With all the crafts I learned in primary school – knitting, sewing (by hand), crochet and embroidery – the one thing I never learned was how to use a sewing machine. For the longest time I kept saying how I should go take a class but, of course, I never got round to it. A good few years ago my mother decided that the only way to get me to try my hand at machine sewing was to get me a machine. She picked up one of the Lidl sewing machines and gave it to me saying: ‘Now you have no excuse not to!’ Little did she know the depths of my procrastination!!!

I’m embarrassed to be admitting how long that machine sat in the spare room almost completely untouched (my husband has actually used it a couple of times for small jobs!). Last year I even crocheted a couple of bags, that I wanted lined, so that, once they were made I would have to learn to sew, so I could line them myself. Simples!! They have sat in a bag for a year. It was clearly not the incentive I thought it would be. But recently, as life has gotten quite a bit busier I have found myself putting more effort into making ‘Hilly’s Crafty Time’ (TM pending, take that MC Hammer!).

One Monday morning while the kids were at school I watched the instruction DVD, I filled a bobbin and I sewed on a practice piece of fabric. Then I felt ready to start the main event. I used this tutorial from Alice Merlino (a.k.a. futuregirl) and it made the whole job so easy. There’s a handy little worksheet that you print out and you fill in with all your measurements, then you just follow each step. I mean, I managed it!!

The first bag was a simple granny square bag that I was making, partly because my daughter wanted a bag and partly because it would use up scrap yarn. To add some depth to the bag the strap continues between the front and back panels. The bag is lovely as is but really does need a lining so that things don’t fall out the ‘holes’ in the granny squares. The lining I used isn’t a perfect match to the bag but I had it going spare, and I think it’s fun. This is the finished lining ‘pocket’ I made and then it just hand-sewed it into the bag.

The second bag is the Starling bag designed by Alice Merlino. I made it in Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton (which I think is discontinued now), in green, cos I’ve always wanted a green handbag! It is very quick to workup and it took me no time at all. I got the fabric in Vibes & Scribes craft shop, and of course I got way more than I need because it was too pretty not to! Again, once the worksheet was filled out with measurements, I just followed the very simple steps to make the lining. This time I decided to be brave and I sewed a slip-pocket for the bag. I followed this tutorial which made it very straight forward, and I sewed the slip-pocket onto my bag lining just before I sewed up the sides. For no particular reason, except whimsy, I added some pink ribbons to the bag and then sewed the lining in.

My only problem with this bag is it is quite floppy – from looking at the other FO pictures on Ravelry I expected it to be more stable. I’m not sure why its not but maybe its the yarn I used? Or the lining fabric? I am happy with it, because it is pretty and I made it, so I have a great sense of achievement here. But I have not satisfied all my bag needs with this one, so there will be adventures along this theme.

XoX

I recently rediscovered my jewellery. It is generally in a box, in the bottom drawer of my bedside table and I have noticed that because I don’t see it everyday I tend not to wear jewellery everyday. This has not always been the case and the realisation made me sad. Especially as one of my New Years Resolutions was to make some jewellery for myself. Since the start of the year I have made 2 pairs of earrings; not a huge amount but I am quite proud of the start I’ve made. (And more on that in a later post.)

The stuff

Faced with this problem, I did what any self respecting crafter would do. I found myself on Pinterest looking for ideas for organising jewellery. As expected I was spoiled for choice. The simplest idea I found was a framed mesh that would hold french hook-style earring as well as necklaces and bracelets. I sketched something simple that even I, with my limited DIY capabilities could throw together, and off I popped to my local suppliers. Here’s what I got:

• 1 wooden frame
• a tin of furniture paint (Rust-Oleum Chalk Effect furniture paint)
• a sheet of wire mesh
• a pack of screw in hooks
• a pack of picture hanging hooks

At Christmas I got a hot glue gun and I finally got to use it here. I also used a sanding square which I already had at home.

First thing was to sand the wooden frame a little. The frame I bought had been lacquered/varnished. I wanted a more rustic look for my frame and also, as I was going to paint it, I wanted better absorption of the paint. So after sanding was done I gave the frame 2 coats paint, to give the frame a more distressed look after painting I could have sanded it again, lightly.

Once the paint was dry I cut the wire mesh to size. So I measured (twice!) and then set to work with my wire cutters. I glued it into position in the frame and left the glue to dry for a bit. All that was left was to screw in some picture hanging hooks on the back. I went for 2 that I could tie string between as I felt this would make it easier to balance one I started hanging things on it.

Lastly I screwed in some hooks on the front of the frame for hanging the necklaces/bracelets and tied the string at the back. And there it is, on the wall, and I’m so proud! I’ve already discovered that I can make something similar for my daughter so she can organise her hair grips, etc. So next DIY project already sorted.

Happy days!

XoX