Projects Incomplete - what projects will you start or restart in 2015?

At the end of last year we were thrilled to add a new member of staff to the Ministry of Craft team. The lovely Jennifer Stevens joined us at Ministry HQ as our new Operations Supervisor. Obviously Jennifer is super organised and efficent, BUT, like most of us, she's also super crafty too! 

Our Jen!

I enjoyed reading her personal craft blog last week, Humilde Folk Art & Craft, (definitely worth a follow) about a new challenge she has set herself for 2015: Projects Incomplete. Could you finish off all of your half completed or unfinished projects in one year? Jennifer intends to do just that:

"It’s the time of year when we’re all trying to get back to being the best versions of our selves. I love the New Year, for me it’s a chance to really think about what I’m doing and how I can push myself to do better in the coming year.

Paper cut house using scraps of paper

2014 was a year of change for me. I quit my awful office job and started working part time for a company I love. And with my new found freedom and extra time I’ve been able to pursue my creative endeavours, which I’ve been trying to do for years but was always too beaten down by working in an environment that didn’t suit me.

This all brings me to my own 2015 ‘project’, one you can join in with too. I have met many creative people and it seems to me that one of the bad habits of being creative is hoarding! Hoarding materials and ideas and letting them waste away in corners. This year I’m going to clean out those corners, I’m going to attempt to finish every little project I have started or planned instead of letting it go to waste.

It’s an experiment of sorts, how will it feel if I really complete every project? What new skills will I learn by pushing myself to act on my ideas? I will share my journey from start to finish, however bad or good the outcome.

So here’s my first one: a paper cut I planned to do before Christmas but ran out of time. It hasn’t turned out as well as I would like and has made me think the design might work better as a print (another one for the list!) but I’m pleased I got it done and I have plenty more to get on with tomorrow!"

Jen's latest papercut

So which crafty challenges will you be joining in with or setting up for 2015? Will you join Jennifer with your Projects Incomplete? How about a making it a Make Do & Mend Year like Jen Gale? Keep us in the loop, join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram, and keep up the good work!

#ProjectsIncomplete 

Ministry of Craft Tutorial - Easy DIY Handwarmers

Sew your own handwarmers this Christmas! This is a great project to use up your stash of fabric offcuts and can be easily completed with inexpensive household ingredients. These cute little guys are essentially mini bean-bags which can be heated in your microwave (so don't make them for people who haven't got a microwave!) and then popped into your pockets or gloves to keep your hands toastie on crisp winter mornings.

Now, every body loves a roaring fire at Christmas, but seriously you must only make these out of pure cotton or natural fibres as anything synthetic will probably melt and potentially catch fire. As with anything warming in the microwave - my advice would be to heat these babies for 10 seconds at a time until you're happy with the temperature. I made mine out of 100% cotton, a lovely mustard fox print which I used earlier in the year to make a tunic, so I was happy to be able to use some of the offcuts. They are filled with rice and I have added dried lavender from my garden which I try to use every year in the gifts that I make, so they not only look good but they SMELL great! Here's how I made mine:

Ingredients:

100% Cotton or linen fabric (perfect for offcuts from your stash)

cotton to match your fabric

card

tailors chalk

fabric scissors

pins

needle for hand finishing

teaspoon

funnel

rice

lavender (it's a nice touch but not absolutely necessary)

 Make a 3 inch square template from a piece of card

 

Use your template to mark out squares of fabric to cut, using tailors chalk to draw your lines (these lines can be brushed off afterwards). I folded up my fabric like a concertina and pinned it (pictured) so that I would be able to cut several pairs of squares in one go to save time. You'll need 2 squares for each handwarmer, a front and a back, so 4 squares to make a pair of handwarmers!

Cut out your squares, and arrange in front of you so that you cut an even number to get as many pairs of handwarmers as you desire.

Pin the squares right sides together to keep them from skewing while you sew.

Fill your bobbin with the same thread that you will be using on your machine, I chose this fun neon orange thread which I had from a previous project.

Using a straight stitch sew all the way round your square leaving half of the last side open, back stitching at the beginning and end so that it doesn't unravel. You'll need to leave the opening so that you can turn it the right side out and add the rice at the end. Before you turn your square the right side out, snip the corners so that you can get a nicer and less bulky finish.

Turn the square the right side out and press well with a hot iron. Get right into the corners to really push them out and get a nice shape.

Next set yourself up with a tray, a teaspoon and possibly a funnel (but only if your funnel has a nice wide spout!).

