Bad pics, awesome top

Hi lovely readers…

I kinda got swallowed up by my work for a while. So I haven’t had heaps of time for creative pursuits, but here is something….

I scored this awesome top from a friend of mine. It was a bit short and the sleeves were eeenormous, but the fabric was so vibrant. So I took it in and frankesteined an extension to the bottom.

Thanks F! I love it!

Before sewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After sewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a little closer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love, sunshine and happiness

I made this top today. The fabric is from the recent Spotlight end-of-bolt sale. It’s a jersey fabric and I’ve been waiting for the right pattern to materialise.

When I saw this one, I knew I had found it.

It’s a pretty simple pattern, but I took my time and tried it on once pinned just to be extra sure that I liked the fit.

I must be getting more mature or something! As I’m getting better at sewing I am getting less slap/dash (or maybe it’s the other way around?)

The result? Me likey…

Give away your mistakes, I say

So I made the girls dresses. I wanted them to have the same material, but I ended up making Kadie’s too small.

Bummer.

Good thing I know a couple of younger girls who might like it, so I’ll give it away.

Anabelle liked her new dress, essentially the same as her previous one. She just loves that blue fabric! Tomorrow, I’ll think of a way to add a little embellishment to the chest area… Three dresses in two days is enough to put me off the sewing machine for the night.

Here she is with her best grumpy face.

So I had to think of something else for Kadie.

I reused the fabric from the pillowcase dresses I made ages ago, which have largely remained unworn. Then I added a wee flower using the ribbon from the pillowcase dresses and it’s done. Kadie loves it.

Here she is eating a tomato with such gusto.

This was a cheap project. I had to buy the yellow fabric and the two yellow zips, but I had a coupon so I only paid a couple of bucks. Everything else I already had.

That blue flower fabric was an awesome score from an op shop and has well and truly done it’s dash.

This was also the first time I’ve ever sewn a zip! It wasn’t as scary as I thought, although I’ve got no idea how technically correct they are. Not that it matters if they work.

Visit the original tutorial here for the pattern and instructions.

Maxi-skort

I was inspired by this post, but I’ve modified it. Instead of making the jeans completely in to a skirt, I’ve left them closed.

Instead of ruffles, I just used a full length adult skirt. Mainly because I was too lazy didn’t have the heart to cut it up more.

Next time, I’ll use fabric that matches the detail on the shorts more and cut the fabrics with pinking shears.

All in all not a bad way to repurpose old clothes in ten minutes flat.

Faux Stained Glass

I love how this turned out. It’s just lovely lovely lovely.

Inspired by this find on Pinterest, I used an old picture frame to create this lovely thing.

I searched for an image I really liked and hand-drew it on a big piece of cardboard. Turns out the image was much too complicated and I simplified it heaps when I piped on the black.

I spay painted the frame gold and will probably just hang it up in the hallway where we have the whitest walls.

Next time I would probably do a reverse image so I wouldn’t have to tidy up so much. (By tidy, I mean, draw black sharpie over the black where necessary.)

Little tote

This experiment turned out alright. Next time I will make it bigger I reckon.

I’ve also realised that when you purchase fabric it is wise to get a coordinating fabric as well. Lest you dig around in your stash for ages deciding what might coordinate. I think I got lucky though.

Original tutorial here.

My shoes, my way

I covered these cheap shoes with fabric. I made the red ones last year, but I can’t remember if I ever shared the photo.

Fabric-stash-user-uppers

So if you are looking for a way to use up your stash, or if you are like me and you owe a few people a birthday present, I recommended this project.

I amended the pattern slightly by overlapping the flaps and pressing it so that the inner fabric was showing.

Which one is your favourite? Mine is the black with white square pattern and red peeking through. I put the squares lining up down to unconscious competence.

I salvaged that fabric from an adult skirt which became a kid’s skirt but didn’t last long in that incarnation either.

Little Big Whale

This darling whale is the brain child of this amazing bloggess. I thought it would make a sweet baby shower gift for a colleague. The best part is they are made from some old jeans that have seen better days.

Check out her whole blog, her works of art and craft make my heart feel warm inside.

Just so beautiful. And you don’t need to be able speak Finnish to appreciate her work.

Update: I couldn’t help myself, I had make another. This one has some lavender tucked inside so when it gets snuggled, it will waft a lovely lavender scent.

Reversible Wrap Skirt

I wore this lovely number all day and didn’t get any compliments! Can you believe it!

I followed this free tutorial, specifically the beginner version. I omitted the pocket and substituted snaps for the tie. Just because that’s what I had in the house.

I had some trouble though and here is what I learned:

1. Do a test page and check that the PDF prints correctly before you print all zillion pages. Mine had all letters printed over each other and therefore were illegible. Good thing I’m a champion jigsaw puzzler.

2. Make sure you have enough ink before you start printing. That is not a lesson I learned the hard way. Ever.

3. If you are doing the beginner pattern, you don’t need to print the advanced pattern and vice versa. It will save you same paper. It’s all the same PDF though, so select the pages you need.

4. I’m pretty sure you are supposed to invert the pattern when you cut your second piece of the same fabric. Otherwise you end up with exact copies, not mirrored ones. It will make sense if you do it, trust me.

5. When you’re hammering the snaps, put a breadboard under your pieces. (Ooops, sorry table)