Pebble Tattoos

Pebble Tattoos are where machine embroidery, appliqué & REinventing collide!

The Pebble Tattoo© project is now available in the Shop

They're ideal for those who are interested in

getting creative with favourite fabrics, remnants & scraps...

if you're anything like me and don't throw favourite fabric scraps away

because you know you'll find a use for them one day

that day has come

and you're only limited by your imagination!

Within the 6pg printable worksheets are

full colour images and easy-to-follow detailed instructions for

the Adjustable Pebble Tattoo© Neckpiece

the Pebble Tattoo© Brooch

and the Fixed Double Strand Pebble Tattoo© Neckpiece

I hope the idea of experimenting with making your own Pebbles appeals to you

because I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with yours!

JodyP. x

MakeOver Monday - Frippery Garland Neckpiece

'MakeOver Monday' 
... sharing how I cut up & REmake items from my wardrobe 
in the hope you'll pick up scissors & start cutting up yours!

Through all the ups and downs of the past few years 
 I always come back to sewing
and in order to find some sort of balance
after a particularly difficult couple of weeks

I felt the need to create something light & pretty, soft & gentle 
and thought a frippery style neckpiece
using left-overs & scraps from past MM's
might be a good idea

and it was!

she has lifted my spirits no end!

***
I was amazed at how effective 
strips cut from a t-shirt worked as a neck strap

[last weeks MM]

and how sculptural medallions cut from vintage barkcloth
[the NWJJ]
can look when machine embroidered

it was delightful to discover
when in true frippery style

a little handstitching was required 

[yoyos from the other top]

and those patternmaking skills I've honed over the years
were handy when it came to tidying up the back

I'm thrilled with how she turned out 
better than expected
and because I enjoyed the creative process so much

  
I experimented with & developed the machine embroidered medallions
into what I've called 

Pebble Tattoos

which will be available as a printable Pdf project in the Shop this week

cos why should I have all the fun!

***

Next Week

I'm looking forward to playing with this

vintage lambswool/angora Benneton cardy

and not just because she's too small

or that I can't stand ribbing 

or that she's missing a button

more than anything 

I'd really like to wear her without any holes.

***

If you would like to share your MakeOvers

I've created a Flickr Group

where we can share & showcase our sustainable stitching ideas, thoughts & projects.  

REinventing :: Shirt, Frock & Cardys

I've been waiting years

for metallic fabric garments 

to hit the op shops

and recently the waiting has begun to reap rewards

a Veronika Maine frock

  made entirely of metallic fabric 

and a Harry Who cotton button-up blouse

came home because of the quality

not because they were ever going to fit or suit me

and were filed

until I could work out how to make them work in my wardrobe

 

with a whole day away from house hunting

I squirreled myself in the Studio

the day before a workshop

and set about combining these-two into-one

after removing the bodice from the frock

I turned the blouse backward

re-cut the neckline

and removed the buttons & sleeves

creating a newly REfashioned bodice 

which fitted beautifully to the once-was-frock 

and finished just in time to wear

to the workshop the next day

teamed with a long cap sleeve t-shirt frock [underneath]

 and while I was in the zone

two of my cardys got treated to some REfashioning 

by having their respective lengths removed

  and replaced with some

bias binding

REinvent :: What the Dog Did!

Remember when Lola 
tried her paws & teeth at some REinventing


well, to cut a fairly long story
 short 
Lola ate [part of] my cardy 
so I REfashioned it
then I accidently put a hole in it
and because I don't like to be beaten
 I RE-REfashioned it

realising the cardy was never going to be how I'd first imagined her
however still with the beautiful
 soft, light as a feather feel
 I first fell in love with
I opted for a shorter version



cutting off where I'd torn the hole 
deciding to use the sleeve from the already sacrificed jumper
which was cut in half, reshaped & hemmed to fit the new raw edge

adding a hint of vintage tea coloured lace

as a subtle contrast



 to help eliminate any stretching during the stitching process
I set myself up in the garden 
for some hand stitching

and by using a combination of hand sewn blind stitch



and machine stitching with the Walking Foot

I also added 
a small length of narrow elastic
through the back to absorb any fullness
and give a little shape & interest



I could have fastened the front with anything
but why would I 
when Fripperies go with everything

so while sitting in the garden
enjoying the glorious morning light
I threw some vintage lace remnants together
and created the Lola Cardy her very own Frippery 

and with no room in the wardrobe for another cardy

I'll be letting this one go.

They Came to Create….and Did!

They came

on Fridays & Weekends

All Weekend Girls - l-r Sue, JoAnne, Lisa, Jeanette

they talked & laughed, 

ate lunch, drank tea & indulged in chocolate, 
shared life stories & their bias binding 

all the while creating personal storms of
chosen projects
such as 

cushions & bags

Ruth

Lisa

Lisa

 Pieces of Cake

Rennae

a shirt into skirt
with cute polka dot pocket

Jessica

denim skirt into sleeveless vest

Jessica

and worn out cords
 into wearable skirt

Jessica

a Collette pattern
from favourite fabric
became a sweet top

Jeanette

and the perfect pink 
garage-sale-sourced cashmere jumper with an unfortunate hole 

transformed into a 
trend setting, stylish 
improved version of itself

the too-small pure silk designer label frock

merged with a wrap skirt

JoAnne

becoming this floaty Jane Austin look-a-like

and english manor houses

turned into a tea frock

JoAnne

some serious shirts lacking personality
became the life of the party
with splashes of lace

Sue

strategic stitching

tucks & tabs

Sue

and goals were kicked 
when a-soon-to-be-favourite-tunic
was potato printed with doilies

Sue

Yesterday saw the last of the 2day workshops 
for Term 1

and with a few weeks up my sleeve in which to focus on the next stage in the building plans
and a sneaky visit to my favourite city & person in Melbourne

I'll be back in time to open the doors for [possibly] the very last lot of Studio Workshops 

in Term 2...

what would you like to create. x