Furniture fixes with fabric

I went fabric shopping the other day,

for the first time in I can't tell you how long.

My sewing machine broke a year ago and

I've been destashing fabrics for a few months now.

With two very specific projects in mind --

one for Red Hen Studios and one for our home --

I felt justified in getting more.

Helps that they were at great prices!

The apple and owl prints were in the clearance remnant bin.

My plan is to paint both chairs a cheery red

and make removable cushions for the backs and seats.

I've made seats for these folding chairs before.

This time I bought outdoor fabric

so they don't get moldy from being wet.

My husband can't wait for them to be done

so we can once again enjoy our back porch.

Time to get sewing and painting!

After it leaves my shop...

I sell quite a bit of vintage supplies

that must get reused in new projects but

I don't often the results from others' creative hands.

I was pleasantly surprised to see something

come across my "Etsy Activity" feed.

Under "New items from your favorite shops"
was a pillow from the shop marygamelin

with some distinctive vintage upholstery trims.

Mary's shop is full of gorgeously-made treasures. 

Here is a sampling of earth-tone hues

but she also has a cool-blue theme too.

Couch update

Here is a photo of the couch refashion I did earlier in the month.

They are so happy with it, I might get to redo a chair too

Finished evergreen sachets

For the eighth day of the 12 Days of Christmas Decorations,

I made a dozen sachets/potholders from scarp fabrics.
 Here they are completed (click image for a larger view).

Some have already been claimed but contact me if
you are interested in purchasing one for $10 including S&H.
I will let you know if the bird you like is still available.

12 Days of Christmas Decorating: Day Eight

For this project I recommend you wait until after the holidays

so nature can do most of the work for you.

Instead of letting our extra Christmas tree branches

dry out and drop their needles naturally,

I spent a good part of today removing them by hand.

After a trip here last month, I was inspired to make

my own balsam-filled sachets or potholders.

I had the piece of fabric above in my stash

and each bird image was the perfect size for one.

I cut each one out along with a piece of scrap flannel.

I pinned the two sides together, with a loop for hanging,

and then sewed the two sides together, 

leaving a hole at the bottom to fill them

with the heavily-scented needles I'd collected.

I filled each one loosely with about a half cup of needles.

Now, when a hot pot or even a cup of coffee

is placed on one, more scent will be released.

This project is easy for the most basic of sewers,

but you could also cut out fabric with pinking sheers

and use fabric glue to close up the sides.

Back to sewing for me tonight.

I have another 10 to sew closed and fill.

They will make nice presents, I think.

Furniture refashion

This couch was a collaborative effort for my friend's parents.

Her dad made the base and her late mom made the cushions.

While the fabric was a gorgeous cranberry velour,

it was dated and had seen better days.

I was honored that she asked me to recover it for her father.

They picked out a stunning Waverly print in cranberry and gold

and provided me with the fabric and all the notions.

I swear if you can measure, cut and sew straight lines

you could cover cushions just like them yourself.

Biggest issue for me was cutting out the large pieces --

on the floor, on my hands and knees.

My back ached for several days afterward.

Each cushion consists of a box with 6 sides sewn together.

The last side I cut down the middle, added a zipper

and then sewed it onto the rest of the box. 

It took a bit of wrestling to get the foam inside

but that meant the covers fit nice and snuggly.

Each back cushion was tufted with fabric-covered buttons.

Even that was easy thanks to Dritz button cover kits.
Each one on the front was attached to one on the back,
adding a nice detail for very little time or money.

I can't wait to see pictures of the pieces back on the couch.
When I get them, I will share and show you
the other things I am going to make with extra fabric.

Don't toss out those neckties!

Sometimes when I find vintage neckties for sale

I can tell that the same man owned the lot of them.

They coordinate so well with each other and

are easy to pair up for my double necktie scarves.

Here are the latest ones I have made and listed on Etsy.

They aren't nearly as old as others I've used in the past

but I liked that the colors are so much bolder.

Each scarf is $16 plus $4 shipping.

Just click the link if your find one you are interested in

and you will be brought directly to its Etsy page.

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Maroon/Navy READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Brown/Black/Red/Gray READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Red/White/Blue READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Green/Red/Gold READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Red/Navy/Blue READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Earth Tones READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Pink/Purple/White READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Cranberry/Olive/Pink READY TO SHIP

OOAK Upcycled Double Necktie Scarf Belt

Pink/Purple READY TO SHIP

New uses for old neckties

Two of my scarf/belts made from doubled up neckties

sold last week so it is time to put more on Etsy.

Each double necktie scarf I offer combines two neckties,
fabric backing and trim on the ends, mostly vintage.

Here are the 10 pieces I chose to list,
all in colors to compliment your fall wardrobe.

Thrifting neckties

When I find vintage neckties while out thrifting

I can tell when they once belonged to the same man.

It is easy to pair them up by color for my necktie scarves.

This photo doesn't show how well these ones coordinate.
I'll be adding to  the ones listed on Etsy already
plus making scarves from these ones and others for a friend.

Whatcha making?

I had my afghan project with me all last weekend 

and kept getting asked "Whatcha making?"

When I was with my husband at the emergency room

the physicians' assistant thought I was making yamulkes. 

They were the right shape, but beyond that  I don't think

there was anything similar about them. Weird!

To get out of the house for a bit last night

I went to the local chain craft store

"just to relax and look around."

I have done pretty good for the last year

not buying any new fabric

(vintage fabric doesn't count)

and I couldn't resist the bottom two.

For $6, I got the heavyweight paisley and flowers

and the pretty in pink eyelet fabrics.

The green scrollwork on top is from my stash.

Together they will all become totebags.

I needed an excuse to get my sewing machine out.

Another project that got me digging through

my fabric stash is making more pincushions.

I had the assorted ceramics sitting on a shelf

and dug through piles of material until

I found what would work with each one.

Whatcha making?

How about giving ties for Mother's Day?

This week I got three different sewing jobs in just a few days --

sewing on Brownie patches, embroidering the name

on a culinary student's chef whites and

making scarves from a late father's neckties.

Good to be busy!

From the dozen or so neckties I was given,

these three combinations are by far my favorites.

I will share the results when I am done

but for now here are other double necktie scarves

that I just listed in my Etsy shop.

Maybe a gift for Mother's Day instead of for Dad?

Graphic scarves, demure nighties

Next up in my Etsy shop--

opposite ends of the garment spectrum!

Vintage graphic scarves and demure nighties.

These great 1970s colors would be perfect come fall.

Notice the arrows on this one?

Lime green with gray and white paisleys.

This one was made by Vera.

I collected nylon nighties a few years ago. 

I was making fairy dresses from them.

At the time, the new CPSIA requirements about children's clothing...

...scared me away from continuing.

It is now time for them to go to new homes.

This little sleeved capelet is a newer aquisition.

It is too cute for words.

Check out Etsy tomorrow, or feel free to contact me

if there is something you are interested in now.

I'll be happy to accommodate.