Toadstool crafting

24 comments

I love making homemade Christmas presents. My dream job would to be in the research and development department of Father Christmas’s workshops. At the moment, I am busy stitching and cutting whenever I can, but I have to be careful that the intended recipient is not with me. Now, I have three youngish children and I also have a non-crafting job, so time to make the children’s presents is restricted to after they have gone to bed.

For the times when I am with the children and I can craft, I like to have a project which is easily picked up and put down. At the moment, I am working on toadstool pincushions.

We have been so inspired by our fungi finds this year, that I decided to make my own. I wanted my toadstools to be useful. I added millet to weigh down the stalks and they work surprisingly well as pincushions. I knew the size I wanted, so I just drew up my own template, but there are plenty of instructions out there (try this one).

I think they are bright and breezy looking, especially on a rainy day like today. Added advantage that I can wrap thread around the stalk to keep it ready for use. Useful when I split embroidery silk up.

I added faces after seeing the tree decorations at Bare feet and a free spirit. They made me smile. Making them is fairly addictive. I have only stopped as my white embroidery silk has run out.

What am I working on once the little dears are safely tucked up in bed? Well more dinosaurs of course. Two different types left to do and then I’ll be able to show you properly.

Anyone else find their crafting time taken up by dinosaurs and toadstools at the moment? Probably not. Just me then.

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24 comments

    1. I’m pleased at how simple they were to do. I tried an “Ow!” expression, seeing as it is a pincushion, but the face ended up looking just cross. Not an expression that works well for a sewing companion.

  2. Toadstool pincushions…lovely
    You fufill both Mr Morris’s qualifications for house space with them both useful and beautiful :0)
    The millet in the base is clever..do you just add a little to the base or is the stalk full?

    Looking forward to the birth of the new dino :0)
    A friend’s little boy is 2 1/2 or so and I rather think a dinosaur would be a great gift..see what you’ve started :0)

    1. Ah ha. William Morris. Wise man.

      I half filled the stalk with millet. I have a lot of millet in the house at the moment, but any of the pulses would do. It gives it enough stability. When knocked over it doesn’t quite work as well as a weeble, but the centre of gravity is low enough for it to withstand a bit of a push. Also helps it to have a flat base. Just so cheerful to look at while sewing.

      If you would like any of the dinosaur templates, let me know. I keep looking at wool jumpers and figuring out how well they would felt. Even while people are wearing them! This may turn into a new obsession.

      1. Gosh darn it now I have a great visual of you furtively trying out pattern pieces on strangers backs while shopping… in the tube….in the lift
        Sorry need more coffee to be sensible. I’d love a template or even a photo of the pattern …my husband hasn’t yet worked out that I have a habit of holding a sheet of A4 against the monitor and tracing patterns …I somehow don’t think it’s recommended lol
        I confess to be being sorely tempted by the glimpse of your pattern but the lack of the tail kept me on the straight and narrow

        1. Not so much fun as the rain means everyone is wearing coats, but no scarves. I’m going to hit the charity shops soon.

          I had to laugh at you tracing the images. The last time I tried to do that, I was so pleased with myself that my elbow knocked my very favourite cup to the floor. I decided that it was karma. Printing it out saves on breakages. Give me a few days and I’ll get a PDF to you. Should have the the other two made by
          then. Gotta to save the line impressions on your screen.

  5. I have always seen drawings of those lovely red and white toadstools in my fairy tale books as a child, but I have never seen them in real life. How cool to capture them in cloth!

    1. It is so exciting to spot one of these distinctive fungi. I’m not sure if it is the children or me who are most excited to find them. Looking at them, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a gnome saunter up. Maybe I have a lively imagination, fuelled by my children’s!

  6. Those are adorable! Love how close to the real thing they look. Today really inspired me to try and make more things for Sam so I might be doing more crafting in the next few weeks! Just so neat to make my own presents for the kids.

    1. I love seeing my children playing with the toys I create for them, or choosing to wear the clothes I’ve made. I’m sure Sam is going to love her wand. I love that you recycled the fabric. Look forward to seeing what you make next.

    1. Thanks Sue. They are brightening up my day. The children have put them on their seasons table and it looks like a field of red and white toadstools. Just got to love it.

    1. Thanks Jodi. I keep telling the children that these ones are not for them, but it is amazing how deaf they can become. I suspect I’m going to be making more!

  11. Those toadstools are adorable and their facial expressions made me smile.
    Oh and I am also living with a dinosaur lover and am totally inspired by your dinosaurs. I am thnking I need to find time to attempt one myself!

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