Tag Archives: crafts

Leonard Cohen had his famous blue raincoat, Acacia had her famous purple butterfly dress which was also torn at the shoulder and generally tatty after being worn day in and day out for over a year.  She even slept with it next to her like some kids have a favourite soft toy.  Unlike the tale of angst of the famous …

This week presented a problem, old age got the better of our duvet cover and it suddenly perished to such an extent that the next trip through the washing machine would have killed it.  The problem was that we have been on holiday this month and eaten out a whole lot, the budget is about as shot as the old …

I am a last minute kind of person, yesterday (Good Friday) I suddenly decided that it would be great to have a look at how to make Easter easter baskets. I woke in the wee hours thinking of how to do this. I decided that I would like to sew quilted bags for the children to use. I looked at …

  I have been looking for a pattern for a top which can be worn over leggings and cover the rear.  I made the Mc Calls pattern 6121 top this weekend and was very happy with the result.  The pattern was quick and easy to sew.  I did not make any changes or adjustments.  I plan to make at least …

I am not a fancy seamstress, I also battle with instructions if they are not VERY clear so these are very simple, step by step instructions to make quilted place mats. The size which I chose to do is 37cm x 30cm but you can adapt that to whatever you want. I use a printed fabric for the top and …

  I first made New Look Pattern 6879 when Acacia was 2.  I used a lovely white fabric and French Dormeil lace which came from my Granny’s clothing factory in Harare to make view B.  A year later I tried to make view A in green fabric using View A but without a transparent overlay, I don’t know what went …

This is a real ‘Duvet Covers for Dummies’ set of instructions. When it comes to most instructions, the line from ‘Bugs Life’, “He talked fancy to me, I got confused” applies to me.  I need very clear, simple instructions.  I Have wanted to make a duvet cover for Acacia’s bed for months, I looked at a book, googled, looked at …

I love finding something different for the children to do in terms of craft.  We bake a lot together but I run out of ideas for things to make.  When Fjord was a baby I bought painted wooden letters to spell his name on his bedroom door.  I have been looking around for some for Acacia without much luck.  Last …

Fjord loves the pyjamas which I made for him using New Look Pattern 6641.  I would like to share the few changes which I made. The 1st pair I made were the red, his head was very tight going through the neck hole of the top and is a bit uncomfortable when taking off and putting on.  On the 2nd …

I was taught to crochet by my great Grandmother when I was little.  She only taught me to do chain stitch (casting on) and treble stitch.  With this rudimentary knowledge I have made many blankets and scarves but been frustrated that I could not advance my skill.  Recently I discovered a wonderful wool shop in Boksburg and I was enthralled …