Spring throw

Hi folks! So it's been a while since I last posted on the Faberdashery blog. I have no excuse really. It hasn't stopped raining for the past month so it's not as if I've been undertaking any great outdoor activities instead of crafting. No, I have just been taking my time with the latest project, as I wanted it to be something that would last well - even though it looks like it's thrown together (which it really is). I had the idea of making a "throw" that could be as versatile as possible - used to chuck on the sofa to cover up the unattractive spilt nail varnish stain, to use as a picnic blanket when the sun eventually comes out, or to throw on the bed if the weather takes an even colder spell.

To create a light, easily storable, and versatile throw you will need:

• Squares of fabric (mine are all approx 30cm squared)
• A backing sheet the total size of the throw you want to make
• Needle, thread, pins, tape measure, scissors
• Sewing machine (not vital)

Method:

1. I began by cutting the squares out of various leftover scraps of fabric and then laying them all out on the floor in a haphazard pattern, before pinning them in rows and sewing together with the sewing machine:

2. When the rowns were ready to be sewn together I ironed the underside seams flat so that the throw would lie better while I was sewing and once it was finished:

3. When all the squares had been sewn together to form the main body of the the throw, I pinned a plain old sheet to the top of the throw, so that effectively the topside (the patchwork) and the underside (sheet) were pinned face to face and then I sewed up three sides using the sewing machine.

4. I ironed the fourth unsewn edges back in on themselves to form creases so that they would stay in place when sewing them together by hand, which I then did.

5. When the topside and bottom side were completely sewn together I set about sewing simple white stitches diagonally across each square to create a quilting effect and to hold the two layers of the throw firmly together:

This was the most time-consuming part of the project and I successfully broke two machine needles in the process...oops.

But finally, I ended up with a country-bumpkin-ish spring throw, that can be used whenever and wherever:

 

Perfect for wrapping yourself up in and hiding from the rain until it goes away :-)

Spring tins

 

Spring is just around the corner people! I appreciated yesterday morning immensely when I was able to pop to the post office in just a chunky cardigan, after weeks of wrapping up in a ski jacket and several scarves and hats. Admittedly, I was slightly on the chilly side, but it still felt like the weather has improved enough to get back ouside and enjoy it, rather than constantly shivering my way through London!

I bought my first bunch of daffodils of the year to celebrate and then set about fiding an interesting way to display them. I remembered I had a stash of tins gathered from one meal down at my parents' house (I think it was sausage casserole, so kidney bean and chopped tomato tins galore!) and this seemed like the start of a cheap and easy little project...

All I used was:

Tin cans - saved from the recyclig bin
Farrow and ball - No 75 Ball Green
Acrylic paints
Brushes

Method:
Paint away to your heart's content!

They can even be re-used once the daffodils are past their best, as pen pots, storage for candles, anything you can think of!