Hello! Welcome to the first issue of The Good Scissors.
When I was younger, my best friend Roxie and I (both crafty queens 👸) would sit in our bedrooms crafting until bedtime. One of our favourite activities was to make art whilst pretending to talk to a camera and explaining every step as if we were presenting Art Attack (love you Neil). We must have been ahead of our time and I guess I was destined to become a craft content creator.. Anyway, our other favourite crafty past-time was making our own magazines. We took it very seriously. The one I have remaining in my memory box (see below photo) was a card-making magazine called “Smart Art Mag”. It even had an advice column with (made up) letters from readers and free craft samples!
I then went on to grow up in the era of the early 2000s romcom, in which every cool female protagonist worked for a magazine. By the 2010s I was a teenager with a computer, and I would spend an embarrassing amount of time making interactive PowerPoint presentations, personalising my Piczo page and designing custom Bebo skins (I’m really sorry if you’re a Gen Z and have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about).
I rediscovered my love of arts & crafts in my mid-20s and started sharing my work on Instagram in my late 20s. Needless to say Substack was like catnip to me. There’s that quote about how “finding yourself” is actually about getting back to who you were and what you loved as a child. Now, I’m my early 30s, I’ve found this to be 100% true. I spent a lot of time in my early adulthood trying to “figure out who I am” and what my career path should be, and how to be “successful”. Turns out I just wanted to be making beautiful things with my hands. It was that simple, now I barely go a single day without making something and that is definitely “success” to me.
I want this magazine to be a place where I can talk about everything I’ve been making and share all the things that have been filling my creative cup, in the hope that my readers are inspired to make something with their hands. I know what it’s like to feel lost in life and to really WANT to make art but have no idea how or where to begin - so I also hope to fill this magazine with tips, advice, tutorials and guides that might kickstart your creativity.
Thank you so much for reading!
Kate
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What have I been making this summer?
I’ve been mostly sewing this month, aside from a small cross-stitch project and a bit of learning how to filet crochet (see the Inspiration Shelf section for more on this!), and I’ve made some GORGEOUS patterns. Three out of four of the patterns I used this month were new to me and I would recommend all of them…
This was my first time using a Silversaga pattern. I’ve been eyeing up her patterns for a long time on Instagram and I decided that this vintage Laura Ashley cotton would be perfect for the Celine Blouse. It’s floaty and romantic and very “Dôen summer” vibes. The pattern was really clear and I found the accompanying YouTube tutorial helpful. I also like the use of really small hems which I think adds to the chic floaty aesthetic. The one thing I might change next time is taking a bit of volume out of the sleeves, as they are very puffy at the top and make me feel a bit disproportionately wide. I’m excited to make more Celine blouses and will definitely be trying out more Silversaga patterns. (Made between a size UK 10 & 12)
This was June’s tablecloth transformation, which is possibly my favourite one yet. I used Puff & Pencil’s ‘design your own pattern’ system where you can combine different base tops, sleeve and collars. This is the Tie Top with Puff Sleeves and the Peggy Collar. I had to do a few things differently as I wanted to keep the original hems on the bodice and sleeves - and this meant I couldn’t use the facings included in the pattern so I had to attach the collar differently. I also wanted to do button/snap closures instead of the tie closures in the pattern. I’m currently working on a YouTube video to take you through this exact process using this pattern because I know a lot of people want to do a tablecloth transformation but have a fear of cutting into them and then messing it up!! I’ve used this pattern loads of times and it’s one of the easiest I’ve ever made. (Made in size small)
Rosie is known for her bag patterns, and I’ve tried a lot of them! This is her latest pattern which I knew was destined for this polka dot cotton twill I’ve had since November. I’ve made the famous BF Bestie Bag a few times, as well as numerous totes and toiletry bags, but this was my first foray into things like bag hardware and bag foam. The result is the most professionally-made and stunnnning handbag! My boyfriend and mum were particularly surprised by this make, saying it looked like I’d bought it from a shop (I guess that’s a compliment?). It has a drawstring top as well as a little clip that you can make to hold the short handles together, which makes them sit much nicer when you’re wearing it cross-body. As with all Rosie Caldwell patterns, the instructions were impeccable and her accompanying YouTube video made it super easy to follow. It was also my first time doing a welt pocket, which again, I found very easy to accomplish with this lovely pattern.
Tablecloth Midi Skirt
This project has been on my list for AGES and I’ve even had the perfect tablecloth sitting in my stash. I want to make a simple elasticated-waist midi skirt (like in the inspo pic below left) using this lovely cotton tablecloth with a cut-out pattern. I think I’ll need to line the skirt as the cut-outs will go all the way up the skirt and I don’t want to be showing off my pants. I’ve made a few skirts like this before and don’t think a pattern is necessary, but if you fancy making something similar I know there are great YouTube tutorials by Rosery Apparel and Sydney Graham.
I would really love to know what you’ve been making this summer, and what’s still on your list!
A few of the things that have been quietly inspiring me this month, gathered together in the hope they might spark something for you too.
The Fabled Thread is a small business based in London, offering the most beautiful embroidery and needlepoint kits you’ve ever seen. The owner, Eppie Thompson, is a creative genius. Her designs are stunning and her taste is impeccable. Once you’ve finished your embroidery you can buy one of their gorgeous hand-painted frames in order to hang your new artwork, or you can buy one of their framing kits which includes everything you need to create a frame worthy of your embroidered masterpiece.
