Op Shop Shirts ready for the knife February 9, 2008

I picked up these 2 shirts for $1 each today.

I’m going to use this tutorial to make sun dresses for next summer for the Lil Miss and maybe my niece. Awful shirts but lovely fabric for sun dresses.

Job’s done! Love that tutorial. I’ll be doing that again.

The first shirt I’m not so thrilled with but the second (which ended up with a matching bag) looks fabulous.  The bodice trim is a lace scrap off a dress of mine I reconstructed into a skirt and cardigan lining. I really excited myself by recycling one of the original labels from the shirt which stated that it was made in Australia and gave the washing in instructions. All still applicable so I reattached it in an appropriate position. Clever hey?

Next reconstructions February 9, 2008

I have one shrunken angora/wool polo neck jumper of the Breadwinner’s. One summer dress of mine that doesn’t look so good since my boobs moved south and a slightly too large denim skirt that I don’t love the cut of.

So my plan is to use the waistband and zip of the skirt and add it to the shirt of the dress to make a new skirt. The bodice of the dress will be used as binding on the cardigan I plan to make out of the jumper. I have no plans at present for the bulk of the skirt.

First up is the jumper. I have heavily zigzagged along where I want to cut top hopefully prevent fraying. Then I cut off the neck, leaving a crew neck and down the middle of the front, creating a cardigan. I cut long strips from the bodice of the dress and zigzagged the edges of them (gosh I’d love an overlocker). I have used them to bind the cut edges. Next it needs some method of fastening. I can’t see how I could make button holes through the thickness of the binding and the lace overlay would probably fall apart if I tried. So instead, I decided to make little loops to hook over buttons. The loops are made from the straps of the dress. I didn’t have any buttons I was happy with so I covered a couple with a little more of the lace overlay from the bodice of the dress.

Next job, the skirt. Attaching the waistband of the denim skirt was easy enough. The challenge was the zip. Normally, a zip would be inserted into a seam.  Due to the way I had deconstructed the dress (and the delicacy of the fabric), there is no seam. Secondly, the use of the denim skirt waistband dictated the zip placement. So what I ended up doing is sewing the zip to the outside of the skirt so ti is fully visible. I  did tuck the bottom edges under and heavily zig zag them in place to secure the bottom but the edges were just sewn on top. I used a close together zig zag stitch in invisible thread and sewed several layers of stitching. Then I simply undid the zip and cut the fabric to make the opening. I hope the zig zagging is enough to keep it together in the wash!

I am absolutely thrilled with the result. It’s the loveliest outfit. I managed to retain the gorgeous fit of the dress when I turned it into a skirt and the cardi sits just perfectly on the hips to be quite flattering. I can’t quite believe I’ve made a great little outfit that can be worn separately or together that looks quite so good. OK I’m no sewing guru and I’m sure there are many talented people out there who could do far better but for me, this is a fabulous job. And new clothes for nothing are a joy!

My First Reconstruction February 8, 2008

This was a lovely brown merino jumper of the Bread Winner’s that had moth holes in the cuff and collar. Far too nice to throw out so I cut a much larger neckline to remove the holes and shortened the arms to my length. The neckline is now like a boat neck but comes down in a V in front. I zigzagged the edge heavily before cutting and bound in a remnant of a green floral quilting fabric. I added a fuzzy brown vintage button at the base of the V just for fun.

The neck is a little wider than ideal but certainly wearable. Not much I could do about that though, the placement of moth holes dictated neck width.

The original jumper. A little hard to see but it had a polo style collar.

And now

From sheet to circle skirt February 8, 2008

I found this sheet for $2 in an op shop recently and teamed it up with a wonderful tutorial on making circles skirts from What The Craft

I wanted to make a waistband out of the large strip that runs across the top of the sheet but wasn’t quite sure how to do it. Instead I made a stretchy fabric elastic casing and hid it inside. The wide strip waistband attaches at the back with a press stud allowing the llng bits to fall behind like a bustle. I’m quite happy with the effect. Not bad for a first go anyway.

