i have just designed and written my first pattern! i am so excited to share it with you! it’s a little patchwork ribbon-tied pouch:

i designed it to fit a deck of tarot cards, but it’s a very versatile and practical size for all kinds of things. my friend ren, of hollyhock hollow did a test-sew for me and she’s using hers to store little packets of seeds in - it hangs from her pinboard by its wee ribbons!

this is one of those great projects that only takes an hour or two, and that you can whip up using a couple of fat quarters. if you wanted to make it really patchy-looking you could even cut out all the pieces from different fabrics in your scrap bag!

i’ve written up the pattern (with instructions that ren swears are easy to follow!), and i’ve drawn little pictures to elucidate any bits that might seem tricky. it’s free for you to download, and i hope you enjoy it very much.

do leave a comment if you’re downloading it - and if you’re so inclined, drop back with a photo of your finished pouch!

enjoy!

til next time,
essie xoxox

p.s. there is now a link in the sidebar to patterns that i make, so that you can find what you’re looking for when you come back

it’s been a while since i made an inspiration quilt, but a new year seems like a good time to make one - i’d like 2009 to be full of creativity and inspiration!

i thought i’d do something a little bit different with this one, and focus on the music that inspires me. i love to have music playing while i’m pottering away with a stitchery or at the sewing machine, and sometimes a lyric or a riff will stir something inside me that manifests itself in whatever i happen to be creating.

here are nine artists/bands that i love to listen to while i’m crafting:

they are (left to right, top to bottom):

luka bloom
if i had to choose one artist, and was never allowed to listen to any other music ever, i’d pick luka and never regret it for a moment. he’s an irish singer/songwriter who has a prodigious talent with the guitar, and an ability to write songs that speak to the soul. i love him so much that i actually have some of his lyrics tattooed on me!
my favourite songs: ‘hudson lady’, ‘blackerry time’, ‘june’… i could go on, but we’d be here all day!

van morrison
of course you know who this man is. he’s iconic. magnificent.
my favourite song: ‘wonderful remark”

jigzag
an australian folk trio with uplifiting lyrics, and good energy. my partner and i first encountered them at the port fairy folk festival a few years ago, and we’ve been fans ever since.
my favourite song: ‘jericho’

kate rusby
this gorgeous woman takes traditional folk songs and manages to inject them with a fresh beauty while remaining true to their roots. i don’t know how she does it, but i’m in awe.
my favourite songs: ‘a rose in april’, ‘playing of ball’, ‘drowned lovers’

the audreys
my mum got me onto this australian group. very accomplished musicianship, hauntingly beautiful vocals, and relly outstanding songwriting. i’m really looking forward to seeing them live in march.
my favourite songs: ‘more to a sinner’, ‘long ride’

frida hyvönen
this is one talented woman - she’s a swedish singer/songwriter who’s speciality is piano-based folk. her songs tell stories, and they are unique. well worth a listen
my favourite song: ‘london!’

loreena mckennitt
loreena sings like someone from another world - faerie perhaps. her music is deeply rooted in folk tradition and she has her own take on many folk classics, as well as beautiful originals. i think the best adjective for her is ‘ethereal’.
my favourite song: ‘dante’s prayer’

indigo girls
big, gutsy guitar sounds, satisfyingly bold harmonies and truly poetic lyrics. no wonder these women are among the most celebrated folk artists of the last couple of decades. i love them to bits.
my favourite songs: ‘power of two’, ‘land of canaan’, ’strange fire’

rachel unthank and the winterset
one word: clogs. some more words: awesome, gorgeous, harmonic, unique. do yourself a favour and have a listen.
my favourite song: ‘fareweel regality’

so who are your favourite artists? whose tunes do you bop along to while you sew? i’d love to hear some recommendations in the commnts!

til next time,
essie xoxo