Crafting Ideas - Blog Posts
(made using the pattern here! though i made the wings with my own patterns, and downsized the head some.) little man COMPLETE! took several months to make because i FORGOT i had NO PLASTIC BEANS to fill this guy with. and then struggled with embroidering the eyes on because as it turns it out that is Very Hard to do when you've already assembled all the fabric pieces together. so. his eyes get to stay closed. permanently sleepy....
anyone have good resources for learning how to knit cables? im struggling to find tutorials or even basic explainers that are written well, and video is not accessible to me.
i want to get good at cables because the only knitwear my husband has any interest in wearing is cardigans/sweaters with complex cabling 😅
Oh hey, do you know what time it is? It is highly specific resource time!
Today we have the Royal School of Needlework Stitch Bank! There are HUNDREDS of stitch types in the RSN Stitch Bank.
And more added regularly, let’s look at a recent addition
I picked the first one in the 25 recently added Elizabethan stitches, the Elizabethan French Stitch
The stitch bank provides written and photo tutorials as well as a video option to learn to do it yourself. There are examples of the stitch in use, resources, references, everything but a needle and thread!
rsnstitchbank.org
Skipping the sales pitch, I spent all day just to make this and I'm very happy with the result!!
If anyone else has the urge to crochet a tiny little guy for yourself or someone you care about, you can download the pattern below and fold it into a zine <3 (pls tell me if this works. I'm happy to update this with a pdf instead!)
Available in both english and swedish as always!
I can feel…the serotonin and dopamine dropping…i need to make…Crafts
i must make…
b e a d l i z a r d
What people think why i became a bookbinder: Oh she wants to explore her artistic horizon with those pretty leather bound books of hers. She even gives them out as gifts to her friends. It most likely helps her with anxiety or maybe she just wanted a more special costume made notebook.
Why I actually became a bookbinder: I just illegally downloaded and printed out several of my favourite fanfics and books and started binding them into books cuz I love reading them but looking at screens for too long gives me headaches.
sewing patterns for bugs! (pt 1)
these are just some I found on etsy. please add more you know about!
giant tropical velvet worm pattern by LilLeviathan
aphid plush pattern inspired by Grounded by TheWeaversTools
tarantula pattern (there's a crochet version, too) by LarriecraftsNL
jester the snail pattern by Oddnest
bee plush pattern and fruit fly plush pattern by CirquellCuriosities
isopod plush that stays rolled up with snaps or velcro by CholyKnight
snail plush pattern by CholyKnight
moth and butterfly plush pattern by CholyKnight
dragonfly plush pattern by CholyKnight
I've been reading through your blog and you're doing an amazing job at sharing diy and fixing tutorials. I had a question on weather or not you had anything on thigh bags? Or removable pockets, generally storage spaces to that aren't a backpack or a cross bag
Bags, pockets, and alternative storage
You've got a few options if you don't like backpacks or cross bags. This post is not exhaustive, just a few ideas you could try.
Hip and thigh bags:
Your back or torso might be a convenient place to keep a bag, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. Another spot that's pretty handy is your hip or thigh.
Free hip bag pattern (Stylin' Stacy)
How to turn thrifted purse into hip/thigh bag (Instructables)
Purse to clip-on belt/hip bag (EPBOT)
Free belt bag pattern (Melly Sews)
How to turn clutch into belt bag (Brit+co)
Free zippered belt bag pattern (Sew4Home)
(Image source) [ID: a person wearing a brown leather bag that's been clipped onto the belt loops of the wearer's jeans. Text: "EPBOT".]
Fanny packs:
Fanny packs are also an option: you can wear them both around your waist or across your body.
Fanny pack tutorial (Gathered)
Easy fanny pack tutorial (Sewing Times)
Free fanny pack pattern (Spoonflower)
Fanny pack video tutorial (Madam Sew)
(Image source) [ID: a fanny pack made out of a dark green fabric with white leaves and yellow leopards lies on a green background. A pair of sunglasses and a hair clip lie next to it.]
Removable pockets:
Aside from adding pockets to your clothes or enlarging existing pockets, you can also use tie-on pockets. They were commonly used in the 17th-19th century, either hidden between petticoats or worn on top of a skirt. Worth a try if you wear a lot of wrap skirts or pants!
Make your own tie-on pocket (V&A Museum)
Tie-on pocket moodboard (Pinterest)
Tie-on pockets (Bernadette Banner)
(Image source) [ID: close-up on a large tie-on pocket made out of a white fabric with red details, worn over a red and white striped petticoat and faint purple stays.]
Cargo pants:
If bags aren't your thing, there's always cargo pants! They're a type of pants covered in pockets. If you can't find any cargo pants, you can always make your own by sewing external pockets onto a pair of trousers. Make sure to use fabric that's strong enough to handle the weight of whatever you plan on putting in there.
Draft your own cargo pants pattern (Shwin & Shwin)
Add cargo pockets to pants (Sew Guide)
Cargo pants self-draft pattern (Marlene Mukai)
Add cargo pockets to pants (Sewing Mamas)
(Image source) [ID: close-up of the legs of a person wearing denim cargo pants. An external pocket with a button closure has been sewn to the side of each leg.]