Brainwaves weekly issue 46: fun crafts to try at home

Skirting around
I wanted a black and white gingham skirt to wear in the colder weather with a cosy beret and boots. When I saw a dress in the perfect fabric on the reduced rail in a charity shop, I decided to buy it and re-model it. I cut the straps off and set them aside, then I cut away the bust fabric. I made a waistband using some wide elastic, then used the straps I’d set aside to make a belt. It’s exactly what I wanted and I love wearing it!
Maria Elcoat, Kinellar, Ab’shire

Straps sorted
I saw a magnifier with a strap attached so you could wear it around your neck, but it cost £10. Instead, I bought a page magnifier from a pound shop, then I trimmed down two plastic report spines and slid them over the edges. Finally, I threaded a length of cord through the spines that was long enough to go around my neck. Now, I can easily read small print and my hands are free to do any fiddly craft or sewing jobs too!
Ann Johnson, Runcorn, Cheshire

Corking idea!
My daughter Rebecca had a brilliant idea for making us a handy notice board. She collected up lots of corks from wine and prosecco bottles and stuck them to a backing board. Then she added a little heart-shaped chalk board we could write messages on. It’s been perfect for pinning notes and letters too.
Maureen Chappell, Dewsbury, W Yorks

Rice and cosy
With the colder weather drawing in and the cost of living crisis making us conscious of heating our homes, I’ve been making heat packs to safely warm our beds before we get in. I sew them using the fabric from old clothes and fill them with rice. You can pop them in the microwave to warm for about 30-60 seconds and place them in your bed so it’s toasty when you get in.
Kayleigh Champman, Helston, Cornwall

Puzzle solved!
My granddaughter has a jigsaw set containing three separate jigsaws. Each one is usually kept in a separate bag, however, small hands are prone to mixing them up! To keep things simple, I applied a small amount of nail varnish to the back of each piece, using different colours for each puzzle. Sorting them out is now much easier!
Sam Addy, Brighouse, W Yorks

Hang it all!
My wardrobe was getting a bit cluttered and disorganised. But then I had an idea about how to tidy it up. I took the ring pulls of some drinks cans and looped them over some of the hangers. Then I could hook another hanger into the ring pull. It’s freed up space and it’s also better for keeping outfits that look good together in the same place.
Sophie Shackleton, Mobberley, Cheshire