April 03, 2020

Little Women Embroidery Pattern - a new Literary Thread

April 03, 2020/ Claire (aka Ruby)

Hi there, I do hope you are doing ok in these difficult days. For creative spirits it is not as bad as for a lot of people and I wanted to thank everyone who has ordered patterns and kits recently and I hope maybe out there are a few new converts to the lovely world of sewing. I’ve been a bit slow with my new pattern because there has been so much going on, but finally the next in my series of Literary Threads is ready to share. I may have mentioned in an earlier post, how enamoured I was with the new movie version of ‘Little Women’, so it was almost a given that I would chose it for the next bookish pattern.

February 07, 2020

Making a capsule wardrobe of extraordinarily pretty things

February 07, 2020/ Claire (aka Ruby)

Recently I went to see the film ‘Little Women’ (twice). Have you seen it? It is Greta Gerwig’s new interpretation of the novel and I loved every second of it. In fact I was so enamoured of it that it plunged me into the world I used to inhabit as a teenager of Victorian style fantasy. I always desperately wished that I could wear the clothes of days gone by when women looked like women and wore what I may describe as ‘extraordinarily pretty things’. I remember when we were over the US a few years ago and we took the kids to Gettysburg. Driving away from it, I saw a shop selling civil war costumes - Scarlett O’hara style for sure. Oh how I wanted a crinoline dress. My husband laughed ‘what on earth would you do with it… wear it do the washing up???’ Of course he is right - I am neither actress or a drama queen. But after seeing ‘Little Women’, I saw lots of ideas that could easily be adapted to today’s wardrobe, which in my case, would absolutely have to include jeans.

January 20, 2020

Literary Threads No. 1 : Jane Austen embroidery pattern

January 20, 2020/ Claire (aka Ruby)

One of the projects I am working on this year is a series of embroidery patterns based on famous books or authors. I am a bit of a nut for books and just love curling up with a good read and a quilt. I always loved to read as a child and a lot of my favourite books go way way back. I first read Jane Austen in my early teens and have always loved the dramatisations and films that have regularly graced the screen. Such is our thirst for her stories and insights that the latest adaptation of ‘Sandition’ was in fact an unfinished novel. The fact that Ms. Austen has finally made her way on the £10 note is testament alone to her standing in the world of literature and an acknowledgement of her well deserved place in our national conscience. Why is it that her writings still have such popular appeal today?

November 29, 2019

New Pattern - Skating Days

November 29, 2019/ Claire (aka Ruby)

Frosty mornings are here and all things winter are here too. My latest embroidery pattern is full of winter sparkle and icy charm. I am actually thrilled to bits with how this turned out and perhaps more especially because it was inspired by a vintage piece of Russian embroidery….a real gem, picked up at the arts and crafts market in Moscow called ‘Izmayilova’.

November 15, 2019

New Embroidery Pattern : Ski Days

November 15, 2019/ Claire (aka Ruby)

As the colder weather encroaches it is lovely to sit by the fire with the some hand stitching and this little project has been so much fun. I know it has been quite a while since I posted a new pattern and this is in part because I have been thinking hard about what direction to take my work in. I often worry that I have such a mish-mash of stuff going on and perhaps it is time to focus things a little. I have always wanted to make embroidery modern and more fun and perhaps more enticing for young people. My daughter inspired this design with a sketch … new to skiing, she is totally smitten and it seems to me that for youngsters it is really a wonderful holiday. I had already decided to make a ‘skating days’ design (more about that to come) so skiing is a natural partner for a new pair of designs.

April 20, 2019

NEW PATTERN & KIT : An Embroidered Diamonds Scarf

April 20, 2019/ Claire (aka Ruby)

So after a bit of a break, I am thrilled to present my new embroidery pattern and kit. The ‘Embroidered Diamonds Scarf’ is just the tonic for spring days and it’s a versatile project to make and add to your wardrobe. When I first began to do embroidery, one of the first things I made was an embroidered wool scarf. I like things to be useful and pretty and this is definitely both.

April 07, 2019

The Book Nerd Quilt

April 07, 2019/ Claire (aka Ruby)

This ‘book nerd quilt’ is such a great pattern to let your own individual style shine - travel around the world, bury yourself in the classics, whip up the romance or make a book cover that might inspire you to write a book of your own someday.

March 01, 2019

Hand embroidering shop bought clothes

March 01, 2019/ Claire (aka Ruby)

Adding a touch of hand embroidery to items of clothing that you have bought from a shop, can be a great and reasonably quick way to have a totally unique and bespoke garment. I think it is something people don’t often think to do and yet it is incredibly effective.

November 20, 2018

Winter solstice embroidered project bag

November 20, 2018/ Claire (aka Ruby)

If you are a maker, you probably have multiple projects going on and having bags like this are wonderful to keep everything together. It is pretty thing to take out and about with you if you are travelling or holidaying and want to take a little handwork with you. It is also a lovely gift for someone, either as a kit or made and customised for them.

May 04, 2018

An embroidered Wildflower Garden Project Bag

May 04, 2018/ Claire (aka Ruby)

I may have mentioned to you before how much I liked the bi annual magazine 'Making' and this week I got the new spring issue. As usual, it is to swoon over....indefinitely. Packed full of beautiful, contemporary makes, both knitting and sewing, it is just gorgeous.

April 20, 2018

The Abbey Embroidery Pattern

April 20, 2018/ Claire (aka Ruby)

So I have a new embroidery pattern to introduce today and I am really delighted with this one. It began because we took a long weekend in Whitby. Have you ever been there? You should....it really is an absolutely lovely place.

March 18, 2018

Two more Hashtag Embroidery Designs

March 18, 2018/ Claire (aka Ruby)

Not only would this make a very special gift, but you can make it entirely your own with more or less embroidery and you can use the machine or do hand work to complete the pattern. There is a free tutorial on tutorials page if you would like some help with making one.

Now that they are all finished, I think they look so lovely all together. What a great idea for a playroom or a family room - something for everyone I hope.

Journal