One of my main reasons for starting the 52 weeks : 52 crafts project (aside from it being a way to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, or course!) was that I wanted to learn new skills and get other makers and crafters involved in the project. So I was pleased as punch when Debbie from Rag Rug Textiles got in touch and offered to send me one of her wonderful kits.
At first I wasn't too sure if Rag Rugging would be for me... although I do have patience for certain craft activities, I'm a person of quite low patience in life and where things fall on my patience scale tends to be a bit unpredictable. But once I got poking, prodding and ragging on this project I could start to see a world of possibilities beyond the little lavender bag I was making!
Debbie's lavender bag kits include everything you need to get rag rugging: a pre assembled lavender bag that you have to rag rug and then finish off with a line of stitching, recycled/rehomed fabric to cut into strips and do your rag rugging, a rag rugging tool, instructions and even a sample piece which helps illustrate how to do the rag rugging.
Debbie's kit was a great starter to get me going and I'm now thinking about other projects I'd like to start and how I could work my the techniques into some of the other crafts I already make.
It's no wonder that Debbie knows how to put together such a wonderful and easy to follow kit - she has been sewing and teaching almost all her life! Debbie was taught to knit and sew at five years old, so that she could make for her dolls and by seven she was embroidering, and if that isn't impressive enough, she was dressmaking at only eleven years old! Throughout her career she has taught handicrafts through work in social services and delivering workshops to community groups. Currently Debbie works for the WEA in several centres across Devon with a number of different client groups... She also has a full calendar of workshops and demonstrations ahead so please check out her website to see if she might be making a stop near you. Oh yes, and if online shopping isn't your thing, you can also buy her kits at a number of National Trust properties.
So after a wee bit (okay, quite a lot of!) of prodding and pulling, my lavender bag turned out like so.
Personally I think its a really sweet item, just perfect for tucking into a drawer or tucking away in your airing cupboard to leave your clothes, towels and home smelling of the lovely fresh scent of natural lavender flowers!
If you have any questions for me or Debbie, please do comment below and we'll answer as I post throughout the week.
As always this item will be auctioned off for Macmillan Cancer Support, with the auction ending Sunday July 1st. Remember that 100% of your bid will go to the charity, so please bid generously and do spread the word. When the auction is on it will appear below:
** please note the auctions above update only once an hour, so there may be less time to bid than you think! please click to follow the link.
At first I wasn't too sure if Rag Rugging would be for me... although I do have patience for certain craft activities, I'm a person of quite low patience in life and where things fall on my patience scale tends to be a bit unpredictable. But once I got poking, prodding and ragging on this project I could start to see a world of possibilities beyond the little lavender bag I was making!
Debbie's lavender bag kits include everything you need to get rag rugging: a pre assembled lavender bag that you have to rag rug and then finish off with a line of stitching, recycled/rehomed fabric to cut into strips and do your rag rugging, a rag rugging tool, instructions and even a sample piece which helps illustrate how to do the rag rugging.
Debbie's kit was a great starter to get me going and I'm now thinking about other projects I'd like to start and how I could work my the techniques into some of the other crafts I already make.
It's no wonder that Debbie knows how to put together such a wonderful and easy to follow kit - she has been sewing and teaching almost all her life! Debbie was taught to knit and sew at five years old, so that she could make for her dolls and by seven she was embroidering, and if that isn't impressive enough, she was dressmaking at only eleven years old! Throughout her career she has taught handicrafts through work in social services and delivering workshops to community groups. Currently Debbie works for the WEA in several centres across Devon with a number of different client groups... She also has a full calendar of workshops and demonstrations ahead so please check out her website to see if she might be making a stop near you. Oh yes, and if online shopping isn't your thing, you can also buy her kits at a number of National Trust properties.
So after a wee bit (okay, quite a lot of!) of prodding and pulling, my lavender bag turned out like so.
If you have any questions for me or Debbie, please do comment below and we'll answer as I post throughout the week.
As always this item will be auctioned off for Macmillan Cancer Support, with the auction ending Sunday July 1st. Remember that 100% of your bid will go to the charity, so please bid generously and do spread the word. When the auction is on it will appear below:
** please note the auctions above update only once an hour, so there may be less time to bid than you think! please click to follow the link.
Thank you Chris for such a kind and thoughtful write-up about the kit. I am so pleased that you have enjoyed making the Lavender Bag and I will send you a Patchwork Ready Cushion for the next item to make!
ReplyDeleteThe Kits are available from me so please do visit my web site for details. They are £13.50p including postage and if you use the word ‘Lazy Crafternoons’ in your e-mail/letter with cheque I will donate a £1 from the sale to Chris's Charity, Macmillian. I look forward to hearing from you. Deborah Hastings www.ragrugtextiles.com