This year Portia’s annual refashion competition is suits. As usual, I have left it to the very last minute to enter (closes tomorrow!). There really are some amazing recreations of suits on her inspirational Pinterest board. Tempted to make a fitted dress I changed my mind when I turned this jacket inside out and saw the …
We are reaching the end of a rather busy half term holiday here in the UK. For the first time in many years, my husband was able to meet up with his three siblings, and my children met their cousin Harvey for the first time (he lives in Australia). It’s been rather hectic, with lots of …
Experiments in shibori dying lead me to contemplate treating dark jeans with bleach. My rather large denim stash was due an overhaul. The inspiration came to bleach shibori style patterns into the denim to make a large floor cushion. The DIY denim floor cushion is filled with the offcuts of the denim trousers plus old pillows. …
The evenings are drawing in, the leaves are changing and I’ve dug out my hot water bottle. Despite a couple of warm weeks, it’s definitely autumn. Although I LOVE summer and rather hate winter I secretly quite like snuggling up with a warm blanket to keep me cosy. It’s so easy to make your own …
A couple of week’s ago I was fortunate to attend the Great British Sewing Bee Live Exhibition, I have to confess that despite taking my camera I took a pitiful grand total of one photograph… Naturally, I shopped and shopped, going over my budget on fabric (somewhat inevitable!). As planned I bought fabric for: Ellens Esplanade …
If you are joining me from the Bloggers Quilt Festival a warm welcome. My name is Vicky, I love to sew and create using former clothes/items. Normally quilts intimidate me – the idea of precise sewing over a large area just seems too much. I am super excited to share with you my shibori quilt …
For once I had eight weeks notice for a school trip, with a list of costume requirements! Naturally, I was keen to make a costume using what I had – I am so glad I have the skills to make clothes. For people who don’t the odd dress up day must really add up financially! …
Learn how to make a large zippered tote bag with this free pattern. Step by step zippered tote bag pattern with zipper. Having pondered about a new bag design I settled on making a large recessed zippered tote bag. I often wander around department stores seeking inspiration for bag designs, this time I found myself admiring …
Today’s theme for zero waste week is upcycling, in case you missed it here is a bit more information about zero waste week. A quick check of Wikipedia, will lead you to the definition of upcycling is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better …
Why carry out a waste audit?? It’s easy to think we know what goes in our bin, but do we really? Carrying out an audit may surprise you. The process itself can help you evaluate, help you realise habits you can tweak to make significant changes. Perhaps the day I picked for my waste audit …
Today I am super excited to share with you how I have updated my scrappy towels, giving them a new lease of life with scrap fabric bias binding. But first today is the beginning of waste week 2017, I am proud to be a blogging ambassador for zero waste week. Why? I make no secret …
This project has been brewing for quite some time, initially put off by a lack of woodwork skills I was prompted into action when Reloved magazine accepted the proposal as a project for their magazine! My neighbour Ray kindly offered to assist me in making the headboards – I learnt so much from working with …