Who do you craft for?

[ismarah]

I've not posted on this MN forum before but I wondered what you all do.

Whether you sew, or quilt, or knit, or crochet, or make cards - who do you make it for?

Do you make it for yourself - just because you want to make something?

Do you make it for someone in particular - which influences what you make (baby -> blanket etc)

If you make things just because - what do you do with the finished item?

I crochet and make jewellery, and I'd like to get better at sewing. However, I've not made anything in a while now because I have no recipients...and I'm not very good yet.

So. How about you?

I started making a birth sampler for my daughter which was my first sewing project. I then did one for my 2nd daughter when she was born last year. I am at the moment doing a birth sampler for my sister in law who is due to give birth in the next few weeks. I also scrapbook. I have 2 going at the mo. One is pictures of my mum who sadly passed away last year for my girls to look at as they grow up and another of holidays but am also planning to do one of the girls school stuff pics and certificates etc as my oldest daughter starts school in September :) x

So you make things specifically for people - which feels like a nice way of doing it. My problem is that I have the urge to make things but not really any recipients somehow. Or I'm too awkward about letting go of the things I make so they end up hidden in a pile in the cupboard.

So then I end up not making anything..

I tend to make as presents for people as I don't always have the cash just to craft for the joy of it.

At present I've just finished sewing a bag for my God daughter and have a dress for DD to finish hemming and sewing the buttons onto.

I've also got a blanket I am crocheting on and off for us as a family with the aim of finishing it by winter.

I'm also starting to plan a present for a friends daughters birthday but am making myself finish DD's dress first.

Hmm my problem is I start too much stuff and some I want to do more than others but the stuff I'm not so enthusiastic about has a deadline, like birth samplers. Too many plates spinning at the mo x

Mostly for the house (e.g. crochet jar/candle cosy type things or cushions), for myself or the kids. I always make something for the kids at Christmas so that has become a bit of a tradition dd1 thinks I'm one of Santa's elves

The last couple of years I've started making for other family members for Xmas. I have to admit it's quite hard to make stuff for other people because a lot of people don't realise the amount of work that goes into making things or the cost of materials.

Basically it's all about me!

I make clothes for me and that's it really. I don't make stuff for dds anymore as they have a very definite idea of what they want and what they want to look like. They also have no interest at all in learning or helping

So I make my own stuff. I can get a better finish, use higher end fabrics and get the right fit if I do it myself. Plus I get what I want as I draft my own patterns.

And use as much black velvet as I want!

I sew clothes just for myself. Having something lovely (hopefully) to wear at the end is what I love about it.

With my knitting I'm more altruistic. I'm just learning at the moment and am working through projects in a book and I have recipients in mind for the things I'm making. Once I'm good enough to choose lovely patterns and make them, then it will probably be all about me again!

I knit training aids for my local hospital and also items for the nicu department.

I have also knitted for my dd.

Well I've just given my bag to my God Daughter.

Which in my mind means its fine to line up a new project!

Do you belong IRL craft groups? I've been a bit scared of joining up as mostly they seem quite established with members...feel like I'd be barging in somehow. Which is probably v v silly.

I crochet and knit for PreemiesUK - small blankets, caridgans, hats, teddies.

I also craft for myself, and friends and family - hats, gloves, scarves, small blankets, bags (crochet and sewing!), and made a couple of awful dresses for myself a few summers back.

I have joined a couple of craft groups, but mostly go a local knit night down the pub once a month :) People turn up as and when they like, its really relaxed, and we sometimes share a bowl of chips.

Ooh Sasseh how did you find a knitting pub night? I'm feeling a bit thirsty..