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What am I making today...
Published: 07-30-2012 06:53pm
This is the beginnings of a new dress. Without close-up detail it is hard to see it consists of three shades of blue upycled sari silk. The bodice features glittery stretch fabric at the side to allow for figure flattering cinching at the side. I may take the skirt of and add a band of the glittery purple fabric all around just under the bust, with the skirt falling from that. There will be another layer of the hankerchief hem blue skirt on the inside, and this is actually reversible with a purpley dark pinkish color on the inside lining. The hem will be finished with a rolled hem, but that will have to wait until my beloved Husqvarna Vi... » Read More
Upcycled clothing tips
Published: 12-02-2011 10:04pm
So you're going to start upcyling sweaters or other gently used clothing. One of the best places to score inexpensive 'fabric' is perusing the selection of unwanted clothing at your local Good Will or thrift store. Not only can you find amazing deals, but you also can find a myriad of textures, colors and styles, and often times items still adorned with the original price tag. Worn or unworn the item may also have some unwanted guests. With all the news of bed bugs, one must take some precautions before bringing used clothing into your home, or designing and selling items made from those items.
Make sure the items are place in a bag and s... » Read More
Gift ideas for my tween?
Published: 11-19-2011 09:19am
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Time to put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny. A ha'penny will do. If you haven't got a ha'penny, then god bless you!
I can still see Miss Piggy, Kermit and all the muppets singing this in rounds. Ah, the memories of childhood Christmas. With my dear daughter being 12, its all about technology, anime and tweener stuff. Instead of every gift requiring plugging in and charging before first use, I would love to find my hard to please emo or scene tween something handmade and unique.
In your comments, link me to your dark yet-tween appropriate OOAK handmade items. ... » Read More
Handmade - Upcycled Christmas - Employ an American for Christmas!
Published: 11-14-2011 08:46pm
Support handmade and save the earth! Instead of supporting the giant corporate machine of big box stores this Christmas, shop online and buy locally and green! Help employ someone right here in the USA by perusing the selection of gift ideas on Artfire and giving the gift of upcycled, recycled, repurposed handmade. Worldwide artists display their creations and wares at this diverse site with a focus on handmade, and Artfire encourages their artists to branch out and promote themselves on other sites as well. Artfire is a community driven marketplace with lots to offer this holiday. Here’s what I found poking around using the search ter... » Read More
Inspiration boards...McQueen, Cavalli, Johnson and more...
Published: 11-13-2011 08:13pm
Piles of magazines overtake an area in my sewing room near my bookshelf. Some delivered faithfully monthy to my little mailbox due to me purchasing them from my daughter's school fund raiser so she wouldn't be the only kid not getting a Yay-piece-of-crap toy for selling a magazine, or because airline miles are about to expire, but pick one of these crappy magazines. Anyay, I collected them with the hopes that one day I would pick through them and tear out inspiration. I finally sat down with a large pile of them and went to town. Below is the result - textures, colors, pleats, ruffles, gathers, sparkle, fold, drape, flow, shape, Johnson, C... » Read More
The Lovers are Asleep
Published: 11-12-2011 06:38pm
To one person this is a rolling fluting iron made by the American Machine Co. Philidelphia, PA, but to me it is memories; memories of childhood and weekends at my Bamma’s Narnia worthy house. Exploring in the dusty and warm attic on a summer day, putting on shows on the expansive front porch using the costumes we found in massive trunks in the attic, or writing a newspaper on the typewriter in the front room. In that front room amazing oddities sparked my youthful curiosity. My Grandmother encouraged writing, since she herself was an accomplished writer. In that front room were neat pictures of Mama Chessie kitty and her kittens ... » Read More
Buy Handmade this Christmas - Shop American Made! And more!
Published: 11-11-2011 09:29am
As Thanksgiving looms near think about shopping handmade this Christmas. Also look at how the site treats the people that pay for it to run and exist. Artfire listens to their buyers and sellers, and goes above and beyond good customer service answering questions and helping even on holidays sometimes. Support a growing community led site featuring handmade, vintage and more. Spread the word about the myriad of one of a kind gifts available from fabulous artisans in the USA and worldwide!... » Read More
Upcycling sweaters...Part 4
Published: 11-11-2011 07:12am
Arms of the black ribbed dress. These will be cut up the seam.
Cutting up the seams of the gray sweater. Instead of circular inset seams, this one has arm seams that run diagonally up to the collar. Cutting up the diagnonal to the collar.
After sewing together the arms from the black sleeves and grey sleeves, I've positioned the waistband piece over the bottom portion formed from the sleeves. Now I will cut the bottom portion to match the diagonal edge of the waistband piece.
The final design. There was enough leftover scraps and a skeleton of the turquoise sweater to design... » Read More
Upcycling sweaters...Part 3
Published: 11-11-2011 07:12am
Here is the first victim. A teal/turquoise blue sweater with a very interesting v-neck. I decide to cut off the lower band and v-neck design.
