Military shirt de-blinging (un-blinging?)

I bought a rather snazzy military shirt because I loved the colour and just knew that I could do something with it to make it look 'me'.

Here it is in its full 'before' glory:

A little on the 'riotous' side for me!

So I set about de-blinging it (or should that be un-blinging?!)

I removed all the ornamentation from the breast pockets (and there was a lot of that!)

 

 

 

And added one of the spare buttons from the inside of the shirt.

 

 

Then I looked at the epaulettes.  That had to be doctored too.  So I removed the jewel.

 

 

And added yet another button to the shoulder.

 



 

I am so much happier wearing it now!

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Cashmere hat from a jumper

Cashmere.  One of the most sumptuous fabrics there is, so you have to be careful with it when you wash it, don't you?

You know, I KNEW that.  I really did.  Didn't stop me from throwing it in the washing machine and putting it on a mid-wash.  When it came out it might just have been big enough to fit a gnome.

Ok, so I can't wear it as a jumper any more, but is there anything I COULD do with I?

Yes!  Make a hat!

I used the rib at the bottom of the jumper for the base of the hat (no hemming required!) and then shaped the top of the hat and sewed it together.

As a final flourish I decided to add a 'felted' flower decoration and a little bit of sparkle.

I was a bit miffed that I couldn't wear the jumper, but the resulting hat has me smiling every time I see/touch/wear it!

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Harris Tweed journal cover

I love taking commissions!

I was asked if I could make a journal cover for somebody with some Harris Tweed that they already had.  Yes, of course, I said!

Harris Tweed is a beautiful fabric.  Especially in this colour.

It's a bit thicker than the fabric I normally use for journal covers, so it was lined with satin rather than tweed.

And here is how it turned out:

With the Harris Tweed label of course!

I thought the satin worked well with the tweed.

Ta-dah - the cover in action!

 

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Patriotic appliqued cushion cover

I love it when I get inspired!

I was looking through my fabric stash the other day wondering what I could make next - don't worry, there are a million and one projects that I *plan* to make, it really just depends on the order!

So I find a preloved denim skirt to upcycle.  Then I spotted a red shirt with the dinkiest little daisies all over it.  Hmmm.  It's looking rather British to me.  So I add a preloved tablecloth and the idea is beginning to form.

I have enough denim to make a cushion cover, thinks I, and I haven't appliqued anything in a while.

Yes, I will make a cushion cover with the Union Jack on it.

It was great fun seeing it all come together, even though the tablecloth fabric did begin to look like an octopus before I had appliqued it to the denim - there were 'arms' everywhere!

The back was made with a tuck-in design.  I did consider adding Velcro (not quite the look I was after) and/or a button, but thought that that might be a bit uncomfortable in the middle of the back!

And this is the skirt that the main fabric came from.  Just so you know!

I do love a fun project!!

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William Morris Messenger bag

You really can't beat curtain fabric for making bags with.  Not only is it substantial, but it also comes in such a fabulous range of prints - and this William Morris print is no exception!

On looking through my fabric stash, I realised I already had the perfect fabric to go with it - a beautifully coloured preloved sheet!

There is a magnetic snap on the tab underneath the decorative buckle.

An internal pocket was added for that all important mobile/cell phone/pen!  I centred the pocket on a flower.

And added a label.

 

I was really pleased with the result.

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Patriotic A line dress costumes

Land of hope and glory...

A-line dresses are quite straightforward when you know how.  Front piece.  Two back pieces.  Top inners and (in this case Velcro for a quick change).

So to make a few of them for costumes was a real joy.  There really is nothing more satisfying than seeing items of clothing/costumes I've designed and made in action!

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We're off to see the Wizard... more costumes!

Did I ever tell you I loved making costumes??  Yeah, thought I did!

My local school was putting on a production of the Wizard of Oz and I wanted to get involved.  I was given the opportunity to make two sets of costumes and a pair of emerald curtains.

The production was to be a funky version so the Wicked Witch was to be played by 3 girls simultaneously in a Medusa-esque guise.  The spec for the skirts was that they had to be floaty and look as though they were made from black, silver and green snakes.

It wasn't easy to source the snakeskin fabric but I came up trumps with some fabulous lycra and then found some chiffon too.  The strips of fabric were added to an elastic waistband and were to be worn over a black lycra bodysuit.

Here is one of the final skirts:

I went along to one of the performances and I thought that the skirts worked really well.  The singing and acting (and American accents!) were amazing - I do hope some of those teens decide to pursue that avenue in the future.

I also made a furry chest piece, arm and leg-warmers for the Lion.  She was awesome!!

 

 

The leg and arm-warmers had Velcro on them to make sure they stayed on and the front piece had gold ribbon ties to secure it.

And here's the fabric I chose for the curtains:

I do so love being given a concept and being able to use creative license with it.

If anyone else needs any costumes you know where I am LOL!

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