime Merino 4ply (50g, 169m): Sweet Pink (0333) – one ball  Queensland Collection Adelaide (100g, 400m): Porcelain (101) – one ball, Lotus (109) – one ball 5mm (4UK/H8US) crochet hook Finished size: approximately 1m (39in) square Note: Read all the instructions carefully before commencing. Instructions are in UK terminology. Skill Level: Experienced/Advanced. Patience and attention to detail needed. TENSION For this project, Cheryl used a 5mm crochet hook, which is larger than what would usually be…

MATERIALS Kokon Kidsilk 2ply/lace yarn (72% Mohair, 28% Silk), 25g/3/4oz – 209m/229yd): Raspberry (A), * Spring Meadow (B) – refer to quantities in Size and Yarn Chart Two circular needles: 5.5mm (UK5/US9) Double pointed needles: 5.5mm (UK5/US9) Stitch marker Stitch holder Tapestry needle Finished size: Refer to the Sizes and Yarn Chart Note: Read all the instructions before you start. This is a beginner-level project, but it does require you to hold three strands of yarn for the entire sweater. The construction doesn’t require any short rows because the tension (gauge) is so loose that the sweater naturally drapes perfectly over your shoulders. Knitting with three strands of yarn adds stability and density to the fabric to keep you warm without losing the soft drapey feel. This sweater is worked from the…

MATERIALS A5 hard cover journal 45 x 30cm (173/4 x 113/4in) linen 40 x 30cm (153/4 x 113/4in) lining fabric DMC stranded threads: Light Shell Pink (223), Ecru Tapestry needle Sewing machine General sewing supplies Finished size: 33 x 22.2cm (13 x 83/4in Stitches used: chain stitch, fly stitch, French (colonial) knots, lazy daisy (detached chain stitch), satin stitch, stem stitch Note: Read all the instructions carefully before commencing. Instructions are given for working from the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can download the digital patterns from www.homespun.net.au and print them out instead. Kasia used a hard cover spine-bound A5 journal with a 15mm (5/8in) spine. If your journal has a thicker spine you will need to adjust the size of your cover accordingly. Likewise, the size of the…

Yarnbombing projects celebrate creativity in the most heartwarming of ways. At their core, they are about bringing the community together, delighting and surprising … which is even more special at Christmas time. SKY-HIGH KNITTED CHRISTMAS TREE Both in name and in spirit, the Heart of Newhaven community centre on the Edinburgh coast in Scotland is the heart of the community it serves. The centre is constantly evolving to meet the needs of Newhaven — from offering social clubs for people living with dementia to providing childcare services and gardening sessions. The centre is a hub of activity and creativity, and one of their most ambitious projects to date was a large-scale knitted Christmas tree they created in 2024. Norma Johnston is a Heart of Newhaven trustee and also coordinates community…

These are just a few of them … CHERYL GARDNER I have been working with wool and other yarns from an early age, doing craftwork at primary school, learning to crochet at age 10 and knitting not long after. I began designing and altering/redesigning patterns in my early teen years. My first designs were two queen-sized bed covers (one knitted, one crocheted). I made them during lunch times at high school. I have always liked the colour and texture of fabrics and fibres. And the combinations that can be put together are endless. The brighter, louder, more vibrant the colours, and the more textured the yarn … that makes for a far more interesting project. Life’s too short for beige. Having designed and made many items over the years, some…

For mixed-media textile artist, Tilly Rose, every step of creating is special and joyful. From exploring the woods around her home for ideas, to treasure diving in charity shops and antique fairs for vintage fabrics and embroideries, layering materials, sketching designs and ‘slow stitching’ — Tilly’s approach to creativity is gentle, calming and meditative. Whether it be working with fabric and thread, doodling with inks, to journalling and eco-dyeing, Tilly turns her hand to a variety of different crafts, enjoying the opportunity to experiment and combine different techniques. “I love to concentrate on using textures, layering different fabrics, adding in some surface stitching, embellishing with pieces of ephemera, drawing and shading with embroidery silks using a variety of traditional sewing skills, all with a few mixed-media techniques thrown in for…

