Crafty corner - vintage style

As the days grow shorter and the weather turns cold and damp, I usually turn my hand to crafts. In the past few years I spent October and November making Christmas cards, embroidered scented cushions, Christmas baskets and tree decorations. One year I even took a stall at a craft market to sell some surplus. And yes, I did have an Etsy account for a while.

Having moved house in July, the focus has been on making our property into a home, which has meant more gardening and DIY than needlecrafts, despite the fact that I need to re-upholster some chairs and would love to make new curtains for our house. Being short of time and having more pressing jobs to do, I'm compromising on the crafty front and making do with the fittings and soft furnishings the house came with for the time being.

Being of a hopeful nature, I have been gathering a few craft kits for making various things, which I'm hoping to have a go at when the dust settles. Among these there is a more unusual kit I'd like to mention, with an apology for having not done so before. I requested a vintage-style knicker kit in the summer and have been holding onto it hoping to make it at some point and display it on the blog, but with the house demanding a lot of our time, my daughter starting school and work this pretty kit has been languishing in a drawer.

This fancy pants kit does deserve a mention, not only for its vintagey feel but because it could make a very original Christmas pressie. A handmade present is so much nicer and unique or you if you are not into needlecrafts, you could wrap it up and gift it to a crafty friend. Devised by Flo-Jo Boutique, this knicker kit (£13.50 plus p&p, sizes 8-18) is sold alongside several vintage-inspired goodies. Have a peek on http://flo-joboutique.co.uk, where you can also find out about their craft workshops - popular with hen parties.

The romantic kit I was sent by Flo-Jo Boutique

A flirty knicker making kit by Flo-Jo Boutique

The great thing about this knicker kit is that all you need is basic sewing skills, a sewing machine, some scissors and thread! And if you get stuck, check out their workshops at
http://flo-joboutique.co.uk/#/noticeboard/4548517045.