Handmade

I came across the Handmade website, which took place in Wellington earlier in June.  The programme was so interesting with some great workshops.  It made me wish that I lived closer and could participate in some of them; in particular the refashioned shirt workshop, the handstitched jewellery and the refashioned lace cardigan workshop.  I know there are tutorials on different blogs that document step-by-step instructions on some of these refashioning projects, but I can't help thinking that working as part of a face to face workshop would add to the whole experience.  


The Lace race; An upcycled cardigan:
The lace cardigan refashion is a project that I would be able to start sooner rather than later, because I have already got a few cardigans in my stash of future projects. 

Here at Tea Rose blog is a very nice example of a refashioned cardigan, with step-by-step embellishments.  I would probably use less embellishments and include some repurposed doilies.  

Embellished knit
Also, see this set of tutorials for embellished knits on Grosgrain.A have a tone-downed version of this cardigan in mind, with a grey woolen cardigan and some black lace from my stash.

I'm Back

Over the last few months I have had extended leave from work. while I have been spending time with my father, who was given four months to live.  It's been such a difficult time that the last thing I wanted to do was update my blog.  So I decided to have a rest from blogging all together and just cope the best I could.  I had lots of support from family and friends over this time, but being away from home has also thrown up other issues.  Not all being bad, just readjusting to city life, living out of a suitcase and trying not to get bogged down with the task at hand.  

I found myself looking for distractions that seemed to come full circle in a way.  I went back to spending my time doing what I enjoyed as a student.  I would seek out the local thrift shops and then find a quirky cafe and spend time reading.  All the walking has helped; I have dropped a dress size and since I've been a plus sized girl for a few years now, that has made me feel so much better about myself.  Besides the fact that my grief had made my appetite dwindle over night.  It might not sound like much, but when you've always had difficulty finding nice clothing at a reasonable price, it is a bonus of sorts.  I found myself reevaluating many things in my life; my job, my lifestyle, the Works.  I guess it's all part of grief and change in general.  I feel like a different person; or at least the real me trying to get out.  


As I wasn't working for such a long time I needed to live within a budget, as I still needed to travel home every so often, so the thrift shopping was an excellent pastime.  I have always favoured New Zealand and Australian made products and I know many of the better labels; plus sized or not.  Over the next few months I will post some of my excellent op shop finds. 

I didn't travel with a laptop or my sewing machine, as I was staying in the Hospice accommodation during my stay in the city.  I did have my sewing kit and while I was op shopping I collected many items for embellishing my refashions.  So I didn't manage to do a lot of sewing, but I have purchased some wonderful items to refashion and recycle.  Visiting city markets has given me some great inspiration for embellishing and I have taken an absolute fancy to recycled jewellery.  I have read more than I have in years as I sat at my Dad's bedside, or in the local cafes; usually it's all work related articles.  

Life goes on and mines about to change; or is it that I'm going to give myself a big kick....  Time for a wine!

Sewing Blogs

This is in response to questions put forward by Tilly from the blog

‘Tilly and the Buttons.’

“Online sewing circles – a leadership pattern to follow?

What does the online sewing community mean to you? Why do you participate?

I have only recently joined the online sewing community and started writing a blog.  Previous to this, it was difficult to connect to the internet, so I am very new to the game.  This is why I thought I would be slightly different to others who participate in following and writing blogs. 

I live in rural New Zealand and up until recently our internet access was a dial-up arrangement, which was extremely slow.  This made connecting so slow as to be not worth pursuing.  This may seem that I live in a very isolated community and to some I suppose I do.  We are unable to get cell phone coverage here on the farm and recently when we had stormy weather, the power was out for three days and the phone was out for two weeks.  This contact, as part of an on-line community, has made it possible to participate no matter where I live and what my individual circumstances might be.

