Make your own – it's more fun
by admin on Feb.16, 2010, under Uncategorized
0 Comments | Western Morning News, The, Feb 13, 2010 | by SU CARROLL
I CAN still remember sitting in my primary school classroom learning how to sew. First of all you would have a large darning needle with wool, and we would put straight lines on pieces of paper.
Then we graduated to woven material and embroidery thread, building up patterns consisting entirely of “X” stitches.
Over the course of a school career I learned blanket stitch and machine stitching, and graduated from egg cosies and peg bags to making dresses and even a lined coat.
I don’t think the thrill of making something for yourself – or others – really diminishes. Kirstie Allsopp’s fascinating TV series Homemade Home showed us all what excitement there was to be had by making your own crafts, not to mention saving money.
I was given a Cath Kidston book for Christmas and spent a happy few hours making a tote bag for a friend’s birthday present.
It was a lot more personal than popping to the shops for a gift.
Cath’s latest crafty book is Make!, a charming account of 48 fantastic projects using some of her simple and popular motifs, including flowers, racing cars and Stanley the terrier.
This would be ideal for an enthusiastic beginner or someone with a bit more experience.
There’s easy to follow step-by-step instructions for the projections and lots of information on the basic techniques you will need.
Despite the book’s small format, the pictures are bright and full of clarity so that you can see just how the items are put together.
With the Cath Kidston book I had for Christmas – Sew! (Quadrille, Pounds 14.99) – you get patterns for the projects inside – bags, aprons, clothes and soft toys.
In Make! you are given templates for the motifs, taking all the guesswork out of creating cute and personal items.
My local haberdashery shop had a run on wired ribbon after Kirstie used it on her show. Hopefully more and more people will become interested in the old-fashioned crafts.
Whether you want to make a present for someone, or something for the home or just find an absorbing hobby, you’ll find lots of inspiration here.
SU CARROLL
