The Mask – Stash Buster

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.

Full House

Are you every in need of a change but can only afford to spend a little?. Sometimes all you need to do to brighten up a room is move the furniture around and introduce a new handmade touch that is unique and not available on the high street.

Printing & Felting

There are lots of crafts that could be incorporated to give your room a little lift, a wet felted bowl or a plant pot cover, a hand printed cushion, a handmade quilt, a lampshade, the list is endless. You can also keep the costs low by upcycling fabrics

At a recent Indian Block Printing workshop we ran we discussed lots of ideas of what to do with the pieces of fabric that attendees had printed on . Any of the sample prints could be put into a frame or added to a blank card for that next unexpected occasion.

Lampshade’s & Clocks

As we are starting to plan our workshops for next year we are going to add some of these suggestions, may be the small lampshade first and then the clock, you could come up with your own colour co ordinated home furnishing s range, we might even add a waste bin…..