One of my aims for my sewing this year was to do more experimental and fun sewing, and also to sew some practical household items - it seems that I’ve managed some of both of those already without seemingly trying. While each of these have a practical purpose, they’re also a lot prettier than what I’d been using before.
You know what I’m like with scraps and since I made the Scandinavian Star before Christmas, the offcuts of the two bright fabrics have been on the side in my craft room staring at me. Eventually I cracked and wondered what on earth could I do with the small pieces that were left.
It turns out quite a bit.
Pairing those small starched strips with some of the green leftover from the backing of the Essex Linen kisses picnic blanket, some blue shirting, and a bright pink zip I made myself a teeny tiny mat and a business card sized pouch.
Asking why is a valid question. A pouch because, well pouches - and it is one of those smaller ones that I wanted to try. It’s already come in useful for holding my blog business cards for my day at this year’s Garden Press Event, and I think it’s longer term home will be to hold jewellery when I’m away from home.
The teeny tiny mat, which also gave me the opportunity to test out some decorative stitches on my machine, also has a practical purpose. It has replaced a very unglamorous, but functional, paper towel which I’d been using to make sure my turmeric massage oil didn’t stain what it shouldn’t (it never has, but you never know…)
I don’t even care (too much) if the turmeric does stain the teeny tiny mat, it’s pretty much turmeric coloured anyway!
While I was at it I decided to knock up a couple of slightly larger 4 inch square mats to use in the kitchen to stop the oil bottles leaving an oily mark on the worktop. The turquoise edged mats can be washed, and are made from remnants from my Mystery Block of the Month quilt, so it’s nice to see those fabrics in a different setting.
Though I can see mats becoming a new obsession!
This one I made cutting some fabric from my stash while I was working out how to assemble my Flying Geese tote. I’d not sewn with soft and stable before. This one started out as a test for that and quickly morphed into another small mat, which is the perfect size to go under my newest small succulent.
And then there was a special request.
We often have a cup or whatever next to the kitchen sink, often soaking to remove the tea stains - and so having a mat that we can use there, that was smaller and better looking than the functional reusable kitchen towels I’d made from surplus quilt blocks and old towels would be a win.
And it is a win. It’s been in use since it arrived by the sink, and is easy enough to wash or to store when we’re in a clear worktop mode!
Actually I’ve realised that I ticked off three things from my sewing list for this year: small pouches as well as the experimental/fun and practical household items - but I’m sure there’ll be more as the year goes on. They’re not really “once and done” goals are they?!