Working Teneriffe square lace

My latest video over on YouTube is a tutorial of the steps to create one of the square lace patterns that come with our #8 Teneriffe lace loom. 

Different shapes can create their own sets of issues that must be considered. With a square shape, there are two main things to think about. The threads must be pulled more tightly for some designs along the straight sections - as they have to travel further. The corners, in contrast, are usually quite close together. 
The edge treatment can be a little more difficult too, with something like a scallop edge, the corner will be more rounded, which is natural.

And in other news, still cracking on. We've been working over the weekend (and still have quite a bit to do) re-arranging the unit, to get a new machine in place. I will say more when it does arrive - it is coming quite a ways and we have been trying to get it to us since October! It could all still fall through.

We have a Create & craft show on March 7th that we are also busy getting ready for, and the great Spring Clean has begun!

Making a Mandala Button / Easy thread ring button (not a Dorset button!)...

And it's time for another video!

Only a week late on my self-imposed new schedule - not bad considering we had to take Toby to the vet last week (he's on the mend now!) and I had to re-film this as the first choice of colours was way too close to really see what I was doing!

Hopefully, you are all well, happy, and not too cold, wet, or otherwise concerned with winter weather. I am slowly getting into spring clean mode - as the sun changes I can see everything that needs doing. Even slightly contemplating re-decorating the bedroom this year...

I've had a couple of interesting online meetings this past week, and so new projects to work on.

I'll be teaching a Dorset button workshop at Debbie Shore's place in April, which should be lovely! Do you know, that Debbie was the presenter on my first-ever show on Create & Craft? That's going back some years.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

How to make a square fabric button - just fabric, needle & thread!

Happy new year! Can I still say this on the 19th of January? Of course I can!

I have actually uploaded two videos today - this one, which is a super easy way to make a square fabric button. Of course, being me, I also have to add other things to the basic video, including working a thread shank, adding a button back, and making the same button using finer threads.

The other is a product support video for out PaperLathe Tassel & Bead system.

We are moving this over to USB only, and our original Hints & Tips videos won't run from a USB. So I will be adding remakes to YouTube so that they can easily be found. 

We came up with the PaperLathe system when I became frustrated at not being able to find tassels moulds easily - yet I still wanted to learn how to make them. We now have a companion kit too - for tassels stands and new designs. Of course, these are available on our website at 
https://www.ginabsilkworks.co.uk/

I do hope that 2024 is a great year for you all!

Part 3 of the stumpwork tool project now completed

And.... finally, part 3! This one's a bit shorter, and just adding extra details and using the comb and bar tools. This really is the sort of extras you could go mad with.

I think in the end I will use this either as a box top, or perhaps a little needlecase. I have a bit of a ting about needlecases recently and am currently working on one. 

I guess its just an obvious extension to my many pincushions :)

Also busy getting ready for our next Create and Craft show on Oct 26 - we will be taking back the stumpwork tools and a few other new things, so if you are enjoying embroidery, it's one to watch.

I'm also working on a very large commission at the moment, so that's taking some time. But I am enjoying listening to books as I work.

Stumpwork Embroidery - Mushrooms Part 2 / Stems and grasses

I have been very lapse with the blog I'm afraid - so I'd really like to remind everyone that I do post more regularly on Facebook and Instagram - mainly because I can add a simple sentence, as opposed to writing a blog that I am convinced is terribly boring...

So, what's been happening? Well, if you missed it we have brought out a little set of stumpwork embroidery tools. The above video is part 2 of a little series to show how to use them with a basic piece of embroidery - and hopefully inspire you to take it even further. Part 1 is of course available over on YouTube :)

We've been busy getting in new stock - expanding our embroidery range slowly (we've some gorgeous Rajmahal embroidery kits in stock), adding fabulous Wonderfil threads, and last week we finally have been able to start stocking Japanese Nori paste - which is the perfect glue for Kanzashi flowers. All of the Japanese craft books use it. 

It is also great for pasting fine papers for journals and fabrics. Just a really nice, non-toxic glue with a history dating back to 1899! I'm personally really pleased we are able to stock this, as I really like the product.

So, there's a quick catch up as I go back to doing paperwork - oh joy!!

Have a great day!

 

Tutorial - The "Changing Sides" button

Well, I have been rather lapse here on the blog, haven't I?

Just a little heads-up, if you "do" facebook or Instagram, that's probably the best place to find out what I'm up to in between posts...

Very busy week plus - our machine died, and we now cannot manufacture anything until the new one arrives next week. We've been re-arranging the unit, finding a place to put it, and generally sorting out. Certainly needed, but I'd rather be working on getting kits packed!

Speaking of working on, busy busy designing the next kits - something quite different, but that we've wanted to do for a very long time. I hope you all will like it. 

So, although we had a sell out - and it won't be available again until next week - I have also posted up a product support video for the Basketweave Button Kit, you'll find it here -

https://youtu.be/3PVUftd1yyc

Making gold tassels for the Royal Mews

Something a little different for my latest video.

I've been working on these tassels for many years, it is a wonderful experience to be entrusted with the fine materials and to know that these will play a role in important events for years to come.

