Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?

[heinous seamus]

Ah! For some reason I couldn't find this thread last time I was looking for it. Anyway, here's a mallet I made:

 

[RubyToogood]

I spent most of this weekend making a bra and pants set from a kit which came with video how-tos. My expectations for this were pretty low and I thought it would mainly be a learning experience, but actually they're not bad! The bra is definitely wearable at home anyway.

Next up, swimwear I reckon.

At any rate, after making a quilted jacket. I've got this fabric and can't decide on a pattern - accommodating the border is tricky as a lot of suitable patterns have a curved lower edge. I have a karate jacket type pattern that I think would work but it has no pockets which is a bit irritating.

 

[moose]

Is that yer actual block printed cotton RubyToogood if so, I bet it smells gorgeous.

Here's me in around 1980 heading for Pickup Bank free festival in mine.

 

[RubyToogood]

Is that yer actual block printed cotton RubyToogood if so, I bet it smells gorgeous.

Here's me in around 1980 heading for Pickup Bank free festival in mine.

View attachment 259744

Excellent photo. Yes it is. I'm going for the whole Clothkits vibe here...

 

[mhendo]

Hi crafty people. There is some amazing stuff in this thread. I thought I'd make a post here, because I have recently started some crafty-type stuff.

Despite the lockdown of the past year, my wife and I actually managed to take up a new hobby. About 6 months ago, we started pottery lessons at our local community center. It was just once a week, for two and a half hours.

We did four 6-week courses (24 lessons in total), and we now go as "independents," which allows us to go to the studio whenever we want. We pay a monthly fee, and pay for clay. We usually manage to go two or three days a week, for about 2 hours at a time.

I've never been much good with crafty things (woodwork, metalwork, etc.), I can't draw or paint, and I've never really thought of myself as especially artistic. I found the pottery wheel quite a challenge, but I'm now at least sufficiently competent to throw a variety of shapes. I still make plenty of mistakes, and have to scrap some of the things that I attempt, but I've made some things that I like.

Anyway, here are a few of my things.

 

[campanula]

Lovely stuff, mhendo.To make something which is beautiful and useful, ticks all the boxes for me. I also enrolled in a class...until I found I literally couldn't bear the feel of clay on my hands. Plaster,cement, even soil are all out of bounds.

 

[campanula]

My sewing triumph with grand-daughter has been shunted into the has-been corner since a tiny, heat resistant boiler suit arrived at mine, care of my.youngest. Accessorised with a fetching helmet with floral designs (skulls and roses). Youngest is going to teach grand-daughter how to be a fabricator. Buttonhole stitching is just not going to cut the mustard after adventures in metal.

 

[heinous seamus]

Beautiful work mhendo

 

[Artaxerxes]

Hi crafty people. There is some amazing stuff in this thread. I thought I'd make a post here, because I have recently started some crafty-type stuff.

Despite the lockdown of the past year, my wife and I actually managed to take up a new hobby. About 6 months ago, we started pottery lessons at our local community center. It was just once a week, for two and a half hours.

We did four 6-week courses (24 lessons in total), and we now go as "independents," which allows us to go to the studio whenever we want. We pay a monthly fee, and pay for clay. We usually manage to go two or three days a week, for about 2 hours at a time.

I've never been much good with crafty things (woodwork, metalwork, etc.), I can't draw or paint, and I've never really thought of myself as especially artistic. I found the pottery wheel quite a challenge, but I'm now at least sufficiently competent to throw a variety of shapes. I still make plenty of mistakes, and have to scrap some of the things that I attempt, but I've made some things that I like.

Anyway, here are a few of my things.

Ooooh those are so good.

 

[moose]

Love that little red/green jug mhendo Really nice work!

 

[spirals]

I made this yesterday

 

[Edie]

I’m learning to crochet!

 

[moose]

I love the knees in those patterns, Edie
I have Kerry the Chameleon to tackle next.

 

[Edie]

I love the knees in those patterns, Edie
I have Kerry the Chameleon to tackle next.

Aren’t they expensive tho I had no idea!

 

[moose]

Aren’t they expensive tho I had no idea!

Yes, eyewateringly and probably unjustifiably so. Me and a couple of colleagues swap patterns and just use normal yarn, not the fancy Toft stuff.

 

[Edie]

Yes, eyewateringly and probably unjustifiably so. Me and a couple of colleagues swap patterns and just use normal yarn, not the fancy Toft stuff.

Is yarn the same as wool?

 

[moose]

Yes, kind of, in that it's the stringy stuff that comes in balls, but yarn's a more generic term, as it can be made of wool, cotton, silk, bamboo, acrylic, etc., etc.

 

[campanula]

sorta, Edie. Yarn is a generic term for fibre, which has been spun into a thread,which may or may not be wool (could be any of the vast range of plant-based yarns, or could be man-made (acrylic fibres). It is a bit confusing though. There are numerous categories of wool based on how the fibres are spun together...so you have something called 'worsted' and then you get into esoteric details of plies, roving, z-twists, s-twists. In general, I tend to only use fibres which have an animal origin (lambswool, alpaca, camel, yak, cashmere, angora)...while plant based yarns (cotton, hemp, bamboo, casein...tend to lack elasticity but have very good drape...and are often good for children who moan about itchy woollens. Then, there are the varied weights and thicknesses. I have finally got my head around the supreme importance of matching the right yarn for pattern, garment, style...which has a lot of bearing on the ultimate success (or, in my case, many fails) of hand-made items.