MATERIALS 60cm (22½in) square cream tone-on-tone fabric (centre appliqué) 25 x 50cm (13½ x 22½in) medium pink tone-on-tone fabric (Border 1) 90 long x 30cm (36 x 13½in) dusty pink floral stripe fabric (Border 2) 90cm (1yd) green medium floral fabric (Border 3, Hearts, Banner, Pieced Borders) 20cm (¼yd) light pink solid (Border 4) 2.5m (2¾yd) cream pearlescent tone-on-tone fabric (Outer Border, Corner Squares, Appliqué Ribbon Panels, Binding) 1.3m (1½yd) pink medium floral fabric (Carousel, Hearts, Scallops, Pieced Border) 20 x 45cm (9in x 22½in) pink small floral fabric (Carouse Canopy, Balloon) 40cm (18in) light pink tone-on-tone fabric (Border 4, Carousel) 25 x 70cm (13½ x 31½in) light pink solid fabric (Appliqué Panel, Bows) 10 x 20cm (4½ x 9in) medium pink solid fabric (Poles) 10 x 40cm (4½ x…

MATERIALS (¾yd) each of four assorted non-floral fabrics – see note (⅜yd) each of six assorted floral fabrics tweight interfacing (not fusible) for 12 squares, 131/2in 1.35m (1½yd) floral print fabric (border) 70cm (¾yd) cream fabric (joining strips and binding 2.5m (2¾yd) backing fabric Paper – such as butchers, flip chart or similar  Batting at least 70cm (27½in) square – this is a good time to use up smaller pieces of batting left over from bigger quilts Fusible web – the amount depends on the width: you will need to cut six squares, 13in Adhesive basting spray Black pencil Small pair of sharp paper scissors Neutral, lightweight thread  Sewing machine with appliqué and walking feet General sewing supplies Pins or small plastic clips Finished Size: 124 x 155cm (49 x…

Knitting was a family tradition that captivated Melanie in her childhood. She loved rummaging through her mother’s collection of clothing, and her mother was a knitter — so that special tactile nature of knitted fabric wove itself into Melanie’s early life memories. And while her mother taught her how to knit, Melanie didn’t really take up the craft until her first child was born in 2009. She now has three children and a blooming career as a knit designer. Some of her patterns were recently released in a new English translation of one of her books, and she has her own yarn range with German yarn company Pascuali. The yarn range is called Balayage, and is made from baby alpaca and organic extra-fine Merino wool grown in Peru, creating a…

ACT Crafty Frog Shop 4, 107 Marconi Crescent, Kambah 2902 Ph: (02) 6296 6240 shop.crafty.frog@gmail.com www.craftyfrog.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–3.30pm NSW SYDNEY Banksia Yarns 3c East Market Street, Richmond 2753 Ph: (02) 4505 1615 shop@banksiayarns.com.au www.banksiayarns.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm Lyn’s Fine Needlework 2/9 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills 2153 Ph: (02) 9686 2325 lynsneedlework@aol.com www.lynsfineneedlework.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm BLUE MTNS & BEYOND Hobbysew Orange 221 Peisley Street, Orange 2800 Ph: (02) 6361 7420 patriciajcole@gmail.com FB: Hobbysew Orange Open: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm Post Office Patchwork 33 Ross Street, Glenbrook 2773 Ph: (02) 4739 9555 pop@postofficepatchwork.net.au www.postofficepatchwork.com.au Open: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm MID NORTH COAST Connie’s Fabrics 1 Verge Street, Kempsey 2440 Ph: (02) 6562 7792 conniesfabrics@outlook.com FB: Connie’s Fabrics Open: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–12.30pm Hanging…

Please notify us at least four months before the event. New South Wales December 3–21 Newcastle East Brooching the Subject #9: Seasons Timeless Textiles Gallery 90 Hunter St, Newcastle East More information: timelesstextiles.com.au March 13–15, 2026 Hurstville Modern Quilt Show Australia Presented by Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild and Sydney Modern Quilt Guild Marana Auditorium 16 MacMahon St, Hurstville More information: www.modernquiltshowaustralia.com Victoria Until December 17 Box Hill Australian Quilts in Public Places Eighth Biennial Exhibition: Pathways An initiative of the Australian Quilters' Association Artspace, Box Hill Town Hall 1022 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill More information: www.australianquiltersassociation.com April 11–May 3, 2026 Clunes 2026 Biennial Textile Palette Exhibition STUFF: Purpose, profit and peril Esmond Gallery, The Warehouse 36 Fraser Street, Clunes More information: www.textilepaletteexhibition.org April 9–12, 2026 Melbourne Australasian Quilt Convention Royal…

