Vol 15 No 3 published the article on my Wandering Wattle bag for Australia Day on 26 January. It was made from tea-dyed calico, with twin needled stitching to represent twigs. On this was a piece of organza under a wattle branch which had free machined leaves and yellow pipe cleaner flowers. The sides of the bag were free machined with various stitching patterns. There are several pockets inside the bag, making it very practical for shopping. Mettler threads were used throughout.
The lightweight wrap for Summer Nights in VOl 15 no 4 was made of georgette, with embellished shells made from Treetops Sea Shells fine merino wool tops enclosed by cabled Watercolour threads. It folds up very small to tuck into a bag so that it is to hand when the evening cools.
Vol 15 No 6 had A Study in Black and White which was free-machined entirely in shades of grey, black and white Mettler Silk Finish threads. The photograph was taken by me at Seven Mile Beach, near Hobart, Tasmania.
The Field of Poppies was made as a budget project in Vol 15 No 7. One hundred and twenty buttons of various sizes were stitched on to the painted background of calico, which has felt trees and Tyvek archway covered with felt ivy.
Strips and Squares in VOl 15 No 9 used a piece which was made in a workshop and some material from my stash. The pattern was the Dana Marie Design Kimono Jacket from Perpetual Patterns and Mettler threads were used for the stitching. This pattern sews the entire vest on the machine, apart from a final small closing seam.
A Special Issue (Vol 15 No 10) was published in July to present the ultimate machine embroidery guide. It contained my article Stitching Free! on free machining, a Stabiliser Update by Judy Hall, Good Hooping by Julie Hall, Needlefelting by Machine by Dale Rollerson and Let's Digitise by Rowena Charlton, together with several sewing machine reviews by our Editor, Yvonne Keen. Also included was her profile of Bryan & Myra Doyle and numerous wonderful tips and tricks to make your sewing and embroidery easier.
In Vol 15 No 12 which was published in August, gold tissue paper with black webbing spraywas used for the background. A copyright free rose window picture of Durham Cathedral in England was printed on to Tyvek and heated before being free machined. Tyvek beads were made to hang below.
Vol 16 No 1, published in September showed a shop bought cardigan decorated with designs inspired by Kandinsky. It was great fun to make - very quick and easy, and changed a plain cardigan into an interesting one. Felt was used for the designs, and a narrow black ribbon for the lines. Mettler threads were used to attach the elements. The buttons are Dorset buttons made from plastic shower curtain rings.
In November there was another Special Issue, Vol 16 No 4, this time on colour.
Five of us were given five metres of cream 100% 18 micron fine wool knit and asked to make something demonstrating colour. My husband Arthur helped me to dye my piece which was made into a versatile wrap which can be worn either as a short or long jacket. The others were Anne van der Kley, Samantha Pope, Liz Scobie and Janny Primrose.
There are also articles on the colour wheel by Janet Samsom, applique methods by Judy Hall and choosing threads by Dale Rollerson. This is another wonderful issue, well worth buying!
Mettler threads were used throughout my articles, generously donated by McCalls.
