![Twining or twisted header [7]](https://www.craftworkshopsinitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/il_794xN.3004352882_i0us-768x576.webp)
Creating a twisted header (or footer) to create a neat finish for the lower end of your work you will need: NB — the twining begins on the bottom left of the frame of course, but my demonstration shows work from only half-way across the warp threads. I had already completed the first section before…
![Warping up your frame [4]](https://www.craftworkshopsinitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_20211122_103518-scaled-1-768x1024.jpg)
You will need: You might need:
![Preparing your table-top frame [3]](https://www.craftworkshopsinitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_20200725_083108_785-768x768.jpg)
Here’s how to prepare your table-top weaving frame: You will need a measuring tape or ruler, a pencil and a hammer — plus the *wooden frame and nails from your kit. See the small images below for positioning your nails which should be 1cm apart and along the centre of the frame section. Leave approx….
![Blue Moon project suggested materials [2]](https://www.craftworkshopsinitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/il_794xN.3092688269_b5lu-768x576.webp)
NB. If you have NOT purchased the kit, just use the list above as a suggested ‘shopping list’ for the materials you will require to complete the blue & moon woven hanging.
This year seems to have been my ‘patchwork’ year — probably as a result of the restrictions imposed on us by the Covid pandemic, I have found more time and patience to dedicate some of my sewing time to patchwork and simple quilting. My efforts have covered a number of projects, including a doggy coat…
In recent years I have fallen in love with the honest, rustic appeal of recycled cardstock for the Christmas cards (and not only) that I make. This year I have added some other recycled materials to my cards — scraps of fabric, and in the case of the Christmas cards — the scraps have a…
I’m sure I’m not the only one, but for years I have used plastic bags or tattered boxes to keep my Christmas baubles in order between one year and the next. This year I decided it was time to break the habit by making some dedicated cotton ‘sacks’ to hold them all neatly together at…
These little tassels are useful in various crafting situations, not only in weaving.Use different types of yarn for different effects. For longer tassels, use a wide piece of carton or card to wind the yarn around.In this example I have looped the yarn 15 times around my hand — you can of course do more…
Joining 2 lengths of yarn At some point in your weaving project you will need to join 2 threads together. This little video clip illustrates a very simple and neat way to do that. You can leave the 2 ‘tails’ a little longer if you wish and then neatly weave them into the back of…
The biggest surprise of the past couple of weeks has been the interest in my specs’ keepers. They are one of those accessories which disappear off the scene for awhile, and then for no apparent reason — return. And that’s what’s happened, and I have found myself stringing beads for hours on end for this…
At long last I have managed to add a couple more of these sewing kits to my Etsy store. This particular kit has been surprisingly popular — partly because of its simplicity that even a beginner can handle quite confidently, but also because of the mix of different elements and methods required to complete it….
Many of us have become aware over the past couple of months, either through personal observation or via the media coverage, that the period of lockdown seems to have had a positive effect on our environment. Animals have been leaving their natural habitats to venture into city centres, no longer clogged up with traffic and…
A special day in Venice today — not only is it the day that Italians celebrate their Liberation at the end of WW2, but it is also the day for loved ones — a day to present your love with a red rose — ‘la festa di San Marco’ when under normal circumstances the city…
Another one to add to the collection of freebie cross-stitch patterns and colour charts. An Easter or Spring project for more accomplished stitchers. An older child might manage with the assistance of an adult. Download the pattern and chart from the link below. For youngsters, you might like to download the Easter and Spring design…
Just in time, here is a sweet project for the children to do — possibly with a little help — a Spring or Easter project with eggs and bunnies and flowers. A bit of colouring, a bit of tracing, a bit of glueing to make the project just messy enough to keep everyone happy. My…
Isolation continues to keep us all indoors, and that of course includes children who are home from school since all the schools (in Italy anyway) have been closed until further notice. Many teachers have organised themselves — and their students — to continue on a home learning basis in the hope that the kids will…
Looking for things to do during isolation? Here’s a quick and easy idea for a fat quarter — or any textiles measuring at least 50cm x 50cm you have available to use — to make a drawstring bag to use for all manner of things. Here are just a few suggestions — a shoe bag,…
If you are into card making or die-cutting of any sort, use these canister seals to sharpen up the cutting edges of your die-cutting tools. They are usually found on all sorts of food packaging –- those in the image came from a canister of dried milk, gravy granules and similar. With few exceptions, when…
For those of you who, like me, are often in a tizwoz about how and where to store all your crafting stuff, how about this storage idea for your knitting needles or paint brushes – or even rulers. Purchase one of these rigid plastic (or carton) tubes – they are usually sold for storing and/or…
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to know that every now and again you find a box – for instance – your hand cream was packaged in a pretty box – and you wish you could find an alternative use for it, even if only to put a small gift inside for someone’s birthday…
Difficult times for most of us right now. The Coronavirus has turned our lives upside-down and being closed indoors can be trying, particularly where there are young children to keep occupied and feeling safe in such an uncertain world. So this pattern is offered to those who need to keep their hands and minds busy…
One of my most interesting discoveries in recent months has been kumihimo braiding, a Japanese craft which has been around for centuries. The beautiful braids have been used for all sorts of situations that go from swords to cushion trimmings to traditional clothing. At its best, and probably most refined level, the braiding is combined…
The workshops offer a wide range of creative activities to small groups of English and/or Italian speaking visitors who come from many different locations to take part. Just by way of an example, past events have seen us offering creative writing, watercolour painting, painting on silk, the creation of Christmas wreaths and urban sketching around…
Got a very pleasant surprise when I opened up my mail this evening – I discovered that some kind soul had bought one of my calendars! Just want to say many thanks indeed to whoever you are and wherever you are! I hope the calendar gives you as much pleasure as it did for me…
Just started a fun course with FutureLearn — ‘Explore Animation’ — a free online course created by The National Film & Television School (NFTS). I calculate that there are about 1000 of us on the course — students of all ages from all over the world meeting up online for four weeks to discuss and…
Bound eggs [Tutorial] These pretty bound eggs don’t have to come out just at Easter, and of course, they don’t have to be bound in satin cord. Why not go for the rustic country look with jute string? Another interesting version could be with long skinny strips or recycled fabric — your imagination is your…
It’s not over really — still things buzzing around my head and odds and ends of loose strings to tie up before I can say that the Venice Writing Retreat 2015 — also referred to as the Venice Editing Masterclass (I like the ring of that) — can truly be considered packed up and put…
All set up and almost ready to go for the watercolour workshop I am organising this coming May. Delighted to have the incredibly talented Cecil Rice along as our guest tutor. He will be joined by Sarah Sherwood who will be taking the group on a half-day sketching and snapshot walkabout in Venice, giving everyone…
Been out and about sourcing materials for our very own personal ‘Boho’ look for our handmade and combined creations. Here is just a taster of the kind of thing we are looking for – gorgeous vintage look amulets and pendants which we will be combining with ribbons and textiles to create wearable and unique pieces…
I had intended to do these the other day, but a few other things cropped up that needed my attention more urgently, so it was only this morning that I finally got working on my lino prints. They actually take quite some time individually as the mixed media all dry at different speeds (inks, acrylic…
