Books
As a huge Jane Austen fan, I’m always looking for great Austen-inspired products. From Jane Austen mugs to beautiful copies of Pride and Prejudice, my apartment is filled with Regency-inspired products.
Sometimes, though, I’m looking for a specific product and I just can’t find it. Even though Jane Austen novels have been around for hundreds of years, not every mug for sale has just the line I’m looking forp rinted on the side. This is when it’s time to take a trip to the craft store and give it the DIY try.
Where there’s a hot glue gun, there’s a way to make your vision into a reality, and this holds true for Jane Austen crafts. Women in the Regency era spent their time embroidering, so if you really want to channel their crafty spirit, what better way than by completing an Austen-inspired craft? Of course, Elizabeth Bennet may have scoffed and gone for a walk or read a book instead, but there are plenty of hours in the day to do it all. Here are some of the best Jane Austen-inspired DIY crafts, for the truly accomplished woman who can’t get enough of Austen’s novels, from Emma to Pride and Prejudice.
1An Excellent Library Cross Stitch
Caroline Bingley may not have been entirely truthful when she said the above quote, but heroine Elizabeth Bennet certainly understood the need for an excellent library. DIY your own cross stitch and display in a library of your own — after all, every accomplished woman should have a Pride and Prejudice cross stitch, right?
Library Cross Stitch Pattern, $3.89, plasticlittlecovers on Etsy
2Austen Silhouette Soap
Use a cookie cutter to make Austen-shaped cookies... and then use it to make Austen-shaped soap. Find the full instructions for soap making here — all you need is the cookie cutter and some ivory soap.
Silhouette Cookie Cutter, $7, regencyaustentation on Etsy
3Pride And Prejudice Manicure
DIY a Regency-inspired manicure with Pride and Prejudice nail decals. The sheet of decals comes with everything from Jane Austen's signature, to teacups and bonnets, to Elizabeth and Darcy's faces.
By a Lady Decals, $9, JanesTinyThings on Etsy
4Sachets
Slip these sachets into your drawers to keep your clothing smelling fresh, just like a Regency woman would have done. All you need is fabric scraps, a needle and some thread, rice, dried flowers or spices, essential oil, and ribbon — find the full instructions from The Pioneer Woman.
5Silhouette Pillow
Use an iron-on adhesive and an Austen silhouette template to create this Jane-inspired throw pillow — find the full instructions at The Jane Austen Centre.
6White Soup
This was the food of choice at many Regency balls, so why not DIY some white soup? Find the recipe at Food in Literature.
Soup Spoon, $10, skyandrylie on Etsy
7Mr. Darcy Tote
Every Janeite needs a classic I Love Mr. Darcy tote — make one yourself with a Darcy iron on and a classic canvas bag.
