So, that time of year has come.  We’re almost at the end of HSF 2014, and are thinking about the new years sewing.  People have been asking if there will be a HSF 2015. The answer is, I don’t know. I’m tired. Running the HSF is a lot of work.  There is the stuff on my page: writing the challenges, the page, answering questions.  Writing inspiration posts.  Organizing voting for the HSF Choice Challenge.  Favourites posts (which I am ridiculously behind on).  Just compiling the list of contributors takes hours and hours – and then half of the list turns out to be bloggers  who do one project and then loose interest. And then there is the Facebook group: keeping spammers out, folders and events up, and information updated in the files.  Plus the occasional squabble.  The only reason I’ve survived the FB page at all is the fantastic  Sarah of A Most Peculiar Mademoiselle  and equally fantastic Elizabeth of Sewing & Sightseeing, who have been co-moderating.   All of these things mean I’m not …

And this is it!  The last challenge for the HSF 2014.  The theme for Challenge #24, due Thur 1 Jan, is All that Glitters:  Celebrate your completion of HSF ’14, and the New Year, with a glittery, glitzy, sparkly, shiny, something. Sparkle and shine have been desirable attributes of textiles almost since there were textiles.  Sparkle was associated with precious metals and stones, conveying wealth and status on dress.  Silk has been the most valuable fibre for centuries, in huge part because of its lustre and shine.  While sparkle and shine are sometimes seen in daywear today, they are still hugely associated with evening wear and special events: clothes for memorable occasions. Finishing the HSF is pretty memorable, so let’s make some glittery, glitzy, sparkly, shiny items to celebrate! You could use satin, long prized for its sheen and lustre (interestingly, this week’s Rate the Dress has copped some criticism for the sheen of the silk satin) Or sequins, which have a much older pedigree than many people realised.  Sequins made by covering wooden disks …