You can buy kits for covering buttons from haberdashery shops and sewing supplies departments. They are metallic and aren't expensive and come with instructions for use. Buttons covered in fabric to match an outfit or in a colour that complements takes dressmaking to a new level.
I've covered my own buttons to make them into brooches or decorative pieces.
It's a fiddly but easy process and the results are rewarding.
Here's how to do it.
You'll need flat buttons with holes. bits of fabric and stuff to embellish with.
- Take your button and draw around it.
- Measure the diameter from side to side, increase it by a third and draw another, larger circle. This is your template.
- Decorate it. Beads, stitches, paints, fabrics - you choose.
- Around the edge of your decorated circle sew a lie of running stitches. Leave long ends to pulls with.
- Place the button on the decorated fabric and draw the fabric tightly around it with the stitches.
- Secure the fabric with some stitches.
- Cut out a circle of felt large enough to cover the work on the back of the button and sew it in place.
- Add a brooch fastening.
Simple!
pinterest.com/explore/fabric-covered-buttons
How about one of these?
I used two cocktail sticks, two beads and embroidery thread to make this little brooch. A pin-on fastening is attached to the back so that it can be safely fastened to you.
Temporary beads were fixed to the cocktail sticks to stop the work from slipping off. I then cast on 18 stitches and knitted until I was satisfied with the length. Next I rolled my knitting up and rolled yarn into a tiny ball and fixed it in place with glue. A fringe was tied to the loose end.
When I'd finished knitting I transferred the work onto new cocktail sticks which were painted gold and glued new beads in place. Some stitches and a tiny amount of glue were needed to keep everything in place and in shape but the brooch is sturdy.
Try this. It's fiddly but rewarding.
Use different stitches, yarn and beads,
uk.pinterest.com/stitchheaven/knitting-in-miniature
pandashouse.com
Today in my creative crafts class we made wind-chimes. It was a relaxing and creative experience that produced an incredible range of pieces. It was also popular and people could see how they might make more chimes or go on to dream catchers and hangings.
I thought the hanging above was gorgeous. It would be easy to make with dowelling, beads and jewellery threads and could be used to improve a window with a poor view.
You would need lots of beads so why not head off to the junk store or craft shop and buy them. Another enjoyable and practical session whose results could be given as gifts or used in the home. A great way of using up an excess of beads and charms.
I made this junk jewellery bracelet from buttons beads and odds and ends. It looks like something that was made from inexpensive items but when I added them up, or worked out what they would cost to buy new, it was expensive. with my time and sundry costs I wasn't sure how to price this item so that it was fair to me and a customer.
Getting the money right is important.
What would you pay for one off hand-crafted items?
What do you charge for your creations?
Are you satisfied that the stuff you use to make your products is considerately sourced?
Do you lack the confidence to ask for what something is worth?
Just some of the questions crafters and makers ask themselves each day.
Picture shown by LTreatDesigns. For sale on pinterest.
When I meet up with my craft group after the holiday we will be making windchimes. We are excited about this and with good reason. They can be made from all kinds of things including keys, shells, broken pottery and beads. You can make them using simple construction skills or jewellery making skills as in the example above. I am making mine using beautiful twigs from outside and hanging them with some tiny (one-bite) metal cake tins that I never used and I hope to post the results. All skill levels and all ages can be involved in this. Get looking for stuff and have a go. Consider your neighbours though and don't have something too loud and clanking!!
www.LTreatDesigns.com
http://uk.pinterest.com/explore/wind-chimes/
Making felt is such a pleasure. Watching a fabric being transformed right in front of your eyes into something else never loses its appeal. I use felt in my classes and would describe it as a forgiving fabric. It doesn't fray or need a hem, it can be manipulated, sewn onto and into, it comes in dozens of shades, kids love it and it looks and feels great.
Making it is as varied a concept as using it. You can make felt with wool tops soap and water or you can felt woollen clothes in your washing machine. Felting needles enable you to make tiny detailed items with very little fuss and the smallest amount of material. you can felt wool onto lace and lace onto wool, you can make small items such as snowflakes or you can put designs on bags or jumpers.
I will be returning to felting with my class soon and we will be looking at needle felting to make designs on purses. I don't have a video of me making felt but I've added links to two great sites. Once you watch them you'll be inspired to do it yourself.
Have a look and then try.
www.youtube.com/user/gypsyfelting
www.youtube.com/user/dharmatradingco
J
ust a few of the books my Dad bought.
My dad believed in the spiritual and educational value of reading and put his money where his mouth was by buying a large collection of books for us to read as children when there was barely enough money to buy bread. A long long time has passed and I still haven't read them all. I keep promising myself to get on with it but there are so many things to do in life and so many other books.
My plan is now to decorate each book once I have read it. They are not valuable antiques and my children read via hand held devices and won't want to carry them through life as I have done.
In the spirit of adventure and creativity I intend to do these books justice by reading them and re-purposing them in a thoughtful, respectful and creative manner. Where possible, something on the new cover will reflect the story within. I'm going to be binding and gluing, using ribbon and found objects and photographing the results.
I welcome suggestions and pictures to spur me on.
Do you have some books that you don't need and would like to decorate. Have a look. You could use pages in decoupage and card making, or you could cut into them.
At The John Ryland's Library in Manchester - quite near to me - winning entries for bookbinding and re-modelling competitions are displayed for the public to admire. I might visit and be inspired.
Cutting into the books is also an option...requiring a plan, a steady hand and sharp tools.
I'll let you know how I go on.
manchester.ac.uk./library/rylands