I used a small teaspoon in the end to spoon in the rice and lavender. Fill the bags up so that they are full but still have a little give in them.

Then pinch the opening shut, turning the insides under, pin to secure and then hand sew shut with a slip stitch and lock it off with a couple of stitches on top of each other.

 

And you're finished! They are super neat and very pleasing! I have seen other versions on Pinterest which use contrasting fabrics for the front and back, they look great especially in florals. 

 

Another twist on the same principle would be to cut your squares slightly bigger with pinking shears and top stitch through the fabric (no need for turning inside out) so that it resembles a pleasing fabric ravioli. Both look great and they are sure to be a hit with your friends and family. Good luck and let us know how you get on. 

Don't forget that you can come and join any number of sewing classes for beginners at Ministry of Craft, and walk away with a finished item. Why not try our SIMPLE REVERSIBLE TOTE or FOLKSY MAKE UP BAG courses on Saturday 3 January? Use our special offer code YULE5 to get £5 off either (or both). These courses make great gifts and are an excellent way to step up your sewing in the New Year!

Christmas Gift Guide - Ministry of Craft Style

Only 19 more sleeps! If, like me, you're not yet fully organised and still have to complete your Christmas shopping, allow me to offer up some ideas. We've got craft courses galore happening next year and there's something for everyone, plus we know some really REALLY great small, independent businesses who are worthy of your support. Read on!

Gifts for Crafting Wannabes

CONQUER YOUR SEWING MACHINE - Saturday 3 Jan - Our most popular course! Half a day of all the sewing machine basics; from threading up the machine through to experimenting with fancy stitches. THE place to start! 

BEGINNERS SEWING: FOLKSY MAKE UP BAG - Saturday 3 Jan - A brilliant choice for the novice sewist (suitable for complete beginners) who would like to learn how to use a sewing machine and leave with a useful, pretty product at the end. 

KNIT 123: BEGINNERS KNITTING - Tuesday 13 Jan (runs each Tuesday evening for 3 consecutive weeks) - Knitting is cool but oh-so-cosy! Buy the gift of knitting tuition for your loved ones and give them a hobby for life. They may knit you a sweater of thanks in return!

Gifts for Super Sewists

STEP UP YOUR SEWING MACHINE SKILLS - Saturday 17 Jan - Buy this course for THAT person who is already going great guns with their sewing projects but who would love the opportunity to hone their skills and learn fancy schmancy techniques (such as pin tucks, french seams, stitching leather) from an expert tutor. 

OVERLOCKING FOR BEGINNERS - Saturday 10 Jan - For experiences sewists who would like to give their sewing projects (especially clothing) that professional finish. If you buy them an overlocker machine too they will love you to the moon and back!

SEW YOUR OWN TUNIC DRESS OR TOP - Saturday 24 Jan - A dressmaking course for advanced beginners. A very good way to dip a toe into garment making and leave with a wardrobe staple (I'm not kidding, I have made two of these tunics!). Anyone who loves the Great British Sewing Bee will love this course.

Gifts for Teens

If you're looking for a crafting experience to attend together, or if you're happy to chaperone your teen (be they daughter, son, niece, or nephew), then these are great courses for crafty beginners:

PAPER PERFECT: DECOUPAGE JEWELLERY - Saturday 31 Jan - It's glueing and sticking and it's the best fun EVER. Brilliant for kids and adults alike. Make your own sets of decoupaged jewellery to take home.

BEGINNERS SEWING: SIMPLE REVERSIBLE TOTE BAG - Saturday 3 Jan - For the young person who's raring to go with a sewing machine, or who really loves textiles at school, come and sew this simple reversible tote bag. Bring your own fabrics and make a totally original piece or make a matching set together.

Gifts for Guys

Hey! We're all 'the guys', there's no sexism here! But if you want something less sewingy for a boy, or something that will appeal TO ANYONE, then how about these courses? 

SCREEN STARS: INTRO TO SCREEN PRINTING - Saturday 7 Feb - It's messy, it's graphic, it's as colourful and bold as you want it to be. Learning to DIY screen print is mega fun.

INTRO TO LINOCUT PRINTING - Saturday 7 Feb - Buy this course for the creative person in your life. They'll learn to make their own prints using cool and slightly dangerous cutting tools. Skills that can transfer easily to the kitchen table at home.

