Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?
- Thread starter radio_atomica
- Start date
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moose
like some cat from Japan
Well, I specifically wanted the painting/firing aspect, which is slightly more difficult to find, and a course that would let me decide creative direction whilst learning the ropes - not one where they say 'you will use designs/templates we provide to create this'.
I usually search for courses on Creative, craft and artisan courses and workshops for content and location, then check out the tutor on Instagram - they often post pics of their own and their course participants' work, so you can see the kind of thing they do.
In my case, it was this course Painted Stained Glass Course - Derbyshire based | Zantium Studios and this woman Jane Littlefield Glass
Also to get the best out of a course like this, you should arrive with a whole folder of pictures of inspiration off Pinterest or wherever, and some sketches, so you're not starting from scratch, although you can't completely crystallise your idea till you see the materials available.
I do a different course once or twice a year, and you do get similar serial crafter coursers who are there for the social interaction and the usually excellent cake, which can be a bit annoying as I just want to crack on without tea breaks every few hours.
I usually search for courses on Creative, craft and artisan courses and workshops for content and location, then check out the tutor on Instagram - they often post pics of their own and their course participants' work, so you can see the kind of thing they do.
In my case, it was this course Painted Stained Glass Course - Derbyshire based | Zantium Studios and this woman Jane Littlefield Glass
Also to get the best out of a course like this, you should arrive with a whole folder of pictures of inspiration off Pinterest or wherever, and some sketches, so you're not starting from scratch, although you can't completely crystallise your idea till you see the materials available.
I do a different course once or twice a year, and you do get similar serial crafter coursers who are there for the social interaction and the usually excellent cake, which can be a bit annoying as I just want to crack on without tea breaks every few hours.
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
I've been meaning to say, Instagram is The Place To Be for sewing enthusiasts these days. Lots of great photos of people's makes and mends, and some educational and at times bad-tempered debates about issues like sustainability and cultural appropriation.
19sixtysix
Life as viewed from a Gay Gorbals Garret
Used a button hole attachment on my old mechanical singer to finish my new jacket.
Baronage-Phase
Well-Known Member
19sixtysix
Life as viewed from a Gay Gorbals Garret
Denim with cotton lining. It's a Belgium Military Chef jacket pattern.
19sixtysix
Life as viewed from a Gay Gorbals Garret
Baronage-Phase
Well-Known Member
Christmas knitting has been somewhat of a 'mare this year. 2 right hand mittens, running out of crucial colour, 2 hat catastrophes (1 too big and 1 too small) - I have been ripping items off the needles in despair. Less than a month and still not a single finished present. Posting here in a blatant search for validating 'likes'. How shallow am I ? Motivation dwindling, with a list of projects still to tackle...and the bloody Minecraft hat is coming off the needles too (sigh). Still to do - cat and rat family, painted wooden mirror with flower fairy jigsaw work, several knitted cactii, hat for eldest, summat for (picky) daughter and the jumper for sweetheart (which will not be done again this year).
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RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
Gorgeous! The green gloves are my favourite but all those are great.
friendofdorothy
Solidarity against neoliberalism!
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
Also, it's incredibly noble of you to knit for people for Christmas at all. I knit ONE present for one very lucky recipient MAYBE. You have to love someone a lot to put that much work in for them.
Handknitting is enjoying a revival, don't you think, Ruby? I sewed and knit for my children but as soon as they got to around 8, none of them ever wore a woolly jumper or knitted hat again (although the eldest, also a gardener, has been much keener of late. However, their partners, both current and ex, are a pure pleasure to knit for...and so is grand-daughter (who has also been learning herself). My youngest, who would freeze before putting on a hat, is getting the knitted cactii.
It's tricky because I tend to feel a bit knitted out after the Xmas marathon, plus anything for me and sweetheart gets squeezed between New Year and the garden waking. it's like a switch, regular and predictable, with a definite 'off' season - one cardigan is going into it's 3rd year. Next year, I am going to concentrate on woodwork.
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Baronage-Phase
Well-Known Member
They're all beautiful. Your knitting tension is so good and your colour sense is spot on. I love them.
I've done icelandic jumpers and ordinary jumpers, scarves and hats but never tried gloves or socks.
SheilaNaGig
Break requested
Hello again. I’m still not crafting.
But I’ve finally unpacked and started using the quilt I mentioned in my earlier post.
It was made by my Great Auntie Gail for her sister, my granny, when she got married.
I received it in Granny’s will because I used to sleep under it whenever I visited her home. I’m absolutely loving it now, really appreciate the way it’s not too heavy, holds the heat and dissipates it too.
And, it’s utterly gorgeous. It makes me happy when I walk into my bedroom, and every time I touch it or see it as I move around in bed.
I think it could be hand stitched. What do you reckon?
What’s the best way to take good care it this beauty?
I’m assuming machine washing isn’t a good idea. But what about dry cleaning? Will the chemicals damage it?
What should I know or do to keep it in good condition so I can enjoy it and then pass it onwards?
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clicker
nanook rubs it....
Gorgeous quilt. Are they irises? Did they have a significance...your Grandmothers name or just a favourite flower?
SheilaNaGig
Break requested
Yes, irises. Granny loved all flowers and her garden was a riot of colour. I suspect it may have been a particular connection between the two of them, because they both had irises growing by their front door. Perhaps their mother loved irises? Anyway, as is the way of things, the story has been lost but the artefact remains.
moose
like some cat from Japan
It looks hand stitched, SheilaNaGig so I'd wait for a warm day next spring and go the slow, tedious but less damaging way detailed here, using something like Woolite: How to Clean and Care for Vintage Quilts (assuming you have some outside drying space)
SheilaNaGig
Break requested
That’s really helpful moose . Thank you. I did think of doing a search, but since I know nothing of these matters I’d inevitably need have to trawl through loads of sites and work out which was right. So I’ll wait til the days and longer and warmer and then get to work.
I’ve always wondered if distilled white vinegar might damage fabric though. It is an acid after all.
Saul Goodman
It's all good, man
My niece discovered that I'm into 3D printing, so she asked me to make her a Gothic lantern. I added some programmable lighting effects.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
SheilaNaGig I have a feeling that dry cleaners won't accept an item if it doesn't have a drycleaning label on it. It's a beautiful quilt, I would guess handstitched too, leave it until spring.
So glad it brings you joy
So glad it brings you joy
