Chair Makeover

My sewing chair was showing lots of wear ... tears in the leather.  I gave it an upcycled makeover using selvage edges from my scrap box.   The strips were sewn onto scrap batting and then the two pieces were tucked into the chair band with a bit of hot glue.

 

February's Scrap Challenge

February's scrap challenge color was red.  First I choose a photo of one of my roses.  I decides to select a portion of it and make a kaleidoscope.

 I started with looking through my large and small scraps for lights and darks.

Next I sorted thread for various red shades.  It is unfortunate that as soon as white is added to fed you get pink or if yellow a peachy shade.  I decided to only use the reds.

Here is my pizza slice wedge based on the flower contours from a small section. I started with red satin, but scored it.  I found a darker cotton and utilized what I could of the satin scrape for the applique pieces.

Below is my finished piece.  After lots of applique and then quilting I finished the piece off by going around the edges twice with yarn and a zigzag stitch.

You may be able to see some of the free hand quilting  by clicking on the close up.
Unfortunately, i was not happy with my results.  I think when i have time I will do a realistic read rose.

Duck Tape Manikin and New Dress

My duck tape manikin has worked out great.  The only hit was the top of the mic stand is bendable.  I asked my husband to make a new stand.  He just pulled the torso of the stand, adjusted the height and removed the bendable part.  Who knew?  Now it is just right. Well, I really should tape up the lower arms to hid the hideous T- shirt from a very old dye mishap.

 I thought the dress looked a little plain  after adding a zipper so I put an insert of a batik in the front, then i thought about a belt.  Not to sure, what do you think?

 I had a second idea, I would use the batik for the godets that have not yet been added. I barely had enough fabric to make all seven and then accidentally cut a chunk from both ends of the front panel.  Thank goodness for 5/8" seems.  It worked.

 Will have to finish another day, am out of interfacing.  Will line the bodice, add cap sleeves and finish all the edges.  Does it still need a belt or sash?

The Wonders of Duck Tape - upcycling

Duck tape : you gotta love this stuff!
Here is my money saving up-cycled dress manikin,  and yes it is made of duck tape.  My husband put in a movie Friday night and wrapped me in duck tape.  Then he cut the back in a zigzag and after removing it we taped up the back.  I used cardboard to close the neck ( from a the box our heated came in..  I started to stuff it with plastic bags, but alas I remembered to return all my plastic bags and took my reusable cloth bags with me to the store. :0(  New idea, I'd stuff it with the paper in the shredder.  Not quite enough so I stole the bag of shredded paper my daughter was saving for her guinea pigs.  To finish off I cut cardboard to seal the bottom and duck taped it in place.   Then I cut a small hole in the bottom and slowly Tugged my manikin over an extra mic stand.   Yeah, it worked!

Now off to design some patterns!