One Day in May – a creative journey

Melissa Grant ~ One Day In May“Making things” is something that I seem to have been magnetically drawn to. Some of my strongest childhood memories are centred around creating… winding a skein of wool with Mum, treadling the Singer at great speed, multicoloured finger-knitting,  sewing through paper with a threadless sewing machine. I enjoyed discovering how things were done and playing with all the bits and pieces used in the process. Decades later, and nothing has changed.

Playing and experimenting slowly led to design. In the early 1990’s, I pioneered a range of handcrafted porcelain buttons. Originally intended for children’s clothing, I was surprised to have them quickly adopted by patchwork and stitching enthusiasts. A whole new world opened up to me, with opportunities to exhibit at craft shows and to create for Handmade and Homespun magazines. It was a wonderful time of adventure that grew to an unexpected level of enjoyment and success. After more than a decade of buttons, I decided it was time to move on from production. The creative urge, however, is a persistent one. After some time away from design, I felt the need to return, this time to needlework. In October, 2010, I began working on a range of needlework patterns under the name of “One Day In May”.

Waterlily Dreaming Brooch ~ closeup of centre

I have a particular love of combining techniques and textures. Simple embroidery, patchwork, applique, semi-detached applique and embellishment come together, creating projects with a textural and dimensional quality.

The Joy of Christmas ~ nest closeup  For the Love of Violets - flower leaf detail

Discovering traditional techniques and the process of collecting is also a source of design ideas. Vintage and pre-loved haberdashery, antique postcards and children’s books inspire me to stitch… in addition to all things Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts Movement.

Playing with Daffodils - closeup  FB With Thread in Hand Photos closeup1

Through my One Day in May journey, I’d like to share a variety of techniques and design styles as I discover them myself. My aim is to produce patterns that are truly comprehensive, filled with illustrative and photographic detail. I hope that clear and detailed instruction will help add to your enjoyment of a creative experience.

One Day In May pattern detail

Hannah's Heart - One Day in May

My pattern range can be viewed here. New designs are released regularly and you’ll find a new blog post from time to time. Thank you for visiting,

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