The spring weather has landed with absolute beauty this week in Cornwall, and I hung the washing on the line for the first time this year.  It is always a really seminal moment for me, a sign that the year is waking up, that warmer days are coming, and that the long beach days and lazy outdoor brunches that we love here, are just around the corner.

I actually really love hanging washing on a line, it's one of my favourite things to do, and a peg bag has been top of my tutorial list for ages. 

With today's gloriously warm sunshine, today is the day! 

This project is suitable for beginners and sews up nice an quickly in under an hour

When we had lived with the pandemic for a while I became a bit obsessed with head bands because of the inevitable 'lockdown hair'.  I bought quite a few and wore some of them but I do have an impossibly big head that to me is also a strange shape so I struggle a bit to find something that I like and that suits me, most especially while all the shops were shut! 

Having joined the fabulous pre-order group for Clarabelle fabrics I saw a few people making them out of Claire's amazing European fabrics so I watched a few tutorials and had a little play, tweaked it all a bit and then found I loved the results!

By the way, the beautiful fabrics I use in the video came from Clarabellfabrics.com too.  Claire's selection is totally fabulous and she's a valued member of my sewing community Kernow Sewcial as well as running her own pre-order group too.  If you love mostly stretch fabrics in amazing prints and especially if you like making for the small people in your life (though there is plenty here for adults too) I really recommend you check her out.

The bespoke pattern weights came from Pattern Weights, another awesome local to me Cornish Company run by LOVELY people providing a super service.  If you are a rotary cutter user then check out their varied and beautiful collection of designs.  One day I'd love to design a set for myself !!

​We have found ourselves in challenging time!  Staying at home, distanced from loved ones, and waiting for a storm to pass...  

There is so much positive talk about of coming back together into our communities when all this is over... of street parties and picnics and spending time together in celebration and remembrance, and what better way to focus on that happy outcome than to prepare the party decorations whilst we are all in hibernation!  

After all, what is a street party without a few hundred bunting flags!

This is comprehensive tutorial for making bunting - something I run as part of my Back to Basics: beginners sewing course and its a super project for getting your hand back into sewing or for those just starting out! Plus it's brilliant scrap buster for your bits and bobs or up-cycled materials! 

​You can view the video tutorial below and download the equipment list and pattern shape for FREE from my shop here. 
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This was made at the beginning of the UK Lockdown in March 2020 and was designed to give us all a positive focus ... Don't forget to tag me in your makes #isewlationbuntingchallenge - I'd love to see what you come up with!
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You will need:

Cotton fabric from the outer and lining in a high thread count, high quality cotton, with minimal shrink (less than 5%) or pre-shrunk at 60% before use.  100% cotton twill sateen is ideal for the lining, the kind you line curtains with.  
5 - 6mm elastic (6 or 8 cord woven is ideal)​ - 2 x 20 cm for ear elastics or 1 x 60 cm for head straps
Tools:
Thread
Rouleaux maker or safety pin to thread the elastic
Silcone or other type of toggle
Scissors
Pins

Construction is ever so simple but to help you along I videoed this quick tutorial which talks you through how to use my pattern to make a face covering with / without a filter pocket and with either ear elastics or head straps depending on your preference and length of wearing. 

​Long term use with ear elastics can cause skin irritation and unless you specifically know you will be wearing for short periods or to go to the hair dresser I would strongly advice the head straps for secure fit and long term comfort!

Good luck and let me know how you get on! 

Why not share your face coverings in my Facebook group Kernow Sewcial?  We're a lovely supportive and buzzy bunch of sewing enthusiasts.... come and join us! Don't forget to tag me @Starttostitch if you're an insta fan like me :)

Oh and below the tutorial is the small print on face coverings and recommendations for care as well as suppliers for components.

The small print:
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A cloth face covering is not PPE. They are not intended for the personal protection of the wearer – they are designed to prevent people who have COVID-19, but might not know it, from spreading it to others. In simple terms, if I wear one I protect you, if you wear one you protect me. Face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing or washing your hands regularly – and they need to complement these behaviours.

Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off. Try not to touch your face, or the face covering while you are wearing it. Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched. Regular household cleaner works fine. After wearing them store your worn face covering in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash it.

The elastic in this face covering design can be repositioned to make it comfortable for you. You may find that the top elastic sits best over the crown of your head (or hooked above a ponytail if you have one) with the lower elastic sitting around the back of your neck.

To help with fitting on smaller heads, I suggest the use of a toggle which on my face coverings has been attached to the top elastic so that the mask can be tightened securely. I suggest that you remove this before washing to save potential clogging of your washing machine... You can buy theme here

All you need to remove and replace the toggle is a hair pin and a more in depth demo can be found here

Detailed information on the care of cloth face coverings can be found at the American Center for Disease Control here