A new arrangement
Over the past couple of months I’ve been reorganising my work room, this included moving the big table so that it is adjacent to my sewing machine. Previously it was up a corner and lots of stuff had accumulated underneath, so the move meant that many things came to light that I hadn’t seen for ages… including a stash of fabric scraps from about 25 years ago! Combined with scraps from some recent makes and some rescued fabric from worn bedding and garments, I had a good selection for this month’s projects.
First, some new face coverings. Now masks are compulsory in indoor public places in Wales, I wanted to experiment with designs that would minimise fogging of glasses. I finally settled on a pleated version that tucks nicely under the chin and has a channel along the top in which to put a wire to bend over the nose. We experimented a bit and have found that an old-fashioned pipe-cleaner (I had an ancient bundle of them) does the trick. This particular design is such that the wire can easily be removed for washing. I made us three each. The lining is from old sheets/pillowcases and the outers are from various clothes I made over the years (apart from the snails).
I’ve also wanted to experiment with making more Japanese knot bags, so I returned to my original pattern, which I followed using some scraps. Now I’ve made it again, I have decided how I’d like to modify it to improve it slightly. Anyway, my latest creation has become the home to Mr Snail’s clean masks.
And finally, I made a few more gift bags. Having decided to give up wrapping paper completely, it’s useful to have bags in a variety of sizes for gift-giving. Since some of them end up in new homes (we reuse the ones here), It’s good to replenish my stock every so often. All the fabric, binding and ribbons were scraps (and there’s plenty left!).
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folks often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate (me!), Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki, Pauline, Sue L,
Sunny and Kjerstin
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
The Snail of Happiness 
Nice Piece of Work
/ October 15, 2020I love your reorganised work room. Isn’t it the best feeling when it’s done?!
Happy mask-making, I’m sure your friends and neighbours will want some from you. March and April saw the Mask-Making Flurry over here, yours look very cool.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020I’ve been dithering about moving the furniture for ages, but now it’s done I’m so pleased… and so much more productive.
I made some masks ages a go, but as we had to wear them more and more, I realised they were not the best design for me – these are much better, plus I had the nostalgia of rediscovering some of the old fabric.
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cedar51
/ October 15, 2020I have very little “underspace” but as I was reading your post there was a little swishing noise and see that part of the pile on my semi dining/work table has decided it’s had enough and they are on the floor…I think tomorrow I will have a little tidy up and least have table semi-clear for the w/end…
Which also possibly means time for a scrappy collage or two to be underway…which is the main reason the table fills up!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020Most of my accumulation of stuff is things I know will come in useful later – I’m just concerned there will not be enough ‘later’!
Enjoy your collages.
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katechiconi
/ October 15, 2020I remember thinking a few weeks ago that we will probably never be rid of coronavirus, and therefore never rid of masks, so all those millions of face coverings that people have been churning out will probably not go into landfill very quickly. I saw a program where someone asked a Japanese lady why they wore masks so much in Japan even before coronavirus. She said “to prevent spreading germs, to avoid catching others, to prevent being recognised, to hid a spot and to contain bad breath”. All excellent reasons to keep and use masks. Keep up the good work! Love the gift bags too, although I think the Western world might have a thing to learn from the Japanese there too: furoshiki, which you give back afterwards.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020I’m hoping that the gift bags that make it out into the world will get used more… maybe for keeping some of those masks in!
My sister always returns the bags – I have her well-trained.
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katechiconi
/ October 15, 2020I’ve begun bringing gifts in a covered basket. You fish the thing out and take the basket home. Nobody imagines they’re meant to keep it, which works well for me!
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tialys
/ October 15, 2020I’m having an enforced tidy up in my workroom due to the (hopefully ) impending move and I’ve got to the point where I’m getting a bit cavalier about giving away stuff to all and sundry just to reduce the sheer volume.
Those Japanese Knot Bags are handy. I use one to take my purse, car keys and a small water bottle to my Pilates class. As for wrapping paper , I’ve given all my ends of rolls to a local woman who runs craft classes for kids. She was also the beneficiary of two huge sacks of fabric scraps – which is one reason I haven’t got a sraphappy post of my own again this month.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020I’m sure you’ll be building up a new scrap stash in no time once you’ve moved!
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DawnGillDesigns
/ October 15, 2020those bags are a great idea. I try and find something useful to wrap a gift in, usually the recipient gains a teatowel, but if I were a sewer I’d be making bags. Genius.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020I’ve been playing around with slightly different styles, but I think I know what works now and what can be done in the speediest way. I am considering actually selling some in my etsy shop, but I haven’t quite got that far yet.
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DawnGillDesigns
/ October 15, 2020Etsy shop?! Am I following you already? if not I need to be.
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DawnGillDesigns
/ October 15, 2020found you. 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020Sadly neglected at the moment… trying to get my head round a re-stock
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DawnGillDesigns
/ October 15, 2020now’s the time to do it, as long as your post office is still accessible – and simple crochet and knitting patterns aimed at beginners would be the way to go too, there are hundreds of people learning as a result of C-19 restrictions 😉
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Rainbow Junkie
/ October 15, 2020You do now have what looks like an excellent work space. I have one mask but have wondered if I ought to make more. It does have a wire in it but doesn’t stop my glasses steaming up. Fabric is one thing I don’t have much of but could probably find enough for another mask or two. Not enough for gift bags though but it is a good idea.
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Going Batty in Wales
/ October 15, 2020I made some masks a while back but now that we have to wear them more and probably do so for many months I have decided to make some nicer ones. I too find the pleated shape works best for me but the n ext ones will be decorated somehow. Getting the furniture arranged in a helpful configuration does make work easier. And a good sort out occasionally reveals all sorts of forgotten treasure.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020I am tempted to add some whiskers and a cat nose … perhaps I’ll make a plain one that I can embroider.
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Quimper Hitty
/ October 15, 2020Dear Snail, the Useful Bags to Put Things In are lovely, I have been heading that direction too, yours are delightful!
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onesmallstitch
/ October 15, 2020great masks and the gift bags are an excellent idea. Being a weaver I often wrap gifts in a tea towel.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 15, 2020Oh… I wish people would wrap gifts for me in a tea towel – that would be wonderful
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Susan Nixon
/ October 17, 2020Reorganizing is a pain, but it’s so worth it. Especially if you find treasures like those scraps! Great sews with your smaller pieces, too.
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magpiesue
/ October 18, 2020You certainly made good use of the scraps you found in your reorganization efforts! I’ve been making pillowcases to use as gift wrap at Christmas. I’ve always enjoyed gift wrapping with paper and ribbon though.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 19, 2020I used to like paper and ribbon wrapping, but I rather enjoy the sewing too.
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