November Sewing Challenge complete - Christmas Bunting

Inspiration hit in the form of bunting for this sewing challenge, which was to make something for Christmas - I'd read about bunting on a couple of blogs and in a craft book and decided I'd make some too - nothing says 'carnivale' quite like bunting.  And it does look good:

Also it's very easy to make ... this little lot took me just under 2 hours ...

1.  Gather up as much Christmas material as you fancy using.  For my larger bunting I used 4 different fabrics, at a length of 30 cm each.  This bunting was 12 triangles in length (smaller bunting was 7 triangles).

2.  Make a template - I made a triangle 25 cm across the bottom and 25 cm high for the larger bunting, and 15 cm across the bottom and 15 cm high for the smaller bunting.

3.  Cut out 12 triangles in patterned fabric and 12 triangles in calico.

Sew the triangles - if you place pins in the centre of the triangle you stop the fabric slipping and you can sew around the triangle without stopping.  After sewing up all the triangles, turn the right side out and iron carefully.

tip:  trim the ends of the triangles like this to make a flat and fairly pointy point.

4.  Take some bias binding and fold in half, sandwiching triangles in the fold - you will have to trim along the top of your triangle first to get rid of any excess fabric and stray threads.  Start in the middle of your binding and work outwards, in two halves.  I left about 6 cm between the small triangles, and 7 cm between the large triangles.  For the large bunting I used 4 m of binding, but 5 m would give you nice long ends to tie up the bunting, and for the smaller bunting I used 2 m of binding (and 7 triangles), but again add extra length if you want nice long ties!

5.  I tacked the triangles to the bunting; this is the most tedious part of the project, but it is well worth doing as then you can whizz down the whole length of binding with your sewing machine afterwards!  Careful though as the binding sometimes twists round in between the triangles and you don't want twisted bunting!

6.   Hang bunting in a place where it will be noticed and admired!!

October Sewing Challenge show and tell - easy peasy skirt

The challenge for October was to upcycle a couple of items bought from an op shop.  I didn't do quite as much sewing as I'd hoped but I did manage to make two things:

The first is a skirt made from my favourite, but holey, pair of jeans, and an old skirt of my daughter's.  It's easy peasy to make and took about an hour. 

Read on if you want to see how I made it or skip to the pic of the top!

To make the easy peasy jeans skirt:
1.  Cut off the legs of your pair of jeans, about 2.5 cms below zip, or where the seam stops being curved.  Tuck in pockets so you don't cut them off by mistake!

2.  Cut waistband off skirt.  Make two rows of gathering stitch along the top of the skirt.  Pull up the stitches, a little at a time if you have a lot of material in the skirt as I did, until the skirt width matches the width of the bottom of the jeans yoke.

3.  Pin, tack and stitch  - being careful not to sew the pockets into the seam.

4.  If you're like me you'll want to try the skirt on before doing anything else to check all is OK.

OK? Good ...

5.  Recommended - stitch a second row around the skirt/jeans yoke seam.  Optional - neaten the seam.

6.  Press the seam upwards towards the yoke.  Topstitch along the denim - I used two rows and two colours for a bit of interest.

Yay!  It's finished.  Wear your skirt with pride and show off how clever and environmentally aware you are.

This top is made from a men's shirt I bought from the op shop for $3.  There's a tutorial on the blog My Gramma Said which shows you in detail how to make the shirt - good instructions and photos.  Again a fairly quick make, just over an hour. 

I wasn't sure what my daughter would think of it, but as soon as she came in and saw it on the mannequin she asked 'oh, can I have that?' which is always a good sign, then she wore it until bedtime.  Very cute she looks in it too.

Now you can see how easy it is to customize clothing.  I think it might become my new sewing craze.  I still have to upcycle the rest of those items I bought at the beginning of October.  Better get my thinking cap on ...

September Sewing Challenge

With all the hard work for the roadside collection I've forgotten to post a pic of my completed September sewing challenge.  But here it is at last ...

