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| Rawiri st urban bouquet 2 |
The love of upcycling: turning the old into new.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I've just been playing around on this new website, I love it! I've been collecting photos of things I like and inspiration for a while but can never find my way back to where I found them. Pinterest is perfect! Whoever came up with this concept is a genius.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
I miss summer
So I made a skirt, out of this new fabric I got...
A little while ago I also made myself a 3/4 sleeve sleeping top, for winter's cooler nights. I used an American Apparel top I really like as a guide, and made this one extra long. I cut out two hearts out of scrap tee shirts and appliqued them on top of each other, then screen printed my feathers. Still waiting to find the time to make more...
I also made a diaper bag for my best friend who is having a baby soon. I used some grey wool fabric I'd bought a while ago and lined it with some of that beautiful 70s fabric I got recently as well. The woolen fabric is super soft and simple, I love the contrast with the vibrant yellow lining. I put a phone pocket and a zip pocket at the front, plus two inner pockets. The bag turned out quite a bit bigger than I'd imagined, and with a few imperfections (my sewing machine was letting me down and as usual I had a deadline), but hopefully she'll be able to use it, maybe for traveling.
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| I've always been a bit lazy about ironing, can you tell? |
A little while ago I also made myself a 3/4 sleeve sleeping top, for winter's cooler nights. I used an American Apparel top I really like as a guide, and made this one extra long. I cut out two hearts out of scrap tee shirts and appliqued them on top of each other, then screen printed my feathers. Still waiting to find the time to make more...
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| the shoulder strap: an upcycled belt! |
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| The phone pocket is a letterbox type one, took me ages to get it right and even then it is still wonky... |
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
My creative space
I've been lazy about sewing lately, or rather, I have been more interested in reading. I started reading "Monkey grip" by Helen Garner, and I can't put it down. I love reading a good book, and I'm always too impatient to know what happens next.
I did make a softie a couple of weeks ago. I was trying out a pattern for a giraffe softie for Sharon at Pepper stitches. I never get round to making softies, so it was nice to try out something different from clothes making. The giraffe came out great, it was my first time using teddy bear joints and I struggled to find some here (small town!) so I ended up buying some online. When they turned up they wren't the best fit but I managed to get by. The giraffe was an immediate success with Tahi who took it to playcentre that day, then kept taking it with him everywhere he went.
If you're into softie making check out Sharon's shop. My favorite are the antler boy and girl!
More creative spaces here!
I did make a softie a couple of weeks ago. I was trying out a pattern for a giraffe softie for Sharon at Pepper stitches. I never get round to making softies, so it was nice to try out something different from clothes making. The giraffe came out great, it was my first time using teddy bear joints and I struggled to find some here (small town!) so I ended up buying some online. When they turned up they wren't the best fit but I managed to get by. The giraffe was an immediate success with Tahi who took it to playcentre that day, then kept taking it with him everywhere he went.
If you're into softie making check out Sharon's shop. My favorite are the antler boy and girl!
More creative spaces here!
Monday, May 23, 2011
48hr week end
I was away from the blogosphere this week end, Josh signed up to do the 48hr film contest, where you write, shoot and edit a 7mn movie in 48hrs. It's a lot of fun but quite intense too! This is the third (and probably last) year he enters it in Gisborne. His previous 48hr movies include Alienses (entered too late), Tony's last day (won the Gisborne finals) and The amazing world of sticks.
Unfortunately I don't get to help much, with two kids around the house it's pretty much impossible to get much done, so my job is to keep them out of the way so Josh can get on with his filming. So we spent a lovely sunny warm day at the beach on saturday. Sunday was different, Josh needed to film some kids having a party, so we invited a few friends along and the kids had a great time!
Unfortunately the (bloody) computer took absolutely ages to get the movie rendered, so Josh couldn't get it in in time, but I have to say it looks amazing and I am so proud of him for what he has achieved. I can't wait to post a link to his little short film. Hopefully, as he says, something good will come out of this!
Unfortunately I don't get to help much, with two kids around the house it's pretty much impossible to get much done, so my job is to keep them out of the way so Josh can get on with his filming. So we spent a lovely sunny warm day at the beach on saturday. Sunday was different, Josh needed to film some kids having a party, so we invited a few friends along and the kids had a great time!
Unfortunately the (bloody) computer took absolutely ages to get the movie rendered, so Josh couldn't get it in in time, but I have to say it looks amazing and I am so proud of him for what he has achieved. I can't wait to post a link to his little short film. Hopefully, as he says, something good will come out of this!
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| De Lautour rd urban bouquet 2 |
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Make your own: kids' pants
Ok, as promised, here is the tutorial for making a pair of upcycled pants using the waistband from an existing pair of adult pants. They also feature a flat front waist and adjustable elastic waistband at the back.
You will need:
- A pair of thrifted trousers
- Some fabric for the pants if you want them to be a different colour/ fabric
- Some adjustable elastic (also called maternity elastic, the one with the button holes)
- two buttons
First cut the waist, about 1/4" below the actual waist bit.
Cut out your pants, either from a pattern or from a pair of existing pants. For a great tutorial for making flat front pants check out Made here, or for basic pants here.
Sew your pants together. If you have an overlocker, serge around the waist.
Take the waistband and place the front of it to the front of the pants. If you need to, pin them and go all the way around until you get to the back. Pin the two back ends together and cut the ends off allowing for about 5/8". Serge the bottom of both ends, then serge the ends you just cut. Sew the ends right side together.
Pin the waistband around the pants' waist, right sides together, and sew. Make sure the seams around the back are folded back on each side, as they will later be sewn to hold the elastic together. Turn the waistband out and sew around where the waistband joins with the rest of the pants.
