Brand Spanking New

A woman's world

This spring, GMC is releasing a new kind of cross stitch book. Feminist Cross-Stitch: 40 Bold and Fierce Patterns brings together a host of vintage-inspired designs. It's written by Stephanie Rohr, better known as stephXstitch, who has been designing cross stitch for more than 10 years. The book is packed with edgy slogans and clever one-liners, with an illustrated basics section to get readers started. There's also information on tools, materials and techniques, as well as advice on framing finished pieces. The hardback title retails at £14.99.

Card games

Perfect for maximising sales throughout spring and Easter, Hunkydory's latest Whopper Topper Pad and Little Book will be joining the All Occasions collection this season. The range includes a selection of co-ordinating products adorned with eye-catching artwork. The new lines are also suitable for engagements, weddings, anniversaries, new babies, Mother's Day, sympathy and new job cards.

Fabric focus

Hantex has a range of new dressmaking fabrics available under the Modelo brand this month. Made from polyester and viscose, there's versatile wool-style coat fabric that's machine washable, practical and good value. This long-lasting material offers a great choice for stitchers who want to minimise their impact on the environment. There's also Nicky Velour, an amazing product that's perfect for a multitude of uses where softness and warmth are required. The cotton, polyester and nylon blend offers durability that's ideal for winter tops, dresses and kids-wear. Lastly, Modelo's sweatshirt fabric combines the wearable softness of jersey with everyday practicality. It comes in subtle colours and contains a hint of lycra to ensure it retains its shape.

Fairy dust

Measuring 83mm x 55mm, Winifred is one of Lavinia Stamps' newest designs. The whimsical fairy image is clean, clear, easy to use and is manufactured from high-quality resin, perfect for mounting on an acrylic stamping block. It's priced at £7.

Fingers crossed

Buttonbag has reported an increase in parents asking for pre-school craft activities, but with many children's projects requiring high levels of dexterity, this can be a difficult niche to fill. To help, the company has produced a selection of kits for the very youngest crafters including Rainbow Friends, which does not include any sewing or cutting. The beautifully packaged kit uses simple and ingenious techniques to make bendy dolls from large wooden beads, chenille stems and pre-cut felt shapes. Bright colours and clear instructions are a key sales tool, and the kits are popular with both girls and boys. Sewing, jewellery and finger knitting sets are also available, with unit prices ranging from £4 to £8.80.

Finishing touches

With an enormous stock of more than 50 million designs, Jones Buttons is constantly adding to its range. We love these recent examples, ideal for children's garments and other light-hearted creations.

On edge

Crafter's Companion has added new Stamp and Edge'able word die sets to its Gemini range. The designs launched in January and can be used to create stylish, contemporary cards for all occasions. Each pack includes one 4in word die and two sentiment stamps, allowing the user to experiment with text and placement. The versatile products have been designed to work with five card base sizes and can be placed in different positions to create a host of stunning effects.

Sew simple

Crafting superstar Debbie Shore shares more stitching know-how in her latest collaboration with Search Press. Sewing Room Secrets: Machine Sewing includes plenty of expert tips and helpful guidance, starting with a look at tools and materials. Debbie covers important techniques such as inserting zips and piping, using shirring elastic, motion-free embroidery and appliqué. There's a focus on craft and home décor projects, as well as dressmaking and quilting advice for readers looking to broaden their skills. The book also features 10 eye-catching makes including a pincushion, pillow cover, tablet case, drawstring bag and sewing machine mat. The retail price is £9.99.

Animal antics

Written by Lynn Allingham, Mini Menagerie features 20 tiny polymer clay projects to make. Animals include a giraffe, cat, swan and flamingo, each with clear instructions to ensure that the miniature creation is perfectly formed. There's bright photographs and an extensive techniques section that explains everything readers need to know. The book retails at £16.99.

Diamonds are forever

Craft Buddy's Crystal Art brand has gone global, with export trade overtaking domestic sales for the first time in 3Q 2018. Also known as diamond painting, the popular concept is suitable for adults and children, and is available in a variety of formats including greetings cards, wall art, stickers and LED canvases. The company has partnered with renowned artists including Claudia Hahn, Randal Spangler and Kentaro Nishino, and has enjoyed growing sales in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Australia. It is now aiming to bring the craft to mainstream attention in the UK and will be exhibiting at Spring Fair and CHSI Stitches.

Plant life

Heritage Crafts has added three new designs to its poplar Karen Carter Collection. Cactus Garden, Poppy Landscape and Daisy Landscape all come with Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons, a needle, easy-to-follow charts and instructions. Retail prices range from £26.25 to £29.95.

Shimmer & shine

Stabilo Pen 68 comes in five metallic shades that will add a special shimmer to a range of craft projects including birthday cards, invitations and creative hand lettering. The ink is water-based and contains premium pigments that ensure light fastness and long-lasting colour intensity. There's no need to shake or pump to get the colour to apply properly – simply start writing or drawing. With its robust medium 1mm felt tip, Pen 68 is suitable for drawings and hand lettering, and its excellent coverage means colours stand out on white, coloured or dark paper. It also works well on card and is smudge-proof once dry.

