Author Archives: The Proof Angel

About The Proof Angel

I am a freelance editor and proofreader, working with a wide range of clients from large companies to individuals. I can help you to communicate clearly by carrying out a final check, or by suggesting ideas get your message over. I also have a sideline in textiles, as The Rainbow Angel.

The colourful chemistry of artificial dyes

Posted on Jan 5, 2021 by The Proof Angel

My first post of 2021 is to pass on an interesting article about the history of dyes. There are some fabulous pictures in this post. As usual, my favourites are the sample cards showing the range of colours. But as … Continue reading →

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Rainbow cushions

Posted on Nov 17, 2020 by The Proof Angel

Every now and then, when it happens to catch my eye, I pick up a copy of Quilting magazine when I go to Tesco. Not long before the first lockdown, I got a copy with a couple of rainbow coloured … Continue reading →

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Roubaix – a textile town

Posted on Nov 4, 2020 by The Proof Angel

Now, here is an idea for a trip when we get back to normal. Perhaps next summer, or the one after that. Roubaix was famous for its textiles from 18th century onwards. These days it is a suburb of Lille, … Continue reading →

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National Trust sewing machines

Posted on Oct 27, 2020 by The Proof Angel

I haven’t done one of these for a while. Today’s link takes you to a collection of old sewing machines. Hours of fun to be had…

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Take-up, shrinkage, and elasticity

Posted on Oct 20, 2020 by The Proof Angel

I’m a bit out of my depth here. But this is important stuff that I need to learn. Here is the techy stuff you need to know if you need to substitute yarns, especially when you are weaving.  All about … Continue reading →

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Making rope baskets

Posted on Oct 13, 2020 by The Proof Angel

A while ago, I say something on YouTube about making rope baskets by sewing coils together on a sewing machine. Many years ago, I made a rag rug from plaited scraps of fabric. I sewed it by hand, and it … Continue reading →

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Peacock

Posted on Oct 6, 2020 by The Proof Angel

I have finally finished my peacock fire screen. He isn’t quite as I had planned, but then I didn’t think it through properly before I started. The feathers are sewn to a backing piece of felt, because they tended to … Continue reading →

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Sewing box

Posted on Sep 30, 2020 by The Proof Angel

I found an old sewing box in a second hand shop a while ago. It was a bit battered, and in need of some tlc. The fabric covered top seemed the obvious place to put pins, but it was very … Continue reading →

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Don’t match your thread

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 by The Proof Angel

Were you taught to match your thread to the fabric you were making up? Perhaps to use a shade slightly darker, so it blended in? Well, according to this theory, you only need to keep a supply of neutral colours, … Continue reading →

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The mystery of Gunnister Man

Posted on Sep 15, 2020 by The Proof Angel

Here is an interesting post about Gunnister Man, a discovery in Shetland in 1951. There is an article to read and a half hour discussion to listen to as well. It is interesting to find out how much you can … Continue reading →

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