(no subject)

[nny]

Do you do any craft type things? What do you make? What makes it awesome?

It has been advised that I try something less exclusively thinky than writing, see.

Comments

[gramarye1971]

I used to do cross-stitch when I was younger, and enjoyed it, but haven't done it in a while because it doesn't feel all that 'practical'. (Although one of these days, I fully intend to cross-stitch my own Monopoly board. ^_^)

I do a bit of sewing, mostly for my own cosplay costumes -- the one I'm most proud of is my PotC East India Company uniform jacket, all hand-cut and hand-sewn. I also knit, and have made some nice things including a full-size afghan for my parents' wedding anniversary. I've been stalled on a few of my knitting projects recently, though -- probably because of the hot weather.

For me, it's all about making useful things that I've put a lot of effort into creating. I like knowing that I can mend my own clothes if they're torn, and recycle old clothing into something new instead of just throwing it away. I also see it as a connection to my grandmother, who made a fair amount of her children's clothing on a very tight budget. It's thrifty and creative and a bit of a challenge -- and best of all, it's a great way to multitask when you're on a bus or watching television.

[villainny.livejournal.com]

my PotC East India Company uniform jacket, all hand-cut and hand-sewn.

*INVOLUNTARY LUSTFUL DRIBBLING*

Being of use is definitely important to me - I feel guilty when I do things without purpose, which is why so frequently my fics are dedicated to someone in particular. *laughs*

I just get discouraged by being crap at things. Practice is hard.

[gramarye1971]

*grins* Cosplay sewing is easier than regular sewing, but it can still get damned complicated depending on what you're making. But the payoff is amazing.

It took me almost a month to teach myself how to knit, because I kept screwing it up. But I had some plain practice yarn and a set of steel needles, and kept working at it when I felt like it and putting it down when it frustrated me, and after a while I got the hang of it.

Block afghans are good knitting projects to start with because they're made up of smaller blocks that are then sewn together with extra yarn -- essentially, practice squares that are then pieced together. I followed the Warm Up America guidelines of making a slew of 7"x9" knitted blocks with three different colours of heavy yarn (Rowan brand chunky, IIRC). It was really, really good practice to get the basics down before trying anything more complicated, and my parents adore the afghan. (My father calls it the 'narcotic blanket', because it's so warm and heavy that it will put you to sleep very quickly. ^_^) So a project like this is both practice and practical.