For many of us, the pandemic threw up an inner passion for crafting that had hitherto lain dormant. Suddenly, there was time, as well indeed as an impetus to cleave to the comforting – and for some, that comfort would be found in creating homespun projects that were meditative, under our own control and that resulted in something lovely where previously there was nothing. Now, years on, most of us have resumed the old patterns of daily life and the delights of crafting have been stashed away in their box once again.

If, though, you enjoyed it then – or indeed you loved making as a child – we would encourage you to pick up the fabric scissors or the paint brushes once more. There may not be a pandemic on, but stress levels are no lower now than they were then for a host of reasons. Here we round up a few projects – some quick, others more labour intensive – to do when you feel like slowing down, stepping away from screens and making something that will last – or at the very least be fun and lower the blood pressure.

Upcycling Furniture


Annie Sloan



Do you have any furniture knocking around that could do with a spruce up? Annie Sloan, the clever inventor of Chalk Paint which is absurdly easy to use without mucking up a nice piece, shows us how to do so with ease. Her website offers up a number of tutorials, but we especially like this one in which she instructs how to create a two-tone distressed effect.


Blockprint Your Own Tea Towel


Molly Mahon



Remember those strange locked down days (who could forget?)? Molly Mahon made a series of lovely videos back then, showing us how to block print onto fabric, either using specialist tools or the rather more rough and ready (though no less effective) potatoes and sponges. We say, start with a tea towel and work your way up. Just as lovely now as they were back then.


Make A Beautiful Flower Arrangement


Willow Crossley
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If you want to make the most of the floral bounty in you garden or, simply, you have a collection of lovely vases and jugs that demand to be filled with flowers, then Willow Crossley’s regular transmissions from her Instagram account provide perfect, easy-to-follow instructions. What we especially like is the absolute the absence of formality and her preference for a wilder, more undone style. Willow herself is utterly charming and we like the way she is never prescriptive and experiments as she goes, using things she’s grown in her garden alongside that which she’s foraged for in abundant hedgerows. We like this demonstration, which uses the ever-lovely Old Man’s Beard.


Make A Lampshade


Susan’s Craft Cabin



Have you ever lusted after a sweet little ‘scrunchie’ style lampshade? Alice Palmer creates some real beauties that look absolutely beautiful as bedside lamps. But have you ever considered making one yourself? As opposed to more structured lampshades styles, these charmingly loose beauties are reasonably easy for anyone with a basic knowledge of a sewing machine to knock up. With Christmas around the corner, start honing your skills now and bestow your efforts upon your lucky loved ones on the big day.


Try Making A Quilt


Love Crafts/ Curly Seams



Have you ever fancied making a quilt in all its cosy yet precise glory but been put off by the intricacy of it all? The answer, we think, is to start small. Guides to making quilts online often presume a basic level of knowledge, Tracey and Emma from Curly Seams do not. Very clearly, they take you through all the kit and the precise steps necessary in making a small quilt. Then, if you find you have the bug, go larger until you have a glorious and handmade bedspread.


Make Crepe Flowers


House & Garden
Home Crafting Projects How To Make Crepe Flowers House And Garden

For anyone missing the glut of flowers in the garden as we slide into autumn/winter, why not make these very easy crepe versions which take a few moments, work brilliantly as party decorations and also make a great project for kids?

By Nancy Alsop
October 2023