About Craft Focus magazine

Craft Focus magazine is a bi-monthly trade publication for the craft industry, distributed to Art & Craft shops, Toy shops, Model shops, Haberdashers and Needlecraft retailers. read more >

Issue 71 Feb/Mar 2019

Download your free copy here

Trend file
Be inspired by our pick of fruit-themed crafts

CHSI Stitches
Everything you need to know about this year's show

The joys of spring
Seasonal crafts to impress your customers

Fabric update
New designs for the months ahead

Sharp objects
The latest sewing and stitching products

Issue 71 Feb/Mar 2019

Download your free copy here

Trade suppliers' directory

Look through our regularly updated list of trade suppliers and wholesalers.

Search

From the editor

Andrea Ashfield, Editor

The craft industry has changed enormously in recent years, with the advent of TV shopping, social media marketing and the changing fortunes of the high street all impacting the way retailers do business. That’s why trade shows like CHSI Stitches, which takes place this month, are more important than ever, offering a vital opportunity for crafters to come together and share ideas and inspiration.

Now in its fourth decade, the event showcases innovations from more than 200 exhibitors across the craft, hobby and stitching categories, with more than 50 per cent of the industry’s businesses represented. If you’re looking for products and trends to delight and excite your customers, this is where you’re sure to find read more >

News

Lion Capital acquires DMC Group

Lion Capital has acquired The DMC Group from BlueGem Capital Partners. ...more
Posted: 13 February 2019

Crafter's Companion set to move to Create & Craft

Crafter’s Companion has announced that it is moving to Create & Craft TV. ...more
Posted: 11 February 2019

Knitters get set for this year's Big Tea Cosy event

Following the success of its Big Tea Cosy knitting event in 2018, national charity Breast Cancer Haven is once again encouraging crafters to get knitting. ...more
Posted: 7 February 2019

Click here to view more News >

Events

Craft, Hobby & Stitch International Trade SHow

NEC

17/02/2019 - 19/02/2019

Visit the official website

The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show

Olympia London

28/02/2019 - 03/03/2019

Visit the official website

Crafting at Ally Pally

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY

06/04/2019 - 07/04/2019

Visit the official website

Click here to view more Events >

Focus on:

Make fabrics a success in 2019

Jacqui Smith, director of Hantex, reveals how to make the most of the home sewing market ...more

All the essentials

Whitecroft Essentials has supplied knitting, sewing and haberdashery supplies for more than a century. Managing director Richard Wood tells us what’s coming up next for the company ...more

A world apart

World of Wool produces fibre crafts that other companies repackage as their own. Marketing manager Andrew Novotny tells us how the business is keeping up with demand ...more

Trade suppliers' directory

Look through our regularly updated list of trade suppliers and wholesalers.

Search

News

Lion Capital acquires DMC Group

Lion Capital has acquired The DMC Group from BlueGem Capital Partners. ...more
Posted: 13 February 2019

Crafter's Companion set to move to Create & Craft

Crafter’s Companion has announced that it is moving to Create & Craft TV. ...more
Posted: 11 February 2019

Knitters get set for this year's Big Tea Cosy event

Following the success of its Big Tea Cosy knitting event in 2018, national charity Breast Cancer Haven is once again encouraging crafters to get knitting. ...more
Posted: 7 February 2019

Click here to view more News >

Receive email updates to your inbox

Stay informed about all news, events and updates from the trade. Sign up for our monthly updates.

Click here to register

Events

Craft, Hobby & Stitch International Trade SHow

NEC

17/02/2019 - 19/02/2019

Visit the official website

The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show

Olympia London

28/02/2019 - 03/03/2019

Visit the official website

Crafting at Ally Pally

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY

06/04/2019 - 07/04/2019

Visit the official website

Click here to view more Events >

This month's poll:

Trade suppliers' directory

Look through our regularly updated list of trade suppliers and wholesalers.

Search

Receive email updates to your inbox

Stay informed about all news, events and updates from the trade. Sign up for our monthly updates.

Click here to register

Focus on:

Make fabrics a success in 2019

Jacqui Smith, director of Hantex, reveals how to make the most of the home sewing market ...more

All the essentials

Whitecroft Essentials has supplied knitting, sewing and haberdashery supplies for more than a century. Managing director Richard Wood tells us what’s coming up next for the company ...more

A world apart

World of Wool produces fibre crafts that other companies repackage as their own. Marketing manager Andrew Novotny tells us how the business is keeping up with demand ...more

Tweets by @CraftFocus

Brand Spanking New

A woman's world

Card games

Fabric focus

Fairy dust

Fingers crossed

Finishing touches

On edge

Sew simple

Animal antics

Diamonds are forever

Plant life

Shimmer & shine

About Craft Focus magazine

Issue 71 Feb/Mar 2019

Issue 71 Feb/Mar 2019

Trade suppliers' directory

Search

From the editor

News

Follow us

Events

Focus on:

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News

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