Like many other people, when I get a free gift with a magazine, I put it away fully intending to 'make it later', but somehow it never happens - but now I've broken the habit of a lifetime.  I got this kit which included the dotty fabric and handles in a magazine earlier this year.  I didn't really like the design of bag they suggested, so I made up my own!  I love red, white and blue together, and decided to make varying sized yo-yo's to embellish the bag in this colour scheme.  Now  I have a unique and crafty bag to take out my crochet with me.  Fantabulous!

It's October and time for another sewing challenge - this month we're to visit a thrift store and search for treasures to revamp.  Look what my $12.50 bought for me:

I'm going to use the shirts to make a pretty summer top as seen on the blog My Gramma Said and I'm going to make the sleeves shorter, add some other bits and bobs to the white blouse and add some embellishment to the pink stripey hooded top (Billabong no less!) for my daughter.  No idea what I'll do with the flowery pillowcase, I just liked the pattern and it only cost 50c.  Should have some fun - wonder how much I will get finished? :)

Spring giveaway! ...

'Spring is sprung - the grass is riz,
I wonder where them birdies is ...'

(passed on from my mum xx)

Completed gift bag (smocking detail in yesterday's post)

A cute Kokeshi doll - could she be yours?

It's the first of September and officially the start of spring in my part of the world.  To celebrate the first day of my favourite season I'm giving away the delightful Kokeshi doll I made for the August sewing challenge as a gift to you.  She's small but perfectly formed, approx 15 cms high, and the embroidery is handstitched on hemp fabric.  As with all my creations she has been made with lots of love and care.  All you have to do to have a chance to win is sign up as a follower of my blog - automatically giving you entry into the draw and making my day!  If you leave a comment on this post as well, you get two chances to win!  Simply leave the comment by noon on Tuesday, 21st September - I'll draw the name the same afternoon.

Back of the Kokeshi doll - a lovey batik fabric

I promised links as well for the projects - the Kokeshi doll is from a pattern from Melly & Me - it's free to use, they just ask that you don't sell the pattern or the products you make from it.  They have such lovely designs - check out their site.  The smocking comes in two parts - instructions on basic smocking techniques with a link to the gift bag smocking project. 

So, now to think over the September sewing challenge!

It doesn't matter where in the world you live - I'm happy to post anywhere.  Good luck! 

Just one more look ...

p.s. If you're a follower already you have 2 entries into the draw. xx

August sewing challenge nearly sewn up

Here are my two offerings for this month's challenge which was embroidery/smocking.

I didn't know if smocking included the embroidery so thought I'd make two tiny projects.  Feeling very pleased with myself that I have finished the stitching for the projects, although both pieces are to be made into something else - which I will probably do tomorrow, show pics and maybe have a giveaway ...

First time I've ever, ever, ever done smocking and I am just a teeny bit proud of myself.  The photo shows the guiding threads still in there - are you suppposed to take them out?  Hey, who cares - I've smocked!!!  Yippee!

Oh and I'll post links tomorrow too, as these projects are quick and fairly easy if everybody leaves you alone to concentrate :)

July Sewing Challenge - Finished!

Finished!!

Better show off my July sewing challenge before I have to show off the completed August challenge!  I did finish the shirt on time - minus the buttons and buttonholes which I completed on August 1st!  Overall I'm very pleased with the finished product, although I did find the instructions rather unclear at times, so ended up doing my own thing!!

Detail of pleats:

July Sewing Challenge - Part 2

Here's the groovy, lovely pleated shirt I want to make for this month's challenge.  It's using a pattern from the April issue of 'Sew Hip' magazine.

Trying to make sense of the pattern.  'Nuff said ...

Sewing Challenge for July

Blimey, just realized it's nearly the end of July and I still haven't started my sewing challenge for this month yet.  Oh dear.  It's supposed to be something with pleats;  I do have the fabric and the pattern so I suppose that's a start.  I need the timewarp to take me back a few days! ...