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. …
Tutorial
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 …
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 …
For some time I have been contemplating attempting making a crochet cushion, however, I am far from confident at crochet. The patterns are just so overwhelming. There seem to be so many different stitches, which can have two names dependant upon whether you are in the UK or the US. A few years back I …
As a child tie-dye was fashionable, bright colored t-shirts hand dyed. Recently there has been a resurgence in interest in shibori. These scarves are inspired by the Japanese shibori style. Shibori originated in Japan, it’s a technique which involves folding, twisting or bunching cloth and binding fabric, then dyeing with indigo. It’s easy to either …
Do you have a pair of trousers which you would like as a skinny fit? Do you have a skinny pair of trousers you can use as a template? Then let’s get started, this is a quick transformation, you will be done in no time at all! This refashion takes less than half a hour!! …
This free sewing pattern makes three different sizes of a boxy zipper pouch which are great for small personal items, such as cosmetics, and even small toys. Unlike most free patterns this box pouch has no seams exposed. I love working with old jeans, worn denim has such a lovely feel to it and it …
For some time I have been a fan of Kelly Swallow who sells the most beautiful bright patchwork chairs. Last year I discovered Pillar Box Blue blog, Claire has a love of reusing denim in projects and has recovered a office chair in patchwork denim. The inspiration from these two creative women sparked the idea …
Here in the UK the summer term is coming to an end, the children have three weeks left at school. Last Tuesday my daughter announced her teaching assistant was leaving on Friday, could I whip up a hand made present for her… Children always seem so last minute, at least I had three days notice! …
I don’t know about you but a trip to the beach always contains a little anxiety – I dread the thought of my car keys becoming lost in the sand!! A recent trip to the charity shop found me eyeing up beach bags, my daughter stopped me in my tracks by asking “Why aren’t you …