Thursday 10 December 2015

Better than a bag of sweeties

Aye up me ducks. It was raining this morning but I wasn't going to let it spoil my day. The plan was a Scrapstore visit, Sandra hasn't been before so it was a good excuse to go. Three of us went over the Humber Bridge to Hull. I had only intended to fill a basket for a £5 spend, but oh dear, I got carried away. I was like a kid in a sweet shop. The place was bursting with loads of different fabrics. 
Tracey was busy unpacking a new delivery of  wool for felting and asked me if I had done any before. I haven't but fancied giving it a go. She made me up a couple of bags of mixed colours, and then of course I had to buy the gadget to go it with. Linda has already got a gadget so she just bought the wool. Now I've got to look at some yoootooob videos to learn how to do it.   
I've taken a few pictures of some of the fabric I chose. A lot of it was included in the £5 basket, they are different sizes, some small, some large.

These three embroidered flowers are from sample books, they will make nice embellishments.


These five pieces are all one metre lengths off a roll, they are not included in the basket price, but are very cheap at £1 per metre. It's the thick fabric with a rubbery backing, ideal for bags. 
The following pieces are from sample books, I picked up two books, they are included in the basket price.



This book has paper inserts showing the design of the following fabrics. The colourful pages could be used in paper crafts. 

I now need to sort out my own mini Scrapstore in the spare room, the fabric is spilling out over the front of the shelves because I keep diving into it as I search for specific colours. A massive tidy is on the cards.

Thank you all very much for your complimentary comments about my bags. I know that several off you have expressed an interest in owning one, and I am chuffed. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I won't be taking orders. I make them for fun because I enjoy playing with fabric, mixing and matching colours, and creating something from recycled materials. If I make mistakes and they are not perfect then it's not a problem, because I give them away, and someone who gets something for nothing shouldn't be picky. If I were to start  taking orders and charging for them it would take me a lot longer to make them, because they would have to be perfect before I let them go. I don't want to be stressing about if my work was good enough. Also I don't want to be tied to bag making, churning them out would be so so boring. I hope you understand.

What I really would like you to do is make a bag yourself. Have a go, even if you don't have any sewing skills. Look at yoootooob videos for patterns and techniques. Bags can be hand stitched if you don't have a machine. A shopping bag is so simple, a front and back, and two handles. Don't worry if your stitching is not straight, or it looks a bit wonky. The pleasure of using something which you yourself has made is far more satisfying than handing over a few quid and buying one. Every time I use my home made bags I proudly tell everyone. The checkout ladies are well impressed.

Got to go now. Thanks for popping in. Catch up with you soon. Toodle pip.

16 comments:

  1. That's a fancy felting tool! I use a single felting needle, and I've made some pretty wool buttons and a couple of little critters, and I have plans for a felted landscape in a box. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Ilona!

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  2. Looking at fabric is one of my favourite things. I'll be very interested in your forays into felting. I've once done wet felting one afternoon at a Xmas craft afternoon but never with felting needles. Natalie

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  3. That's a very pretty assortment you have. It will be interesting to see how you use them all.

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  4. Months ago I was inspired by your use of empty cat food packets. I have large dogs and they can really eat. I hated the idea of tossing the plastic dry food bags. I now cut them down, restitch the bottoms with squared corners, make handles and there you go...shopping bags for only the cost of thread and sewing time. Choices

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    1. I once made a small bag out of ground coffee bags - the designs are so nice I just had to have ago.

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  5. HiI really enjoyed seeing all the varied fabrics...just lovely.I love browsing through"Fabricland"(even if I'm not buying) if I am close by to a store.It always inspires me to see what is being done and all the little extras i.e. tools and embellishments that they carry and I can actually see and touch textures in real life.You will be having lots of creative fun with your recent finds and I look forward to seeing what you do with them.Thank you,D.

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  6. never been to a scrapstore, lots of lovely fabrics. I bought some fabric sample books on ebay the other year, around £10 each. I've just recycled a skirt this week into a shopping bag. Felting looks complicated, can't wait to see what you make. Jo

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  7. good for you ,sticking to your guns and saying you only make them for the enjoyment. I've been asked lots of times if I will knit or crochet something for someone and sometimes I do but not for money. I wouldn't want to be stuck with churning stuff out either. No enjoyment there. Anyway if I'm making a toy I might do the head and body and it will be weeks before it gets arms and legs, ha ha. You've pick up some beautiful fabrics there Ilona. Interested to see what you will make. I was in Hull last week ( taking Christmas presents for the family. ) I've not been to the Scrapstore. Did manage a drink and mincepie in The Minerva though. (favourite Hull pub) and of course some of Bob Carver's chips! A must.

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  8. I love fabric! That's a store I could go mad in. ;) Love the emb.flowers and the purple too.
    Nice haul. I've been wanting a felting machine for ages. But can't take on another project.
    Can't wait to see how your little felting tool works for you.

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  9. very pretty fabric, and I enjoy seeing what you make with what you have.
    good for you, I always hating making the same things over and over, do it to please your self!

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  10. Couldn't agree more about having a go and making your own bag. Probably everyone has got some bit of fabric at home that they could make a bag/several bags out of. Getting rid of plastic bags in supermarkets is fantastic, but I can't help thinking that there are just too many calico ones being produced as green alternatives, even sometimes given away free at events. And all the fancy ones that the supermarkets are selling....

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  11. You got a great selection of fabric. No Scrapstores here but I once bought one of those fabric sample books at a rummage sale.

    For anyone into paper crafts, one of the most useful and economical sources is an old wallpaper book. I've purchased out-of-date ones from home improvement stores for about $2 U.S. I've gotten so much use from them, covering boxes, making labels and gift tags and lining drawers to make them pretty.

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  12. Your bags are beautiful Ilona. I would be very proud to have made one too. No scrap store here though. Love your so neat name stitching too

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  13. Remember to look at some of the lovely needle felting projects Cassie Stephens has done, you have her blog listed to the right of yours. JanF

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  14. I want to go to the Scrap Store!! What bargains! You will love felting!! You are so creative that you will be doing some amazing things. Can't wait to see!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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