Now comes the fun part: the elastic! Pinch the fabric on the inside of the waistband at the back of the pants as to separate both sides. The hole should be hidden by the seam. You want to put your elastic in the casing without making a visible hole outside. Once you've got the inside fabric only, cut a small hole with some scissors. Repeat for the other side.
Next decide where you want the elastic to go. I leave about 2/3 of the pants at the front to be flat, which determines where to put the second cut. Once both ends re cut, you're ready to put the elastic through.
Cut the elastic slightly shorter than the length inside the casing. Insert it through the back and when you get to the end, fold the seam over and sew it all together. Then sew a button that will fit through the buttonhole at the front end, pull your elastic through and attach it to the button. Repeat for the other side.
And you're done!
You will need:
- A pair of thrifted trousers
- Some fabric for the pants if you want them to be a different colour/ fabric
- Some adjustable elastic (also called maternity elastic, the one with the button holes)
- two buttons
First cut the waist, about 1/4" below the actual waist bit.
Cut out your pants, either from a pattern or from a pair of existing pants. For a great tutorial for making flat front pants check out Made here, or for basic pants here.
Sew your pants together. If you have an overlocker, serge around the waist.
Take the waistband and place the front of it to the front of the pants. If you need to, pin them and go all the way around until you get to the back. Pin the two back ends together and cut the ends off allowing for about 5/8". Serge the bottom of both ends, then serge the ends you just cut. Sew the ends right side together.
Pin the waistband around the pants' waist, right sides together, and sew. Make sure the seams around the back are folded back on each side, as they will later be sewn to hold the elastic together. Turn the waistband out and sew around where the waistband joins with the rest of the pants.
Now comes the fun part: the elastic! Pinch the fabric on the inside of the waistband at the back of the pants as to separate both sides. The hole should be hidden by the seam. You want to put your elastic in the casing without making a visible hole outside. Once you've got the inside fabric only, cut a small hole with some scissors. Repeat for the other side.
Next decide where you want the elastic to go. I leave about 2/3 of the pants at the front to be flat, which determines where to put the second cut. Once both ends re cut, you're ready to put the elastic through.
Cut the elastic slightly shorter than the length inside the casing. Insert it through the back and when you get to the end, fold the seam over and sew it all together. Then sew a button that will fit through the buttonhole at the front end, pull your elastic through and attach it to the button. Repeat for the other side.
And you're done!
Monday, May 16, 2011
KCWC 2011, the unfinished projects
I started making a puffer vest for Tahi, seeing it's winter and all and he's already got his first cold of the year. I made one a couple of winters ago which turned out super handy since he doesn't like to wear big jackets and get hot as soon as he runs around. I used some second hand sleeping bags (there's so many at the op shop). They're not the easiest thing to sew, as they are quite bulky and slippery, but the result is worth it for me.
The hard part is finding second hand open zips, so I've got to go to the local sewing shop to get one for this vest.
Second project was a pair of pants with a sewn on waist from an adult's pair of pants... Almost finished apart from the seams at the bottom. I'll post a tutorial later today or tomorrow.
The hard part is finding second hand open zips, so I've got to go to the local sewing shop to get one for this vest.
Second project was a pair of pants with a sewn on waist from an adult's pair of pants... Almost finished apart from the seams at the bottom. I'll post a tutorial later today or tomorrow.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
KCWC 2011 - day...3?
Ok, I haven't been sewing for an hour every night, had to catch up on some sleep. So haven't been as productive, but still making a few bits and pieces. Like more tops for my cutie pie, and a pair of sleeve pants (the sleeve pants are not perfect, need to perfect my concept).
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| I made a funny mistake with this top and sewed one lap shoulder one way and the other the other way.... I quite like it, means it can be worn on side or another! |
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
My creative space
It's all about kids this week, it being Kids Clothes Week Challenge and all. I made a couple more woolen tops, this time for the little one. Seeing how fast he is growing I don't know if they'll last all winter!
Be inspired: more creative spaces here!
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| This one is actually going to end up in my shop I think... |
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| Tahi in his merino top |
The garden
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
KCWC 2011
It's Kids Clothes Week Challenge! I've been making quite a bit of that in the last few days/ weeks, here's a few pictures of the few I've finished already.
A patchwork merino top for Tahi:
Some comfy stretch cotton pants:
And some more stylish woolen pants:
A patchwork merino top for Tahi:
Some comfy stretch cotton pants:
And some more stylish woolen pants:
Monday, May 9, 2011
Spring top sew along
I'd completely forgotten about this little "contest" until I clicked on the link I had put on the right and realized the cut off was today. That was two days ago.
I wasn't sure what I would make, if anything, and then Friday I found this very cool flowery retro sheet at the op shop and got inspired... It looks like I'd pictured it (for once!) and is very comfortable. I loosely used a tee shirt I have to draw the pattern, and then tweaked it. I'm a lover of easy breastfeeding access tops, kind of essential at the moment! Too bad we're in autumn heading towards winter, maybe I'll make a long sleeve version too.
Anyway, wish me luck, and check out what other crafty bloggers have submitted here.
I wasn't sure what I would make, if anything, and then Friday I found this very cool flowery retro sheet at the op shop and got inspired... It looks like I'd pictured it (for once!) and is very comfortable. I loosely used a tee shirt I have to draw the pattern, and then tweaked it. I'm a lover of easy breastfeeding access tops, kind of essential at the moment! Too bad we're in autumn heading towards winter, maybe I'll make a long sleeve version too.
Anyway, wish me luck, and check out what other crafty bloggers have submitted here.
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