First Open Studio

On Sunday I held my first 

Open Studio, Fashion Talk & Mini Workshop 

here at the Studio.

Those that came got to check out my corner of the world and listen to me talk about REinventing, while showcasing some of the more popular designs.

We then availed ourselves of refreshments, before heading outside for the Mini Workshop under the Jacaranda Tree.

We all created Rose Brooches from Mens Ties and flowers from Zips.

Some finished and wore theirs home.

(Jen)

I thoroughly enjoyed myself so I'll definately do it again!

This is a great way for me to showcase REinventing without compromising myself

and for those that are interested to get a taste of what it's all about without the commitment.

If you thought you might be interested in attending my next Open Studio send me an email and I'll let you know when it's happening.

and Again!

I've decided that when I experiment with stuff I'll do it more than once - so it sinks in!
I have a habit of creating things and because it's 'done' I don't think I'll do it again until I go to do it again and then I invariably can't remember how I did it!

Having successfully tea dyed the lace for my Skirt REinvention I decided to give it another go, this time sharing the process.

I had a white crochet cardy which has sat in my 'crochet cardy drawer' for years, purely because it was white. Crochet cardys I love but white's not a colour I'm comfortable wearing.

The whole tea-dying process is so easy and a lot less messy than run-of-the-mill dying with commercial dyes. Before I start I will apologise for the lack of photos, I did think too many photos would over-complicate things, that and my kitchen isn't very photogenic!

 

I used these:

• 8 litres water
• 15 tea bags - normal breakfast style tea
• half cup of table salt

and then did this:

• put water on to boil
• chop labels off tea bags because I didn't want them interfering with the dye
• put the tea bags & salt into the water
• I used salt because I use it when dying with commercial dyes and figured any dying requires a mordant - salt being mine
• continually move the tea bags around in the water to encourage the colour out of the bags and to dissolve the salt
• once the water had reached boiling without boiling turn the water right down
• leave teabags in the water for another 15mins until the water is a rich deep brown
• remove the tea bags
• submerge the clean fabric/garment in the water, stirring continuously
• the longer you leave the item in the tea-water the more colour it will absorb
• remove from water and rinse thoroughly
• dry and wear often!

 

I'm very pleased with the subtle outcome.

Lace & Angels

I don't wear lace 
the closest I get to lace in my wardrobe is my adored crocheted cardigans 
& I'd wear these everyday if I could.

 (more here)

I also don't create anything for the sake of it 
the end result has to be something I know I'll wear or use 
so I'm trying to work out what's going on with my latest REinventions?!

Not only do I still like the original idea as much as when it was conceived, 
I've worn the skirt 2 days running without once thinking "what was I thinking?!"

I keep telling myself it's 'very lacey'
and it doesn't seem to matter, 
in fact it's the laceyness I love, 
that combined with the tweed under-skirt which gives it the contradiction I like so much in REinventions.

With every REinvention you need a starting point
and for these it was the lace & angels combination that were the inspiration 

and then I'm thinking where did the whole angel thing come from, 
I don't do these either!

I couldn't talk myself out of continuing
even when the lace
 which had been the skirt to a 1960's frock 
started looking decidely bridal 
and the yoke on the tweed skirt was two sizes too small.



undeterred 
I tea-dyed the lace



& removed the yoke

  
'scientifically' measuring & trimming both to fit.

The REinvented top is a combination of three tops 
that didn't fit, had holes, marks & weren't my style.

I cut these (as oppossed to un-pick) 
& manipulated the pieces into a design that I liked & that fitted.

Something odd here also because as much as I've always admired these colours 
I've not once in my life ever worn teal blue!

Stranger still is the mustard Jumper I turned into a Wrap

another colour I've never owned & now love!

and it's just dawned on me
not only have I challenged long held beliefs related to my personal style 

I've created a skirt 
that goes with everything!

Rainy Days

and no workshops - what to do?!

Make a cuppa & start on some 'me sewing' in a toasty warm studio ALL BY MYSELF!

I've a week & a bit up my sleeve before workshops kick off again for Term 3 and they've forecast some exceptionally wet & windy weather for that week.
I anticipate completing a few projects which I'll endeavor to blog about.
I'm always in awe of those that document the process of their projects on their blogs - where do you people find the time!
My first experiment at this will be with the garments in the foreground (image above). I don't do before & after shots of REinventions because I usually never know what's going to be in a garment until it's finished and I'm usually too in the 'moment' to be taking photos.
  time + motivation = exception
The furry thing on the end of the sewing machine is a machine embroidered scrap of woolen jumper (now a Wrap) that I'll bead & stitch a brooch finding to in order to wear with the matching Jumper Wrap.

I love a rainy day Winter!