 

[Edie]

Thanks for the replies moose and campanula I get that yarn is an umbrella term now. I think the toft stuff I have been buying is alpaca. It needs to be ‘DK’ I know that much (which is the thickness or ‘ply’ maybe- nope just looked it up it’s the weight) with a 3mm hook.

When you say you only use animal fibres campanula do you mean for crochet or just for your handmade stuff (eg jumpers) in general?

Ive been bitten by the crafting bug now and just want to jack in my job and be shielded from all stressful and upsetting life shit and make stuff and grow tomatoes. Life is bloomin traumatising and I feel this is the answer

 

[Edie]

Ooh moose do you want Sophie the Flamingo pattern?! I’ve got this one separate from the main book (think I bought the book and one kit years ago then couldn’t do it at first and gave up). Can post!! Xx

 

[campanula]

Hi Edie, yep, making stuff is an absolutely primal urge, I think, and completely verifies our human evolution as tool -users. I am a bit of a utilitarian, making things which primarily have a practical use, Back when I started knitting, we really didn't have the choices of yarn available today...but curiously, I have come fairly full circle and generally use very old-fashioned sheep's wool which has been spun in British mills. There has been something of a revived interest in British wool and certain breeds of sheep, and many of the old woolmills have been saved from falling into obsolescence. There is also a bit of an ethical principle involved - have a look at 'mulesing' as an example of less than ideal animal welfare.
Alpaca is a remarkable material - it is incredibly warm and has a lovely soft fluidity...but on the downside, it can go very bobbly (pilling). We have the choice of a lot of interesting fibres, including some bizarre stuff made from plant cellulose (seascell, milk protein)...and quite a lot of mixed fibres (wool and cotton, silks, animal fibres including camel...even, historically, a breed of dog, raised by native Americans who made a particular sort of jumper (the Cowichan Sweater).
I can crochet, but rarely do, although I have promised myself to try something called 'tapestry crochet' and a really ancient forerunner, nalbinding, next knitting season ( only tend to do it in winter, while summer is for gardening and sewing).
It is all deeply satisfying and I am so glad you have found joy in crafting.

 

[Edie]

Is knitting a lot harder than crochet? I fear so as there are two sticks and no hook

oh and campanula I got this book for my birthday (this was before I even got into craft I just really wanted to read it for some weird reason as I’m not even arty?!). I think you’d really like it, it’s about natural dyes and mending and beauty and pottering about

 

[moose]

Ooh moose do you want Sophie the Flamingo pattern?! I’ve got this one separate from the main book (think I bought the book and one kit years ago then couldn’t do it at first and gave up). Can post!! Xx

I would love it! Can swap for Kerry Chameleon if you don't have that one and would like it. (er... there's a book??)

 

[Edie]

I would love it! Can swap for Kerry Chameleon if you don't have that one and would like it. (er... there's a book??)

Yes all (most) and of her patterns are available as books! Either 25 patterns for a tenner, or 50 for about £12.99. Search Amazon for Kerry Lord.

Altho I’d like Kerry I’d feel bad swopping as I’ve scribbled a bit (done tally marks lol) on the pattern so just have it mate. Whizz me over your address.

(eta: the dinosaurs, unlikely sea creatures like lobster and squid, and the sheep omg the sheep are my favourites ) xx

 

[campanula]

Leilani Romper Playsuit for Girls PDF Sewing Pattern: Sizes 12 Months to 14 Years

This is a sewing pattern for a pretty, on-trend all in one romper/playsuit which will appeal to girls of all ages from toddlers through to teens. It's based on our popular Leilani Dress for Girls PDF sewing pattern and there are 2 options to choose from: the Romper with Ruffle Overlay or the...

peachpatterns.com

This is the pattern I have just bought to make with my grand-daughter. So far, she has been making bags, a cat bed, a rabbit and hait scrunchies so we will do this together. I remember the first item of clothing I made for myself with absolute clarity (purple cire wet-look hotpants) so I am really amused that5 we have come round the circle so Gdd will be making her own shorts suit. I think she will learn a lot about sewing techniques...and Sewing Bee is just in time.

 

[David Clapson]

Is it hard to learn how to use a sewing machine? I've just ordered one.

 

[Boudicca]

Is it hard to learn how to use a sewing machine? I've just ordered one.

Excellent! Welcome to the Crafty thead. I used to teach people how to use the sewing machine, my observation is that about 10% have the appropriate hand/eye and patience skills and get it straight away, another 10% will never get it and for the rest it takes practice. Start with some 100% cotton fabric, nothing stretchy, slippery, too thick or too thin.

I am no longer in Brixton, but friendofdorothy and RubyToogood are your local urban sewing gurus.

What are you making? The rare man who showed up at my classes was usually working on a top secret project involving outdoor fabric...

 

[Boudicca]

Meanwhile I am making blinds and cushions for my new Berlingo camper.

 

[David Clapson]

First priority is to enlargen some snake trousers. After that it's some top secret outdoor fabric projects!

 

[campanula]

Forgive my presumptions here, David Clapson - I believe I know what trousers you are referring to. I would suggest, for this one time, you source your fabric yourself, but take the trousers to a local sewist to get 2 side-vents inserted. Some alterations are fairly straightforward, but removing the waistband, adding in extra fabric, then reattaching the waist is fairly complicated...and if the trousers were costly and special, it is sometimes better to get a professional to make the changes.
Cushions and other upholstery is a bit more of a walk in the park (as long as you are not too bothered about piping and the like)...and look like you have them well in hand.