The other reason I wanted to highlight The Fabled Thread is because of their membership space, The Studio. It includes a bi-weekly newsletter which is “packed with craft guides, behind-the-scenes articles, artist features and more” - you can read some of the articles on the Journal for free and they’re always full of gorgeous inspiration. I really loved the one about Decorative Furniture Painting, which I definitely recommend if you’ve ever fancied hand-painting some pieces for your home.
This traditional form of crochet is really having a resurgence at the minute. Always one to be easily influenced by a Pinterest trend, and an avid crocheter myself, I wanted to learn how to make my own filet crochet pieces. Every tutorial Janelle makes is incredibly easy to follow and this one is no exception. She includes a free chart that you can follow with a clear step-by-step tutorial, and even teaches you how to create your own filet crochet designs using a stitch chart. If you like crochet and want to get into this dreamy cottagecore craft then Janelle’s video is definitely the place to start.
I have dabbled in embroidery before and half-heartedly attempted a cross-stitch kit but I’ve never found a particular love for it, always finding it a bit too fiddly…
Then, a few weeks ago this cross-stitch sampler (see photo above) popped up in my Pinterest feed and I suddenly HAD to start cross-stitching. Do you ever get that feeling when you see a craft and decide you must immediately start learning this new skill until you’re able to conjure up the beautiful piece in your mind? I think it’s something about the colours used in this sampler, and I just find all of the letters so beautiful. As you might have noticed at the top, I decided to cross-stitch the name of my magazine on a piece of vintage linen to use as the title image. I’m SO happy with how it turned out and I found the process incredibly satisfying… the way the letter starts to form with every cross you make.
I might delve further into the world of cross stitch in future issues - leave me a comment if you want to know more about how I created my title image. If you’re already familiar with cross-stitch and want to have a go at recreating these letters, you can download the stitch template I used here.
Some bits & pieces made by talented creatives that I’ve been lusting over recently.
The creative mind behind Cotton & Ochre, Lisa, designs all sorts of quilty and patchwork goodness for sewing lovers. As well as these woven labels she sells project planners, stickers, notepads and lots more. All of her designs are adorable!!
I recently discovered this magazine when I bought an older issue in a little sewing shop. There are 11 sewing patterns in this issue, and they all look gorgeous. I love the aesthetic of TAUKO, it’s incredibly chic and I think really stands out in the world of sewing magazines, which can sometimes feel a little bit old-fashioned or twee.
Pixel Illustrated Screen Printed Tee by Cáit McEniff
Cáit McEniff is a talented illustrator and textile artist who I’ve followed on Instagram for a long time - I fell in love with her inspiring appliqué wall hangings. She has just released this gorge screenprinted t-shirt featuring little pixel folklorey illustrations. I don’t know how many she will be selling so they might not be around for long!! I’ve already ordered mine and I’m excited to start wearing it.
Free Form by Jessie Cutts
'The most incredible book. I think everyone, whether you’re a quilter or not, should buy this book. This is one of the most inspiring sewing books that I have seen in a long long time’ - The Fold Line
Last month I went to a plant pot workshop run by Jess Ellis who makes the most beautiful and whimsical ceramics. While I was there I purchased one of her tiny little swan ornaments which are ADORABLE - she also makes them as bottle-stoppers which would be such a gorgeous gift. Another thing I have my eye on is her little frilly miniature plant pots which can be used to hold matchsticks, looks sooo chic.
Before we rush into the second half of the year, let’s take a moment to celebrate what’s been made, gather fresh inspiration, and think about how we’d like the coming months to feel. I’ve written some journal prompts to help with your gentle mid-year reset. (I know it’s a little past mid-year now but when I had this idea it was the start of June, it’s just taken me a while to actually make this! 🫣)
This year I’ve loved making…
Projects I’m most proud of…
Something I rescued instead of buying new…
The most joyful thing I thrifted…
A new skill I learned or a creative risk that paid off…
What are some fabrics or items you’ve been dying to make something with or transform?
Do you have anything to mend or alter that’s been sitting around for months?
What are some creative ideas you jotted down this year but haven’t returned to? Could you come back to these now?
List five realistic projects you’d love to finish before autumn.
Instead of just decluttering, think:
What corners of my home make me happiest?
Which room deserves a little love?
What handmade touches have I been wanting to add?
How do I want my home to feel?
It’s good to set some intentions for the next few months of thrifting! Keep a list so that you always know what you’re looking for when you’re at the charity shop or thrift store.
Some things on my thrift wishlist are:
Embroidered tablecloths
Brass candlesticks
Linen napkins
Vintage buttons & ribbon
Wicker baskets
We’re already into July! Think of what you’d like to do before the end of summer. I’ve started you off with some:
Visit a car boot sale (or garage/estate sale)
Sew or craft outside
Transform a piece of vintage fabric
Dry flowers
Have a crafty afternoon with friends
Take your analogue bag to the park or beach & spend an afternoon off your phone
Finally, I’ve made this creative manifesto which you can write down in your journal to act as gentle reminders for the rest of the year.
Thank you SO much for reading the first issue of The Good Scissors. I hope you enjoyed and got some creative inspiration for the month ahead!
Please leave a comment and feel free to like/repost if you did have fun reading this. I would appreciate your support a lot <3
Kate
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