Picnic In The Park
Of course I got the timing spot on with this one didn’t I?! (Note a hint of sarcasm)
The UK is currently being hit with horrendous rain, storms and flood warnings across the country. In my optimistic state a couple of weeks ago I wrote in the very first paragraph of this months magazine “Later this month marks the official start of summer and I sincerely hope you are opening your box on one of those glorious, blue sky days. You know the ones where you throw open the doors and windows and everything feels peaceful and calm – that is until a wasp finds its way in and panic follows!”
Oh well, my hope is that the box has cheered up an otherwise gloomy week.
This box was genuinely such a joy to put together. After the last couple of months of cutting either slippery or stretchy fabrics it made a nice change to be cutting cotton. And such beautiful cottons too. Let’s dive in shall we?
Luxury Box
I know Art Gallery Fabrics was going to be the place to look for a cute print perfect for a picnic theme. Enter this super sweet strawberry print cotton. I love AGF cottons as, although they are technically quilting weight cotton they feel much closer to a lawn, so soft and drapey, just a little heavier. It’s called Backyard Berry Cherry from the Summer Side collection designed by Dana Willard. I love that it’s a little novelty but not too in your face and will match perfectly with this months pattern.
The Sun Dress pattern by The Avid Seamstress is going to be your go-to summer dress. Perfect for a casual picnic or as a more formal dress for a wedding guest. I love the wide straps, no need to worry about concealing bra straps and the fitted bodice has a square neckline and button-down front which is attached to a pleated skirt – great for swishing!
Classic and Mini Boxes
The fabric this month for the Classic and Mini boxes came in two colours, this gorgeous summery blue and a pretty pink. It’s a lovely gingham seersucker with an extra sweet little flower and dot print all over. I’ve already had people message me with so many wonderful ideas for what they want to make with it. It would make a perfect summery Stevie, or would work great for the brand new Raspberry pattern from Cocowawa Crafts. I can also see this as a shirt, tied at the waist with some high waist trousers for some serious 50s flair!
I am so in love with the fat quarters this month from Craft Cotton Co – that lemon print!!! They would make a perfect picnic bag. You could even attach the iron on patch found in the Luxury and Classic boxes this month. From Nikki McWilliams there were two designs – either a custard cream or an iced gem. It’s been so long since I’ve had iced gems, I might have to pick some up next time I head to the shops!
There is an interview with Nikki in this months magazine as well so you can find out all about her and her ultimate dunking biscuit!
Every box also comes with two meters of gingham bias binding in either blue, yellow or pink as well as the matching Gutterman thread.
Finally, I took thinks a little further this month with the sweet treat and got some iced button biscuits made by Little Bee Bakery, who’s shop is in the same business centre as SewHayleyJane HQ! I’m often tempted in by the amazing smells wafting out of their door. My husband ordered my birthday cake from them this month and it was amazing. If you are in Hampshire and looking for something special I highly recommend checking them out!
So there you have it. June’s beautiful Picnic In The Park boxes. Make sure to post your makes on Facebook or Instagram with the tag #sewhayleyjanemakes to be in with a chance of getting featured in the magazine and receiving your next box as a gift!
Now for some rather exciting news. I don’t normally reveal anything about future boxes but for July I am teaming up with Kate and Rachel from The Fold Line who will be curating the box! It’s going to be a goodie!!
