More make do and mend

Does spring make you want to spruce things up a bit?  Must be all that light streaming through the windows (well, it would to if I cleaned them!) making everything look a bit tired.  I've been on the search for fabric, and decided now is the time to get creative and actually sew some things.

First cushion I made from a bargain find...a child's Ikea duvet cover...using the decorative border and adding a couple of hearts of my own.

Then some flowery ones using a couple of remnants that seemed to complement each other.

 

And another felted cardigan bag...the best part of this is choosing a fabric for the lining and some matching buttons.  Think I'm on a roll now!

Now for a touch of style...

...not that you need any tips from me.  But I would like to show you a few possible ideas for spring.

 

 A useful source could be this magazine I bought for a few pence from a charity shop.

 

First of all of course there's all the equipment needed.

 

Just follow the instructions and a few hours later you too could be the proud wearer of one of these fab outfits...very 1970s!

The magazine is dated 1973.  Despite that there's loads of useful advice...if I ever decide to take up crochet again, I'll be reading this first.

A few more fun purchases - a couple of remnants of fabric, one Sanderson from 1981, not sure about the other, and loads of buttons.  Noreen gave me some of these...can't wait to use them.

Simple recycling

Can you tell what they are yet?  Yes, I know they're bags...but in a previous life?

Yes, that's right, cardies...to be more precise, my poor old shrunken cardies.  In the spririt of make-do and mend, I decided there must be something I could make with them, so I shrank them some more so they were well felted, and cut them up.

The green one still had the original buttons, but I'd already recycled the buttons from the black one, so I raided my button tin for some replacements.  Strips from the sleeves make the handles and I found remnants of cheery fabric for the lining, applique and rosette.

Now, I still have a brown one, oh and a blue, so guess what I'm doing with them!

Beautiful and useful

 

I wish I could say that I'd sewn this little quilt, but it wasn't my effort that produced something so gorgeous.  Instead, I found it in a charity shop and just couldn't resist it.

 

Someone has put so much work into it...a star design, all hand stitched, quilted and bound around the edge with the pretty floral fabric.  At the very least I can appreciate the skill and artistry (not to mention the time) that's been spent in creating something special.  Don't you agree?

Heartfelt wishes

 

Happy

 

Valentine's

 Day!

Felt and flowers

I''ve decided I really like using felt... it's probably all the rich shades that attract me - that, and how easy it is to hand sew.  Noreen knitted me a beautiful red scarf and boy, have I needed it this winter!  Now I'm obsessed with making brooches...this one to match my scarf.

Choosing colours of embroidery threads is almost as good as choosing felt....simple pleasures - is that sad, or what?  And a wonderful place for all things sewing is Abakhan Fabrics.  Our local shop is full of everything for needlecrafts.  I think I'll just pop in for something and hours later I'm still there. There's an online shop at http://www.abakhan.co.uk/ if it's too far to visit in person.

Not too soon, is it...

...to mention Christmas?  Sewing some decorations keeps me occupied while half watching reality TV eg. I'm a Celebrity, The Apprentice etc. The little Westie is simple to make, just handsewing, mainly wool and felt so I'm including basic instructions for anyone who wants to have a go.

Cut the westie shape out of paper - about 4ins/10cms high
Pin onto white felt and cut out 2 shapes
Cut a length of  red cord 8ins/20cms
Fold cord in half and sew to edge of back on one piece
Sew a round eye with some black wool
Cut a little heart out of red felt and sew in place with a cross stitch of black wool
Place the two westie shapes together and using white wool, sew around the edge with a running stitch, leaving a small gap for the filling
Fill with a little polyester filling and sew up the remainder.
Tie some narrow ribbon around the neck and stitch a liitle siver bell in place.