Patchwork Star

Thank God for crafty workshops that keep me making now that I'm at work full time.

Latest effort is this gorgeous star - my children chose the colour scheme. Squares then triangles...

Child's PJ trousers

Here is another make I produced under Jo's guidance at French Knots Craft Studio.



We drew the pattern for one leg by following the outline of existing PJ trousers. I increased the length a bit. It's important to stretch the elastic band at this stage or there won't be enough room for the waistband to go past a rotund bottom.

I placed the pattern on the folded fabric by the crease and cut, adding seam allowance. Old bedsheets - good re-use! I sewed the tummy-to-bum seam first (French seam), then each leg (French seam again), then each hem, then the channel for the elastic band.

Re-use by the sea: Lindisfarne sheds and sea-glass jewellery

We had a lovely in Holy Island on Lindisfarne during the school holidays. I wish to celebrate this magnificent re-use of material: turning herring fishing boats into beautiful sheds.

Another impressive example of re-use is sea glass jewellery. I bought a beautiful pair of earrings made by Joan Laverick of Authentic Sea Glass, Durham. She searches the beach near Seaham in North-East England to find Victorian glass that has been tumbled and polished by the sea into beautiful gems, which she turned into delicate jewellery.

Quilted zipped pouch

I enjoyed another French Knots workshop on Thursday to make a mini quilt using the quilt-as-you-go method, very liberating. Here is the result.

Patchwork cushion cover

In October, I had the pleasure of making a beautiful patchwork cushion cover under the guidance of Jo of French Knots Craft Studio. I was invited by a friend and we had a cup of tea and chocolate biscuits. Heavenly!

The magic Jo applies to the nine-patch square had me blocked for a while, I just couldn't figure out which way to arrange the four pieces.

But this thinking time was worth it, as here is the result:

Jo supplied all the fabrics, a sewing machine, iron and a fab feather cushion, just the right size, of course.

I have signed up for more patchwork and some crochet flowers next.

School Uniform etc.

My older son started school in September 2013. I tried to buy some of his uniform second-hand but missed the sale organised by the school. So he got three brand-new sweaters with the school logo. I bought these directly from the school. I can't say anything about the credentials of the company that produces these items.

School shoes were from Clarks. Very hard-wearing. Wellies from Tesco.

The rucksack is from John Lewis, plain navy blue with fluoro yellow piping - I wanted to get something that would get more use than a book bag.

The bottle was from Sigg.


I got the other necessary items (4 polo shirts, 3 jogging trousers, 5 pairs of black socks) from Marks and Spencer, based on a report by Ethical Consumer (2008). In hindsight, I am not sure why, as Matalan and Next scored better, but it was easier to get everything in one go. The labels state: responsibly sourced. After 4 months of use and washing and tumble-drying I am pleased to report they are wearing very well.

I looked into getting the polo shirts second hand at least, but the market is already bogged down with new Tesco et al polo shirts cheaper than chips so what is one to do?

Organic cotton polo shirts were just too expensive to be considered, but I'll try harder to get fair trade at least next time.