Kinzashi flowers!

Cut a strip of fabric - approx. 5cm wide

Cut the strip into 5 squares. Fold each square in half to form a triangle. Fold in half again.

Fold half the triangle back and then fold the other back to create a small triangle

Trim the corner of each triangle by a couple of millimetres where the 3 points meet. Next put a staying stitch in the corner and thread all 5 triangles like beads onto the thread until they are clustered together. Stitch the flaps of the first and last petals together. Repeat until all five petals are stitched together. Turn the flower over.

Using your finger puff out each petal until it looks like a pretty flower...

....not quite as pretty as cherry blossom, but a delicate pink Kinzashi! Very Kawaii!!

Suffolk puffs

I've just discovered Suffolk puffs! So easy to make and a great way to use up fabric scraps!

First cut out out circles of fabric - mine measured about 10cm

Next do a running stitch around the perimeter of the circle and gather together to form wee puffs

They're so quick to make and quite addictive.
It doesn't take long to have a pile of puffs

Next sew the puffs together in any combination to make a quilt or a whole host of other things, such as embellishments, brooches, clothes etc.

The more imaginative the fabric and material used, different effects will be achieved.
These could even be made using old plastic bags!

OT helped to rummage through the fabric box!!

Waterproof corsage!

Problem: What to do with ripped plastic bags?
Solution: Upcycle them to make a pretty, waterproof corsage...!

Draw circles on plastic bags and cut them out....

Fold the circles in half, then quarters....

...and then open out the layers to form a rose shape

 Repeat until you have a bunch of small flowers..(and OT has checked!)

Gather all the flowers into a bunch and sellotape the stems together

Cut a circular back with a middle hole, cover with plastic and insert bunch of flowers

 Pin to coat and brave the rain with a pretty upcycled waterproof corsage!

Recycling retro curtains!

Remember this pile of Deptford flea market jumble? I bought a curtain for 50p.....

...then sifted through my collection of antique lace scraps and beautiful buttons...

...then once the curtain was washed and ironed, I measured and cut it to size under the watchful eye of OT....before transforming it...!

AFTER - Retro curtain cushion with antique lace embellishment

Antique lace and button detail

Total cost of cushion - 50p!

Quality control check OT style!