Kajsa Kinsella - Sew Scandinavian: 35 stylish projects to stitch

Sew
SCANDINAVIAN

Sew

SCANDINAVIAN

35 stylish projects to stitch

Kajsa Kinsella

For my husband and children, with all my love and admiration.

Published in 2015 by CICO Books

an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

2021 Jockeys Fields, London WC1R 4BW

341 E 116th St, New York NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text Kajsa Kinsella 2015

Design and photography CICO Books 2015

The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress and the British Library.

eISBN: 978-1-78249-625-0

ISBN: 981 1 78249 241 2

Printed in China

Editor: Sarah Hoggett

Designer: Geoff Borin

Photographer: Penny Wincer

Step by step photography: Kajsa Kinsella

Stylist: Nel Haynes

Illustrator: Stephen Dew

In-house editor: Miriam Catley

Art director: Sally Powell

Production controller: Mai-Ling Collyer

Publishing manager: Penny Craig

Publisher: Cindy Richards

CONTENTS

Growing up in southern Sweden in a very creative family of six, I was constantly fed with visual ideas, techniques, materials, and design challenges. My sisters and I were never ever bored; with the fantastic Scandinavian natural world literally on our doorstep, there was always something to make or do and we used what we could find outside to build tree houses, go on excursions, and play games. The winters were as ice cold as the summers were hotand even though my fingers still suffer from frostbite every now and then, my fascination for snow will remain for life. All the seasons of Scandinavia are vividly individual and so beautiful that it is not hard to see where the inspiration for all our beautiful patterns, color combinations, and designs comes from. Just fight the mosquitoes long enough to watch the sun go down over those rolling northern hills and youll know instantly what I mean.

One of my absolute favorite pastimes when I visit Sweden now is to root through every flea market going for those distinctly Nordic fabrics and notions. We sure do love our pale stripes, Dala horses, braided hearts, and retro patterns! Over centuries Scandinavia has developed a distinct and unique style, which anyone can spot as being Nordic in an instant.

To celebrate the launch of this book, I have brought to life an old dream of mineto create my own range of Scandinavian handmade interior decorations and useful items for around the home. My hope with this book is that you, too, will discover or re-discover a passion for all things Nordic. My projects are made to be easy to follow, and with only a little bit of practice you should be well able to create your very own Scandi-style home.

Enjoy and welcome to my Northern world!

As the oldest manufacturer of pottery, earthenware, and porcelain in Finland, Arabia is deservedly famous throughout Scandinavia and the world. Founded in 1873, it has given us heaps of gorgeously designed crockery. The ones I love the most are the white and blue types, and here I have made an attempt to create a mid-century design of my own in Arabia style.

YOU WILL NEED

15 x 43 in. (38 x 109 cm) natural linen fabric

13 x 13 in. (35 x 35 cm) dark blue-and-white polka-dot fabric

Dark blue embroidery floss (thread)

White sewing thread

Basic kit (see )

On all four sides of the linen fabric, fold over a double -in. (1-cm) hem and press well. Machine stitch around all four sides.

Along each of the two short edges, embroider three dark-blue crosses. Start with the middle cross: the center circle should sit 6 in. (17 cm) in from the side edges and 2 in. (5 cm) from up the bottom edge and should be in. (1 cm) in diameter. Sew the circles in satin stitch (see ) and the lines connecting them in straight stitch, leaving 1 in. (2.5 cm) between the bottom circle and the bottom edge of the linen. Position the remaining two crosses centrally between the side edge and the center cross.

Cut out four circles of dark blue-and-white polka-dot fabric about 3 in. (8 cm) in diameter, trying to position the dots in the same place on each circle.

Fold the linen in half widthwise and press with a hot iron to mark the center. Place two circles on the center crease, 1 in. (3 cm) from the long edges, and the remaining two circles in between them, 1 in. (4 cm) from the center crease.

Thread your machine with white sewing thread and carefully stitch around the edge of each circle.

Using the same shade of dark blue embroidery floss that you used earlier and following the ironed crease line, sew a line of straight stitches between the two circles nearest the long edges of the runner. Repeat between the two remaining circles. Press the linen carefullyits a gorgeous fabric, but it creases really easily!