Ocean curtain to new apron

I have a thing about the ocean.  So when I saw a pair of preloved curtains with an ocean theme I just knew they would come in handy.

 

Curtains suitably purchased, I wondered what to do with them.  Then inspiration struck - my current apron is getting very tatty, so why not make a new one?

 

I made it in a larger size, added a front pocket (making sure to match the pattern) and then added bias binding along the edges.

 

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

 

Now I can combine ocean AND cooking!

 

 

Next...

Waiting-to-be-loved fabric bag

Sometimes I have been known to buy fabric from a fabric shop.  Surprised?  Yes, I know!

I have often bought fabric and oilcloth from Dotty Brown.  Something very classic and vintagey about it with all those polka dots and pastel patterns.

One day I was perusing their website when I read that they were looking for people to send in photos of items they have made from their fabric.  Why not, I thought as I hastily looked through my snaps to see what I could find.  Here is the project that I sent in:




A little while later Dotty Brown contacted me and asked if I would mind them putting a copy of the photo and details of the refashion up on their website.  Go for it, says I!

Here is the link if you want to see the article in its entirety:
 
http://www.dottybrown.com/blog/2013/11/readers-pics-sew-selena/

As a thank you, I was asked if I would like some of their fabric.  Oh yes please!  Did anyone say kid in a sweet shop??

I chose two of their cotton fabrics that I thought would go well together.  Funnily enough I decided to make another bag(!)  Well, honestly, you can never have enough bags, right? 

I settled on a pattern from Jodie at the Vintage Ric Rac blog.  It says it should take an hour, but it took a little longer than that despite my bag experience!

I was really pleased with the way the bag turned out though!

And I have plenty of the fabric leftover still :)

Next...

Slouch bags galore!

I adore slouch bags!

They can be made in any fabric and have just the right amount of slouchiness.  I taught myself how to make these.  Quite straightforward when you know how!

This William Morris slouch bag was made from preloved curtain fabric - I loved the use of blue and green together.

It is lined with a preloved teal coloured sheet.  With an internal pocket, of course!

Then I decided to make one from fur.  It's a very touchy feely bag which is currently residing in Germany :)

The bag was lined with faux cheetah(?) print fur - Growwwwwl!

With an internal pocket.  This is such a cuddly bag!

Damson cord was used for the next bag.  I have a thing about cord.

The bag was lined with preloved curtain fabric which tones beautifully with the cord.  I added a ribbon tie to this one rather than a popper.  Adds a bit of extra oomph.

 

 

And then there's the ever popular Sanderson slouch bag.  Made from preloved curtains making it extra sturdy.  Had to make sure that the pattern was central on this one.

The bag was lined with silk from a preloved throw.  And a Sanderson pocket added, of course!

Which one is your favourite?

Next...