Umbrella Bag Tutorial

Complete Tutorial available here:https://welikesewing.com/articles/right-as-rain-upcycled-umbrella-tote/

Or, now that the copyright has reverted to me, you can download the tutorial free by following this link.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AkUCHDjJZfENj0z7cGj4S3nikaUH?e=PWHZ53

This is a lined, long handled tote bag with cloth tape inside the straps to stop them slipping off your shoulder.I designed and made it  out of the fabric from two discarded, broken umbrellas. People around the world have been re-using umbrella fabric to make bags for years, so I do not claim to have invented the idea, but I did apply my knowledge of dressmaking to make my version hardy and durable.I ceased to make them to sell in 2014, and customers tell me that they are still using them!

https://www.facebook.com/welikesewing

Styling and photograph courtesy of We Like Sewing, an online subscription magazine from the same people, PRIME publishing who produce https://www.ilikeknitting.com/  and https://www.ilikeknitting.com/. All these titles contain great content and I recommend a subscription if you are keen on crafting, or as a gift for someone who is.

I've heard of people making things out of umbrellas in Brazil, Germany, Fiji, Philadelphia and South Norwood. It is a really fun thing to do. My pattern makes a durable, washable, lightweight alternative to single use plastic bags.

I occasionally make umbrella bags for friends, CICs and charities.Some have a zip across the top.These are a slightly different design to the one featured in my tutorial. They use more triangles, but the principles are the same.

 

My Writing Journey- so far

 I began this as an Art, Craft, Knitting blog, but among my other interests is Writing. I've always enjoyed writing, despite the ritual humiliation of having to read out a piece of my prose to classmates- a Raymond Chandler pastiche, ridiculously sophisticated for a fourteen year old! Thanks, Mr King, RIP. My secondary school English Teacher.

So in 2017 I joined 'Croydon Writers,' a local writing group.Despite my initial terrors around sharing my writing with others and receiving criticism, positive and negative, overall the experience has really helped me to develop and I encourage anyone who feels that they 'have a book in them' to take steps toward getting it out. A writers' group can provide support in numerous ways.

In 2018 I had 3 pieces, a  short story, a memoir piece and a poem, published in the Croydon Writer's Anthology, 'The Trouble with young writers,' a quote from Somerset Maughm, which ends, 'is that most of them are over 60.'

https://www.rainbowvalleybooks.com/the-trouble-with-young-writers

Since then, I've written Dance Reviews for Croydonites New Festival of Theatre , and spent a not inconsiderable amount of money entering competitions without success. Until recently...

A new venture based in Bristol, 'Glittery Literary' asks for content and the cost of entry is minimal. To my amazement, a 400 word piece of mine entered in to the 'Shimmering Short'category came second, and features in the third edition of the Glittery Literary Anthology. The volunteer team who produce this book do so with the aim of benefitting children's charities. I enjoyed reading the other submissions and they reflect a wide range of subjects and experiences.It is open to anyone in the world to submit writing in English. Details how to submit on the website.

https://www.glitteryliterary.com/

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HHMMRJD           

                                     I've just been informed that a short piece of mine has been accepted for a forthcoming anthology by these people:

https://www.bagofbonespress.com/

£13 on Amazon

'

The editor of Bag of Bones mentioned a website called 'Secret Attic,' so I entered a short story and it is going to be in  booklet #28.

They run several different competitions, including for Flash Fiction and Drabbles (100 word pieces).

More about them, here:

https://www.secret-attic.co.uk/

You can buy the booklet here: It is good quality, A4 sized, with a soft cardboard cover,

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/various-contributors/secret-attic-booklet-28/paperback/product-8g8ng6.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Penny Doll

 Original Penny Dolls from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are made of carved wood, and have hinged arms and legs.I was lucky enough to find one in my travels, and it inspired this crochet version.

The arms and legs are crochet icord with pipecleaners threaded through ( with the  ends folded and twisted)