Category: Ruth Singer

I’m looking for willing sewing people to test out the patterns for my new book.Here’s the deal: This is entirely unpaid, I’m afraid. You will need to test out the pattern instructions and diagrams within 2 weeks of receipt of the pattern. I am not able to supply fabrics (unless there is something hard to…

My obsession with old sewing books goes on. This one – And So To Embroider – was a manual for the Needlework Development Scheme, designed to improve needlework in schools. 1950s embroidery patterns. I love ’em! I’m particularly fixated with circular patterns. I can’t actually embroider, really. I just like the designs. One day I’ll…

I’ve been doing a bit of sorting out at the studio. Exploring boxes that haven’t really been looked at in years. This box of beads and bits of jewellery surprised me – so many lovely things I’d forgotten I had, and lots of memories crammed in this little box. If you click on the image…

I’m trying to post more regularly. I managed to do two posts yesterday by accident, such is my keenness! It is a bit challenging when what I am working on at the moment is secret projects for my new book. So the blog might be a bit random for a while (what is new, you…

Some weeks ago I bought myself this stunning pendant from Tinctory as an end-of-book celebration. There were quite a few shopping-related celebrations, which have had to cease. But this necklace will bring me delight for a long, long time. Similar in shape, but completely different in most other ways, I have been making a set…

I love the colours and flaking paint on these old garage doors. Normally there are cars parked in front of them, and I usually whip past on my bike. Last week I went this way on foot (instead of my normal pedestrian route) and found them, rain-dampened and car-free. They remind me of beach huts,…

I made my first ever quilt! Very badly. Don’t look close. I hope Billy’s parents don’t notice. I’m sure they will have other, way more important, things to think about. I just hope its big enough – he was born a whopping 9lb 1 oz. Its a very simple design, a patchwork of scraps in…

At the moment, I’m designing the projects for my next book. For me, part of the design process involves going through my heaps of fabric and other bits looking for the right inspirational bit. It also generates another necessary activity -that of tidying up. My studio is permanently in a state of fabric-induced chaos. I…

Today I ran a workshop: organised by Helen: We did ruffles, pleats, frills, suffolk puffs and folded-ribbony-things. It was fun.Thanks Helen! And I wore my new skirt. That was fun too.

I have finally received my comp copy of Pretty Little Patchwork from Lark, which includes my apron design: Started browsing: book is nice, I like how my apron has been photographed, probably should check the directions…..then suddenly I realise that my pattern pieces aren’t in there. No templates, no diagrams… The patchwork panels on the…