Summer's here at last! It's such an inspiring time, isn't it?

Summer’s here at last! It’s such an inspiring time, isn’t it?


We’ve been enjoying blue skies and beautiful weather here – and the garden is blooming.
After I’ve dropped the children off at school, I like to come back to my garden and potter with a cup of coffee. Feeling the sun on my face, listening to the hum of bees and breathing in the warm scents of summer – it’s so calming and gives me a wonderful sense of purpose for the day ahead. After a session in the studio, it’s also the perfect spot to catch the last of the day’s rays – preferably with a glass of something delicious in my hand!

Meanwhile, pirates have taken over the studio! Our classic pirate ship design is back with new fabrics and a very special personalised twist. Choose a name and I’ll embroider it on my handmade and appliquéd cushions, laundry bags and framed pictures. I’m particularly excited about the pictures – they’re my first foray into appliqued and embroidered textile art and I know you’ll love them as much as I do.

Pirate ship collection

Each of our pirate designs combines denim, ticking stripes and spots – they’re the perfect gift for the little adventurer in your life. I’m currently developing this design into a printed fabric, so keep your eyes peeled for more exciting new products!

This month I’m also feeling inspired by my recent adventures with my family on the North Norfolk coast. The sun shone and it was even warm enough for the youngest member of our team to have a little paddle in the sea! The Norfolk coast is about big blue skies, pale sand and little beach huts. No trip is complete without a visit to Cromer to do a spot of crabbing. Did we catch any? Sadly not, but a great time was still had by all!

 











Now, it might sound a little crazy, but I’ve also been thinking about Christmas. Yes, that’s right, Christmas in June! In the world of design, we’re always thinking ahead. And I’m so excited about what I’ve got planned. I’ll be launching my very first Christmas fabric! 
As well as beautiful textiles, my design will also feature on kitchen products, cards and gift-wrap. Exciting, right?


Now, let’s make a swift return to summer time! As you know, I hand make everything in my studio. I thought you might like a peek inside my day. Here’s a little video, showing part of the process of making the new pirate range. I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into life at the studio!

I’d love to hear about what’s been inspiring you this month!

A fresh new start!

It been a long time since our last blog post so we are declaring it a fresh new start for this space. After a manic period for Christmas orders (our best yet!), I can practically sew stockings in my sleep! It was a fantastic end to 2016, but I am equally as excited to share a bit more about what we have been working on in 2017 so far. Hint: it involves some beautiful fabrics...

I thought I’d start a new blog regime with a little reintroduction to me (I’m Kirsty!) and Elm Tree Studio. So grab a cuppa and let’s have a virtual chat. Talking of cuppas, I should let you know I’m a big coffee snob and can only drink fresh bean to cup coffee. I definitely can’t get into sewing mode with any decaf brews! I’m constantly in search of the perfect mug.  Being small, I have the bottom shelf in the kitchen all to myself for my mug collection and each one is for a certain drink - builders’ tea, posh tea, coffee, hot chocolate. You could say I’m quite particular about things, but I think that’s a good quirk to have when you are designing products too.

At home I share my space (but not my mug collection) with my hubby Darren (who weirdly doesn't "get" the need for more cushions in the house… a constant battle!) and my children, Josh and Chloe. We take care of two cats, referred to as "the boys" and two chickens called Omelette and Button.

So, coffee and family aside, I mentioned I’ve been sewing in the studio lots! Over the Christmas period, I stitched through the night on some occasions, to make sure all orders went out on time. I discovered Netflix and binge watched Gilmore Girls whilst sewing. I loved it so much I’ve watched it all and started again from the beginning. Have you seen it?

I also had some behind the scenes photos taken in my studio and thought I’d share them with you here, so you can see where everything happens.

January has been equally as busy, but I have returned to what I started last summer and I’m designing my own range of fabrics. The first one, Aster Flower has started to really take off and is now available on a range of textile products, lampshades, lamps, cushions and clocks.

It’s exciting to see the designs come to life on the products. The two existing colourways (dove grey and indigo) will be extended to include spicy mustard which is a beautiful shade! The product range will also grow to include some non-textile pieces. See all the collections here.

We were also thrilled to see our Embroidered Linen Lavender Pillows in Country Homes and Interiors magazine. Seeing our designs in print will always be exciting!

I’d love to know more about you and what enjoy, so do leave me a comment. I’m off to make a cuppa - I’ve just tried Perkulatte Coffee and it’s delicious. I’m really hoping that someone (no pressure, Darren) will treat me to their monthly subscription. Just imagine, fresh coffee delivered monthly straight to your door!

Love, Kirsty

Back to making clothes, again......

Well the sewing bee had me well and truly inspired, strange as I sew nearly every day, but I hadn't made clothes for a long time. I think the last time that I actually made anything to wear was when I was at college studying fashion and textiles, nearly 20 years ago!!!! ooh now that makes me feel old!

After my little Miss Chloe was born, I really wanted to start making little clothes again, following in my mothers foot steps who made nearly all of my clothes when I was little, more from necessity than just wanting to.

I bought two lovely Oliver + S patterns from http://www.fabrichq.co.uk/ last summer, and even though I kept getting them out, and looking for fabric in my HUGE fabric stash, I kept putting it off.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge!

I chose a lovely pale pink ditsy floral cotton, which I picked up from Leicester market while back and started......

Oliver + S patterns have a lovely vintage feel about them

I decided to do the little top version of the dress, as Miss Chloe is not a dress person....

The pattern was easy to understand and it quickly came together, although I do want to make another with some changes.... I would sew up the side seams and underarm seams with a french seam rather then the single machine stitch which I edged with my overlocker, as I feel that it would look better and have a more professional finish. I was always taught at college that the insides should be finished to the same standard as the outside....

Anyway the top has been a huge success as Chloe has worn it a number of times, and I had great fun making it, yes it would of been cheaper to pop to primark and pick up a £3 top but would I rather have something that was made with love, something that had been made by me for my daughter with love and devotion in every stitch. 

The finished top, made with love in every stitch...

Right, I'm off to raid the fabric stash to make another..... Happy sewing.

Love Kirsty x