How To :: Mend Lace the REinventors Way

You knew the day was coming

you knew that ignoring the problem was only making it worse

you're also painfully aware

that you do your best work under pressure

and with only a couple of hours left on the morning of your photo shoot

knowing that this particular garment

 

the one with too many holes to ignore any longer

flat out, no question, had to be part of the perfect outfit 

 so you devised a plan to quickly make it good.

With trusty scissors and a Doily destined for a prior engagement

you set about your mission

cutting the perfect sized bits

to cover the offending [more-than-you-thought] holes

 

and after performing a little machine embroidery magic

all was saved

Maybe not the text book way to mend lace 

but when relying on the REinventing Dictionary [which resides in my head]

you'll find the section dedicated to

How To :: Mend Lace 

recommends

 'Doilying offending area as quickly & safely as possible is quite a good idea'.

Creating Frippery

 Thank goodness I recently discovered that I love hand sewing

because after a trip to the Dentist this morning

which left a hole in a couple of places

namely my pocket

I'm looking forward to finding a comfy cosy corner to complete & create more frippery.

 

I'm not particularly good at it
which is part of the attraction
I'm making it up as I go along

I wonder if you have a go-to-place when you feel out of sorts...

JaM - It's like having me in the Room.

JaM - a place to gather for just a moment once a week to share what we've been up to.

My copy of this

arrived during the week

 it's the first hard copy publication for Tanya

and it's fantastic

and I'm not just saying that because the Workshops feature in it

 

but now that workshops are winding down for the year

and they're filling for the next

I'm reminded that it's not possible for everyone to come to the Studio

and with Studio Workshop commitments I can't come to everyone 

so that's where the REcreate Cards come into their own

they're like having me in the room!

 

Without the pressure of having to fit into a workshop timetable

you can play with me when ever you want

and REcreate your own REcreations

at your leisure....

just as Bron did during the week

when she created the worlds first Rose Tie Brooch 

using a Rose Tie REcreate Card 

and with regular REinventing classes to attend

Bron is mastering the art of combining her REcreations

as can be seen with her three newest REcreations....

the Shirt Tunic 

and Rose Tie compliment her newly REfashioned Velvet Jacket  

perfectly.

Now I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a virtual me 

by way of downloadable REcreate Card Pdf's

and if anyone can tell me how to find another 10hrs in a day

I'll get right onto it!

Creative Mums made a Movie

This wasn't the post I was going to do today

2 videos in 2 days - it's never happened before

30 seconds into watching this you'll understand why

 half way through you'll laugh out loud

toward the end you might shed a tear 

and all the way through it will resonate on different levels

  

Thrift Store Song

You know I have to show you this

and I'm really sorry if some of the lyrics might offend

however the sentiment, clothes, cute guys & the lyrics that aren't offensive

are worth it....

  

JaM - Melville Swap Meet

JaM - a place to gather for just a moment once a week to share what we've been up to.

  

I missed JaM so it's back....

hope you'll join in.

My Creative Space on Thursdays

Every Thursday morning for the past 3yrs

I have launched myself into peak hour traffic

and headed to Tresillian Art Centre in Nedlands

where I've had the privilege of spending a few hours

sharing my sewing knowledge 

with groups of enthusiastic mostly first time sewers

today was the first time this Term that we were all together.

front l-r
Louise is creating a RaRa Skirt for her grand daughter from a pattern we created.
Rosie has just returned from America & finished the Vogue Vest we started last Term.
Gill REcreated her sons jumper into a Pillow, a T-Towel into a Cushion Cover & REfashioned a Frock into a Tunic.
Sue is creating her second skirt from her new favourite pattern.
Sally inserted her first zip today.
Charlotte finished her Liza Pants & started making her daughters Pillow Case Frock.

When we shut the doors to our little room
we shut out the world & create our own.

Joining in with others creating this week over here.

You have to Start Somewhere

When there's somewhere you want to be that's bigger than where you are now

and you have a bit of an idea how to get there

but no idea really what you're doing

it's a good idea to start somewhere

one step at a time

 keep it simple

tidy the space you want to use

charge the camera battery for the camera you want to use

then

look into the camera 

and start talking

 you're good at that

 

then while putting one foot in front of the other you'll work the rest out.

Sunday Snippets - I'm Grateful For....

I feel sorry for those that can't eat mangoes & grateful I can.

I'm very grateful for the phenomenal response to the REcreate Cards 

I've had to REorder them

and if you purchase now you'll have them in time for Christmas...promise!

This very nearly spelt the end to a much anticipated exciting outing

however I'm lucky to have a kind sister & handy-with-a-spanner hubby...

two people I'll always be grateful for.

 

I am grateful for all the people 

that have come into my life through sewing

whom I've had the privilege of sharing knowledge with

and Louise at 80yrs young is proof 

that you are never too old to learn something new.

I'm also very grateful to everyone that stops by the Blog to say hi 

- you make the sharing worthwhile. x

I'm joining in Sunday Snippets this week - hope I don't get kicked off for too many words!

