Really Really Free Market: CRAFTS

Soft Toys: Febuary 9th, 6 to 9 pm

2009-02-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

I love sewing children's toys. Anything goes. The more mismatched and fun the better. The uglier the better. For this alligator I used a pattern by Claire Garland in her book, Toys to Sew.

YOU CAN USE: Any material. I think a variety of textures are fun in children's things. Younger children may like softer fabrics. I often stuff my toys with fabric scraps. It gives the toy some heft and cuts down on waste. I have seen children's toys stuffed with beans, plastic sacks, anything. Just be sure to keep an eye on a child if he is playing with a toy that could be potentially dangerous if torn open (and be sure to stitch toys sturdy).

IF YOU HAVE THE TOOL, PLEASE BRING IT:
Nice scissors for cutting out your project. If you have a sewing machine, might as well bring it.

Hope to see you!

Knitted Tee Shirt Success

2009-01-12T10:43:00.001-08:00

I think these will become a very sturdy nice rug.

Applique Clothes and Bags: January 12th, 6 to 9 pm

2008-12-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

Inspiration from the commercial world:

($28)

You can do it too:

I made this. Very easy.

Allenbrite made this clutch. You could applique a bag too.

YOU CAN USE: A stained shirt (applique over stain). Any random bag that you could stitch threw. Faded shirt with branding all over it (for cutting up and turning inside out and using as applique). Any random material/patch. I have quite a bit of random material too.

IF YOU HAVE THE TOOL, PLEASE BRING IT:

Nice scissors for cutting out your project.

Hope to see you!

Knitting: December 8th, 6 to 9 pm

2008-11-24T19:02:00.000-08:00

My son in his knitted pants

YOU CAN USE:
An old sweater. Here and here are some tips on how to reclaim the yarn.
Or consider stripping old knit shirts (cut in a spiral) like seen here. Then connect strips like seen here. Or rip up torn bedsheets.

My son in his birthday sweater

IF YOU HAVE THE TOOL, PLEASE BRING IT:
Knitting needles. I have quite a few. But I won't want to send them home with you. Someone you know might have some to borrow. You might want to talk to your Aunt or Grandma. The fatter the yarn, the fatter the needles need to be.

If you don't want to knit, you can be a yarn reclaimer or a fabric stripper.

Also, to get you excited about honing your skills, here is a link to a fun and easy fingerless mitten pattern. The library has a nice collection of knitting books with inspiring patterns. Sites like ravelry.com have free patterns. Though most newbies start with a scarf. (But don't get trapped in scarf-land forever!)

Hope to see you!

Project Ideas

2007-11-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

Embroidery
Needle Felting
Wet Felting
Knitting
Sewing Napkins
Sewing Bags
Patchwork Quilts
Handquilting
Soft Toys
Miniquilts
Clothes
Applique
Bookbinding
Screenprinting
Waxpaper Printing
Jewelry
Painting