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!

 

 

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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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Tie-dye messenger bag - with a twist(y lock)

A seamstress walks into a charity shop - and lo and behold, discovers a beautiful denim tie-dye skirt in a size large (more fabric that way), thinks, hmmm, I already have a top that would go perfectly with that...

And so begins the tale of another creation.  I was right.  The skirt DID match the top.  So I decided to make a small messenger bag from the blue and purple combination.

I'm really happy with the result, too!

I added a side pocket for pens and other bits and bobs.

It's the first time I've used twist locks on a bag - I've now perfected cutting out the hole so that the fabric doesn't show!

This was the original tie-dye skirt and the matching top:



You can see why I paired them now, can't you?

It has a zip fastening and a pocket underneath the flap for all those receipts that tend to accumulate:

If I were to make this one again I would add some padding to the strap as the top I used was very floaty.  I did top-stitch it though to give it some extra strength. 

This was the first time I have added an internal zipped pocket.  I learned something here too - make sure when adding the pocket lining that you sew it onto the back with wrong sides together!

Another view:

The internal seams were bound with fabric from the top.  It was so light and airy that it was really easy to work with when making binding.  Something I'll remember for next time!

So all in all, a very satisfying project!

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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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Latest journal cover creations

You may have noticed that I love sewing. 

But what I REALLY love doing is sewing items that are unique and have different colours/textures/patterns - if I get to use preloved fabrics too, so much the better!

Here are my latest creations.  Each with a different fabric.  Each with a different story.

Let me know what you think!

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I fell in love with this pepper print and just knew that it would be ideal for making a cover!

I found this melon fabric in the same shop as the chillis.  Again, I just knew it would work!

This Union flag fabric was taken from the dress that my daughter wore to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee picnic in our street last year.  She'd grown out of it in the meantime, but I just know that someone, somewhere will love it!  Especially with the blue polka dot lining!

This beautifully delicate bluebell print fabric was discovered in a shop in Goldhawk Road in London on my latest visit.  I fell in love with it.  It reminds me of a Liberty print.  I teamed it with small blue and white polka dots.  Yum!

This funky retro fabric was taken from a preloved top which I bought specifically for this purpose!  The lining was created from a pair of purple palazzo pants.

Another funky geometric print caught my eye in a preloved shop.  I just adored the colour combination of dusky rose and gold and the soft texture always appeals to me too!  The cover was lined with matching dusky rose satin to finish it off.

I just adore campervans!  So this fabric had to come home with me and be used straight away!  The journal cover is lined with matching bottle green cotton lining.

Blue camo anyone?  How could I not use this fabric?  I teamed it with a small blue and white polka dot fabric.

Purple and lime - what a combination!  This fabric was purchased when I was on holiday in Pembrokeshire.  I remember the quaint little sewing shop that I discovered it in.  I just loved the contrasting colours!  I lined the journal cover with the same fabric.

Pink and sparkly?  This fabric is always a winner because it has rainbow shimmers whenever the light touches it.  The delicate pink outer was lined with fabric from a preloved pink and white stripe sheet :)

I even found a gold version of the fabric too so was able to make a cover with gold sparkles!  The cover is lined with gold satin from a throw.  Very elegant!

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Stripy shorts bag - a quick how to

I do love stripy things!

One pair of shorts and some tinkering later, and another bag has arrived!

 

 

First, cut off the legs at crotch level parallel to the waistband (that way it won't be wonky!)  Then sew them up.  If you shape the corners of the bag, make sure you don't cut into the pockets.

 

With the remainder of the cut-off section, make two handles and add them to the inside of the waistband.

 

 

 

Then, make a lining with a pocket in it add a magnetic snap fastening.  Turn the top of the lining down and sew it in place.

I originally added a piping cord tie to go through the belt loops, but that made it look like a pair of old pyjamas!  So I made a tie from the same polka dot fabric as the interior and inserted it through the loops instead.

This is the reason why you don't want to cut into the pockets - because they are still functional!  You can just see a pen in this pocket.

Perfect for meeting friends for lunch!

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