Many have asked about the process, so while this isn't strictly a tutorial, you can see how these are put together.

Making a Round Twist Box

Here we are, another video!

Our new twist box templates sold out rather quickly when we launched on the Create & Craft channel - thank you! We were not expecting that. 

But of course, that means that the demonstration must be stopped as UK broadcasting law for TV shopping says so.

Which is always so annoying to people watching a craft channel. So, here's the steps for the round box, the square and hexagon (also included in the set) are a little easier as the base is made in one piece. But otherwise, they are made the same.

I do hope this helps.

I hope you are all enjoying the spring? We've had some rubbish weather, but as I write (waiting for a BT engineer to fix the internet connection and using a temporary one), the sun is shining bright and showing the bit that I missed dusting... haha! 

Making a Yorkshire Flower button

Here's a new idea for your Yorkshire button loom - and I know that many of you will take this one a level or two and use the flowers on so many other textile projects. In fact, I'm reminded that quite a few of you already make cards with Yorkshire button flowers, and gorgeous they are too!

It's funny really - back when we created our first Yorkshire button kit 5 years ago, there wasn't one commercial kit on the market. We spent a lot of time testing the best tabs, material and sizes. Until then, people used cardboard looms or pins (as I describe in my Buttons book). Since then, we've been copied quite a few times - sadly, usually by people who have actually bought from us! And that is why we call our kit "The original & best". 😀

Don't forget, you can get our kit over on our website -

https://www.ginabsilkworks.co.uk/

Making a coiled gimp cord button - new tutorial

I hope everyone is doing well? As I write, it is snowing here in Lincolnshire, and can't quite make up it's mind if it is staying around for a while. At least I have lots of layers on!

Been quite busy recently, juggling as you do. So, the latest YouTube is a little shorter than usual - which may mean it ends up my most watched :)

I've given an online course and am preparing for a few more, as well as working on new products. And a few commissions too. And goodness, we are about to get into spring cleaning season!

I have even bigger plans for a clear out this year. I've even started - and things are being sorted properly for recycling. hmmm.

Speaking of YouTube, we have a plan for a new series of videos. It is however taking some practice on my part. Fingers crossed it will work. If it does, you will of course find out about it here first!

Keep warm and well and safe everyone, and thanks for stopping by

Three Ribs Grantham Button how-to

A new video over on YouTube today. This was a special request, so I hope that it helps! I've also added the way that I work the zig zag pattern at the end. I enjoy adding those sorts of details.

For those of you who don't know, this is a design from my Grantham Buttons booklet, using the Grantham Button looms/templates from our kit. You could, with patience work this using my original basketweave method (from by Buttons, A Passementerie Workshop Manual) - wrapping around the central stick, but I do honestly think the looms are easier for these fun buttons. 

I do like getting special requests for videos - I can't always promise to do them, but I can certainly pop them on the list and see how it goes! Sometimes the suggestions are perfect - when I get stuck for ideas!

Making an embroidered bookmarker - with ladybugs & fingerloop braids

Well, my first post of this year is a bit late in coming! 

If you have followed me for any length of time, you'll know that I really don't like January - there always seems to be too much paperwork, its too cold, too dark, and the month too long.

It's nearly over now, yay!

This video shows the process I took to make the multi strand bookmarker that I created for our "Monthly Makes 2023" challenge on our Facebook group. 

I decided to only really monitor this in the Facebook group, and the button challenge and checking in across social media while still running the business became a little stressful at times last year. However, I do intend to repeat the weekly button challenge again, just not this year.

Basically, for the new challenge there are two sets of words, written on on pieces of paper. These are folded and placed into two little bowls (a certain dessert brand's bowls come in handy for this type of thing!).
At the beginning of the month, I will draw one from each and film it.

Those two words are the prompt.

Anything with a bit of textile can be made. No rules really. Use your stash perhaps, or try new techniques.

January's two words are 

RED

CREATURE

And so, these ladybugs are my red creatures!

#monthlymake2023 #monthlymakejan #redcreature

Introducing Gina's Grantham Button!

In this video I'll introduce our latest button template kit - Gina's Grantham Button©! 

 Why "Grantham"? Well, simply because we are based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK! 

And, if you make these using the right colour of wool they do rather resemble the famous Grantham gingerbread... ;) 

The basic basket weave pattern of the button CAN be found on historic examples. I first published a method of weaving this in my "Buttons, A Passementerie Workshop Manual" book. That method worked directly onto the button mould, and works very well. 

Over the years I've acquired a couple of originals, an the backing made me think that, on these two at least, the method was perhaps a little different (hard to tell, as both have linen thread backs which of course I will not cut!). This led me on to thinking about forms and templates. After a lot of experimentation, Mark & I came up with these. 

And the added bonus, you can make soft, tactile, balls or domes, or button covers.  

I'll also be bringing out a booklet with variations on the basic weave, as I have come up with quite a few! 

Button back ideas - finishing Dorset, thread & handmade buttons / Facebo...