{sunday snippets} A collection of photos from your week. No need for words. Let the pictures tell your story.

All Day Sewing on Fridays

All sorts of projects are undertaken on Fridays in the Studio.

and sometimes we pitch in & help each other out

and in the process coin a new sewing term for the 

REinventing Dictionary

'Siamese Sewing'

 where more than one person simultaneously sews the same project.

as witnessed here with Jo & Bron Doilying Jo's tablecloth.

I'll sometimes selfishly put my hand up to help out just so I can see the outcome

as was the case with the sleeves for Alex's Smock-That's-Not-a-Frock.

 

Often times someone elses opinion 

backed up with practical advice is all that's needed 

to save a project from eternal damnation in the back of the wardrobe

as with Kates Japanese Frock 

which we sorted by shortening & adding contrasting fabric around the hem edge. 

It's always lovely to see a completed-at-home REinvention return 

especially when it has been personalised as is the case with Brons 

Piece of Cake styled Tunic made from a shirt & skirt

now with floral embellishments. 

Jeanettes Wrapt in Top
ticked alot of REinventing boxes
don't be afraid to walk away, never say never, listen to your intuition & the garment/fabric
and the result I think you'll agree was worth it.

Lunch

is always welcome

and it's not all about yummy food

or conversations that could save the world

it's about feeling safe in the company of like minded souls

enjoying time & space away from the rigors of real life

in a garden that looks like someone painted it.

 and even though 'Homework' is a dirty word round these parts,

I've got some this week

which I've promised will be ready for viewing next week.

Eco Friendly Bias Binding Packs

I'm having a little tidy up

actually

it's more like a Spring Clean!

   

I'm going to be filming for workshops soon so needed to organise myself a bit better

and in the process of moving stuff around in the Studio

I've also been moving stuff round in the Shop.

If you hadn't heard already, yesterday I added the new-hot-off-the-press

REcreate Cards

which are thankfully proving to be very popular

and today

I created

Mixed Up Bias Binding Packs

I've been meaning to do these for a while

as I can offer my beautiful hand made Bias Binding

on fabulous Eco friendly craft card Spools

which can not only be REused over & over again

they've got my name on them!

*
*
*

All in time for Christmas!

REcreate Cards with a Bonus!

It's with much pleasure that 

I'd like to introduce you to my latest REinventing adventure...

the Sew Outside the Lines™ REcreative Cards 

There are four [postcard size] cards in this the first series,
each one designed to make your REinventing adventures fun & rewarding.



I'm sooooo excited -
 

with these cards I can share the knowledge & expertise gained from  
30yrs of successful REinventing
with everyone outside the Studio....

huh - it'll be just like having me in the room!




Each project is beautifully presented with easy to follow instructions



catering to different levels of REinventing ability.

Chop ya Arms Off  

 A simple REfashion for those in a hurry wanting to breathe new life into their wardobe

Level of Fun - Easyish.

Farmers Market Apron Tote

 A wonderful way to pay homage to a functional icon by REcreating your aprons into a useful Tote 

you can wear & use anywhere.

Level of Fun - Easy.

Wrapt in Tops

 A wonderful way to create one garment that fits by using two that don't.

Level of Fun - Interesting

Rolled Tie Roses

A sewing-machine-free REinvention to be worn as a Brooch or Neckpiece.
Level of Fun - Challenging.

Not only do these cards show you how to successfully achieve specific projects
I also share techniques, giving you the tools to make REinventing work for you.

To celebrate the launch of the

REcreative Cards
I am offering 
a free mens tie in the colour of their choice
- ideal for creating a Rolled Rose Brooch

The tie in this photo is for display purposes only.

Whether you have a desire to try your hand at REinventing for the first time

or wish to develop an existing interest 

the REcreative Cards will enable you to confidently

cut up your wardrobe and sew outside the lines!

They REcreative Cards are only available in the Shop 
and if you're quick 
you'll get a tie hand picked by me for it's suitability in the making Tie Roses.

There's more creating going on over here.

REinventing REvelation

Jo arrived on Friday for class looking her usual stunning self

wearing a beautiful floaty silk shirt in the hottest of hot pinks

which we all admired

as I was admiring it I noticed a hole in one sleeve

Jo remembered catching it when getting out of the car 

and

without blinking she slipped it off

muttering something about usually wearing another way anyhow

Jo grabbed the sleeves and proceeded to knot them behind her neck 

wrapping the shirt around her body 

and tying off with ties the shirt already had.

Jo & Kate

It was like witnessing the birth of someones REinventing Baby

a total revelation

which we all had to see performed again

Kate

Like the best REinventions

the concept is simple

very effective

and has endless possibilites.

In my experience that's how most REinventions are born

as an answer to a problem

or another way of answering a question

 It was a privilege to witness someone else doing it

and I know Jo wont mind me sharing.

 

Thanks goes to Alex for getting these shots,

 for documenting the moment

and Alex, I'd like to know how you got the room to move & Jo to stand still in the last photo....

turns out I'm not always the cleverest one in the room
*
*
*
which isn't a REvelation at all.