The neck design and bottom ribbing.
The black ribbed sweater dress and thicker gray ribbed sweater will be part of the finished design as well.
Testing the look on the dress form.
The waistband pinned to the v design. Notice how it is pinned far outside the serging stitching area.
The pieces getting serged
The pieces serged and on the dress form.
... » Read More
Upcycling sweaters...Part 2
Published: 11-11-2011 07:11am
So, back in July I started a new post on 'How to make an upcycled sweater'. I listed exactly what to gather, and you did that, and you've been sitting with your supplies and dress form or patient friend, who has since abandoned you for a real life...lol. You waited, and waited, and during that time I've created many a new thing from upcycled sweaters, BUT
I kept forgetting to take pictures of what I did!!!
Without the pictures, I don't think it is quite as good. So, yesterday during the process of creating I actually remembered to TAKE PICTURES. Lemme get them stored online, and then let the sweater fuzz fly! On to making an upcy... » Read More
Upcycling sweaters...Part 1
Published: 11-11-2011 07:11am
Life's kept me busy, so I haven't kept up with my blog lately. Perusing the incoming URLs for Discord Threads, I often see people searching for 'how to make an upcycled sweater coat'. So over the next few weeks as I finish my Fall Collection, I shall document an upcycled sweater's creation from start to finish, with instructions and photos. So, find 2 or more sweaters which coordinate well, and that you don't mind cutting up, and get ready to make your own upcycled design. Of course, you're always welcome to buy one of mine too! 30% off now through 7/25 for Christmas in July! The recommended supplies you will need;SweatersGood scissors... » Read More
Guiltfree spending...My thoughts on Mother's Day
Published: 11-09-2011 01:44pm
2011-05-08I dislike Mother's Day. Growing up as the oldest of five, I thoroughly enjoyed Mother's Day. A chance to rein my creativity and focus on creating something sentimental and momentous for my Mother and outshine my siblings. And then there was always lunch out for Mom. Mother's Day memories from childhood ring with sunshine and flowers, attention and food where someone else cleaned up the remnants.Now after 11 years of being a Mom, I've grown cynical and pessimistic regarding this Hallmark holiday. While I still relish in finding or creating something unique and splendid for my Mother - this year I bought her a dear toad home fr... » Read More
Green Is Universal - Art of ReUse Contest
Published: 11-09-2011 01:43pm
Please note the skirt shown above can be found on ARTFIRE at Discordthreads.artfire.com. As a finalist in the NBC Etsy Green Is Unversal Art of ReUse contest, I entered the contest with no expectations of going any further than entering my item, and I questioned whether or not I would even be allowed to enter as my designs are featured on the up and coming Artfire Marketplace rather than Etsy. On April 22nd, Kathie Lee and Hoda of the Today Show announced the top three winners after featuring entries from nine of the ten finalist earlier in the week. Perusing the forums, news stories, blogs and vast internet, I’ve noticed many misconce... » Read More
Baby I'm Amazed
Published: 11-09-2011 01:32pm
Amazed! Bewildered! Shocked! Incredulous! Surprised! and more... Words cannot describe how elated and anxious I am for the voting of the celebrity judges in the NBC Universal Green Is Universal ReUse contest. I am so proud to represent Artfire in this contest by garnering enough votes to make the top ten. On Thursday of last week, this lovely twirly skirt http://www.greenisuniversal-reuse.com/fashion/brightly-colored-twirly-skirt-of-upcycled-sweaters began its adventure to NBC Universal's office at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC for possible exposure on Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda for Earth Week. The celebrity judges will peruse... » Read More
Vacation Designs...
Published: 11-09-2011 01:31pm
So tomorrow I shall return from a two week vacation in London and Ireland. While it has been relaxing and refreshing and given me much inspiration, I long to be back in my studio creating and designing spring and summer lines... In London my daughter fell in love with a store call Irregular Choice. It filled my head with fresh and funky ideas for new creations. From cupcake earrings to a large sparkly hair bow the store practically jumps at you. It is definitely for the young at heart. I've encouraged my daughter to put her ideas to paper so I can make unique clothes just for her and girls her age... While in Irela... » Read More
Sneak peek...
Published: 11-09-2011 01:31pm
Here's a sneak peek at some new creations that will be listed at ARTFIRE later today. New sweater coat for regular OR plus size, and a gorgeous plus size sweater skirt with a ZIPPER in back! And since most of my upcycled sweater creations range from $90-$175, a lower price point shrug that will start around $60...Plu sized skirtPlus size or smaller sweater coat with neat sleeve design...Beginnings of a new lower priced shrug...Later this evening these will all be listed in my AF shop - discordthreads.artfire.com.Plus maybe one or two more!... » Read More
