Tutorial - REinventing for a Pride & Prejudice Zombie

It was book week and on Thursday the school celebrated by having a 'dress-up as your favourite book character' parade.
This could just as easily be a REinvention for a fairytale Princess, it's just that my 10yr old isn't -
fractured fairytales are more her thing.

By adding fake blood and applying her sisters make-up
she became a Victorian era Zombie, modeled from the cover of her at-the-moment favourite book.

A Pride & Prejudice REinvention

I grabbed a white T-shirt, ladies Blouse and single bed cotton Valance from the Op shop.

 

The T-shirt would be the Bodice, all I needed from the Blouse was the frilled front neck section and the Valance would make up the skirt, gathered & attached to the bottom of the bodice.

The frilly lace section from the blouse was removed and stitched on the front of the T-shirt and the front neck of the T-shirt was cut away.

I measured how long I wanted the bodice to be and cut.

 and did the same thing with the Valance.

 I measured around her girth to determine how much elastic I would need, then gathered the Valance onto a band of elastic and then stitched this flat around the base of the T-shirt.

The sleeves from the Blouse were cut into sections and stitched together to made a 'belt' which sat over & covered the line of gathering.

Before you berate me under your breathe for allowing her to walk out of the house looking like this I'd like to point out I did draw the line at red contact lenses.

Tickled Pink!

I said yes to some advertising a while back
and look what happened!

(image from the new online mag Tickle the Imagination)

I'm saying yes more often!

I know nothing about on-line magazines 

in fact I know very little about anything internet related 

most of the time I feel like I'm stumbling around in a dark room with a blind fold on 

seriously

so when something like this happens I don't feel quite so alone.

Check out Tanyas Blog and shiny new mag -

they're gorgeous!

Tutorial - How to REinvent a Piece of Cake

 I've known for a long time that I'm not the only one that wants to

wear interesting clothes

created simply & quickly

that can be worn anywhere

any season

using resources found everywhere 

and that's why Sew Outside the Lines ™ patterns exist and continue to evolve.

  

How to REinvent a Piece of Cake:

You could use any favourite pattern to achieve a REinvention this way
however I know that the POC pattern works because it originated from REinventions I've been 15yrs REinventing for myself & others.

Along with a POC pattern you'll need a selection of garments that you like 

and that will work together (like with like).

I chose a light cotton shirt (2 sizes too small) and a med. weight bias cut & lined wool blend skirt (1 size too small). 

Before cutting anything best check your traced off pattern will sit on the garments - if the pattern's too big you'll have to add extra fabric - if that happens remember to add seam allowance to additions.

I had just enough fabric.

The shirt had it's sleeves & collar removed and was separated through the shoulders.  

The darts in the shirt were unpicked to give me some extra width and I didn't separate the side seam so as to get as much out of the shirt as possible.

I retained the existing seam allowances on the skirt and only cut along the top edge of the pattern.

I figured any extra width could be dealt with once the garment was sewn together.

It turned out the extra width was absorbed into the bias cut nature of the fabric.

The original shirt was fairly sheer so the bodice is lined with med. weight cotton drill and finished with a wide bias binding, made from the lining fabric.

 I ended up stitching the tucks flat as the bias cut nature of the fabric was causing them to bulge a little.

For anyone that does create something from a Sew Outside the Lines™ pattern I've set up a  

flickr site 

 for us to share our creations.
It is also a great forum to ask any questions of me and other members.

Sunday - The dog needed a walk.

I was on a mission.

A techno-free, stretch your legs, use your lungs, sibling-bonding type mission.

It wasn't easy getting the girls out of bed, let alone out the door 

however once threatened with doing the chores on their lonesomes they 'eagerly' launched themselves -
the teen did however have to return her phone to the car once we got to the park.

 

 

(no one got hurt.....much!)

 

(The dog has always thought she's a cat!)

 

Mission accomplished!

(she's actually asleep!)

 

W.I.Sh - Latest Op Shop Treasure.

I love jugs

who am I kidding

if it's old & has some pink on it and it happens to be a sweet slightly crazed little jug that's been marked at $1
it's coming home with me!

along with any buttons that catch my eye.

I don't go to Op Shops specifically looking for this sort of thing - buttons I can use in REinventions
however jugs, tins, baskets & plates aren't that easy to wear.

Clothes I'm always finding however treasure like these are a rare find these days & I consider them a treat - I like having them around and they're better for me than chocolate!

Pop-up Workshop & REtreat REminder

Only 3wks 'til the Spring REtreat in Busselton!

That came round quick...

if you're thinking about joining us best get your skates on as there's one spot left 

(two at a pinch).

If you can't make the REtreat you might be interested in the other REinventing opportunities here at the Studio;

(The Studio)

All Day Fridays or Saturdays

9:30-2:30

$175

16th & 23rd Sept.

or

1st & 8th Oct.

or

 2nd & 9th Dec.

or

3rd & 10th Dec.

6wk Saturdays

3-6pm

$225

22nd Oct. - 26th Nov.

 This will be the last opportunity to create your own Splice Skirt or Change of Heart Skirt with me here at the Studio - the year has simply disappeared!

Splice Skirt or Change of Heart Skirt Workshop

10-2pm

$230

15th, 16th & 17th Dec.

(Denises Splice Skirt)

On Thursdays next Term, Tresillian in Nedlands will be offering REinventing in the afternoon & Learn to Sew - Basics & Beyond in the morning.

This term I offered the Change of Heart Skirt as the starter pattern for students, along with fabric kits which have proved to be a great idea - takes the guess work out of where to start and ensures a great outcome for first timers and those wanting to enhance their existing skills.

