Its a Handmade Christmas Competition

I have launched our 'Its a Handmade Christmas' competition recently and here are some pics from a few of our entries. Thankyou so much to those customers that have sent pics of their inspiring handmade Christmas creations and good luck in the competition!

Karen has been both inventive and creative with her appliqued tee with a super hero cape that is detachable via press studs.

Karen has also made these pretty tops using the Pink Fig 'Olivia Top' pattern.

Ultra cool shorts for some very lucky boy for Christmas made by Lorraine using the wonderful car print from the latest Echino fabric collection.

A collection of lovely images from Yvonne displaying her fabulous Advent Calendar with embroidered Christmas trees and all!

Bree has made this beautiful bag from Amy Butler 'Daisy Chain' fabrics using the Melly & Me 'Dolcetto Bag' pattern. This is my favourite colourway from the 'Daisy Chain' collection. I just love the soft cool aquas and greys!

Bree has covered three canvases in the fabulous japanese Matryoshka Doll fabric. A simple but so effective wall hanging and the perfect Christmas gift for someone special.

Bree has been busy and has also made this adorable and very creative wall hanging using fabrics, hand sewn sequins, buttons and beads. Some little fairy princess is going to love this pressie!

Becci has made this wonderful quilt for her daughter using various fabrics from her 'stash'. Becci mentioned that this was her first quilt - you would not know it and what an inspiration to others thinking of making their first quilt!!



Becci has made this lovely festive top from the fabulous Pink Fig 'Lily Top' pattern using Christmas fabrics.

It is not too late to enter. Why not make my decision even more difficult by forwarding any images of your handmade Christmas gift/s to gallery@kelanifabric.com.au and you will be in the running to receive a fantastic surprise gift pack filled with lots of goodies.


Winner and prize pack will be posted here on the 20th December.


Good Luck!

Home Beautiful

I am very excited to mention the lovely write up on Kelani Fabric in the current December issue of Home Beautiful! It was great to see a couple of fabulous Aussie products illustrated with a pic of Saffron Craig's beautiful unique christmas decorations as well as one of Angela's adorable 'Sew Your Own' dolls, Miss Buttons alongside talented fabric designers Anna Maria Horner and Amy Butler.

I must also mention one of the loveliest people I have met online since the launch of Kelani Fabric and that is Tara Davy. Tara is one of the design / illustrators for Home Beautiful and she has a fabulous blog Love Illustrated that showcases a daily fix of style, illustration, pattern and interiors. There are so many unique finds that I have discovered through reading Love Illustrated. Thanks Tara for the lovely emails and I look forward to keeping in touch with you.

NEW Make It Perfect Patterns

Australian pattern designer Toni Coward has just released a brand new range of Make It Perfect patterns that are bound to be just as popular as her first!

I am so pleased that Toni is extending her women's range with the Summer Fling gorgeous top and I have a feeling there will be more to come. I recently met the lovely Toni and she was wearing one of her versatile wrap skirts made up in Heather Bailey fabric which looked sensational on her and I have had so many others comment that they have been enjoying sewing and wearing this flattering skirt too! Please keep your feedback coming on the patterns I stock as I have been loving receiving the feedback and your images for the Kelani Inspiration Gallery too.

Dress the Summer Fling up with a skirt or pants or just wear casually with denim. This top features a soft gathered neckline and is a relaxed-fit for comfort. Tie the sash under your bust for a fitted look or remove the sash, the choice is yours.

The Bloom tunic and short set is just adorable with the shorts featuring fabric-covered buttons and cute little pockets. Another versatile pattern that can be worn as a set or separately.

Toni has also catered well for the boys and added great value with this beaut Little Explorer pattern that features an organic turtle applique design, relaxed shorts with side pockets and easy-wear overalls with button closure.

The Lazy Day Hat pattern has sizing for the whole family. Again, another versatile pattern with it being totally reversible providing two stylish hats in one.

Take a look at the Toni Coward 'Make It Perfect' clothing range here. I would just love to see some of the end results of your sewing with these patterns so please forward any images to gallery@kelanifabric.com.au and be in the running for our monthly gift voucher prize or make as a gift for Xmas and enter our Its a Handmade Christmas competition detailed in my last post. I am currently putting together a surprise pack with some fabulous goodies from our store + more!!

Matryoshka Mobile or Pram Tie

My new DIY project uses Kristen Doran's beautiful Matryoshka Doll craft panel.

The great thing about this project is most of the work is done for you with Kristen's fabulous design. All you need to do is fold the craft panel in half, cut around the 8 matryoshka dolls, sew together with the insertion of tabs using left over coordinating print from the backing, stuff, hand sew the opening closed and let your own creative juices flow with how you wish to hang your gorgeous dolls.

I used one of the new wooden bag handles available here to hang my girls using fishing line.

I also pinned the dolls on to a lovely embroidered ribbon to show you this effect. Hung as a vertical mobile shows the nesting effect of the dolls well. This way would be perfect also using a few dolls for a pram tie or even another DIY project would be to make your own infant floor play gym and attach dolls overhead for baby to play with. I think I will try this last idea with Kristen Doran's drummer boys that will soon be available in my store.

A matryoshka mobile, pram tie or play gym would make such a special christmas gift for a newborn. A child or adult would adore a beautiful handmade matryoshka mobile.

Finally, I would love to get into the Christmas spirit and launch a 'ITS A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS' competition. Please share some of your handmade Xmas gifts by emailing a photo to gallery@kelanifabric.com.au and I will post them here on my blog in the hope of providing Xmas inspiration to others.

This competition will be left wide open and does not necessarily have to involve fabric but must be HANDMADE. It would be fantastic if I received many entries for this one so spread the word and I will get to thinking about a lovely SURPRISE gift pack. On the 20th of December I will post details of both the prize and the winner!

Creative Customer Competition Winner!

A big thanks to all those customers who contributed to the Kelani Inspirational Gallery this month! Once again I have found the task of picking a winner incredibly difficult!! Each of the customer creations were so unique and impressive. Please take a look here to view each of them and be inspired for your own creations.

CONGRATULATIONS to Adriana who made these two wonderful bags. A Kelani Gift Voucher is on its way.




















Adriana used a vertical patchwork effect of predominantly Anna Maria Horner, 'Garden Party' fabric for the front and I just love her use of one larger scale Garden Party fabric guest of honour for the back of her bag. I am sure Adriana will be stopped in the street with this stunning handbag.

Adriana, also sent in another gorgeous bag she had made again with fabric from the 'Garden Party' collection but this time using the Melly & Me Sherbet Bag Pattern.























Anyone can join in the fun and pass on inspiration to others simply by subscribing to our monthly newsletter here and sending a photograph of one of their handmade creations to gallery@kelanifabric.com.au.

There are no rules, so long as it involves FABRIC, whether it be a craft or sewing, artwork or home decorating project.

Kelani Fabric would like to showcase some of your competition entries in our online handmade inspiration gallery and each months lucky winner will receive a $25 gift voucher to spend in store.

Please keep sending your handmade creations my way as I am loving seeing all your hard work as are many others by the number of comments I have been receiving about our unique handmade inspiration gallery!

The November winner will be posted here first week of December.