I like making things, and I've done it a lot over the years. Nothing fancy, usually just small household things - dishcloths, cushion covers, and the like, as well as presents, and occasionally simple clothes for myself. I've got out of the habit lately - partly because I'm caught up with other priorities, and partly because the sewing machine doesn't have its own table, which means clearing off my desk every time I want to sew anything. The house has been in such disarray for such a long time that it's been difficult to look past DIY jobs to do anything that feels less essential. Lately though, things have started to feel a bit more manageable (although there is still plenty of DIY), and I've managed to make a few things. First up was a baby blanket, using lots of small bits of fabric that have been knocking around in my stash for a long time. The next thing I made was a new hot water bottle cover. I made the last one at the start of last year, and I'm annoyed with myself, as I could have saved it if I'd heeded the old adage 'a stitch in time saves nine'. Sadly, by the time I got round to it, far more than nine stitches were needed, and I decided to replace it instead. Again I turned to my stash, and used up part of a large piece of cotton that I've had for years, waiting for the perfect use (this isn't the perfect use I imagined, but I'm pleased it's getting seen regularly!) For the inside, I used several layers of an old sheet that I've had for years - as well as this brown one, I've got a pink one and a purple one too, and while I've used them for loads of things, there's still plenty left. I think I did four layers, and in the process broke both needles on my overlocker - I forget it's not quite as sturdy as the normal sewing machine... The final thing I made lately was laundry liquid. I've been meaning to do this for a long time, and never quite got round to it. We don't exactly have a large laundry bill - we use plain washing soda, which costs about 99p a bag, and each bag lasts several months. If we were washing white things all the time, it wouldn't be adequate, but we don't, and so it does well enough. Anyway, I like making household things, and yesterday I finally got round to having a go. I used this recipe, which was very straightforward. I halved the batch and made just five litres, which I imagine will still take us a while to use up. It was practically free. I used a quarter of a cup each of washing soda and borax substitute (if I hadn't already had that in, I might have just ignored it), and a couple of free hotel soaps that we had knocking around. I've stored it in old milk cartons - not pretty, but it's only going under the sink anyway. Let's see how long it takes us to use that up. My guess is it'll see us past Christmas. If so, it will have cut our annual washing powder bill by 90%, which sounds impressive until you remember we only spent about £2 a year anyway. Quite a saving if you buy 'proper' laundry liquid though!
Next on my list of things to make is blinds for the bedroom and kitchen. Let's see how long that takes me... In the meantime, while I was raking through my fabric and wool stash, I found some cotton, and so I've started knitting dishcloths again, using this pattern this time. Mustn't get too sidetracked...
1 Comment
Auntie Lou
24/7/2022 02:41:03 pm
Hope you enjoy reconnecting with your 'making - I am doing the same but hoping to make some clothes 🙂 .
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Hello!Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'm Jenni, and I write here about our new foray into country living, which includes growing food, knitting, baking, wandering around the fields, and seeing which local cafe serves the best cake. Categories
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