Gifts for the Craft Averse

If your kith and kin wouldn't be caught dead crafting (the fools!) but still appreciate local products, lovingly made by Manchester's finest, then take a look at the following:

Jelly Button Jewellery - Our tutor Michelle's handmade jewellery will satisfy the sweetest tooth!

Lines Form Spaces - Our knitting tutor Rachael is also an award-winning artist and she makes these hand drawn letter forms to order. Each one a complete original!

Nell Clothing - gifts for kids and the young at heart, screen printed by hand by our Nell (printmaking tutor)

Vinegar & Brown Paper - not strictly Manchester based but worth a looksee online to marvel at the beautiful etched glass products. Unique and fun!

So Satsuma - jewel coloured, beautifully hand-knitted hats, scarves and cowls in Italian merino wool. 

And that's Christmas all wrapped up for you! Support small businesses this Saturday (especially because it's SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY) and buy super awesome craft-flavoured gifts for your loved ones this Christmas. 

Thanks for reading!

New Course - Sew Your Own Foxy Faux Fur Jacket

Fake fur is officially ACE and fashionable too! I know because I read it in The Guardian last week, so I've picked out some faux fur humdingers for you to laugh at / drool over / take out a loan for (in some cases!).

This is Armani. It is sold out. Because it is AWESOME.

£225 will buy you this dusky pink marshmallow of a coat from Unreal Fur

OOF! The go-to brand for silly yet chic fur fakery is Shrimps. This Bailey jacket will set you back a cool £450.

Or spend £70 and come to Ministry of Craft and MAKE YOUR OWN foxy faux fur coat in one weekend with our fabulous tailoring tutor, Margaret Postings.

You can bring along your own fake fur fabric and leave with this Chanel-inspired cropped jacket (see above: that's me that is!). So whether it be Monsters Inc. style blue fluff, or very tasteful imitation shaggy sheepskin, you'll leave knowing you're right on trend this party season in a jacket that's one of a kind.

Our Sew Your Own Foxy Faux Fur Jacket course runs across both Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November. For booking and further details click here.

New Course - Sew Your Own Lounge Pants or Pyjama Trousers (suitable for beginners!)

I don't have to tell you that Christmas is a mere month(ish) away and that you'd better start thinking about cracking on with those handmade gifts. Even if you are complete beginner on a sewing machine WE CAN HELP! Join us on Sunday 16 November and let Alison (dressmaking tutor extraordinaire) take the stress out of your first make: PJ BOTTOMS!

Perfect in Christmas-themed cottons or timeless plaid-pattered flannel, dress your nearest and dearest this year in handmade lounge pants. Let me give you some context and inspiration:

You'll leave our course with a pair of PJ bottoms like this, but in your chosen fabric (we used Cath Kidston cotton). £42.50 for 4 hours of expert and very patient tuition.

These cute gray marl and polka dot stars are available from The White Company for £38

You can get these brushed cotton tartan PJ bottoms for boys at PJ Pan from Not On the High Street for £48

And my favourite, but the most expensive, are these satin lounge pants from Pazuki, priced at £209

All of the above would undoubtedly make great gifts, but if you want to avoid a mass produced Christmas, or if you'd like to save money and give something personal and handmade, then our SEW YOUR OWN PJ BOTTOMS course could be the very thing to get you started. Come along, and get Christmas all sewn up!

Tutorial Round Up - Our 4 Fave Patchwork Tutorials

I'm starting to feel a hint of autumn on the breeze this week. I might even turn on my central heating and indulge in a spot of patchwork and quilting to stave off the wintery blues.

If you'd like to do the same, here are our favourite patchwork tutorials from our Pinterest pages...

1. Heres a very cute and easy way to start: A Quick Pieced Pincushion from Very Berry

2. Suitable for beginners and favouring the wonky 'log cabin' style we love this slick but relaxed-looking Modern Log Cabin Patchwork Pillow by Brett Bara

3. Spooktacular 'Quick and Easy' Large Hexagon Halloween Quilt from Polkadotchair

You'll need to be up to speed with patchwork and quilting terminology for this tutorial but it's a good one for testing your quilting mettle. Also very nice to see the Autumn colours of Kentucky USA!

4. A shower curtain. Yes, a shower curtain. Expertly designed by Brett Bara with the intention of distracting the eye away from the rest of her grungy bathroom!

Perfect patchworking projects for Autumn. If you'd like to learn patchwork and quilting in a classroom setting, rather than from online tutorials, then check out our forthcoming Snuggle Quilt and Patchwork Bag courses here.