Going Dutch

Amsterdam is known for its canals, red light district and coffee shops. But what they don't tell you in the guidebooks is how full of detail the city is. Aside from the ubiquitous XXX city symbol – which appears everywhere from street poles to flags to buildings – there's graffiti, ornately carved stonework, creepers climbing the walls, personalised houseboats, flower boxes on bridges, decorated bicycles… and no billboards. It's an inspiring place with interesting sights around almost every corner, just waiting to trigger an idea:












I visited two or three craft stores, but Den Haan & Wagenmakers was the one that stood out. It's a quilt/fabric shop that reproduces Dutch chintz from the 17th and 18th centuries. The store also stocks vintage reproduction cotton quilting fabric and I recommend a visit if you find yourself in Amsterdam.

The Albert Cuyp market is another must if you're looking for fabric. There are quite a few stalls selling fabric, but the bigger stores are behind the stalls. Look out for them – they have a great selection for everything from coats to quilts and a substantial selection of notions as well.

For some more interesting shots of the city, head over to my friend Kath's blog.

Eye candy for stitchers

I love the paraphernalia that comes with needlework. I think we all do. Haberdasheries, fabric stores and stash drawers are the things dreams are made of – quite often literally – and sifting, sorting, winding, folding and organising threads, fabric and notions is my kind of therapy. Neat rows of sewing supplies appeal to my innate sense of order, and old-fashioned and vintage reproduction supplies push all the right buttons.

So my breath caught and my stomach did a little flip-flop when I discovered Merchant & Mills. Their notions are drool inducing. I know the packaging is playing with my emotions on a huge level, and that the goods themselves likely look the same as those I already have. But why have ordinary looking supplies when your stitching paraphernalia can look like this? Sigh.

The Stitch and Thimble

It's done. I finished it. The inaugural issue of the Stitch and Thimble is now available.


There are five hand embroidery projects in issue 01, which I hope you'll agree is a steal at just £5. And I've kept the file size to a minimum to avoid it clogging up your inbox.

I'm not going to go into too much detail here, because it's all on my website. Please pop over there to take a look and pick up a copy if it tickles your fancy.

(There are some pics of the projects inside on flickr)

Bloomin’ Marvellous : 12

Finally, the 12th and last bloom. Which I can post now that I have my computer back and didn't lose any data, phew. I like the geometry of this one, and couldn’t resist another clustered centre, just with smaller beads.


This series took me way longer in the end than planned, so thank you for sticking around. Hopefully it was worth the wait.

I've made my 12 embroidered blocks into a sideboard runner, which I'll photograph and post soonest. What have you done with yours? I’d love to see your finished items, so please leave a comment that links me back to you, email me, get in touch through my website or post a pic to flickr.

I’m a bit swamped at the moment finishing off the first issue of the Stitch and Thimble, which I hope you’re going to love (fingers are extremely crossed). But I’ve briefed my brain to come up with ideas for another free series and hopefully it throws something at me soon — I’m keen to start some new projects.

Get the pattern for Bloomin' Marvellous 12 on my website, along with links to stitch libraries and books.