Tote Bag, Gym Bag, Travel Bag, How to Make
Sewing project Tote bag In the picture is an easy to make tote style bag. They are ideal for the gym but also for travelling. I manage to cram this bag full when I am on the move and because the bag is soft I always manage to squeeze it into the "hand luggage must fit...
Black T-Shirt with Creative Stitching
Sewing machine embroidery In the - last post - I showed a white version of these T-Shirts. Here is another version of a T-Shirt with a stitched motif. In this instance the T-Shirt was also turned inside out to draw the pattern but I used dressmaker's chalk to mark the...
White T-Shirt with Geometric Stitch Design and Punk Choker Necklace
Sewing machine stitches Plain white T-Shirts are a wardrobe staple. But what if they are a little too plain - and white? Toughen up a T-Shirt with a bit of stitching. I turned this T-Shirt inside out and using a ruler drew a sort of zigzag design lightly in pencil. I...
Kaftan from an Old Tablecloth
Made a kaftan from a table cloth No tutorial here. Am showing some recycling I did. This shift is made from the Vogue Easy pattern shown yesterday. The fabric is, well was, a tablecloth that got stained. The nice thing about these easy shift dress patterns is...
Choosing Sewing Patterns
How to choose a sewing pattern I do a bit of sewing but not enough to say I am a good seamstress or dressmaker. Sewing is a bit like running or riding a bicycle, you have to keep at it or you lose the knack. I don't have that kind of time. I make a point of only...
Headbands from Black Braid and Glitter Ribbon
Make a headband I showed how to make a silver headband last week in this post - here. Here are two more headbands I sewed. The one is made from a sparkly ribbon and the other is made from a piece of braid. You should be able to see in the picture how I stitched the...
Silver Ribbon Headband, How to Make
Ribbon headband tutorial Headbands have got to be the easiest item ever to make. The selection of ribbon and trims in most craft shops and haberdasheries is so exciting. Shop bought headbands are either too big, too small or not the right colour. You need to work out...
Bib Necklace with Lace
DIY bib necklace This bib necklace I made from some leftover fabric. The instructions were posted - here. All I bought was a piece of lace with pearls from a bridal supply store. I hand-stitched it onto the necklace. I also bought a piece of ribbon for the ties. The...
Two Bib Necklaces, One with Vintage Brooch, One with Diamante trim
Making bib necklaces I am loving the new bib necklaces. To make these two I found a large pasta bowl and traced the basic outline onto a piece of paper. I fiddled with the proportions, holding the pattern to my neck, till I got shapes I was happy with. And I made sure...
Charm or Mantra Bracelet using Stamped Dog Tags, Shells and Plastic Charms
Mantra bracelet This is one of my favourite things I've made. I call it a Mantra Bracelet. Outside one of our supermarkets is a guy who makes dog tags. He stamps a cat or dog's name and number onto brass or steel shapes. I asked him to stamp my goals on some steel...
Brightest Green Plastic Beads Wraped Mulitple Times Around Neck
Easy bold bead necklace Here are more bold beads. It was the bright green colour of these that attracted me. The plastic beads came in a packet and I didn't want to waste any so I strung the whole packet onto some thread. I wrap them around my neck multiple times as...
White Wooden Chunky Bead Statement Necklace
How to make a bead necklace I must admit, I got a bit carried way with the statement necklaces of last season. Usually I try to buy beads in semi precious stones and work with silver rather than cheaper materials. But these white wooden beads just caught my eye and I...
Green Satin Camisole Top with Black Plastic Clip together Necklace
Making a camisole top Here is my favourite slip top again in an emerald satin. I stitched a matching colour trim around the top. The instructions for this slip top appear yesterday and the day before. The bold necklace was so simple to make. At a hobby shop I found...
Original Lingerie Top that Inspired the Slip Tops, Cutting a Pattern
How I made a sewing pattern Here is the original slip top that I bought from a factory outlet some years back. I put a piece of A4 paper in the middle so you can see that the back and front are different at the top end. You can modify this as I did and make the back...
Black Slip Top and Moss Agate Necklace
Home made semi precious stone necklace Here is the slip top in a matte black fabric with a necklace I made. I bought a piece of Moss Agate at the Bead Shop and used some wire to make a post. Add the agate to a length of chain and the bits that are required for the...
Slip Top with Vintage Coin necklace and Silver Lame OBI Belt
Home made camisole top This is an evening version of the OBI or wrap and tie belt. It's also slightly wider than the previous ones. The necklace consists of a piece of chain and bits for the clasp from our local bead merchant and a medal I found at a coin...
Reversable OBI Belt
How to make fabric wrap belt An OBI belt is so easy to create. You need to make sure it is long enough to fit around your waist but not too long that it overlaps. And you must make sure it wide enough to have some impact but not so wide that it bunches. Mine are 70...