Homemade Knit, Sew and Crochet: 25 Home Craft Projects

Work 3 rows.

Row 13: K19, inc in next st, k8, inc in next st, k25. (56sts)

Work 3 rows.

Row 17: K19, inc in next st, k10, inc in next st, k25. (58sts)

Work 1 row.

Row 19: K33, turn and cast on 1st, cont as for right glove from *.

Making up

• Sew the side seam with mattress stitch, catching in ends where you can. Then sew in any remaining ends and press lightly with your iron on the wool setting.

(#ulink_5131c5ba-0a8d-5fa1-b577-eb1d535173d3)

Felt flower hair clips and combs

These charming felt hair accessories are fun and fashionable, and they are simple enough for children to make.

They make great presents or items to sell at a school fair.

You will need

Scraps of felt in contrasting colours

Cotton thread in matching colours

Hair clip

Undecorated hair comb

To make the flowers

• Cut a strip of felt approximately 10 × 1.5–2.5cm (4 × ½–1in), depending on how large you want your flowers. Cut one edge with pinking shears, then use standard scissors to cut between each ‘v’ of the pinked edge to approximately 5mm (¼in) from the opposite edge.

• For the flower centre, cut a piece of felt in a contrasting colour 50 × 5mm (2 × ¼in). Roll it up to form the centre of your flower and then roll the petal strip around it, sewing the edges and underside securely to hold it all together.

• For a simple hair clip, use just one or two flowers. If making a comb slide (#ulink_b81b29fd-ed21-50c8-b574-ada7caa08d86), make five in various colours and sizes. Then progress as follows.

To make the comb

• Cut a piece of felt the width of the comb and 2cm (¾in) high (or double the height of the top of the comb). Stitch the felt onto the top of the comb, sewing between each tooth and neatly finishing at the ends. Sew five flowers in a random order onto the felt edge of your comb, stitching from the underneath (where it will not show).

To make the hair clip

• Cut a leaf shape in double-thickness felt, then sew around the edge with running stitch. Sew a line down the centre to form the leaf vein. Stitch your flower to one end of the leaf and then sew the leaf to a hair clip, securing it in three places by sewing over the straight edge of the clip and the underside of the leaf using a small over stitch.

Tip

Add texture by inserting narrow strips of felt, looped between the flowers, or add a few small, green leaves.

(#ulink_622d50b0-9c1e-5368-b87f-1bddd20cfc85)

Flower corsage

Fabric corsages add instant glamour to a party dress or a plain top. This corsage is simple to make and can be given endless variations by using different colours and textures, and old or new fabrics.

You will need

Scraps of fabric in contrasting materials, colours and patterns (you need at least five different fabric scraps to build a flower)

Cotton thread for hand or machine sewing (we used silver thread)

Brooch pin (optional)

To make

• Cut various size circles of fabrics and layer them five or six deep, using a variety of different thicknesses and textures, such as velvet and net. Use pinking shears to cut the edges of some fabrics, to give added interest around the edge.

• Sew four lines across the diameter of the circles to divide each circle into eight segments, using machine or hand stitching. We used silver thread, which seems to look pretty with everything. Leave loose strands of thread at the edges of the flower by not trimming too close – this adds to the overall effect.

• Cut from the outside to the inside of each flower, between the lines of stitching, to a point just short of the centre. Then turn over the corsage and pinch (#litres_trial_promo) together each segment near the centre, then sew around your pinch, drawing the thread slightly tight to pull the flower into a three-dimensional shape.

• Sew the finished corsage firmly into place on your chosen piece of clothing or a bag. If you want to be able to transfer the corsage from garment to garment, attach a brooch pin to the back.

Tip

A group of corsages would look great on a belt or waistband – and they can even be used to hide the odd worn patch or moth hole on a much-loved cashmere jersey.

(#ulink_fa329e75-7b4d-58cf-8daf-5336fa532769)

Bag-in-a-bag

Plastic carrier bags are a definite no-no for style and eco reasons. This homemade replacement is strong enough to carry lots of heavy groceries, light enough to fit in your handbag, and über-stylish.

You will need

1m (39in) in any standard width of strong fabric that isn’t too thick or heavy; or use an off-cut measuring 64 × 80cm (25 × 32in)

Cotton thread for machine sewing

20–30cm (8–12in) ribbon

A pretty button

To make