Great idea worth stealing. Photographs in recycled glass jars. via Hannasroom.com #easypeasy
Category Archives for handmade
homemade modern – DIY $5 Bucket Stool
#genius. now following homemade modern on vimeo.
wrap dressing
I’m gearing up to sew this summer. I literally have not sewn a complete dress for 12 years. I sewed a Marilyn Monroe white dress for my cousin for Halloween back in 2000. I clearly remember cursing through the whole process. I also remember thinking — no wonder fine clothing is so expensive — this is hard!!! I’m going to start by sewing a version of the Swirl wrap dress. Partly because I love this style of dress but also because there is no zipper or sleeves involved.
Images via SwaneeGrace. Click on the image to be taken to her shop on Etsy.
I bought three vintage patterns from Etsy. I will sew something very similar to the dress above.
I am getting ahead of myself but I already did buy fabric. I just had to. I bought this fabric by Sarah Watts.
I initially thought that I could sew a dress using vintage sheets but when I shopped around I couldn’t find anything I liked. I’ll keep looking. The green dress below is made from a vintage sheet. I found it on Flickr. I love it. I’d live in that dress. Both the dresses below are made by Wendy Hill.
Images via Wendy Hill. Click on the image to be taken to her shop on Etsy.
These dresses below are also made with vintage sheets. I think they are absolutely stunning. They would look especially fabulous if they were worn by a gaggle of bridesmaids. They were designed and created by Naughty Shorts.
Image via Naughty Shorts. Click on the image to be taken to her blog.
And if all that isn’t enough inspiration for you — I’m also thinking of trying to knock-off the tie-front Mociun dress. It has the same ease as the Swirl wrap dress.
There are a lot of sewing ladies on the interwebs doing their best to make their own version of that dress. My favorite version is made by Sarah over on I wish I were Nancy Drew.
One last thing. Remember when I wrote about how Lynda.com is the best new thing in the world? Well — it still is, BUT I have discovered another best new thing — Creativebug. Creativebug is like Lynda.com but for crafters. I’m pretty sure I’ll watch some instructional videos before I start sewing.
xo jam
patchwork reupholstered sofa
Gah. This is one of those things that makes me wish I could quit my day job and make upcycled things all day.
It is a custom piece by jipsi boho living on etsy.
handmade playclothes
Forgive this collection of bad old photographs. I just found this image in an old file. I don’t have the heart to look for the originals. This was my attempt to make play clothes for my nieces. I bought up old slips and added stretchable straps on top so they could be worn as dresses. I sewed doilies onto the slip on the bottom right to cover up stains. I wish I had tried to hand dye that one. That might have looked fun. The pale pink one on the top right was a longish slip. I sewed folds into it to give it volume and to make it short enough for a little girl to wear as a playclothes skirt. I’m in the mood to alter clothing. Take a look at my upcycle inspo board on Pinterest for more upcycling inspiration.
recovergirl xmas wishlist 2012
That post about soap-on-a-rope got me to thinking about a Christmas wishlist. I love a good top 10 list. My family and I don’t buy presents for each other so this isn’t a hint to anyone. This is a list of 10 things I would and may buy for myself if and when my budget allows.
From the top: Blogshop video workshop / Pip-Squeak Chapeau knitted hat / Onstail felted slippers / Bookhou triangle tote / JCrew lace printed sweatshirt / Spiewak Snorkel Coat /Yoko Soopa Scarf / Minnow Bathers Wrestler bathing suit / Carrie Strine dayglo and linen quilt / morse code tattoo.
soap-on-a-rope
If I were to write a sustainable style holiday shopping guide for Portsmouth, I would have to include this soap-on-a-rope at Jane Gee. It is little cubes of handmade soap laced onto twine. It’s like an art mobile that smells good. The soaps are made in New Hampshire with all natural ingredients. I know, right. They are the perfect stocking stuffer or secret Santa present for that sustainably stylish minded person on your xmas list.
pojagi
Lately, I keep seeing this certain kind of window cover that looks like a transparent linen quilt. I love it. Apparently it is the Korean art of pojagi.
Bojagi or bo for short (also pojagi or bojaki) is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth. Bojagi are square and can be made from a variety of materials, though silk is common. Embroidered bojagi are known as subo.
Here is a video I found on the interwebs about a pojagi class at RISD. I especially love the white pojagi dress that is put on like a hospital johnny. It would be a lovely nontraditional wedding dress.
Below are more examples. Click on the images to be taken to the source.
I love the irregular angular shapes.
Below is a close-up of a curtain I made using vintage linen napkins. I’d like to keep experimenting with this idea. I’d like to create a larger curtain that is more pieced, like the examples above.
belfast, maine
Some random things that caught my eye in and around Belfast, Maine.
A bench made with recycled buoys. Awesome.
I visited an artist in his studio. He covered the windows with this cardboard with cutouts. Genius.
And lastly, I bought this up-cycled metal blossom at a garden store in downtown Belfast. Love it.
It is now decorating my unkempt yard.
salvage sisters, continued…..
I found them! Urgh. I’m so mad I missed this vintage market pop-up shop. The quality of their selections is remarkable. I’m following them on FB now so if they have another one I’ll be sure to try and go. You can follow them too, just click here. Pop-up shops are such a great idea. Don’t you think?
