Mrs Wishy-Washy…

Recently, work has been full throttle and foot to the floor, so I haven't had as much time as last year for making and blogging about making. 

Of course, some making does get done, but it's of the necessary rather than frivolously pleasurable and playful kind. One such necessary make has been this pinwheels laundry bag, made from various linens and and a couple of old shirts I managed to persuade Patrick he no longer needs. Since our washing machine broke we decided to take advantage of the on-site launderette in our block of flats. The absence of a machine rattling away in the kitchen, damp clothing draped over makeshift driers, and disputes about whose turn it is to do the laundry/put things away, has been such a pleasant surprise that we've decided not to bother replacing our old machine. However washing our dirty linen in public can be embarrassing, and I certainly don't want our neighbours getting a peek at my smalls through transparent Sainsbury's carrier bags (I suspect they're not too keen on seeing them either). 

So this bag needed making fast! It needed to be strong as well as light and roomy enough to take a full load of washing without weighing a ton. The result is a floppy shopper, but it does the job perfectly, although I need to add another, stronger, set of handles–something like upholstery webbing would work well.

For those who don't already know, Mrs Wishy-Washy is a character from a children's storybook by Joy Cowley. Now that I have my laundry bag, I feel compelled, as a matter of necessity, to make a Mrs Wishy-Washy apron and headscarf too, if I do, I'll be the chicest laundress on the block!

Elizabeth,

x.

PS: Mrs Wishy-Washy is not to be confused with Wishy-Washy, the dim-witted brother of Aladin (we're talking the pantomime version here). Their mother is Widow Twankey, who is in fact a washerwoman with a fondness for innuendo and outlandish costumes. I doubt very much that Mrs Wishy-Washy would have approved of her.