Recycled Prom Dress-- Wine/Bottle Bag

Here we go again on the recycling projects!!!!  I have shown the bags before but not given directions!!!  With Valentines Day coming up this would be  a nice project and great gift bag for a bottle of wine, sparkling juice, olive oil, etc.

Cut a piece of newspaper 14" X 18" or draw on your fabric.  I used 1/2" seams.
 We used old prom dresses so find an area big enough or you may have to piece the fabric together to make the size of the pattern.
Cut 2 pieces one will be the top and the other the lining but also the fold over top.
 So I  used what ever I thought would be cute, improvise, patchwork pieces together etc
Sew the 14" tops together, press to one side, now put them wrong sides to each other and sew the entire length of the tube
 Turn inside out so you have a tube and press where the fabrics join.  Then sew across the bottom, thru all layers  and then box the sides by sewing across the seam ends and make a 2" box, one inch on each side of bottom seam.
 Turn inside out and fold top down attach a ribbon to the back seam, top-stitch thru the ribbon on the back seam right under the turn downed cuff, where it ends approximately 6" from the top of the bag???.
 Insert bottle and tie ribbon and you have a unique one of a kind bottle gift bag!!!

You can make the bags out of anything, decorator sample swatches, old prom dresses, old bridesmaid dresses (give a gift to the bride), vintage fabrics, anything will work.

  The gift bags can be made to any size and can be used again and again!!! 

 Think big gift/laundry bag or pillowcase!!!! 

 Small gifts storage for jewelry etc.

  The sky is the limit!!!

February is almost here and we'll soon be done with winter, thank goodness.

  My dogs really need to get out but I hate the cold and it has got to be over 10' and no wind.

Happy Sewing!!!

Recycled Jacket!!!!!!

 

I have always been a fan of recycling, reusing and re purposing!!!!  Recently I was introduced to Alabama Chanin, I had seen her clothing in Vogue some years ago but had forgotten about her.  So after viewing her website I decided to try my version of her technique.

This is a velveteen jacket from Savers, $6.00 range.  I took old jeans scraps and cut out leaf shapes free hand.  I sewed them on the jacket with 6 strand black embroidery floss, leaving all the ends and knots showing.  All this, of course goes on by hand, didn't take but 2 hours or so.  On the lapel I am sewing on pearls for the leaf veins, not sure how many will get that treatment????  I am not sure what else I will do, I think leaving the sleeves with out leaves will be just fine and possibly I'll just do the pearls in the lapels and sleeve cuffs.

I really like this idea, I can see pillows, quilts, any clothing, tote bags or purses done with this idea.  The Alabama Chanin uses stencils and paints and then sews on by hand the cut out painted stencil, very clever and fun.  This is a neat concept and just wide open for any ideas.  Check out her website and see where you can go!!!!!

Happy Sewing and Crafting, 2011 is going to be a great year!!!!!
     

ZIPPERS GALORE!!!!!!!

I don't know about you but zippers are a royal pain!!!!  As most of you know I have a tailoring business and zippers are part of the deal.  I decided last year to quit replacing jacket and coat zippers, you have to be really special for me to even talk about it!!!!  Zippers in coats are really time consuming and people don't understand why it costs so much, so I have just quit.  If the cleaners or other shops like to do zippers I say good deal!!!  I will replace jean and pant zippers, they are not a problem!!!

So what to do with all these zippers, some are antique and some are just worthless so the sort begins.  I have no idea how many zips there were, but I got them all organized in zip lock bags and labeled and put in a bin.  I had already sorted and organized all the pulls and stops for repairs so now I am in good shape.  I did throw out a bunch and have no idea what I'll do with the rest.  I have seen some really cute flowers made with the zips, another project!!!!

This is my first of many drawers and cupboards to go thru I would just like to have the whole mess organized once and for all!!!  But for you that sew and craft we all know that is a pipedream!!!

Happy New Year to all!!!!!!