Crafts for grown ups

Stags Head Cushion Tutorial

Updated on 11th March 2021 by Kate Williams | 15 Comments

I know, I’m having somewhat of a sewing renaissance here at the moment. The idea for this stags head cushion tutorial came to me the other day and I knew straight away that I had to make it!

You can view this tutorial in one of two ways, if you follow just the instructions fom making an envelope cushion and ignore all the stag bits then I promise, even as a beginner you can get this done in under an hour. The instructions come from what I learnt at The Make It Room the other week and my first attempt was done in no time at all. If you want to do the stag too it will probably take you about an hour and a half. I did mean to time it but…umm…I met up with the family and had lunch in the middle so kinda forgot. Sorry about that. The instructions are as follows….

DIY Childrens Tea Towel Apron

Updated on 24th October 2014 by Kate Williams | 25 Comments

So, after an epic amount of procrastination, last night was to be the night that I did some sewing. Child in bed. Husband out. Embellished cushion covers to be made so cushions measured, template created, even the iron was at the ready. And then of course once The Toddler was in bed I realised I’d left the fabric in his room. Or somewhere like that anyway. Hmm.

Not to be deterred (it having taken weeks to get the sewing machine out after all) I then had a quick panic about what I could make, especially due to the mild no fabric issue. Then I remembered two things; one, while baking that afternoon The Toddler had got his top totally covered in cake mixture, two, while trying to be a domestic goddess earlier last week by cooking a mid week roast dinner, I had set fire to the brand new Emma Bridgewater tea towel that Mumma Craftsonsea had sent me. Normal levels of domesticity resumed there then. So rather than throw away my lovely new towel I thought I would try and up cycle it into an tea towel apron for The Toddler. The whole thing was done in less than an hour and that includes me making up a pattern, so with a bit of foresight I think this could be done in 30 minutes easily. Here’s how I did it. …

The Make It Room Chelmsford Review

Updated on 21st February 2020 by Kate Williams | 10 Comments

So, having declared last week that, inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee, I was going to dust off my sewing machine and bravely try and start sewing again, I was very lucky in that last weekend I got to book on a class at The Make it Room in Howe Green to learn to make cushions.

I’ve sewn an envelope cushion before, in fact it was the last thing I actually cracked the sewing machine out for. I even made up the pattern myself. But the fact that I haven’t blogged it tells you roughly how well it went. It’s ok, I mean, it’s in my front room so it’s not a total disaster-o-rama or anything, but the back rather gapes and it’s just…. well, the machine has gathered dust since then. That’s not a good sign is it? …

DIY Shabby Chic Easter Wreath

Updated on 22nd September 2020 by Kate Williams | 20 Comments

I fancied making something to celebrate Easter but couldn’t really justify spending lots of money on it. Then I remembered that I still had my wreath from Christmas and hurrah! A plan was formed.

What with being a bit thrifty and trying to use things I already owned this shabby chic Easter wreath cost me about two quid. Here’s how you can make one too.

You will need:

One pre-made wreath. Mine was kindly given by my friend Louise, she bought them originally on eBay though. You can also buy polystyrene ones in fabric shops and if you’re a bit careful you can use them again and again!

Some fabric. I found some pale blue fabric that I’d obviously bought with a plan in mind, however it has since been sitting at the bottom of my wardrobe so this was a good excuse to make room for some more….

DIY Teacup Candles

Updated on 21st February 2020 by Kate Williams | 45 Comments

As someone who has a mild addiction to collecting pretty vintage things I’ve found myself with quite a few vintage teacups in the house! As such I’m a big fan of sharing DIY teacup craft ideas here on the blog and these DIY teacup candles are relatively simple to make! Once you’ve got the hang of it you’ll want to make loads and they make great handmade gifts too!

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Crafts for grown ups

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