The Front

The Back

Some recent bits and pieces February 4, 2008

I’ve been a bit slack getting these posted because I didn’t want to deal with sorting the hundreds of photos we took on holiday. I’ve finally done it though so I can post a few things I’ve made since we got back.

While I was away, to keep me in the moment, I made this knit dress for Lil Miss’s baby born. I sort of made up the pattern on the fly and without the doll to measure so it’s very rough. Nothing for a 2 year old to complain about though. It will suffice.

Son and heir requested a dinosaur top. I decided to bite the bullet and try sewing with some stretch knit fabric I found as remnants. I used Simplicity 5271 to make a size XS long raglan sleeve t-shirt and appliques a dinosaur to the bottom front and pocket sleeve. The neckline is quite puckered. Stretch knit sewing seems to be an art unto itself. I decided to get straight back on the horse that threw me and made another with elephant applique and managed to do a better job. Still nowhere near perfect but I’m starting to get the hang of it.

In another fit of appplique madness, I made this little bird. I really, really like the bird and I’m guessing there will be many more birds to come. I made one for myself on an old running top to test it out and then, because I was happy with it, I made another for Lil Miss. I positioned my bird peeking around the side rather than fully on the front and I was very happy with the placement as well.

I almost forgot this little sundress in the most divine retro fabric.

And that’s all for now!

More applique…Miffy and a Cat January 15, 2008

I’m really getting into this applique business. Miffy is a bit dodgy when I drew her I made her body too long and didn’t notice until it was done. I’m really pleased with the cat though .

The Entire Kimono Outfit January 15, 2008

I finished the pants and matching purse yesterday.

Kimono style top January 13, 2008

I made this for the Lil Miss. The binding is very dodgy up close but it’s wearable. It’s just remnants of the print and the binding is made from an old sheet, so no great expense for a sub-standard result. I’ve never made bias binding before and I need more practice. Not just making it, applying it too. My next job is matching white pants. The pattern is New Look 6333.

Inspiration overload January 8, 2008

I’ve done the 2 main patterns I have to death in the last week. So I paid a visit to Darn Cheap Fabrics today a they are having a fabulous sale on patterns. I picked up a great little selection that will keep me bust for eons as well as teach me a few things I’ve been wanting to learn…like sleeves. I always trace my patterns so I’ll get years of use with the range of sizes. Lots of adaptability in lengths too which even a beginner like me can manage.

Simplicity 5271 – simple crew neck long sleeved t-shirts and elestic waisted pants. Size 4 through to adult.

Simplicity 4336 – simple elastic waisted pants and v neck tshirts in both long and short sleeve. Sizes 3 – 8.

New Look 6392 – sundress with tie straps, sundress with little sleeves, summer top with ruffled straps, halter neck top, shorts and capri pants. Sizes 3 – 8

New Look 6333 – elastic waisted long and capri pants, kimono style top in varying length body and sleeves, cute little handbag

Burda 7903 – dolls clothes, pants, tops, dresses, jackets, shoes, hats

Amy Butler Blue Sky Hats – a sun hat and a skull cap in adult sizes (hoping I can scale this down well for the kids as well)

So that should get me through the remnant pile reasonably quickly!

The first week of 2008…sewing frenzy January 7, 2008

I’ve been on a sewing binge to ring in the New Year. It all started when I decided to give the sewing cabinet a bit of a spring clean. Which developed into deciding I had to much fabric stashed and it had to be used. I’m loving it, the whole process, matching remnants, thinking of projects, executing them. I’m also noticing that the quality of my work is improving slightly. Which is good because I am SUCH a beginner. Hoping I’ll still be able to find the time once school holidays end and the normal routine resumes. In the meantime, this is what I have created so far this year.

Remnant bin stuff turned patchwork…and then into a doll’s dress. A pretty good fit for Baby Born.