Well, at the beginning of the month I did a little Facebook live over in our group. It nearly didn't happen, but I got there in the end. 

I decided that I would upload the recording to YouTube - after all, the info in it is as helpful to everyone else (I hope) as it was to those who were able to tune in. 

Of course, these ideas are not the only ones - I seemed to have forgotten quite a few that I use. But hopefully, this will give you some ideas for finishing your buttons.

Japanese Girl's Day hanging decoration - hishikazari with woven wraps / ...

My latest video is now live - having just had a show on Craft Extra, I thought it might be nice to do a video showing a technique that I talked about. Making hishikazari are fun, and a great way to use up threads. But, what if you want to add a little extra? Well, needle weaving is your friend. When isn't it ;) I'm really just making this up as I go along - which shows that you can too. You can get even more complicated if you like too of course!

All orders from both shows are now on their way, the Bank Holiday and postal strike wasn't helpful! Another strike next week I think. Oh well. 

I've decided I'm going to attempt a Facebook live this Saturday - in our Facebook group. If everything manages to work, I may well try one going to YouTube too. Let's see. Then again, the camera or software may let me down and then... 

Yorkshire cactus pincushion - Yorkshire button craft / fun project with ...

As I say in this video, I'm sure this has been inspired by the heatwave! 

There are probably a lot of cactii in Yorkshire in reality, but the thought of Yorkshire Cactii as a thing tickled me. 

I made a smaller version of this on one of my Create and Craft shows. The thing is, these little Yorkies (as many in our Facebook group currently refer to them as) are quite addictive. So using them to create something like this is fun and actually quite mindful too.

I also have a bit of an obsession with pincushions. I make quite a lot of them. Odd. Perhaps it is because, like buttons, they are a nice project that won't take ages.

Of course, we all need pincushions! But not just for sewing pins. I know, most of us won't be using hat pins, but you can use a pincushion for brooches and badges too remember.

Take care everyone, stay hydrated and as cool as you can. 

Another Dorset Button! How to make a Dorset Flower Button / plus chain s...

Look at me! On a roll at the moment! 

A quick little video for making a Dorset Flower button. I've also added an idea for adding extra colour - and how to create a "chain stitch" border. It's a nice touch that can be added to most Dorset designs.

This button is included in my book, Dorset Ring Buttons, available over on my website.

Stay hydrated everyone - seems the weather is going to get hot here in the UK again next week, and I know it is elsewhere too.

How to join Teneriffe Lace Medallions & Motifs - plus a few fillings / m...

I have been a bit lapse, haven't I? I have been keeping up over at the One Button a Week blog, but keeping two can be a bit hard sometimes. Sorry.

So here is a new video which I've been promising for a while. I hope it helps some of you! 

Next week is a biggie - I'm launching the next book in the "Making Buttons" series - Zwirnknopf Buttons - on Create & Craft on Saturday at 3pm. So, there is a lot to do! 

Watch this space - I'll pop a picture up in the week.

Thanks for stopping by

Ivy Covered Log Studio Button - walkthrough

Hi everyone! It has been a little while since I updated this blog. Of course I am updating the One Button a Week blog every week (do pop over and have a look!), so I am not neglecting things really, I just haven't got that much to say. I'm sure you don't want to read me just writing for the sake of it!

I decided to try a slightly different take on things for this video. Goodness, that wasn't a good idea! Usually, I know what I am filming, do it in quite an organised way, and Mark is able to edit it based a lot of my silences - or simply by me turning of the camera for anything repetitive. Well, not this one. I did not know how this was going to turn out - or what I was filming. So the editing took forever - I had to do it as Mark couldn't remotely figure it out, and I had to narrate afterwards and it just took ages. Not really cost effective by way of time, haha. I hope that you enjoy it though.

Speaking of time, can you believe it is already nearly a month since we were last on Create & Craft? Well, we are back this coming Tuesday (the 26th) and the show will feature Teneriffe Lace. Which hasn't been on your screens for at least a year. I'm looking forward to it and have been making some lace (spoiler alert, there will at least one lace themed video next week to add to the playlist).

Take care of yourselves, thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend - or week, depending on when you are reading this.

Multiple Small Tassel tutorial / Making matching mini tassels the easy way!

Hello everyone. We are living in troubling times, and sometimes it feels as though we shouldn't carry on with the "normal" things. However, when we can't do anything else, we probably should be normal. So, here's a new video. I had to make a set of tassels recently, and thought it would be good to film the process, in the hopes that I would be able to put together a video. 

This was an odd process for me - I usually make something having planned what I will film, and what you need to see. Which can mean starting again if I think I missed something. This time though, I wasn't going to start again, as I'd ordered in the silk for the job!

So, I just turned the camera on, and then had to do a fair bit of editing

:)

This method of making matching, small tassels can be used to make literally loads - a long table, two clamps, and you can make all the small tassels you might need to add to, say, a fancy woven fringe.

In other news, have you been over to the One Button a Week blog? Wow, we've had some terrific buttons! There really are some incredibly talented people out there. Do pop over and take a look and be inspired!

Stay well and safe all of you.