WOYWW #333 Knickers?

Last week I was given a challenge to see what I could make from my 92yr old mum-in-law's disposable  knickers (unused obviously). Well here are my efforts. The material is an elasticated mesh making it a bit tricky to sew definite shapes. 

The snowman was easy - double layer rectangle made into a stuffed tube. Hat made from one of my old socks and a little hand knitted scarf.

Flowers were made using single layer over-locked circles with machine made cords. I did colour some of the fabric with transfer-inked paper but this was not very successful - I think the colour wasn't right. May try colouring it again some other time. 

Finally  I thought I would show you one of the finished books using Hungarian  stamps that I put on the blog a couple of weeks ago.

WOYWW #332

This week I am working on the kitchen table because over-locking (serging) can be messy but that also means I have to finish this by lunchtime. Been finding more ways of using up the fabric from old clothes. This time my coat and skirt (I do like orange). I have already used some for rag rugging. This machine is about 30 years old and still does the job, thankfully. The jar on the side is where I put all the cutoff bits of thread - just because I may find a use for them in another project.

Overlocked circles pleated and then stitched together to make a brooch. The stamens are made from machine made cords over strips of the fabric and the center is dotted with french knots. Each flower is about 6 inches across si it should make a statement on a plain jumper.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 331

Well here is my first WOYWW post having been encouraged by Christine AKA bishopsmate. I do not have a work-desk as such because I have several areas in the house that I use depending on what I am doing. Today I am in the back room (dining room on special occasions) where I usually do machine sewing and yes it is its usual mess.

Since I am having a machine day I usually try and fit in several things that may just need finishing off. I have finally made my ragrug square into a cushion and just finished the covers for 3 hand-bound books using the old postage stamp albums. The older stamps I collected and this was then taken over for a while by my daughters but they were never as interested as I was. 

This page is for Hungary but some of the countries no longer have the same names. The stamps are applied using free-machine embroidery. This machine is over 20 years old but still does the job. My friend Steph is coming a bit later this afternoon to use it to write a label for her granddaughters quilt. That technology was cutting edge 20 years ago.

Looking forward to seeing what other folk have on their workdesk.

Jackie

Making Books

What to do with the old postage stamp collection? Stamps manhandled and worthless can be re-purposed. I see a lot of folk are using them to decorate bowls and picture frames or for jewellery. I decided to appliqué mine to handmade books. Having done one and put it on the Artistsshed Etsy site I have decided to make a couple more using Russian and Polish stamps.

I have made my own sketchbooks and notebooks for many years now using samples of fabrics I have designed/created for their covers. For anyone who may be interested here is my simple way of doing the bindings using off-cuts of wood as my frame. Very low-tech.

Piece of card marked with the position where holes for thread are to be made with a large sharp needle. Finally laying up the signatures (page sections) for stitching together. You do not need to use a frame but it is easier especially if you have a lot of sections.

Now just need to do those covers.

Jackie