Sewing

Are you ready to craft?

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We are ready to craft and it would be great if you could join us. This year we will be introducing some new crafts just for you at our studio in Leicestershire. We are very much thinking about sustainability and how we can reduce waste and if you know anybody who crafts, you’ll know that they like to keep all their little odds and ends of materials…just in  case.

A great way of using scraps of fabric is some patchwork. Large quilts might spring to mind but patchwork is great for smaller projects and compliments denim very well. If you have a hole or worn bit in your jeans now is the time to patch it! Preparing a scrap of fabric to be used as a patch for craftPatchwork can be very simple to start with, just cut your fabric remnants or maybe a preloved shirt into squares or strips and then sew right sides together, open out the seams and press. Once you have a few pieces of patchwork then sew then to your garment. This can be a very simple but effective running stich and voila – extra wear from a garment that you may have otherwise discarded.

If you would like to have a rummage through our fabric scraps and try some patchwork why not book onto one of our workshops?.

The Mask – Stash Buster

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Can you believe we are another 4 weeks into lockdown?. I hope you have managed to spend some time on your own wellbeing and you are ready for the gradual return to normal – but wearing a mask?

All hail the fat quarter

I, like many others have been involved in making face masks for friends and family over the last few weeks. The great thing about making the masks has been the simplicity and the small amounts of fabric used. This means I have been able to undertake some much needed stash busting. A fat quarter of fabric yields 2 masks so I got to the 50th mask and a visible small dent had been made, and the jars of buttons and elastic stocks had begone to see the light.

Brushing Up On Skills

Last month we talked about learning new skills, for some this would have been the case in order for them to make their own mask or for others maybe a little refresher with their sewing machine was all that was needed. Which ever route you came via I think lockdown has introduced many people to the satisfaction that can be gained from community sewing or sewing for a cause. Like lots of other crafters there are only so many things you can make/give to family or friends so it has been agreat opportunity to sew for a wider audience and feel that you are giving something back.

What should we do next?

I notice some of the online crafting groups are thinking about the next stage, will crafters remain in the groups without the huge demand and single aim – I think they will. There will be lots of charities and communities that will need to raise funds and craters will be able to support and continue that stash busting – surely we have learnt in lockdown we do not need to keep that piece of fabric just in case and we should share and enjoy the moment…..so get the scissors out and make that first cut.

Spring Forward

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Plant some spring flowers and watch them bloom

Well what a weekend…March is normally as a crafter we have shook off the fatigue from Christmas, Valentines & Mothers Day and are ready to Spring Forward and start making for the raft of fairs and events over the next few months.

What nobody banked on was the entry of Covid-19. As there has been so much in the media and it is a very sad time for so many people we are going to concentrate here on the future.

With the evenings getter brighter why not look to the garden for some inspiration in your crafting. One of the workshops that we have planned when normality returns is a beginners session to wet felt flowers. There will be an opportunity to be creative and colourful, the flowers may not be recognised in the Royal Horticultural Society manual but as long as they put a smile on your face we will be happy.

So whilst we are waiting, look outside, look through magazines and books , home décor or wherever you can find some inspiration and hope and we will catch up soon.