Sometimes we invest a lot of fabric, effort and energy in handcraft only to find we don’t particularly enjoy the end result. This is off-putting and something to guard against if we are to continue to invest time in creative work. I don’t know what the answer is, except to say that handcrafted items can be upcycled.

Gwen had made a lovely quilted vest some time ago but wasn’t wearing it because she didn’t like its shape.  It is rare that I suggest unpicking anything, but in this case I could envisage the front panels becoming character-filled deep pockets, so I suggested Gwen unpick the side-seams of her vest and resew the lining to create two stand-alone pockets from the front panels. Continue reading →