Category Archives: TUTORIALS

Some years ago, I found a really old silk top at my grandmother’s dacha. I am sure it was older than I and yet it fit perfectly.’ This past year its taken a beating from my very active two year old. I was sad, and then I decided it really couldn’t be that hard to make…

A really simple way to make your table look fabulous. Five minutes of your time, et voila- sexy setting guaranteed. Difficulty: Beginner Materials: 6 x 12″ squares of IL019 Mix Natural Softened Matching Thread Sewing Machine Time: 5-10 minutes 1. Cut your 12″ squares 2. Start to carefully pull one thread at a time from one side…

Here in Los Angeles, plastic bags are being phased out in favor of reusable cloth shopping bags. In most counties, you can’t even get plastic bags in stores and they charge 10 cents per paper bag. Why do that when you can make your own awesome tote bags (that double as reuseable shopping bags!). Materials:…

This week I had some of that gorgeous Jacquard fabric left, so I decided to make yet another pillow but this time instead of getting fancy with the button loops, I decided to try my skills at the traditional east South Asian embroidery called Kantha. Over the past few years there has been an immense…

Tutorial by Dina Kluchareva This tutorial will show you how to quickly make a cute toddler skirt with bow-decorated contrasting patch pockets. As no pattern is needed, the tutorial is a great option for beginners. Also, it’s transformable’if you’d like to make a nice linen skirt for a bigger girl. Gathered skirt is very simple…

Jacquards tend to have a very luxurious feel to them and they don’t necessarily fit into every interior, but somehow this fabric was simply irresistible. Subtle and quietly fabulous. I decided to make another envelope pillow with it, but I wanted to add something extra. Buttons were my next thought- but how to secure them?…

Painting on pots didn’t occur to me until I recently visited Fred Butler’s show at the KK Outlet Gallery in Hoxton. The pots were yet another canvas for Fred to spread her kaleidoscopic cosmic creativity. Fred Butler is better known for her accessories favoured by eccentrics such as Lady Gaga, so pottery was quite far…

Holidays like Easter is just another excuse to paint yourself a useful little bowl. Try out the blue cobalt paints. Fun! Super simple. This tutorial will take you through step by step on each element drawn. All elements you can draw without a template. Try out on paper at first if you are unsure. Materials:…

My two year old son adores insects all year round, ladybugs and butterflies in particular. Since Spring has officially stepped into office here in London, it only seemed appropriate it was about time to properly praise this wonderful season of revival and new life. A most simple and effective way to bring some colour, slight…

This week we teamed up with the wonderful Stephanie Fail of imakeityoumakeit.com who was kind enough to walk us through on how to make her gorgeous apron for your kitchen.   This tutorial will show you how to make a reversible linen apron with a ruffled edge. ‘ The linen fabric makes a beautiful apron with…

Ever since I painted the linen flax plate, my 6 year old son has been asking me to paint him a mug. So today instead of the mug, he will be getting his own little plate. Inspired by the simplicity of Donna Wilson’s ceramics, here is a really easy tutorial on how to make something…

Ever since I have discovered the world of sewing, I am obsessed with making cushion cases of all kinds. Part of the reason is that its a) we need good looking cushions, b) its super quick and easy, and c) there is an endless pool of possibilities. Different cushion cover types, with buttons, zipped up,…

Difficulty: Beginner Time: ~1 hour Materials: 1 yard 4C22 Natural Softened 1/4 to 1/2 yard 4C22 Bleached Softened Approx. 4 1/2 yards bias tape (1/2″ double fold, or a 1″ single fold that is ironed in half) To make this hooded baby towel, you’ll need to make a pattern for the hooded portion of the…

This week we would like to find out why you sew.’ Is it your business? For pleasure? Out of necessity? To carry on a tradition your mum or grandmother passed on? What makes this craft special to you? Each one of us has a story to tell that is to do with a history or a…

This weekend I found myself wondering through the magic that is Heals, namely for the past two hundred years home to most exciting and innovative contemporary furniture which you can touch, sit on and buy. It really doesn’t get any better. I went two days in a row, once with my 2.5 year old who…