Some leftover fabric I bought to make prefolds with. This little nappy is a perfect size for Baby Born and even has an absorbent strip in the middle for doll’s that actually wet. I blanket stitched the edges with remnants of blue embroidery wool. I even had remnants of velcro for the side closures.

Felt shoes for Lil Miss’s Baby Born. Navy soles and purple uppers. Stitched with cream embroidery wool remnants. I resized Heather Bailey’s bitty booties pattern (http://heatherbailey.typepad.com) by removing the seam allowance form the 0 -3 months size.

A new apron for First Born. Recycled the pocket of his old apron and used remnants from that and black denim remnants from dresses I made for Lil Miss and Daisy. Straps are webbing from something that I cut off and saved. I just love that Michael Miller print.

Some pants for First Born made of leftover brown cotton from a series of cooking aprons I made for little girl presents last year. This back view is the one with the pocket. I used Burda 2636 in size 3. It’s a very large sized pattern.
The pocket is a leftover scrap from his bed quilt with a stray remnant of red. I’m not sure what the red is leftover from but I needed it because I didn’t have a big enough scrap of the quilt fabric left.

Some pants for Lil Miss in size 2 Burda 2636. they won’t fit her for at least a year. They’re enormous. I bought this fabric to make a sun dress for my niece for Christmas. I deliberately bought enough fabric to make a matching one for Lil Miss. I had enough left over after that for these pants as well.

A pillowcase dress for Lil Miss. I used Jenie Henry’s instructions (http://www.jenleheny.com/archives/158). I didn’t use a pillowcase though. I made a patchwork of a couple of remnants I picked up for a song at some stage with some project in mind.

More remnant bin stuff turned patchwork…and then a doll’s apron. Too big for baby born but I think it will fit the large rag doll or one of the bigger teddies.

I bought this fabric to make a sun dress for my niece for Christmas. I deliberately bought enough fabric to make a matching one for Lil Miss. I made niece’s in size 1 for this summer but I made Lil Miss’s in size 2 for next summer. It’s using Butterick 3772. I found some fabulous vintage 70’s buttons in my button box which matched perfectly.

A pillowcase. Now a sundress and a skirt.

The skirt half of the pillowcase has a waistband made from a strip of old tablecloth. It fastens in the back with a gorgeous 60’s cloth covered vintage button.

Oh dear, how twee. Matching mother and daughter outfits. I made myself a halterneck top out of the remaining pillowcase. It worked quite well actually, I’m most impressed as the pattern is directly from my own little brain.

Pants for Lil Miss with elephant appliqued on to the bum. The Elephant’s eyes are vintage cloth covered buttons. More remnants used up. Applique is brilliant for all those little odds and ends. I wish I was better at it. Must practice more.

Plain tshirt of First Born’s with an elephant appliqued on. A remnant from a quilt I made for an almost born nephew with some vintage buttons for eyes.

A weird little bag made of bits and pieces and embellished with flowers made of felt and buttons. Not hugely successful but I was just experimenting and it’s all just remnants anyway so who cares?

A pair of pants I made for a friend’s baby. Long shorts in size 6 months from an adaptation of Burda 2636. The main fabric is chenille and the pocket is gingham, a remnant from First Born’s quilt.

A little wife beater for First Born appliqued with giraffe. The spotty fabric is a remnant from the quilt I made for a nephew. I didn’t make the wife beater, I picked it up at Best and Less.

I love the amount of recycling in this. The floral fabric was a cot sheet. The white pockets are cut from old stained napkins that were my Nana’s. The buttons (which you can’t see) are vintage 70’s from my button box (inherited from both my Granny and my Mum). The ric rac is older than me. The card had the price listed in shillings. I guess either my Gran or my Mum bought it for something. I might have to keep this if she ever outgrows it, it contains so much history of long lost loved ones. It’s size 3 Butterick 3772