Middlesbrough’s Hidden Gem for Arts and Crafts

Percy-Middlesbrough Logo

 

EVER thought that crafts materials were too expensive?

Look no further.

Percy Middlesbrough, North Ormesby is the place to go!

The Great British Sewing Bee Review

Presenter and Judges of the Great British sewing Bee

 

 

At the prospect of the mainstream sewing programme, this reviewer began to get rather excited.

With a past life predisposition , this reviewer has always been interested in arts and crafts but there is not enough information out of there in this particular hobby to get people involved in the modern age.

Often, teens might assume that no one under the age of 70 takes up this fantastic past time, but that is not true and here is why.

A simple way to upcycle a playsuit.

My playsuit

My playsuit

 

 

I bought a playsuit yesterday, on a trip around town, but on my way home the carrier back that the playsuit was in got snagged on a railing which impaled the bag and even worse, created holes on the shoulder of my playsuit! I was absolutlely devastated. What on earth would I do now?

Holes in fabric

So, after a little think, i decided to this would make a great post to add to my website.

I began by measuring the affected area, which was on the back of the playsuit.

Measuring the affected area

After this, I had a look in my ribbon box for some black ribbon that would measure up to the size that I wanted it and luckily I found some straight away.

I cut off two strips that measured in the length I needed them.

Cutting the ribbon to size

Measuring the correct distance from the top

Then I placed them on to the back side of the playsuit, one on each strap so that they would match, and I pinned them into place.

Pinning the ribbon into place.

Then I back- stitched the ribbons into place.

Its as simple as that and I’ve got to say, personally I think it looks great. You can’t even tell!

Superscrimpers

Super Scrimpers

 

SUPERSCRIMPERS: Channel 4’s television series to help save you some money.

This show is not ideal for those interested in crafts, but its a start.

Although the show is based along the idea of showing people how spend less, some ideas can often be a rather crafty creations.

The Difference Between Arts and Crafts

Adele Billinghay cutting the glass for one of her pieces

 

IS there a clear conception of arts and crafts?

Is sewing an art form? Is baking just a craft?

How can we define the difference?

Kevin’s Supersize Salvage Review

Kevin’s Supersize Salvage

 

WHAT happens to an out of use aeroplane?

Is it just scrapped? Or can it be used for other things?

In this programme, Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud shows viewers how an Airbus A320 can be upcycled in today’s society.

How to do a simple, yet effective applique.

1. First of all, you need to draw the silhouette of you design. Keep it quite basic if you’re only a beginner.

Step 1.

2. Next, choose the fabric you would like the design to be in. I’ve chosen a cotton fabric so that the design won’t slip and its easy to sew.

3. Pin your design onto the fabric and then cut it out leaving a couple of mm’s all the way around, using fabric scissors and don’t forget to leave the pin in.

Step 3

4.Then, take your background fabric and pin the design onto that.

Step 4

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5. Next, choose a similar colour thread to the design.

6. After this, fold the edges of the design under and begin to sew up through the design and then back into the the outta fabric, all the way around.

Step 6.

And then finally, remove the paper pattern and there you have it.

Kirstie’s Handmade Britain Review

KIRSTIE ALLSOPP: We all know Kirstie as the bubbly television presenter for Location, Location, Location but does she know her stuff about arts and crafts?

At first, a lot of people weren’t show sure but after a couple of episodes, you can see that she’s actually quite good and rather enthusiastic about the crafts movement.

Kirstie-Allsopp-Handmade-Britain

However, as the cousin of MBE English fashion designer, businesswoman,an entrepreneur, Cath Kidston, who once herself was selling hand-embroidered tea-towels and brightly renovated furniture, how can she not enjoy working with crafts.

The Top 5 Places to Get your Supplies

Crafting can be an expensive business, especially you go to the chain stores on the high street for your supplies. So here are a few tips as to where can get some fabulous discount deals.

1. Go to your local market. Market prices are always much cheaper as the traders aren’t trying to make a huge profit, just simply selling good quality goods without advertisement and shops to pay fund, plus you can also barter for your trade.

2. Check websites such as Amazon and E-bay, as they also have big big discounts and the good get delivered straight to your door.

3. Search for discount supplies online. If you subscribe to newsletter for Hobbycraft and Overstock.com, you will get notifications for the sales events, and often they have catalogues with sales products advertised in them.

4. If you buy in bulk from places such as Boyes, then the price often would work out cheaper.

5. In the sales in all sort of stores such as Wilkinsons and Boyes, they always have an end of occasion sale, whether it be for Christmas, Hallowe’en or Easter. You should choose these times to stock up on supplies for the following year. Even different seasonal colour felt fabrics and buttons etc are discounted, so they don’t necessarily need to be used for a specific season.

What to have in a basic sewing kit?

Often over time, I always realise I should have something in basic sewing kit but for some reason or other, I don’t. So I always have to run out to the shops at last minute.

 

So I thought it would be helpful to newbie’s to show you how to ensemble your essential sewing kit.

First of all you need some sort of sewing box. There are lots of cute designs all over the web, on sites such as amazon and eBay, but if you don’t buy online, or you can’t find one that you like then you can always nip into Boyes or Wilkinsons as they usually have something basic, even if its just a Tupperware container.

Sewing Basket

One you have you chosen container, you must start with pins and needles You will always need a range of sizes based of the fabric you are using and the size of the project you are working on. You have at least a small box of pins as they always go missing easily and this allows you to work on more than one project at once.

Pins

Pins and Needles

Next you need some sewing/ craft scissors. These should not be used to cut anything else, including paper, as it will blunt the blades and they will not be any good to cut the tougher fabrics. However, it may be a good idea to keep a second standard pair of scissors for cutting out patterns etc.

Scissors

Now, I would definitely recommend getting a thimble. Even the cheap plastic ones are good. This prevents you from getting any nasty stab wounds. It happens to us all at some point.

Thimbles

Thread. I believe that one should always carry black and white threads. These basic colours can be used for anything and everything. Then I would suggest a navy blue and red and then all the primary colours. But for the most essential threads, I would just stick to black and white, in perhaps a variety of thickness for different fabrics and needles.

Black and white threads

Next, I would suggest a tape measure and a 15cm ruler. You must use accurate measurements so you definitely shouldn’t guess.

Tape measure

Now, if anyone is like me, you will be bound to make a few mistakes once in a while, but that’s okay. You basically need to buy a quick-unpick. The name says it itself.

Quick- Unpick

If you see any buttons lying around or if you ever take them off a garment, then you should always keep them in your sewing box. Never throw them away.

Buttons

And final some tailors chalk and a pencil, to mark out patterns and so on.

Pencils

Et Voila! You have the basic sewing kit!