Wednesday 18 January 2012

New Project - Braided Rag Rug

A new year brings new projects. Thankfully, I'm settling down in my new job I began in December, and I'm finally fitting in a bit of crafting on an evening.

I posted last year about huge amounts of jersey fabric I purchased at a bargain price. I've used bits and pieces, but there's just so much, and this has also been a useful way to use some of the larger pieces up.

Technically, the idea behind the braided rag rug, is to use rags! But not having much in the way of rags, and having so much of the jersey fabric, I've decided to do a small rug/mat in a single colour.

The fabric itself is a grey patterned knit fabric with a kind of speckled back to it. Without really realising it, as I was braiding the cut strips, they curved in on themselves, so that in the end, it is the back of the fabric that shows.

I began by cutting long strips (it helped that my fabric was circular, as I could just cut long spirals for huge, continuous lengths) and rolling into a ball. I tied three balls together, looped over a door knob and began braiding. The trickiest part was stopping the balls from getting knotted up, and it definitely helps to not make your balls of rag string too long. When they get close to running out, I simply sew the next piece on. You can knot it, but that will give you a knobbly appearance when finished.

I've nearly finished my braiding (I've literally just used up this piece of fabric I had, so the mat/rug will be as big/small as it's going to be, I'm not making a specific size) so a little more and then I'll begin to sew it together.

Sorry the pictures aren't great - crafting on an evening means artificial light which is never my favourite! 




Can't wait to get this finished! Hoping the weekend will give me a little time to get some more work done on it. Yay for crafting again! Was really starting to miss making things!

Sunday 8 January 2012

Felt Wedding Wreath - Ending 2011

Well, not only are we in the New Year, we're over a week in, so it doesn't feel all that new anymore! Hence, here is me apologizing for not blogging over Christmas and New Year! It's funny - you have more time than usual (less work) and yet, so much to do, and so little actual free time.

Things are necessarily any better at the moment - I started a new job mid-Decemeber, and I've just been assigned a new role there, so it's pretty busy, taking a lot of my time learning something entirely new, and also getting used to the earlier-than-normal starts. Enough moaning though :) 2012 has been pretty good so far.

However, before I get started with blogging about 2012 crafts, I just want to round up the end of 2011. The two main things I created in December were a Wedding Wreath, which was our gift at my partner's Uncle's wedding the week before Christmas, and a Christmas stocking for my lovely other half.

The wreath came about as a) I love working with felt, and making wreaths & flowers, and b) we wanted to give a personalised gift. Hence, a white and pale pistachio wreath! Finished with the happy couple's initials, and the date of the wedding. Here's wishing you a very happy life together, Steve and Cheryl.


Sadly, I did that really annoying thing of wrapping up and handing over the gift before I remembered I'd not taken a photo of it. Luckily my partner had taken a shot on his mobile phone, so although not an amazing picture, certainly better than nothing!

The Christmas stocking came about when I found myself home alone on the 23rd. Adam was at work, so I thought I'd use the bit of quiet time to whip up a stocking. I ended up making it all by hand, so wasn't such a quick project in the end, but he's definitely worth it :) and it was a funy way to spend the evening.

It's red striped wool fabric, lined with black jersey, with a tartan trim. Blanket stitch around the toe area, and then a felt 'A' to add that personalised touch. I was really pleased with how it came out, and it looked so cute with all Adam's little pressies in!



I was so lucky with all the lovely gifts I received at Christmas. My friends and family know me so well! In my bunch of lovely stuff I got 3 craft books - one on felt projects, one on vintage chic on a shoestring, and a knitting book full of glove patterns! Can't wait to try out some projects from these, and also a few other things I've had in mind, asap.

I've also just about finished two more granny square cushion covers - one regular sized and one mini one, so I'll post about those as soon as they're finished. All I need  to do now is get settled into my new job so I can't start making the most of my free time when I'm at home!

Onwards and upwards then... here's to another good year!