Mary Jane Baxter - Sew on the Go: A Makers Journey

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

Chic on a Shoestring: Simple to Sew Vintage-style Accessories

The Modern Girls Guide to Hatmaking: Fabulous Hats and Headbands to Fashion at Home

Sew on the Go is a book about determination, inspiration, laughter and loneliness. It is also about creative and physical freedom, a freedom that both Brexit and the global coronavirus pandemic have sorely tested. I took the freedom to travel for granted and have recently been reminded that it is an enormous privilege.

Let us make every mile matter.

This book is dedicated to the Hosking Houses Trust, with thanks for all its support.

Mary Jane Baxter

You set off thinking you know the way,

And point yourself in the right direction.

At first, the road is clear,

You feel elated.

Free.

As time passes, doubt sets in. The path

No longer as straight as it seemed.

There are endless twists and turns.

Unexpected obstacles are scattered everywhere.

You keep on going. Hoping that

Somewhere down the line

Youll calibrate your compass

And set your sights on True North.

But has it crossed your mind that the goal may

Have shifted?

Has your South replaced your North?

Is your East now your West?

Things change.

To get your bearings, you must

Stop. Look. Listen.

Stay alert for that still small voice,

The one that will help you find your heart

And finally lead you home.

Mary Jane Baxter

This book is based on a journey I made around Europe in my Mobile Makery aka Bambi my vintage camper van turned quirky craft studio on wheels. This is my third book. My previous titles, Chic on a Shoestring and The Modern Girls Guide to Hatmaking , are both full of creative projects that everyone can try, whatever their level of skill. However, acquiring Bambi fired up my imagination. I was eager to seek out pastures new and to open myself up to fresh inspiration and experiences.

Travelling encourages creativity. You might see a familiar object in a different setting and find yourself thinking of unusual ways in which to use it. You might meet someone who shares their love of a local craft with you and decide to try it for yourself. Or you might come across a treasure thats way beyond your budget but that could be reproduced to some extent back at home. I hope this book will encourage you to think differently about what can be achieved.

Like lots of other people, I often go off the beaten track during my travels. I try and avoid the tourist hotspots and prefer instead to explore hidden places. Ive always enjoyed rooting around in street markets and brocantes French for second-hand markets for unusual and inexpensive bits and pieces to take home. Its fun to hunt for thrifty little treasures a fragrant bunch of lavender from a field in France, a delicately coloured crochet doily from a charity shop in Wales or a remnant of faded vintage fabric from an Italian street market. The trouble is that, once home, these items are often put away at the bottom of a drawer and soon get forgotten about. How much more satisfying to turn these personal mementos into something pretty or useful (or both) to remind you of happy times. Thats when you need this book. Never again will you be stuck for something to make out of those postcards you didnt send, or the hand-worked tapestry you bought for a song.

But lets be honest: not every adventure can be turned into a handicraft. Youll also read about the ups and downs of life on the road, the melancholy that sometimes goes hand in hand with travelling solo, and the doubts about whether I could make it back in one piece. And there are things you definitely shouldnt try at home! The encounter with the elderly campsite Lothario, the near-death experience in the Gorges du Verdon, and a cautionary tale about taking your ageing camper van up over the Alps on a black ski run.

In this book youll find suggestions for clothes, quirky souvenirs and upcycled home accessories, all reflecting the fascinating people I met, the beautiful places I visited and the interesting objects I unearthed during my travels. There are no-sew projects, as well as simple hand-stitch ideas and some that benefit from the use of a sewing machine. Turn to the back, and youll find all of the makes listed in order, with a key to tell you which ones are best constructed using a sewing machine (sm), which are best hand sewn (hs), and which require neither. Most of the projects here are relatively straightforward, but Ive also included a couple more challenging ideas that require some prior knowledge of certain sewing terms. For instance, to make the Romantic Travelling Cape (), Ill guide you through drafting a simple pattern, while for the latter youll also need to know how to attach bias binding. However, Ive made a conscious decision not to include a sewing manual with an explanation of sewing techniques and stitches, as I felt that doing so would change the nature of the book. So if youre unsure about what I mean by tacking, whip stitch, gathering or hem allowance, then please ask a friend or relative, or refer to the many excellent resources available on the internet.

I suggest dipping your toe into one of the easier projects to start with and then, when youve built up your confidence, you can have a go at something more stretching. If youve never sewn before, I hope this book will inspire you to learn and find out more. Sewing is a life skill and we need to pass it on to the next generation.

This isnt necessarily the craft book I originally planned, nor the one you might expect, but creativity is like that it doesnt always follow a straight line. Wrong turns are part of the process. So tear up the map and come and join me! Whether youre a crafter, a camper-van enthusiast or simply thinking about a change in direction, jump on board the Mobile Makery and see where it takes you. I hope this book will be your crafting companion.

Right, then. Are you sitting comfortably? Then well begin!

There are a few things that its worth having in your craft kit if youre hoping to sew on the go. Obviously, it depends a little on your mode of transport. If youre backpacking or just taking a suitcase, then youll need a scaled-down version. However, if youre lucky enough to have a camper van or caravan to travel in, then you can, hopefully, squeeze in all of these essentials!

A selection of needles in different sizes including a large, blunt bodkin (this is great for threading elastic and can be useful for weaving too). Also include a couple of child-friendly plastic needles in your kit.

A selection of different-coloured threads.

A couple of balls of wool for weaving, making pom-poms, or even mending if you find a stray hole!

A measuring tape essential not only for sewing but also handy when youre visiting markets to check dimensions of objects you might want to buy.

A ruler and a pencil useful for drawing patterns.

Pins I like the ones with bobbly ends as theyre easier to see.

Scissors really sharp dressmaking scissors, a pair for paper and a small, sharp pair for snipping threads, etc.

A thimble not everyone has one, but theyre very useful, especially if youre sewing through thick fabrics.