Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Upstyle Project: Give a top new life

Some easy upstyling will take a plain old tank top to a new level. By simply adding some yo yo's (suffolk puffs) to the shoulders of the tank you can add some class to a simple top.

Firstly gather your supplies:


You'll need:
  •  a tank top
  • some fabric that either coordinates or contrasts
  • scissors
  • thread
  • buttons (with a shank work best)
  • a Clover Yo Yo maker (if you don't have one of these don't fret. I have added some instructions on how to make these without one at the end)
I used the extra large size Clover Yo Yo maker

Photo: Vintage Gatherings
Step 1: Make 10 yo yo's



Step 2: Sew buttons in the centre of 4 of the yo yo's


Step 3: Work out your placement on the shoulders for three of the yo yo's in a strip and stitch into place from the back through the tank top and making sure you stitch a button into the centre.


Step 4: Make sure you stitch each yo yo together at the edge where they meet.



Step 5: Next attach the remaining 2 yo yo's at two points where they touch the other yo yo's and to each other.


Now you're done. Wear with pride!



How to make yo yo's (suffolk puffs) without a Clover Yo Yo Maker:

Photo: Rachel Beckman - How to make a yo yo

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Hottie Challenge

Today I signed myself up to participate in this creative challenge!




The aim of the challenge is to make a hottie (hotwater bottle) cover, which will be exhibited in the gallery space at Open Drawer Art Textiles and Learning Centre from Friday July 5th, with a grand opening on Sunday July 7th from 2-4PM. 

The finished hotties are donated to the Margaret Pratt Foundation, so that they may be sold to raise funds.

It's a really fun thing to do for a really good cause! Do you want to enter too?

You'll find more information about the fundraiser and all your registration info over at Curlypops Blog here.


xK


Monday, January 21, 2013

Upcycle Project: Overall's to Dress



Making a dress from overall's.

So the leggy Miss is growing and growing. I can't keep up and neither can her pant legs. The overalls were too short in the leg but still roomy around her torso so we decided to make a dress out of them.
As for the pant leg leftover's we have some future ideas for those too. Here's a quick tutorial to show you how. You don't need a pattern, just some basic sewing skills.

So let's get started.

You'll need:

* Overall's / Coverall's
* Fabric 110cm wide (about 110cm long)
* Quick unpick
* Scissors
* Sewing Machine
* Thread (I used dark blue and cream)
* Tailor's chalk or a pen

Optional
* Buttons to replace denim studs OR
* Covered button kit to replace denim studs

This tutorial is a guide to make a pair of overall's into a dress. If you need some extra help or some more info if I didn't explain it very well, then please contact me and I'll do my best to help you out.



1. First work out where the waist of your overalls sit on the kid. Mark this with the chalk or pen and then cut leaving a seam allowance. I use 1.5cm seam allowance.


2. Unpick the belt carriers and if you care to unpick the bottom seam at the front to reduce bulk when sewing your skirt on. This isn't necessary but it will make it easier to sew and give you a cleaner finish.



3. Measure the length you want your skirt to be (mine is 50cm) and cut two lengths. 


4. Sew a gather stitch across the top of both pieces. A gather stitch is a wide length stitch which allows you to pull the thread on the ends and gather or ruffle the fabric. Make sure the gather stitch is closer to the raw edge than your seam allowance. I usually make mine about 1cm.


5. Pull one of the threads on one side of the fabric to gather the fabric. Attach one piece to the front of your overall's bib. Adjust the gathers to fit evenly.



6. I'm stitching on top with dark blue thread so I can make sure I stitch in the channels left from the old thread. The back doesn't really matter (here is the back with the cream thread)


7. Double check your seam allowance for the back of the overall's. I have left a 1.5cm seam allowance and have made sure my button holes matched up so the skirt would too.


8. Gather the skirt panel and attach it to the back of the overalls. Then finish this edge with an overlocker/serger or a zig zag stitch.


9. Line up your skirt panels, when you're happy they match up then stitch them together leaving a gap of about 5cm at the top nearest the overall's bib. This will allow extra room when putting the dress on. I didn't worry about finishing the edges of the skirt itself as it is the selvedge edge and wont fray. 


10. Starting from the front just beneath the overall's bib at the side of the skirt, stitch the side seam down and across the seam join and up to the back of the skirt panel. Keep stitching a top stitch across the back of the skirt (this will keep the denim from sticking up and making the skirt look unruly!) and then repeat the other side finishing just below the bib of the overall's.



11. Hem the dress. I just did a double fold narrow hem.


12. Now your dress can be considered finished! I removed all the old denim studs and zig zag stitched the holes so I could add my own buttons.


13. Attach your new buttons. 


14. Wear!

















Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Do you love a Giveaway?

I'll be kickstarting of the New Year with a Giveaway!

Only problem is I don't know what to give you!

Would you like clothing for ladies? Clothing for babies and kids? Vouchers to spend in my stores and at my market stalls? Sewing and Crafting supplies?

You tell me and I will make it happen! Leave your comment under this post and majority rules. I am running this on Facebook and Instagram too. I look forward to seeing what YOU would like :)



Monday, January 14, 2013

Another Crafty Notion

Looking for crafting, sewing and making supplies?


Another Crafty Notion


An Etsy store selling supplies for sewing and crafting needs. New, used, found and vintage. It will be here if you can use it to make and create.

The shop is new and items will be added gradually so please have a look, make it a favourite and be notified when new stock arrives.


Making Memories during the School Holidays

This quick post is a roundup of 6 cool things you can make with your kids during the school holidays.

From activities to keep them occupied or activities for making memories, these days (although sometimes painfully slow, full of overtired hot little ones screaming for food or teens moping around spouting the I'm bored routine) do pass quickly when you look back and it's awesome to have these things together.


Simply click on the photo to go to the site or click the link under the photo


1. Liquid Chalk


2. Super Hero Costumes



3. Super Hero Photo Booth


4. Bored Jar


5. Dining Room Table Tent/Cubby


6. Instruments to Make





Thursday, December 6, 2012

Continuous Bias Binding Tape Tutorial

Well of course I ran out of red bias binding two days before a Christmas Market for which I am trying to finish of some cute sweet little girl's Christmas dresses.

After wasting 3 hrs trying to find some ready made I decided it will be faster if I give it a go myself. But I wanted a SUPER QUICK - SUPER EASY method!

PHOTO: www.coletterie.com

After looking for a tutorial I found this amazing, simple, fast, fabulous, easy to follow tutorial at Coletterie. This tutorial is written by Rachel and has great photos to follow too!

So ... have a go!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Scalloped Bunting Tutorial

Picture from here
Today I was visiting the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog and I found a gorgeous tutorial on making scalloped fabric bunting by Jessie from the Blog Sweet Jessie.

Bunting is so fun and fabric bunting is great because it lasts for years and is easily washed and can be reversible and made from scraps leftover from other sewing projects.

To have a look at loads more photos or grab the free PDF template and instructions please go to the Sew,Mama,Sew! blog here

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Shabby Chic Cupcake Wrappers

Free Printables! One of my favourite sentences ever.


CLICK HERE TO GET THE DOWNLOAD


I adore the colours used in these cupcake wrappers and although they were originally intended for Easter celebrations, any time you have cupcakes is a good time.

Fill them with lollies, or maybe flower heads for a table centrepiece.

These were designed and created by the gorgeous ladies over at Shabby Blogs - The Blog

If you use them, let me know what you decided to do!