The Fernery

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Lisa Newark - Maker
Small-scale Freemotion Applique Artist
Small Creative Business Owner for 15 Years
Buy my work, download tutorials and find gorgeous sewing supplies at thefernery.co.uk

I've been asked so many times over the years to make a tutorial for my flagship product, my Fernery Fairies, and have be...
20/05/2026

I've been asked so many times over the years to make a tutorial for my flagship product, my Fernery Fairies, and have been reluctant on SO many levels... These creations are so much a part of me and what I do, that I couldn't imagine sharing them for others to make.

But I think I've found a way to make it work!

I've not only held off sharing these because I want my Fairies to remain a product that is unique to the Fernery, but also because they are SO small and fiddly and detailed that I didn't feel it was 'fair' to release them as a tutorial that, in all honesty, most people would find a little overwhelming as sewing projects go.

I always want my tutorials to be something lovely that anyone can complete beautifully, something that spurs you on to create more, and doesn't knock your confidence.

So here's what I've done;

💜 I've simplified the design - She's still very clearly a Fernery Fairy, but her outfit and overall shape is far less demanding on the maker.

💜 I've made her a bit bigger - so much easier to cut and piece together. She's just as dainty, but a bit more scissor friendly!

💜 I've made her just different enough to mine that both you and I can see the differences and know which ones are made by me, and which are made by my beautiful customers.

💜 The tutorial can be completed by hand or with a sewing machine. Although I work in freemotion, it's written so that you can work in the best way for YOU. Most people hand stitch my tutorials

💜 And as if you needed more excitement, Mabel is the first of a series of at least 8 fairies; I'm going to be releasing a new design on the first of each month right through to December, because although we know Fairies are not *just* for Christmas, if you fancied having an entire Flutter of Fairies (It's a thing now, I just made it up and we're going with it!) on your tree for the festive season, you'll be able to collect the whole set and make them all!

Comment on this post and I'll DM you a link to my 'make your own' tutorials, along with some really useful skills tutes that will teach you how to transfer lettering to stitch over, and make your own designer product labels 🧵🪡

18/05/2026

I use an open toed darning foot for all my work; most are a full hoop, but I prefer the visibility I get with this one, as my work is all very small-scale. This is a Bernina no.24 foot.

A darning foot like this one is a spring-loaded attachment, so when the needle drops, the spring pushes the foot onto the stitch plate just for a moment to hold the fabric flat while the stitch is formed. As the needle pulls back up, the spring lifts the foot slightly so the fabric can be moved around to 'draw' with your thread.

To use a darning foot, you need to lower the feed dogs on your machine (if yours doesn't have this capability, you can often buy a plate to cover the feed dogs) so the teeth don't pull your fabric through.

🪡🪡🪡 Got questions? I'll try to answer them in the comments for you!

16/04/2026

In addition to this, please also know that the chances of me making life 100% more difficult for myself by wanting the cleverest filming angles, showing up close and in detail exactly what I'm doing and how I'm doing it are incredibly high. Not content with doing some super tricky, tiny detailed freemotion stitching, I also make sure that I have absolutely no option but to only see a 5mm sliver of the piece I'm working on as I've got my phone set up between my face and the stitch plate. Believe me, I've tried sewing only watching my phone screen, but there is the tiniest, almost imperceptible lag which meant it just wasn't precise enough.

For all of you who've ever asked how I film the close ups of me stitching, here you go - it's not for the weak (or for people with crappy eyesight and a bad back, but we move).

And if you'd like to know about any of my photography kit just leave me a comment including the word 'kit' and I'll drop you a DM with all the links to everything I use.

15/04/2026

What is it about just grabbing an hour to reset your brain and do your 'comfort thing' that makes everything seem a tiny bit better... Just for a moment, my brain is quiet, I focus on the fabric and sparkles, tick a few orders off my to do list and everything feels OK for a minute. Magic, isn't it?

The feeling might only last a few moments before chaos descends again, but you know what? It's ok, because we get to do it all again today 💚

I hope you find some time with your comfort thing today, whatever that might be.

14/04/2026

It really is that simple - when you wake up in the morning, don't allow anything to stand between you and a quick 8-10 hours faffing with your craft supplies - It's the only way to be truly happy in life.

I've tested it thoroughly, and believe me; Making is the only thing that hits the spot when you have a crafty disposition. Nothing else does the job as beautifully.

And it turns out, you don't even need to finish making something to get that hit of the feel good chemicals - dopamine spikes when you *expect* a reward, so for all of you who like to have multiple WIP's on the go, you're all good - this counts too. Anticipation attached to just the very notion of a future project is all you need to fire up all the good brain chemicals - so if you're not feeling the making vibes today, just shopping for craft supplies for your next fabulous idea is enough to perk you up!

Essentially what I'm trying to say is that whatever you're up to art, craft, stitchy, making wise, it's good for your noggin. There will be no sad, grumpy feels when you're thinking about making, chatting about your next craft project, planning your next art session or shopping for much needed supplies.

If you're feeling down in the dumps, get planning - and if you need any help deciding what to make, come and have a browse at my tutorials - i'll teach you how to make the simplest sewing projects that can be done in an afternoon and have you sparkling again in no time!

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