This month I handmade and completed 6 items and I’ve worn them all. Actually those figures look better on the page as 5 of those items are small, 4 crochet bracelets and 1 simple hair scrunchie! The other is a fashionable 1970’s retro style, puffed sleeved, tunic top. I haven’t sewn properly for about 3 years, I think I burnt out on the sewing front and retreated into crochet.
However all that is about to change as sewing is one form of sustainability and recycling that I can do well!
Sewing & Crochet
I used to do both on an equal basis, then I started blogging more about lifestyle and my hobbies took a back seat to life and other stuff. Marc recently bought me a new sewing machine, so I do declare the tide may be turning back to sewing…
Sewing: Starting slowly with a hair scrunchie or three!
Always an advocate of starting with the simple things first, I tested my machines basic stitches by making a hair scrunchie. I added a little bow, to jazz it up…
I added a little bow, just to jazz things up…
4 Up-cycled Crochet Bracelets:
Whilst scrolling through IG I found an old photo of mine and was inspired to crochet something similar. The project was from a marvelous book I own a crochet book called ‘Hooked’ by Claire Montgomerie.
So I popped out and toured our local charity shops looking for some plastic bracelets, succeeding in finding 4 for a grand total of £2.50. I certainly was ‘hooked’ for the rest of the day as I crocheted over all four bracelets…
I certainly was ‘hooked’ for the rest of the day as I carefully crocheted over all four bracelets…
Sewing: adapting a 1970’s vintage pattern
This is the one I’m really proud of, a 1970’s puffed sleeved tunic top. I used fabric I already had and a vintage pattern from my collection. It’s very Laura Ashley circa 1975, but without the ditsy floral print. I combined fabrics and added covered buttons with rouleau loops and trimmed it with some tiny pompom braid that was in my stash…
Very Laura Ashley circa 1975, without the ditsy print
This picture above makes me smile. I took the pics using my tripod and the timer on the camera, I told him to look natural, but he just kept staring at the camera as it clicked away…so funny. He loves to pose and I think he is exceedingly good at it!
I told him to look ‘natural’ but he just kept staring at the camera as it clicked
I’m happy with my starter projects and it was easy to remember the rules as soon as I began sewing. Next up is a dusky pink linen dress, because linen is more sustainable than cotton!
Older posts you may enjoy!
The Head Wrap Trend I’m Secretly Wearing At Home
Vintage Laura Ashley on Swanage Beach in January!
Lately, Musings Seeing Making Learning & Real Green Beauty
The Laura Ashley 60 years, exhibition in Bath
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Not just a pretty face, you can sew too!! LOL!!! You’re seriously good at it too…. I think you could start selling all this stuff! I really like the idea of those bangles though. I did have a few plastic bangles and I never wore them because it bugged me when they banged together, or on the table etc. The crochet would totally stop that!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Suzy Helloooo! Yes I love a good armful of bangles but the noise can be overwhelming at times. I donated the bracelets back to the charity shop, lets hope they make a profit on them!
Ashley x
OMG Ashley you’re so talented!!!!! The tunic top is a DREAM, you’ve chosen just the right fabrics for it. I mentioned on IG that my mum had loads of 60s and 70s patterns and she threw them all out, I was so upset… #CryingEmoji
The crochet bracelets look fabulous too. I can just imagine you doing one then going, Let’s do another! And another!! LOL 😉
Catherine x
Author
Catherine thank you soooooo much!
xxx
Love those bracelets! I used to crochet many, many years ago and really enjoyed it. You can make them in so many different colors to go with your outfits. Great idea! #fancyfriday
Author
Thank you Candi!
Oooo love those bracelets! You are sew creative. I’m very impressed with the top too. Clever material matching going on there. xx
Author
Thank you Laurie, Im just about to do some more!
Sewing and making stuff keeps me sane!
Ashley x