Name: Lesley Foster
Blog: https://hookstitchsew.wordpress.com/
Where did your love of crafting start? Where did you learn your skills?
I started crafting at a young age with my mum, we used to pick a craft and have a go and see how I got on with it. I first started with cross-stitch and I can still remember the first piece I did: a little girl with a family of ducks walking in the rain! It was a little rough round the edges I must admit, but not bad for a first attempt! My crafting went on from there, from sewing to patch-working to lace making. Knitting unfortunately didn't go so well and I have never been able to get the hang of it! I taught myself to crochet a few years ago after seeing an owl pattern I really wanted to make- took me a little while to get the hang of it but I’m very glad I stuck it out!
What is your favourite craft activity and why?
I don't know if I have a particular favourite as I enjoy each of the crafts I do, I do however tend to go through phases of focusing on one craft then after a few weeks moving onto the next.
What is your favourite craft item to make?
I really enjoy doing patchwork, especially paper piecing, it's great seeing how the item is coming together piece by piece; I find it quite relaxing too!
Do you have any favourite designers or brands that inspire you?
I have a bit of an obsession with the fabrics from Laura Ashley - especially for making cushions and curtains! I’m also a big fan of Cath Kidston fabrics – I loved the fish design fabric they did!
How do you choose the materials that you work with?
I get all my materials out (which is quite a task!) and lay them all out to see which bits jump out at me.
Describe your crafting space/room in 5 words.
Overflowing and needs expanding sides!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from all over; from things I see in shops, what people are wearing, things I see on TV or in films, or just from nature itself. I often have random ideas when I'm out and about wandering; a good walk is brilliant for thinking up ideas. I always need to jot down my ideas so have a ridiculous number of notes all over the place! I also like to have a browse on Pinterest; it's unbelievable how much brilliant stuff is on there.
Which items can you not live without when crafting?
I like to have my music on and a bag of sweets to hand; anything can be tackled when sweets are nearby! Also my notepad, I'm always either reading from notes or making notes about what I am doing.
Out of all of your projects you have made which one are you most proud of and why?
I have two. First, my patchwork quilt, it took me a very long time to make as it was king size, and I wasn't sure if I would ever get there – I’m so glad I stuck with it though.
Second is my crochet R2D2, I did the pattern myself and I wasn't too sure if I would be able to do it, but it worked out perfectly!
Do you have any top tips that you would like to share?
Try not to rush and make sure you take your time, especially when cutting out fabrics - I am terrible for charging on ahead and it always comes back to haunt me.
What are your crafty plans for the future?
To keep on working my way through my never-ending and continually growing list of craft makes to do! I've got quite a few big projects on the go at the moment too, including another patchwork quilt, so I would like to get those finished before the end of the year. I’m not sure if I’m being a bit ambitious with that though!