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 :-)

Vintage cake stands

I absolutely love scouring old antique shops and charity shops for crockery gems. You can often pick up a selection of beautiful cups, plates and saucers at less than £1 a piece. Although it's not Jim's cup of tea, he doesn't mind eating the cakes and tasty treats off them once they've been transformed into handy little cake stands - ideal for parties and picnics.

 

To make a cakestand

You will need:

• Old crockery - tea cups, small bowls, saucers and plates ov varying sizes
• Super glue or a glue gun

 

1. Play around with the colours, shapes and sizes of the selection of crockery you've acquired until you come up with a design you like. 

 

2. Place the largest plate at the bottom, glue one cup/small bowl upside down to the centre of the plate and place a heavy item on the book until the glue sets.

3. Next, glue a smaller plate the right way up to the base of the cup and wait again until it sets.

4. Keep going until you have 2, 3, or even 4 layers...

And finally...

...Tada!

The finished article in use at a summer picnic!