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?

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Mowgli costume

This time last year, school was putting on a production of the Jungle Book.

I told them that I had some faux fur that might just make a good Mowgli costume.

So easy to make too - it was just a tabard sewn up at the sides!

 

 

 

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Miaow bag from faux fur coat!

One day I had an thought.

What if I used some fur fabric to make a bag?

And what if that bag could be a, well, cat?

Would that work, do you think?

So I had a go cutting up a child's faux fur coat for the fabric.

The bag has felt features and a webbing handle.  Perfect for little hands.

I figured out the ears as I went along.

And I thought I would give the mouth more definition by sewing lines in the fur - you can just make it out below:

The interior is lined with felt.

I think next time I might add a magnetic snap in there too.

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Back by popular demand...

...Faux fur phone holders!

A perfect way to use up that old fur coat that you no longer use...

And with the addition of some felt you can personalise them to your heart's content.

I always like to make unique items so I added a pair of lips to this one!

And just one eye...  This blue monster was made from the most luxurious faux fur stole/scarf that I discovered languishing in a bargain bin.  It's sooooooo soft!

And a purple phone monster!

All of the holders are lined with felt and have velcro at the top to prevent your phone from falling out.

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Panda hat alterations

Ok, so I didn't make this panda hat, but the poor thing was being left in the cupboard because it didn't fit very well.

If you have a look, there was a lump at the top that was a little too proud for the wearer's liking.

Being nifty with a needle I decided that I would see what I could do so that it could be worn again.

So I cut into the lining, pulled the fur through it, shaped it, sewed it back up again and sewed the lining back up.  I just love learning how things are made!  And the ears are hollow!!

One happy wearer!

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More journal covers!

I'm loving making journal covers right now!

The covers are designed to fit the Radiant Recovery Your Body Speaks journal (or a book of a similar size). All of the covers are softly padded to protect its precious cargo. And every single one is unique. I never make two the same.

The vast majority of the covers are created from preloved fabric - I love using preloved fabric as it not only gives new life to a piece of fabric that might otherwise not have a home, but the fabric tends to have more unusual patterns than you can generally get from a fabric shop. Texture, pattern and heritage are important to me!

I've even made some journal covers from faux fur too for a bit of fun!

Some journal covers have one magnetic snap fastening while others have two to allow for two books to be covered - you may like to have a diary or notebook in there too to keep the journal company!

Here are the latest creations...

Poppies Journal Cover:
I fell in love with the fabric for the Poppies journal cover as soon as I saw it.  It was created from a skirt that was refashioned into a child's swing top for a while.  It has also been used as a bucket bag.

It's one of those fabrics that always brightens my day whenever I see it.

Razzmatazz:
Created from a preloved skirt (which was also used for a bag and the appliqued 'Joy' journal cover) and some satin. The sense of connection is important to me - how one piece of fabric is connected to another, maybe across the world.

Madras:
Created from a fabulous pair of two-tone curtains that shimmer in the sunlight. This fabric was also used to create a tunic top that is sitting in my wardrobe.

Oranges and Lemons:
I discovered a beautifully lacy top that was begging me to take it home.  There was such a pretty pattern on it!  Whilst the lace was used to trim my apron, the remainder was refashioned into this adorable journal cover.

 

Patchwork:
I found a gorgeous preloved patchwork skirt on one of my forays into a charity shop.  This was one of the first journal covers I'd made as I was still perfecting my technique back then!  After much tinkering and unpicking it became the Patchwork journal cover! 

The patchwork itself was from an a-line skirt which flared softly giving the resulting journal cover its characteristically quirky asymmetrical appearance.

Pink butterfly:
I just adore butterflies! They are so symbolic, aren't they?  This Pink Butterfly cover was created from a preloved top and some satin. 

Joy:
I hadn't appliqued anything before - but decided to put the fabric from the Razzmatazz bag (and now journal cover) to good use again.  Created from two skirts discovered in the same shop on the same day, these colours were meant to be together!

Happy Days:
Happy Days was created from a fabulously printed tea-towel.  Another one of those patterns that brightens my day just by looking at it!  Happy Days was teamed with a red cotton lining for yet more colour.

Baroque:
Baroque was created from a preloved throw which was love at first sight for me.  Its three stripes harmonise effortlessly and the gold lining is from the same throw.  Sometimes you just have to be a bit decadent, don't you?

Flocked journal cover:
Made from a flocked leatherette which was a planned-over from a previous project, this sturdy cover will protect your journal like no other!  It is lined with the same gold lining as the Baroque (above).

 














And a lot of fun was had with faux fur journal covers...

Big Cat:
This short furred journal cover is wonderful for all those moments when you want sleek design and something tactile.  Big Cat is lined with gold satin from the ubiquitous throw.

Caveman:
This chunky fur journal cover is lined with felt and sure to become a talking point!  Not a journal cover to be hidden away!

Brown Bear:
Another chunky journal cover - a good way to give your journal a hug.

And there are more in the pipeline too!

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ROARRRRRRRRRRRR...

Every once in a while it feels good to have fun with different fabrics.

So when I discovered faux fur, I just had to have a play and see what I could come up with...

...furry journal covers, no less!!!

A short-haired leopard print...

A chunky big cat cover...

And a chunky brown bear cover...

Oh I love what I do so much!!

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Watch out - there's a monster about

My daughter wanted a furry phone holder so here he is...

I had fun trying to get just the right size for the phone, but it all worked out well in the end!

 

He's lined with felt to protect the phone. 

This next picture makes me think that he's in need of a good haircut too!  Which is a bonus :)

 

I have lots of oddments of fur - I think I might just make some more!

 

Somebody's asked if I could make them into little bags - hmmm, I think I might be able to do that!

 

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