B is for bookbinding, baubles and Bristol

This blog is brought to you by the letter B. Firstly, as I share my latest Christmas project – bookbinding inspired baubles - and secondly for some lovely things going on in Bristol in November and December to help you with your Christmas shopping.

The baubles are constructed from twelve pairs of fabric circles bonded back-to-back and then bound together through the centre, a bit as if they were pages in a book.  The time-consuming bit is cutting out circles in Bondaweb (double-sided, heat-fusible webbing), ironing one side onto fabric, cutting them out again, ironing the other side onto yet more fabric and cutting them out again. This leaves you with two circles of fabric bonded together with the ‘right sides’ of the fabric facing out and slightly stiffened by the webbing. You then press each circle in half. I find that this process is best done with the ironing board set up in front of the television or with a really good drama on the radio as it is a bit long-winded but doesn’t need much concentration.

You then pair up the circles, lining up the pressed creases ‘back-to-back’, and stitch them together with two large stitches that form a sort of figure-of-eight through the centres of each.  For this I used bookbinding thread, which is waxed linen, but mainly because I had it to hand. Line the next pair of circles up between the first two and stitch them together and then keep going until you have a bauble as full as you desire.  Finish off by stitching a loop at the top from which to hang your bauble and you are done.

I used Christmas-themed fabric for these, using 12 circles of fused fabric, but I do want to try some in different fabrics and will let you know how I get on.

If making your own Christmas decorations and presents isn’t really your thing but you do prefer to give a gift that is handmade or a little bit special I urge you to check out these events if you are in the neighbourhood.  Both are organised by Made in Bristol who run arts and crafts events, exhibitions and pop-up shops in venues across the city to celebrate, showcase and promote the wealth of local creative talent.

The first is the Christmas Design Temporium (that’s a temporary emporium in case you were wondering!) It’s at the Architecture Centre on Bristol’s Harbourside and runs from 22 November until 23 December 2014, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. This will feature a collection of jewellery, textiles, prints and artworks inspired by architecture and made by Bristol and Britain’s top designers.

The second is a series of Christmas Gift Fairs at the Colston Hall, just off Bristol city centre. These take place on Saturdays 29 November, 7 and 13 December. The fairs will showcase up to 150 local designers all of whom are based within 50 miles of Bristol, showcasing jewellery, toys, ceramics, art and home accessories.

Whatever you decide, I hope you will find (or create) something a little bit special!