Scarf → Kaftan

I had a very nice white cotton scarf with gold tassels in my altering pile...it was there because it was a summer scarf, but it seemed way too wide and so was a bit hot to wear when it was warm. But I hadn't got around to making it narrower. And with a sunny holiday looming, I needed a kaftan for lobbing over my swimsuit and so I made a different plan...

  

First I folded the scarf in half. To make side seams, I sewed two lines about 20cm in from each outside edge. I left a space of about 30cm at the top to put my arms through.

Then I measured across the top fold to find the middle. I slowly and carefully trimmed a hole to put my head through. Just a slight curve for the back neckline and a not-too-deep V at the front.

 

Then I stitched some gold bias binding on to the wrong side of the neck opening, stitching in the fold as I opened it out. Purchased bias binding makes the process very quick and easy. Before getting back to the start, I stitched the two pieces of bias binding right sides together, so that when I turned it to the front, there would be a neat seam. 

                           So I folded the bias binding over to the front and top-stitched it in place.   

 

And that was it: ready now for some beach weather and holiday fun!

  

                                

                                       From this...

...to this!

  

   

Re-modelling: a skirt from a dress!

Not having posted anything textiles-related in a while, I thought I'd highlight a little project from last year. My sister was kind enough to buy a vintage dress for me but it just didn't look right, especially the bodice section but we both loved the sun-ray pleated skirt.

After deliberation and discussion, we hit on the idea of chopping the top off altogether and using the bottom section to make a skirt. And I'm so lucky - Sister C, such a clever sewer, did the hard work for me. It was decided it would be simplest to cut it above the waist seam to make use of the elasticated waist. So the raw edge was then overlocked and hand stitched to the elastic on the wrong side. The tie was already there so C made some rouleau loops (and if making them is not an old skill, it's an advanced one and I have never done them) to attach the tie to the skirt. 

 

In cooler weather I've worn it with cardies and boots, and in summer with a T-shirt and white "fashion sneakers" or sandals. It's been so easy to wear - a really successful example of upcycling/remodelling/transformation! What continues to amaze me are the lovely comments I get every time I wear it - thanks C! 

Hearts for Valentines

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I've worn hearts every day this week!
Last night I thought I'd valentine up a little cardy I'd snapped up at an Op Shop with a little needle felting.

  

Needle felting involves using a special needle that has no eye, and tiny little barbs on the pointy end to punch through the layers of fibres and matt them together.