| Hello Kitty |
I never thought this day would come, but I plan to start making a rag rug. There, I've said it.
This shocking realisation dawned on me soon after buying a 1980 book, simply called Crafts, for 50p in Deptford market last Saturday, and seeing with my own eyes that the humble rag rug, staple of Fairtrade shops and student flats in the 80s, when made in the right colour combinations, could actually look amazing.
The patchwork number above is made out of fabric strips and hardwearing twine or string, woven into squares and sewn together. Fear not, you don't need to have a fancy room-sized loom – a basic £10 kids' tabletop one will do the job just fine... click here to find out exactly how to go about it.
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| Protest singer's pad? |
If you can't be bothered faffing about with a weaving loom, this lovely autumnal rug is made by braiding (plaiting) long strips of fabric together, winding the plait round in an oval or circular spiral and stitching each round to the previous one. Depending on the thickness of your fabric and the sturdiness of your sewing machine, you could probably zigzag the whole thing together on a machine. Easy peasy instructions for this one here.
It was a happy day when I stumbled upon my new favourite book. Craft (Book Club Associates, 1980) also features no fewer than 10 different belts to make, plus two hammocks and a picnic basket, which I look forward to sharing with you toute suite.
I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I happened upon a massive collection of 60s, 70s, 80s (and one 30s) craft books in my local bric-a-brac market yesterday. All from a school library in East Dulwich in south east London – and at £1 a pop, I bought as many as I could carry.
Sadly, for reasons of shelf space, I had to leave behind titles on macramé, plaiting, braiding, soft toy making and other skillz just a little out of the scope of my interests, but this little lot will keep me going for a while. Watch this space for some of the highlights.
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| All together now – awwww |
I was in a junk shop flicking through St Michael Handicraft Gifts (1978), my expectations way down low thanks to its soft-focus satin lavender bag and pot pourri cover, when my eyes fell upon this sleepy corduroy dog. I did a double take and then all but cried at how sweet he is. I know I must be getting sentimental in my old age, but come on LOOK AT HIM, he's even got a heart-shaped nose.
What more is there to say really, except I bet you want to find out how to make him, and have a look at the shape of that nose, so here's the pattern and the instructions. Night night then.
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| She's got a skirt pattern and she's going to use it |
While having my customary new-year clear-out, I came across the first sewing book I ever owned: My Learn To Sew Book. Why it had been put in storage I have no idea apart from the fact it's really tatty with a ripped and stained cover and half the pages are falling out. Anyway, what a blast from the past it is...
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| By Janet Barbour/illustrated by Belinda Lyon/published by Hamlyn, 1970 |
The projects are so familiar they're like old friends. Hello Lazy Daisy cat, Polly Dolly, hedgehog pin cushion and inhabitants of the primitive dolls' house:
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| (Not to scale) |
And a special welcome back for these stylish lion slippers, I missed you * scroll down for a link to the pattern*
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| One of the mane things I like about this book |
These lovely illustrations made sewing look fun...
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| Best hairdos ever |
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| Ah the memories |
Sew (geddit), if you can see yourself lounging about with two lions on your feet, click here for the slippers pattern...
Or, if you are looking for something a little less ostentatious, here's how to make this marvellous money belt:
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| Put your money where your belt is |
Does this classic kids' book look familiar to you? Or is there another one that got you into making things? Let me know in the comments!
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| False advertising: no knitting, stitching or crochet in this post (artwork from Stitchcraft, December 1973) |
For my short-but-hopefully-sweet penultimate post of 2012, I bring you a two festive projects – just in case you have any spare 'making' time over the pre-holiday weekend...
First up, a leafy hanging wreath adorned with an octet of colourful elves...
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| Which one is Will Ferrell? |
To find out what you'll need to make this charming decoration, and how to go about it, click here.
Secondly, a '70s nativity scene featuring all the usual characters and creatures, gathered in the stable...
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| Mary and Joseph look over the moon |
The grid's quite nice to look at:
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| Love the three kings |
And the full instructions are here.
Both these festive furbelows are taken from my trusty St Michael Book of Handicrafts (Sundial Books, 1975). I hope you enjoy making them.
Happy holidays to Glad You Could Make It readers around the world!
*UPDATE! To see more images from this book, check out my new post More Swedish Stitchery*
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| Victor Pettersons Bokindustr Aktiebolag, Stockholm 1954 |
I picked up this sweet 1954 Swedish sewing book, Hemslöjdens Hardarbeten at Greenwich Clocktower Market this morning. I don't understand a word of it – even the title, which appears to translate as 'Handiwork Handicraft'.
But who cares – look at the pictures!
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| Square sunflower |
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| White on black |
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| Lovebirds |
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| Horses under a strawberry tree |
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| A sudden burst of colour |
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| Peacock pairs |
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| Chapman's clipper |
Just wanted to share that with you!
*UPDATE! To see more images from this book, check out my new post More Swedish Stitchery*
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| The cat that got the cream |
Isn't she cute with her satisfied smile and Peggy Moffitt-y eyelashes? Imagine her sitting in an armchair, cheering up your abode and making all your guests feel welcome. Perhaps she could become a glamorous ladyfriend for the printed pet cat of a few posts back?
Here's how you can make her out of a piece of vintage fabric (an old pillowcase would do nicely), some black embroidery thread, some stuffing and – the pièce de résisitance – a little bit of fringing for her exaggerated eyelashes.
Taken from my trusty Complete Book of Handicrafts (Octopus, 1973)
For those into screenprinting, this printed puss is the cat's pyjamas. I do love his paws – three on the front, one on the back – his smiling face and graphic-print fur, and the fact his friend the mouse is thrown in as an optional extra.
He'd make a brilliant cushion... and if
you don't have the space or equipment for screenprinting, or don't fancy the mess, you
could always appliqué him instead.
(Update: to make him a glam lady-cat-friend, click here)
The pussy cat's book-mate Pollyanna is a long-lost cousin of Kitty the Clothkits doll, but with a smaller wardrobe, consisting of one apron:
They are both taken from Printed Rag Toys (1967) by Joy Wilcox, who won the Design Centre Award for her toys in 1965:
It's full of wonderful things for '60s kids to play with – king, queen, robot and spaceman dressing-up outfits, a carousel drawstring bag and a hobby horse (or I should say a stern-looking hobby unicorn):
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| What a lustrous mane |
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| Queen for a day |
Got a fancy-dress party to go to or need a cat-shaped cushion? Click here for a printable pattern.
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