Ditsy Designs

Lets get cosy

Brrr...its a bit nippy this time of year, so why not add some texture and warmth to your living room by making one of these jumper cushions! They are so simple to make all you need is a cushion pad, an old jumper and maybe a scrap of fabric...

Here is what I did to make my cushion. I first cut off the arms of the jumper then cut down the side seams. With the front of the jumper I stitched a scrap of fabric into the scoop neckline so that I had a solid rectangle (As opposed to one with a scoop neckline missing from it!). Then with the back of the jumper I cut it into two pieces that were going to form a simple envelope fastening. I used the bottom of the jumper which needed no hemming to be the outer of the fastening. Then with 'right sides together' i sewed the jumper round all 4 sides and turned it the right way out via the envelope fastening...hey presto...

And not being one to waste anything I made cute sausage dogs out of the sleeves! Give it a go!

Puss

I do enjoy making a good toy! This is one I made while waiting for Felix to make an apperance...hes called puss and is made from some old curtain fabric and one of my favourite shirts that refused to fit.

 

The feet were a bit of detail on the bottom of the shirt it looks like i've spent ages sewing them on in different fabric but it was just clever cutting out! I put a bit of rice in the bottoms so they dangle satisfyingly! Here is his face close up..

 

The detail on the face was sewn in zig zag stitch, and then a couple of buttons for the eyes! If you layer smaller buttons on top of larger ones in contrasting colours it gives the toy a bit of quirky character! 
 

 

Let them MAKE cake!

What on earth do you make a 13 year old for their birthday? An apron? really? This was made for Jasmine, who has aspirations to own a patisserie when she grows up... very cool

This was made from a duvet cover, a pillowcase, an old tea towel, and the frill was from the bottom of a nightdress! Here is a close up of the cupcake...

The  applique cupcake was attached to the apron using bondaweb then stitched in place using a straight stich on the sewing machine.

 

Gather your scraps!

I have been collecting the offcuts from my duvets, pillowcases and clothes from larger projects and cutting them into squares for a little while now. I have been saving them for quilted projects. Then with my sister's birthday looming and her having just moved into her new cottage I thought it was the perfect opportunity to finally use some of those little squares!

Alana loves bright colours and bold patterns so I picked the squares that I thought went together to make such a quilt. Confession time....to tie all the squares together and make it look like a bit of thought had gone into it...... I bought the various small polka dot material pieces in different colours from Dunelm. Not recycling I know but I had a vision!! So without further ado....

 

(This is on mine and Ben's bed)

 

(Click on the pictures for a better look!)

 

Here you can see the pink polka dot fleece I used to back the quilt. Its so soft and snuggly! I hope she loves it!

So come on everyone...gather your scraps, cut them into squares and make a lovely quilt in time for winter! xxxxx

Handbag of the season...

I've been working on a new handbag pattern over the summer. So far I have made one for my friend's birthday, and this one which I'm going to show you in detail!

 

The small floral print fabric was a Laura Ashley vallance from the 80's I believe. The polka dot fabric used to be used as a table cloth that I confess wasn't mine it was a friends! But it looks so much better as a bag...forgive me Kate?

 

The applique on the bottom section was inspired by this gorgeous tin that holds all of my favourite buttons!

 

Here is a close up of the applique bit...

 

These are all scraps of fabric (and an old doiley) made into a picure and then worked on top of with the sewing machine, and using some hand embroidery. And then with some special buttons to finish! Tada!

Last but not least my label which I've made a feature of above the inside pocket of the bag...

HCA Summer School 2009

Last week in the muggy crazy hot weather it was Summer School! 13 girls from various schools in Herefordshire joined the recycling clothing and textiles class and although it was a hard week we had a lot of fun! The best bit for me was their faces as they turned their projects 'right side out' and revealed their designs! They couldn't believe that what they had made, magic!

Here are a few piccies:

by the way please excuse some of the scary beaten up mannequins the blue one was fished out of a skip for the day!

Above is Katherines tshirt dress. This used to be a plain vest top and a summer dress.

 

This brightly coloured lovely is a puffball skirt (not displayed very well, mannequin was was too short) and a coursage top. Harriet made this from a curtain and lots of scraps! There is even a piece of jigsaw in there somewhere...

  

This is a close up of all the coursages.

 

This cheerful pegbag was made using an old tea towel and other scraps!

 

Above is India's revamped headband into a rather eye-catching headpiece.

 

This is Bianca's tribute to Michael Jackson. Made from some old pinstripe trousers and various glittery strips from a dress...oh and not forgetting the shocking orange silky fabric!

 

And this is Kayleighs masterpiece, made from some leopard print fabric, a PVC-esk belt and a beaded necklace.

These are just a few of the lovely items made by the girls. Such good use of all these wasted clothes and accessories! I think they all look marvellous! Clever old sticks xxxx

Spring School

This week some year 9 students took part in the Spring School at HCA. I ran the workshop for Recycled Clothing, assisted by the lovely Alex (check out her website: www.chintzypigeons.com) It was so much fun! The girls made the most fab bags out of old clothes and scraps of fabrics...here are some pictures...

 

This bag was made from a baggy top...

This bag was made from a skirt, a t-shirt, and a scarf...

 

Aren't they talented?! And they are only 14...wow. 

Tyranosaurus Norman

I have a little friend that will be turning FIVE very soon, so I have made him a new friend to cuddle up to.....

   

This squishy dino was made from a soft jumper, the legs were the trimming of an old pillowcase filled with rice, the spikes were made from an old summery shirt, and his tongue is a bit of velvety ribbon....scrumptious!