Gransnet forums

Arts & crafts

How long ago did you start that?

(22 Posts)
Nansypansy Fri 06-Nov-15 06:49:16

I've been going to a weekly patchwork & quilting 'class' for 5 years now and that is what motivates me. If I didn't go, I know I would lose momentum. I have made bed runners, wall hangings, pictures, bags, baby mats, pencil cases, spec cases, bunting, cushion covers and a quillow. This has resulted in a growing stash of fabric which I don't understand as I'm always trying to use up what I've got .... But there's always another bit of fabric that I can't resist! ..... Not to mention a growing pile of items that I don't know what to do with!

rosequartz Thu 05-Nov-15 19:23:01

Does something not even started count? I still have some Viyella fabric that was going to be a pretty dress for a tiny DD2 (the one who is now 33).

rosequartz Thu 05-Nov-15 19:21:34

I've never actually done it chelseababy but I think you copy the file name of the photo into the 'Choose File' box underneath here then post.

NfkDumpling Thu 05-Nov-15 19:13:06

I still have a Clothkits baby cord preprinted tabard sitting in a bag in the loft. I cut it out many moons ago to fit size 14 - then I 'blossomed'. I'm still waiting to slim down enough to make it worth while finishing. But I still like it - unlike the pale blue Crimpolene dress (also Clothkits - unmade) which went to the charity shop last year. I expect they made money on that for being a collectors item!

chelseababy Thu 05-Nov-15 18:32:22

I was going to attach a photo of a quilt I actually have finished...how do you attach a file please?

rosequartz Thu 05-Nov-15 15:38:43

If I don't get off here and go and do some knitting or learn to crochet I will have even more UFOs to fill the house grin

Indinana Thu 05-Nov-15 15:36:05

rosequartz grin

ninathenana good for you, at least you've not let it go to waste. I thought I'd done with the whole knitting thing about 20 years ago and wasn't likely to knit again. My kids had grown up and didn't want hand knits anymore, and I really couldn't be bothered to knit for myself. So I gave all my wool to a charity shop - there was bags and bags of it. Then a couple of years ago I got interested again, started knitting and crocheting, making small things, gifts for people, or little things for charity. And now I've got more yarn than I had when I gave it all away grin

ninathenana Thu 05-Nov-15 00:54:42

I like your patchwork Indinana the colours work well. It looks fine to me what does it matter if it's not perfect. Patchwork always looks attractive but sadly I don't have any urge to make my own. Sewing is a necessity for me not a pleasure.
I found the sleeves of a chunky knit jumper that I started for DH about 10 yrs ago in the back of a cupboard last month. My fingers won't let me knit anymore so I undid them and gave all the wool to the charity shop.

rosequartz Wed 04-Nov-15 22:52:55

I have never done quilting, so I am very impressed and I like the colours and pattern Indinana

Perhaps I could start one and it could be my next UFO grin

Indinana Wed 04-Nov-15 22:44:32

Thanks for your kind words folks, but seriously it doesn't bear close scrutiny Then again, I imagine many of the quilts made hundreds of years ago probably had a degree of wonkiness, so perhaps I'm in good company wink

rosequartz Wed 04-Nov-15 22:38:00

I have a jumper I started knitting for myself when we first moved here, which was 30 years ago.
I only have a little bit to finish then the neckband to do ....
But I've gone off it.
And a jumper for DD2 which I started when she was about 8, she is now 33.
I could finish it for DGD if I could find the pattern.
The yarn cost 33p a ball!

TendringGran Wed 04-Nov-15 22:04:21

Patchwork quilt started in the 1970's. Part made and many squares cut. Will leave it for the kids now.

Crafting Wed 04-Nov-15 19:00:29

Indiana I have just started patchwork. I am very impressed with yours. It's lovely. smile

chelseababy Wed 04-Nov-15 18:33:04

indinana that is impressive! The largest paper pieced item I managed was a tea cosy!

stillhere Wed 04-Nov-15 18:19:08

Indinana that is lovely. I do like the colours.

My mother, who is brilliant at all kinds of crafts and usually very original with her ideas, suddenly got hooked by cross-stitch. I was never all that interested, I like to make up my own patterns, not copy someone else's, (apart from the odd knitting pattern and even then I alter them) so I was taken aback when she started buying me expensive cross-stitch kits. I finished the first few, but I still have at least half a dozen incomplete ones from about 20 years ago. Last week I plucked up the courage to ask if she would like them to finish off - and she said, no thank you, she got bored with it years ago! grin She kept that quiet - I had been buying her a new one every year! She probably has more than I do stashed away in a corner somewhere.

Grannyknot Wed 04-Nov-15 17:28:14

I chuck my UFOs out - definitely after years! I am so ruthless grin Or they have a new life as dusters.

soontobe Wed 04-Nov-15 17:23:42

I have a do it yourself rugkit thing, started in about 1985. I quite liked it up until about 1995..
It is bright orange. Need I say more.

whitewave Wed 04-Nov-15 16:48:10

I have a tapestry of a cat sat on a patchwork quilt on a rocker, started in the 80s about half completed.

Indinana Wed 04-Nov-15 16:41:34

I started a paper-pieced patchwork quilt in the early '80s, using fabric scraps left over from all the dressmaking I used to do for myself and DC. I eventually ran out of steam and it ended up in the back of a cupboard for years.
I finally finished it a couple of years ago. Not a masterpiece, I'm afraid, as I didn't really know what I was doing in those days and it did get out of shape, so when I added the borders they ended up very wrinkled sad. Still, I finished it!
But although it's pictured here on my bed, I don't use it, because I really don't like it now. My DD asked if she could have it, more from nostalgia than anything because it reminds her of her childhood when I used to spend hours with little piles of paper and fabric hexagons smile

Maggiemaybe Wed 04-Nov-15 16:32:10

Since I retired last year, I've finished off a big cross stitch tapestry of Fragonard's Reading Lady. I started it in 1975 grin

I have no idea what to do with the thing now.

tanith Wed 04-Nov-15 16:30:37

I have a cross stitch sampler I started when my son was 10yrs old, he's going to be 38 next year grin. I get it out of the box once in a while and then put it back my eyes just ain't what they used to be wink

chelseababy Wed 04-Nov-15 16:21:39

On Friday I'm going to a patchwork class/group in an attempt to get my "block of the month" patchwork quilt moving. I started it in 2011 and I've another UFO (unfinished object) a patchwork quilt I started in 2006 when I knew I'd be working part time.

What's your oldest UFO and how do you motivate yourself to get projects finished?