Standing in her studio unfolding piles of quilts that represent decades of her career as a quilt designer, Judy Hooworth says, “I just love it”. She repeats that phrase quite a few times in the course of the unfolding and refolding of the piles of quilts that surround her. And they are just a sampling of the many hundreds of quilts she has stitched over her long career. “I just love it”: it’s a simple statement but it says so much. Judy stopped counting how many quilts she’s made many years ago … when she passed the 250 mark … but she still meticulously documents every quilt she makes. And she’s still making quilts based on traditional patchwork blocks in commercial fabrics, between creating art quilts for contemporary textiles exhibitions.…

MATERIALS 10cm (1/8yd) each of six assorted fabrics 40cm (1/2yd) pink solid fabric 30cm (3/8yd) pink striped fabric 10cm (1/8yd) pink spot fabric  45cm (5/8yd) pink large floral fabric One rectangle, 4 x 20cm (1½ x 8in) cardboard 40 x 60cm (15¾ x 20in) rectangular cushion insert 50wt thread for sewing machine Rotary cutter, ruler and mat  Sewing machine with 1/4in foot General sewing supplies Finished size: 40 x 60cm (15 x 23½in) Notes: Read all the instructions before starting the project. A seam allowance of 1/4in is used throughout unless stated otherwise. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabrics 107cm (42in) wide. CAROL’S PINK BACKGROUND FABRIC TIP Carol chose two shades of pink for the background fabrics for this project. This combination…

MATERIALS 65cm (¾yd) pink check fabric 75cm (⅞yd) cream linen 10cm (⅜yd) dark pink linen 75cm (⅞yd) musk pink linen Fine pencil or water-erasable pen Cosmo stranded threads: White 100, Dark Grey 477, Light Pink 812, Medium Pink 813, Dark Pink 814 40 x 90cm (15 x 35in) fusible batting (Amanda used Parlan) Rotary cutter, ruler and mat Sewing machine with ¼in foot General sewing supplies Finished size: 26.5cm (10½in) cubed, plus handles Stitches used: French (or colonial) knots, lazy daisy (detached chain stitch), stem stitch Note: Read all the instructions carefully before commencing. Instructions are given for working from the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can download the digital patterns from www.homespun.net.au and print them out instead. CUTTING 1 From the pink check fabric (Bag Lining), cut: Five squares, 11in…

MATERIALS Embroidery hoop, 30.5cm (12in) diameter 30cm (12in) square calico or linen (centre panel) Eight strips, 5 x 20cm (2 x 8in) assorted floral fabric 40cm (141/2in) square dark floral print fabric (backing) Rotary cutter, ruler and mat  DMC stranded embroidery thread: Dark Pewter Grey (413) Air-erasable marker pen Template plastic Permanent marker 30cm (12in) of 25mm (1in) wide lace Lace bow Three buttons, approx. 1cm (3/8in) diameter Finished size: 32cm (121/2in) diameter Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Instructions are given for using the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can also download the digital pattern from www.homespun.net.au and print it out. The fabric is pieced together in a Log Cabin design. TILLY’S TOP TIPS Don’t worry if your embroidered handwriting is a little wobbly. It…

A young woman in the UK starts making small pieces of crochet, attaching messages to them and leaving them in public places … because it makes her feel better. She starts a Facebook group called RAOCK (Random Acts of Crochet Kindness) and within a few years is the leader of a worldwide movement that has more than 350,000 members. This is the story of Olivia Dieterich, and her decision to share something that has always made her feel good since she first learned how to do it — crochet. Olivia’s recently released book Random Acts of Crochet Kindness: Little Projects to Share the Love includes some of her own designs as well as contributions by other crochet artists, including internet crochet sensation Bella Coco. Olivia says she learned much of…