I’ve had at least one craft project on the go for most of my life. I loved school holiday programmes as a child because there was a chance to make so many interesting things. The more traditional crafts of knitting and sewing were my staple for many years along with tapestry and cross-stitch. I also tried my hand at things like crochet, macramé and even tatting (courtesy of my boyfriend’s great aunt).
As a teenager I made most of my clothes and often for the rest of the family too. I used to take my father’s old business shirts that had worn out at collar and cuffs and remake them into blouses – with new contrasting collars or with some embroidery added. At one point I made a ski suit for myself and then ended up making them for half our youth group. I used the same pattern for all of them so it was a challenge to get them all looking different! At university I took on dress making to earn some money. I remember on very lucrative customer who was getting married and going to live in the tropics and needed an entire new wardrobe.
When I developed a chronic pain condition, crafting was my saviour. No longer able to play sport, go hiking or even much walking, forbidden by the physio to do decorating at home or do any gardening, I was in a position that I now had plenty of time to indulge my passion of doing crafts. It provides entertainment (alone or with friends) and also a great range of gift ideas for friends and family – so is a great multipurpose activity. Many of the tools and supplies can be used across the various things I have tried so there is great synergy in broadening my range.
As I have purchased more tools and supplies, I have gradually modified areas for different purposes and taken great pleasure in finding creative storage solutions.
I hope you will find useful tips and perhaps some inspiration for yourself or for gifts for others from my stories.
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