I love my job -

fairly sure I'm unemployable because I love it sooooo much!

Tired Bunnies

Couldn't help myself 

 I was desperate to see what the fabric would look like made up...

so sampled the Fishing for Compliments Tunic in it.

I think because I'm soooo in love with the plaster pink I'm not noticing the

upside down tired bunnies....as much.

Turns out Kokka who manufacture the Trefle range, which this design is from, have quite a few designs with upside down images - some I think work better than others.

An alarming observation I made today when I Googled 'Trefle by Kokka' was that some online stores don't seem to have images portraying the fabric patterns in their entirety.
As much as I was annoyed at myself for not noticing the bunnies being upside down, it might have been nice to have had it pointed out to me - after all it's not a cheap exercise.
I know I'd be pissed if 3m turned up in the mail without me knowing half of it was upside down.

I'm not a very experienced fabric purchaser being that most of my garment creations are REcreated however since starting the sewing patterns I'm discovering a whole new world that revolves entirely around fabric and it's applications....
and I'm trying very hard to restrain myself.
My favourite fabrics at the moment are the Japanese cotton & linen blends because they're fantastic quality, just quirky enough and affordable.

Synchronised Travel or An Aussie Backyard Tour.

 I put my hand up to join in this little adventure...I do think the idea was to head off out into the neighbourhood but I ran out of time so I followed the rules as best I could while wandering round the yard  

 

here we go

 

 Starting point (photo).

Looking at the disaster under the verandah.

Walk in any direction for 25 paces (it read 50 paces but I'd have had to knock down the neighbours fence), then turn 180º (photo).

Looking at the disaster from the other end of the verandah.

Continue walking in that direction until you see something blue (photo).

My redundant dressing gown (replaced last mothers day), waiting with other stuff to be donated to the OpShop.....

the shark stays!

Make a left turn & walk 30 paces, it says 50 to 70 (photo). 

Dans shed and part-time shrine to the football & vintage motor bike.

 

Walk in any direction until you see something that either is or looks like the number 7 or 11 (photo).

This was a pleasant surprise and about the only time during the whole journey that I felt like I was really following the rules.

 Take a first left & continue walking until you find somewhere to sit (photo).

 I couldn't decide which view was best so I've included both.

While sitting on a bar stool inside the shrine to football & vintage motor bikes looking out the Kimberley window

 and when I swung to the left there's another Aussie icon - a Metters wood-fired oven which is used regularly during winter while paying homage to football and vintage motor bikes.

 Choose any direction until you see an unusual colour, shape or texture (photo).

   This was nice as I wandered the yard REdiscovering & noticing little things that I've not for a while...or ever.

(a favourite vine which is at it's best Autumm/Spring - not sure how long that skipping rope's been hanging in the tree)

(my friend Rebecca is always in my garden)

(my friend Regina is always close by too)

( little green truck)

We love this tree - she is about 80yrs old and has featured strongly in our lives over the past 20yrs. In a couple of her gnarly crooks were forgotten mementoes from games played in the past.

(little plastic bear)

Continue walking in any direction until you see an archway or an unusual architectural feature (photo).

The tree on the right combined with the banana trees & vine, over the past few years have formed a natural archway leading out to the back yard.

Head for home but continue looking for something that catches your eye. When you find something take your photo with it.

He caught my eye...

25yrs ago on a cold winters night snuggled in front a roaring fire....don't get me started....

these days it's a rare thing to see him standing around and given the opportunity to snuggle, I'm there!

That was fun - thanks Vic!

Can you see what I didn't?

I fell in love with this fabric immediately and it wouldn't have mattered a jot if I'd noticed what I didn't until I went to cut into it - I'd have maybe not bought as much as I did but then.....

I. don't. think. so!

If you haven't picked it - it has double-nap (if that's a word?!), when turned this way 

the bunnies are upside down and the other way has the birds & flowers upside down.

There was a vote and I was outnumbered 2 to 1.

It was felt and I tended to agree, in the end, that the bunnies look better upside down than the birds do - I'm going to pretend the bunnies are having a lie down.

Sunday @ Sussex St

August is the last month of winter and it's definitely noticeable - you can smell it in the air & feel it in ya bones!

 I was so overwhelmed with the joy of Spring being just around the corner that I came home yesterday via the nursery, with a boot load of seedlings - 

some veg and some not.

Within an hour of our return, all were snuggled deep in their respective holes, soaking up some seriously good compost.

(beetroot, lettuce, snap dragons, pansies, lemon thyme, parsley)

 This morning on waking, it was evident there had been a shower during the night and I think because of the lousy weather lately, where we've not seen the sun for days on end and low Vit. D levels I was totally overcome with the sense of well-being & felt compelled to take photos of 

our sparkly fresh very green garden, to share...

(thrilled not to have killed this one...yet!)

     

  This is taken from the opposite side of the vege garden - I'm looking forward to sharing a progress shot in a few weeks when it's looking all lush and productive...

  

The rush of Vitamin D has totally gone to my head coz I'm even formulating a garden renovation...

see that bareish patch to the right, well nothing grows there and all its used as is a launching pad for the dog when someone throws the ball for her so I'm thinking of digging it up going to dig it up and plant some ground cover/bushy natives...much more attractive as all the jetsam leaning up against the fence wont be so noticeable, besides it's a grand excuse to create another room in the garden.

  

 A more longer term strategy is to annihilate the onion weed that is currently impersonating our lawn.

The other stuff to happen here today was biscuit baking with a friend and a sister which combined with a surge of Vit. D was the cause of some seriously hilarious bonding & artistic licence.

Hope your Sunday's as fresh & fun...