My name is Jen and I am a kit addict. There – I’ve said it. There’s nothing I like better than a shiny new craft kit, complete with instructions, materials, fabrics and everything else I need. Now don’t get me wrong – I love the challenge of sourcing a pattern (free or purchased from the internet, books, fellow crafters etc), then hunting-and-gathering all the bits and pieces I need. I have a fabric stash that would make Moda weep, and so much habby that hubby despairs.
- Fabric stash – under control via basket and string!
But sometimes, a well designed, original kit is just what you need – whether it’s to kick-start your crafting, give yourself a quick fix or save time sourcing all those You-Will-Needs (I urge my authors not to make their YWN lists feel like the twelve labours of Hercules!). The newest addition to my collection is The Cavernous Carpetbag Kit from the genius Lisa Lam at U-Handbag. LOOK – everything I need magically pops through the letter box! Just add one whole sewing machine, a sprinkling of pins and stir . . .
- Tah dah! Straight from the designer
As all good kits are, this one is inspirational, informative, easy-to-follow, empowering and FUN! All of her kits fulfil this criteria, and the fact that each one is a limited run, each kit collated and packaged by Lisa and her team, adds that personal touch. So if you clicked on the link for the bag above and it’s sold out, check out the other kits in her shop.
Just in case you’re still not convinced…
MY TOP 5 REASONS TO LOVE KITS:
1. Convenience and value for money
2. The perfect way to experiment with a new craft or technique
3. When I’ve made the product, I still have the instructions to make another
4. A good basis for customizing, so can still be unique to you
5. I can use it now, or stash it for a quick gift or rainy afternoon
Last but not least, other brand new favourite kits by talented designers –
click the pics to pick the kit! :
- Mini Bunting Kit from Sew Recycled – so sweet it’s like an instant sugar rush
- Cone Shaped Door Stop from One Off Needlework – a doorstop with a difference, guaranteed
- Japanese Crochet Frame Purse from Cotton & Cloud – yarn that’s ‘soft like a kitten’s tummy’? I’m sold!!!
- The Coolest Stitchery from Miso Funky – try out cross stitch, tapestry and needlepoint in THE coolest way
And not to leave out the kids –
click here for must-visit site Dork Adore‘s top picks to keep the little darlings entertained
There are dozens more designers’ kits I could mention – I feel a follow-up post coming on in a few weeks . . . In the meantime, let me know of your fave kits, or if there is a kit that you would love but doesn’t seem to exist – maybe someone will be reading and bring it out. But watch it – kits definitely are addictive!!!
Filed under: fabric, kits Tagged: | designers, fabric, kits, learning, stash
Thankyou thankyou! I like the look of your fabric stash, mmmmm, sometimes is hard to use a stash like that. How organised are you with the string! Great idea. I darent show my fabric stash….open the cupboard undr the stairs…avalanche!!!!!!
Thanks again xx
Hey there! The bunting kit is just cute, but if I had to choose just one thing from your shop, it would HAVE to be the Union Jack needle case http://bit.ly/bLTZ3x . I might try my hand at a Scottish version for my own pins – maybe with a thistle made from a covered button and felt. I think you’ve started a trend for patriotic sewing accessories! Thanks for stopping by, Jen x
thanks for your lovely comment on my blog!
I look forword to reading more of your posts – need to get my yoga head on more often than my wine head but I’m really losing this battle – maybe making myself a yoga bag would help with my motivation
)
Nice to see you here!
I find it REALLY hard to make myself go to yoga, but always feel so good afterwards. Doesn’t stop me rewarding myself with cake and wine though! Glad you had a good time at the craft market today – fingers crossed for loads more lovely customers at the next one.
Jen x
I love the sound of the cavernous carpet bag, Mary Poppins bag springs to mind! I’m with you on kits, I have a habit of buying them at craft shows.
Hello! It’s not just me then – when I go to craft shows for my job (*wears serious work-face, takes notes, checks out trends, designers, products etc*), I get distracted (imagine a ditzy magpie!) and buy at least one kit. It’s nice as you can often meet the designer too. Stitches at the NEC in a couple of weeks – better take an extra bag! Thanks for stopping by – hope to see you again soon :O) Jen x PS love that Scottie dog fabric on your blog – the child’s apron on Folksy is super sweet!
I’ve had my eye on the Miso Funky kit for a while but with a cupboard stuffed full of fabric it’s hard to justify branching out into a new craft.
Turns out I already have several of your craft books! Looking forward to ‘Sew a Metre’ – that should help with stashbusting this year!
Sew a Metre is on my wish list too for exactly the same reason! I’ve seen layouts – really cool – it even has diagrams showing how to place patterns on your fabric to make the most of that precious metre. You should have a go at cross stitch – it’s very different from sewing – much more portable. You can also cross stitch straight onto the fabric in your sewing projects as an embellishment (much like Jenny Hart/Sublime Stitching-style embroidery) so it’s a great skill to have. Go on, you know you want to! Jen x
What a relief to see us listed under books I make and love Phew!
A x
Hee hee – hadn’t I mentioned, Alice – it’s written into my contract that I am simply not prepared to commission or work on anything that’s less than absolutely gorgeous!!! xxx
Thank you so much! I am so thrilled to see my crochet kit on your post along with all the cool kits
You have lovely fabric stash. Mine is totally uncontrollable with fabric and yarn… Unfortunately, I recently saw some wonderful limited fabric collections from V&A which I will just have to get (http://www.vandashop.com/section.php?xSec=357)! Have a lovely week ahead 
x
Kyoko
I also really enjoyed your YouTube vid on glueing a purse into a purse frame – http://bit.ly/dwSbDJ – I get a bit panicked when I do it, so it was nice to see that it CAN be done coolly and calmly!!! I saw that V&A fabric too – very tempting. Have a great week too! Jen x
I’m going to the sewing show at the NEC, always so much to tempt you!
That’s what I’m worried about! I’m going for work but will get seriously distracted by all the new product. Better look out my comfy walking shoes then ;o) Jen x
Thanks for the kit recommendations! They look like a great starting point for learning new crafts! Like I can sew but a purse is so hard to make! I’m gonna check out some of your links now! And love your fabric stash!
I might make the kits a regular feature, as have had great feedback about this one. I need to use some of my fabric stash for some fabulous stitchery like yours – BTW love the shrooms – everyone should check them out – hope there are more for adoption soon!!! Thanks for stopping by – it’s much appreciated
) Jen x
I must say I completely agree with you on the whole kit thing. It’s so easy to just jump right in when everything is handed to you in a neat little package, and you don’t have to source bits and pieces from different places and then WAIT for them to arrive (the worst part). I’ve got my Mary Poppins purse frames ready for their carpetbag, courtesy of Lisa at u-handbag. Her kits are so loverly I have to stop and tell myself I have enough bags (HA! Never enough bags!).
Thanks for the thumbsup – always good to know that others thing the same. I can’t wait to try out my Mary Poppins purse frame either – you really can NEVER have enough bags!!! Jen x
i completely agree that kits are a great way of having a go at a craft rather than splashing out on loads of kit before you know whether you’re going to enjoy it or not.
Emma
yep – I fancied making mosaics a few years back – luckily I’d only bought a kit before I discovered that it wasn’t for me (I’m messy enough with grouting flying all over the place). I’m sure the world of mosaics breathed a sigh of relief when I completed my picture frame and decided not to pursue it further!!! What crafts do you do, Emma? Jen x
Have you got an rss feed? I can’t find the icon can you give me the link to subscribe to, thanks.
I’ve added a button on the right now – thanks for visiting!