I enjoy reading and I have been able to find and follow selected blogs that I find informative.  I decided to write a blog as a creative outlet to document what interests me; sewing and collecting.  I class this as more than just a hobby, but as a means of winding down and relaxing.  I am able to express myself and at the same time I have learnt how to navigate the blogosphere to create a blog of my own.  I don’t class myself as particularly computer savvy, but I have taught myself an enormous amount in a very short time to get this blog up and running.  

I have been able to use the examples of others to inspire and motivate myself to sew and refashion garments, which I will wear on a daily basis.  The feedback and encouragement from others makes the whole process fun. 

What are your favourite examples of projects initiated by sewing bloggers that capture this spirit of collaboration, creativity and innovation?

The current project to refashion dresses on the Refashion Co-op is an innovative approach to sewing.  This allows participants to find and adapt existing garments into their own creations.  Refashioning may fit in with people wanting to ‘turn their back on consumerism’ and participate in the DIY culture.  Or, in my case, just continue to do what I’ve done for years and to document evidence of the completed garments on a blog.  There is nothing new in this idea; the new aspect of it is in the on-line community. 

Who are the “leaders” in the sewing blogosphere? Is everyone / can anyone be a leader?

Leaders may not be the correct term to use for the driving force that initiates the online sewing network.  It appears to me that the network is self-driven and the blogs document an individual’s journey.  There are basic rules to follow, but the decision making comes down to the individual contributors. 

Are you involved in any other network of makers, whether online or offline? What makes sewing blogs unique?

I was previously involved in a patchwork and quilting group that met every fortnight.  I participated in this club for approximately ten years, until I decided that it was becoming too expensive a hobby to continue with.  I certainly did learn a lot of skills and techniques that I wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to learn. 

Sewing blogs may not necessarily be unique in any way, anyone can participate with no or little sewing experience; they are able to learn as they go.  I have had a lot of sewing experience, but not a lot of blogging experience and I can see many opportunities to learn from others.  The expert and novice approach is helpful within this network.

The ‘collaborative model of leadership’ in sewing blogs, doesn’t appear to stand out as being any different from any other on-line network.  Once a contributor logs on to any network they are driving the process forward with every decision they make.  Just by inquiring and participating, anyone can join this innovative culture.  The social aspect to any community reminds us that just by participating we have a valuable contribution to make that will benefit others.  This is where the feedback through comments personalises the experience and truly makes you feel part of a community.

Refashion: Two-into-One

I've joined Refashion Co-op, which is a site I've been following for some time.  I'm very interested in what other people are able to make and alter from op-shop (thrifted) finds.  The dress challenge interested me alot especially as I have very few dresses, but alot of skirts and tops, majority of which are op-shop finds.  I have a lot of black skirts, in all lengths and styles, so I decided to do a bit of combining. 
 

 

I liked the detailing on this top



 I ran a gather stitch around the bottom edge of the top.  Then I matched the side seams, front and back of the top and skirt.  Because I'm quite short I didn't have to adjust any lengths; the top was the right length as it was and the skirt had nice overlay details.



two-into-one

I sure I'll be able to wear this dress far more than before as two separates.  It makes more sense to me, than to have it sitting in my wardrobe. 

Introduction; My Style

I have been following some very interesting blogs for the last few months, which have inspired me to create one of my own.  I have been sewing since I was about 14 years old, which began by recreating new garments from hand me downs.  Most of my sewing skills and techniques I have picked up as I made clothes for my family and myself. 

I am a plus-sized girl who enjoys all aspects of creating a wardrobe brimming with individual style.  I have been able to achieve this by sewing garments that suit my body shape and reflect who I am.  At times this hasn't been easy to achieve, so through this blog I would like to share some of my experiences and frustrations. 

My thrift shop finds make up some of my substantial stash of fabrics and garments in need of refashioning.  More recently I have started to collect patterns.  Most of them plus-sized, as I have never really mastered pattern drafting . 

I am currently on the look-out for wool garments, especially merino to add to my wardrobe as winter is approaching here in New Zealand.  I particularly like garments made in NZ and Australia. 

100% merino thrift find