But it turns out there’s more benefit to crafting than just beating boredom - or boosting the economy. Brand new research shows that those who engage in arts and crafts hobbies like knitting, crocheting, painting, and other fun things are actually happier, more positive and more satisfied with their lives. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next project, you might just find it on the CraftyFun Instagram page. It has over 342 thousand followers, all getting their daily crafting fix from thousands of posts. Keep scrolling for our personal favorites. And don’t miss the chat Bored Panda had with expert crafter Dr. Sarah Hegge. The creative brains behind thecraftblogger.com Hegge lives and breathes arts and crafts. She’s a multi-modal crafter, who works mostly in fiber and textile arts. Her blog thecraftblogger.com has tips for amateurs and experienced crafters, who want to elevate their work. And she carves out time to teach textile and fashion classes at her local community college. Hegge studied fashion design as an undergrad because she wanted to learn more advanced skills. “My favorite class was tailoring, where we made a jacket using traditional hand methods like pad stitching,” she said. It took her a while to find her path, and she explored various creative avenues along the way. “I ended working as a bridal seamstress, in a theater costume shop, and teaching community college classes. For a while, I worked in a couple of museums with historic fashions, eventually getting a PhD in Design from the University of Minnesota with a concentration in dress, history, and culture. For my dissertation, I conducted a study that involved carefully reproducing two dresses so that I could compare the sewing skills involved.” Crafting is in Hegge’s blood.“My mother quilts, crochets, and does cross stitch and my dad is always doing home improvement projects. So, I grew up with the idea that making and repairing things was a normal part of life,” she told us. Hegge says she tries to focus on the process, not the end product. “If I’m knitting, I make sure I’m appreciating the feel of the yarn in my hands, how pretty the colors are, and the nice sounds the needles make when clicking together. That way, when I inevitably have to restart 3 times or drop a row of stitches, I don’t get frustrated. It’s all part of the experience.” And she says she always uses what she makes. Even if they might get ruined. “My mug rugs are stained from tea, my favorite quilt has pulls from my cats kneading it, and all my socks get holes. That’s part of the process and I love it!” “If you’re totally new to crafting and feeling overwhelmed, I always recommend either taking an in-person class or finding a kit. Sourcing supplies as a beginner is hard because bad supplies and tools make it harder to learn. But as a newbie, you have no idea what to look for. An experienced teacher and/or a good kit will set you up for success.” “I get a lot of questions from students at the school where I work about natural dyes and eco printing,” she added. “I’ve also been seeing more people interested in making their own clothing in order to avoid the environmental harms of fast fashion. I’ve also seen more discussions about how to have enough supplies on hand to allow for creativity while avoiding overconsumption and ideas for using thrifted or scrap materials.” And on that note, Hegge had to run. Her coffee was cold on her stained rug mug. Her hands were itching to create yet another beautiful craft to add to her collection. Something that will last for decades to come, and bring joy to her each time she uses it. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
